Zsa Zsa Padilla reflects on ‘bittersweet’ demolition of Dolphy Theater (2025)

Zsa Zsa Padilla. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

Zsa Zsa Padilla admitted that the looming demolition of the Dolphy Theater — named after her late partner Dolphy — is “bittersweet” for her. However, she understood that there are circumstances that will be out of one’s control, especially with the changing times.

Located at the ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City, Dolphy Theater was originally the media giant’s Studio 1 before it was renamed in honor of the late actor-comedian on his 80th birthday in 2008. Four years later, the theater was the venue of the public viewing of Dolphy’s body when he died of multiple organ failure in relation to his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Following the sale of ABS-CBN properties after its broadcast franchise was not renewed by congress, Dolphy Theater was one of network assets set to be demolished at an undisclosed date, after the media giant was forced to sell a portion of its properties to Ayala Land following the loss of its franchise.

The looming demolition, according to Padilla, has been “bittersweet” for her. She added that performing at the theater is a moment to remember Dolphy’s life and legacy.

“It’s bittersweet, ‘yun ang lagi kong iniisip. Kanina, kumakanta ako at naalala ko ang kanyang mga labi dito. And it was heartwarming for our family na mabigyan [ng tribute si Dolphy] and tawagin ito bilang Dolphy Theater,” she said at a recent media launch which was held at the aforementioned venue.

(It’s bittersweet. That’s what I think about all the time. I was singing and I remembered his body here. It was heartwarming for our family that Dolphy was given a tribute and the theater was named as Dolphy Theater.)

‘SA BAWAT SANDALING, HIRAM NATIN’ 🎶

WATCH: Zsa Zsa Padilla performs a snippet of her hit song in a media con for her new album. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/g58s2Gho8J

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Despite this, Padilla understood that not all buildings are “meant to last forever,” and some circumstances that “couldn’t be avoided.” Without outright mentioning ABS-CBN selling some of its properties, the singer said some buildings have to “be demolished.”

“With the times, alam ko na kapag mga buildings, hindi talaga siya naglalast forever because there is so much that you can do with the space… ‘Yung circumstances talaga hindi natin ma-a-avoid. Kailangan siyang i-demolish. Kasama ng lumang building,” she said.

“Everything in this building, imagine the possibilities of having a building that has mixed use, I can picture that in my head. I’m all for progress,” continued Padilla.

(With the times, I know that some buildings aren’t meant to last forever because there is so much you can do with the space. There are circumstances we can’t avoid. It needs to be demolished, including old buildings. Everything in this building, imagine the possibilities of having a building that has mixed use, I can picture that in my head. I’m all for progress.)

WATCH: Zsa Zsa Padilla opened up about going through empty nest syndrome — or a parent’s grief when children leave the family home — which is one of the influences of her upcoming song “Never Be Alone.” | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/6oAYPTrOP8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 9, 2025

The singer said she understood that some people are “sentimental,” however, she doesn’t harbor any “bitterness” regarding the theater’s impending demolition.

“Some people are sentimental. I know may buildings na merong mafifit na criteria na hindi siya pwedeng i-demolish (I know some buildings need to fit in a certain criteria before determining if it can be demolished or not),” she said. “Then if not, we just move on. I understand why this is happening, and I don’t feel any bitterness. We’re just moving on.”

Padilla was Dolphy’s partner before he died in 2012. While details of when and how their relationship started remain unknown, they were together for more than 20 years. They bore one child named Zia, and legally adopted Nicole in the 1990s.

The singer has been in a relationship with her non-showbiz boyfriend Conrad Onglao for 11 years. Despite being together for quite some time, she said that they have “no wedding plans” and are “settled.”