By Jennifer P. Rendon
World-class Dinagyang – Iloilo City’s homegrown festival – will be on the international scene again come the Miss Universe pageant in December 2020.
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo revealed that she would be wearing a Dinagyang-inspired dress for her national costume, her way of paying homage to her Ilonggo roots.
Rabiya made the revelation during a press conference before she led the lighting ceremony of Festive Mall’s giant Christmas tree in Iloilo City on Nov 14, 2020.
She also made the announcement as she celebrated her 24th birthday.
She already intimated the said plan with Albert Andrada, MUP design council head.
“I’m planning to bring Iloilo to the international scene. So, I wanted to wear Dinagyang for my national costume. These are the few things that I could say as of the moment but I’m really excited to start the training and have that beautiful transformation as representative of the country (to the Miss Universe),” Rabiya said.
Although nothing is final yet, Rabiya said she also wanted to bring to her team Tata Blas Pinuela, an Ilonggo artistic fashion and costume designer.
‘FIFTH MISS UNIVERSE’
During Saturday’s press conference, Rabiya again stressed that she would do everything to bring home the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown.
Catriona Gray was the fourth Filipina to win the international beauty pageant in 2018.
“I would be the next Miss Universe,” Rabiya said.
Rabiya, who hails from Balasan, a town around 124 kilometers from Iloilo City, said she is honored to represent Iloilo City in the Miss Universe pageant after 55 years.
“I’m very excited as of the moment. There’s a lot of aspect in the competition that I need to train on,” Rabiya said but stressed that the love and support she is receiving are more than enough to sustain her in her journey.
FUNDRAISING
Rabiya also launched a fund-raising drive for typhoon victims in Luzon.
“I cannot be fully happy knowing some victims of Typhoon Rolly and Ulysses have nothing to eat or wear,” she said.
Rabiya asked Ilonggos to supper her donation drive via her social media accounts.
“We are called the city of love for a reason. And in this moment, we need to show that love to our brothers and sisters who need it the most,” she said.
Persons who are interested to donate can contact cellphone number 09176053868.
All donations gathered will be delivered to the victims of typhoon Ulysses around Metro Manila.
“In the darkest moment, don’t be afraid to be a helping hand to those people who needed it the most,” her post added.
When asked about her personal birthday wish, Rabiya said it would be good health.
“I have everything that I wanted for this year. The only thing that I’m asking from our Lord God now is good health. As of the moment, I wanna do so much more for Iloilo and for our country. And I wouldn’t be able to do that if I don’t have a stable mental and physical health,” she said.
