Designer Of Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Trophy Claims Pageant Organization “Refused to Pay” Him
MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES – Designer of the Miss Universe PH trophy said the pageant organization “refused to pay” him.
Chelsea Anne Manalo from Bulacan was crowned as the new Miss Universe Philippines during the grand coronation night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 22. Manalo bested over 52 other contestants, succeeding last year’s winner, Michelle Dee.
On Wednesday evening, June 12, Filipino visual artist Jef Albea expressed his frustrations on social media regarding the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Organization’s alleged failure to settle payments for his creations for the 2024 pageant.
Albea, the official trophy designer for the MUPH 2024 pageant, shared a photo of the trophies he designed and claimed that the MUPH organization “refused to pay” him.
“All the effort, dedication and passion I put into creating these pieces, ended up ignored and disregarded when payment was due,” he said.
After making his grievances public, Albea declared he would no longer accept “a single centavo” from the MUPH organization, insisting that artists deserve respect.
Jef Albea stressed in his Facebook post that artists invest significant effort in developing their craft, and their work should not merely be part of a transactional exchange.
“I fiercely advocate for my fellow artists with unwavering passion, not all artists can take and afford this mistreatment,” he concluded in his post.
As of now, the MUPH organization has not issued a response to Albea’s statement.