27-Oct.-2020 | Mateo will represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant at a venue to be announced later. During the final question-and answer, the top five candidates were given two questions. A 23-year-old beauty from Balasan, Iloilo, was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020 during a competition held in Baguio City Sunday. Rabiya Mateo, an Indian-Filipino, whose name means princess or queen, edged out 44 other girls for the prestigious title as she was crowned by outgoing Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados. A Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy graduate, Mateo finished cum laude, best intern, and university valedictorian where she delivered her speech on behalf of the graduates of Batch 2018 at the Iloilo Doctors’ College.
 |
| File photo courtesy: Miss Universe organization |
For
the first question, Mateo was asked: “If you could create a new paper currency
with the image of any Filipino on it, dead or alive, which would it be and
why?” Mateo answered: “If I were given the chance, I will use the face of
Miriam Defensor- Santiago. For those who do not know, she was an Ilongga but
what I admire about her is that she used her knowledge and her voice to serve
the 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.” For the final question-and-answer, which is also the common question
for the top 5 girls, Mateo was asked: “This pandemic has made clear our
priorities, essential or nonessential, where do pageants stand in the time of
crisis?” Mateo 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.”
Comments
Post a Comment