Rabiya off to Florida for Miss U pageant

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Philippines Universe Rabiya Mateo left Friday night for Florida in the US to compete in the Miss Universe pageant on May 16.

Mateo was seen at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 hour before her flight, taking selfies at the departure curbside prior to boarding Philippine Airlines flight PR 102 for Florida via Los Angeles.

She was wearing a beige Filipina Barong Tagalog, with dark brown pants and holding a small Philippine flag in celebration of the Philippines’ Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor, as she entered the departure gate assisted by pageant organizers.

Mateo expressed appreciation for the designers of her Filipino traditional dress, adding that her team will follow all health protocols during this time. “Me and my team will strictly follow the health protocols, as we will undergo 14 days quarantine in Los Angeles, California, and another (set of) health protocols in Florida prior to the competition.”

She has prepared herself on issues regarding current events such as those involving hate crimes against Asians and the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.