Gown row trails Espinosa’s Top 15 finish at MUPH 2026

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo City representative Zestah Shalom Espinosa secured a spot in the Top 15 of Miss Universe Philippines 2026 (MUPH) on coronation night, May 2, despite a controversy over her evening gown.

Her semifinals finish marked a strong showing for Iloilo City.

The performance, however, was clouded by questions over a last-minute gown change that drew attention online and prompted separate statements from her camp and the Miss Iloilo Organization.

In an official statement, the Miss Iloilo Organization said the gown Espinosa wore during the live broadcast differed from the one officially approved for the competition.

“During the live broadcast, a decision was made by Zestah Espinosa and her team to wear a different evening gown from the one officially approved by the organization, without prior notice or consultation,” the statement read.

The organization clarified that credited designer Jo Rubio was not the creator of the gown worn on stage, resulting in what it described as an “unintended misattribution of creative work.”

It emphasized that while it respects the delegate’s autonomy, guidelines are in place to ensure coordination and proper recognition of contributors.

The incident, it added, caused confusion and did not reflect the level of preparation expected in the competition.

In a separate transparency message, the organization extended apologies to Rubio and stylist Francis Chee, and released images of the originally intended gown to clarify the situation.

Espinosa’s team, meanwhile, issued its own statement outlining a different account.

According to the team, uncertainties over the official gown’s completion and late arrival led them to prepare a backup option days before the pageant.

“Three days before the pageant, we had already requested updates regarding the official gown and repeatedly asked for photos of the finished product. However, only a sketch was provided, and the completed gown was never shown to us prior to the event,” the team said.

The official gown reportedly arrived shortly before the competition, raising concerns over design details and compliance with guidelines.

The team said the decision on which gown to wear was made collectively, with Espinosa choosing the piece she felt most confident in under time pressure.

They stressed that there was no intention to disrespect any designer or misrepresent creative contributions.

Espinosa addressed the controversy directly in a social media post, acknowledging the criticism while calling for understanding.

“I’ve seen all the posts… but it’s hard to see so much judgment when the full story isn’t known,” she wrote, adding that she chose to remain silent during the competition and has since reached a point of “acceptance.”

She also expressed gratitude to her team, emphasizing that she would “stand firm” in defending them amid the backlash.

Despite the controversy, Espinosa’s Top 15 finish remains a notable achievement in this year’s pageant.

Both her camp and the Miss Iloilo Organization have called for clearer communication and coordination moving forward.

The Miss Iloilo Organization reiterated its commitment to professionalism and integrity, while Espinosa hinted at releasing a more detailed statement.