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LOOK: Rabiya Mateo stuns in PH flag-inspired national costume at 69th Miss Universe Competition

Entertainment | Celebrities

LOOK: Rabiya Mateo stuns in PH flag-inspired national costume at 69th Miss Universe Competition

By Robert Requintina

Rabiya Mateo (Facebook/Jonas Gaffud)

Miss Philippines wowed in her Philippine-flag inspired outfit during the National Costume Competition of the 69th Miss Universe beauty pageant ongoing in Hollywood, Florida on Thursday night (Friday morning in Manila).

In a creation by Filipino fashion designer Rocky Gathercole, Rabiya stunned the audience in her blue and red wings as she showed some skin in the competition.

Rabiya has earlier hinted that her national costume would be "heavy."

Filipino fashion designer Albert Andrada has confirmed that the creation was one of the last creations of Gathercole before he passed away in March. He described the creation as "fabulous."

"I feel like I'm a Victoria's Secret angel. I'm gonna fly," Rabiya said during a backstage interview.

Rabiya said that she felt confident as she represented Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in her national costume.

"It's sexy. It's very me. Kasi now, I my personal style. I find confidence when I show some skin, but not too much. It's a representation of Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao wrapped in one," said Rabiya, in an interview by ABS-CBN.

"It's heavy, that's why I really need to practice it. I really need to work out physically. 'Yung pinapasok mo tlaga sa isip mo na, 'kahit mabigat 'to, irarampa ko talaga 'to,'"Rabiya also said.

Other Asian candidates, like Singapore and Myanmar, opted to use the stage to speak up on current issues such as anti-Asian hate crimes and the anti-junta movement in Myanmar, CNN Philippines reported.

On May 15, judges will select the top 21 candidates for the 69th Miss Universe Competition as the girls competed in the preliminary rounds. But the semifinalists will be announced on coronation night on May 16 (May 17 in Manila).

Related Tags

RabiyaMateo Rocky Gathercole 69thMissUniverse

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