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Published April 24, 2025 8:38pm
Rabiya Mateo said she got the closure she needed after reconnecting with her father who left their family long ago even though their reconnection had an unexpected outcome.
According to Nelson Canlas' report in "24 Oras" Thursday, the Filipina beauty queen and Sparkle artist had long been planning to go on vacation from work so she can be reconnected with her dad in the United States.
"Matagal ko na talagang plano, matagal ko nang hinihingi sa GMA 'yung bakasyon na 'to because I wanted to be connected with my dad and nangyari naman siya pero hindi lang sa resultang ine-expect ko or gusto ko. However, it's the closure that I needed," she said.
While she did not give any details how their encounter happened, she said she got to learn she has siblings from him. She also remains hopeful, adding that her doors are open for her family in the U.S.
"At least I was able to know na may kapatid ako sa kaniya, may dalawa akong kapatid and may totoong tatay ako and I’m happy that he's okay. 'Yun 'yung importante doon. So, anytime naman, bukas 'yung pintuan ko for my family sa US."
In a "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" episode in November 2020, Rabiya shared that her father, an American citizen with Indian heritage, left them when she was just five years old.
The plan was for him to take a licensure exam for medicine in Chicago and bring her and her mother there when he graduates. He, however, never returned.
In an interview in "Updated with Nelson Canlas" in July 2022, Rabiya also shared that she holds no bitterness towards her father and just wants to know if he is okay.
"Wala akong bitterness sa heart ko towards him kasi I know kahit masakit iniwan niya kami, may rason siya. At actually, hindi ko na nga kailangan marinig 'yung rason na 'yon. Ang gusto ko lang malaman okay siya, safe siya, at kung kailangan niya 'ko bilang anak, I'm gonna be there to serve him," Rabiya had said.
Meanwhile, since things did not turn out the way she wanted between herself and her dad, Rabiya spent the two months she was supposed to have with him in the U.S. by state-hopping and trying out extreme sports.
She is also healing after sustaining a bruise on her face and a chipped tooth due to a wakeboarding accident.
—CDC, GMA Integrated News
