MANILA, Philippines— Local designer and sculptor Jef Albea publicly called out the Miss Universe Philippines Organization for failing to pay him for the trophies he designed and crafted for their recent coronation night.

Albea, a visual artist but more known for creating beautiful bridal gowns, expressed his frustration and disappointment over the non-payment issue in a social media post.

Albea did not hold back in his statement, making it clear that he was never compensated for his efforts:

"I did not get paid. Miss Universe [Philippines] 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."

He further emphasized the emotional and physical investment involved in his work saying, "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 x-deal (exchange deal). 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 also used this opportunity to advocate for fellow artists, many of whom may not have the resources to withstand such mistreatment.

"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 finally said.

Back in May, Albea shared his excitement about designing the trophies for Miss Universe Philippines. He expressed his pride and enthusiasm for the project, detailing, "I am so proud to design the Miss Universe trophies! Crafting dreams into crowns! Miss Universe Philippines' coronation embodies elegance, grace, and the artistry behind every shimmering trophy."

As of posting time, the Miss Universe Philippines Organization has not issued any official statement addressing Albea's claims.

The Miss Universe Philippines coronation night, held on May 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena, saw Chelsea Manalo of Bulacan winning the crown. Manalo's victory was notable as she became the first Filipino-Black American selected to represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant. This year's international competition is set to be held in Mexico.

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