Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 28) — Talent manager Ogie Diaz cleared some points raised by his former mentee Liza Soberano about her showbiz career while under her previous management.
In his latest vlog, Diaz said Sobebrano has the freedom to decide how she wants to express herself, but he hoped she would not forget her past that helped pave the way for her success.
“Narating mo ang fame, hindi dahil sa akin at sa suporta ng Star Magic at ABS-CBN at ng production staff, dahil din ‘yan sa dedication mo sa trabaho. Dahil ‘yan sa ‘yo, kaya palakpakan mo rin ng sarili mo, ha?” Diaz said.
[Translation: You reached fame, not because of me and the support of Star Magic and ABS-CBN and the production staff, but also because of your dedication to work. It’s because of you, so you should also applaud yourself.]
Soberano recently revealed she was embarking on a career transformation as she reflected on her decade-long career as an actress and shared her struggles in the local entertainment industry.
About the 25-year-old actress’ sentiment that her screen name “Liza” was “chosen” for her, Diaz clarified that the moniker was given to her by Star Magic executive Malou Santos and that it was the name that stuck in the minds of her fans.
“‘Yan ang nagtaguyod sa pamilya mo. Nabigyan mo ng bahay at magandang buhay ang daddy mo. Nakakapagpadala ka rin ng tulong sa mommy mo sa States. Naibili mo ng bahay ang lolo at lola mo… Lahat ‘yan dahil sa’yo, dahil sa pagiging Liza Soberano mo, anak,” Diaz expressed.
[Translation: That’s what supported your family. You gave your daddy a house and good life. You were also able to send money to your mommy in the States. You bought a house for your grandfather and grandmother… It’s all because of you, because of you being Liza Soberano.]Soberano, in her vlog and other recent social media videos, disclosed that she now wants to be called by her first name – Hope. “I think that I’ve earned the right to finally be me, to finally be able to do things for me as Hope Soberano.As to Soberano’s claim that she was not given a chance to voice her ideas and was always instructed what to do and not to do, Diaz said she was heard but occasionally had to compromise.
“Anak, lagi ka binibigyan ng chance to say your piece, your opinion, your suggestion. Pinapakinggan ka rin naman ‘pag may complaints ka pero ‘di ba kung minsan we had to meet halfway?… Pakikisama ang tawag d’on, anak,” he said.
[Translation: You were always given a chance to say your piece, your opinion, your suggestion. They also listen to you when you have complaints, but there were times we had to meet halfway… That’s pakikisama (going along with others)]
“Kung sinasabi ni Liza na parang kino-control siya ng mga tao sa paligid niya – kung ako man yan at ang Star Magic- gusto ko magpasalamat kay Liza dahil sinunod niya kami. Kaya siguro sumikat siya.” [If Liza said that the people around her were controlling her – whether it’s me and Star Magic- I want to thank Liza for following us. Maybe that’s why she became famous.]
Nevertheless, Diaz expressed his appreciation for Soberano and hoped for her continued success with her new brand as an actress.Soberano disclosed that her works had only revolved around romance, comedy, and drama. She has recently been focused on promoting herself on the international stage as she reveals she is working on a project that would be her “first jab at directing.Meanwhile, another known talent manager, Boy Abunda, aired his disappointment about Soberano’s sentiments in her latest vlog, saying that he wish the actress would not “disregard” her past and the help of her managers.
“You can proceed with your career, redirect your career pero sana [but hopefully], you can journey in gratitude,” Abunda said in the latest episode of his talk show.
Soberano, one of the well-known love team LizQuen, rose to fame in the 2014 television series “Forever More” with her partner Enrique Gil.
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