Ex-beauty queen criticizes Miss Philippines Earth 2024 for removing her as judge last minute
A lawyer for Miss Philippines Air 2019 Ana Monica Tan, now a licensed physician, took to Facebook to criticize Miss Philippines Earth 2024 due to its “unprofessional treatment” towards his client. They alleged that the organization removed her as a judge of the pageant last minute.
Jeffrey Saclot said that on April 13, they received a call from Vince Oclarit Aranas, who he said is the Miss Philippines Earth 2024 director, choosing Tan as one of the judges during the coronation night in Bukidnon on May 11.
An official letter invite would be sent to her, added Saclot, who said he’s also chosen to be a judge but declined due to an “inevitable travel” that day, according to one of the Messenger screenshots he shared.
On May 7, Tan received the letter invite signed by Lorraine Schuck, executive vice president of Carousel Productions, the national organizer of the Miss Philippines Earth pageant.
Tan blocked her May 11 and made necessary preparations, including contracting with a designer for her gown, availing of her hair and makeup artist’s services, and requesting to be excused from work as a doctor.
But on May 10, Tan got a call from a certain Andrew, who’s purportedly a part of the event’s production team, telling her that she won’t be part of the judging panel anymore. Saclot said there was no explanation, much less an apology.
Saclot said Tan told her about the incident, “opening up about her disgust on how unprofessional she was treated, which is tantamount to disrespect and clearly causing her serious emotional damage.”
The lawyer said he confronted Peachy Veneracion, vice president of Carousel, about the matter.
After the confrontation, Saclot said it was only then that some people from the organizing committee apologized for the “miscommunication” and tried to get Tan back as a judge. They didn’t reply to the messages.
He noted that Tan has yet to decide whether to pursue legal action against the organizers to the “morally damaging experience.”
Carousel Productions hasn’t addressed the matter yet.
Irha Alfeche of Matanao in Davao del Sur was named Miss Philippines Earth 2024, beating 28 other hopefuls. She will represent the country in the national competition in Vietnam.