MUPH Clarifies Viral Video of Jonas Gaffud During Coronation Night
An official from the Miss Universe Philippines organization clarified the viral video involving its CEO and President, Jonas Gaffud, during the coronation night held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 2, 2026.
The clip showed Gaffud appearing to hit something with his cellphone, which led some viewers online to think he had lashed out at a technical staff member. However, the organization explained that the situation was misunderstood.
The incident was connected to repeated microphone problems experienced by presenter Ralph De Leon, a former finalist from Pinoy Big Brother. During the live event, his voice could not be clearly heard by the audience inside the venue, although online viewers were able to hear him. Because of this, some people wrongly assumed he made a mistake or became nervous, which led to jokes and criticism online, even though the issue was purely technical.
According to Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag, the viral moment happened while Gaffud was trying to contact the production team to fix the sound issue but had difficulty getting a signal. His action, seen in the video as striking his phone against a surface, was described as a reaction caused by frustration rather than an intent to harm anyone. No one was hurt during the incident.
The official added that such reactions are common in high-pressure situations, especially in large live productions where a lot of time, effort, and resources are involved. He also said it is unfair to judge Gaffud based on a single moment, highlighting his long contribution to the pageant industry and his support for candidates.
Despite the controversy, some netizens showed understanding, saying the reaction likely came from a desire to keep the event running smoothly and maintain its quality.