Miss Universe Philippines 2020

Possible reasons why Rabiya Mateo failed to advance to the final round

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

It's difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for an outcome, if the variables and factors involved are not equally clear. Such is the case with Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo's not-so-favorable placement in the recently concluded 69th Miss Universe competition.

We ruminated, hard and long, and came up with five possible and plausible explanations to Rabiya's final placement in her journey to the crown.

- Not jurors' type of girl

You can have the prettiest visage, have the most curvaceous and well proportioned physique, you could be the tallest and most statuesque, you could even be the most eloquent speaker, and have the most charismatic persona to boot - but sadly, you're not the judge's cup of tea. It would seem that all your winning qualities have eluded their attention, while the rest of the world are going gaga over you.

Strange, but true. It happened in it the past, there's no reason why it wouldn't happen again.

History does repeat itself, more often than not.

And a 15th finish at the Top 21 swimsuit competition says it all.

- Not reflective of brand

There was this post on Facebook of a concerned fan imploring the Miss Universe Organization to inform countries choosing their delegates on the prototypes they need for a particular year.

Make sense to me. However, even if the criteria for any selection have been set, the organization can always change their mind at the 11th hour. And the reasons can be as numerous as the stars.

I've heard of unconfirmed accounts of candidates that an organization reportedly wants to work with, and thus paves the way for her to simply shine. Or despite written guidelines being ironed out, there's a chance somebody outside the parameters would fit the bill as a better spokesperson.

Causes, concerns, crusades, and advocacies constantly change over time. So if one comes at the most opportune time, what could prevent one from winning?

- Synchronization

An entrant may have a solid advocacy, and would in fact work with it, with all her heart and soul. But, if her platform is not within the top rungs of the causes that an organization espouse, she could be trivialized.

Pageants are some of the trickiest platforms one can get into. While at the surface all looks polished and glamorous, beneath are much mud-slinging and political maneuvering.

Pageant experience

Between a veteran pageant entrant and a greenhorn, it is the former who usually calls the aces in any game; especially in a pageant setting. While there may be instances of beginner's luck, the same is an exception rather than a rule.

An experienced candidate brings with her not only an acumen gained from previous pageant endeavors but also an inner knack of quickly reading the 'pulse' of the moment, wherein one knows there and then his/her chances in coming out victorious or not.

But the most endearing qualities of an experienced delegate is her elegant restraint and poise under extreme pressure - that equanimity that radiates from a calm mental space that's not bothered by anything and everything. It's that fortitude that takes her unscathed through the most trying scenarios where greenhorns easily buckle and unravel, to the point of 'self-destruction' - only realizing, too late, that harm has already been done, even if unintended.

The adage, "experience is the best teacher," rings its truest in this instance.

Destiny 

And of course, if fate does not smile on you, the outcome won't be in your favor. The stars need to align for instances such as this. Winners are predestined, it's written in their stars.

That's why blessings are important. They need to be given by the right people and, most specially, from Heaven above.

I hope the organizers learn from their lapses and oversights when they field the country's next representative to the 70th Miss Universe in December. The rumor mill says it might be in Costa Rica.