Francine Diaz, Orange and Lemons go viral following conflict in performance schedule
Orange and Lemons reportedly walked out on stage after actress Francine Diaz allegedly performed before the OPM band—contrary to the initial schedule—during an event in Occidental Mindoro.
Videos circulating on social media showed Orange and Lemons members on stage when the host introduced Diaz, who greeted the audience even as the band was already having discussions with the event staff.
Diaz took a pause and asked Orange and Lemons if they’d play her music. The band was still talking to the staff, while the actress was still requesting the music.
She sang a cover of Taylor Swift’s Love Story, though there were issues with the instrumental music and the band doing a sound check. She then sang it acapella.
Orange and Lemons frontman Clem Castro, who appeared frustrated in the video, signaled his bandmates to leave the stage while Diaz finished her performance.
When Orange and Lemons was finally performing, Castro spoke with the crowd and aired his grievances about what happened.
"Kailangan kong sabihin ito para sa mga artist na kasi dapat kanina pa kaming 11 nandito, so sana naman walang sumisingit,” he said, without naming anybody. “Yun lang. Respeto lang ba.”
"Gusto ko lang sabihin ‘yun kasi ayoko masira ‘yung pag-e-enjoy natin ngayong gabi,” he added.
“Sana naman walang sumisingit.” pic.twitter.com/LjCihgH7ok
— felijah canson (@Acct13Acct) April 30, 2024
Following the band’s performance, Diaz, in an Instagram Story, shared a sketch she got from a fan. She thanked everybody for the support despite her not getting all of her fans’ gifts as it was already late.
She also dropped the word “respect” in her caption, without mentioning anyone.
“[M]ad respect for everyone who stayed up late. respect goes both ways. gn (good night)!!”
Social media users weigh in
Internet users were divided over the incident.
On X, some users came to Diaz’s defense, saying Orange and Lemons shouldn’t have blamed her (through its indirect attack regarding respect).
“Nadisrespect na, pinahiya pa ng bandang yan! Unacceptable!” one user said.
Some users, however, questioned why Diaz joined the band on stage knowing it was their turn to perform as scheduled.
“Sumingit naman talaga ah,” one user said. “It was disrespectful naman talaga. Pareho silang guests & same sila na naghintay at pagod. Bakit i-invalidate yung frustration ng banda?”
Others, meanwhile, said it was the organizers’ fault.
“Walang kasalanan dito si Francine. Ininvite sya, dumating, umakyat sa stage, nagperform. Yung organizers ang palpak. Dapat alam nila yung flow ng show,” one user said. “Nakaka insulto din naman kasi na nagreready na yung banda tumugtog tapos biglang may sasalang pa palang iba.”
