Zsa Zsa Padilla marks 4th decade in showbiz with 'Through the Years' concert

MANILA, April 29 ------ The "Divine Diva," Zsa Zsa Padilla, is all set to celebrate her 40th anniversary in showbiz with a big concert, titled "Through the Years." The event will take place on May 17 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, with Padilla to be joined by her daughters Karylle and Zia Quizon as well as Erik Santos and Gary Valenciano.

It's a celebration that is two years in the making, as the Kapamilya singer was forced to delay the concert due to a health issue. "I was supposed to do this two years ago, kaya lang nagkaroon ako ng sakit," said Padilla, who last year revealed that she is struggling with a rare health condition. "Alam mo naman 'yung aking structural problem ay kailangan ayusin na naman for the third time," she said. "We were able to save my left kidney again and I hope it stays good."

The illness causes the Kapamilya singer to suffer from frequent urinary tract infections. Her treatment also involves strong medication, and she admits that it has been difficult. "It came to a point na nagging resistant na ako sa gamot. Hindi na siya tumatalab," she said. "Kinailangan ko na ng intravenous shots … Wala na daw kaming pupuntahan, kumbaga pag naging resistant ako sa shots na yun, that's it." "So sabi ko, now I understand."

Padilla went through surgery in August 2024 to save her left kidney and is still taking maintenance medication up to this day. She assures that she is "very good" now and is 100% ready for her concert. "I'm really excited for this, 'cause I don't know when the next one will be," she said. "I don't know if I'll have a next chance to do a solo, kasi ang hirap mag-mount ng concert. It's hard, it's expensive, it takes a lot of effort." "It takes a village to achieve it," she said.

NOT RETIRING

Now 60 years old, Padilla says she has found a renewed purpose and has regained her enthusiasm for singing as well. "For a while, [I thought] 'magre-retire na ba ako?' 'Am I semi-retiring?' 'Am I slowing down?'" she said, admitting the questions that plagued her. "Napansin mo, ang mga artists hindi nagsasabi na, 'retired na ako!' Sabi ko, we're like stars -- stars slowly fade." While Padilla is not retiring, she has accepted that she needs to slow down a bit with her age. Nonetheless, she has been juggling a busy schedule that includes being a judge on "Tawag ng Tanghalan" while also rehearsing for her concert and recording a new album. "I am more accepting of my age, of my physicality," said Padilla.

She admits that the recent deaths of industry pillars Pilita Corales, Nora Aunor and Hajji Alejandro have affected her, but she chooses to look at the positive side of the situation. "You never know, with what's happening lately, it's been difficult. Sabi ko nga sa mga sisters ko, I talk to them everyday, and I said 'alam nyo, it's so hard pag yung mga kasamahan mo sa industriya nangangamatay.' You can't help but take it personally. Nakakalungkot talaga yun," she said. "Be stronger. Be healthier. Make every performance as if it's your last," she says of her mantra now.

Meanwhile, Padilla says she and architect Conrad Onglao have no plans of getting married. The pair have been in a relationship since 2014, when they met on a blind date. "I think we're happier this way. We're settled. Lalo na pag 60 (years old) ka na, nag-iiba na eh. I don't want to be called sexy, I want to be presentable onstage. Ganun na lang," said Padilla.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com