Matapos ibunyag ni renowned-fashion designer Michael Cinco ang “panggagamit” sa kanya ng MGmode at Miss Universe Canada Organization, isa pang kilalang fashion designer ang lumutang upang isiwalat ang kanyang masamang karanasan sa organisasyon.
Sa pamamagitan ng Instagram, ikinuwento ni Filipino fashion designer Rian Fernandez kung paano siya muntikang mamatay dahil sa sama ng loob sa ginawa sa kanya ng Miss Universe Canada Organization.
“Many people will be asking why I am only speaking up right now, or maybe I just want to ride this wave of controversy to gain popularity…OH NO! That is not my intention.”
Paliwanag ni Rian, hindi siya nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na masalita noon dahil maliit na brand lamang siya. At natatakot siya na bumalik ito sa kanya.
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Ngayon, aniya, na nalaman niyang hindi lamang siya ang “treated badly by Denis,” hindi na niya kayang manahimik na lamang.
“I am one with M5 when he mentioned that FILIPINO DESIGNERS SHOULD NO LONGER TRUST Miss Universe Canada Organization, under the directorship of Denis Martin Davila.”
Sa unang bahagi ng kanyang post, ibinahagi ni Rian na matagal na silang magkakilala ni Denis pero napansin lang ng netizens ang kanilang partnership nang bihisan niya si Siera Bearchell noong Miss Universe 2016.
“I know everyone remembered that white serpentine gown that was bashed online. Yes, I did that. Yes, I was criticized because of that! But I have another gown that I wanted her to wear for the finals. This was the brown high-slitted gown with sweetheart bustline that Nick Verreos, a famous US-based blogger, ranked 1st for the Miss Universe 2016 Red Carpet event worn by Cynthia Bailey.”
Ngunit dahil sinabi umano ni Denis na gusto ni Siera na suotin ang white serpentine gown, ipinahiram na lamang niya kay Cynthia ang nasabing gown. Hindi na, aniya, pinansin ito ni Rian dahil pakiramdam nito ay may magandang collaborative relationship sila with Denis.
Pero 2016, nangyari umano ang isa pang insidente.
“Denis and I were already discussing the gowns for Marta Magdalena Stepien. To make sure that Marta will have several options for her preliminary & final gowns (and other functions like Red Carpet & dinner events), I made 5 in colors of deep red, blue, green, gold, and nude. I have shown these gowns to Denis, Marta, before the fitting. They said they were excited.”
Ilang beses pa, aniyang, bumiyahe ang kanyang team sa Thailand, para masiguro na magiging maayos ang lahat at makukuha ni Martha ang lahat ng assistance na kailan.
“My team and I stayed Thailand for weeks.. ALL EXPENSES FOR MY TEAM WAS SHOULDERED BY ME! The gowns were made out of love for the reason that Denis promise me that I will get the exposure & media mileage.”
Gayunman, nangyari ang preliminary competition at nagulat na lang si Rian na isang Micheal Cinco creation ang suot ni Marta.
“My point is, we were promised by Denis that Marta will wear me to the preliminary and final competition because we have a group chat of continuous updates on how the 5 gowns are going.”
Dahil sa nangyari, kinausap umano ni Rian si Denis na ibalik na lamang ang 5 gown upang maisuot ng iba pang kandidata para sa final night, pero “Denis didn't return the gowns (except for the one Miss Cambodia wore... the deep red gown) for he promised me that Marta will really wear me for the finals, but you all know that it didn't happen and Marta still wore M5... THAT HE B*$H!+ ME TWICE!”
“I FELT FRUSTRATED, CHEATED… and I questioned my talent and skill as a designer! Until the stress and anxiety level escalated and I felt half of my body paralyzed. It was the scariest moment of my life. Luckily, there was this supporter of Catriona, a licensed Physical Therapist in Dubai, who helped me. If not, I might not have seen the light of day.”
Matapos umano ang insidente ay hindi man lamang siya nakatanggap ng paliwanag o apology mula sa Canadian team.
“I know that I shouldn't be counting the cost of that dreadful experience (both financially, mentally & psychologically) because I wanted to be part of Marta's Miss Universe journey. To sir Michael Cinco's point, a simple THANK YOU would do! But those 2 simple words that could have eased my anxiety was not even uttered by Denis Martin Davila, Marta Magdalena Stepien and the Miss Universe Canada organization.”
Sa huli, sinabi ni Rian, na magsilbing aral na sana ito sa lahat ng Filipino designers. “Never shall we be scammed again by this MUC organization!”
Mensahe naman ni Rian sa grupo ni Denis, “please have some gratitude and a little sense of professionalism when dealing with people who want to help your queen. Please have a little shame. May this be the end of your swindler personality!”
