Voltaire Tayag explains viral video of MUPH president Jonas Gaffud

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May 6, 2026 | 12:41pm

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) executive vice president Voltaire Tayag explained the viral video of MUPH chief executive officer and president Jonas Gaffud, where the latter was captured displaying a strong reaction during a technical glitch at last Saturday's Miss Universe Philippines 2026 coronation night.

In the viral clips taken from the coronation at the Mall of Asia Arena, the blurry videos showed Gaffud holding an object, which some presumed was a phone, and hitting the table while talking to a man in suit. The man's reaction was to turn his head sideways. 

The video also shows Tayag and several high-profile guests, including Thai Miss Universe owner Nawat Itsaragrisil and Miss Universe 2025 1st runner-up Veena Praveenar seated near Gaffud. The judges' table was also visible, with some members visibly shocked. 

The man is said to be a staff member of Gaffud, who reportedly got frustrated after the final moments of the show saw technical problems.

This is related to the three microphone glitches when one of the presenters, “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” season 1 Kapamilya 2nd placer Ralph De Leon, took the stage.

What happened was that the live audience could not hear Ralph reading the spiels, but those watching online could hear him.

In his interview with News5, Tayag defended Gaffud. He said the incident actually stemmed from a problem with Ralph's microphone. Gaffud reportedly contacted the production team but had difficulty getting a signal.

“He was very frustrated when the mics were not working. He was trying to call the production. So, nu’ng hindi sumasagot, actually, walang signal," Voltaire said.

“It was very clear he did not make hampas to anyone. In fact, natawa nga ako. In my mind, ‘Oh my gosh, baka nasira niya 'yung phone niya.’

“And seconds later, he looked at it. Later on, I was even joking at him, ‘At least meron tayong sponsor na phone.”

Tayag said that he understood Gaffud's frustration at that moment.

“Look, he spent so much. We’ve been trying so hard to make this production perfect. And then malapit nang matapos, all of a sudden, magkakaroon nang ganoon. You know, you do something 98% correct, and then the 2% is what people would focus on.

“It’s unfortunate, but it’s just out of frustration. I think anybody in production would feel that way. And it’s unfair for him to be judged by people. To be bashed for that one incident.

“Throughout all of this time, where are all the people talking about the good things that he’s done, the good things that he’s done for the pageant industry, for Miss Universe Philippines and the delegates?

“I hope people can do that and reconsider all of those things and take that into consideration. But just to be clear, he didn’t threw the phone at anyone.”

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