WORLD STAGE. Philippine representative Rabiya Mateo parades in her national costume during the Miss Universe national costume competition on May 13, 2021 (May 14, PH time) in Hollywood City, Florida. The coronation night will be held on Monday morning (May 17, PH time). (Photo courtesy of Miss Universe)
ILOILO CITY – Officials here and in the entire province of Iloilo are asking support for their province mate, Rabiya Mateo, the country’s bet to the 69th Miss Universe pageant.
Coronation night is on Monday morning (Sunday, 8 p.m., at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida, USA).
“Number one to boost her morale and her confidence para mabal-an niya nga the Province of Iloilo kag ang tanan niya nga kasimanwa (for her to know that the province of Iloilo and her townmates) are behind in her campaign to regain the Miss Universe Crown para sa bilog gid nga Pilipinas (for the whole Philippines)," Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said in a video message posted at the Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo Facebook page on Friday.
The local government unit of Balasan, where the 24-year-old Mateo hails from, is also asking for prayers for the beauty queen.
The municipal government will offer a mass for Mateo on Sunday.
Mateo was crowned Miss Iloilo Universe during the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2020 that earned her the right to represent Iloilo City in the inaugural Miss Universe Philippines in October last year.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, in his official Facebook account hours after the presentation of the Miss Universe national costume on Friday, said the city was very proud as she raised the Philippine flag, living up to one of the province’s favorite quotes, “Basta Ilongga, gwapa (Ilonggas are beautiful).”
“Not just beautiful but has expressed the courage despite all odds in the Miss Universe pageant. Let us continue to support her on her journey for the crown,” Treñas said.
During her homecoming visit in November last year, she vowed to introduce Iloilo to the global community in her bid to bring home the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown.
The Philippines four Miss Universe winners were Gloria Diaz (1969), Margie Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018).
The winner will succeed Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa. (PNA)
