Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo blames no one for not being able to bring home the fifth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines.
Rabiya ended her stint in the 69th Miss Universe pageant after making it to the Top 21 of the competition.
In an Instagram live video of Miss Bolivia Lenka Nemer D’rpic, Rabiya spoke about her journey to the crown.
The Filipina beauty said that her experience could be the start of something new.
“This is like a start, a beautiful start for something new,” she said.
“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,” Rabiya added.
Miss Bolivia agreed with Rabiya’s statement.
“And also, I think that I was telling the girls, the crown is just a few months, or a year maybe. But friendship, us, is going to be for life,” she said.
Rabiya added that representing the Philippines in the Miss Universe stage was an honor and a life-changing experience.
“And the impact that you made is also for life. It’s not every day that we get to represent our countries. So, this is really a great opportunity for all the girls and we are happy to be here. Thank you so much for your support,” she said.
In a Miss Universe video days before the pageant, Rabiya Mateo revealed her struggles representing the Philippines.
The Ilongga beauty queen said she was never really a favorite to win the Miss Universe Philippines competition.
“Nobody noticed me… When I won, I received different comments. There were people who did not expect me to do well, who thought I cheated,” said Rabiya.
She continued: “That’s why I needed to do well in Miss Universe, I needed to do well in this competition.”
Andrea Meza of Mexico won the 69th Miss Universe crown in the grand coronation night held in Florida, United States on May 16.
