Held last Sunday, May 26, the 2024 Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) has been the subject of scrutiny after a "debacle" with veteran actress Eva Darren. In a viral Facebook post by her son Fernando de la Pena, it was revealed that she was slated to present an award during the event but was later replaced by a "young singer" instead.
The award-giving body has since publicly apologized to Eva, citing difficulty in "locating" her as the reason why another person was tapped to present the award. While the Darren family has accepted the apology, netizens have still called out FAMAS for the "negligence and disrespect" towards the industry veteran. Some have even taken a jab at the "young singer" in question, who was GMA personality Sheena Palad.
Accompanied by her boyfriend Johann Enriquez, Sheena has addressed netizens blaming her for the gaffe in a Facebook Live broadcast last May 27.
Sheena Palad Responds to Bashers Regarding FAMAS 2024 Incident
Sheena shares that she was originally booked to perform as the dinner entertainment of the event. After that, she changed into a new outfit and sat in the holding area. It was then that she was approached by one of the organizers to join Tirso Cruz III on stage.
"Nung naka-standby [po kami], pinuntahan po ako ng staff. Sabi nya, ‘Sheena, can we ask a big favor from you? Can you present the award?" she narrates. "Sabi ko ‘Okay, sige, sige. No problem.’ That’s it. Yun lang po ang alam ko."
She goes on to explain that she wasn't made aware that Eva was supposed to present the award. "I was clueless, hindi po kasi ako nanonood ng awards night because I was in the holding area. So ‘di ko po alam paano mag-present," Sheena adds.
The singer states that she wasn't even given the opportunity to read through the script first, which is why she ended up mispronouncing a name. Before the performance, she was only told, “Sheena, you’re going to present [the award] after the production number, after you sing. Once you’re done with the production, punta ka na roon sa gilid and sir Tirso will be with you.”
The Facebook Live has since been viewed by 93,000 viewers and has garnered 2400 reactions.
Coming to Sheena's defense, her boyfriend Johann also wrote on Facebook, "Ok, so to clear the air, the 'young singer' being referred to was my girlfriend Sheena Lee Palad. She was on standby for a prod number and was informed on the spot to present with sir Tirso Cruz III. And I’m sure FAMAS will take this mishap seriously and responsibly."
The post was in reaction to Sheena's earlier statement online, saying she was "being harassed, maligned, called names, and thrown offensive accusations" after the unfortunate incident at the FAMAS awards night.
Who Is "Young Singer" Sheena Palad?
Sheena was invited to the 2024 FAMAS to sing the original soundtrack to 1985 movie Muling Buksan Ang Puso. Her foray into music began when she studied music production at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. She formally began her career upon being a grand finalist on GMA's competition-reality show Bida Next.
Sheena is also the sister-in-law of actress and VJ Donita Rose. She's appeared on the variety show TiktoClock, where she was one of the grand finalists of their "Tanghalan ng Kampeon" singing segment.
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