Ogie Diaz and Liza Soberano. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update
Ogie Diaz has clarified certain points regarding Liza Soberano’s earlier statement on her showbiz career under her previous management, but stressed that he is grateful to the actress and that she can always count on him if she ever needs him.
Diaz, the former manager of Soberano, noted that he is choosing to comprehend the actress’ sentiment rather than giving detailed responses to her remarks.
“Kung sinasabi ni Liza na parang kino-kontrol siya ng mga tao sa paligid niya — kung ako man ‘yan at ang Star Magic — gusto kong magpasalamat kay Liza kasi sinunod niya kami, kaya siguro sumikat siya,” he said in a vlog on his YouTube channel on Monday, Feb. 27.
(If Liza says that she felt as if people around her — even if [she was pertaining] to me and Star Magic — controlled her, I want to thank her for conforming to us, which was maybe the reason why she became famous.)
“Anak, lagi kang binibigyan ng chance to say your piece, your opinion, your suggestion, pinapakinggan ka din naman ‘pag may complaints ka, pero ‘di ba kung minsan we had to meet halfway?” he continued. “Pinagbibigyan mo naman ang production ‘pag nilambing ka nila, and I thank you for that… ‘Pag may gusto ka rin naman o ayaw, isinaalang-alang din naman nila ‘yon diba?”
(My child, you had always been given the chance to say your piece, opinions, suggestions, and they listened to you when you had complaints, but oftentimes we had to meet halfway, right? You granted some of the [productions’ requests] and I thank you for that, [but] they had also considered your preferences and dislikes, right?)
Nonetheless, Diaz told Soberano that she should credit herself for her dedication and passion to work hard for her family, which was a huge factor why she succeeded in show business. Diaz then spoke about Soberano’s screen name, Liza, which she earlier revealed was just “chosen for [her].”
“Anak, ‘yung screen name na Liza Soberano na ibinigay sa ‘yo ni Tita Malou Santos ng Star Cinema, ‘yan ang nagtaguyod sa pamilya mo,” he stated. “Mas issue siguro ang screen name kung hindi tumatak sa utak ng mga Pilipino, kung hindi ka tinangkilik.”
(My child, the screen name Liza Soberano, which was given to you by Malou Santos of Star Cinema, provided for your family. It might have been an issue if the screen name did not leave a mark on the minds of Filipinos [and] if they did not support you.)
Diaz also addressed the bashers who said that he would have “starved to death” if it weren’t for Soberano, stressing that “no man is an island.” He then reiterated that despite parting ways as manager and talent, he is rooting for Soberano’s success in the path she chose to take.
“Ito anak ha, wa echos ito, I wish you good luck sa bagong bihis na Liza Soberano,” he said. “Alam mo ito at lagi kong sinasabi kahit kanino, malaki ang utang na loob ko sa ‘yo dahil ang mga kinita ko sa ‘yo bilang manager ang ipinangbabayad ko sa hospitalization ng inaanak mong si Meera Khel nung 2017.”
(I say this, my child, with sincerity: I wish you good luck in your new image as Liza Soberano. You know this and I always say this to everyone, that I am indebted to you because what I earned from being your manager was what I used for the hospitalization of your godchild, Meera Khel, in 2017.)
“Nung naghiwalay tayo bilang manager-talent, sabi ko sa ‘yo basta may concerns ka, problema o tanong, nandito lang palagi ang Tito Ogie mo, maghihintay lang ng tawag o text mo,” he added. (When we separated as manager and talent, I told you that Tito Ogie will always be here, waiting for a text or call should you have concerns, problems or questions.)
James Reid proud of Soberano for ‘choosing the harder path’
Meanwhile, James Reid, whose talent label Careless Music currently manages Soberano, expressed support to the actress and thanked her for entrusting them with her “hopes and dreams.”
“Proud and happy for you, [Liza Soberano]. I know it takes a lot of courage to go against the grain, to choose the harder path because that’s what you believe in,” he wrote in an Instagram Story. “Thank you for trusting us with your hopes and dreams.” /ra
Image: Instagram/@james