After a recent event at the Miss Universe Philippines-Pampanga beauty pageant, the winner of Miss Charm Philippines 2025, Cyrille Payumo, decided to apologize for the controversial comments regarding her choice to wear the iconic dress designed by Catriona Gray. At the ceremony, she had to pass the crown to the next representative of Pampanga, and for this important moment, she chose the signature dress created by designer Mak Tumang.
"My heart was filled with trepidation, I felt an immense sense of privilege," Payumo commented. She admitted that she felt honored to wear this dress, but such a decision elicited mixed reactions: some praised her, while others criticized her, considering that this dress overshadowed Gray's historical achievement.
Following the backlash from Payumo's comments, she expressed regret, stating that her intention was never to diminish or disrespect anyone. "To those who may be offended or hurt by my actions, I want to clarify that the notion was never my intention," she said. "My goal was not only to celebrate winning the Miss Philippines Charm title in Pampanga but to highlight the vision of Mak Tumang."
Miss Universe New Zealand 2024, Victoria Velasquez Vincent, expressed her support for Payumo, emphasizing that she should not have to apologize. The dress originally worn by Gray at the Miss Universe 2018 competition. Payumo also shared on Instagram, noting that it was a great honor to be recognized that Tumang himself suggested this variant of the dress as one of the options.
