FAMAS president on alleged snub of veteran actress Eva Darren: 'Hindi po sinasadya, nothing deliberate'

The 72nd Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awarding ceremony took place on Sunday at The Manila Hotel, and the star-studded night celebrating the best of Philippine cinema felt like resounding success.

But on Monday morning, Fernando de la Pena, the son of veteran actress Eva Darren, took to Facebook to complain about his mother's experience at the ceremony.

According to de la Pena, his mother "usually does not attend social events. She loves the simple pleasures in life being surrounded by family." But she received an invitation to present an award with fellow veteran actor Tirso Cruz III, as well as "a script to go over and memorize."

"Mom was excited, bought the best dress and pair of heels she could afford and topped that with a nice package of hair and make up for the gala," de la Pena narrated.

Darren even brought along three grandchildren and paid for their dinner, about P5000 a plate, never mind the typhoon.

After all, this was her first FAMAS appearance since 1969, when she took home the Best Supporting Actress trophy for her role in the movie "Ang Pulubi." 

But Eva Darren never made it on stage to present the award she was there for.

"After the glitz and glamour shots with air-cheek-kisses and what not, everyone eventually took their seats and the awarding commenced. During the point where she was supposed to present an award, her partner, Mr. Tirso Cruz III went upstage with an upcoming young singer instead. Not my mom," de la Pena continued.

According to de la Pena, the public relations officer with whom Darren had been in contact, could offer no explanation "just a thousand apologies."

"My Mom said 'it’s okay' but decided to leave nonetheless. I couldn’t blame her. Staying around was just rubbing salt on her FAMAS-inflicted wounds," de la Pena said.

"It is rude. It is disrespectful. It is unethical. It is unprofessional to say the very least," he added.

Francia Conrado the president of FAMAS told GMA News Online over the phone that she also only found out about the mishap on Monday morning.

"Apparently, hindi siya nahanap ng ushers," Conrado said, explaining they employed ushers to pick up participants and bring them backstage.

She admitted to having lapses. "May konting lapses, live kasi" and said things could've been resolved better had the show been taped.

Explaining that she is "reaching out to the production people," Conrad said "this is out of my control but it is something we need to resolve. If we have have to, kung kailangang, bibisitahin namin sila."

"I feel so sad about it," Conrado continued. "Kung ako 'yon, ganun din ang mararamdaman ko. Pero hindi siya sinasadya. There was nothing deliberate."

In his public post, de la Pena requested netizens to repost and share. "These people must learn a lesson," he said. As of writing, his post has generated more than 500 reactions, more than 100 comments, and nearly 200 shares.   

GMA News Online has reached out to de la Pena for more comments but has yet to receive feedback as of writing.

Meanwhile, Conrado said they are now talking about what happened amongst themselves and will issue a statement on social media shortly.

This is the 72nd edition of the FAMAS Awards. Among the winners are Piolo Pascual and Alfred Vargas, Kathryn Bernardo, Gloria Diaz, and Kapuso couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.  

— LA, GMA Integrated News