Aliw Awards apologizes to Zsa Zsa Padilla after she returned her Lifetime Achievement Award
The Aliw Awards Foundation has apologized to Zsa Zsa Padilla after the singer-actress returned her Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a social media post after the 38th Aliw Awards on Dec. 15, Padilla said that she gave back her award as she felt disrespected after not being given time for a thank-you speech.
The award-giving body's president and founder Alice Reyes addressed the matter in an apology statement shared by ABS-CBN News' MJ Felipe.
"It is unfortunate that Zsa Zsa took her not being able to speak at the Aliw awards night as an affront to her, and I apologize to her on behalf of the foundation and the production staff," she said.
"Since last year[,] we have been trying to shorten the awards rights and we thought giving the honorees their brief time [on] stage would suffice. I personally would love to hear what she had to say and if she had given me a sign or told one of my staff of her desire to say her piece I would have made an exception in her case."
Apart from Padilla, the Lifetime Achievement Award was also given to other veteran entertainers Lani Misalucha, Frankie Asinero, Arturo Luis Pio, Gary Valenciano, and Jed Madela. Only Padilla, Misalucha, and Asinero were present to receive their awards.
"Again, I am truly sorry for disappointing Zsa Zsa whom I admire for her beauty and talent. Perhaps we can find a way to make up for it in the future," Reyes added.
After the awards night, Padilla shared that she didn't prepare a written speech for the recognition, but thought to speak from the heart to thank the teams behind her numerous concerts.
As she, Misalucha, and Asinero were handed their awards, they waited onstage, expecting to deliver thank-you speeches, but were instead ushered off the stage.
"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," the "Divine Diva" wrote.
The director of the ceremony, Frannie Zamora, previously told PhilSTAR L!fe that the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame typically don't give speeches.
He added that in the letter the foundation sent to Padilla informing her of the award ahead of the ceremony, there was nothing that indicated she was expected to give a speech.
