Jef demands that every artist be given due respect and compensation
Filipino visual designer Jef Albea claims that the Miss Universe Philippines Organization did not pay him for the trophy designs he made for the pageant’s coronation night.
“I DID NOT GET PAID,” Jef reveals on his Facebook post he uploaded on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.
It was then followed by an exposé of how the MUPH organization allegedly neglected to settle the dues and just ditched him after sending his deliverables.
His statement reads (published as is), “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.”
IMAGE: Jef Albea on Instagram
Jef says that he does not need the compensation anymore—but rather, the purpose of the post is to highlight every artist’s effort to their craft that must be reciprocated with respect.
He writes, “I do not need nor will I accept a single centavo from the organization anymore. What I need 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 honing our craft.
“ 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.”
Attached to Jef’s post is a photo of the five trophies he designed for the coronation night held on May 22, 2024. It shows five slender figures of women wired in rustic tones and with fabrics that give off a flowy illusion.
Chelsea Manalo from Bulacan was hailed as the new Miss Universe Philippines—besting 42 other candidates and the becoming the first-ever Filipina-American woman of color to win the said beauty contest.
READ ALSO: Here Are Things To Know About Chelsea Manalo- PH’s Bet For Miss Universe 2024
MUPH 2024 head of production responds to Jef Albea
Hours after Jef published his sentiments, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 head of production Borg Roxas has then clarified some of Jef’s statements—saying that they intend to pay the artist through a proper billing process.
In a Facebook post uploaded on June 13, 2024, Borg writes, “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 150, 000 pesos without any OR [official receipt].
“Naisip namin na magandang gift sya 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 asst na need magbayad ng 75,000 pesos.
“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 to May 22 para aligned na lahat. Nauuna nabayaran yung nagpapadala agad kasi may paperwork.
“With Sir Jed, 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 has also expressed his sadness for the hasty assumption made against the organization. More so, he says that they were not ditching the settlement since Jef’s payment is filed under the June 15 cut-off due to the lack of proper documentation.
In the end, Borg emphasizes that the Miss Universe Philippines Organization requires a proper billing process given that it is considered an established institution. More so, he rectifies that the organization is not at fault in contrast with Jef’s claims.
Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2011 Shamcey Supsup-Lee leads the Miss Universe Philippines Organization as president. She works together with Jonas Gaffud who sits as the organization’s creative director under Empire Philippines.
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