Zsa Zsa Padilla ‘di pinag-speech sa Aliw awards, isosoli ang trophy

Ni Anne Venancio

Nag-post ang Divine Diva na si Zsa Zsa Padilla ng kanyang pagkadismaya matapos umano siyang hindi mabigyan ng pagkakataong magsalita sa kanyang Lifetime Achievement Award noong Disyembre 15 sa Manila Hotel.

Sa post ni Zsa Zsa, sinabi niyang sobrang saya niya nang una niyang matanggap ang balita at inasahan niyang makakapagsalita upang pasalamatan ang mga taong tumulong sa kanyang 42 taon sa showbiz. Hindi umano siya nag-prepare ng speech dahil gusto niyang galing sa puso ang kanyang sasabihin. Dumalo pa ang kanyang pamilya upang suportahan siya.

Dagdag pa nito, sabay-sabay silang tinawag sa stage ng iba pang Hall of Fame awardees pero tatlo lang sila nina Lani Misalucha at Frankie Asinero ang present. Pagkatapos maabot ang trophy, sinenyasan sila ng production na bumaba na. “Wala ba man lang tayong speech?!” tanong daw ni Zsa Zsa kay Lani sabay baba.

Narito ang kabuuan ng pahayag ni Zsa Zsa Padilla sa kanyang FB page.

“When I received word that I had been chosen as a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award, I was elated. I didn’t prepare a written speech, thinking it would be better to speak from the heart. After all, I had so much to be grateful for, having been in this industry for 42 years. I wanted to honor all the producers who worked tirelessly and risked their hard-earned money to mount concerts; the directors, musical directors, musicians, writers, and production teams behind every show; all the artists I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with throughout these 42 years; and most of all, our beloved audience. I intended to keep my remarks short. Some members of my family were present that night, as always offering their love, support, and encouragement. However, what happened during the awarding left me shocked and deeply disappointed. All Lifetime Achievement Award recipients were called onstage together, but only three of us were present: myself and Lani Misalucha for live performance, and Frankie Asinero for classical music. We were handed our awards and waited for a while, assuming we would be given the opportunity to say a few words. Instead, a production staff member eventually signaled for us to step down. I turned to Lani and said, ‘Wala ba man lang tayong speech?!’ Still, we respectfully went down together. As I exited the ballroom, a vlogger asked for my thoughts on receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award. Ironically, that became the moment I delivered the acceptance speech I was never allowed to give onstage. Afterward, I felt like crying. I was still dumbfounded by how the awarding was handled. To be dismissed so abruptly after supposedly being ‘honored’ was shocking and embarrassing. What was the point of being there with our families? So, Aliw, please do better. Honor people properly. Prepare video presentations explaining why recipients are being given Lifetime Achievement Awards. I am familiar with the body of work of Lani Misalucha, as well as fellow recipients Gary Valenciano and Jed Madela. It would have been truly interesting and meaningful to learn more about Mr. Arturo Luis Pio’s work, as well as Mr. Frankie Asinero’s contributions. Everyone else that evening was given the chance to speak after receiving their awards. In fact, a speech was even read by a representative following our segment. When Jona won, she was still in her plain clothes, yet production waited until she could step onstage to receive her award. Rachel Alejandro arrived late but still received an award for a colleague and was able to give a short thank-you speech that evening. What was missing was sincerity. Instead of feeling honored, I was left feeling small as I walked off that stage. For that reason, I am returning the award to you. I hope you understand this gesture and take it as an opportunity to learn how to honor your recipients with the respect they deserve.”

Base sa ulat ng PEP Troika ni MMFF Spokesperson Noel Ferrer, pagkatapos bumaba sa stage nina Zsa Zsa at Lani, dumating naman ang representative ni House Speaker Bodjie Dy upang tanggapin ang award para sa kanyang kontribusyon sa performing arts sa pamamagitan ng Bambanti Festival. Kasabay ni Zsa Zsa na ginawaran ng Hall of Fame sina Arturo Lui Pio (Nonoy Tan), Lani Misalucha, Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela at Frankie Asinero na isang classical singer.

Samantala, mahigit 56 kategorya ang binigyan ng parangal sa 38th Aliw Awards, kung saan nagsilbing host sina Arnell Ignacio at Sheila Valderrama, sa direksyon ni Frannie Zamora, na direktor din ng Jeproks The Musical, na nagkamit ng pitong tropeyo.

Kabilang sa mga nag-perform sina Natalie Yanson, Aliw Scholars, Esay Kristin, David Ezra, Jona, Megan Shinew kasama ang Power Impact Dancers, Julie Anne San Jose, at Martin Nievera.