Image: Facebook/FAMAS, Johnrey Rivas
FAMAS social media manager Johnrey Rivas claimed that its public relations officer (PRO) Renz Spangler was at fault at the recent awards night fiasco, with the former asking the latter to take accountability for his “negligence” and “shortcomings.”
Rivas detailed his side of the story on the much-talked-about debacle that involved veteran actress Eva Darren, through a lengthy post on his Facebook page on Wednesday, May 29.
Rivas began by revealing that Spangler sold event tickets to Darren and promised to make her one of the presenters. Darren was initially part of the script but was supposedly removed after Spangler failed to confirm her attendance.
Rivas further noted that there were other original presenters—including Gloria Diaz, LA Santos and Alfred Vargas—who were removed and replaced due to their non-confirmation of attendance.
Rivas also said he sent the new list of presenters—which did not include Darren—to their group chat before posting it on social media, but received no comments or disapproval from Spangler.
READ: Charo Santos praised for ‘locating’ Eva Darren at FAMAS awards night
Spangler, who was absent at the final coordination meeting and rehearsal day, allegedly did not inform the others as well that he had given Darren a script prior to the event. “Wala kaming alam sa transaction nila o mga promises nila sa isa’t isa,” Rivas said.
Rivas then disclosed that unexpected circumstances arose hence they struggled finding a co-presenter alongside Tirso Cruz III—the role supposedly for Darren. However, Rivas said the staff members did not look for Darren because she was no longer on the list of presenters, and because they were not aware of her attendance at the event.
“Nagkumahog ang Stage Manager na hilahin kung sino na lang ang pwedeng makita, kaya that time ang nasa left stage at nakita at about to perform ay si Ms. Sheena (Palad),” Rivas said.
“Ako na magsasabi—wala siyang kasalanan at hindi totoong may hocus-pocus na bayad or whatever,” he stressed. “Nagmagandang loob pa nga siya to be the reliever, kaya hindi ko tanggap lahat ng pambabastos sa kanya.”
Rivas added that Spangler, amid the evident struggle of the stage manager in finding a substitute presenter, did not inform them of Darren’s presence and did not initiate to escort the veteran actress to the backstage when he knew she was ready to present.
‘Sacrificial lamb’
Rivas then addressed the statement earlier released by FAMAS, which claimed that Darren had to be “replaced” because she couldn’t be “located by the production team” at the ceremony.
“To clarify the statement ng FAMAS, isang device ng FAMAS na iligtas ang PRO sa apology letter—”cannot locate Eva Darren” dahil hindi talaga namin hinahanap si Eva Darren. Wala siya sa program,” he said.
“Mas pinili ng FAMAS na maging sacrificial lamb ang production outfit na nagma-manage to protect the emotional and mental challenges ni Renz na namatay din ng lola ng araw ng pagsulat ng apology,” he further revealed.
Lamenting the hate directed at the FAMAS awards night director Vince Tañada, Rivas continued, “Ang director namin na advocate ng mental illness ay pumayag na maging sacrificial lamb upang maprotektahan ang PRO na ngayon ay off the hook daw according to the son of Eva Darren.”
Rivas was referring to Fernando de la Peña who earlier called out the award-giving body for its “rude” and “unprofessional” treatment of his mother.
Rivas also extended good words to FAMAS president Francia Conrado who, according to him, was prompted by goodness to shield Spangler.
“Kasi kapag sinabi [ni Ms. Francia] na hindi talaga nasabihan ng PRO at naging negligent ito, baka maapektuhan ang PRO na mayroon ngang mental challenges at nagdadalamhati ngayon dahil namatayan,” Rivas stated.
‘Ikaw lang ang may kasalanan sa mga naganap’
Rivas, who announced in his post that he will tender his resignation as FAMAS social media manager, also made an open letter to Spangler whom he urged to take accountability.
“Kung ayaw mo aminin ako na ang magsasabi, malaki ang pagkukulang mo noong rehearsals, coordination meeting at sa mismong gabi ng parangal,” he addressed Spangler. “Nag-leave ka sa [group chat] ng araw na dapat mismo ‘final rehearsal’ dahil sa emosyon mong hindi din namin maintindihan.”
“‘Wala kang kinalaman sa lahat ng nangyari,’ sabi nila? No, Renz. ‘IKAW LANG ANG MAY KASALANAN SA MGA NAGANAP,'” he added. “I know na ngayon ay namatayan ka ng mahal mo sa buhay at hindi ito ang tamang panahon para madiin ka. This is just me asking for your accountability, ‘yun lang.”
Rivas also included in his post a screenshot of Spangler’s “resignation letter” which the latter posted on his Facebook page but immediately took down after a few minutes.
Rivas extended his apologies as well to Darren and her family, saying there was also negligence on the production’s part.
INQUIRER.net has reached out to Spangler for comment, but he has yet to respond as of this writing.
Meanwhile, several friends, including veteran actress Divina Valencia, defended Spangler, saying he was the one who took care of the celebrities on Famas night. Valencia, who was seated on the same table as Darren, said it was Spangler who diligently followed up on their attendance during the awards night.
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