The victory of Rabiya Mateo in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant is seen to boost Iloilo City’s efforts to revive its tourism which has been badly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia, the city “seemed to have hit the jackpot” with Mateo’s win.
“Daw parehas lang nga nakahit kita sang jackpot. Ang Iloilo is very lucky nga may ara na kita nga goodwill ambassador. Indi na kita kinanglan magspend so much para makilala ang aton nga syudad sa bilog nga kalibutan,” Divinagracia said in an interview on IMT Conversations.
“Sa pagdaog ni Rabiya, daku gid ni nga opportunity sa Iloilo City nga makilala sa bilog nga universe sa pagjoin niya sa Miss Universe beauty contest next year,” she added.
Mateo is the country’s official representative to the Miss Universe pageant, the date and venue of which are yet to be announced.
The 24-year-old Ilongga beauty queen returned to Iloilo City on November 13 for her grand homecoming as Miss Universe Philippines 2020. Wearing her red Filipiniana gown, Mateo went around the city via a motorcade.
“Na-excite gid ang mga Ilonggo sa iya pag-abot. Maskin ako nakibot man sa kon paano sya ginreceive sang mga Ilonggo. Maskin mga tigulang ara sa kilid kalsada kag may bitbit sang picture ni Rabiya,” said Divinagracia.
Mateo also led the lighting of two giant Christmas trees in the city and joined a community outreach at Calajunan in Mandurriao district.IMT
