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Another Filipino designer revealed his experience working with the Miss Universe Canada organization.

Rian Fernandez shared his own story after he had a conversation with fellow Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

Michael recently aired his frustrations after he received accusations from MGmode team who works with the Miss Universe Canada Nova Stevens.

According to Rian, his experience with the Miss Universe Canada organization almost cost his life.

“I was adamant to share this story, but with all the hullabaloos circulating the social media right now on how Miss Universe Canada Organization deceived the great Michael Cinco, a well-renowned Filipino designer based in Dubai, I just want to share the dreadful experience I had with them as well. An awful experience that almost cost my life!”

Rian said people might think he is just riding the controversy that is why he only spoke up after Michael's statement against the team. He clarified that when he went through it, he was afraid of the backlash if he spoke in the early years of his career.

“Unfortunately, I did not have the courage to speak before because I am just a small brand. I was scared that it will boomerang on me. Now that I know that I was not the only one treated badly by Denis, but other Filipino designers as well… I cannot be silent anymore.”

Denis is also the same person that Michael tagged on Facebook as part of the MGmode team.

Rian explained that he supports Michael's statement that Filipino designers should not trust the Miss Universe Canada organization under Denis.

“I wanted my voice to be heard NOW because 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. I will not allow this VILE & CHEATERY of Denis to continue!” He said.

Rian said that he worked with Denis way back but his creation was only noticed in the Miss Universe 2016 pageant.

“Netizens only took notice of this partnership when I dressed Siera Bearchell during 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."

Photo source: Rian Fernandez (Facebook)

Rian clarified the conversation he had with Denis that time and what happened after.

“Since Denis mentioned that Siera wanted to wear the white serpentine gown, I just lent Cynthia the said gown. Just to know that Siera didn't even see the brown gown! (BTW, Siera and I are still good friends, and I even made her wedding gown.)”

Another incident was brought up by Rian, he said, “Fast forward. I left this all behind me because I felt that I have a great collaborative relationship with Denis (or so I thought!). Around September 2018, where Marta was just crowned as Miss Universe Canada, 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.”

Rian said his team went to Thailand to make sure everything goes smoothly.

“The gowns were made out of love for the reason that Denis promised me that I will get the exposure & media mileage. But alas, the preliminary competition happened and I was shookt that Marta is wearing a Michael Cinco creation.

In his post, he said he didn't have ill feelings against Michael.

“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. Since this happened, I asked Denis to return to me all the 5 gowns so that other ladies can wear me on the final night, even just for an OOTD on backstage so that people will see the creations that my team & I worked hard for! 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!”

At this point, Rian experienced too much stress and anxiety that left half of his body paralyzed.

“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.”

Rian said he did not receive any message from the organization.

“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.”

In the last part of his post, Rian said that this should be a lesson for Filipino designers. He also wrote messages for the Miss Universe Canada organization and Denis.

“Let this be a lesson to all of us Filipino designers. Never shall we be scammed again by this MUC organization! To you Denis and your team, 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!”

See the other creations of Filipino designers in this gallery: