Zsa Zsa Padilla’s secret to endurance

Photo by Clarizel Abanilla. INQUIRER.net

Stars have come and gone but some have proven that being versatile and desired in the industry could be a lifelong career as it had been for Zsa Zsa Padilla.

Enduring a career spanning 35 years, she is among the most successful Filipino artists of all time.

With her impeccable singing and acting prowess, she has worn different hats that she’s managed to fit well into her head. But talent aside, she does not take the credit all to herself.

She owes her longevity and continuous success mostly to the people who have helped her carve her way into the industry.

“No man is an island,” she said at the press conference for her upcoming Mother’s Day concert “The Best Day of My Life” on Thursday.

“We are backed up by so many people, especially when I was starting my career, ang dami talagang tumulong sa akin (so many really helped me), my managers, publicists, the bands that I’ve worked with na humulma ng (who shaped my) music ko, mga direktor, madami akong (I have many) mentors,” she said.

Having debuted in the industry in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, she was able to work with the pillars of the music industry and that’s how she was finely honed.

It was also the training she got that enabled her to establish her unique singing style.

“It’s because of the way we were trained. They would always say first note kailangan alam kaagad ng tao sa radyo na ikaw ‘yun (listeners should already know that it’s you). These are the things that we were taught, she said.

“Number two, kailangan ‘yung text na sinasabi mo (your text should be) very clear. Hindi pwedeng malabo lalo na si (it can’t be muddled, especially with) George Canseco, he’s very strict with the Tagalog sasabihin niya hindi ganyan ang pagbigkas niyan, kailangan sabihin mo ng tama (he would teach you the correct pronunciation),” she added.

Now, she’s looking back at the past decades with a concert titled “The Best Day of My Life” at 8 p.m. on May 11 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.

Her guests include her daughters Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon and Zia Quizon. The concert is under the direction of her godchild, Paolo Valenciano.