CRISEL CONSUNJI: FROM MANILA'S STAGE LIGHTS TO HONG KONG STARDOM

Award-winning Filipina actress, singer and educator Crisel Consunji proves that talent, purpose and heart can shine anywhere in the world.

- By CARLO OROSA

When a Filipina wins at what's known as Hong Kong's (HK) equivalent of the Oscars, people take notice. But for Crisel, her journey from the Manila stage to international recognition wasn't simply about fame it was about finding her voice and using it to help others find theirs.

At 10 years old, Crisel stood nervously in line to audition for Repertory Philippines' "Evita." She didn't know it then, but that moment would set her on a path that would take her from the country's most respected theaters to Disney stages, and later, to one of the most prestigious film awards in Asia.

Growing up in the Philippines, Crisel quickly became a familiar name in theater. She appeared in Repertory's Theatre for Young Audiences, Trumpets' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," and New Voice Company's "Aspects of Love" and "Into the Woods" (as Little Red Riding Hood).

But while most young performers focused solely on stagecraft, Crisel pursued academic excellence with equal passion-earning both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Political Science from Ateneo de Manila University. By 2005, she was teaching drama at St. Paul College Pasig, guiding young students to express themselves through the arts.

In 2008, a new opportunity beckoned. Crisel moved to Hong Kong to join the inaugural cast of "High School Musical" at Hong Kong Disneyland. Her natural stage charisma soon earned her the lead role of Bebe in "The Golden Mickeys," one of the park's top live shows.