Baguio City - Ilongga beauty Rabiya Mateo, a 24 year-old native of the town of Balasan in Iloilo representing the "Queen City of the South" ILOILO CITY wins Miss Universe Philippines 2020 held at the Cordillera Convention Hall of the Baguio Country Club in this northern city known as the country's summer capital.
Mateo who is a magna cum laude physical therapy graduate of the Iloilo Doctor's College and works as a review center lecturer and coordinator is relatively new to the beauty competition. Having competed in Miss Iloilo City Dinagyang for the world renowned Dinagyang Festival in January 2020, she represented the city in the inaugural edition of the Miss Universe Philippines under a new Miss Universe Philippines Organization, Inc. with former Miss Universe 2011 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup Lee as its national director. Mateo is really the epitome of Ilonggo tagline "BASTA ILONGGA GWAPA".
The pageant was successfully held on a bubble despite the challenges, difficulties, hiccups and untoward circumstances it faced during this pandemic times which eventually led to the withdrawal of some contestants like Sorsogon and Misamis Oriental who tested positive for Covid-19.
First runner-up went to another stunner Parañaque's Ysabella Roxas Ysmael who is also a part Ilongga, second runner-up went to Quezon City's Michele Theresa Gumabao, third runner -up is Bohol's Pauline Amelinckx who garnered four (4) special awards prior to the finals while fourth runner-up is Cavite's Kimberly Hakenson. Here is the complete results and special awards:
Miss Universe Philippines 2020: Iloilo City– Rabiya Occeña Mateo
1st Runner Up: Parañaque - Ysabella Roxas Ysmael
2nd Runner Up: Quezon City – Michele Theresa Imperial Gumabao
3rd Runner Up: Bohol – Pauline Amelinckx
4th Runner Up: Cavite – Kimberly Hakenson
Top 16
Aklan – Christelle Abello
Albay – Paula Madarieta Ortega
Biliran – Skelly Ivy Florida (Fan Vote Winner)
Cebu City – Tracy Maureen Perez
Cebu Province – Apriel Smith
Davao City – Alaiza Flor Malinao
Mandaue – Lou Dominique Piczon
Misamis Oriental – Caroline Veronilla
Pasig City – Riana Pangindian
Romblon – Marie Fee Tajaran
Taguig – Sandra Lemonon
Major Special Awards
Best in National Costume - Mandaue, Lou Dominique Piczon
Best in Swimsuit - Iloilo City, Rabiya Occeña Mateo
Best in Evening Gown - Parañaque, Ysabella Roxas Ysmael
Face of the Universe - Bohol, Pauline Amelinckx
Miss Photogenic - Cebu City, Tracy Maureen Perez
Special Sponsor's Awards
Best in Swimsuit Photo - Cebu City, Tracy Maureen Perez
Best in Runway - Mandaue, Lou Dominique Piczon
Miss Lazada Fan Vote - Biliran, Skelly Ivy Florida (Automatic Advances to Top 16)
Miss MG Philippines - Quezon City, Michele Theresa Imperial Gumabao
Miss Creamsilk - Bohol, Pauline Amelinckx
Downy Sweetheart Award - Bohol, Pauline Amelinckx
Miss Cetaphil Sun - Bohol, Pauline Amelinckx
Best Tourism Video - Batanes, Jan Alexis Elcano
Photo Sources:
Miss Universe Philippines Organization, Inc.