Rabiya Mateo
Rabiya Occeña Mateo (born November 14, 1996) is a Filipino model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020. She represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 pageant wherein she placed in the Top 21.
Rabiya Mateo | |
|---|---|
 Mateo in 2021 | |
| Born | Rabiya Occeña Mateo November 14, 1996 Balasan, Iloilo, Philippines |
| Education | Physical therapy (BS) |
| Alma mater | Iloilo Doctors' College |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Beauty pageant title holder | |
| Title | Miss Universe Philippines 2020 |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Major competition(s) | Miss Universe Philippines 2020 (Winner) (Best in Swimsuit) Miss Universe 2020 (Top 21) |
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Occeña and the surname or paternal family name is Mateo.
Early life and Education
Mateo was born in a domestic partnership to an Indian-American father and a Filipino mother who later separated. According to Mateo, she grew up in poverty. She attended Iloilo Doctors' College with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and graduated cum laude. As of 2020, Mateo was working in SRG Manila Review Center as a lecturer and review coordinator.]
Pageantry
Miss Universe Philippines
She represented Iloilo City at the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 pageant after she won Miss Iloilo Universe 2020 at West Visayas State University Cultural Center.
During the question and answer round of the Top 16 semifinalists, she was asked: "Throughout this journey, you have discovered you are a phenomenal woman who is conditioned for greater. How can you create a positive and lasting impact on the world around you?" She responded:
"First of all, I need to stick to my core, which is being passionate about educating people. I am a lecturer and I've been pursuing this because this education had helped me to have that comfortable life that I and my family deserves and I wanna push people, I want them to achieve greater things in life through me and I know that Miss Universe anything is possible because I am a phenomenal woman with a heartfelt beauty."
During the first question and answer portion of the Top 5 finalists, she was asked: "If you can create a new paper currency with the image of any Filipino on it, dead or alive, who would it be and why?" She responded:
"If I were given the chance, I want to use the face of Miriam Defensor-Santiago. For those who don’t know, she was an Ilongga. But what I admired about her is that she used her knowledge, her voice to serve the country. I want to be somebody like her - somebody who puts her heart, her passion into action. After all, she is the best President that we never had."
During the second question and answer portion of the Top 5 finalists, she was asked: "This pandemic has made clear our priorities, essential or non-essential. Where do pageants stand in this time of crisis?" She responded:
"As a candidate, I know I am not just a face of Iloilo City but I am here carrying hope and as a symbol of light in the darkest of times. As of the moment, I want to help my community. I want to use my strength to make an impact. And that is the essence of beauty pageant. It gives us the power to make a difference."
At the end of the event, Mateo was crowned by the outgoing Miss Universe Philippines, Gazing Ganados as Miss Universe Philippines 2020 along with Best in Swimsuit award.
Miss Universe
Mateo represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 pageant and was placed as one of the Top 21 semifinalists.
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Network | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | KMJS: Gabi ng Lagim IX | Herself | GMA Network | |
| Wish Ko Lang: Magkaibigan | Rita | |||
| 2022 | Agimat ng Agila | Agent Natasha "Asha" Raj |
