Cedrick Juan, Eva Darren, and Rita Avila | Images: Facebook, Paul Cedrick Juan/Fernardo de la Pena/Rita Avila
Celebrities like Cedrick Juan and Rita Avila have expressed their dismay over the FAMAS organization’s snub of veteran actress Eva Darren as presenter, saying the award-giving body’s action showed disrespect and negligence.
On Facebook, Juan re-posted Darren’s son’s post to reference the “excuse” of the local organization for their failure to acknowledge the seasoned actress after being invited to be one of its presenters during the ceremony.
“Hayyyy.. hindi daw siya mahanap. Kaya nga may organizers ang bawat event. Lungkot,” said Juan, whose historical drama “GomBurZa” was among the participating movies in FAMAS this year, for which he was also nominated for Best Actor.
Juan eventually lost to Piolo Pascual for “Mallari,” and Alfred Vargas for (Pieta). Incidentally, Pascual also starred in “GomBurZa” in a special role.
Famas glitter ‘went to waste’
Meanwhile, Avila lamented that Darren wholeheartedly prepared for the event, not to have a “diva moment,” but because she respected the invitation. Unfortunately, FAMAS didn’t return the same sentiment to her at all, she said.
“The feelings of Ms. Eva Darren and her family are understandable. Totoo naman! I am glad that her son posted about it,” she wrote on Instagram. “Si Ms. Eva Darren ay pumunta DEFINITELY hindi para sa NINGNING, pero dahil NIRESPETO niya ang imbitasyon. NIRESPETO BA SIYA?”
Avila further argued that people in the industry should show dignity and respect to one another. “Dapat sa showbiz, tayo ang mag-alagaan sa isa’t isa. Tayo ang magbigay respeto sa isa’t isa. Tayo ang magbigay dignidad sa isa’t isa,” she said.
The actress also pointed out that Darren was not included in the initial art card of the personalities that are expected to present an award in the ceremony but was given false hopes for it.
“Wala sa photo ng presenters, Ms. Eva, pero inimbita nila at pinag-memorize ng script, ano yun? Tapos ang excuse ay di makita si Ms. Eva. Ano yun?!!!!” she lamented. “Kung presenter siya, may naka bantay na sa kanya mula sa pagdating nya dahil dapat alam na kung SAAN siya NAKA-UPO para pag malapit na ‘yung part nya, madali siyang tatawagin,” added the actress.
Image: Instagram/@msritaavila
In the comment section of Avila’s post, actress Carmi Martin also reacted to the incident and wrote, “Trending na nga. So all the glitters of Famas went to waste dahil tinalo sila ng [kahihiyang] ginawa nila.”
Actress-writer Bibeth Orteza also weighed in on the discussion by demanding an explanation from the organizers why Darren was not included in the initial art card but was invited and asked for the P5,000 for the seats alongside her family members.
“And this. How will the FAMAS explain this?” she wrote in the caption with FAMAS art card on presenters. “Ano ba talaga ang tutoo? Hindi nila makita no’ng awards’ night, o talagang hindi naman pala kasali sa presenters, siningil lang ng 5k per plate na dinner sina Ms. Eva at ang tatlo niyang apo?”
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