Miss Iloilo Rabiya Mateo waging Miss Universe Philippines 2020; nagbigay-pugay kay Miriam Santiago
WAGING Miss Universe Philippines 2020 si Miss Iloilo Rabiya Mateo!
Tinalo ng 24-year-old Filipina-Italian na dalaga ang 45 iba pang kandidata sa nasabing pageant na ginanap sa Baguio Country Club, Baguio City kaninang umaga.
Pinabilib ni Rabiya (cum laude graduate sa Iloilo Doctors’ College) ang mga judges at manonood sa kanyang winning answers sa dalawang magkasunod na tanong sa final round.
Ipinasa ni Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados ang kanyang korona kay Rabiya na siya namang lalaban sa 2020 Miss Universe international pageant.
Itinanghal namang first runner-up si Miss Paranaque Maria Ysabella Ysmael habang si Miss Quezon City Michelle Theresa Gumabao ang second runner-up, na sinundan ni Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx as third runner-up at Miss Cavite Kimberly “Billie” Hakenson bilang fourth runner-up.
Narito ang mga naging sagot ni Rabiya sa mga tanong ng host na si KC Montero sa final Q&A round. Para sa first question: “If you can create a new paper currency with the image of any Filipino on it, dead or alive, who would it be and why?”
Sagot ng beauty queen, “If I would be given the chance, I would use the face of Miriam Defensor-Santiago. For those who don’t know, she’s an Ilongga but what I admired about her, 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.”
Tumakbo ang yumaong senador na si Miriam Santiago noong nakaraang presidential elections ngunit bigla itong pumanaw dahil sa cancer noong 2016.
Para naman sa second question na itinanong din sa pumasok sa Top 5, “This pandemic has made clear our priorities, essential and non-essential. Where do pageants stand in this time of crisis?”
Sagot ni Rabiya, “As a candidate I know I’m not only the face of Iloilo City. But I am here, carrying hope and as a symbol of light in the darkest times. And as of the moment, I want to help my community, to use my strength to make an impact. And that is the essence of beauty pageant, it has the power to make a difference.”
Ilan sa mga nagsilbing judge sa kauna-unahang Miss Universe Philippines ay sina Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner Up Janine Tugonon, Miss Universe 2013 3rd Runner Up Ariella Arida, Rep. Eric Yap at Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
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