Rabiya Mateo shares thoughts of having Filipino sponsors in Miss Universe

Photo: Soriano Studios Manila

Having Filipino sponsors in Miss Universe is not an assurance in winning the crown says Miss Universe Rabiya Mateo. This was revealed by the Ilongga beauty during the interview with Rappler correspondent Voltaire Tayag.

Some of the major sponsors of the 69th Miss Universe are companies that are owned and managed by Filipino entrepreneurs. 

Filipino-American Olivia Quido-Co is the official skincare. Leading eCommerce platform, Lazada, strikes an exclusive partnership with the Miss Universe Organization to be the official voting platform in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Jojo Bragais has been chosen as the official footwear provider. 

The Miss Universe Organization has also inked a partnership with iQiyi International for the free streaming in the Philippines that will air live on May 17 at 8 a.m. 

Major sponsors of 69th Miss Universe.

"I'm actually happy to share this opportunity. Now we're not just supporting a candidate in Miss Universe. We are also supporting Filipino products, what we can offer to the global community. It speaks a lot for the quality of service, quality of products that we were able to produced over these past few years. And I'm very happy," Rabiya said in the interview.

As much as she is proud with this milestone, Rabiya is not complacent while in the competition.

Rabiya Mateo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

"I would always remind myself because other people think that I might have an advantage you know because there's a lot of Filipino sponsors. That's not the case. I really need to work hard. I really need to work double or triple my effort because it's not an assurance. I shouldn't be complacent of what is happening right now and I really need to work my way up. That I would always remind myself every time I wake up in the morning. If you wanna win, you need to do this with all your heart, with all your mind," she added.

In a separate interview, official footwear provider Jojo Bragais debunked the issue that Rabiya has advantage in the pageant.

"We are not part of the judging panel. Para sa akin wala naman talagang kaming say eh. So parang it's still the organization,"Jojo said.

"Si Rabiya man no matter kung anong mangyayari, kung ano ang kahinanatnan niya, naniniwala ako na marami siyang learnings na matututunan dito. That is already a winner. So ngayon palang Rabiya is a winner and every Filipino should celebrate that," he added.