Lea Salonga Returns to the Rady Shell in a Night of Rain, Reverence, and Resonance
Written by Odawni Villahermosa | November 26, 2025
San Diego, CA - As the sun slipped behind the Rady Shell last week, a single voice rose across Jacobs Park, and drifted to the steps of the San Diego Convention Center. Joggers slowed to a walk. Cyclists removed their earbuds. People carrying coffee, tote bags, and ponchos paused mid-stride as if caught in a spell. Even as a drizzle began to speckle the pavement, no one moved. They simply listened still, attentive, almost reverent. It was a testament to the unmistakable power of Lea Salonga’s voice, a sound that has shaped generations. This was only a sound check, two hours before the gates even opened.
Lea Salonga | Photos by Odawni Villahermosa
Lea Salonga returned to the Rady Shell on November 15 for the second time, bringing with her the breadth of a career that has spanned continents, mediums, and eras. Her tour title Stage, Screen, and Everything in Between **is not hyperbole. It is a summary of a woman who has conquered Broadway, enchanted film audiences, and brought her voice to concert halls across the world. Celebrated in the Philippines as one of the country’s greatest artists, she is also the standard many vocal coaches at home and abroad encourage their students to strive toward.
As someone who first encountered Lea through the speakers of my childhood television, the sensation of hearing her live felt unreal. Her ethereal voice belongs to Disney princesses. Throughout my vocal training years, she existed as a distant mentor, a benchmark of clarity, discipline, and emotional precision. She, of course, had no idea of this. In the Filipino diaspora, Lea’s voice has long been a compass: a reminder of excellence, of heritage, and of possibility. Standing beside the Rady Shell that afternoon, hearing her sing even a few casual lines, felt like witnessing an icon step directly out of memory and into real life.
As the gates opened, a steady rain began to usher in the crowd. Despite this, the mood refused to dim. Attendees wearing ponchos laughed as they searched for their seats, while others set up camping chairs on the lawn, determined to enjoy the night regardless of the weather. The venue slowly filled with an energy that felt warm, communal, and anticipatory.
The Rady Shell, with its unmistakable arches and panoramic views, remains one of San Diego’s most breathtaking open-air venues. On one side, the city skyline flickered into the evening. On the other hand, the bay rolled out into the darkening horizon. Despite the periodic rain, the stage lights glowed, the audience buzzed, and the night carried on without losing a shred of magic. The venue’s sound system, famously crisp, ensured that every note reached every listener, whether they were sitting up front or perched on the farthest stretch of lawn.
Lea Salonga at the Rady Shelll | Photos by Odawni Villahermosa
Lea opened the show with a medley of, “A Million Dreams” from the musical, “The Greatest Showman” and “Pure Imagination,” from, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” A pairing that set the tone for the night being whimsical, and unmistakably uniquely hers. From the very first note, her voice cut through the damp air with the same clarity and control that has defined her for decades. I had to keep reminding myself that I was there to photograph the event, not simply succumb to awe.
Her set list moved fluidly through eras and genres “Stayin’ Alive,” “Everything I Do,” “Arthur’s Theme,” “My Heart Will Go On,” and “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” Each piece was arranged in a way that showcased not only vocal technique but interpretive finesse. She didn’t imitate. She reimagined.
One of the standout moments of the night, especially for Filipino attendees, came with her rendition of, “Kailangan Kita.” Hearing a Filipino song so steeped in emotional resonance performed on a stage as monumental as the Rady Shell felt like a quiet triumph. It was a reminder of the global reach of Filipino artistry and the significance of seeing one of our most celebrated performers breathe new life into a song from home.
Of course, Lea honored the works that launched her into global stardom. Her medley of “The Movie in My Mind” and “The Last Night of the World” served as a graceful nod to, “Miss Saigon,” the musical that changed the trajectory of her career and earned her international acclaim. Later, when she performed a medley of “Reflection” from,” Mulan,” and “A Whole New World,” from, “Alladin,” the audience erupted. These songs were reminders of the two Disney heroines she helped bring to life with her unmistakable voice.
As the evening came to a close, audience members wrapped themselves in jackets and ponchos as they made their way out of the venue, still humming, still smiling, some dancing. The energy remained high, buoyant, and communal. The concert brought an unforgettable performance to be remembered for years to come, an affirmation of artistry, legacy, cultural pride, and the power of a voice that continues to resonate across generations and continents. In the heart of San Diego, on a rain-kissed November night, Lea Salonga reminded us why she remains a legend among legends.
