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Lea Salonga breaks silence on split: Finding joy after Robert Chien
Manila Bulletin
|January 25, 2026
Filipino Broadway superstar Lea Salonga admitted she has been separated from her former husband, Robert Chien, but said they are supportive of their son, Nic Chien.
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"We're both super busy, but thankfully, the dad and the dad's partner are the ones kapag may sipon ka, here I will send you food. Let's make sure that you are well. So it's not a secret. We have been separated for a while. And now he's happy. I am happy that he's happy," said Lea during an interview by popular entertainment broadcaster MJ Marfori of TV5, uploaded on TikTok on Jan. 21.
At 54, Lea opened up about her personal experience while discussing her son's gender transition. During the conversation, she offered thoughtful advice to both singles and couples on how to support, care for, and unconditionally love their gay children.
"If you do not have kids, if you think you will not be able to love your child if they come out to you and say, 'Mom, I am gay, mom I'm lesbian, mom I'm bisexual, mom I'm trans, if under those conditions your love will stop, don't have children. Don't.
This story is from the January 25, 2026 edition of Manila Bulletin.
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