Lea Salonga wins big at the 31st Aliw Awards

MANILA, Philippines — Grammy-nominated singer Lea Salonga bagged two major awards at the 31st Aliw Awards held on Thursday at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel.

She won the Entertainer of the Year Award and the Best Major Concert (Female) award for her concert “LS40.”

In a Facebook post, Salonga gave thanks for the recognition and gave special mentions to the people behind her concert.

“Thank you, Aliw Awards, for the Best Major Concert (Female) award for LS40. It was a labor of love for all of us involved,” the Tony-award winning actress wrote.

“Since it was the concert that won and not the artist, that trophy belongs to my mother, the indomitable and indefatigable Ligaya Salonga, who at 81 years old is one of the fiercest humans on the planet,” she added.

Salonga also thanked the award-giving body for the Entertainer of the Year Award and said: “It was a huge thrill accepting it alongside my friend Erik Santos who won his own as well! Yup, it was a tie!!!”

“2018 has been quite the year, and I’m grateful for it all,” she said. “Grateful for a great cadre of fans that have been nothing but kind… for a wonderful supportive family that has been my grounding force… and for great friends that encourage and lift me up, as well as tell me the truth when I need to really hear it.”

The Aliw Awards aims to recognize achievements in the country’s live entertainment industry. /muf