Miss Universe Philippines releases statement amidst controversy with trophy designer

Jef Albea, the artist who created the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 trophies, alleged that he was not paid for his work.

In a now-viral Facebook post, the artist said the local pageant “vanished into thin air" and "refused to pay" for the trophies he "designed and crafted for the coronation night."

“I DID NOT GET PAID,” the artist wrote. “All the effort, dedication and passion I put in creating these pieces, ended up ignored and disregarded when payment was due."

According to Jef, he will no longer accept money from the Miss Universe Philippines organization, but he calls for respect for himself and his fellow artists.

“We pour our hearts and souls into our creations. Our ideas don’t just appear from thin air just to work for an x-deal. They are the result of intense thought, deep emotions, and sleepless nights. Not to mention, opportunities missed, money and years spent honing our craft,” Jef said.

“I fiercely advocate for my fellow artists with unwavering passion, not all artists can take and afford this mistreatment,” he added.

To end his post, Jef said, “PLEASE, DO NOT LET OUR WORK BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.”

Jef created trophies for all the winners of Miss Universe Philippines. Each piece is an intricate sculpture of a woman with a flowing dress in various shades of ivory and tan.

His Facebook post currently has 124,000 reactions, 3,400 comments, and 29,000 shares as of this writing.

Miss Universe Philippines Project Head and Empire Philippines’ Account Manager Borg Roxas took to Facebook to address the issue, saying they were actually “surprised” by Jef’s post.

According to Borg, Jef was immediately paid P150,000 at The Miss Universe Philippines finals in 2023. He did not issue an official receipt.

Borg shared how stressful it was backstage during this year’s Miss Universe Philippines’ coronation night but that they were still communicating with 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 75,000 pesos,” he said.

It wasn't just because of the backstage situation that the team was unable to pay Jef. According to Borg, they also needed proper documentation, such as billing statements.

“Magulo na lahat backstage and wala naman may hawak ng cash. So sinabi namin na kailangan proper documentation like billing etc.,” Borg said.

“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."

Borg said that all suppliers were able to submit their billing statements and invoices prior to the May 22 coronation night. With completed paperwork, they were immediately paid.

But Jef supposedly did not submit his papers before the cut-off.

“Nakakalungkot lang na nagpopost na agad sya na magkausap naman sila ng staff,” he continued. “Hindi sya nakasama sa May 30 cut off kasi walang papers. Kaya sa June 15 cut off sya nakasama kasi magkausap sila ng staff.”

Borg disproved Jef’s claims that the production “vanished.”

“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 yung tatakasan ang 75k, bakit namin gagawin yun eh last October binayaran namin sya.”

Since Miss Universe Philippines is a large company, Borg said they need proper documentation.

In his statement, Borg shared their special relationship with Jef. “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,” Borg said.

“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,” Borg said.

“Pero sa usual na may billing and proper documentation lang para pag dating sa filing ng taxes, madefend namin ang expenses. Lahat naman mababayaran,” he added.

Chelsea Manalo, a beauty queen from Bulacan, was crowned the new Miss Universe Philippines. She will compete at the upcoming international pageant in Mexico.

Aside from Chelsea, the newly crowned queens are Alexie Brooks of Iloilo as Miss Eco International Philippines 2025, Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon Province as Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024, Tarah Valencia of Baguio as Miss Supranational Philippines 2025, and Cyrille Payumo of Pampanga as Miss Charm Philippines 2025.

—Nika Roque/JCB/LA, GMA Integrated News