Though Lisa Macuja Elizalde has crossed paths with Kuh Ledesma many times before, the host of Art 2 Art discloses having butterflies in her stomach when it came to interviewing the Pop Diva for her program.

“I knew her from watching her in Rama Hari with Basil Valdez and then working with her on several concerts at the Music Museum. (But) I was starstruck!” Lisa says of recently welcoming Kuh to the studio where Art 2 Art episodes are recorded.

Lisa is excited that the singer-actress-painter is gracing the 17th anniversary episode of Art 2 Art, which airs March 10, 3:30 to 4 p.m., on radio and television via DZRH and DZRH New Television and streams online via www.dzrh.com.ph.

In the episode, Kuh relates how she transitioned from a background in nursing to nurturing a career in entertainment. Navigating the challenges of the music industry, she has emerged as a pop icon who has produced hits and headlined full-house concerts for more than four decades.

What’s amazing to Lisa about Kuh is how the latter has unlocked facets of creativity beyond singing, venturing into acting, and even rediscovering her love for painting, leading to sold-out exhibitions. “Artists like her are role models whose examples we want to shine a light on, to inspire younger people who are also thinking of the arts as a career.”

For Lisa, hosting Art 2 Art is precious for the nuggets of wisdom shared by fellow artists. “One I can’t forget is from the late painter Malang, who succinctly put it on what it takes to be an artist: “Sipag. Tiyaga.” (Hard work. Patience.)

Besides those life lessons, Lisa gets a thrill when the interaction goes beyond the Q and A. “My favorite episodes are the ones that take me on a more personalized journey.

Such as the episode where I actually got to sing with Pilita Corrales and Jose Mari Chan! Or the episode when I danced it out with the Aldeguer Sisters. Or when I was inspired to take the interview into a project such as authors’ books becoming ballets or composers invited to collaborate with my choreographers! Of course, the episodes on ballet and dance are always extra special.”

Art 2 Art started airing on radio in 2007, with singer-composer-musical arranger (now National Artist) Ryan Cayabyab as its first guest. The program later expanded into cable television and online streaming. Since its auspicious start, Art 2 Art has showcased hundreds of personalities from various art genres – film, dance, visual arts, theater, music, literature, design, and architecture.

A fire that struck the Star City complex where the studio is located forced the show to close shop in October 2019. The following year, plans for its return stalled when the pandemic hit, and lockdowns ensued. Fortunately, because of its deep trove of episodes, replays of the program were still aired during that time. It wasn’t till November last year that Art 2 Art could finally regroup and regularly tape new episodes.

Lisa is back to balancing her time between her duties as artistic director of Ballet Manila and as host of Art 2 Art – and she’s not complaining. She is just grateful for the chance to continue the show’s mission of bringing “using singing at Kultura para sa lahat” (art and culture discussion for all) through conversations with artists, culture workers, art administrators, and art patrons in the coming years.

She avers, “On Art 2 Art, we’re promoting arts consciousness through a lively exchange of ideas and experiences with fellow artists. In our small way, we’re also able to underscore such values as perseverance, courage, hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence by talking to people who have struggled and persisted in making a life and name for themselves in the arts.”