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Rabiya Mateo is aware that being in the show business in not going to be permanent. This is the reason she started looking for investments that can give her passive income while building her career in the entertainment industry.

Recently, the 2020 Miss Universe Philippines decided put some of her earnings in a jewelry brand that she also endorses, the LVNA by Drake Dustin.

The beauty queen-TV host revealed this during the renewal of her endorsement deal with the brand on Friday, February 24, at its branch in Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

“Since I have savings na rin naman, nakapag-ipon na ako, I have enough money, gusto ko sana magpasok nang konti para in the future may makuha rin ako,” she told GMANetwork.com and other select entertainment media.

She continued, “It's like a passive income. So, I really want to be smart and I want my money to really work for me. Kasi, hindi naman po panghabang-buhay ang showbiz. So, habang meron pa, I have to be smart.”

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A post shared by Rabiya Mateo (@rabiyamateo)

The 26-year-old Pinay beauty admitted that it was only during her Miss Universe stint when her interest in jewelry started.

“Nahilig na lang po ako after Miss Universe. Kasi dati, to be honest, peke-peke rin po ang mga isinusuot ko at kumakati rin po ang aking mga tenga. Pero hindi rin naman po ako nag-start na bili agad. Nag-start din po na humihiram din ako kay Drake [Dustin Ibay], ex-deal lang.

“Ngayon po, unti-unti, parang I can afford na. Hindi naman yung mamahalin talaga, but at least, something. Nabigyan ko na rin po ang mama ko ng a pair of earrings, that was my gift to her; and a bracelet noong Mother's Day.

“So, it's also the meaning din. It's not just the luxury yung iniisip natin na, hindi kapag mayaman ka lang puwede diyan. It's really the message.”

However, more than being an accessory, Rabiya believes that jewelry is an investment.

She said, “Naniniwala talaga ako na after ilang years, yung jewelry po na ito, it's gonna appreciate the value, e. So, kapag binenta mo siya, mas malaki. If you're looking for an investment, puwede na 'to kasi madali siyang matago, mabilis siyang ma-secure, kita mo rin siya agad. I believe mas madali mo rin siyang madi-dispose.”

When asked what's the first jewelry she bought for herself, Rabiya said it's one of the earrings she wore during her Miss Universe stint.

“It's like a half-moon diamond earrings,” she recalled. “Dati po pinahiram lang sa akin [ni Drake] sa Miss Universe. Yun po yung muntikan ko nang mawala sa pool when I was competing in the Miss Universe. 'Tapos, sabi ko, 'Can I buy this one?' Kasi, parang may sentimental value na po siya sa akin.”

Rabiya then shared the story behind those earrings, “I was so clumsy that time. Parang nasa pool po kami na shoot. After ilang shots, na-realize ko na wala sa akin yung earrings. 'Tapos, nag-stop talaga yung shoot namin. Sabi ko, 'Oh my gosh, where's my earrings?'

“'Tapos, noong nalaman nilang diamonds, everybody was like panicking. Pero nakita po ng staff, mabuti hindi sa pool. So, I'm still blessed kasi naiisip ko that time, my gosh, magko-compete ako, iispin ko, 'Magkano kaya 'to?'

“Pero again, it's a funny and beautiful story kung iisipin natin.”

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A post shared by LVNA By Drake Dustin (@lunabydrakedustin)

Aside from being an endorser-investor, Rabiya is also set to collaborate with LVNA owner, Drake Dustin, to create her own jewelry collection that will be for a cause.

She related, “Actually, may ire-release kami na gold collection. Ito, pinag-usapan namin ni Drake na hindi lang siya… parang a part of earnings nito we'll put it sa charities po.

“Actually, we started sa mga staff mismo ng LVNA, yung puso talaga ng kompanya. So, parang we want na mapalaki nang mapalaki yung charities na yun. Parang si Drake, iniisip niya how he can give back to the community. I'm happy na isa ako sa pinili niya to help him with that aspect.”

MEANWHILE, CHECK OUT THESE CELEBRITIES AND THEIR EXPENSIVE JEWELRY COLLECTION: