Catriona Gray addresses comments questioning her support for Rabiya Mateo

Catriona Gray has set the record straight for those questioning her support for Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo.

On Instagram, the Miss Universe 2018 titleholder shared a series of her arrival looks when she landed in Thailand to vie for the country’s fourth Miss Universe crown then.

Catriona also praised all contestants for being present in the competition’s venue despite “all the challenges that I’m sure they and their team faced.”

“Shoutout to all the contestants, their teams and families who have helped in allowing each woman to strive for her [Miss Universe] dreams despite the current climate!” she wrote.

She ended the caption of her post with a question: “Who are you all cheering for?”

A netizen then commented, expressing her dismay over the beauty queen. “Really? You’re a Filipina. Instead of cheering for [Rabiya Mateo], you ask people who they are cheering for?”

Catriona then replied: “I’m a Filipina AND a Miss Universe. It’s a celebration of women from all over the world.”

According to a Pep.ph report, Catriona also said that she already reached out to Rabiya “throughout her journey privately.”

“Not everything is on display on social media," she said.

Rabiya is currently in a “safety bubble” ahead of the pageant happening on May 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. —Franchesca Viernes/JCB, GMA News