Zsa Zsa Padilla returns Lifetime Achievement Award to Aliw Awards after feeling 'disrespected'

Zsa Zsa Padilla has decided to return her Lifetime Achievement Award to Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc., saying she felt disrespected after not being given time to deliver a thank-you speech. 

On Dec. 15 at the 38th Aliw Awards held in Manila Hotel, Padilla received a Lifetime Achievement Award along with other veteran entertainers, including Lani Misalucha, Frankie Asinero, Arturo Luis Pio, Gary Valenciano, and Jed Madela. Only Padilla, Misalucha, and Asinero were present to receive their awards. 

In a social media post, Padilla narrated the events of the evening.

"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," she wrote. 

Among the people she was excited to thank were the teams behind her numerous concerts: producers, directors, musical directors, musicians, writers, production staff, artists, and the 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," Padilla added. 

However, she was left "shocked and deeply disappointed" by what happened.

As they were handed their awards, Padilla, Misalucha, and Asinero waited onstage, expecting to deliver their respective thank-you speeches. Instead, they were ushered off the stage. 

"I turned to Lani and said, 'Wala ba man lang tayong speech?!' Still, we respectfully went down together," Padilla wrote.

The singer then suggested how the foundation could improve future ceremonies by showing video presentations "explaining why recipients are being given Lifetime Achievement Awards." While she was familiar with the work of Misalucha, Valenciano, and Madela, she said she would have wanted to learn more about Pio and Asinero's contributions to the entertainment industry. 

"Everyone else was given the chance to speak after receiving their awards," Padilla continued. 

"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 you deserve," she wrote. 

The singer was still able to deliver her impromptu speech, but only for a vlogger who asked her for her thoughts on the award after Padilla got off the stage. 

Frannie Zamora, the director of the ceremony, spoke with PhilSTAR L!fe and cleared the air.

"I was just following the instructions of the Aliw Awards Foundation. Usually, 'yung practice talaga for Lifetime Achievement Awardees and Hall of Famers, hindi talaga sila pinagsasalita," Zamora said. 

In the letter the foundation sent Padilla informing her of her award ahead of the ceremony, Zamora said there was nothing that indicated she was expected to give a speech. 

"Kung nagsabi lang sana si Zsa Zsa kay Tita Alice [Reyes, founder of the Aliw Awards]. Nakaupo [si Tita Alice] sa harap na harap. If Zsa Zsa had just told her that she wanted to give a speech, we would have given her time to do so," he added. 

"Naiintindihan namin ang feelings ni Zsa Zsa. Nirerespeto namin. Hindi kami galit sa kanya. But, of course, ang institution, ang Aliw Awards Foundation, may rules din," Zamora told L!fe. 

"Sana mas naging open at naging mas objective; sana hindi kaagad nag-flare up," he added. 

PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to Aliw Awards Foundation for a statement on the event, but has yet to receive a reply.