Rabiya Mateo confronts 'cruel' bashing from fellow Ilonggos: “The hate is too much”
- Rabiya Mateo expressed deep hurt after being targeted by "cruel" comments from fellow Ilonggos during her homecoming trip to Iloilo
- The beauty queen revealed her battle with depression, urging online critics to realize the mental health toll of their words
- The controversy began after Mateo asked for food recommendations, which was met with personal attacks regarding her physical appearance
- Despite the hate, many Ilonggos defended the former Miss Universe Philippines, reminding bashers of her service to the province
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In a vulnerable and rare display of raw emotion, Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo took to social media to confront a wave of online hostility originating from her own home province.
Source: Instagram
The beauty queen-turned-actress, who is currently in Iloilo to judge the Miss Iloilo 2026 pageant, expressed deep heartbreak over the "cruel" comments directed at her by fellow Ilonggos.
The tension began shortly after Mateo arrived in Iloilo City on Friday, January 16. In what was intended to be a lighthearted engagement with her followers, she posted a simple question asking for local restaurant recommendations.
While many responded with warmth, a vocal segment of users launched a barrage of personal attacks, specifically targeting her physical appearance and past cosmetic enhancements.
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Mateo, who has historically maintained a stoic silence regarding online vitriol, finally reached her breaking point.
In a series of emotional Facebook posts written in her native Hiligaynon, she voiced her disappointment.
"I have always done my best to represent our city," Mateo stated. "I have stayed silent for so long, but the words of some people are becoming too much. You just don’t stop."
The situation took a somber turn when the beauty queen revealed the personal toll the negativity has taken on her health.
In a courageous moment of transparency, Mateo disclosed that she has been battling clinically diagnosed depression.
The admission served as a stark reminder of the human cost of "keyboard bravery" and the fragile nature of mental health, even for those who appear successful and confident in the spotlight.
Despite the initial surge of bashing, the tide of public opinion shifted as the Ilonggo community and pageant fans nationwide rallied to her defense.
Prominent local figures and netizens reminded critics that Mateo was the woman who brought the "Ilongga pride" to the global stage during the 69th Miss Universe pageant.
Supporters urged her to focus on her duties for the grand coronation night of Miss Iloilo on Saturday, January 17, where she is set to serve as one of the five principal judges.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation in Western Visayas about "crab mentality" and the importance of supporting local representatives.
For Mateo, the weekend serves as a test of resilience, as she attempts to balance her professional commitments with her ongoing journey toward mental wellness.
Rabiya Mateo is a multifaceted Filipino icon who rose to prominence after winning the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 title. A licensed physical therapist from Iloilo, she successfully pivoted into entertainment as a versatile actress and television host under GMA Network. Beyond her on-screen achievements, Mateo is a courageous advocate for mental health, recently garnering praise for her transparency regarding her journey with depression and her stand against cyberbullying.
Last January 16, Rabiya bravely went public with a medical certificate confirming her 2025 diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress, admitting that every day felt like a battle for survival. The actress revealed that she underwent multiple rounds of medication and spent three months abroad last year to distance herself from triggers and find the peace necessary to stabilize her mental state. Rabiya shared that witnessing the profound grief of the Atienza family following the tragic loss of Emman Atienza served as a "wake-up call," motivating her to stay strong for her own mother. By coming forward, the former Miss Universe Philippines hopes to emphasize the life-saving impact of kindness, warning that "reckless words" online can push vulnerable individuals to the brink.
Several months ago, after years of wondering about her Indian-American father, who left when she was five, Rabiya finally pursued a focused search in the United States to find the truth about her origins. While the reunion did not go exactly as she had once dreamed, the beauty queen was surprised to learn she has two half-siblings in America, and she remains open to building a relationship with them. Despite the complicated outcome of her reconnection, Rabiya stated that she has successfully attained the personal closure she had been seeking since her childhood in Iloilo. Having moved past the "what-ifs," the Sparkle artist expressed that she no longer harbors resentment and is at peace with the reality of her father's life and her own independent future.
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