"Honestly, there's so much pressure to maintain my face and body as a celebrity," Rabiya Mateo said in an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press on May 11, 2024.
She was launched as the latest ambassador of Royal Aesthetics Clinic at Manila House Private Club in Bonifacio Global City.
She continued, "So hindi natin maiiwasan, because of years of, you know, the age... nandun talaga yung normal wear and tear of the body.
"So ako, personally, I'm also having a lot of struggles. Kasi alam naman natin na to be in the public's eye, hindi biro."
This is why Rabiya makes an extra effort to always look good whenever she's out in public, especially that looking glamorous isn't as effortless as "woke up like this."
In her words, "It's a lie if sasabihin ko na ang pagiging maganda ay effortless... na gumising ako to be like this... It takes a village for me to look like this."
RABIYA MATEO ON BASHERS
But even someone as beautiful as Rabiya still faces criticism for her looks.
Rabiya recalled a time when she gained weight, and some people immediately started speculating that she was pregnant.
"Minsan, when sometimes when I do gain weight, ang dami na agad nagsasabi na, 'Ah, lumaki siya, baka buntis siya,' may kuwento na agad sa head nila.
"So yung expectation palagi ng tao is that yung Rabiyang nakita nila sa Miss Universe is yung Rabiya na makikita nila up until now."
Experience has taught Rabiyahow to filter out the constructive ones from the outright bashing.
"Honestly, may mga days din ako pag may nababasa akong comments na it really, parang, 'Masakit to, ah.'
"Tapos I would look in the mirror and I would say na, 'Tama ba yung sinabi nila about me?'
"But at least ngayon, mas mabilis ako mag-bounce back.
"Kung minsan days siya na iniisip ko. Ngayon mga two minutes lang, tapos okay na ako."
Rabiya is proud to have built her confidence over the years. She is grateful to have a team that helps maintain her beauty and, most importantly, encourages self-care.
"There are days when I wake up in the morning and when I look in the mirror and I would say, 'Wow, I look good today.'
"Especially [today], no pun intended... especially when I have my facial done.
"Kasi iba po talaga yung glow ng skin after pag in-apply yung serum with dermal clear treatment as well. It's a facial kung saan ine-extract yung mga whiteheads natin.
"Kasi kahit wala akong make-up at all, I can really see my skin that is very healthy, that is glowing."
RABIYA MATEO: BEAUTY IS FOR EVERYBODY
Beauty treatments or enhancements are indeed confidence boosters and should not be frowned upon.
"Beauty is for everybody. Parang wag tayo maglagay ng restrictions since we're living in a free country.
"I know a lot would say na, na ako, mas maganda pa rin yung natural, mas maganda pa rin yung ganito. But let people decide for themselves.
"At walang masama kung yung mga treatments na ito would make somebody confident, di ba?
"Parang it's actually a blessing from science to help people build up their character and confidence in beauty."
Read: Rabiya Mateo sees nothing wrong with beauty queens undergoing plastic surgery
Rabiya also mentioned that undergoing enhancements or beauty treatments is not about vanity, as some might think, but rather about self-care.
"I also come from humble beginnings. And honestly, when you have nothing in life, unahin mo talaga yung necessity, like food, shelter, to survive day-to-day.
"However, we also encourage people na if you have the budget to do so, to invest in the right things, to bring out the best in you.
"So alam ko po, we live in a developing country at maraming tumataas ang kilay because they just think that this is for pure vanity.
"But there's a lot of individuals, hindi lang babae but also men who want to look at their best. So yun po yung market namin, di ba, sa Royal Aesthetics.
"People who want to bring out the best confidence and reach their maximum potential in life."
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