‘Miss Saigon’s’ homegrown Kim is living her dream

MANALANG ( WITH ALISTAIR BRAMMER). Has learned to be more independent.

It has been four months since Tanya Manalang began her stint as Fil-Am Eva Noblezada’s alternate in the coveted role of Kim in the West End revival of “Miss Saigon.” But, the petite 26-year-old stage actress still can’t believe her luck. She beams, “Getting cast in the musical has always been a dream—and now I’m living it!”

Tanya took a break from the hit London musical last month to perform in the concert, “From East Coast to West End,” last Aug. 29. Tanya, whose repertoire included show tunes from “Saigon,” swept us off our feet!

She didn’t just have a spectacular voice, she also oozed with soul and sincerity. When we met her at Eastwood, she was endearingly soft-spoken, casually dressed and devoid of false modesty and pretensions—she looked like a high school student!

Truth is, Tanya has been in the theater industry for 20 years now: She starred as one of the Pevensie kids in Trumpets’ “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” with some of the ’90s’ talented tykes and teeners, Joaquin Valdes, Topper Fabregas, Sheila Lina and Camille Cabrera. Before she landed the London gig, she portrayed Liesl and Tuptim in Resorts World’s “Sound of Music” and “King & I,” respectively.

What was running through her mind the first time she played Kim? She shares, “I couldn’t believe I was actually doing it! The production has eight performances a week, with a Sunday break, and I go on as Kim twice a week (no, she isn’t part of the ensemble). Being away from home helps me channel Kim’s loneliness and struggle. I have to be strong—which is what the new Kim is!”

How has the “Saigon” experience changed her? She replies, “It taught me to be more independent. Now, I’m more aware of what I can and cannot do. The people in the production will take care of you, but you don’t have a PA, so you’re on your own. It taught me to appreciate the value of patience and hard work. Western audiences are more generous with praise, while Filipino theatergoers are harder to please and more discerning.”

MANALANG

How well does she get along with the other members of the cast? She shares, “We hang out when we don’t have a show. Chuck Marbella, who was my Lun Tha in ‘King & I,’ is closest to me. He’s in the ensemble—but, he has a huge responsibility!

“Chuck is the first cover for both The Engineer and Thuy. Before I left, he was playing The Engineer, because Jon Jon was on holiday. After I left, he was playing Thuy, because Kwang-Ho Hong went on holiday—two consecutive new roles for him!

“Like me, na-ho-homesick din si Rachelle Ann Go, who doesn’t have an alternate as Gigi (she has two covers, no alternate). The production has about 40 cast members, about seven of whom are Filipinos.”

Joaquin Valdes and Topper Fabregas are now film and theater directors, respectively. What are Tanya’s recollections of working with them? With a glint in her eyes, she discloses, “I was very makulit as a child, and everything was just playtime for me (laughs)—so, they had to make me behave—it was a learning experience. Child actors these days are more disciplined! With  ‘Saigon,’ my journey as an actress continues—and I’d love to continue growing!”