Gulf News staffer Fermel Fuentes had a lucky night on Saturday: he was chosen by global singing sensation Lea Salonga to do a live duet with her during a Dubai Opera show.
It may have been more than just luck, as Fuentes had been planning the night since March. He had already known that Salonga’s routine included bringing one of her fans up on stage.
“We intentionally booked the front seats so I could really get onto the stage quickly, as she usually picked someone from the audience to sing with her,” said Fuentes.
Salonga, a Tony-award winning performer from the Philippines, is known for her singing voice in Disney films. She famously performed as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin. She sang A Whole New World with Fuentes from that very production.
Salonga told the Dubai audience to warm up in their seats if they wanted to duet with her. Towards the end of her second act, Fuentes volunteered himself. His friends cheered him on, catching Salonga’s attention.
“It’s surreal. I’m kind a proud of myself that I am standing in front of a fully packed Dubai Opera stage,” said Fuentes.
He said he wasn’t nervous, but enjoyed his moment in the spotlight with “the only diva I’ve adored since when I was a kid.”
Fuentes, also from the Philippines, has been singing since age seven. He recalls reading about Salonga in his elementary school text books.
“Her technique is amazing in a sense that she really knows her craft, and she has a great discipline. I’m so lucky to have that moment with her and performing with her on stage was surreal. It’s just [that] dreams do come true,” said Fuentes.
Salonga was a child star in her home country before her breakout role in the theatrical production Miss Saigon in 1989. She was the first Asian person to play Eponine in the musical Les Miserables on Broadway. She performed at Dubai Opera for two nights, on September 22 and 23.
