Pinalagan ng Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Organization ang akusasyon ng visual artist na si Jef Albea na hindi binayaran ang mga trophy na ipinagawa sa kanya para sa Miss Universe Philippines 2024.
Ngayong hapon ng Huwebes, June 13, 2024, sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga social media account, naglabas ang MUPH ng pahayag upang kontrahin ang mga akusasyon ni Albea na hindi na siya pinansin ng organisasyon pagkatapos ng koronasyon noong May 22, 2024.
Read: Visual artist Jef Albea claims MUPH did not pay him
Si Chelsea Manalo ng Bulacan ang kinoronahang Miss Universe Philippines 2024 sa grand coronation na ginanap sa Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.
Siya ang nabigyan ng isa sa limang tropeyong nilikha ni Albea.
Read: Chelsea Manalo wins Miss Universe Philippines 2024
MUPH STATEMENT
Ayon sa MUPH, sumusunod lamang sila sa "standard procedure and billing" sa kanilang suppliers hanggang sa sponsors para sa "proper documentation."
Nakasaad sa pahayag: "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."
Nagbabala rin ang MUPH na magsasampa sila ng anumang legal action upang ayusin ang isyung ito.
Hinikayat din nila ang publiko na tigilan ang pagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon.
Pagtatapos ng pahayag, "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."
JEF ALBEA'S ACCUSATION
Sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Facebook page kahapon, Hunyo 12, inihayag ni Albea ang diumano’y karanasan sa MUPH.
Matinding akusasyon niya: “I DID NOT GET PAID.
“MISS UNIVERSE phils vanished into thin air. 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."
Pero hindi na raw tatanggap si Albea ni isang sentimo mula sa MUPH. Ang kailangan daw niya ay matuto ang mga tagapamuno ng organisasyon na respetuhin ang kagaya niyang artist.
Pahayag niya: “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.
"We pour our hearts and souls into our creations. Our ideas don’t just appear from thin air just to work for an xdeal. They are the result of intense thought, deep emotions, and sleepless nights. Not to mention, opportunities missed, money and years spent honing our craft."
May panawagan din si Albea sa mga kapwa niya artists.
“I fiercely advocate for my fellow artists with unwavering passion, not all artists can take and afford this mistreatment.
“PLEASE, DO NOT LET OUR WORK BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED.”
Nauna na ring pinagtanggol ng head of production ng Miss Universe Philippines 2024 na si Borg Roxas ang MUPH Organization laban sa mga paratang ni Albea.
Sa kanyang Facebook post nitong Huwebes ng madaling-araw, Hunyo 13, nilinaw ni Roxas na walang kinalaman ang MUPH sa reklamo ni Albea.
Kailangan lamang daw nila ng "proper documentation" gaya ng billing para sa mga papeles na kailangan upang mai-release ang kabayaran sa visual artist.
Ito rin mismo ang iginiit ng MUPH Organization sa kanilang statement.