Liza Soberano, Lea Salonga attend 2023 Gold Gala in Los Angeles

Outstanding Filipina talents Liza Soberano and Lea Salonga were present at the 2023 Gold Gala, an event that honored Asian creators at the Music Center in Los Angeles, California, on May 6. 

Soberano wore an exquisite Mark Bumganrer gown that featured a modern Filipiniana dress. Her hair was done by a renowned Los Angeles-based hairstylist who has worked with Hollywood A-listers Lea Michele, Cara Delevigne, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Leslie Mann, Kaia Gerber, and Sadie Sink.

Her make-up was done by Korean make-up artist Pircilla Pae, who likewise worked with Hollywood greats. 

Soberano was able to rub elbows with yet another world-class Filipino, Tony Award-winning Disney legend Lea Salonga.

Salonga was a recipient of the Gold Legend Honor for a lifetime of valuable contributions to the success and representation of the Asian Pacific community. 

Soberano is now partly based in the US after ending her contract with former manager Ogie Diaz and signing up with Careless Music, owned by actor James Reid, to pursue her Hollywood dream.

She said she will be juggling her time between the Philippines and the US.

But while it seems that her efforts for an international career have been paying off so far, her local career took a major step back because of the reactions of people in her interviews.

After her controversial vlog and tell-alls, she got real about the love team system in Philippine showbiz in an interview with BTOB’s Peniel and Ashley Choi for the “Get Real” podcast. 

Meanwhile, Salonga recently performed at the state dinner at the White House hosted by US President Joe Biden for South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol.

Wearing a beautiful Rajo Laurel creation, the Broadway legend said that visiting the White House “feels like being in the middle of a fairy tale.”