Beteranang Aktres na si Eva Darren Binastos Diumano sa 72nd FAMAS Awards

 

Beteranang Aktres na si Eva Darren Binastos Diumano sa 72nd FAMAS Awards

Photo: User/IG

Nito ngang Lunes, Mayo 26, 2024, naglabas ng saloobin si Fernando dela Peña, anak ng beteranang aktres na si Eva Darren, tungkol sa hindi pagtawag diumano sa kanyang ina bilang presenter sa FAMAS awards. Kilala at sumikat diumano si Eva Darren noong 1960s at maituturing na haligi at icon ng Philippine cinema. Siya ay ginawaran diumano bilang Best Supporting Actress noong 1969 ng FAMAS para sa pelikulang "Ang Pulubi" at noong 1998 ng GAWAD URIAN AWARD para sa pelikulang "Ligaya ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin."

Ngayong FAMAS awarding, nakatanggap diumano ng imbitasyon si Eva Darren para maging bahagi ng prestihiyosong award-giving body bilang presenter na makakapareha sana ni Tirso Cruz III. Sa isang Facebook post, ibinahagi ni Fernando ang buong kwento ng pambabastos diumano na naranasan ng kanyang ina sa nasabing awards night. Ayon kay Fernando, pinaghandaan diumano ng kanyang ina ang naturang event; inaral at kinabisado diumano ng batikang aktres ang kanyang script, bumili diumano ng bagong damit at sapatos, at nagpaganda pa. Kahit masama diumano ang panahon, tumuloy diumano si Eva Darren kasama ang tatlong apo.

Kwento pa diumano ni Fernando, nang oras na ng pagpi-present ni Tirso Cruz III, iba na diumano ang kasama nito sa entablado. Sa halip na siya ang kasama, isang batang singer diumano ang kapareha ni Tirso. Kaya naman hindi na nakaakyat pa diumano ng entablado ang beteranang aktres. Ayon sa anak, kinausap diumano ang kanyang ina hinggil dito pero wala diumano itong narinig na paliwanag kundi "sorry" lamang. Nasaktan diumano si Fernando para sa kanyang ina, lalo na’t buong puso niyang pinaghandaan diumano ang gabi ng parangal. Narito ang ilang bahagi ng pahayag diumano ni Fernando:

"My mother, Eva Darren, a veteran actress of the Philippine movie industry, having performed on the big screen and television for more than five decades, usually does not attend social events. She loves the simple pleasures in life being surrounded by family.

"A couple of months ago, she received a notice of invitation for the FAMAS awards night. For those of you who aren’t familiar, FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards) is the equivalent of the USA’s Oscar Awards. She was also given a script to go over and memorize as an awards presenter coupled with another veteran actor, Mr. Tirso Cruz III.

"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. During the event, she brought along three of her very proud grandkids. With a price tag of P5,000 ($90) per plate for four people, needless to say, it was not a cheap evening. It was all worth it though. After all, the last time she was on stage during a FAMAS awards night was back in 1969 when she received the coveted “Best Supporting Actress Award” for her role in the movie ANG PULUBI (The Beggar) opposite legendary actress Charito Solis.

"Being the true professional that my mother is, she memorized and rehearsed her script to perfection, braved the downpour of a Signal No. 1 Typhoon warning and drove to the Manila Hotel.

"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.

"My mother never went on the stage.

"The PR officer of FAMAS who had been in constant communication with my mother prior to the event had absolutely no explanations to offer, just a thousand apologies. He confessed not knowing what happened and wasn’t sure why there was a last-minute change. 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.

"You would think and assume that a “prestigious award-giving body” who had been doing the same thing every year, over and over without fail, would have mastered their craft after 72 years. But no, not this entity.

"To all of you people behind FAMAS, you cannot do this to an icon of Philippine Cinema!

"It is RUDE… It is DISRESPECTFUL… It is UNETHICAL… it is UNPROFESSIONAL to say the very least!!!

"I can think of a hundred other words to describe what FAMAS did to my mother, even contemplated on legal actions for a second or two. But my sister, a devout Christian, told me to leave it to the hands of God.

"And so I will."