MANILA – “Tonight was a good night. I had fun. That’s what really matters.”
Ilongga beauty Rabiya Mateo did the country proud with her stellar performance during the national costume competition of the Miss Universe 2020 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, United States on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines).
Garbed in a Philippine-flag inspired outfit designed by the late Filipino international designer Rocky Gathercole, Mateo exuding Victoria’s Secret angel energy. She sashayed with her red and blue wings and three stars representing the colors and symbols of the country’s flag, accomplished with mismatched heels.
Despite her impressive showing, however, Mateo had to apologize afterwards. Several fans were dissatisfied with her performance, and pointed out the absence of the headpiece crafted by Bulacan jewelry designer Manny Halasan.
“I’m sorry kung na-disappoint man kayo sa akin. I know na I did my best. I even cut my finger and ‘yung stockings ko punong-puno na din ng dugo, but I kept fighting,” Mateo said in an Instagram live.
“Kahit wala nang oras, I didn’t have time to retouch my hair, to retouch my makeup. I was running for pins, I was running for scissors, for everything, just to be able to execute the costume really well,” she added.
Despite the negative reactions, Mateo said she felt “great” while wearing the costume on stage and thanked all those who cheered for her.
“In my self kanina, I felt really great. Feeling ko nung naglalakad ako I was so beautiful. Nakita ko ‘yung cheer ng mga judges, nakita ko ang mga sigaw ng mga Pilipino kaya nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa suporta,” Mateo said.
“Maraming, maraming salamat talaga… I felt really great. Sana maging proud din kayo sa akin. Kasi it’s never easy pero kinakaya ko para sa inyong lahat,” the Ilongga added.
Former beauty queen Shamcey Supsup-Lee, the national director of Miss Universe Philippines Organization, explained that they opted not to let Mateo wear the headpiece since it kept falling off.
“I’m pretty sure alam niyo naman na I brought the head dress, the headpiece for Rabiya but unfortunately it was nahuhulog. It was hard for her to wear it so we decided na kung saan siya komportable…Mabigat na rin kasi ‘yung wings niya in the first place,” Supsup-Lee said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s MJ Felipe.
“So sad na hindi niya nasuot but still Rabiya was able to give us a powerful performance,” she added.
For his part, Jonas Gaffud, the creative director of Miss Universe Philippines, said ,“There were more accessories to the costume but the wings were 21 kilos already.”
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), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).
The pageant’s preliminary competition will be held starting on Saturday (Manila time) with the grand coronation night on Monday morning.
RABIYA’S HOMETOWN FULL SUPPORT
Not only Mateo but her hometown Balasan, Iloilo is also “battle ready”.
The municipal government will offer a Holy Mass on Sunday, May 16.
“Kami sa banwa sang Balasan maga-prepare gid and offer sang mass kag prayers in support kay Miss Rabiya Mateo,” Balasan’s Mayor Manuel Ganzon told Panay News.
Unfortunately, Ganzon said, they wouldn’t set up a widescreen in public spaces like the town’s covered gym due to constraints brought about by the current pandemic.
Instead, the mayor is encouraging all Ilonggos – and Filipinos – to just stay home, watch, and virtually support Mateo through prayers and words of encouragement.
“Through our prayers hopefully mapamatian kita kag mangin madinalag-on ang aton nga kandidata. Suportahan ta gid sia,” the mayor added.
Mateo is a resident of Del Rosario Street, Barangay Poblacion Norte.
November last year, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Balasan passed a resolution commending Mateo winning the Miss Universe Philippines title.
“Being crowned…gives lasting pride to the place where she is a recognized resident,” part of the resolution read.
Mateo is the second Ilongga to represent the country in the Miss Universe after Jaro, Iloilo City native Louise Aurelio Vail, who was crowned Binibining Pilipinas in 1965./PN