Jonas Gaffud denies leaving Celeste Cortesi after Miss Universe 2022 Top 16 announcement

Jonas Gaffud denied rumors he and the Miss Universe Philippines team left Celeste Cortesi after the international pageant’s Top 16 announcement.

In an interview with Pep.ph, the creative and events director clarified it was Celeste who wished to spend time with her loved ones after bowing out from the pageant.

“Immediately after the semifinals announcement, I was messaging directly with Celeste,” he said. “She asked if she could spend time with her mom and [boyfriend] Mathew after the pageant.”

“The case usually is that they have to be in the Miss Universe bus to go back to their hotel. But Celeste decided to be with Mathew, her friend Benj, and her mom.”

Gaffud said he went back to the hotel and dealt with logistics. He added he was already able to talk to Celeste personally “about everything.”

This statement came after videos of Celeste crying with her boyfriend Mathew, mom, and friend circulated on TikTok. Netizens said the Miss Universe Philippines organization should’ve also been there.

Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa also clarified her tweet that made netizens assume that even she left the pageant early. 

“Sobrang walang comprehension ng mga tao hee,” she said. “Pa’no ko po iiwan si Celeste. Nandiyan siya sa backstage ’til the pageant ends. Wala po pwedeng umalis.”

“‘Di rin po ako pwede sa backstage. Anong gagawin ko? Juswa kayo! Ayan, zinu-zoom in ko pa siya.”

Sobrang walang comprehension ng mga tao here huhu ???? pano ko po iiwan si Celeste Anjan po sya sa backstagetill the pageant ends, Wala po pwedeng umalis. And Di rin po ako Pwede sa backstage Anong gagawin ko? Juskwa kayo! Ayan zinozoom in ko pa sya. https://t.co/Mq5VIN2my3 pic.twitter.com/nmKFjI2XyI

— MJ Lastimosa (@MJ_Lastimosa) January 15, 2023

Celeste bowed out early of Miss Universe 2022.

Miss USA, Filipina-American R’Bonney Gabriel took home the crown.

Shortly after the pageant, Celeste shared an inspirational quote from American author Bianca Sparacino that talked about finding real happiness.

"One day, you will understand that happiness was always about learning how to live yourself, that your happiness was never in the hands of others. It was always about you," a portion of it read. — LA, GMA Integrated News