The first edition of Miss Universe Philippines aired its finals on Sunday, October 25.
Rabiya Mateo of Iloilo City was crowned the winner of the Miss Universe Phillippines pageant, the first titleholder under its new organization.
Previously the Philippine franchise of Miss Universe was under the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.
Due to the coronavirus disease pandemic, the new pageant has been moved twice – first on May 3, then on June 14.
It was held at Cordillera Convention Hall, Baguio Country Club in Baguio.
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 victor
The 23-year-old beauty queen was crowned by Gazini Ganados, who placed in the Top 20 of the Miss Universe pageant last year.
Mateo also won best in swimsuit during the preliminaries and Missosology’s top choice in its “Third Hot Picks” list for Miss Universe Philippines 2020.
In an article by Sunstar, Mateo mentioned that representing her hometown in a bigger pageant like the Miss Universe has always been her dream.
“Iloilo, mabato guid ako para simo. Madamo nga salamat sa tanan nga tawo nga gasuporta sakun subong. Sinyo guid ako gakwa sang kusog. Ubrahon ko guid tanan kay palangga ko kamo!” Mateo said.
“In seven months of being a candidate of Miss Universe Philippines, I had the chance to know myself better, to bloom as a modern woman and to embrace my identity as a Filipina. I realized that life’s journey will never be easy, but you have a say on which path to take, and I decided to choose the path in which I can make my city proud,” she said.
Mateo, who is a licensed physical therapist, is the child of a full-blooded Ilongga mother and a half-Indian, half-American father.
During the pandemic, Mateo has been busy helping Iloilo City’s “Uswag” community kitchen as part of her community work.
Miss U Philippines Top 5 and other awardees
The rest of the Top 5 were ranked as follows:
1st runner-up: Maria Ysabella “Bella” Ysmael, Parañaque
2nd runner-up: Michele Gumabao, Quezon City
3rd runner-up: Pauline Amelinckx, Bohol
4th runner-up: Kimberly “Billie” Hakenson, Cavite
Top 16
Christelle Abello, Aklan
Paula Madarieta Ortega, Albay
Skelly Ivy Florida, Biliran*
Tracey Maureen Perez, Cebu City
Apriel Smith, Cebu Province
Alaiza Flor Malinao, Davao City
Lou Dominique Piczon, Mandaue
Caroline Veronilla, Misamis Oriental
Riana Pangindian, Pasig City
Marie Fee Tajaran, Romblon
Sandra Lemonon, Taguig
*Fan Vote Winner / Voted in the Top 16 by FansMajor Awards
Best in National Costume: Lou Dominique Piczon, Mandaue
Best in Swimsuit: Rabiya Occeña Sundall Mateo, Iloilo City
Best in Evening Gown: Maria Ysabella Ysmael Martinez, Parañaque
Face of the Universe: Pauline Amelinckx, Bohol
Miss Photogenic: Tracy Maureen Perez, Cebu City
Special Awards
Best in Swimsuit Photo: Tracy Maureen Perez, Cebu City
Best in Runway: Lou Dominique Piczon, Mandaue
Miss Lazada Fan Vote: Skelly Ivy Florida, Biliran
Miss MG Philippines: Michele Theresa Gumabao, Quezon City
Miss Creamsilk: Pauline Amelinckx, Bohol
Downy Sweetheart Award: Pauline Amelinckx, Bohol
Miss Cetaphil Sun: Pauline Amelinckx, Bohol
Best Tourism Video: Jan Alexis Elcano, Batanes
Some contestants, unfortunately, withdraw from the competition due to the following reasons:
Angela Aninang of Negros Occidental confirmed on February 28 her withdrawal from pageant to focus on her study;
Mariam Lara Hamid of Capiz posted on her social media account on October 3 her withdrawal due to some issues with her province’s accredited partner;
Maria Isabela Galeria of Sorsogon announced on October 15 that she will be leaving the competition as she continues her full recovery from COVID-19 after contracting the disease on September 27;
Likewise, Vincy Vacalares of Cagayan de Oro withdraws from the pageant on October 15 as she tested positive for COVID-19;
Princes Marquez of Aurora and Chaira Lyn Markwalder of Leyte confirmed their withdrawal from the pageant on October 19 due to some personal reasons.
Blayce helped launch WhatALife! Blog in late May 2019, publishing trendy lifestyle and entertainment articles, local and international news reports, as well as inspiring feature stories of successful individuals hailing from Cagayan de Oro City. A jack-of-all-trades, she is a part-time gamer, occasional guitar player, and a zombie-genre fanatic.
Leave a Reply