THE LAST time we saw Lea Salonga in Singapore, all she wanted to do was to be with her brother Gerard come Christmas time. For the past few years, when Lea was busy with her theater performances and Gerard was preoccupied with getting a degree in music school, they've missed out on some Christmases as a family. Brother and sister have this glue-like bond that makes it hard for them to be separated during special occasions like Christmas.

We had dinner with Lea, Gerard and their mom Ligaya a few nights ago and they were the picture of a small, happy family. "I told you, it didn't matter whether it was in New York or in Manila, as long as Gerard and I would be together," muses Lea, who looks prettier in longer hair.

The siblings are in town for a special New Year's Eve show at the Westin Philippine Plaza, and both are excited since they won't only be spending the last day of the year with each other, they'll also be working together. Lea takes centerstage as she performs a meticulously chosen repertoire for the once-in-a-lifetime millennium spectacle, while Gerard acts as her musical director and orchestra conductor.

Lea explains how the project materialized and why she opted to come home for the holidays. "All these happened at the perfect time--right after my stint with Singapore Repertory. I was kinda unsure where I wanted to spend my holidays and then suddenly we got word that MaxiMedia was interested in a millennium show.

So we went through the usual discussions and when we finally arrived at an agreement, things just went on a jiffy. Gerard's schedule was fine, and so was mine, so we said, why not? You know, coming home together, doing something we both love, and earning some money--you can't really ask for more than that!"

Her mom came home ahead with Gerard because Lea had to make sure that she'd start classes at Fordham University when classes open next spring. "I've enrolled in History and Philosophy, so I have to be back in time for that," Lea said. She was able to have her 36 units at the Ateneo credited by Fordham, but says she's still undecided on what she'll choose to major in.

On the week she was supposed to arrive, Lea got sick, and she was all alone because her mom, who is her constant companion everywhere she goes, had flown back to Manila ahead. "It was a case of bacterial bronchitis, and it was difficult to be alone and sick in New York," she says, blowing air out with much force.

"I knew it wasn't the flu because I just had my flu shot a few weeks before. I had to call my doctor and he came for a house call and prescribed antibiotics."

Lea says her friends in New York knew she was sick, and when we ask if that included her former fiancé Richard Grau, she gives us a sharp, naughty look, saying, "I guess--we have a lot of common friends, you know." The ex-lovers have met after their break-up but Lea says that there was nothing extraordinary about their chance meeting.

How does it feel to be loveless during the holidays? "It's absolutely alright. One can be content without a partner, believe me." Then she adds that the past four Christmases were happy because she and her former beau always made it a point to be together."

Anyway, everything had to be pushed aside, plans and schedules because of bronchitis, and "I had to make sure all the pabilins from Manila were properly packed in my balikbayan boxes," she says, turning her eyes to her mom and brother, as if telling us that the two were responsible for all the last-minute orders of things to bring home.

Lea did her shopping in the States, where she says, it's a lot cheaper, "That is, if you know where to buy." She also surfed the Net and did a lot of shopping on line, reasoning that it's a lot more convenient because all you do is click your mouse and they deliver. She still enjoys giving and receiving gifts for Christmas but wishes that people truly understand why giving gifts is part of Christmas.

For her coming show, Lea promises to give only her best, reiterating that the songs were carefully chosen to set the mood for a cheerful welcome of the coming year. "We wanted it to be a really happy show and everyone who comes to watch will have a good time so they can start their year on a bright note," she says.

Most of the songs on her list are about love, hope and optimism, and some she'll be performing for the first time for her Manila audience, spanning decades, genres and forms, to be backed up by a 35-piece orchestra.

As Lea interprets "Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz," she'll also do some standards like George and Ira Gershwin's "Our Love Is Here to Stay."

Lea might get a little sentimental with some of the songs that have given her name some glitter, like "I'd Give My Life for You" (from "Miss Saigon") and "On My Own," her audition piece in Manila more than 10 years ago that clinched the title role of Kim for her.