Tinanghal bilang bagong Miss Universe Philippines ang pambato ng Iloilo na si Rabiya Mateo.
Sa katatapos na coronation day sa Baguio City, nangibabaw ang ganda at talino ni Mateo sa 47 pang kandidata.
Iginawad naman ang first runner-up sa Miss Paranaque, at second runner-up ang isa sa early favorites na si Michelle Gumabao mula Quezon City.
Sumunod ang Miss Bohol, habang fourth runner-up ang Cavite.
Samantala, nagsilbing host sa coronation day ng first ever Miss Universe Philippines si KC Montero.
Naging hurado ang mga dating Miss Universe runner-ups na sina Janine Tugonon at Ariella Arida, gayundin ang ilang government officials na sina Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Eric Yap, at Arlene Magalong na asawa ni Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
Una rito, sa question and answer portion ay naitanong kay Mateo kung sinong Pinoy ang nais niyang makita sakaling magkaroon ng bagong paper bills.
“If I were given the chance, I want to use the face of Miriam Defensor Santiago. For those who don’t know, she was an Ilongga. But what I admired about her is that she used her knowledge, her voice to serve the country. I want to be somebody like her, somebody who puts her heart, her passion into action. After all, she is the best President that we never had.”
Mas lalo pa itong nagpakitang gilas sa pangalawang tanong, narito ang kanyang winning answer.
“As a candidate, I know I am not just a face of Iloilo City but I am here carrying hope and as a symbol of light in the darkest of times. As of the moment, I want to help my community. I want to use my strength to make an impact. And that is the essence of beauty pageant. It gives us the power to make a difference.”
Tatangkain ng Ilongga beauty na masungkit ang pang-limang Miss Universe crown sa Pilipinas.
Noong nakaraang taon, bigo ang Fil-Palestinian na si Gazini Ganados na maibigay ang back-to-back win sunod kay Catriona Magnayon Gray kung saan Top 20 finish lamang siya sa Miss Universe.
