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Kapuso singer Thea Astley had a memorable night while portraying the role of Mimi in 9Work Theatrical's Rent as her Qatar-based family, flew in to the Philippines just to watch her perform on stage.

"A mantra that I repeated to myself before both preview & opening night was 'There is no audience, only story.' I say that because I wanted to leave my own self behind and to ensure that my priority was to tell the story of Mimi and Rent as a whole with as much honesty I can," she told GMANetwork.com in a message.

"So, truth be told, I didn't see my family in the crowd until after the show but when I did, my heart swelled with gratitude. I remember them tagging along when I looked for clothes to wear to the Rent callbacks and also my parents driving me to singing lessons to learn my songs."

In the end, Thea called her family the "wind beneath my wings" as they supported her every step of the way from joining, and eventually winning, The Clash Season 2 to her stint as Mimi in 9Work Theatrical's Rent.

"They have been the wind beneath my wings from the very beginning and to have them flying all the way to the Philippines to be in the audience witnessing the fruits of my labour was an honour," she said.

"I am overwhelmed with joy, gratitude, and love. I do everything for my family and I hope I've made them proud."

Thea Astley had a memorable night as Mimi in 9Work Theatrical's "Rent" as her family from Qatar flew in the Philippines to watch her perform. Here they are with Thea's castmates in Rent, Kapuso Soul Balladeer Garrett Bolden (second from right) and Adrian Lindayag (third from left).

Thea's father Paul Astley, mom Ruth Astley, and younger sister Rita Astley returned to the Philippines just to watch Thea's portrayal of Mimi, an erotic dancer with HIV and Roger's girlfriend.

Kapuso Pop Rocker Anthony Rosaldo portrays Roger, an aspiring musician, in all shows of Rent at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza in Makati City.

9Work Theatrical's Rent will run from April 19 to June 1 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza in Makati City. Tickets are available at Ticket2Me.net.