Former beauty queen Ana Monica Tan. Images: Abel Matthew, Instagram/@anamonicatan
Former beauty queen Ana Monica Tan called out the Miss Philippines Earth 2024 organizers for its alleged “unprofessional treatment” of herself when it tapped her as one of the judges for the coronation night last May 11.
Tan, now a licensed physician, was Miss Philippines – Air 2019. Miss Philippines Earth, which is one of the four biggest beauty pageants in the world, was founded by Carousel Productions, which is also the same organization behind the Miss Earth pageant. The company is run by former beauty queen-actress Lorraine Schuck, wife of owner Ramon Monzon.
On Facebook, Atty Jeffrey Saclot, who claims to be Tan’s spokesperson, handler and legal counsel, said they were dismayed upon learning that, without explanation, she he had been stripped of her role as judge of the pageant with only a last-minute notice.
Saclot, who also appeared to be the Misamis Oriental Provincial Tourism officer, claimed that Tan received a call from a certain Mr. Vince Oclarit Aranas, who introduced himself as the “Miss Philippines Earth 2024 Coronation Night Director.” Aranas supposedly informed Tan that she was chosen by the local organizers to be one of the judges and an “official invite” would be sent back in April.
“Immediately following her communication with Dr. Tan, Mr. Aranas messaged me on FB messenger about the fact of Dr. Tan’s acceptance of the initial invitation,” Saclot said.
Saclot also attached screenshots of Tan’s past exchanges with alleged members of the pageant’s production team and other proof, labeled in court manner, in his post.
Based on the exchange, Tan received a formal invitation last May 7, which she accepted. As a result, she had her schedule cleared and had arranged services for her hair, makeup, and even a gown in preparation for the pageant’s coronation night.
“Upon receipt of the official invitation to judge, Dr. Tan blocked off her May 11, 2024 schedule in favor of the Miss Philippines Earth 2024 Coronation Night and started to carry out the necessary preparations for the said event, from contracting with the designer for the gown she is supposed to wear, engaging the services of her Hair and Makeup Artist to [request] for her excuse on May 11, 2024, from her duty as a Medical Doctor,” Saclot said.
However, Tan was informed by a “certain Andrew who claimed to be part of the event’s production team” at around 3:00 p.m. of May 10 — or a day before the coronation night — that she won’t be part of the judging panel “without any explanation on the reason, much less an apology.”
“Dr. Tan confided to me this extremely unpleasant experience of hers, opening up about her disgust on how unprofessional she was treated, which is tantamount to disrespect and clearly causing her serious emotional damage,” said Saclot.
“More than being her handler, spokesperson, and legal counsel, Dr. Ana Monica P. Tan is my family… It hurts us to receive any unfair treatment, including this recent one from the Miss Philippines Earth pageant,” he continued.
Citing his past exchange with Carousel Productions vice president Peachy Veneracion, Saclot accused the company of allegedly “trying to convince [them]” that what happened was merely a “miscommunication.”
“It was only after my confrontation with Miss Peachy Veneracion that some people from the organizing committee apologized to the point of trying to convince us there was “miscommunication” and to get her back as a judge,” he said. “We are sharing this for the awareness of all concerned that in whatever situation, we should act with respect and professionalism.”
Tan, however, clarified she has yet to decide whether she will pursue legal action against the organizers.
Meanwhile, Carousel Productions has yet to address the allegations, as of press time.
Irha Alfeche of Matanao, Davao del Sur succeeded Yllana Aduana as the reigning Miss Philippines Earth 2024 at the pageant’s coronation night in Bukidnon last May 11.
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