2014 Oscars: Fil-Am Robert Lopez wins Best Original Song

(DON'T) LET IT GO. US songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez (L) and husband songwriter Robert Lopez hold their award for Best Original Song for 'Let it go' from 'Frozen' in the press room during the 86th annual Academy Awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, USA, 02 March 2014. Paul Buck/EPA

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – He’s done it! Fil-Am Robert “Bobby” Lopez, along with his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez, has won the Academy Awards for Best Original Song for “Let It Go,” from Disney’s Frozen.

“Happy Oscars to you, let’s do Frozen 2!” said the couple in their acceptance speech, where they also thanked the Frozen cast and crew, their parents, and their daughters.

“Thank you Academy and to our fellow nominees, you are all rockstars, literally,” the couple said.

This win is special for the married couple, especially as this marks his inclusion into the exclusive EGOT circle – a select group of people who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.

Robert first won a Tony for Avenue Q in 2004 and The Book of Mormon in 2011, for which he also snagged a Grammy. He got two Daytime Emmy Awards for Wonder Pets in 2008 and 2010, and now he has his Oscar for Best Original Song.

Filipino pride

Lopez paid tribute to his ancestral homeland during a backstage press conference after the win.

“Filipino pride. I’m so excited. I’m just sending love to the Philippines,” said Lopez.

“I know they’ve had a tough year and I just send out my feelings to them,” he said, referring to the devastating Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) which battered the country last November, leaving thousands dead.

Lopez and his wife revealed they are planning a benefit concert for the Philippines on March 12 in New York.

Meanwhile, Anderson-Lopez presented her husband with a home-made necklace to commemorate his EGOT status.

“The girls and I made something for you, Bobby. Just in case this moment happened. We made it last week,” she said, hanging it around his neck.

“It’s made of pasta.”

Lopez meanwhile paid tribute to the input of his wife on his phenomenally successful career.

“(She) has been in the background of all of my work – for every single show that she’s not received credit for, she’s been whispering in my ear the whole time,” he said.

“So, I’m glad that she is finally getting credit for being the amazing artist that I’ve always known that she is.”

12th member of EGOT circle

BEST ORIGINAL SONG. 'Let It Go' takes the Oscar. Photo from the film's Facebook page

Lopez is only the 12th person to join this group, and he is now the youngest at only 39 years old.

Previously, the youngest to join the circle was West Side Story actress Rita Moreno, who won an Emmy when she was 45.

Aside from Rita, other EGOT winners are: Audrey Hepburn, Helen Hayes, John Gielgud, Jonathan Tunick, Marvin Hamlisch, Mel Brooks, Mike Nichols, Richard Rodgers, Scott Rudin, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Taking into account honorary Oscars and other special awards, artists Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, and James Earl Jones may also be considered to be part of the elite group.

Malacañang reacted to the win, congratulating Lopez.

“We are very, very happy that Robert John Lopez, a Fil-Am, won the Oscar award for Best (Original Song)… We certainly congratulate Mr. Robert John Lopez, and his wife, for their collaboration in coming up with the song ‘Let it Go,’” said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Monday, March 3. – With reports from Agence France-Presse/Rappler.com

2014 Oscars: Fil-Am Robert Lopez wins Best Original Song

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