Rabiya Mateo hopes to work with Cherie Gil: 'Magpapasampal ako'

Did you know that before she became a beauty queen, Rabiya Mateo dreamed of being an actress?

In an interview with GMA reporters, the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 titleholder and new Kapuso shared that she used to act in front of the mirror when she was a kid.

"Sabi nga ng mom ko, hindi yung bida yung ginagaya mo, mostly kontrabida," she said.

"I did declamation... I also tried theater back in high school and college. I can't believe I'm really doing this art as an actress as part of GMA," she added.

Asked who she has always idolized in the showbiz industry, Rabiya promptly answered that it was Cherie Gil.

"I'm a fan of actresses na nandoon talaga 'yung heart nila sa ginagawa nila and makikita mo talaga 'yung burning passion in their eyes," she said.

"'Yun 'yung technically standard for me na kailangan kong ma-reach for me to consider myself as a great actress," she added.

And is she willing to get slapped by Cherie should they be cast in a show together?

Rabiya gave a resounding yes.

She said she got a taste of a slapping scene when she starred in a "Wish Ko Lang" episode back in November.

"Ganon pala, 'pag nasampal ka, numb 'yung mukha mo pero kailangan mo pa rin mag-deliver ng lines," she said.

But she said if it were Cherie who was going to do the slapping, she would be game.

"Handa na ako," she said. "Magpapasampal ako, kahit inudnod niya ako kung saan, okay lang."

Rabiya signed a contract with GMA Network on Thursday, Nov. 18, a couple months after she took her final walk as Miss Universe Philippines and passed her crown to Cebu City candidate Beatrice Luigi Gomez.

She is currently preparing for her GMA series debut on “Agimat ng Agila” Book 2. —JCB, GMA News