Lea Salonga to her fans: ‘You get to pick the song, and I will sing it for you.’

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What are the odds Lea Salonga will do hits of Lady GaGa, Britney Spears, Beyoncé and even sing Pinoy Rock? Try www.LEAyoursongs.com where an artist of Lea’s caliber opens her door to requests… all kinds of requests.

Lea said she is doing this show because she thrives on sailing uncharted territories. For her concert “Lea: Your Songs” happening on December 11 and 12 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall, she will make sure that her fans write the repertoire.

The international star told the media last Monday at the “Your Songs” launch at Citibest Restaurant in Quezon City, “People always tell me, ‘Lea you should have done this’ or ‘you should have performed that.’ You know what? How about I do this very democratically so none of you have any right to complain? You get to pick the song, and I will sing it for you. I want the people to think, ‘What do I want this woman to sing for me on that concert night?’”

Online requests however is currently burning with requests now way past the 1,400 count in interesting picks that translate to reason enough to keep anticipation up until show time to see what Lea was willing to do for the concert.

“We’ll see [which songs] I’ll do. The show will have about 20 to 25 songs and I can always choose what songs would fit me but if my brother Gerard [Salonga, the show’s musical director] opts to do something I’m not comfortable with, that means I have to work because I know that he has in mind an arrangement that I could not say no to.”

She added, “[Doing new songs] is what makes me tick so we’ll see. I’d like to do for example, Michael Jackson because he’s always been an idol and he recently passed but don’t expect me to do ‘Billie Jean’ or ‘Beat It,’ especially not ‘Beat It’ because I will never be able to do it the way Michael Jackson did and I don’t want to do anything I would regret later on because daughter (three-year-old Nicole) would get teased in school. ‘I saw your mom do this in YouTube!’ No! I’m not doing that.”

She shared with the Manila Bulletin, “But yes, we get ‘Pokerface’ from Lady GaGa, we get ‘Rehab’ from Amy Winehouse, we get Dashboard Confessional, we get The Dawn, Michael Jackson... We have all kinds of requests. Personally, I’m trying to avoid songs I.’ve already done before, or songs already available in the DVDs and the CDs. I want to try as much as I had never done. That’s the challenge of it.”

Topping the list of most requested is “Bayan Ko” which Lea just performed during the Requiem Mass for President Cory Aquino last Aug. 5. “To do that song with this orchestra and the audience, all remembering the day and who she was, it’s gonna make for something incredibly emotional. I’ll reveal this much: I don’t think I can deny all those requests for this particular song. I think we have to ultimately perform it,” said Lea.

She also recalled during the Requiem Mass that she fought tears when Kris Aquino was already addressing the attendees. “I had to look away and stare at chairs and walls and I’m proud of myself when I did not cry while singing. I don’t think it’s gonna be an experience that... I can truly prepare myself for... I have to get up there and sing it and remember how we are grateful to her for everything she had done. To sing the song, and to sing it well, and not get out of tune to be an honor for her.”

Lea is excited to perform on stage with Ai Ai de las Alas who will be amongst her guests for the concert. Like Ai Ai, Lea’s other personal choice to guest is big-band crooner Richard Poon whom Lea has the nicest words for.

“I saw her [Ai Ai] a few days ago and she said it’s going to be an honor to do this for me. Quite honestly, the honor is also mine, because she’s so talented and charming. Richard Poon. I wanted him because he’s so charming and sings so well, and he’s really cute. And the ‘really cute’ part is enough to get him in! But seriously was amazed when I guested on ‘ASAP’ where he was part of the Sessionistas and he was just singing perfect harmony to everyone who was performing. So I said, ‘This artist is really a team player and I would love to sing with him.’”

According to Lea, the best singers for her are not necessarily those who can belt the highest of notes. “Great singers are measured by how much they affect people. Affecting [people] is not so much a skill. When you put your heart to the song, it’s investing a part of you into the song.”