Ogie Diaz, other ABS-CBN executives respond to Liza Soberano's screen name, new career path: 'Be grateful'
Ogie Diaz has aired his sentiments regarding Liza Soberano's latest career decisions while wishing her luck.
In a new vlog upload on his YouTube channel, the Filipino comedian responded to his former talent's statements about her career transition. Liza is now managed by James Reid, under his own talent agency, Careless.
"At the end of the day, si Liza pa rin ang masusunod kung anong gusto niyang gawin sa buhay niya, kung anong gusto niyang gawin sa socmed accounts. 'Yung akin suggestion lang, ganun din kay Tito Boy, suggestion din 'yung kanya or affirmation," Diaz said, talking about Liza's Instagram feed being scrubbed of its content.
"Tingnan natin kung sinong mas tama nga sa darating na araw, hindi natin alam kasi dati in-archive ni Liza 'yung kanyang IG post pero binalik din niya ulit. Hindi naman natin alam baka naka-archive or naka-hide lang 'yan,” he said, adding “Abangan natin. Kung ito 'yung makakapagpabalik ng dating sigla ng career ni Liza, bongga 'yun, mali ako, I am sorry.”
Compromises were made
Commenting on Liza's statement where said that she was being always told what to do, Diaz thanked the actress for being obedient but clarified that she had a say on things regarding her career.
"Gusto ko na lang unawain at intindihin ang kanyang kwento tungkol sa 13 years ng kanyang showbiz career. Kung sinasabi ni Liza na parang kino-kontrol siya ng mga tao sa paligid niya, kung ako man 'yan at sa Star Magic, gusto kong magpasalamat kay Liza kasi sinunod niya kami kaya siguro, sumikat siya," Diaz said.
"Imaginin ninyo kung walang nangyari sa career ni Liza noong hawak ko siya at ng Star Magic, malamang iba ang narating niya ngayon,” he said, adding, “at least ok na 'yan kasya naman nagra-rant dahil walang magandang bagay na nangyari sa career, ‘di ba.”
Diaz further shared that there were compromises for both parties, saying: "Anak, lagi kang binibigyan ng chance to say your piece, your opinion, your suggestion. Pinapakinggan ka rin naman 'pag may complaints ka pero minsan diba we have to meet halfway."
"Pinagbibigyan mo naman ang production 'pag nilambing ka nila and I thank you for that. Pakikisama ang tawag doon, anak, pagtatanim para in the future, may aanihin.”
He then shared how Liza’s preferences were being considered. “Kapag may ayaw ka, anak, isinaalang-alang din nila 'yun diba. Tandaan mo, anak, narating mo ang fame 'di lang dahil sa akin at ng Star Magic, ng ABS-CBN, at ng production staff, dahil din 'yan sa dedication mo sa trabaho, dahil 'yan sa'yo,” he added.
Regarding Liza's screen name, where the actress said it wasn’t chosen by her, Diaz reminded the actress that the name helped her and her family.
"'Yung sinabi mo na 'I didn't choose the name Liza, it was chosen for me.' Anak 'yung screen name na Liza Soberano na ibinigay sa'yo ni Tita Malou Santos, ng Star Cinema, 'yan ang nagtaguyod sa pamilya mo."
"Nabigyan mo ng bahay at magandang buhay ang Daddy mo, nakakapagpadala ka rin ng tulong sa Mommy mo sa States. Naibili mo ng bahay sa Amerika ang lola at lolo mo na kumupkop sa inyo ng kapatid mong si Justin nung mga bata pa kayo sa Amerika, lahat 'yan dahil sa'yo, dahil sa pagiging Liza Soberano mo, anak," Diaz said.
"Mas issue siguro 'yung screen name kung tumatak sa mga utak ng tao ng mga Pilipino, kung hindi ka tinangkilik," he added.
Always at her back
Concluding his response to Liza’s statements, Diaz thanked the actress and wished for her career to continue to succeed.
"I wish you good luck sa bagong bihis na Liza Soberano. Alam mo ito, lagi kong sinasabi kahit kanino, malaki ang utang na loob ko sa'yo dahil ang mga kinita ko sa'yo bilang manager ang ipinambabayad ko sa hospitalization ng inaanak mong si Miracle noong 2017 na 6 years old na siya ngayon," Diaz said.
"Gusto ko, magningning uli ang career niya. Alam ko kaya pa ni Liza, alam ko may asim pa si Liza. Hinihintay lang siya ng mga fans," he added.
"Nung naghiwalay tayo bilang manager-talent, sabi ko sa'yo, basta 'pag may concerns ka, problema o tanong ka nandito lang palagi ang Tito Diaz mo, maghihintay lang ng tawag o text mo."
'Be grateful'
Other than Diaz, key personalities and ABS-CBN executives also responded to Liza’s latest career move. Others seemingly were dismayed, while others expressed their support.
Star Cinema executive Mico Del Rosario indirectly shared his sentiments regarding the actress’ vlog, her wrote in his tweet: “hiyang hiya naman ako sa statements. parang walang walang naambag sayo at all ah. kayo talagang mga kayo. hahahaha #hilap.”
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Music head Roxy Liquigan posted about gratefulness on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. “Be Grateful. Not just in good times, but at all times,” he wrote.
Additionally, Producer John Leo Garcia seemingly responded to the actress as well, saying he was impressed by individuals who can choose and stand by their own decisions.
“Mas bilib ako sa taong kaya panindigan ang mga decisions nila sa buhay than being desperate and blaming others for their decisions that didn’t work out. Yun ang brave. Needs to learn: being kind, being grateful. Periodt,” he wrote. Del Rosario quoted re-tweeted the post replying, “Accountability ang tawag dyan.”
Contrary to these, Mark Duane Angos, the writer for the actress’ hit drama series Forevermore and Dolce Amore expressed his support for the actress.
He said in his tweet: "A friend asked me if I was hurt by Liza’s insinuation that we boxed her so hard that it drove her away from our industry. That’s a horrible take," Angos said. "What I got from the vlog was a person trying to figure herself out. To be fair, she’s only 'starting to dip her toes into writing,'" he added.
Stressing how the actress is still in the process of "learning how to express herself better," encouraging his colleagues to be patient.
“By the same token, she’s still trying to learn how to express herself better. So if she comes off hurtful to some of my colleagues, let’s be patient. She will be able to find the right words next time,” he said, adding that he is excited about Liza’s new journey. “I’m rooting for her with all my heart.”
For TV personality Boy Abunda, what Liza did was "brave" and "exciting," clarifying that Liza’s page wasn’t hacked. “This is a rebrand but nais kong purihin kung sino man ang may kagagawan nito because it is brave and it is exciting for Liza Soberano who happens to be one of the most beautiful girls in the world,” he said.
Liza, who is now ready to take on a new path for her career as Hope Soberano, is part of the upcoming Hollywood film Lisa Frankenstein, where she plays Taffy alongside Cole Sprouse and Kathryn Newton.
She also made headlines for her interaction with international artists such as WINNER’s Lee Seung Hoon, iKON’s main dancer DK.