Lea Salonga praises 'Fili' translation launched in New York
Internationally acclaimed Filipino actress Lea Salonga praised the latest translation of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal's novel "El Filibusterismo" which was recently launched in New York in the United States. "The nice thing about Rizal's writings in light of what's happening in the country is that they are actually still relevant. They could have been written yesterday," Salonga said, according to a press statement of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. "The Noli and the Fili are works that a lot of young people should read; and that a lot of older people should reread," said Lea Salonga, who was in New York in June for a concert series but could not attend the launch. "Harold Augenbraum's translations stay true to how Rizal actually wrote the books," she added. Salonga is best known around the world for portraying "Kim," the lead character in the musical Miss Saigon. She won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Theatre World awards for portraying that role. Salonga was also the first Asian to play the roles of Ãponine and Fantine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway. Augenbraum's translation The newest translation of Rizal's novel "El Filibusterismo" is now part of the popular US-based Penguin Books' "Classics" lineup after being launched in New York in June. According to the DFA, Harold Augenbraum's translation of "El Filibusterismo" was launched on June 16 at the Philippine Center in New York. Augenbraum had translated Rizal's earlier novel "Noli Me Tangere" for Penguin. The translation was launched in 2006 through the sponsorship of the Philippine Consulate General, the DFA said. Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. acknowledged with pride that Rizal's novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" are now in the official roster of Penguin Classics - along with the books of Charles Dickens, Emily Bronte and other authors of great classics. De Leon lauded the initiative made through Penguin's Executive Director Elda Rotor, and thanked the group of young Filipino-American professionals under CORE for spearheading the launch project with genuine interest and with the goal of promoting the heritage. He related how Rizal almost did not have the book published because of lack of funds. But it was a book he wanted so much to finish and which he later related to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, as more important than the "Noli." It was finally published in Ghent, Belgium in 1891 through funds given by friends. "Now, 120 years after the first publication of 'El Filibusterismo,' we see the book being reprinted, retranslated and reread here in New York and soon around the world," De Leon said. Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba Laguna. He was executed by firing squad on December 30, 1896 after he was found guilty of rebellion, sedition, and forming an illegal association. - VVP, GMA News