Zsa-Zsa Padilla: Unlimited Engagement - Part 2
by Glenda Venturanza, The Web Philippines, November/December 1997

She recalled that whenever there were tapings of "Familia Zaragoza", a primetime soap-opera, she said she would face her computer in between takes, but she felt anti-social. "It's like putting yourself away from your co-artists." This was the same complaint at home so she decided to minimize her usage of it. E-mails from friends and fans are important to her so she reads them everyday and replies. As for IRC, "I don't get to chat that much anymore. I do visit to see some friends, but I don't know a lot of them there na. But a lot of my friends are online. I use a nick, you wouldn't guess it's me. They (her friends) know it's me naman na eh!"

In one of her Limited Engagement shows in GMA-7, I overheard her announcing her Web address, instincts dictated that I rush to see the site. And I did. She promptly replied to every e-mail I sent her. Amazingly, she could be the first celebrity with her own domain name (www.zsazsapadilla.com) thanks to her webmaster, Ronnie Miranda of Storm Visualization and Imaging, Inc.

The Zsa Zsa Padilla site, constantly updated and religiously maintained speaks of the artist, her achievements and so much more. For the fans, it is a gateway to her world of sheer sophistication. She feels though that the site needs more of her photographs. "I'm tamad with pictorials, kasi eh," she said. But, acknowledging the importance of photos to fans, she implied that a good set of photos is needed.

"I wanted it to be informative. I need a lot of photos. To promote myself as a singer, there should be more materials there. We have audio files, and video files are in the works. Probably old concert files will be included," she said matter-of-factly. She has high praises for Ronnie, the person who maintains her site.

The Web site announces her shows and this includes guest-hosting A.S.A.P., the noontime on-the-air party at ABS-CBN Channel 2 and the special one-and-a-half-hour theme program, Limited Engagement on GMA Channel 7 which has lined up a series of six spectacular programs to showcase her talent and a host of other artists.

The angelic voice that has captured music lovers now has an alternative medium. The style and elegance in all the curled-up notes she has recorded can be heard online through her Web site. Real-Audio samples allow visitors to listen to her hit songs. With a new album in the works, "teasers" or samplers of her new songs will soon be posted for Netizens to clamor for.

As what she has done through several years of her stay in the business, Ms. Padilla is excited about her next major concert. "Paki-plug na rin...(she giggles) This will be a Valentine's show at the Philippine Plaza on February 13 and 14. It's called Divine Madness. I'll be with Martin Nievera for the first time. The whole concert is laid out already." Details of the concert will be available online.

The career that skyrocketed in 1983 after saying goodbye to the Hotdog band has indeed gone a long way. It has reached this pinnacle where only the most respected artists are. The voice of splendor-that of Ms. Zsa Zsa Padilla, undeniably magnificent and splendidly soothing is reaching farther now. "When we talk of promotions here I think it is pretty much covered by TV and radio. But, probably, I should say, reaching out to much wider audience is the edge of the Web. They would know the latest news about the artists. Friends and fans from different parts of the world can keep in touch. We get a lot of mails from the US, Canada, Japan," she said.

While admittingly she said, "I'm very much into it! (Internet technology), she knows that many are still not encouraged enough to get into it. But, "technology is there. Sooner or later people will start using the Net. It is something you can't deny. It's a good way for promotion. If a company is interested in your work, the site can serve as your folio," she exclaimed convincingly.

Is she addicted to it? "Yes!" And that's why we have an unlimited engagement to keep with her...