Rabiya Mateo leaves for the 69th Miss Universe beauty pageant tonight, April 9.
Photos of Mateo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were shared by ABS-CBN news correspondent Dyan Castillejo on Instagram.
Mateo could be seen waving as she held a mini-Philippine flag at the airport. Also in photo is Jonas Gaffud, creative director of Miss Universe Philippines.
The grand coronation of the 69th Miss Universe contest will be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida on May 16 (May 17 in Manila).
This is the first time in recent years that a Philippine contestant to the Miss Universe beauty contest did not hold a press send off due to the pandemic.
Earlier, Gaffud shared a video of Mateo to drum up votes for the Miss Universe competition.
"Help Queen Rabiya Mateo conquer the universe! Vote for her using the Lazada app if you live in the Philippines and the Miss Universe app if you reside in other countries," wrote Gaffud.
A graduate of bachelor of science in physical therapy, Mateo finished cum laude, best intern and university valedictorian where she delivered her speech on behalf of the graduates of Batch 2018 at the Iloilo Doctors’ College. This 5’6 beauty works at SRG Manila Review Center as review coordinator and lecturer.
During the pandemic, Mateo prepared meals for frontliners of the Iloilo Doctors Hospital. She also shared her time with BULIG of the Jazmin Foundation to raise donations for the PPEs of frontliners and pedicab drivers who lost their source of income during the lockdown.
Mateo also volunteered in making personal protective equipment (PPE) at the Iloilo Science and Technology University with the help from the Iloilo Chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.