The wildly trending hashtag #ArribaRabiya came to an abrupt end Monday morning (Sunday night in the US) about a quarter of the way into the 69th Miss Universe pageant, which aired live in the Philippines from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Amid a fast-paced, albeit somewhat different feel to the iconic beauty pageant production, the Philippines’ Rabiya Mateo failed to advance to the Top 10 finals after easily securing a spot in the first cut to the Top 21.

The 15th semifinalist to be called based on preliminary performances, this pageant-loving nation had high hopes the exceptional Filipina beauty would bring home the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown, given her striking mixed-race features and commendable background. Highlighting her advocacy for equal access to education in a short video introduction — herself a lecturer and proud graduate of Physical Therapy despite humble beginnings — Mateo seemed perfect for the contest’s ideals.

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