Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo has nothing but good words for co-candidate Amanda Obdam of Thailand.
In an interview with Olivia Quido-Co, the Filipina beauty queen shared the story behind a viral video of her and Amanda hugging, walking on stage hand in hand.
According to Rabiya, she comforted Amanda after the pageant, as she knows the heavy feeling of not making your country proud.
“Maybe because kami yung dalawang candidate na na-pressure talaga coming from pageant-loving countries. Alam niya (Amanda), alam ko din kung how hard it is to please everybody around you, to please the fans,” she said.
That's why when Rabiya didn't make it to Top 10, she was praying for her co-Asian beauty queens to secure a place.
“To be honest, nung hindi ako natawag sa Top 10, I was rooting for her and Miss India. I was rooting for them.”
However, Amanda didn't advance to the Top 5, while Miss India Adline Castelino was named third runner-up.
“And then, nung hindi din siya natawag sa Top 5, ramdam mo din kasi yung bigat. And when I saw her, I just hugged her and we hugged each other. You saw the video, guys.”
Rabiya noted the Thai beauty queen is such a "genuine person."
“Amanda, she’s a sweetheart. She’s a sweetheart, and she deserves all the love, all the attention."