Rabiya Mateo set for special role in period drama ‘Pulang Araw’

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo embarked on a showbiz career after she joined the international Miss Universe pageant that same year.

The successful candidate from Iloilo cannot be thankful enough that she discovered acting after doing modeling and hosting. Her acting stint on GMA 7’s afternoon soap, “Makiling,” recently concluded.

She received positive feedback with her acting debut. “I’m so happy because acting, even if I’ve been doing it only lately, I get to love the job,” Rabiya asserted. “I didn’t start as a good actress right away, but I’m willing to learn and I’m willing to practice.”

“I hope to be given a role which I can give justice to in the future. It’s not really a pressure but it makes me feel good that others appreciate what I did on television. This is a passion that I do,” she added.

Rabiya will do a special participation in the period teleserye, “Pulang Araw” that will be her next acting assignment.

She is thankful to GMA executive, Annette Gozon, who saw her when she went to the US in Miami, Florida to compete in the Miss Universe pageant.

At that time, Rabiya was already asked by Annette if she wanted to join showbiz. “I’m thankful to Miss Annette because she didn’t forget me even after Miss Universe,” Rabiya said.

“There are so many other talents who are new and are also joining showbiz. For them to notice me after the beauty pageant and trusted me with TV projects, I am very grateful.”

She tried heavy drama in an episode of “Wish Ko Lang.” “I want to be good in every aspect of acting,” Rabiya said. “Then, I will do a special participation in ‘Pulang Araw.’”

“As a Filipina, it makes me feel proud to act in the 1930’s era for ‘Pulang Araw,’” Rabiya said. “It’s work. Not everyone is given the chance to act. I have no right to complain or to question what is happening. I will always have gratitude to see goodness even in my imperfect moments in my career.”

The beauty queen-turned-actress acknowledged her managers — Jeffrey de Leon, vice president of The Empire Artist Management, Renze Banawa, GMA senior sales manager and Jan Navarro, GMA talent manager — for helping her make her dreams come true.

“They are always there to guide me even if I’m not a perfect artist or a perfect talent,” she asserted. “They always guide me in all the important decisions that I make.”

With Mrs. Universe Philippines 2023 Arlene Cris Damot.

Rabiya and Mrs. Universe Philippines 2023 Arlene Cris Damot recently joined together when the beauty queen signed up as ambassador of Royal Aesthetics Clinic owned by Arlene.

“It is with great honor and pride to be the next ambassador of Royal Aesthetics Clinic,” Rabiya asserted. “After years of being Miss Universe Philippines, there are still a lot of blessings coming in.”

“I would consider Royal Aesthetics Clinic as the biggest blessing I got this year. They trusted me. They saw something in me that we share the same values and the same principles,” she continued. “Our outlook when it comes to beauty is the same. It’s important to be with a brand that shares a common denominator with you. I’m so overwhelmed and I’m so blessed. Until this moment in my life, people are still trusting me.”

As the second brand ambassador for the clinic after actress Nathalie Hart, Rabiya sees the recent partnership with Royal Aesthetics Clinic complementing her successful career.

“There’s so much pressure to maintain my face and body as a celebrity,” Rabiya disclosed. “We can’t avoid it, as we age, there’s the normal wear-and-tear of the body.”

“Personally, I also have a lot of struggles. To be in the public eye is no joke. Sometimes, when I gained a little weight, a lot instantly noticed,” she added.

“(I would hear comments like) ‘She got bigger. She might be pregnant.’ The expectation of the people is the Rabiya whom the public saw in the Miss Universe pageant, is the same person they see now. I am so blessed to have Royal Aesthetics to help me maintain my beauty and my body.”

Rabiya admitted she would be lying if she said staying pretty is effortless for her. “I don’t wake up every day looking beautiful,” she said. “It takes a village for me to look good always.”

“Especially that I always struggle with my acne most of the time. We can’t avoid that because of stress and very little sleep working as an artist. We need a partner clinic to help us address our skin problem. It’s a problem, but there’s a solution.”

Rabiya embodies the qualities and values that resonate with Royal Aesthetics Clinic. “One time, we sat together as judges in Binibining Parañaque and that was where we first met early this year,” shared Arlene, the owner and CEO of the clinic.

“I immediately asked our PR manager to contact Rabiya’s manager. I think Rabiya is the perfect brand ambassador for Royal Aesthetics Clinic.”

“This is a great collaboration,” said David Jayabalan, COO of Royal Aesthetics Clinic and husband of Arlene. “I’m sure there will be exciting times ahead.”

“It’s such a big honor when brands offer you to become an endorser,” asserted Rabiya. “There are a lot of beautiful celebrities, a lot of beauty queens who are younger and newer. But for her to see something in me, God really answers my prayers.”