Rabiya Mateo addresses post-coronation intrigue: ‘I need to focus on my real goals’

After being crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020, Iloilo City’s Rabiya Mateo found herself facing intrigue both from online users and fellow candidates.

In an interview with TV 5’s MJ Marfori aired Monday, October 26, Rabiya defended herself and said the controversies were painful, but she decided to take the high road. 

“At the end of the day, this is a competition. And being the bigger person in the picture, I need to understand where they are coming from. That’s what a queen should do and should act,” she said. 

“And naintinidhan ko naman po (And I understand them), but at the end of the day, I need to focus myself on my real goals – which is to win and bring honor to my country.”

Even before Rabiya was crowned Miss Universe Philippines, fellow candidate Sandra Lemonon posted cryptic messages on Instagram, hinting that something unfair happened during the pageant. She made several posts after that, but as of posting, has not expounded on her posts.

The rumor mill, of course, quickly went to work. Rumors – that some contestants, including Rabiya, got help from glam teams or that questions were given to her in advance – filled social media and message forums.

“People didn’t expect me to win. And now that I have the crown, they are questioning my capability as a person, as a candidate. But I know that I did everything and anything I could during that night. And binigay ko talaga. And yung mga nagsasabi na the question was given to me that’s why I answered that way, it wasn’t given po sa akin. I did everything I could because I want to make Iloilo City proud,” she said. – Rappler.com