By Sean Rafio (@voguishmess)
A list of Rabiya Mateo’s all-Ilonggo fashion moments during her grand homecoming.
Rabiya Mateo brought a ‘glimmer of hope’ to the city of Iloilo as she returned for her grand homecoming as Miss Universe Philippines 2020.
After several weeks of waiting, the Queen, Rabiya Mateo was back in Iloilo City to be with her family, thank Ilonggos for their all-out support, and celebrate her 24th birthday with friends and family.
Rabiya Mateo, with her stylist Keith Angelo, wore outfits that embodied the magandang dilag that she is. Here’s a list of Rabiya’s all-Ilonggo fashion moments during her grand homecoming:
November 13
Photo: Uly Caragayan @ulyssescaragayanofficials
Designer: Uly Caragayan @ulyssescaragayanofficials
Styled by: Keith Angelo @misskeithmanila
On her flight back to Iloilo City, Rabiya Mateo served a jet-set ready look as she wore a dusty pink modern terno dress custom-made by Uly Caragayan, accessorized with fine diamond jewelry by LVNA by Drake Dustin.
Photo: Argee Portraits @argeeportraits
Designer: Ram Silva @ramsilvacouture_
Styled by: Keith Angelo @misskeithmanila
HMUA: Selwin Davila @selwindavila
Upon her arrival, Rabiya quickly changed into a Ram Couture beaded Filipiniana gown by Ram Silva for her motorcade around the city. The beadwork of the gown was hand-beaded by Ram and his team. Ram’s inspiration behind the gown was the Philippine national flag, he captured the essence of Rabiya as the gown embodied the elegance and simplicity that the beauty queen possesses.
Photo: Darick Cuevas @darricckk
Designer: Bo Parcon @boparcon
Styled by: Keith Angelo @misskeithmanila
HMUA: Selwin Davila @selwindavila
In the afternoon, Rabiya wore a red petal skirt dress by Bo Parcon for her press conference at Festive Walk Mall and Christmas Parol of Hope lighting with Mayor Jerry Treñas at SM City Iloilo.
Photo: Jade Dequiña Images @djade_images
Designer: Jun-g Candelario @jungcandelario
Styled by: Keith Angelo @misskeithmanila
HMUA: Selwin Davila @selwindavila
Rabiya wore a familiar gown as she attends the evening dinner hosted by the Iloilo City government wearing her winning gown from the Miss Universe Philippines pageant by Jun-g Candelario.
November 14
Photo: Selwin Davila @selwindavila
Designer: Marc Carcillar @marcopilipino
Styled by: Keith Angelo @misskeithmanila
HMUA: Selwin Davila @selwindavila
For her guesting and courtesy calls with Iloilo City and Iloilo government, Rabiya dressed down as she wore jeans paired with a MARCOPilipino tweed mestiza sleeve blazer by Manila-based Ilonggo designer Marc Carcillar.
Photo: Selwin Davila @selwindavila
Designer: Jun-g Candelario @jungcandelario
Styled by: Keith Angelo @misskeithmanila
HMUA: Selwin Davila @selwindavila
Rabiya wore a custom Jun-g Candelario red pleated gown accessorized with handcrafted earrings from Karisma ni Maria for Festive Walk Mall’s Christmas tree lighting.
Photo: Magge dela Cruz @modernilongga
Designer: Marc Carcillar @marcopilipino
Styled by: Keith Angelo @misskeithmanila
Bag by: Magge dela Cruz @modernilongga
HMUA: Selwin Davila @selwindavila
Rabiya opted for another MARCOPilipino ensemble during her birthday dinner at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo. Rabiya received a Modern Ilongga native bag handpainted by Dandan Woo, a gift from Magge dela Cruz, owner of said brand.
November 15
Photo: Jam-jam Baronda
Designer: Jun-g Candelario @jungcandelario
Styled by: Keith Angelo @misskeithmanila
While meeting the public in a radio guesting and private lunch at Costa Buena, Rabiya wore an all-white three-piece; corseted top, wide-leg pants, and a long silk cape, an outfit by no other than her favorite, Jun-g Candelario.
November 16
Designers: Jeff Ticao @jeffticaocreationsph, John Montinola @juansmonti, and Otet Patrimonio@otetpatrimonio.
HMUA: Selwin Davila @selwindavila
Rabiya wore several indigenous-patterned dresses for a private shoot at Iloilo Business Park, the host of Rabiya’s homecoming. During the shoot, Rabiya wore four dresses from indigenous-textile designer Jeff Ticao; red cage mestiza dress, denim-hablon top paired with silk wide leg pant, hand-painted hablon dress, and a hablon mestiza dress. She also wore a John Montinola black dress, and a silver corporate dress by Otet Patrimonio.
November 17
Photo: Miss Iloilo Organization
Designer: Paul Conte @ipaulconte
For her send-off to Manila, Rabiya wore a Paul Conte puffed sleeve top and striped palazzo pants accessorized with her Miss Universe-Philippines 2020 crown.
Rabiya Mateo is undeniably proud of Ilonggo designers as she exclusively wore them in the duration of her stay. Rabiya also mentioned that she has spoken to Miss Universe-Philippines board member, Albert Andrada, to include Ilonggo designers in her Miss Universe journey.
“I want to wear Dinagyang with me, I want to be a Dinagyang warrior and to show everybody, all over the universe the creativity and the passion of the artists here in our province and city.”
The Miss Universe competition is a competition of not just beauty, a Miss Universe must have a heart and the mind of a true beauty queen. Rabiya is confident as she promised Ilonggos, during her stay, she will bring home the 5th Miss Universe crown for the country and Iloilo City.
