See: Miss Universe 2020, Indian-Filipina Rabia Mateo, goes home to Iloilo, Philippines

She saw fans and officials, did her bit of charity work to help storm-hit countrymen

Published: November 17, 2020 17:47 Nilanjana Javed, Senior News Editor

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MEET-UP: Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo, 24, went home to her native Iloilo over the weekend where she greeted fans and met officials, including Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Balasan Mayor Manuel Ganzon. Image Credit: Photo/ City Mayor Jerry Treñas / Facebook

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PRECAUTIONS: As she drove waving to her legions of fans in a motorcade down the Iloilo provincial capital roads, she smiled and waved. A number of security guards were stationed along her route to ensure the people waiting to see her had masks and maintained COVID-19 precaution protocols. Image Credit: City Mayor Jerry Treñas / Facebook

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WARM WELCOME: Mateo was given a provincial board resolution commending her for winning the beauty title by officials. And visiting Iloilo City Hall, Mateo also met Mayor Jerry Treñas who called her the “modern epitome of Iloilo’s beauty and grandeur.” Image Credit: Photo/ City Mayor Jerry Treñas Facebook

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SPECIAL VISIT: Mateo’s trip to her native Iloilo was particularly special as it meant she could help her Kababayan. She wore a red gown during her homecoming, designed by Ilonggo couturier Jung Bayona Candelario. Image Credit: Insta/jungcandelario

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HEALING TOUCH: The Philippines has been suffering because of a hail of storms in the past few weeks. Mateo was not remiss in offering aid. For example, the gown she wore for her trip home is all set to be auctioned off and its proceeds to go to those in need of relief. Image Credit: Insta/jungcandelario

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CHARITY WORK: It’s not her first charity endeavor. As Miss Iloilo, she worked on programmes geared towards feeding and aiding underprivileged children of Calajunan, Mandurriao, Iloilo, on the central Philippines island of Panay. On Saturday, she revisited the community as part of her homecoming activities. Image Credit: Insta/jungcandelario

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She has also volunteered her time to help those in distress. On Instagram, she posted an image of herself repacking donations for the residents of Brgy. Nabitasan, Lapaz, Iloilo City. Image Credit: Photo/Brgy. Nabitasan, Lapaz, Iloilo City / Facebook

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MEALS FOR FRONTLINERS: In another picture, she oversaw meals being prepared for front-line workers. “It’s really devastating to hear that during this COVID-19 crisis some Ilonggos had lost their homes earlier this morning around 2 am due to fire incident that occurred in Brgy. Ortiz, City Proper. We are praying for everyone’s safety and mental peace in this most difficult moment,” she wrote. Image Credit: Photo/Brgy. Nabitasan, Lapaz, Iloilo City /Facebook

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DID YOU KNOW? Mateo loves chess, because, as she has said in previous interviews, “It’s about mental fortitude….you need to think fast and it’s such a wonderful feeling when you say checkmate.” Image Credit: Insta/rabiyamateo

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