Eva Darren's son Fernando de la Pena accepts FAMAS apology but says: 'Please stick to the script'

Dr. Fernando de la Pena, the son of veteran actress Eva Darren, released another statement following the 72nd Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences’ (FAMAS) apology to his mother.

In a Facebook post, Fernando first thanked everybody for “the overwhelming display of love and support.”

“Ms. Eva Darren has found some comfort in the midst of a loving family which includes you all,” he said. “My mom is one tough cookie, she is a battle-tested survivor of life’s arena.”

Fernando also looked back on his childhood, and how Eva worked hard to provide an education for them “that instilled fundamental virtues and principles of Filipino culture that necessitates respect for the elderly.”

“It is far from our intention to ruffle feathers and in fact, our upbringing inclined towards avoiding trouble at all cost often at our emotional expense,” he said.

Fernando added that one of his childhood chores was to make sure that Eva’s FAMAS Best Supporting Actress trophy for her role in the 1969 movie "Ang Pulubi” constantly remained clean. He also said that their family respects the prestigious award-giving body.

“One of the very few treasured possessions we have. We revered FAMAS and everything it stands for,” he said.

“This is why what happened to my mother, in the eyes of our family, was incomprehensible, unexpected, unimaginable,” Fernando added. “I firmly believe that what hurt my mother the most is disappointing her apos who tagged along in the hopes of seeing grandma on stage.”

Fernando also said that veteran actor Tirso Cruz III and FAMAS PR Officer Renz Spangler “have nothing to do with what happened and just the same, were casualties of someone’s questionable backstage judgment.”

He said that Eva was actually seated at a table at the front and center adjacent to the stage, along with fellow actresses Divina Valencia and Marissa Delgado.

All that said, their family ultimately accepts the FAMAS’ apology.

“For the reasons I stated above and on behalf of my mother, Ms. Eva Darren, our family accepts the olive branch that FAMAS has extended and only hope that future events would prove to be contrasting,” Fernando said.

Before ending his statement, Fernando directed a final message to FAMAS.

“I understand that we are but a small voice in the back row of a rowdy crowd, but if I may humbly, personally, recommend two things for the 73rd FAMAS Awards Night: Please stick to the script… and maybe a nice pair of eyeglasses for all in charge.”

Eva was allegedly snubbed during the FAMAS Awards. She was set to present an award with Tirso, but FAMAS said they were not able to “locate” her because they were “running a live show with myriads of people.”

"Apparently, hindi siya nahanap ng ushers," FAMAS President Francia Conrado told GMA News Online.

FAMAS apologized to Eva and her family in a statement, saying that it was “indeed a setback in the live show and negligence on the part of the team” and that what happened “was not intentional and purely a misjudgment."

FAMAS said they are committed to making amends to the veteran star.

“We understand that an apology alone cannot undo the damage this might have caused Miss Darren but we are committed to make amends and rebuild her trust by a personal visit of the FAMAS Board to honor her stature, if she allows it,” they said.

The 72nd edition of the FAMAS Awards honored Piolo Pascual and Alfred Vargas, Kathryn Bernardo, Gloria Diaz, and Kapuso couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. 

—Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News