Ogie Diaz alleges FAMAS gives award to ‘sponsors’ amid Eva Darren’s snub

Ogie Diaz, Eva Darren at FAMAS 2024 | Images: Facebook, Ogie Diaz/Fernardo de la Pena

Following the snub of veteran actress Eva Darren at the recent FAMAS awards, entertainment insider Ogie Diaz claimed he has a source who attests that the awarding body allegedly gave awards to “undeserving people only because they gave a lot of sponsorship to the organization.”

On Facebook, the show biz host and talent manager joined the growing list of celebrities who have expressed support to the TV and movie veteran who was unceremoniously replaced by FAMAS as presenter, allegedly because she could not be located when it was her turn at the stage, together with another veteran actor, Tirso Cruz III.

“Sabi ng Famas spokesperson ba yon? Hindi raw ma-locate ang seat ni Ms. Eva Darren, kaya nagkaroon ng last minute replacement sa stage,” Diaz said.

“Sorry for my word, put—- ina naman, sa tanda naman ni Ms. Eva, saan naman kaya siya pupunta? Nagte-table hopping ba siya? Nagyosi sa backstage? Nag-jog sa Quirino Grandstand? Namamasyal sa Luneta? Mga palaka kayo!” he further said.

Citing his source, Diaz said FAMAS allegedly farmed out awards to certain individuals who could provide financial aid to the organization. He likewise urged FAMAS to address the allegations.

“Samantalang me nakapasabi sa akin (kayo nang mga taga-riyan ang sumagot kung true), binigyan nyo ng award ang ilang hindi naman karapat-dapat magka-award porke nag-sponsor lang nang malaki. True ba?” he questioned.

“Tapos, inabala nyo yung matandang nirerespeto sa industriya para lang mabastos sa Gabi ng Parangal? Iba talaga ang tinitingnan sa tinititigan,” Diaz added.

INQUIRER.net has reached out to FAMAS, and to its director, Vince Tañada, for comment, but they have not replied as of writing.

On Monday, May 27, Darren’s son, Fernando de la Pena, took to Facebook to detail the disheartening experience that her mother went through after attending FAMAS 2024, which she wholeheartedly prepared for given that she was promised to be one of the presenters, only to not be called upon on stage as her place was taken by somebody else.

The same day, FAMAS issued an apology, explaining that “they could not find” the veteran actress at the time that she had to go on stage, so they proceeded to call someone else to take her place, which turned out to be singer Sheena Palad.

The organization’s apology was received with doubt, if not disapproval, after netizens explained that the organizers should have made prior preparations for that, and Darren’s son pointed out that her mother was seated in “front and center” of the stage, hence, finding her was not impossible.

However, in a new post, Darren’s son said that on behalf of her mother and family, they are accepting the apology, but urged the organization to make a difference in their future events, advising for them to “stick to the script and wear eyeglasses next time to not repeat the same mistake of not locating their presenters.”

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