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 Fans Major 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.

 

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  Mateo will represent the Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant.