Rabiya Mateo personally apologizes to Miss Canada, Miss Thailand for hateful comments of some Filipino fans

Rabiya Mateo has personally apologized to Miss Universe Canada Nova Stevens and Miss Universe Thailand Amanda Obdam for the negative and racist comments of some Filipino fans.

According to PEP.ph, Rabiya said in a press conference on Wednesday that she sent personal messages to her co-candidates and asked for their forgiveness.

"I actually personally sent messages to Amanda, to Nova saying sorry because these hate speeches that we see online, this is not a reflection of who we are as Filipinos," the Miss Universe Philippines titleholder said.

She added, "I can say that we do love pageants, and we support girls. And with Miss Universe, the goal is to celebrate the differences and to be with the girls and the cause that they stand for."

Rabiya also expressed sadness over the racist comments her beauty queen sister Nova received.

"I saw the post of Nova earlier today and I really feel sorry [for] her because nobody deserves to be in that position," the beauty queen said.

"I've been bashed, you know. And there was a moment that a lot of people would tell me, 'That's normal, you're a beauty queen.' But I've seen how... it affected not just me but also other candidates. We have a WhatsApp group and we would talk about it," she continued.

Rabiya also said that she's already asked her supporters for help and told them to report accounts that bash others online. She also shared her plans in making an anti-bullying video campaign video to urge the public to stop making hateful comments.

"I would always campaign, as a person, I do not tolerate bullying in all forms and in all ways. That's why I'm actually planning to make a video, me and the organization is planning to make a video to make an appeal to the public to stop being rude because it costs nothing to be kind."

She added, "And it doesn't feel good, it doesn't feel nice [to be bashed]. And I need to do something to stop it."

On Tuesday, Miss Universe Canada 2020 Stevens revealed she had been getting racist comments from Filipinos online. She posted screen shots of negative comments which were in Tagalog.

The 69th Miss Universe will be held on May 16 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. — Kaela Malig/LA, GMA News