Lea Salonga to Shine Among the Stars: First Filipina Honored on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In the city where dreams are immortalized in stone, a new name is set to glitter among the legends: Lea Salonga, the voice that crossed continents and the soul that defined generations, is finally receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And in doing so, she’s not just making history—she’s rewriting it.

On July 2, 2025 (Los Angeles time), the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced the Class of 2026 for the iconic boulevard, a coveted honor that immortalizes the industry’s most influential figures. Among the 35 new inductees, one name shone with a distinct brilliance—Lea Salonga, selected under the Live Theater/Live Performance category, now stands as the first Filipina ever to receive this honor.

Let that sink in: in the century-long narrative of Hollywood, filled with tales of legends and luminaries, Salonga's star will be the first to reflect the brilliance of the Filipina spirit.

A Voice That Echoed Across Generations

For many around the world, Lea Salonga is more than just a performer. She is the voice of Jasmine, the warrior spirit of Mulan, and the unforgettable Kim in Miss Saigon, a role that earned her a Tony Award and changed Broadway history. She was just 18 when she took the world by storm, a young Filipina from Manila who would become one of the most powerful voices in international theater.

Now, decades later, that voice will be forever etched into the Hollywood sidewalk, alongside the likes of Shakira, Jane Fonda, Miley Cyrus, Chadwick Boseman, and Timothée Chalamet, all fellow honorees this year. The recognition cements Salonga’s position not just as a performer—but as a cultural icon.

More Than a Star: A Beacon for Representation

This isn’t just about one woman’s triumph. Salonga’s recognition marks a milestone for Filipino visibility in an industry long dominated by Western narratives. She becomes the fourth Filipino overall to earn a star on the Walk of Fame, following Manny Pacquiao, apl.de.ap, and Bruno Mars, joining a prestigious yet still too-short list of Filipino excellence celebrated on the world stage.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Salonga wrote: “You all made this happen.” She shared that she was “completely stunned” by the call, thanking fans and supporters who have stood by her side throughout her journey. For millions who saw themselves in her roles, it was a moment of validation, pride, and joy.

Beyond Applause: Shaping the Future of Theater

While many stars fade into their accolades, Lea Salonga has never stopped evolving. Recently, she starred in and co-produced Here Lies Love on Broadway—a revolutionary musical centered on the life of Imelda Marcos, brought to life by an all-Filipino cast and creative team. It was more than just a show; it was a statement, a movement, and proof that stories from the Philippines can take center stage—and captivate the world.

Salonga continues to mentor, produce, and advocate for diversity in the arts. Her legacy is not only in her performances but in the doors she has opened for future generations of Asian artists.

A Star Among Stars

The Hollywood Walk of Fame receives hundreds of nominations every year, but only a select few are chosen based on professional excellence, community impact, and longevity. To be included is to be immortalized—and for Salonga, it is a recognition that is decades in the making. Her star will be installed sometime between 2026 and 2027, depending on scheduling and logistics. Each honoree or their sponsor shoulders a $75,000 cost to ensure the star’s creation, placement, and upkeep—a small price for an eternal legacy.

But beyond the glitz, this honor signifies something far more profound: a shift in global cultural consciousness. Hollywood is finally acknowledging that greatness knows no borders. And in Salonga’s case, it sings in perfect pitch, with heartfelt emotion, and in multiple languages.

A Salute from the Nation—and the World

From the stages of London's West End to New York's Broadway, from animated Disney realms to the hearts of millions, Lea Salonga has inspired with every note and every word. Her star on the Walk of Fame is not just a recognition—it’s a symbol of resilience, brilliance, and boundless talent.

For every young Filipino dreamer, Salonga’s star isn’t just a slab of terrazzo on Hollywood Boulevard. It’s a reminder: you belong here. You always have.

And for the rest of the world? It’s an invitation to listen more closely to the voices that have long deserved the spotlight.

Mabuhay, Lea. The world is finally catching up to your light. 

Titans of Stone: Inside the 9 Largest Castles Ever Built

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From haunted battlements to majestic royal halls, these architectural giants whisper the secrets of centuries past. Each stone laid bears witness to wars, revolutions, dynasties, and dreams. Welcome to a journey through the nine largest castles ever built — not mere relics of a romantic past, but towering monuments to human ambition and endurance.

1. Malbork Castle – Poland’s Colossus of the Teutonic Order

Size: 1.5 million square feet

At the edge of the Nogat River, where medieval mist still seems to hang low over the water, Malbork Castle rises like a fortress out of myth. Built by the fearsome Teutonic Knights in 1274, this red-brick marvel is not just the largest castle in Poland — it’s the largest castle on Earth. Enclosed within its 52-acre expanse are three formidable layers: the High Castle, the Middle Castle, and the Low Castle, each fortified with moats and battlements. It was the nerve center of the Teutonic Order for 150 years — a symbol of religious militancy, architectural ingenuity, and unrelenting power. When the Polish army reclaimed it in 1457, it marked not just a military victory, but the return of a kingdom’s soul.

2. Prague Castle – Czechia’s Living Chronicle

Size: 750,000 square feet

Hovering above the Vltava River like a silent sentinel, Prague Castle is not just a building — it’s a timeline in stone. Born as a fortress in the 9th century, it grew over time into an intricate ecosystem of cathedrals, palaces, towers, and gardens. At its heart lies Vladislav Hall, once the largest hall in medieval Prague, its ribbed ceilings echoing with the voices of royal courts and ceremonial feasts. Still the seat of Czech presidential power, Prague Castle is a living symbol of statehood and survival — a fortress that has outlived empires.

3. Wawel Castle – Poland’s Royal Heartbeat

Size: 602,047 square feet

Perched high above the Vistula River in Krakow, Wawel Castle is part legend, part legacy. As Polish folklore tells it, a dragon once lurked in the cave beneath its foundations — and only a cunning king could slay it. In reality, Wawel has been home to centuries of Polish monarchs, their coronations, and their final rests. This architectural mosaic of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque designs echoes the transitions of a nation’s soul. Long before Warsaw became the capital, Wawel was the cradle of Polish identity.

4. Windsor Castle – England’s Fortress of the Crown

Size: 590,239 square feet

Built by William the Conqueror in 1070 and polished into regality by the Tudors and Windsors, Windsor Castle is not just big — it’s eternally alive. It is the world’s largest inhabited castle, a home to kings and queens for nearly a thousand years. From its flag-flying Round Tower to the hallowed halls of St. George’s Chapel, where monarchs lie entombed, Windsor Castle has endured fires, invasions, and revolutions. It is both fortress and fairytale, a place where history doesn’t sleep — it reigns.

5. Hohensalzburg Castle – Austria’s Alpine Guardian

Size: 586,880 square feet

Rising above Salzburg like a snow-dusted crown, Hohensalzburg Castle was born in 1077 under the order of an archbishop who feared betrayal and war. Over time, its austere beginnings gave way to grandeur. By the 15th century, it had become a formidable bastion, complete with walls, turrets, and a curious coat of arms: a lion gripping a turnip. Mythology aside, Hohensalzburg remains one of Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval castles, guarding not just the city below, but the legacy of Austria’s ecclesiastical rulers.

6. Spis Castle – Slovakia’s Gothic Stronghold

Size: 532,652 square feet

A sea of limestone hills cradles Spis Castle, one of the largest castle sites in Europe and a bastion that successfully repelled Mongol invasions. Built in the 12th century and expanded over the next 300 years, its evolution from Romanesque to Gothic style mirrors the turbulence of medieval Europe. Though partially ruined by fire in 1780, its chapel, knight’s hall, and looming towers still stir the imagination. Walk among its walls and you’re treading through the pages of history — unfinished, but unforgettable.

7. Buda Castle – Hungary’s Resurrected Crown

Size: 480,866 square feet

In the heart of Budapest, the Danube’s glistening waters reflect the grandeur of Buda Castle, a site built to stand against the Mongols and later transformed by the elegance of European royalty. This majestic palace has been destroyed and rebuilt so many times, it is almost phoenix-like in its resilience. Beneath it lies a labyrinth of tunnels used as shelters, prisons, and wartime escape routes. Today, it houses museums and offers visitors a chance to descend into the very veins of Hungarian history.

8. Himeji Castle – Japan’s Feathered Fortress

Size: 446,357 square feet

Nicknamed the “White Heron” for its pale exterior and wing-like roofs, Himeji Castle is a masterclass in both elegance and defense. Built in 1346 and expanded through the centuries, the fortress stands atop a hill, surrounded by three moats and cherry blossom trees. A symbol of feudal power and aesthetic perfection, it survived World War II bombings unscathed — almost as if protected by the spirits of the samurai who once walked its corridors. Today, it remains the largest castle in Japan, a national treasure of balance and beauty.

9. Edinburgh Castle – Scotland’s Stone Sentinel

Size: 384,660 square feet

Built upon the remains of a 350-million-year-old volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle is less a structure and more a statement of defiance. Since its founding in 1103, it has changed hands countless times — but always returned to Scottish control. It has served as a royal residence, military fortress, and prison. Within its Great Hall, completed in 1511 for King James IV, lies a wooden ceiling so intricate it rivals the crown jewels. Even in the shadow of time, Edinburgh Castle’s silhouette still rules the Scottish skyline.

Echoes in the Stone

These nine castles aren’t just architectural marvels — they are enduring symbols of cultural identity, warfare, love, power, and resilience. They echo with the footsteps of monarchs, soldiers, monks, and revolutionaries. They’ve survived fires, floods, bombings, and betrayals. But above all, they’ve survived time.

So the next time you gaze upon a fairytale castle or drawbridge in a film or book, remember — somewhere in the world, the real thing still stands tall. And it’s waiting for you to walk through its gates.

Best Online Casinos Without GamStop Self-Exclusion

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In this article we have collected the updated list of the best non GamStop casinos without limits, offering a complete overview of the most reliable platforms without a British license currently. We have selected only safe and reliable non GamStop platforms without limits and explored the main methods for revoking GamStop self-exclusion, so as to help you return to playing without self-exclusion in casinos. For those also interested in betting options beyond casinos, it’s worth checking out sportsbook reviews by thegamepoint.io, where you'll find detailed insights into top-rated sportsbooks available outside traditional platforms.

Top 10 Non GamStop Casinos

1. Kings Chip gambling site — 375% welcome bonus and 300 free spins

2. Basswin — 200% welcome bonus

3. Casino Peaches — 100% welcome bonus up to €300

4. Hello Fortune — 500% up to €2,000 and 100 free spins

5. Tea Spins — 100% bonus up to €500 + 200 free spins

6. 1RED — 200% up to €7,760+ 100 free spins

7. King Chip — 500% up to €2,500 and 50 free spins

8. Electric Wins — 400% up to €1,000 and 50 free spins 

9. Spins Heaven — 400% up to €2,000 and 100 free spins 

10. Casino Joy — 100% for the initial deposit up to €1,000 and 200 spins

What Is Self-exclusion & How Does It Work?

The GamStop system is designed to protect players from excessive risk associated with online gambling. This is a measure promoted by the UKGC as part of responsible gaming initiatives, which allows the user to voluntarily suspend access to online platforms, betting sites and all licensed gaming platforms.

During the exclusion period, the player will not be able to play, bet, deposit funds or access bonuses on sites with a British license. The possibility of self-exclusion is mandatory for all platforms with a British license and cannot be ignored until the established period expires.

Permanent self-exclusion

Permanent exclusion is a definitive choice that prevents access to any virtual platform or betting sites with a British license, without the possibility of automatic revocation. The player who opts for this method will no longer be able to gamble online, unless he presents an official request to cancel it after a minimum pre-established period. With permanent exclusion, the only way to return to playing is to formally request revocation.

Temporary self-exclusion

The temporary GamStop self-exclusion has a limited duration in time, usually between 30 days and 90 days. During this exclusion period, access to sites with a British license is blocked and the player cannot interact with any type of game or promotion on online platforms and betting sites. The temporary exclusion is automatically deactivated at the end of the period selected by the player.

Methods to bypass GamStop self-exclusion

It is not possible to remove GamStop self-exclusion before the exclusion period expires unless the proper legal and regulatory procedures are followed. However, there are some legitimate methods that players can use to circumvent the exclusion in compliance with the regulations. While it is not possible to self-exclude from British sites and then immediately rejoin, there are methods to remove GamStop self-exclusion once the player has made a final decision.

The GamStop self-exclusion tool is mandatory for responsible gaming, and anyone who wishes to bypass GamStop self-exclusion must follow a transparent process that involves direct contact with the UKGC and assessment of the case by operators. It is important to understand that exclusion is intended to protect players and must be taken seriously.

Request cancellation of GamStop

To request the removal of your restriction, you must contact the UKGC directly and follow the official procedures to cancel the exclusion. However, this is a process that requires careful evaluation and can be lengthy.

Wait for the end of the self-exclusion period

Another method is to wait for the exclusion period to expire. At the end of this period, the player will be free to access online gaming sites and casinos again without restrictions, as the GamStop self-exclusion is automatically deactivated.

Choosing an online casino without GamStop self-exclusion

Alternatively, players who do not want to wait can opt for a platform without limits, i.e. non GamStop casinos. These platforms do not apply voluntary exclusion, but it is important to pay attention to the security and license of the chosen site.

Are casinos without self-exclusion safe and legal for British players?

Non GamStop casinos are not regulated by the UK, which raises some concerns for British players. While these platforms may offer benefits such as more generous bonuses and greater freedom to play, they are not required to follow the UK strict GamStop self-exclusion program regulations. This means that while they may offer safe and high-quality games, players will not enjoy the same legal protections and safeguards that British -licensed platforms offer.

Furthermore, offshore platforms are not required to implement the same liability measures in the game, such as voluntary exclusion, which can put vulnerable players at risk. Before choosing a platform without a British license, it is essential to carefully evaluate its security and the transparency of its operations.

What is the difference between non-GamStop casinos and self-exclusion sites?

The main difference between the best no-limit platforms and voluntary exclusion casinos is in the liability measures in the game. In voluntary exclusion casinos, players are subject to limitations such as betting limits and the inability to access the game for set periods. This is a protection mechanism to avoid problem gambling. In contrast, in no-limit platforms, players can play without interruptions and potentially win real money without restrictions related to voluntary exclusion. However, as already mentioned, offshore platforms do not offer the same legal protections.