Iloilo Representative Rabiya Mateo Crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2020 By Anya Sotomayor

In the recent Miss Universe Philippines, Iloilo representative Rabiya Mateo was crowned as the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 during the competition held at the Baguio Country Club in Baguio City. This competition was a taped-as-live event that finished on Saturday, October 24 and premiered on Sunday, October 25. This year's Miss Universe Philippines was the first edition under a new franchise holder. Likewise, this also meant that Rabiya Mateo was the first winner of the title under the new franchise holder.

Miss Universe Philippines 2020 title holder Rabiya Mateo was a Filipina-Indian stunner from Balasan, Iloilo City. Rabiya graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Theraphy and graduated as Cum Laude at Iloilo Doctors' College in 2018. She works as a review coordinator and physical theraphy lecturer. She is also part of a charity that helps educate children who lives near the dumpsite in Iloilo City.

In Rabiya's introduction for Ring Light, she said that she grew up poor. Her father who was an Indian national left her and her mom. This left her mother to support their family on her own

Here were Rabiya's answers to the question asked by the host, KC Montero in the final question-and-answer:

The first question was, "If you can create a new paper currency with the image of any Filipino on it, dead or alive, who would it be and why?"

The beauty queez answered, "If I would be given the chance, I would use the face of Miriam Defensor-Santiago. For thos who don't know, she's also an Ilongga but what I admired about her, she used her knowledge,her voice to serve our country. And I want to be somebody like her. Somebody who puts her heart, her passion into action. And after all, she is the best president we never had."

And for the final question-and-answer, which is also the question that was asked to the other top 5 contestants, Rabiya was asked: "This pandemic has made clear our priorities,essential or non-essential, where do pageants stand in the time of crisis?"

Rabiya answered: "As a candidate, I know that I am not just the face of Iloilo City. But I am here carrying hope and as a symbol of light in the darkest times. And I want to help my community. I want to use my strength to make an impact. That is the essence of beauty pageants. It gives us the power to make a difference.”

Here are the other winners: First runner-up went to Ysabella Ysmael of Parañaque City. Second runner-up was Michelle Gumabao of Quezon City. Pauline Amelinckx of Bohol for Third runner-up and Kimberly Hakenson of Cavite was the Fourth runner-up.

Miss Universe 2019 Gazini Ganados handed over her crown to Rabiya Mateo. As the title holder of Miss Universe Philippines 2020, she will represent our country in the upcoming 2020 Miss Universe International Pageant.