Rabiya Mateo after Miss Universe: 'I love myself even better now'

Rabiya Mateo has gained more than just the Filipinos' love after her Miss Universe journey.

In an interview with Boy Abunda on Sunday night, the Ilongga beauty queen shared how the pageant molded her into a better person.

"I love myself even better now. What I've been through is never easy. I know it's gonna be hard but not as hard as what happened in the competition," she said.

According to the Ilongga beauty queen, her character was tested right from the time she won Miss Universe Philippines in October until the Miss Universe competition.

"Binugbog ako emotionally and mentally but I tried to be strong. I tried to hold myself together," Rabiya said.

"Because of that, kahit 'di ko marinig sa ibang tao, ako mismo nagsasabi sa sarili ko, 'you did a great job,'" she added.

The Ilongga beauty queen said that she also feels "blessed" for the love and appreciation that Filipinos gave her even when she didn't enter the pageant's Top 10.

Rabiya previously shared her thoughts on the pageant on Instagram, saying that she accepted it wasn't for her and she did everything she can.

On her next chapter, meanwhile, Rabiya said she will go into show business and is already in talks with her team to sign with a network.

The beauty queen is still in the United States to explore and look for her father, whom she hasn't seen for years.

—Franchesca Viernes/MGP, GMA News