Philippine Concert Queen Pops Fernandez marked a special moment as she joined Tony Award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga as the latter received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
On Instagram, Pops shared clips from the ceremony, expressing pride as the Filipina icon reached another milestone and made history in Hollywood.
“What an incredibly proud and unforgettable moment to witness the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony of Lea Salonga! ✨,” Pops wrote.
“To be there and see a Filipina being honored with her very own star on Hollywood Boulevard was truly something special. Lea has broken barriers, opened doors, and shown the world the extraordinary talent that comes from the Philippines. 🇵🇭❤️,” she added.
For Pops, witnessing Lea receive the prestigious recognition was an honor, especially as a fellow Filipino artist who has followed and celebrated her journey through the years.
“I’m so proud to have witnessed this historic milestone — not just as a fellow artist, but as a Filipino who has watched her journey and celebrated her achievements through the years,” she stated.
Pops also shared a heartfelt message for Lea, highlighting the hard work and perseverance behind her success, saying: “Lea, you have made our country proud! This star represents so much more than fame. It represents talent, hard work, perseverance, and a dream that reached all the way to Hollywood. 🌟”
“Congratulations, Lea! What a beautiful piece of Philippine history to witness firsthand. Mabuhay ka! 🇵🇭❤️#leasalonga #hollywood #walkoffame #philippines #manilainternationalfilmfestival”
Pops later shared another post featuring more moments from the ceremony, this time capturing her excitement as a longtime admirer of Lea.
“My fangirl moment during @msleasalonga Walk of Fame ..... Congratulations again, Lea😊 and @manilaintlfilmfest #walkoffame #leasalonga #hollywood.”
Pops was among the celebrities and personalities who attended the ceremony in Los Angeles to witness Lea receive her star on the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Also present at the historic occasion were Mulan star Ming-Na Wen, American singer Brandy, Filipino American actor and Broadway star Darren Criss, and Filipina actress Dolly De Leon.
During the ceremony, Lea reflected on her decades-long journey in the entertainment industry, recalling how her career began with nothing more than her love for performing.
"I was a little girl in the Philippines who loved to sing and perform. I started working when I was very young and I certainly didn't have some grand plan on how any of this was supposed to unfold. I just knew that I loved doing it. This career has taken me to places I never imagine I would go. Introduced me to some extraordinary people and allowed me to keep doing what I love," she said in her speech.
Beyond celebrating her own achievement, Lea also took pride in seeing more Filipino and Asian artists make their mark in the global entertainment industry.
"There are so many extraordinary Filipino and Asian artists working today, telling our stories, playing roles we once could have never imagined being offered and creating new opportunities for future generations. That means an enormous amount to me. I hope that someday a young Filpino kid comes to Hollywood, sees my name, and thinks, 'Oh, maybe I can get here too,'" she remarked.