Neither the eight-month-long competition nor the pandemic could dampen Rabiya Mateo’s fighting spirit as she bested more than 40 candidates to win the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 title. Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados crowned Mateo. This year’s Miss Universe Philippines was the first breakaway edition from the former franchise holder. Since 1964, Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc., had the chosen the country’s bet to the Miss Universe pageant. MUP is headed by 2011 Miss Universe third-runner up Shamcey Supsup-Lee, who was appointed as its national director.

Source: Manila Times October 25, 2020 16:30 UTC