The “Divine Diva” is making her voice heard as her longtime home, ABS-CBN, navigates a new wave of internal and financial turbulence.
Zsa Zsa Padilla took to social media on Thursday to express her unwavering loyalty to the media giant following reports that a proposal to shut down the network was raised during a recent board discussion. While the company confirmed that the idea was floated by a director, the majority of the board reportedly shut it down, choosing instead to prioritize the welfare of its thousands of employees and stakeholders.
In an emotional post, Padilla reflected on her 42-year career in show business, the vast majority of which was spent under the wing of the Kapamilya network.
“ABS-CBN has been more than just a network to me—it has been my home, my family, and a place where my dreams were nurtured and allowed to grow,” she shared. She thanked the company for its resilience “through all the highs and even the most difficult times,” signaling her commitment to stay with the network “always and forever.”
The shutdown proposal comes at a sensitive time for the Lopez-led company, which has been grappling with financial hurdles and internal disputes among majority shareholders. Despite these “escalating tensions,” the Lopez family has assured the public that the network is built to survive and grow again.
In its official statement, ABS-CBN clarified that while the board did discuss various survival strategies, they ultimately rejected the shutdown option because of the devastating impact it would have on jobs and the retirees who have deferred their benefits to help the company’s financial recovery.
To stay afloat, ABS-CBN has been liquidating assets, including the P6.24 billion sale of a portion of its Quezon City property to Ayala Land last year. For artists like Padilla, these financial maneuvers are secondary to the emotional and cultural weight the network carries for Filipinos worldwide.
“ABS-CBN stood strong, not just for artists like me, but for the millions of Filipinos it continues to serve,” Padilla added. “To all Kapamilyas around the world, thank you for staying with us through every challenge.”
As the network continues to pivot in a shifting media landscape, the message from its biggest stars remains clear: the lights at ABS-CBN aren’t going out anytime soon.