MANILA, Philippines — Although she was not present at the coronation ceremonies, Miss Universe 2018 made sure she sent her well wishes to newly-crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo on Sunday.
The 22-year-old Ilongga stunner bested 45 other candidates during the pageant’s grand finale held at the Baguio Country Club’s Cordillera Convention Hall.
“Congratulations to our new queen Rabiya!!! Welcome to the sisterhood! Excited to witness your journey!” Gray said on Twitter.
Congratulations to our new queen Rabiya!!! Welcome to the sisterhood! Excited to witness your journey! 👑🇵🇭 https://t.co/z4pkmU31bt
— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) October 25, 2020
Mateo also got congratulatory messages from other Miss Universe Philippines candidates, Gazini Ganados and Ariella Arida.
“Winning the pageant takes a lot of hardwork, dedication, but I would say that destiny also plays a part on it, based on my experience,” Arida, who was the third runner-up in the Miss Universe 2013 pageant, said in an Instagram post.
Arida also had some advice to Mateo: “Continue shining and remember your purpose why God gave you the crown.”
And Ganados, who was at the coronation ceremonies herself, likewise welcomed Mateo into the “sisterhood.”
Mateo will represent the country in the yet to be scheduled Miss Universe pageant and will try to become the fifth Filipina to capture the Miss Universe crown after Gray, Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).