‘[T]he concert was truly a thanksgiving and a celebration for a great artist who has become an incredible and well-loved friend in the world of arts and entertainment’
It took the “Divine Diva” Zsa Zsa Padilla six years before she was finally able to mount her anniversary concert, which was originally meant to mark her four decades in the music industry. But the pandemic, her medical challenges, and a major operation delayed the show by two years — and so what happened in “ZsaZsa Through the Years” last Saturday became a 3-in-1 celebration: Zsa Zsa’s 42 years in the industry, a belated Mother’s Day celebration, and an advance birthday party — all rolled into one of her best concerts ever.
Gary Valenciano, in a prayer before the concert, said. “I am smiling because I am happy that this concert somehow had a way of bringing back the spark in our dear friend Zsa Zsa who started in the industry almost at the same time like me. The Lord said, ‘I will keep you fruitful even in old age. Keep you fresh and green.’ And with all the people here supporting and loving Zsa Zsa, including me, we are excited as to what the next chapter of her career and her life holds.”
After the very successful and well-received concert, master concert director Rowell Santiago said, “‘Through the Years’ concert is a proof that there is a unique bond that comes from working alongside with people you’ve worked for a long time… people that you are familiar with, people you trust.
“Thank you for a wonderful reunion of OGs in this field… people I have been working with …YES… through all these years. Thank you Zsa Zsa for making this happen. Till the next one.”
Zsa Zsa Padilla took to social media the morning after her milestone concert to share her overflowing gratitude and joy, calling the night a dream come true.
“I woke up with the biggest smile on my face today,” she began her heartfelt post. “Last night was simply incredible. I felt like a little girl again — giddy with excitement, holding on to every moment, every note, wishing I could keep them with me forever.”
Marking 42 years in the music industry, the Divine Diva said the event was a long-awaited celebration: “After 42 years in the industry, I finally celebrated this milestone the way I always dreamed — surrounded by people who’ve been part of my journey.”
She gave thanks to her longtime band and backup vocalists, and praised the fresh rearrangements by Homer Flores, Bobby Taylo and Ric Mercado. It was also her first time to work with director Rowell Santiago, whom she credited for the show’s seamless flow. “My dear friend Noel Ferrer wrote spiels that spoke straight from my heart,” she added.
Zsa Zsa didn’t forget to thank the people behind the scenes, acknowledging her manager Nene Atilano, her dancers, lighting designer and sound engineer Toquero. “The sound in the theater was incredible!” she said.
“To everyone who came — thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she continued. “And to the fans who cheered, sang along, and filled the room with so much love — I appreciate you more than words can say.”
The concert reignited her passion: “This concert reignited my love for live performance in the most profound way. I feel inspired again — to create, to share, to sing. And one thing’s for sure: I won’t wait another six years to do this again!”
She also expressed gratitude to her guest performers Erik Santos, Karylle, Zia Quizon and Gary Valenciano, saying their presence “completed the night and made it truly unforgettable.”
Zsa Zsa ended with a note to her longtime partner: “And to Conrad, my inspiration and guiding force — thank you, always.” She closed with a prayer of thanks: “Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of singing. May everything I do be for Your greater glory.”
OPM president and Zsa Zsa’s “ASAP” co-host Ogie Alcasid said: “Zsa, you were simply amazing last night. All of us enjoyed your beautiful show. Napakagaling mo at napakaganda! Yung katabi ko (referring to wife Regine Velasquez) iyak nang iyak sa concert.
“Happy anniversary and happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest, most lovable and uber talented Ms. Zsa Zsa Padilla. We love you! Congrats to Direk Rowell and your team for a superb show and to our dear Homer Flores! Galing!”
Our student Barry Marcelo, son of entertainment icon Bert “Tawa”Marcelo who does spot on concert reviews, said, “What happened to our youth?
“It passed us by so fast, but our youth was a fun rollercoaster ride made extra special by an extraordinary talent known as the Divine Diva.
“The anniversary and birthday concert was like reading an autobiography that warmed our hearts and filled them with so much joy and nostalgia. Kudos to the production team.
“She opened the show with her signature song, Willy Cruz’s ‘Kahit Na,’ demonstrating her distinctive voice and emotional depth. Bawat linya, ulam na.
“She shared the stage with impersonators paying tribute to major influences — Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross and Tina Turner.
“She danced to her fast tracks, ‘Point of No Return’ and ‘Mambobola,’ defying her age and defeating her bad back.
“She amused us with her stories. She started as the lead vocalist of Hotdog, singing the theme song of Inday Badiday’s ‘See True,’ ‘Careful, Careful.’ Zsa Zsa recalled her entry into movies as the favorite leading lady of Dolphy in ‘Facifica Falayfay’ and ‘Black Magic.’
“’May crush pala sa akin ‘yung mama.’ And she surprised us by revealing that she was the original singer of Vehnee Saturno’s ‘Mula sa Puso’ from the movie ‘My Darling Domestic.’
“She sang duets with Erik Santos (‘Maging Sino Ka Man’) and Gary V. (‘Could Be’ and ‘Used To Be’). Erik calls her Nanay and Gary refers to her as kapatid. OPM is one big family with ZsaZsa as one of the pioneers.
“Then she sang with her real family. Karylle may be a Tatlonghari and Zia a Quizon but we all witnessed that the two were mostly blessed with Zsa Zsa’s DNA. She is a multimedia star (and excelled in music, television, film and even theater) but she loves being a mother first and best. We all became teary eyed with their rendition of Phil Collins’ ‘You’ll Be in my Heart.’ With AI, she sang and danced with Mang Dolphy. And the tears started falling.
“Of all her accolades, she can be best described in her ability to connect and relate with her audience. With all her heart, she belted Dodjie Simon’s ‘Ikaw Lamang’ and George Canseco’s ‘Hiram.’ She ended the show shaking hands and taking selfies with her fans while singing Kenny Rogers’ ‘Through the Years’ and Boz Scaggs’ ‘We’re All Alone.’
“To thank Zsa Zsa, we all stood up to give her a spontaneous ovation and a very appreciative applause. Yes, we are all ready for the next chapter. Maraming salamat, Zsa Zsa, our Divine Diva.”
In our prayers, we said, “Father, bless Zsa Zsa in ways she has never yet experienced,” and the concert was truly a thanksgiving and a celebration for a great artist who has become an incredible and well-loved friend in the world of arts and entertainment. Through the years, mahal talaga natin Zsa!
