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'It’s heavy': Rabiya Mateo gives clues about national costume for Miss Universe

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Karl Cedrick Basco, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/tvpatrol/05/11/rabiya-mateo.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Photo from Rabiya Mateo&#x27;s Instagram account</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>With a day left before the national costume competition, Philippine bet Rabiya Mateo gave a few clues about her outfit for the said segment of the Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida. </p><p>In an interview with former Miss Universe Philippines MJ Lastimosa, Mateo revealed she has found her own style, which will reflect on her national costume. </p><p>Based on her answer, the Filipina candidate appeared to be showing some skin in the competition where she is planning to showcase the major regions of the country: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. </p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s sexy. It&#x27;s very me. Kasi now MJ, I [have found] my personal style. I find confidence when I show some skin, but not too much. It&#x27;s a representation of Luzon, Visayas, [and] Mindanao wrapped in one,&quot; she shared. </p><p>Mateo, who hails from Iloilo, also bared that her costume will be &quot;heavy,&quot; adding that she underwent workout routines to properly carry the outfit and walk on the runway confidently. </p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s heavy, that&#x27;s why I really need to practice it. I really need to work out physically. &#x27;Yung pinapasok mo tlaga sa isip mo na, &#x27;kahit mabigat &#x27;to, irarampa ko talaga &#x27;to,&#x27;&quot; Mateo added. </p><p>She admitted it will be extra challenging for her since the runway for the contest is long, but assured the fans she will fight for the country. </p><p>&quot;&#x27;Yung runway namin, it&#x27;s gonna be long. Extra hirap ito for me, but I&#x27;m up for the challenge. This is for my country,&quot; she quipped.</p><p>Miss Universe Philippines design council head Albert Andrada recently described the much awaited national costume of Rabiya as &quot;fabulous.&quot;</p><p>The masterpiece was created by the late Filipino designer Rocky Gathercole and is inspired by the logo of the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, according to Andrada. </p><p>The logo carries the blue and red colors of the national flag, with a lady reaching for the stars. </p><p>Meanwhile, Bulacan-based jeweler Manny Halasan was tapped by Andrada to create the headpiece and accessories of the costume. </p><p>Mateo is gearing up for the May 16 finals night (morning of May 17 in Manila), as she eyes the fifth Miss Universe crown for the country.</p><p>She is the first representative under Miss Universe Philippines, which is headed by Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup and beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/05/11/21/revealed-first-details-of-rabiya-mateos-surprise-miss-universe-national-costume">Revealed: First details of Rabiya Mateo’s surprise Miss Universe national costume</a></li></ul><p>The 69th Miss Universe competition will be aired live on A2Z channel. -- with reports from Mario Dumaual</p><div><strong>Related videos:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1680824" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1678557" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1636270" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>With a day left before the national costume competition, Philippine bet Rabiya Mateo gave a few clues about her outfit for the said segment of the Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida.</p>

With a day left before the national costume competition, Philippine bet Rabiya Mateo gave a few clues about her outfit for the said segment of the Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida.

'It’s heavy': Rabiya Mateo gives clues about national costume for Miss Universe

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'It’s heavy': Rabiya Mateo gives clues about national costume for Miss Universe

Karl Cedrick Basco,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 13, 2021 07:28 PM PHT

Read More:

Rabiya Mateo

Miss Universe

Miss Universe Philippines

Miss Universe 2020

MJ Lastimosa

Rabiya National Costume

Beauty Pageant

National Costume

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