Rabiya shows off flag-inspired costume
THE Philippines’ Rabiya Mateo showed off a winged, flag-inspired outfit during the 69th Miss Universe national costume competition on Friday in Hollywood City, Florida.
The 24-year-old Iloilo native wore the creation of late Filipino avantgarde designer Rocky Gathercole that featured red and blue wings and three stars, representing the colors and symbols of the Philippine flag.
“This outfit is inspired by the Philippine flag. The blue represents royalty; red stands for the courage and strength of an independent woman; and yellow, the color of sun and stars, symbolizes freedom to choose whoever you want to be,” explained the commentator as Mateo walked the runway.
Interviewed backstage before her presentation, Mateo said, “I feel like I’m a Victoria’s Angel right now.”
The ensemble was supposed to have a headdress representing the sun’s rays in the flag and which was designed by local jeweler Manny Halasan. Mateo did not wear the headdress onstage.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe at the sidelines of the event, Miss Universe Philippines national director Shamcey Supsup explained that the headpiece kept falling off when she was trying it on.
Supsup said Mateo was struggling with the headdress “so we decided na kung saan siya mas komportable (to go with what she was comfortable with).”
“Mabigat na rin kasi ‘yung wings niya (The wings were already too heavy) in the first place… still, Rabiya was able to give us a powerful performance,” Supsup said.
Mateo, who hopes to bring home the fifth Miss Universe crown for the country, explained the situation herself in a quick Instagram live a few hours after the event and apologized to some of her fans who were disappointed with her performance.
“I’m so sorry kung na-disappoint man kayo sa akin (I’m sorry if I disappointed you). But I know na I did my best. I even cut my finger earlier and ‘yung stockings ko puno na rin siya ng dugo (my stockings were drenched in blood). But I kept fighting,” she said.
Mateo said she did not have time “to retouch my hair, to retouch my makeup. I was running for pins, I was running for scissors, for everything, just to be able to execute the costume really well.”
Still, Mateo thanked her supporters who cheered for her online and those who were at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to catch a glimpse of her.
“Maraming, maraming salamat talaga, guys... I felt really great. Feeling ko noong naglalakad ako, I was so beautiful. Nakita ko ‘yung cheer ng mga judges, nakita ko ‘yung sigawan ng mga Pilipino, kaya nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa suporta (Thank you so much, guys... I felt really great. I felt that while I was walking, I was so beautiful. I saw the judges and the Filipinos cheer, so thank you for your support),” she said.
“Sana maging proud din kayo sa akin. Kasi it’s never easy pero kinakaya ko para sa inyong lahat (I hope you’ll be proud of me. It’s never easy but I will try to do my best for all of you),” she added.
The Miss Universe finals night will be on May 16 (morning of May 17 in Manila). The competition will air live on A2Z channel starting at 8 a.m.