After her semifinalist finish at the 69th Miss Universe in Florida in May, Rabiya Mateo hinted at her intention to join other pageants, which is why she has been constantly asked about her next pageant plans.
Will she really join another pageant or will she pursue a totally different path?
On Nov. 28, the former Miss Universe Philippines titleholder signed with GMA Network. Prior to her signing, she had debuted on TV via KMJS and The Boobay and Tekla Show.
If that’s an indication that she’s retiring from pageantry, then we might be seeing her strut her stuff not on the pageant stage but as an actress on TV and in movies.
“People are asking if I’d join Miss World Philippines. I’m not closing my doors but acting is my main focus now,” she told Manila Standard Entertainment.
“Representing the country in an international beauty contest is not an easy task. You need to be 100 percent ready. If ever I’d join any pageant, I want to be ready and not just because people are asking me to join,” she added.
As a GMA artist, 25-year-old model and beauty queen looks forward to honing another set of skills as she continues her royal reign in the Kapuso Network.
“I’m very happy today. I can’t believe that I am officially signing with GMA. I can finally say, I’m officially a Kapuso,” said Rabiya. “After Ms. Universe Philippines, I’ve been asking myself, ‘What’s next? What am I going to do? Babalik na ba ako sa pagiging Physical Therapist?’ But I’m just happy that the people here in GMA did see my potential as an actress, as a host, and I’m excited sa mga parating na projects.”
The beauty queen also expressed her gratitude to the Kapuso Network for seeing her potential and considers it as the perfect door for her.
“My heart is full of endless gratitude to everybody who saw my potential…I just came from a simple life, I had my humble beginnings, I have my struggles. But I realize, I have to go through those hardships because God will open that perfect door for you. Today, I can say that door is my GMA family.”
Rabiya was welcomed by GMA executives via Zoom, video messages, and their presence at the Marquee Tent of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel.
GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Network Films Inc. President and Programming Consultant to the Chairman and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Senior Vice President for GMA Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, First Vice President and Head of Regional TV and Synergy Oliver B. Amoroso, and GMAAC Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun S. Ferrer welcomed Rabiya as part of the Kapuso family.
Rabiya’s co-managers from Empire Jonas Gaffud and Mau De Leon were also present during the event.
Rabiya is gearing up for her debut series Agimat ng Agila Book 2 and guesting in Wish Ko Lang.