Catriona Gray became the fourth Filipina to win Miss Universe crown in 2018 as she raised the Philippines flag high at the coveted international pageant. Being a front-runner for the crown ever since the beginning of the competition, Catriona proved her worth in the game with grace and elegance. Her ‘lava walk’ gained her so much appreciation that we saw many pageant beauties try to embody her style in the years to come. There is no doubt that the stunning queen embedded herself in the Miss Universe wall of fame as one of the most loved Miss Universe queens of all time.
The question now arises if a sandwich win can be created in Miss Universe in 2020 edition. In 2018, Catriona took home the crown with her stellar performance. Then in 2019, Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa took home the Miss Universe crown (she also created a sandwich win as Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters who was Miss Universe 2017 hailed from South Africa as well). This year for another Sandwich win to happen, Philippines’ representative must win the Miss Universe 2020 crown.
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 was held a separate pageant under a new organization this year as Rabiya Mateo was crowned the new queen who became the official representative of her country at Miss Universe 2020.
Rabiya hails from Iloilo city and was a front-runner for the national crown ever since the beginning of the competition. After proving her worth with grace and sincerity, Rabiya is now emerging as a strong contender for Miss Universe 2020 crown as well. A staunch believer of advocating for education, Rabiya wants people to see education the way she sees it – a golden ticket to success. She believes, “Knowledge is and always will be power, wherever you are, whoever you’re with. If you are knowledgeable you will excel and become successful.”
See Also – Sandwich wins at Miss Universe and Miss World
Rabiya attended Iloilo Doctors' College as Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy and graduated cum laude. Currently, Mateo is working in SRG Manila Review Center as a lecturer and review coordinator.
In our opinion, Rabiya is a beauty with brains who has the capability to bring a sandwich win home for her country, Philippines. At Miss Universe, there has already been four sandwich wins by South Africa, USA and Venezuela.