
The 69th Miss Universe just held its preliminary competitions, and Filipino pageant fans gone wild as Philippine representative Rabiya Mateo showed a jaw-dropping performance.
In the evening gown show, the Ilongga beauty wore Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One's masterpiece, inspired by the "radiance of the Philippine sun."
She glided elegantly across the Miss Universe stage in her bright yellow one-shoulder tulle gown encrusted with Swarovski crystals.
Source: aces_and_queens (Instagram)
Rabiya got overwhelming support from pageant fans and her fellow beauty queens, including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.
“Our girl literally said, 'no sun in my natcos? I am the sun.' #AribaRabiya,” she tweeted.
Our girl literally said, 'no sun in my natcos? I am the sun.' 🤩💛💛💛 #AribaRabiya
-- Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) May 15, 2021
Prior to this, the Filipina-Australian beauty queen had shown support publicly on Thursday, May 13, when she asked the public to pray for Rabiya's first international pageant stint.
“Friends! Let's send prayers up for our very own Ms Philippines #RabiyaMateo tonight as she prepares for the Closed Door Interview and National Costume show for Miss Universe happening in the next 24hrs!! #AribaRabiya,” she posted on social media.
Friends! Let's send prayers up for our very own Ms Philippines #RabiyaMateo tonight as she prepares for the Closed Door Interview and National Costume show for @MissUniverse 🇵🇭 happening in the next 24hrs!! #AribaRabiya 👑
-- Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) May 13, 2021
Meanwhile, take a look at Rabiya's Miss Universe journey in this gallery:
Rabiya Mateo sizzles in 69th Miss Universe preliminary swimsuit competition
IN PHOTOS: Awe-inspiring national costumes of Filipina beauty queens