MANILA – Though that wasn’t the upshot every Ilonggo was hoping for, still, Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo is reaping warm words of gratitude, pride, and celebration from her homeland.
The 24-year-old Balasan, Iloilo stunner ended her quest for the Miss Universe crown, garnering a spot in the Top 21.
The 5 feet and 6 inches physical therapist competed against 73 other candidates – the first Ilongga to carry the country’s colors in the world’s biggest beauty pageant since Jaro, Iloilo City native Louise Aurelio Vail represented the country in 1965 and became a semifinalist in Miami, Florida.
MISS U 2020
Touted by many to go deep into the pageant and even winning it all, Mateo gracefully exited after the swimwear competition.
Those called for the evening gown competition were Jamaica’s Miqueal-Symone Williams, Dominican Republic’s Kimberly Marie Jiménez, India’s Adline Castelino, Peru’s Janick Maceta del Castillo, Australia’s Maria Thattil, Puerto Rico’s Estefanía Soto Torres, Thailand’s Amanda Obdam, Costa Rica’s Ivonne Cerdas, Mexico’s Andrea Meza, and Brazil’s Julia Gama.
Meza emerged as the 2020 Miss Universe with Gama, Del Castillo, Castelino and Jimenez finishing as runners-up, respectively.
In her introductory video, Mateo highlighted the importance of education and how it impacted her life.
“I have humble beginnings, and education transformed my life. Now, I am a teacher and I hope that my students will see the value of education the way that I saw it,” Mateo said.
Mateo, a cum laude graduate of physical therapy, also emphasized that education is a “social equalizer,” especially for poor families in the Philippines.
“I live in a country where there’s a lot of poor families and education is our social equalizer, that regardless of what background you have, what is the status of your family, if you educate yourself, you will be able to land a great job,” Mateo said.
“We need nowadays not just a beauty queen with pretty face; we need phenomenal women who are not afraid to speak and to stand for things they believe in,” she further said.
PROUD ILONGGOS
The entire Iloilo City and the Ilonggos are proud of Mateo and will continue to support her, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Treñas said Mateo brought the City of Love into the international spotlight.
Ilonggos cannot wait to welcome her home and make her feel the love, Treñas said.
“I met her a while back, and I saw her compassion to help our fellow Filipinos, especially educating our young children. She strived very hard to achieve her dreams,” the mayor added.
“Bisan waay sia nagdaog, ang syudad sang Iloilo, upod sa IFFI (Iloilo Festival Foundation Inc.) maga prepararar para sa iya pagbalik kay nakita naton gintinguhaan ‘ya gid nga makuha ang korona para sa aton sa syudad kag para sa bug-os nga pungsod,” said Treñas.
Meanwhile, Miss Iloilo 2020 pageant director Kevin Piamonte said Mateo really did well in the 69th edition of the competition.
He said: “She gave a good performance. For a first time pageant contestant that was already a winner!”
For Gov. Arthur Defensor, Mateo will always be every Ilonggo’s winner.
“Ang pagrepsentar sa aton ni Rabiya Mateo sa Miss Universe, daog na kita sina mo. And I would like to extend our congratulations to Rabiya,” Defensor told Panay News.
The provincial government is also looking forward – and will be preparing – for Mateo’s homecoming.
“The province will give full support when Rabiya becomes the ambassador sang Philippines,” the governor added.
On the other hand, Balasan’s Mayor Manuel Ganzon said they were more than satisfied by Mateo’s showing.
“Bal-an man naton nga ginhatag ‘ya ang tanan… Ginhatag ‘ya gid ang pinakamaayo niya nga performance,” Ganzon said in interview with Panay News.
The municipal government is also mulling to pass a resolution commending Mateo.
Ordinary pageant fans also have nothing but praises for Mateo.
“She has done well. She is a good beauty queen at the same time title holder na sia. Nami si Rabiya,” said Ducky Pamplona, a salon owner in La Paz, Iloilo City.
Pamplona said Mateo deserves all the love and support regardless of the result.
However, she added, maybe the “bar” has been set higher following the triumph of Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018).
Meantime, according to Celeste Billones of Barangay Lapuz Norte, Iloilo City, Mateo is still one phenomenal woman.
“It’s a competition. Amo gid ‘na ang competition may daog kag pierde pero I’m proud of Rabiya nga nag-representar sia sang iya kaugalingon bilang candidate sa Miss Universe,” Billones said.
Nadja Galve Gacer of Iloilo City, meanwhile, said: “Happy kami bisan wala sia nagdaog. Importante daog man sia gihapon para sa aton nga mga Ilonggo. Kag ginhimu ‘ya ang tanan.”
MATEO FAMILY GRATEFUL
Speaking to Panay News, Miguel Occeña Mateo Jr., Rabiya’s uncle, said he is beyond grateful.
“Unang-una nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng mga tumulong sa kanya at sa lahat ng sumusuporta,” he said. “Proud ako sa iya kay ginpakita ‘ya gid ang best ‘ya nga pag-compete didto.”
He also hopes that Rabiya could take a well-deserved rest. He also can’t wait to meet her soon.
“Mahal na mahal ka namin. Sana maka-bonding ka naman namon liwat kag makapahuway kay bal-an man namon nga nakapoy kaw sa pag-compete dira sa Miss Universe,” he added./PN
