Manila, Philippines– Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) Rabiya Mateo was very glamorous as she wore a Philippine-flag-inspired costume during the presentation of 69th Miss Universe National Costume on Friday, May 13.

Rabiya’s costume was created by the late Rocky Gathercole and jewelry designer Manny Halasan.
The blue color of the costume represents royalty, red is for courage and strength for independent woman and yellow, the color of the sun and stars symbolizes hope and freedom to choose whoever you want to be.
❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙
Head to https://t.co/isjijntrRM to vote for your favorite national costume! pic.twitter.com/klM4KBoe7Z
— Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) May 14, 2021
Where to Watch Miss Universe?
The 69th Miss Universe finals will be aired on May 17, 2021. You can watch through online via iQiyi or International (iQ.com). You can download the app for free from the Apple Store or Google Play Store.
Likewise, A2Z is also offering live telecast of 69th Miss Universe on May 17 from 8am.
Other countries can watch the live streams of Miss Universe finals via Miss Universe’s official and YouTube channel.
Why Rabiya didn’t wear the head dress?
In an interview, Shamcey Supsup (MUP national director) said that the headdress keeps falling off her head. So they decided not to wear it at all. To quote,
“I’m pretty sure alam niyo naman na I brought the headpiece for Rabiya but unfortunately it was… she couldn’t. Nahuhulog,”

Netizens Reactions
Here are some of the reactions and tweets from the random accounts in Twitter featuring the #AribaRabiya trending topic on twitter:
#AribaRabiya
THIS SCREAMS VICTORIA’S SECRET!! 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/VMGyRImOuq— Perceus (@Perceus12) May 14, 2021
Queen supporting Queen 🇵🇭👑🇵🇭#MissUniverse2020 RABIYA ShowItToTheUniverse #AribaRabiya pic.twitter.com/NqZP3aI1Q1
— Ⓜ𝙰𝙻𝚄𝙿𝙸𝚃🏳️🌈 (@dailyjayvz) May 13, 2021
GIRL GET THAT CROWN NOW!!! 👑
RABIYA MATEO DURING THE LIVE NATIONAL COSTUME COMPETITIONRABIYA ShowItToTheUniverse#AribaRabiya pic.twitter.com/OHh9CHBpi6
— #AribaRabiya (@notyouraquarian) May 14, 2021
Wow! She looks like a Victoria’s Secret Angel with her National Costume! 😍 I love it! 🥰 #AribaRabiya pic.twitter.com/zGHP6xAp69
— เเม่โรบิ้น Robyn 🤍 #J9ONLY (@JoongNineTrash) May 14, 2021
Don’t be deceived! This is Rabiya competing in Miss Universe, not a Victoria’s Secret angel (or not yet) 😉 #AribaRabiya #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/G39wkxo6wl
— isso 🙇🏻 (@issotoshi) May 14, 2021
VICTORIA’S SECRET MODEL REALNESSSSS!!!!!
How can you not love her!
(Developing story: supposedly may headdress daw to which symbolizes the sun. Nevertheless, ferfek parin yung look for her!)#MissUniverse2020 #AribaRabiya
RABIYA ShowItToTheUniverse pic.twitter.com/l1eZwB7H0g— mowkie (@heymoxy) May 14, 2021
FUSION ✨🇵🇭 #AribaRabiya #MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/hCD5morG6Q
— Kieran (@imkierantiu) May 14, 2021
The original National Costume of Rabiya Mateo (some modifications were made before the natcos)
©️Erick De Jesus #RabiyaMateo #MissUniverse2020 #AribaRabiya pic.twitter.com/M5xDp3yG0P
— Lex Licuanan (@LexLicuanan) May 14, 2021
I just found out that there’s this flag law, states that the public cannot wear the flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform. That might be the reason why some parts are not included to Rabiya’s national costume. Still, it was stunning. #AribaRabiya pic.twitter.com/G1FXl3nhu3
— Lester Bryle (@Bryle_Melgarejo) May 14, 2021
And to add, sa heliocentric theory ni Nicolaus Copernicus sun is the center of solar system/universe kaya Rabiya exude to be as the center of the UNIVERSE. #AribaRabiya pic.twitter.com/h4jf1UYFoa
— Ivan hard (@ivanhard88) May 14, 2021
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