A montage of statements from Zsa Zsa Padilla, Frannie Zamora and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. EXPAT MEDIA

The Aliw Awards Foundation has issued a public apology to veteran singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla after she returned her Lifetime Achievement Award. Padilla said she felt disrespected when she was not allowed to give a thank-you speech during the 38th Aliw Awards on December 15. The issue quickly ignited widespread criticism of Aliw Awards, with netizens, fellow artists, and past award recipients calling out what they described as a failure to properly honor one of the country’s most respected performers. In a candid Instagram post shared after the awards night, Padilla revealed why she decided to return the recognition she initially received with joy. “I felt like crying. I was still dumbfounded by how the awarding was handled. To be dismissed so abruptly after supposedly being ‘honored’ was shocking and embarrassing,” Padilla wrote. “What was the point of being there with our families?” Padilla, who has spent 42 years in the entertainment industry, said she did not prepare a written speech but hoped to speak briefly from the heart to thank the teams behind her concerts and body of work. Instead, she and fellow honorees Lani Misalucha and Frankie Asinero were ushered off the stage without being given a chance to speak. “Instead of feeling honored, I was left feeling small as I walked off that stage,” she added. “For that reason, I am returning the award to you.”

Aliw Awards issues apology

Following the backlash, Aliw Awards Foundation president and founder Alice Reyes released an apology, acknowledging Padilla’s disappointment and expressing regret over how the situation was handled. “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,” Reyes said in a statement shared to media. Reyes explained that the decision was part of efforts to shorten the awards program, a practice the foundation has been implementing since last year. “We thought giving the honorees their brief time on stage would suffice,” she said. “I personally would have loved 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.” Reyes ended her statement by expressing admiration for Padilla and openness to making amends in the future. “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.”

Director’s claim questioned

Before the apology, ceremony director Frannie Zamora had said that Lifetime Achievement Award and Hall of Fame recipients typically do not give speeches — a claim that was quickly disputed by respected figures in the arts community. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, National Artist for Dance and a former Aliw Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, directly contradicted Zamora’s statement in a social media comment. “Actually not true. A long time ago, I was given the Lifetime Achievement Award and I was able to speak a few words,” Macuja said. “I was also present when Lea Salonga was given the award and she spoke a few words as well.” Her statement was widely shared online and cited by netizens as proof that Padilla’s expectations were reasonable and consistent with past Aliw Awards practice. Public reaction was swift and largely sympathetic to Padilla, with many criticizing the awards body for what they called a lack of respect and poor coordination. “That’s a lifetime achievement award, not best in attendance,” wrote one netizen. “How can you give an award if you won’t allow the awardee to speak?” another commented. Others said the incident reduced Padilla to a “mere accessory” in a ceremony meant to celebrate artistic excellence and decades of contribution to Philippine music.

A moment meant to honor

Aside from Padilla, Lifetime Achievement Awards were also given to Gary Valenciano, Jed Madela, Arturo Luis Pio, Lani Misalucha, and Frankie Asinero, though not all were present during the ceremony. For Padilla, however, the experience turned what should have been a proud milestone into a painful moment. “Receiving such recognition should have been a moment of celebration,” she wrote. “So, Aliw, please do better.” PIA/CAM/Expat Media
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