Miss Universe PH receives online backlash over alleged unsettled payments with local artist Jef Albea
The Miss Universe Philippines organization (MUPH) drew flak online for allegedly not paying an artist.
Jef Albea, a Filipino visual artist, aired his sentiments on social media about the alleged unsettled payments for his creations from the recent local pageant.
"I DID NOT GET PAID. MISS UNIVERSE Phils vanished into thin air," he began, adding that the MUPH organization "refused to pay" for the trophies he 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."
In light of the incident, Albea firmly stated that he would no longer accept payments from the organization. Instead, he wanted the organization to learn that artists like him "deserve respect."
"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," he said, "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."
Albea urged his fellow "artists with unwavering passion" not to let their work be taken for granted.
"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," he concluded.
'Art is not free'
Social media users flooded the comment section with their opinions, unanimously agreeing that art should not be free.
"Art is not free! Also, one of the reasons why I prefer foreign clients over Filipinos. Hindi ko naman nilalahat but mostly ay gusto ng libre minsan naman binabarat," a user said.
"This is true. Walang value sa art ang karamihan sa mga Pinoy. Akala nila madali lang gawin ang art. Hindi nila alam ang pagod, oras, gastos ng materials/ gadgets at hirap ng pag iisip na pinagdadaanan ng mga artists," another user chided.
"Kawawa talaga ang creative industry dito sa bansa, it's either ini-itsapwera o kaya naman ay binabarat ang artists palagi," a Facebook user also commented.
Borg Roxas, Miss Universe Philippines' head of production wrote on Facebook that he was "surprised" by the post and that they were planning to pay Albea.
"Hindi [siya] nakasama sa May 30 cut off [ng babayarang suppliers] kasi walang papers. Kaya sa June 15 cut off [siya] nakasama kasi magkausap sila ng staff."
"Kailangan din namin sa production magsubmit ng tamang papeles kasi walang kasulatan with Sir Jef sa terms. Pero kahit ganun man, wala naman TINAKASAN," Roxas wrote adding that they paid Albea in October.
"Lahat naman mababayaran," he ended.
Chelsea Anne Manalo of Bulacan was crowned the newest Miss Universe Philippines titleholder during the pageant's grand coronation night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 22.
Manalo bested 52 other aspirants to succeed Michelle Dee, who won last year's competition.