
Rob Chien, one of the executive producers of RPG Metanoia, is a Chinese businessman who happens to be married to Broadway star Lea Salonga. ABS-CBN.com got the chance to interview him during the press con of the said 3D animated film and he explained why his wife couldn’t sing for the movie’s sound track. “It’s because the music of RPG Metanoia has more of a rock feel. Although Lea loves rock and she can do rock… I am a big fan of my wife. She can sing anything. But unfortunately for this album, she wasn’t selected. Hahaha! So we’ll find another project for her.”
What’s interesting is that he got to work with Aga Muhlach for this project before Lea, who has been waiting for the right time to do a reunion movie with the dashing actor. “Yeah, I’m lucky, he's a great guy. He loves seeing himself as an animated character. He was laughing and getting a kick out of it. I think all of us in the sound booth were really enjoying watching him work. And I’m glad he became part of this (RPG Metanoia) because he's a gym mate of mine. And we would always talk about it in the gym and I’m glad it finally happened.”
When asked if he has grown used to the fact that Lea would always be part of show business, Rob explained that it was never a big deal to him from the very beginning of their relationship. “We’ve been together for 10 years and I didn’t mind from the start. As to our married life now that we’re based here in the Philippines, it’s very good. We’re doing fine. Although it’s hard because she's not in the country a lot of times, but you know, we Skype, we talk on the phone, we text and when she's here it’s very nice,” he beamed.
Rob got the chance to watch her musical, Cats, here in Manila and it’s pretty obvious how supportive he is of her endeavors with the way he described the whole show. “I saw it before the opening night and it was very good. I was surprised because even she was thinking that I might not like it. But it turned out that I really enjoyed it, if you accept it for what it is, which is a dance show is. It’s not a musical theater thing with a very heavy story. But it is very entertaining.”
But when it comes to their daughter Nicole, Rob still has some hesitations whether or not he would allow her to join show business if given the chance. “I don’t know. She's only four years old. I am hoping she just does well in school and listen to mommy and daddy and doesn’t make too much trouble in school, stuff like that. She’s very makulit. And yes, she’s intelligent. I think she’s too intelligent for her own good,” he stated.
Check out www.therpgmovie.com to know more about the first Filipino 3D animated film, RPG Metanoia (Star Cinema and Ambient Media’s official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2010).