The break-up was straight out of a Zsa Zsa Padilla movie — fast but not furious. It happened last week, initiated by Zsa Zsa herself (no third party was involved).
Related somebody privy to the two-year romance of Zsa Zsa and architect Conrad Onglao, “Zsa Zsa went to the shoot of The Story of Us, her teleserye on ABS-CBN and she didn’t go back home. Instead, she went back to the house in Marina (Pasay City) that she shared with Dolphy for many years and then asked somebody to get her things from Conrad’s house in Makati City the next day, determined never to look back.”
The break-up came just when Zsa Zsa, turning 52 in October, and Conrad, 58, were finalizing their plan to get married in Florence, Italy.
“They have been planning for it since last year pa,” another Funfare Update source said. “First, the original schedule was June…that’s next month already…and then they moved it to December this year. And then…the break-up. They were so in love…at least that was how they seemed to me ha…so I’m sad for Zsa Zsa, I’m sad for Conrad. I really thought that they would end happily ever after together. I thought that he has found his ‘forever’.”
Known for being a ladies’ man, Conrad was married to architect Ivy Almario (marriage annulled) with whom he has two sons. Zsa Zsa has two daughters by Dolphy. After his break-up with Ivy, Conrad was romantically linked to several women, among them a popular A-List fashion designer, a former beauty queen, a famous artist and a socialite-columnist.
Those who sympathize with Zsa Zsa claimed that the break-up was good for Zsa Zsa.
“Maybe she got fed up with Conrad’s attitude, especially towards showbiz people whom he looked down on,” one said. “Masaki daw magsalita si Conrad. You know naman how sensitive Zsa Zsa is. Nasanay kay Dolphy who was very gentle.”
When they were introduced to each other by their mutual friend Sharon Cuneta (one of Conrad’s celebrity clients), Conrad confessed that he didn’t know Zsa Zsa is an actress and even added that he was not comfortable with artistas. He was supposed to be shy about publicity but then, when he and Zsa Zsa going steady, he didn’t have a choice but to appear in Zsa Zsa’s shows, cheer her on during her concerts and grace magazine pictorials with her (one of them Metro Society which put them on the cover).
Funfare Update tried to get Conrad’s side but his friends said that he is “feeling low, very sad,” and he wasn’t in the mood to talk. And so is Zsa Zsa whose only comment (through her spokesperson) was, “We tried but it didn’t work.”
Zsa Zsa’s daughter Karylle (Mrs. Yael Yuzon) by her first husband Dr. Modesto Tatlonghari, confirmed the break-up but requested for privacy for her mom.
Eric Quizon, one of Dolphy’s children, was quoted by his manager Dolor Guevarra as saying, “I have nothing to say. I don’t really know Conrad well. I think I met him only once.”
Dolphy’s relatives (who are mum about the break-up) were described as “happy.”
Another friend close to Zsa Zsa told Funfare Update, “The break-up is good for Zsa Zsa,” without elaborating.
Incidentally, Funfare Update sources forgot to say if Zsa Zsa still wears the engagement ring Conrad gave her in September last year.
“Knowing Zsa Zsa,” she said, “I’m sure tinanggal na nya at itinabi kung saan.”
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