It’s Just The Beginning: Phl’s Rabiya Mateo Hopeful After Top 21 Miss U Finish; Gets Love From Supporters

UPDATED: The Philippines’ very own Rabiya Mateo made it to the Top 21 round during the Miss Universe 2021 pageant finals held in Hollywood, Florida in United States on Sunday, May 16 (Monday morning, May 17, in Manila) but failed to advance to the Top 10.

As of writing on Monday night, Mateo has not yet issued an official statement on her Miss Universe performance, but an Instagram fan account shared a clip from Miss Bolivia Lenka Nemer D'rpic’s Instagram Live with her where the Filipina beauty was heard saying: “This is like a start – a beautiful start for something new. And actually, it’s just gonna be one girl who’s gonna be crowned, but I know in my heart, everyone of us, we are alright even without that crown.” 

 But later in an Instagram post,  Mateo said it was such a beautiful moment to represent the Philippines. 

 “I am forever honored to be part of the legacy, of our history.  In my heart, I did everything I can. I trained really hard to be physically fit. I would have sleepless nights trying to read articles to be updated. I made a lot of sacrifices people (can’t) sometimes see. Early (call time). Late night rest. Trying to be sane and motivated. It was a challenge but it made me so much stronger everyday. Salamat mga kababayan! Mahal ko kayo!"

 On Tuesday, May 18, Mateo also wrote that she “just finished one beautiful chapter” as her Miss Universe journey ended.  “Now, I’m excited to write a new one. More blessings to receive! More people to inspire!” she wrote on Instagram.

 Andrea Meza of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2021. Meza, who is turning 27 on Aug. 13, is a software, engineer, model and activist.

Ilonggos were proud of Mateo’s feat in the global stage and lauded her achievement.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas congratulated Mateo for “being one of the top 21 beautiful and smart women” of the universe.

He also praised Mateo’s “compassion to help fellow Filipinos especially educating the young children.”

“She had strived very hard to achieve her dreams…we are very proud of her. We cannot wait to welcome her home and make her feel the love of every Ilonggo,” the mayor said.

Treñas told “Sa Totoo Lang” on One PH on Monday night that they will prepare for the welcome ceremony to recognize Mateo’s contributions to the country as he stressed that the Philippine bet did her best and “showed everyone what an Ilonggo can do.”

“We all know her story, how she studied, where she studied and she excelled in her studies in spite of her situation and we are very proud of her,” Treñas said of the 24-year-old Mateo.

Persona non grata

Treñas could not say whether social media influencer Jam Magno would be declared persona non grata by the city council for heavily criticizing Mateo during the Miss Universe preliminaries that began on May 13 – particularly her national costume – because “I think at this stage, we have better… and more important things to do.”

“So I do not know what the council will do (on Tuesday) because it's their regular session...But as I have said, there are better things to do in life. I think let us also be thankful to Jam something, Jam ano ba ‘yun? Jam Magno, because she has given Ilonggos an opportunity to be even more united and even prouder of Rabiya and sometimes if there's an adversary, medyo we unite. Ilonggos unite when one of ours is being attacked,” Treñas said.

“Let us never forget that even if she was an Ilongga and came from Iloilo, she was representing the whole country. So baka minsan nakakalimutan natin ‘yan (maybe sometimes we forget that)…times like this especially during the pandemic, we should be thankful that she has given us a chance to be united for one thing and putting aside everything,” the mayor stressed.

Beauty queens and supporters also sent their messages of love and encouragement to Mateo through social media.

Former Miss Universe winners Pia Wurtzbach (2015) and Catriona Gray (2018) tweeted how proud they were of the Philippine bet for this year’s competition.

“Woooow this year is intense!! Sending Rabiya all of our love! She made our country proud!” Gray said, adding the Philippines has been making it to the semifinals for   11 consecutive years now.

Wurtzbach, for her part, wrote: “Rabiya you made us so proud! We know you put your heart into this and we love you! Mabuhay ang Pinay!”

Miss Universe Philippines national director Shamcey Supsup also commended Mateo’s performance, saying she showed “what it means to be relentless, unyielding and unstoppable in the pursuit of her dreams.”

“Despite the setbacks, critics and failures, you continued to wear the Philippine sash with pride and love. And for that, you are a winner, not just in my eyes but in the hearts of millions of Filipinos around the world. Padayon!,” said Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Supsup.

Supsup further quoted in a Facebook post: "Set goals not just for the outcome itself, but for who you get to become in the process."

Mateo is the first delegate under the new Miss Universe franchise headed by Supsup and pageant mentor Jonas Gaffud.

Mateo represented Iloilo City at the Miss Universe Philippines last October 2020 held in Baguio.

“We did well. For a first timer she has really gone far. It’s still a feat,” Miss Iloilo 2020 director Kevin Piamonte told The Philippine STAR.

Mateo was born on Nov. 14, 1996 in Balasan, Iloilo to an Indian-American father and a Filipina mother who got separated later.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from the Iloilo Doctor’s College and graduated cum laude.

She was a former lecturer and coordinator in a review center for Physical Therapy graduates before competing at the Miss Universe Philippines.

A day before the coronation event, Ilonggos showed their support for the beauty queen through creative fun art.

Ilonggo artists Kristoffer Brasilen~o, Jester Macabanti, and Kyle Dominic Sarte made a portrait of Mateo on the street of Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City while a sand art was made by Freeman Resort Sand Art Team and Edwin Guiquin on Sunday.

The historic Lizares Mansion in Angelicum School Iloilo in Iloilo City was also lit up with colors of the Philippine flag to show their support for Mateo.

In an Instagram post, her longtime boyfriend Neil Salvador also showed how impressed he was with her performance during the swimsuit and evening gown preliminaries.

He uploaded a screenshot of Mateo donning a yellow two-piece bikini and wrote in the caption that his jaw dropped upon seeing her girlfriend during the swimsuit competition.

Salvador said his heart was pounding as he cried watching Mateo compete for the Philippines.

Salvador is a medical frontliner based in Quezon City and has been in relationship with Mateo for over six years now.

She received mixed reactions from netizens during the national costume segment as some were disappointed because she was not able to wear the headpiece crafted by Bulacan-based jeweller Manny Halasan.

The beauty queen later apologized in tears to unsatisfied fans but said she “did her best” and “felt great.”

She looked like a Victoria’s Secret angel as she strutted down the runway with a Philippine-flag inspired ensemble in red and blue with three shining stars, designed by the late Filipino international designer Rocky Gathercole.

Nevertheless, she delivered a stunning performance in the preliminaries especially in the swimsuit round. 

She wore a yellow, beaded gown by Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One Amato, which was inspired by the “radiance of the Philippine sun” symbolizing “positivity and optimism.”

During the evening gown portion of the final show, Mateo donned a “Sarimanok”- inspired piece also designed by Amato.

Mateo was an early crowd favorite – she was often included in the top pick of various pageant websites and the most followed Miss Universe bet in social media – her Instagram followers reached over one million after the preliminary competition. – With Jennifer Rendon