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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Nic Chien on working with mom Lea Salonga: 'Sometimes I just want space '

Nic Chien on working with mom Lea Salonga: 'Sometimes I just want space '

Published Aug 1, 2025 02:18 pm
Nic Chien plays Jack in 'Into the Woods'
Nic Chien plays Jack in 'Into the Woods'
Being a child of Broadway superstar Lea Salonga, 18-year-old Nic Chien is not new to the working environment of his mom.
During the press conference of Into the Woods, held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater on July 31, Nic shared that he sometimes wants space for himself whenever they go on rehearsals.
"It's nice you know, but sometimes you know, I just want some space from my mom. Other people get to say that they want space, but I can't do that because I'm always with her," Nic said.
The cast of 'Into the Woods'
The cast of 'Into the Woods'
Nic made his professional musical theater debut as Alice in Atlantis Productions’ Matilda, and has been bitten by the theater acting bug ever since. In 2023, Chien participated in the English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition and garnered third place.
Nic also shared that it was enjoyable working with his mom, although some people were amazed by Lea's presence on stage. But for him, it was like a routine.
"I enjoy it and you know what, she's incredible, right, but the thing is, it's funny because everybody reacts so freshly towards how amazing my mom is, because I'm around all the time, right, so I'm just like, okay, it's another Tuesday, right," he said.
He also mentioned that he was not surprised when people gave his mom endless praise whenever she performed during their rehearsals.
"I'll be like, 'Hey, how do you not stay bored during, we're watching the same thing over and over and over again. And people are like, 'We just watch your mother.' She inspires me, and I'm like, okay, that helped me so much," Nic shared while laughing.
Nic also emphasized that Lea remains the same whether on or off the stage.
"I mean, it's not that different from every day, because I'm with her all the time. You know, people might expect a more nuanced answer, that I'm gonna be like, wow, I didn't expect this, this new side of you. No, it's my mom, she's the same everywhere," he said.
"That's my perspective, at least, that home and here, it's the same, not much difference, and I'm not ashamed when she treats me like her kid in front of everybody else, it's just, that's just how it is," he added.
Eugene praises Nic and Lea
Playing the role of Jack's mother in the upcoming theater stage play, Actress Eugene Domingo couldn't help but give praises to Nic and Lea.
''Ang simula, yung sinabi ni Lea, o ikaw na bahala sa anak ko ah. Ang ending, si Nic ang in charge sa akin!" (At first, Lea emphasized her desire for care, but in the end, it was Nic who took charge of me)," Eugene shared during the press conference.
Eugene also shared that Nic was the one who was guiding her through rehearsals.
"Si Nic ang nagsasabi ng 'tita, tita, halika na' 'Tita, dito tayo" 'Tita, ready ka na' 'Are you okay, tita?" So naging baliktad na. Nic is very lucky. You created the best human being. (Nic is the one saying 'auntie, auntie, come on' 'auntie, we're on this spot' auntie, are you ready' 'Are you okay, auntie?" So it's the other way around)," Eugene said to Lea during the press conference.
Eugene Domingo plays Jack's mother in 'Into the Woods'
Eugene Domingo plays Jack's mother in 'Into the Woods'
Aside from Nic's guidance, Eugene also complimented how perfect and professional Lea is when she comes to their rehearsal.
"Santa Lea ang tawag ko sa kanya kasi siya na talaga yung kinapitan ko. But Lea salonga siguro nakikita niyo lang siya as an idol, pero grabe ang pagkatao niya, isa rin siyang tao. Isa siyang tao na nagsasalita rin ng 'di magandang mga words. (I call her Santa Lea because she's the one I held on to. But Lea Salonga, maybe you only see her as an idol, but she has a serious personality, and she's also a human being. She's a human being who also uses bad words)," Eugene said.
''Isa siyang tao na ma-marites din. Totoo 'yun. Tao lang din siya. Nagkataon lang na biniyayaan tayo ng isang Pilipina na kaya mong itapat sa buong mundo pagdating sa galing. Siya yun. (She is a person who likes gossiping. That's true. She is also just a person. It just so happens that we are blessed with a Filipina who you can compare to the whole world when it comes to her talent. She is the one)," Eugene added.
Into the Woods is based on James Lapine’s book, which he also directed during the original Broadway run. The plot intertwines several fairy tale characters and dramatically portrays the impact of human choices and actions.
The Manila staging of the upcoming stage will kick off on Aug. 7 and run until Aug. 27.
Behind this production of Into The Woods is Tony Award-winning visionary Clint Ramos, who serves as overall artistic and creative director alongside co-producers John and Joanna Echauz, and S-PAT Executive Director Chris Mohnani. 
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