Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo and the Miss Universe Philippines team led by MUP Creative Director Jonas Gaffud departed for Los Angeles, CA without the usual send-off fanfare in the middle of a stricter quarantine in “NCR Plus.”
A few week prior to departure, the MUP Organization canceled many of Rabiya’s photoshoots and in-person trainings. With the spike of COVID-19 cases, they did not want to risk Rabiya’s health so close to the pageant.
Since it was her first international trip, the MUP Organization decided to fly Rabiye a few week before the official check-in for the Miss Universe competition in Hollywood, Florida. She spent about a week in Los Angeles getting over jetlag, doing photoshoots, and attending the O Skin Med Spa event of US-based Filipino Olivia Quido, who is a major sponsor of this year’s pageant.
In this interview with Rappler’s pageant correspondent Voltaire Tayag, Rabiya shares how much she appreciates being accompanied by an entourage and the guidance she’s been receiving. It’s not quite a US vacation for Rabiya just yet, with her physical training, runway, and virtual Q&A sessions continuing daily.
Neither the pandemic nor being away from home has not dampened Rabiya’s spirits. She says that her passion and having a strong support system are key to her sanity and motivation. She also shared a touching moment she had with her mom before her departure. Since it is almost Mother’s Day, Rabiya also gave a heartwarming message to her mother.
It has been 52 years since Gloria Diaz won the Philippines’ first ever Miss Universe crown and Rabiya talks about how passionate and hungry she is to bring home the title. In the history of Miss Universe, only Venezuela (2008 Dayana Mendoza, 2009 Estefania Fernandez, and 2013 Garbiela Isler) has been able to win the title three times in a span of six years. With the victories of Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, our country has that opportunity to replicate this feat.
Rabiya says she will do her best to win the crown and offer it as a gift to the Philippines.
Catch the full interview on Monday, May 3 at 6 pm by bookmarking this page or following Rappler on social media. – Rappler.com
To support Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo, you can vote for her through the LAZADA App (Philippines residents) or the Miss Universe App (if residing overseas). The 69th Miss Universe competition will be held on May 17, 2021 (Manila time) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida, USA.
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