When the Aliw Awards of the Aliw Foundation (founded and organized by Alice Reyes) announced that Zsa Zsa Padilla would receive one of the Life Achievement awards, the Divine Diva was enthusiastic and honored to show up at the award ceremonies only to be humiliated.
Yes, Zsa Zsa exactly felt that way.
It was because she, together with other recipients of the award like Lani Misalucha and Frankie Asinero, was not given the honor to thank the givers of the plum as a recognition for their contributions in the field of music.
Padilla immediately reacted online and returned the award to the Aliw Foundation.
Here’s Divine Diva’s acerbic thoughts on the myopia of the award-giving body.
“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.”
According to Alice, the show would run out of time if the recipients would be given acceptance speeches.
The show wasn’t a live coverage on free TV or UHF to warrant a strict adherence to time and space.
Or even on digital broadcast when they could adjust an extension.
For all intents and purposes, Zsa Zsa is right, she has the upper hand.
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