Rabiya Mateo takes final walk at Miss Universe Philippines 2021

Before crowning her successor, Rabiya Mateo bid farewell and took her final walk as the reigning Miss Universe Philippines.

Clad in an intricate white gown embellished with silver jewels, Rabiya looked absolutely ethereal and regal as ever during the Miss Universe Philippines 2021 coronation night on Thursday.

In her pre-recorded speech, Rabiya thanked her mom and supporters for believing in her.

"Everything is possible as long as we put our hearts and minds into it," she said.

"I want to be remembered as somebody who gave her everything to make the Filipinos proud. I am Rabiya Matteo, Miss Universe Philippines 2020."

Earlier in the program, which was held live in Bohol, Rabiya was praised by netizens after she accidentally slipped but managed to gracefully pick herself back up.

Once she was fully upright, she flashed a smile and said, "once you fall, you have to stand up."

She was also asked about her time as Miss Universe Philippines and her plans after her reign.

"Well, Rabiya Mateo as a beauty queen is saying goodbye for now but I am excited to try my chances in show business. I want to try hosting and acting soon. To my supporters, I hope you're still there in the next chapter," she said.

Rabiya passed on the crown to Cebu City candidate Beatrice Luigi Gomez.

In October 2020, Rabiya was crowned Miss Universe Philippines. She represented the country at the global Miss Universe pageant in Florida in May this year.

Although the crown went to Mexico's Andrea Meza, Rabiya made the nation proud as she landed on the pageant's Top 21 candidates.

The replay of the Miss Universe Philippines coronation event will be aired on GMA-7 on Oct. 3, 9 a.m. – RC, GMA News