TINANGGAP ng pamilya ng veteran actress na si Eva Darren ang public apology ng organizers ng 72nd FAMAS Awards kaugnay ng pang-iisnab dito sa katatapos na awards rites sa Manila Hotel.

Sa mahabang Facebook post kahapon, sinabi ni Fernando dela Pena na na-appreciate ng buong pamilya ang outpouring ng pagmamahal at suporta mula sa publiko sa pang-iitsapwerang ginawa ng FAMAS sa kanilang ina.

Inabsuwelto rin ni Dela Pena si Tirso Cruz III, na dapat sana’y co-presenter ni Eva sa Special Citation portion, pati na ang FAMAS PR officer na si Renz Spangler, na aniya’y walang kinalaman sa nangyaring pambabastos sa kanyang ina.

Narito ang buong pahayag ni Dela Pena sa FB: “My Dear Facebook Family… we truly appreciate the overwhelming display of love and support. Once again the people have spoken and proved that the keyboard is mightier than the sword. Salamat my kinakapatid Reb Belleza and Miss Maila Gumila for spreading the word. My mom is one tough cookie, she is a battle-tested survivor of life’s arena. Ms. Eva Darren has found some comfort in the midst of a loving family which includes you all.

“Growing up in a middle-class neighborhood in Manila, we didn’t have much. My mom turned night into day to provide for us including an education that instilled fundamental virtues and principles of Filipino culture that necessitates respect for the elderly. It is far from our intention to ruffle feathers and in fact, our upbringing inclined towards avoiding trouble at all cost often at our emotional expense.

“I remember one of my designated house chores as a child was to make sure mom’s FAMAS trophy from 1969 stays constantly dust-less and polished. One of the very few treasured possessions we have. We revered FAMAS and everything it stands for. This is why what happened to my mother, in the eyes of our family, was incomprehensible, unexpected, unimaginable.

“I firmly believe that what hurt my mother the most is disappointing her apos who tagged along in the hopes of seeing grandma on stage. We also know that Mr. Tirso Cruz III (Veteran actor loved by all, donor of many camping tents when I was a Boy Scout in grade school) and the PR Officer of FAMAS Mr. Renz Spangler (An incredible author and lover of classic cinema), have nothing to do with what happened and just the same, were casualties of someone’s questionable backstage judgment.

“My mom was seated in a table front and center adjacent to the stage, rubbing elbows with my second mom, Ninang Divina Valencia and my awesome Tita Marissa Delgado.

“For the reasons I stated above and on behalf of my mother, Ms. Eva Darren, our family accepts the olive branch that FAMAS has extended and only hope that future events would prove to be contrasting.

“I understand that we are but a small voice in the back row of a rowdy crowd, but if I may humbly, personally, recommend two things for the 73rd FAMAS Awards Night:

“Please stick to the script… and maybe a nice pair of eyeglasses for all in charge.

“Respectfully,

“Dr. Fernando de la Pena.”