Skip to main content

Iloilo City's Rabiya Mateo crowned as Miss Universe Philippines 2020

"As a candidate, I know I'm not just a face of Iloilo City. But I am here carrying hope as a symbol of light in the darkest times." 

Rabiya Mateo's answer to the question "This pandemic has made clear our priorities, essential or non-essential...

Where do pageants stand in this crisis?" sealed her fate to the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 crown in a taped as live grand coronation ceremony held at Baguio Country Club in Baguio City.


Completing her answer to the applause of the viewsers "As of the moment, I want to help my community. I want to use my strength to make an impact.

"And that is the essence of beauty pageants—it gives us the power to make a difference."

A consistent crowd favorite, Rabiya aced not the just the Q&A portion but also gave a total performance during the show. She was adjudged Best in Swimsuit in the preliminaries.


The Top 5 candidates were given two consecutive questions for the Q&A round.

When Rabiya came on stage, she exuded charm and confidence by laughing heartily as she exchanged pleasantries with pageant host, KC Montero.

First she was asked: "If you could create any new paper currency with the image of a Filipino on it, dead or alive, who would it be and why?"

Rabiya's winning answer paying respect and admiration to another Ilongga: "If I were given the chance, I want to use the face of Miriam Defensor Santiago for those who don't know, she was an Ilongga.


"But what I admired about her is that she used her knowledge, 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 that we never had."

Rabiya was first crowned as Miss Iloilo Universe 2020 in this year's Dinagyang Festival celebration last January paving the way as the city's official representative to the Miss Universe - Philippines 2020 pageant.

Besting 47 candidates, Rabiya will compete for the Miss Universe 2020 international beauty pageant following Gazini Ganados's stint last December 2019.

The other Miss Universe Philippines 2020 placers are:
  • First RU: Miss Parañaque Ysabella Roxas Ysmael
  • Second RU: Miss Quezon City Michelle Gumabao
  • Third RU: Miss Bohol Pauline Cucharo Amelinckx
  • Fourth RU: Miss Cavite Billie Hakenson
The pageant judges are: Frontrow President RS Francisco, Congressman Eric Yap, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, General Manager JCA Productions Jackie C. Aquino, IPG Media Brands CEO Venus Navalta, Miss Universe 2020 first runner-up, Janine Tugonon, Baguio first lady Arlene Magalong, P&G Group Director for Media Arthur Peña, and Frontrow CEO Sam Verzosa.

Popular posts from this blog

Connie Carillo Diversified Farm in Bingawan: Helping Sustaining a Healthy Community Through Farm Schools

The area around the town of Bingawan, the edge of the central portion of the province is where it ends and the town of Tapaz, Capiz province begins and is very much another unsung corner of Iloilo with warm, friendly, welcoming people. Bingawan has some rich farming land and farming is at the heart of its village life. The landscapes are gorgeous here; with gentle pastures, to the high mountains. The area offers some beautiful hikes and bike trails across its lovely rolling meadows, woodland and a few working farms. The town would be less touristic than its neighboring towns but is well worth exploring. If you are concerned about how organic can contribute to benefit our shared environment, promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved, then a trip to Connie Carillo Diversified Farm is for you. With the governments’ efforts to improve the knowledge and technical skills of the farmers, the Connie Carillo Diversified Fa
Read more

Travelers guide to Iloilo transport terminals (Airport, Jeepneys, Buses, RORO. etc)

Being the biggest city on Panay Island and the center of Western Visayas region, Iloilo City is a transportation hub whether by land, sea or air. These numerous transportation terminals facilitate day to day commerce, light & heavy industries, and tourism, among others. As this is a travel blog, this guide is aimed to tourists who want to experience and explore Iloilo and perhaps even beyond. Iloilo International Airport A little more than five years old, the Iloilo International Airpor t is among the most modern and beautiful in the country today. It is situated around 20 kilometers from Iloilo City , straddling the towns of Cabatuan, San Miguel and Sta. Barbara . It has direct links to Manila, Cebu, Clark, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro  and Puerto Princesa plus international destinations Hong Kong and Singapore . Among the first hurdles tourists will have to contend is the distance that translates to expensive fare when traveling to and from this airport.
Read more

Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo Levels Up Sustainability Efforts by Eliminating single-use plastic water bottles in guest rooms.

  Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, a prominent player in the hospitality industry, is proud to announce a significant step forward in its commitment to sustainability. With a dedication to preserving the environment, the hotel is taking substantial measures to reduce its ecological footprint and enhance its sustainable practices.   Hotels have long been contributors to plastic pollution due to the widespread use of single-use bottled water. Recognizing this environmental challenge in the tourism industry, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo is taking a bold step forward by reducing its plastic footprint significantly by removing single-use bottled water from guest rooms.   Eliminating Single-Use Bottled Water: Embracing Reusable Carafes with UV Filtration Water Stations   Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo places itself at the forefront of the eco-conscious movement by eliminating single-use bottled water from its guest rooms and fully implementing reusable carafes as an amenity from July onwards. Water
Read more