Filipino folk-pop band Ben&Ben found themselves at the center of the controversy after being accused of "cutting off" other artists during a recent musical event. The group, known for their hit songs like "Kathhang Isip," "Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay," "Pagtingin," and "Araw-Araw," were part of the lineup for the "iTam Night 2024" held at FEU Diliman on August 17.
Following the event, netizens began accusing Ben&Ben of being responsible for other artists being sidelined, especially after up-and-coming Bicolana artist Dwta, who was unable to perform due to "schedule changes," took to social media to address the issue. Dwta is known for her songs "Padaba Taka,""Pauwi Na 'Ko (Dito Ka Na Lang),""Tahan,""Delikado," and "Santigwar,"
In her deleted post, Dwta apologized to her fans for not being able to perform and mentioned that her set was "unexpectedly canceled to make room for other performers." Fans expressed frustration online after learning that the singer was unable to perform at the event due to a last-minute cancellation.
Netizens also expressed disappointment, with some blaming Ben&Ben for the disruption that allegedly led to other acts being cut from the event. However, Dwta followed up her deleted post with a plea to her fans to not drag other artists' names into issue and stressed that it is the event organizers' responsibility to address the incident.
In response to the negative reactions, Ben&Ben release a detailed statement addressing the matter, saying, "For years, we have chosen not to speak on the issue of the band being the cause of other performers not being able to perform at certain events. This has caused the band to be dragged left and right with baseless accusations and maligned statements. This being an attack on the band's integrity, and an injustice for all those who support the band's music and message, we have decided to end this issues, once and for all."
The band clarified that delays during FEU event were communicated to them early in the day and emphasized that their management was in constant contact with the event organizers to ensure that all performers could still take the stage. "It was heartbreaking on the band's end to lern that in spite of all these preventive measures and constant communication, Dwta, an artist that the band admires and has long been a fan of, was unable to perform, as decided upon by the event organizers," the band stated.
Ben&Ben underscored that while event scheduling is beyond their control, their management always advocates for fellow artists' rights to perform as agreed. They also revealed that moving forward, their contracts will include stipulations ensuring that no artist's performance is canceled or altered. "We will not take these issues sitting down any longer. We believe it is important to bring truth to matters like these, and hold the proper entities accountable for these untoward incidents."
The incident at FEU Diliman brought back memories of a similar controversy during the Camanava Grand Rally in 2022, where Ben&Ben was accused of disrupting the performance schedule, allegedly sidelining acts like the rock band Tanya Markova. Ben&Ben also addressed these past accusations in a separate post, stating, "It was never the intention nor the action of the band nor the band's management to sideline other artists during the 'Camanava' grand rally. It was the responsibility of the organizers to take accountability for the logistical mishaps of the said event."
The band expressed that they too were affected by delays and even reached out to Tanya Markova and other affected performers afterward, apologizing on behalf of the organizers despite having no control over the event's sequence. Ben&Ben condemned the continued narrative of them intentionally causing disruptions, reiterating that they prioritize fairness and inclusivity within the local music industry. They also denounced the use of homophobic slurs, which surfaced during a recent podcast episode, saying, "We hope this finally brings truth out and holds the right parties accountable."
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