Farmer Zsa Zsa D-1
Divine Diva has a new love and it continues to blossom by the day
Zsa Zsa Padilla has been in the public eye for, like, forever, so to chance upon a “career” option away from the spotlight is, in her words, “awesome.”
The actress-singer has been busy of late with her and fiancé Conrad Onglao’s farm in Lucban, Quezon. In an interview, Zsa Zsa said she finds farming “so rewarding.”
Indeed, no cameras, no scripts, and no controversies at all.
“Doing this, I feel like I am close to earth,” she said.
The farm, which they call “Casa Esperanza,” has been their project since March 2018. It has tomatoes, bananas, and dalandan trees, and others.
Her Instagram page reveals a documentation of her visits there. And one would be surprised to see how simple she, known for being sophisticated and elegant on screen, looks; just in plain shirt, maong pants, and boots most days.
“It has become my happy place. I am enjoying the farm life. I’m so excited
to see how it will develop in the coming months.”
Taking farming more seriously, Zsa Zsa even attended an introductory lecture in agriculture given at the Department of Agriculture in Cebu last December. It was in preparation for her upcoming farming enterprise venture.
Is “retirement” on the horizon, we asked.
“Kind of,” she replied. “I mean, all of us are really going there. But I’m glad that I’m ‘preparing’ this early because the enthusiasm and the strength are there. Plus, I get to be really hands-on pa.”
More than anything, Zsa Zsa noted that doing so has led her to have deeper appreciation for farmers. She admires the effort, patience, and hard work they put in to make sure people have quality food on the table.
“I respect them so much. I thank God for giving me this opportunity. I promise to become a good farmer.”
Total entertainment
Going back to the limelight, the Divine Diva is all set for a concert – her first after a year.
“Totally Zsa Zsa” reimagines Zsa Zsa as the eternal woman singing her heart out through the decades. As a ’50s Hollywood Star, a swinging ’60s It Girl, a ’70s disco queen and an ’80s and ’90s OPM icon, Zsa Zsa interprets the most beloved songs of the eras. The repertoire will have audiences swooning, remembering and grooving to the beat of well-loved melodies while revealing in the persona that can only rightfully be described as “Totally Divine Diva.”
“Expect a brand of glamour and seductive charm in this concert,” she said.
Though she knows new songs, Zsa Zsa said she will not sing any of those, deeming doing so “awkward.”
“There is a disconnect eh,” the 54year-old pointed out. “I listen to a lot of new songs on Spotify but I don’t think I can sing it. Like, my type of audience would probably feel, ‘Nako, si Zsa Zsa parang nanay ko lang na kumakanta,’ hindi na bagay.”
Zsa Zsa, whose greatest influence is The Carpenters, said the upcoming concert is “personal” to her as she has always dreamed of having a show with this concept.
“It’s a dream come true for me that’s why I promise to give my 100 percent.”
With the guys
Joining Zsa Zsa on stage are matinee idol Ian Veneracion, daughter Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon, and Hashtags member Zeus Collins.
“You see Zeus dancing hip hop on ‘It’s Showtime,’ but here, he will be doing a ‘makalumang sayaw.’ I, myself, am excited how he will cross over to that,” she shared.
As for Ian, Zsa Zsa said she didn’t think twice in approving his name on the lineup. The two first worked together in the 1987 film “Black Magic.”
That time, Ian was only 12 years old.
“I was in my 20s then, so yes, I’m his ate!” the singer-actress reiterated.
That means audience should not expect a romantic kind of singing between them.
Ian may still be considered a newbie in the music scene, but Zsa Zsa lauded him for his capabilities.
“He’s really interesting. I think he will come a long way in this field,” she said.
Directed by Floy Quintos, “Totally Zsa Zsa” is on May 16, 8 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.