Rabiya at prelims: underwhelming gown, off styling

CEBU, Philippines —  Jury’s out on Rabiya Mateo’s performance at the 69th Miss Universe Preliminary Competition: Slayed the swimsuit, so-so at evening gown.

Sporting bright yellow in both rounds, netizens mostly found our delegate’s hairstyle outdated during the evening gown segment. Her Furne Amato gown itself was said to be underwhelming: while the craftsmanship was unquestionable, fans thought it made Rabiya look mature and did not suit her body type.

But Miss Universe 2019 Catriona Gray – who just the day before was bashed by Pinoys for excluding Rabiya in her best national costume list – thought otherwise: “Our girl literally said, ‘No sun in my NatCos? I am the sun,’” she tweeted.

The tulle gown had a one-sided neckline encrusted with Citrine Swarovski crystals on the bodice cascading to the hem and cape over alabaster Swarovski components, glass beads and paillettes.

“The dramatic and fitted silhouette adds interest and pizzazz on its own. The cape added royalty to the gown, and its beadwork was inspired by the radiance of the Philippine sun which symbolizes positivity and optimism,” Amato explained of his creation in an Instagram post. “A hope for a new tomorrow, a world with endless beauty and happiness.”

Fans still have another Amato gown to look forward to at tomorrow morning’s finals. Did the Cebuano designer reserve a jaw-dropping ensemble for the grand night? And will it help our perky Ilongga zoom right to the top?