Zsa Zsa Padilla admits being ‘paranoid’ after successive deaths in show biz

(From left) Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pilita Corrales, Nora Aunor, and Hajji Alejandro. Images: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net, FILE PHOTOS

Zsa Zsa Padilla said she got paranoid over the deaths of Pilita Corrales, Nora Aunor, and Hajji Alejandro, almost to the point of reminding her colleagues to be “healthy.”

Padilla opened up about how Corrales, Aunor, and Alejandro’s deaths affected her during a media gathering for her 40th anniversary concert, while reflecting on how maintaining longevity in the entertainment industry is a milestone for her.

Since the event took place on April 28, no one was yet aware of Davao’s death at the time. The screen actor died on May 1 after his battle with cancer.

“Gusto ko talagang i-celebrate ‘yung aking anniversary sa showbiz because very rare naman, diba, na makaabot ka na medyo active ka pa in 40 years… I think every [milestone], it has to be celebrated. Especially now,” Padilla said.

“My last message about Hajji Alejandro was [done with a] heavy heart. Sabi ko, ‘Bakit gan’un? Parang nagsusunud-sunod naman yung [pagkamatay ng] mga performers, mga singers. Nakakalungkot talaga,” she continued.

(I wanted to celebrate my anniversary in showbiz because it’s rare to reach and be active at 40 years. I think every milestone has to be celebrated, especially now. My last message about Hajji Alejandro was done with a heavy heart. I said, “Why is it like that? It’s like the deaths of the performers and singers happened consecutively. It made me sad.)

Image: Facebook/Hajji Alejandro

Staying on the topic, Padilla said she was emotional during Corrales’ death as she considered the latter her idol.

“Lalo na kay Tita Pilita [Corrales], umiyak talaga ako kasi idol ko siya talaga eh. Mga idols ko when I was starting my career, I was looking up to Pilita, Celeste Legaspi, and Kuh Ledesma. Sila yung mga inidolo ko talaga (Especially Tita Pilita Corrales, I was crying because she was my idol. I was looking up to Pilita, Celeste Legaspi, and Kuh Ledesma when I was starting my career. They were my idols),” she said.

Pilita Corrales. Image: Instagram/@pilitacorrales

The actress-singer then shared that Alejandro’s passing made her worry about her “Tawag ng Tanghalan (TNT): Grand Resbak 3” co-judges Nonoy Zuñiga and Marco Sison, which led them to tease her for being “praning (or paranoid).”

“Tapos when Hajji passed, nag-’TNT’ kami the other day, nakita ko si Nonoy Zuñiga. Sabi ko, ‘Noy, healthy ka naman, ha?’ Tapos nakita ko si Marco Sison, ‘Marco, healthy ka, ha?’ Natawa sila, [sabi], ‘Huwag ka nang mapraning!’ Sabi ko, ‘Nakakapraning eh.’ Alam mo na, nagkasunud-sunod naman kasi din,” she recalled.

(When Hajji passed, we filmed “TNT” the other day. I saw Nonoy Zuñiga and told him, “Noy, you’re healthy, right?” I saw Marco Sison next. I said, “Marco, you’re healthy, right?” They laughed at me and said, “Don’t be too paranoid.” I said, “It makes me paranoid.” It is because their deaths happened at once.)

The ASAP mainstay also recalled that her grandmother has been a longtime fan of Aunor, saying that watching the latter’s music variety show “Superstar” has been a pastime of theirs.

Nora Aunor walks on the red carpet as she arrives for the screening of “Sinapupunan (Thy Womb)” during the 69th Venice Film Festival on September 6, 2012 at Venice Lido. Image: TIZIANA FABI/AFP

“Si Ate Guy din siyempre… talagang sobrang idolo siya ng aking lola. Noong bata ako, mas prefer ng tatay ko ang basketball… hindi ko naman maintindihan itong basketball. Aakyat ako sa bahay ng lola ko sa San Juan and sigurado ‘yun, [manonood kami ng] ‘Superstar,’” Padilla said.

(My lola was a huge fan of Ate Guy. When I was young, my dad enjoyed watching basketball, and I didn’t understand what it was about. I would go up to my lola’s house in San Juan, and we would always watch “Superstar.”)

Corrales, Aunor, and Alejandro’s deaths happened just days apart. Corrales died on April 12, while Aunor passed on the 16th, and Alejandro on the 21st.

Padilla is set to hold her “Through the Years” 40th anniversary concert at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater on May 17. /EDV