The news is out, but we’re still proud of her, nonetheless: the Philippines’ Rabiya Mateo ended her Miss Universe journey at the beauty pageant’s Top 21 semi-finalists.
After months of anticipation, the 69th Miss Universe competition, held at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA on 16th May, crowned its new ambassadress, Mexico’s Andrea Meza. She wowed the crowd with her stunning red gown and stand on handling COVID-19 and changing beauty standards.
As part of the Top 21, Mateo was able to showcase her “Halabira” walk, characterized by the swinging of her hips, on stage while wearing a bright yellow swimsuit.
The other countries that landed a spot in the Top 21 were: Colombia, Peru, Australia, France, Myanmar, Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, the USA, Indonesia, Argentina, India, Curacao, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Great Britain, Nicaragua, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Vietnam.
Image credit: Missosology
Myanmar’s bet, Thuzar Wint Lwin, who had worn a traditional Burmese dress with woven fabric and beads with a banner that says “Pray for Myanmar,” bagged the Best National Costume award.
Image credit: Being Ivan
The beauty queens in the Top 10, hailing from Jamaica, Dominican Republic, India, Peru, Australia, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Brazil, proceeded through the competition with their evening gowns.
69th Miss Universe’s Top 5
Image credit: Being Ivan
The competition narrowed down its Top 5, dominated by beauty queens from Latin American countries. Here, we saw Mexico’s Andrea Meza, India’s Adline Castelino, Brazil’s Julia Gama, Dominican Republic’s Kimberly Jimenez, and Peru’s Janick Maceta taking on the judges’ Q&A questions.
Image credit: @andreamezamx
At the crowning moment, Dominican Republic’s Kimberly Jimenez placed 4th runner-up, followed by India’s Adline Castelino, the 3rd runner-up. Peru’s Janick Maceta was named as the 2nd runner-up, Brazil’s Julia Gama as 1st, and Mexico’s Andrea Meza won the 69th Miss Universe crown. Her predecessor, Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi from South Africa, was there to hand over the crown.
Meza strutted the stage with a yellow swimsuit during the swimsuit competition and a red gown during the evening gown competition. In the question and answer portion, Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee asked her how she would have handled the COVID-19 pandemic if she were the leader of her country.
Meza wearing her national costume
Image credit: @andreamezamx
Emphasizing that there’s no perfect way to handle COVID-19, she responded that she would have enforced a lockdown at the onset of the pandemic.
“I believe there’s not a perfect way to handle this harsh situation, such as COVID-19. However, I believe that what I would have done was create the lockdown before everything was that big. Because we lost so many lives, and we cannot afford that. We have to take care of our people. That’s why I would have taken care of them since the beginning,” Meza responded.
Meza during her final statement
Image credit: Being Ivan
In her final statement, Meza made a stand about our changing beauty standards. She emphasized what being beautiful is, that it’s about more than the way we look.
“We live in a society that’s more and more advanced, and as we advance as a society, we’ve also advanced with stereotypes. Nowadays, beauty isn’t only the way we look. For me, beauty radiates not only in our spirit, but in our hearts, and the way that we conduct ourselves. Never permit someone to tell you that you aren’t valuable,” Meza said.
Mateo may not have won the crown, but all her hard work to represent the Philippine flag at such a global event is already a feat in itself.
Congratulations to Mexico’s Andrea Meza and we wish her all the best as she begins her Miss Universe journey!
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: Being Ivan and @andreamezamx
Expand your footwear choices and support these Filipino footwear brands that offer sandals, shoes, heels,…
Here are bike shops in Metro Manila, from a popular shop in Quiapo that sells…
Discover an array of Quezon City attractions, including an East Asian-centric food neighborhood and a…
Now that we often have cold, rainy days, get yourself a hot & savory broth…
You'll find your new favorite nightlife spot in this list of BGC bars whether you're…
Visit only trusted tattoo shops to get inked at regardless if it's your first or…