A singer unexpectedly found herself at the center of controversy after stepping in as a presenter at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards, replacing veteran actress Eva Darren, who was initially slated for the role.
Sheena Palad, the singer in question, recently addressed the issue on Facebook amidst criticism from netizens and the family of Eva Darren. She clarified that she was originally scheduled to perform during the awards ceremony when a FAMAS staff member approached her with a last-minute request.
In her Facebook statement, Sheena recounted, “Pinuntahan po ako ng staff sabi niya ‘Sheena can we ask a big favor from you?’ sabi ko ‘Yes, what’s that?’ tapos ang sabi niya ‘Can you present the award’ sabi ko ‘okay sige, no problem’ that’s it, ‘yun lang po ang alam ko.”
Sheena admitted that she was unaware that Eva Darren had been designated as the presenter for the award. Being in the holding area, she had not been following the event closely and was caught off-guard by the sudden change.
“Hindi ko po alam na si Miss Eva ‘yung magpe-present [ng award]. Sa totoo lang po I’m also clueless, hindi po kasi ako nanonood ng awards night, I was at the holding area so hindi ko po alam kung paano mag-present,” she added.
Adding a personal note to her post, Sheena Palad emphasized the role of her faith in coping with the unexpected backlash: “Buti na lang may Lord Jesus Christ ako sa buhay ko. Honestly, Hindi ko kaya to! It’s also a lesson for everybody to not QUICKLY judge a person.”
The controversy unfolded after Fernando de la Perna, Eva Darren’s son, expressed disappointment and frustration over the last-minute substitution. He detailed how Eva had eagerly prepared for the event, purchasing a new dress and accessories, and attending with her grandchildren, making it a significant outing for the family.
FAMAS, in response to the criticism, cited difficulties in locating Eva Darren during the event, which prompted the decision to replace her with Sheena Palad.
The incident has sparked debate on social media platforms, with supporters of Eva Darren expressing sympathy and concern, while others have defended Sheena Palad’s role as an unwitting participant in the unfolding drama.
As the story continues to develop, it underscores the challenges and sensitivities involved in high-profile awards ceremonies, where careful planning and communication are crucial to avoid misunderstandings and controversies.
