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Miss Universe PH reacts to designer Jef Albea's accusation that he wasn't paid for trophies

Article (news)

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171825256749920240612160636_e40090ff86999a885ba76e3408a8dede8ad28c153f46de01d4e531ccf716b19e.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>(UPDATED) Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) was caught by surprise after seeing the post of designer Jef Albea, who accused the organization of not paying him for trophies he created for finals night. <div><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/6/12/jef-albea-says-he-did-not-get-paid-for-miss-universe-ph-trophies-2206" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/6/12/jef-albea-says-he-did-not-get-paid-for-miss-universe-ph-trophies-2206">Jef Albea says he &#x27;did not get paid&#x27; for Miss Universe PH trophies</a></div>In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Albea said: &quot;They refused to pay me for the trophies I designed and crafted for the coronation night. All the effort, dedication and passion I put in creating these pieces, ended up ignored and disregarded when payment was due.&quot;He went on: &quot;I do not need nor will I accept a single centavo from the organization anymore. What I need now is for them to learn that ARTISTS DESERVE RESPECT.&quot;<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17182523891981718252388631.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width:633px"/>Screenshot from Jef Albea/Facebook</div>In an immediate response, MUPH production head Borg Roxas on his Facebook post said there is no truth to the accusation.Roxas said he was surprised and saddened by Albea&#x27;s accusations against them, saying they have paid the designer for past trophies and that the current payment is in process after documentation.He stressed that they are not running away from any financial obligations, and MUPH has been coordination with the staff of Albea up until Wednesday, June 12.Roxas&#x27; full response reads: &quot;Hi guys, as head of production we were surprised sa post ni Mr. Jef Albea. Let me address this issue.First, last year at The Miss Philippines finals, we paid him P150,000 without any OR. Naisip namin na magandang gift siya sa mga winners para hindi lang yung crystal trophy na mura lang ang souvenir items ng mga winners. Nagbayad naman ang production agad kasi konti lang suppliers.During the MUPH finals, magulo na lahat sa backstage. I admit na kausap namin si Sir Jef. Pero on the day of the finals pinadala yung mga artwork, and on that day din namin nalaman through his assistant na need magbayad ng P75,000. Magulo na lahat backstage and wala naman may hawak ng cash. So sinabi namin na kailangan proper documentation like billing, etc.Kausap din nila ang staff namin even until yesterday, June 12, na inaayos lang for billing kasi ang daming suppliers sa production from artists to technicals, etc. Lahat ng suppliers nagpapadala ng billing statement at invoice prior to May 22 para aligned na lahat. Nauuna nabayaran &#x27;yung nagpapadala agad kasi may paperwork. With Sir Jef, aside from we are paying him, we are also promoting him. We never promoted any other suppliers kasi natuwa kami na he was willing to help elevate the gifts for the winners. Nakakalungkot lang na nagpo-post na agad siya na magkausap naman sila ng staff. Hindi sya nakasama sa May 30 cutoff kasi walang papers.  Kaya sa June 15 cutoff sya nakasama kasi magkausap sila ng staff.Kailangan din namin sa production mag-submit ng tamang papeles kasi walang kasulatan with Sir Jef sa terms. Pero kahit ganun man, wala naman TINATAKASAN.  Pero &#x27;yung tatakasan ang P75k, bakit namin gagawin &#x27;yun eh last October binayaran namin siya? Pero since malaki [ang] MUPH need namin ng proper documentation. Again, hindi ang MUPH ang nagkamali dito. Sa production side, kailangan namin idefend sa management kahit walang billing or invoice. Nag-yes naman agad management sa amin. Pero sa usual na may billing and proper documentation lang para pag dating sa filing ng taxes, ma-defend namin ang expenses. Lahat naman mababayaran.&quot;<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17182523896271718252388707.png" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/>Screen grab: Facebook/Borg Roxas</div>The MUPH finals was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last May 22, with Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan winning the crown.  Hours after Roxas&#x27; Facebook post, MUPH director of communications Voltaire Tayag also released a statement, with the organization denying Albea&#x27;s allegations. Read the full statement below:&quot;The Miss Universe Philippines Organization vehemently denies the unfounded allegations made by Jef Albea regarding the payment for the trophies he supplied. Contrary to his claims, we have had communications with his staff on this matter.We categorically deny that the MUPH Org. neither refused to pay, disregarded, or ignored payment for the trophies. In accordance with the standard procedure of billing for suppliers to sponsors, MUPH needs proper documentation for the said transaction.Miss Universe Philippines will not hesitate to pursue legal action to address and resolve this unfounded accusation.We urge the public to refrain from spreading misinformation and have faith that the truth will ultimately prevail.&quot; <div><a data-cke-saved-href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/08/10/23/why-jef-albea-considers-cebu-art-exhibit-special" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/08/10/23/why-jef-albea-considers-cebu-art-exhibit-special">Why visual artist Jef Albea considers his Cebu exhibit special</a></div>Related videos:<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YYZs5Fb1si4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div><div> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6ov7VkK4Vu0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tLAOKmIpJ_Q?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div><div> </div><div> </div>

Miss Universe Philippines was caught by surprise after seeing the post of designer Jef Albea, who accused the organization of not paying him for trophies he created for finals night.

Miss Universe Philippines was caught by surprise after seeing the post of designer Jef Albea, who accused the organization of not paying him for trophies he created for finals night.