Monique and Julia–two Kims in serendipitous convergence

WILSON AND ABUEVA. Quick but happy chat about a musical that’s close to their hearts. RITO ASILO

I’m always happy to spend time with Monique Wilson, because we hardly see each other these days. So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when I learned that she was likewise in London during my recent European visit. She also happened to be in New York—for V-Day-related meetings with Eve Ensler—during my theatergoing trip to the Big Apple last year. —How’s that for serendipity?

Monique looked lovely and radiant, but she was in town to visit her doctor for her cancer treatment, and was on her way to Rome for a One Billion Rising event—but, that’s another story. We had a hard time agreeing on a time to meet because I had prebooked the West End shows I wanted to watch, as well as my trips to Paris and the English countryside.

So, we decided to meet after the matinee performance of “The Bodyguard” outside the Prince Edward Theatre, home of the 25th year incarnation of “Miss Saigon,” to visit Monique’s niece, Julia Abueva, who is the musical’s first cover for the lead role of tragic heroine Kim. We caught Julia during her early-dinner break.

With the show’s May opening fast approaching (the previews begin today, May 3), it was natural for the cast and crew involved in the production to be on tenterhooks, but Julia told us how amazed she was that everybody in the production seemed so cool and relaxed.

‘Miss Saigon’ experience

Monique and I beamed like proud parents as we listened to Julia’s stories about her “Saigon” experience. Julia used to shuttle between Manila (“Cinderella”) and Singapore (“Next to Normal”) to essay coveted roles in stage musicals, but the 18-year-old theater ingénue began acting in New Voice’s Manila-Singapore production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Aspects of Love,” where Monique and I performed with the then 9-year-old newbie. (Monique was also 9 when she began acting in Repertory Philippines shows.)

We happily reminisced about our “working adventure” in Sri Lanka, where Julia and I guested in  Monique’s concert in Colombo! Thereafter, I directed Julia in “Into The Woods,” where she played Little Red Riding Hood. So, you can understand why seeing Julia all grown up and ready to conquer the world on her own brings out that warm, fuzzy feeling in us.

Julia shared, “A lot of it still feels surreal, and the whole thing has yet to sink in. But, I’m enjoying every minute of it!”

But, for me, the sight of the gorgeous aunt and her multitalented niece having a quick but happy chat about a musical that’s close to their hearts was something even more extraordinary to behold—from one of “Miss Saigon’s” first Kims to one of its latest!

Monique told Julia to enjoy the ride—and learn as much as she could. Julia shared, “My training with New Voice helped a lot. I was only 9 when I did ‘Aspects of Love’—the professionalism I saw in those early productions stuck with me.”

Monique recalled, “I remember how Julia was when she was only 2 years old. She cried because she said nobody wanted to listen to her sing (laughs)! She would go under the piano and play with its keys from there!

“Like me, she used to sing a lot and would still be wide awake after midnight! We used to call her ‘drunken sailor’ because at noon the next day, tulog pa s’ya (laughs)! So, even then, we knew that she was going to be an artist!” (Julia interjected: “Now I always get my eight hours of sleep.”)

What has Julia learned so far? She answered, “In Singapore and Manila, there’s always time to discuss things with your director—about the play, your characterization, etc. Here, the director is always busy, so when you’re with him—ask the right questions!”

Happy birthday, Monqs—and break a leg, Julia!