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'ILOILO’S PRIDE'
Ilongga queen Rabiya Mateo gave her best for the Philippines, Iloilo mayor says
Rabiya Mateo may have failed to take home the Miss Universe crown on Monday, but the Ilongga beauty queen did not fail to make her country and her hometown “very proud.”
After her beauty queen sisters sent out their love and gratitude to the Filipina Miss Universe hopeful, it was the turn of her hometown's mayor to express support for Rabiya Mateo.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas issued a message for Rabiya on Facebook, saying, "the Iloggos are very proud of what Miss Universe Philippines has achieved.”
“Being in the competition is truly tough, but the Ilongga beauty queen gave her best for our country. We extend to her the warm love of the Ilonggos as we look forward to welcoming her home,” he said in a statement shared by the city government's official Facebook page.
“Mabuhay ka, Queen Rabiya!”
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Rabiya Mateo failed to make the Top 10, ending her stint as a Top 21 finalist of the competition.
Rabiya was a major scene-stealer since Day 1 of the competition.
During the National Costume show, Rabiya took the stage in Philippine flag-inspired ensemble with 21 kg-heavy wings.
Rabiya lit up the preliminary stage in a yellow sun-inspired evening gown at the preliminary competition designed by Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One.
Rabiya also stole the show in a yellow two-piece bikini during the swimsuit preliminary competition. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News