Despite not winning the Miss Universe crown, Rabiya Mateo still won the hearts of her fellow pageant sisters for her hard work in the competition.
This includes Miss Universe winners like Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray, the latter posting online, “Wow this year is intense! Sending Rabiya all of our love! She made our country proud! 11 year consecutive semi-streak Pilipinas!”
Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, on the other hand, thanked the Iloilo beauty for her hard work, writing, “Rabiya, we love you. Thank you for pouring your heart for the Philippines. We see your heart, queen.”
As for Shamcey Supsup-Lee, the former beauty queen-turned-Miss Universe-PH Organisation National Director posted, “To Rabiya Mateo, you have shown us what it means to be relentless, unyielding and unstoppable in the pursuit of your dreams. Despite the setbacks, critics and failures, you continued to wear the Philippine sash with pride and love. And for that, you are a winner, not just in my eyes but in the hearts of millions of Filipinos around the world.”
This year’s crown went to Mexico’s Andrea Meza, with the first and second runner-ups being Miss Brazil Julia Gama and Miss Peru Janick Maceta Del Castillo.
(Photo Source: Catriona Gray Instagram, Rabiya Mateo Instagram, Andrea Meza Instagram)