ILOILO City – The queen is back! Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo is coming home today. “We will paint Iloilo City red!” Mayor Jerry Treñas said.
Treñas encouraged residents to wear red to welcome Mateo, who wore a ruby red gown during last month’s Miss Universe Philippines pageant in Baguio City.
He also reminded the public to observe health safety protocols as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Mateo’s return was originally scheduled Thursday, Nov. 12 but was pushed back a day due to typhoon “Ulysses.”
Her expected arrival at the Iloilo Airport is 10:30 a.m.
A motorcade in honor of the Balasan, Iloilo native, also the reigning Miss Iloilo 2020, would snake through the city streets.
The morena stunner and licensed physical therapist is the first Ilongga selected to represent the country in the Miss Universe beauty pageant next year, 55 years after Jaro, Iloilo native Louise Aurelio Vail was crowned Binibining Pilipinas in 1965.
After the motorcade, Mateo will pay a courtesy call on Treñas at the Iloilo City Hall.
The Ilonggo pride will likewise visit Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo province and Mayor Manuel Ganzon of Balasan at the Iloilo provincial capitol.
According to the schedule released by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc., Mateo’s activities today include a press conference, and a ceremonial lighting of the Christmas Parol of Hope at SM City Iloilo in Mandurriao district.
On Saturday, Nov. 14, Mateo is scheduled to lead a community outreach program and grace the ceremonial lighting of a Christmas tree at Festive Walk.
According to Treñas, the events planned for the beauty queen will also coincide with her 24th birthday on Saturday.
At 5 feet and 6 inches tall, Mateo will try to become the fifth Filipina to capture the Miss Universe crown after Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margarita Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).
In her preliminary interview for the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, Mateo said red was the color she would pick to symbolize a “phenomenal woman.”
“Red is power and I am red,” she said.
During the pageant’s question and answer portion, Mateo was asked where do pageants stand during a crisis like the ongoing pandemic.
“As a candidate, I know I’m not just the face of Iloilo City. I am here carrying hope and as a symbol of light in the darkest times,” Mateo told pageant host KC Montero.
And as of the moment, she said, she wanted to “help my community.”
“I want to use my strength to make an impact and that is the essence of a beauty pageant. It gives us the power to make a difference,” Mateo said.
Mateo graduated cum laude at the Iloilo Doctor’s College in 2018, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy.
She was hailed Best in Swimsuit in the preliminary competition held on Oct. 21.
In an interview on the ABS-CBN show “Magandang Buhay” on Wednesday, Mateo recalled her experience during the preliminary swimsuit competition, saying it actually did not go as smoothly as it looked on camera.
“Naglagay kami ng body oil para makintab, para maganda siya sa screen. Ang sinuot ko ‘’yung swimwear ko, it was color yellow, nadumihan siya,” she said.
To remedy the situation, Mateo said she and her roommate rushed to the restroom to wash the swimwear then “sabay namin siyang blinower.”
“Nung moment na iyon, [sinusubukan] ko talaga to keep my nerves calm,” revealed Mateo. “Para siyang pagkakataon na sinusubok ni God ‘yung character mo.”/PN