Ben&Ben releases statements on FEU Diliman, Tanya Markova issues

Ben&Ben has released two separate statements on the issue at recent gig at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Diliman, where the band allegedly did not follow event schedules that caused other artists to be sidelined or unable to perform, and broke their silence from a 2022 issue involving fellow band Tanya Markova.  

In their statement on Facebook, the band said they are now breaking their silence for their integrity, music, and messages.

“For years, we have chosen not to speak on the issue of the band being the cause of other performers not being able to perform on certain events. This has caused the band to be dragged left and right with baseless accusations and maligned statements. This being an attack on the band’s integrity, and an injustice for all those who support the band’s music and message, we have decided to end this issue, once and for all,” Ben&Ben said.

FEU Diliman, Dwta

The nine-piece folk band first discussed the FEU Diliman event, where they performed on August 17. Netizens speculated and accused Ben&Ben for being the reason why other artists, particularly Bicolano singer-songwriter Dwta, were unable to perform.

But according to Ben&Ben, there were delays at the event, and their management had been in constant communication with the organizers.

“[At] all times, the management of the band CLEARLY expressed that it is a priority to ensure that the event goes as planned and all performers are able to perform, as we have always done in the past. As such, the band will be on standby and adjust to any changes made in order to fulfill this,” the statement read.

“And so, it was heartbreaking on the band’s end to learn that in spite of all these preventive measures and constant communication, Dwta, an artist that the band admires and has long been a fan of, was unable to perform, as decided upon by the event organizers,” they added.

Ben&Ben said instances like these prove to be challenging for their management to balance their professional obligations to the gig organizers, and “ensuring that the band’s fellow artists are able to perform at their agreed performance time and space.”

The band added their management ensures no artist gets sidelined should any delays or schedule changes happen.

They said, “Though delays in events are unavoidable, our management exercises whichever help is needed to ensure that no artist is dropped out of the program for whatsoever reason. The band has always been passionate about fighting for artists’ rights, and even always being willing to accommodate to uncertainty. And we will continue to do so.”

Ben&Ben clarified it is always the event organizers who make the decisions at the events they perform at, and said their contracts state they will only perform if no other artists’ set gets canceled or changed.

“[To] be able to protect the rights of fellow artists, and as a proactive measure, the band’s management has decided to include in the contract the stipulation that the band will only agree to perform if the program of events is followed and no artist performance gets cancelled or moved around,” the band said.

In her own Facebook statement, Dwta told her supporters to not mention other artists’ names, as the organizers are responsible for the mishap.

“We kindly ask everyone to refrain from mentioning any artists, as this is getting out of hand. The responsibility for what happened lies with the organizers, and they should be the ones to address it. Thank you for your understanding,” Dwta said.

Tanya Markova

The FEU Diliman issue brought about older issues involving Ben&Ben, namely the one with fellow OPM band Tanya Markova.

Back in 2022, Ben&Ben and Tanya Markova were among the performers at former the Camanava Grand Rally of Vice President Leni Robredo. 

In a December 2023 episode of The Koolpals podcast, Tanya Markova said Ben&Ben was supposed to perform after them. Tanya Markova was lined up as the 24th act and Ben&Ben was the 25th act.

But according to Tanya Markova, Ben&Ben performed as the 17th, reportedly changing the whole order of the event lineup.

Ben&Ben also thought they were the last band to play, and also did not know the schedule change affected other performers, Tanya Markova said, adding other artists, like Mayonnaise were also unhappy with the change, but it was only Tanya Markova who spoke up about the matter. 

According to Tanya Markova, a Zoom meeting was set up by the Office of the Vice President where the bands aired their sides. In the meeting, Ben&Ben said they did not know the chaos happening at the event. They were in their van while the show was ongoing, and was fetched by one of their managers to head to the stage. Still backstage, Tanya Markova was shocked to see that Ben&Ben was already on stage. 

In the podcast, Tanya Markoba cleared Ben&Ben's name, saying it was not their [Ben&Ben’s] fault and that the issue has long been settled.

In their statement posted on social media Monday, Ben&Ben said “We would like to put an end to the accusations constantly being made, further insinuated by a guesting of Tanya Markova, on the podcast of Koolpals.”

The “Kathang Isip” artists added, “It was never the intention nor the action of the band nor the band’s management to sideline other artists during the Camanava grand rally.”

The group added, like Tanya Markova and all the other artists, they were also victims of unforeseen delays and that the organizers should take accountability “for the logical mishaps.”

Ben&Ben added they also communicated and set up a meeting with those involved.

“This is indicated in the full message that we have sent to the management of Tanya Markova, and other involved parties, back in 2022,” the band said.

In their statement, Ben&Ben narrated how they had gone to the extent of scheduling a meeting with the parties involved, even apologizing on behalf of the organizers despite not having any "decision-making authority in the sequence of events," a few days after the event.  

According to Ben&Ben, they previously reached out to Tanya Markova and the other artists involved, “even if it was the responsibility of the organizers of the event to own up and be accountable.”

In their statement, Ben&Ben said they have screenshots and receipts as proof.

“In all this, we hope this finally brings truth out, and holds the right parties accountable,” Ben&Ben said.

Tanya Markova has yet to release their own statement. GMA News Online has reached out to Tanya Markova and will update this story as soon as we receive word from the band.

— LA, GMA Integrated News