Fans of Rabiya Mateo wishing to see more of her in the world of beauty pageantry are in for a disappointment.
Rabiya's pageant days are over for now as the former Miss Universe Philippines titleholder has decided to focus on her showbiz career.
She told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), "I’m always touched naman. I do appreciate the fans sa suporta nila and they can still see the potential in me.
"It means a lot, pero again, like yung sinabi ko dati, I have contracts, existing contracts with my management.
"So I think it’s impossible for now to join a pageant. So sabi ko nga na napagdaanan ko na, nagawa ko na siya. No regrets in my head.
"So probably ngayon, ibang aspect naman yung gusto nating tahakin."
PEP.ph interviewed Rabiya during the grand launch of PLDT Home's exclusive partnership with Lionsgate Play last Friday, June 10, 2021, at the House Manila in Pasay City.
Read also: Rabiya Mateo, 25, launches beauty lounge business
HER ADVOCACY WITH HELP FROM Rabiyanatics
Despite her busy schedule as a Kapuso talent, Rabiya has remained actively involved with her advocacy.
She said, "I’m very much happy that during my reign that I was given the title na Ambassador of Education.
"And as a lecturer, hindi talaga maaalis sa iyo na bumalik talaga sa pagtuturo.
"And I know, even though busy yung schedule ko, I really wanna go back to teaching and, I guess, that’s my pay it forward attitude towards the physical therapists ng bansa natin."
"I’m happy lang kasi parang you also give way to their dreams. And ako, happy rin ako kasi I have a support group, yung Rabiyanatics.
"Dati, yung ginawa nila, because I can not be home… Parang sila mismo, they had the initiative to collect money, to buy educational materials.
"And can you imagine the inspiration na binibigay mo sa mga taong ito na it doesn’t have to be that much for you to be able to do something and change the society.
"Parang it’s a beautiful butterfly effect."
RABIYA MATEO ON CELESTE CORTES
About the reigning Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi, Rabiya expressed confidence she could win the country's fifth Miss Universe crown.
She said, "Palagi ko naman sa kanya sinasabi na you really need to have a solid core group para hindi ka nakikinig sa maraming opinion.
"Para the rest will be external noise kasi siguro, yun yung nangyari sa akin na everybody wants to be involved.
"And, somehow, because I was doing pageantry, you don’t know who to listen to, kung sino ba talaga yung susundin mo.
"Pero I’m very secure naman because Celeste is a tough girl. Nandun yung mental fortitude niya.
"And she has the grit to really bring home the fifth crown of the country."
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