Zsa Zsa Padilla on motherhood, music, and the little things that matter
Zsa Zsa Padilla’s most memorable Mother’s Day wasn’t about flowers or jewelry—it was when her daughters serenaded her with a song about arroz a la cubana. Because nothing says “I love you, Mama” quite like a tribute to rice, bananas, and sautéed ground beef.
“It was the year we were moving out of our home in Marina,” Padilla recalled, referring to their place in Parañaque. “Karylle staged a surprise. All my kids were there—Zia and Coco. They started singing about my favorite: arroz a la cubana. That meal is my ratatouille.”
For her, that humble dish isn’t just comfort food—it’s a memory on a plate, a connection to her childhood. “When I miss my mom, I go to a restaurant that serves it and order it,” she told Lifestyle in a recent interview. “So when the girls started singing, ‘Arroz a la cubana, the favorite of Mama …’ I couldn’t stop laughing and crying. They even posted it on social media.”
Now 60, Padilla still carries the title “Divine Diva” with grace—though she’s the first to laugh about it. “It’s just a label that was given to me. But for me, I have to step up. ‘Di puwedeng mataray ang Divine. ‘Di puwedeng palengkera. At my age, I’m more comfortable in my own skin. I know I’ll look good in pictures—thanks to Photoshop,” she said, laughing. “People say, ‘You still look so young!’ or ‘Your face has changed so much.’ I’m like, ‘I’m 60. Let’s be real.’”
Padilla became a mother at 16, and while her parenting journey wasn’t exactly conventional, it was built on love and learning. “Karylle and I are like best friends. Although, she used to tell me, ‘I don’t want a best friend. I want a mom.’ She grew up with her dad, so I wasn’t a full-time mother to her, but I made sure her needs were met. That became my role for a long time.”
Tough love
Their relationship only deepened over the years. “She’s such a responsible ate to her younger sisters. Even now, she helps me out—writing letters to sponsors, keeping me organized. She checks on me, takes me out of the house when I’ve been in pajamas too long. She’s the sweetest.”
When Karylle decided to follow her into showbiz, Padilla didn’t sugarcoat anything. “I was kind of harsh. Tough love. I told her, ‘If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.’ That was even on television!” she said, laughing. “But I wanted her to be prepared. Showbiz isn’t easy.”
Today, the roles are reversed. Karylle now gives her mom advice, especially on how to handle bashers. “She told me, ‘Mama, those are just writings on the school bathroom wall. Next semester, they’ll be painted over. They’ll be gone. Don’t mind them.’ And she’s right. I’ve learned to choose my battles, be more accepting, and not be too defensive. That really stuck with me.”
Padilla’s younger daughters, Nicole (also known as Coco) and Zia, bring her just as much joy. Coco, who’s currently based in the United States (US), remains close to the family. And Zsa Zsa lights up when talking about her partner Conrad Onglao’s two-year-old granddaughter, who recently joined them for a beach trip. “She’s very bright. She’s the joy of our lives.”
Behind the glamour, Padilla has also faced health-related challenges. “I had surgery in Singapore in August 2024,” she shared. “My last checkup showed no more reflux in my left kidney. I was shocked—I had gotten used to flying there for follow-ups. Now, I only need to go back in a year.”
She’s diligent about annual physicals, including treadmill stress tests. Her scoliosis, operated on years ago, rarely acts up now, though her asthma still catches her off guard sometimes. “I manage,” she added.
Resilience
Her resilience carries over to her work in entertainment. “Sometimes, you’re promised a role, then you just disappear from the project. It hurts more when you find out someone was backstabbing you. I was raised old-school—hindi puwede ang power tripping. You show up, you do the job, even if you don’t like the person.”
This year, Padilla’s idea of a perfect Mother’s Day isn’t extravagant. “I’d be super okay with my girls performing for me—and with me. I’d be the happiest to see the three of us onstage together.” While Coco might not make it back from the US, Zsa Zsa remains hopeful.
Fans will get their own chance to see her back on stage via “Zsa Zsa: Through the Years,” happening on May 17 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati. Directed by Rowell Santiago, with musical direction by Homer Flores, the concert will feature guests like Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano, and of course, daughters Zia and Karylle. Tickets are available via TicketWorld.
And if there happens to be a plate of arroz a la cubana waiting for Padilla backstage after the show, that would just be the cherry on top.
