endIndex:
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) The country s bet to the Miss Universe 2020 pageant Rabiya Mateo donned a Philippine-flag inspired outfit with a touch of Victoria s Secret for the national costume competition on Friday. Despite her stellar performance, she ended up apologizing to fellow Filipinos and her supporters.
The Ilongga beauty rocked red and blue wings and three stars to represent the colors and symbols of the country s flag. She also wore mismatched heels and kept her hair wavy and flowing to complete her look. I feel like I m a Victoria s Secret angel. I m gonna fly, she said during a backstage interview.
Ang mahalaga, bongga siya.
She also shared a screenshot of a convo wherein Rabiya thanked MJ for her support. Beat her, hate her, but you can never break a determined woman with a pure heart, MJ captioned the tweet. Continue reading below ↓
MJ Felipe, Miss Universe PH National Director
Shamcey Supsup explained that the heavy headpiece would keep falling off, which made them decide to make Rabiya more comfortable. Mabigat na rin yung wings
niya in the first place. We re so sad
na hindi nasuot, but still, Rabiya was able to give us a powerful performance.
Rabiya joins 73 international beauties in the ongoing Miss Universe preliminary competition held in Florida, USA. Amid the pandemic, the candidates entered a bubble as the competition officially began on May 9, Sunday. The Miss Universe 2020 coronation night will be broadcasted live on May 16 (May 17 in Manila).
Rabiya Mateo opens up about ‘pressure,’ naysayers in Miss Universe video
May 14, 2021 9:14 AM PHT
Rabiya Mateo has opened up about the struggles she faced on the way to representing the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant, in a video shot by the organization.
In the video, uploaded by the Miss Universe Organization on Thursday, May 13 (May 12 in the US), Rabiya was asked about her pageant journey. The 24-year-old Ilongga admitted that she was never really a favorite and was a dark horse going into the Miss Universe Philippines competition.
“Nobody noticed me…. When I won, I received different comments. There were people who did not expect me to do well, who thought I cheated,” said Rabiya, who will vie for the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown.
Rabiya Mateo gets emotional after Miss Universe national costume show By MARGARET CLAIRE LAYUG, GMA News
Published May 14, 2021 1:32pm Rabiya Mateo got emotional after showcasing her national costume for the Miss Universe 2020 competition on Friday. An Instagram Live clip that made the rounds on social media showed the Filipina beauty queen in tears as she expressed her gratitude to those who supported her during the event. “It felt so great that I was onstage and then I kept everybody cheering for me, and I did my best during the competition and I am just really overwhelmed,” she said in a mix of English and Tagalog.
Published May 14, 2021, 5:04 PM
Kathryn Bernardo made public her support for Rabiya Mateo, the country’s representative to this year’s Miss Universe pageant via social media.
“I know there’s a lot of pressure for the upcoming pageant, but know that the whole Philippines and every Filipino will be cheering for you on that day,” the actress told the dusky Ilongga beauty.
“Ngayon pa lang, we’re very, very proud of you. Whatever happens, proud kami sa ‘yo. We wish you all the best. Enjoy the journey. Kami nang bahala mag-cheer sa ‘yo dito,” she added.
Her message was shared by MJ Lastimosa, Miss Universe Philippines 2014.