Rabiya Mateo won't focus on cheating rumours
28 Oct – Rabiya Mateo recently stated that she has decided to be the bigger person when it comes to allegations regarding her victory in the 2020 Miss Universe-Philippines pageant.
As reported on Rappler, the beauty queen, whose name was dragged into the mud after fellow candidate Sandra Lemonon posted cryptic messages that there were some unfair things happening during the pageant, admitted that the allegations hurt her very much, but that she would rather take the high road.
"At the end of the day, this is a competition. And being the bigger person in the picture, I need to understand where they are coming from. That's what a queen should do and should act," she said, adding that she would rather focus on winning and bringing honour to the Philippines.
Mateo also stated that she was never a favourite to win, and that it was an unexpected victory.
"Now that I have the crown, they are questioning my capability as a person, as a candidate. But I know that I did everything and anything I could during that night. And I really gave [my all]. And those who say that the question was given to me prior and that's why I answered that way, it wasn't given to me. I did everything I could because I want to make Iloilo City proud," she said.
It is noted that following Lemonon's ambiguous post, there were rumours that several contestants - including Mateo - received their questions in advance prior to the Q&A segment.
(Photo Source: Rabiya Mateo Instagram)
