Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray congratulated Rabiya Mateo after a Top 21 finish in the 69th Miss Universe.
On Twitter, Gray pointed the tough competition this year. She sent her love to Mateo who at least maintained the placement streak of the Philippines for 11 years now.
Woooow this year is intense!! 😲 Sending Rabiya all of our love! She made our country proud! 💛 11 Year consecutive semi-streak Pilipinassss 🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭 #MissUniverse
— Catriona Gray (@catrionaelisa) May 17, 2021
The winning streak of the Philippines was started by Venus Raj in 2010 who finished as the fourth runner-up. Her Top 5 placement was continued by Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon, and Ariella Arida, in the following years.
This Top 5 streak was broken by Mary Jean Lastimosa in 2014 who ended up in the Top 10. The following year, Pia Wurtzbach won the crown.
Maxine Medina in 2016, finished as part of the Top 6 finalists. The next year, Rachel Peters again finished in the Top 10. In 2018, the iconic win of Gray happened.
From 2010 to 2018, the Philippines consecutively secured a stop in the Top 10. But, this Top 10 placement streak was broken by Gazini Ganados in 2019 who failed to enter the Top 10.
This year, Mateo repeated Ganados’ fate as she also failed to enter the Top 10, achieving a back-to-back quarter-finals placement for the Philippines.
The 69th edition of Universe was held at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, United States.
Andrea Meza of Mexico clinched the 3rd Miss Universe crown for her country.
