Filipino stylist Em Millan confident about Rabiya Mateo in Miss Universe
Rabiya Mateo continues to impress with her Philippine haute couture.
One of her stylists revealed that she has prepared over 100 Filipino designer outfits for the 69th Miss Universe.
According to Cata Tibayan's report on 24 Oras, the beauty queen's team was able to reach out and collaborate with designers nationwide.
Source: rabiyamateo (Instagram)
“Super happy raw siya because we were able to achieve getting in touch with designers nationwide.
"May fresh graduates from Davao, Iloilo, meron ding from La Union, meron ding from Dagupan,” said Rain Dagala, one of Rabiya's stylists.
“Hindi siya palakasan. It's a matter really of what you can bring to the table and a successful collaboration between us and the designers,” he added.
Source: rainierdagala (Instagram)
Meanwhile, Em Millan, another stylist of Rabiya, shared that the Ilongga beauty queen's intelligence will be her asset in becoming the next Miss Universe.
“Her intelligence is really gonna bring us the crown, but I think not just the Q&A part if she uses her brain on how to allocate her time,” Em said, adding that Rabiya's visuals are also battle-ready for the crown.
Source: emmillan (Instagram)
Also a pride for the Philippines, Filpino shoe designer Jojo Bragais is the official footwear sponsor for this year's Miss Universe pageant.
“Naka-receive ako ng tawag kay Mario Garcia. Parang pine-present nila 'yung Miss Universe.
"Parang sinabi nila sa 'kin na parang they like idea of becoming a shoe partner for the 69th Miss Universe,” he said in an interview with 24 Oras.
Source: bragaisjojo (Instagram)
Meanwhile, the Miss Universe organization has unveiled the introduction video of the candidates, highlighting their advocacies.
For her Rabiya's, she underscored the importance of education.
The Ilongga beauty queen, a teacher by profession, said that education had transformed her life from “humble beginnings.”
Source: rabiyamateo (Instagram)
“I really had my humble beginnings, and education has transformed my life.
"Now, I am a teacher, and I hope that my students will see the value of education the way that I saw it,” she said.
Rabiya also believes that education is the “social equalizer” of the poor families in the Philippines.
“I live in a country where there's a lot of poor families and education is our social equalizer that regardless of what background you have, what's status of your family, you will be able to land a great job.
“If I will be crowned as your next Miss Universe, I will do my best to champion for other people because we need nowadays is not just a beauty queen with a pretty face, but we need phenomenal women who are not afraid to speak and to stand for the things that they believe in,” she ended.
The 69th Miss Universe competition will be held on May 16 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Take a look at Rabiya Mateo's journey to Miss Universe in this gallery below:
