Rabiya Mateo is trading the pageant stage for the lecture hall as she begins a new chapter at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. The former Miss Universe Philippines 2020 titleholder officially started her medical school journey by attending UST’s Thomasian Welcome Rites on Thursday, August 13.
Mateo joined other new students during the university’s welcome activities, wearing the official uniform of the Doctor of Medicine programme. Her first day has attracted attention because it marks a very different direction from the pageant and entertainment world where many people first came to know her.
After representing the Philippines at Miss Universe 2020, Mateo continued to work in the public eye, but becoming a doctor is clearly another goal she has chosen to pursue. Now, as she settles into medical school, many are interested in her decision to return to the classroom, her educational background, pageant career and what she hopes to achieve in medicine.
Who Is Rabiya Mateo?
Rabiya Mateo is a Filipino beauty queen, actress, model and television personality who became widely known after winning Miss Universe Philippines 2020. She represented Iloilo City in the competition before going on to represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 pageant.
Although her pageant success opened doors in entertainment, Mateo had already developed an interest in healthcare before becoming a public figure. Her academic background in physical therapy eventually became the foundation for her decision to pursue a medical degree.
Why Is Rabiya Mateo Trending?
Mateo is attracting fresh attention because she has officially begun her medical education at the University of Santo Tomas. Her appearance at the university’s welcome activities has given supporters a first look at the former beauty queen beginning another demanding stage of her career.
The move is particularly interesting because Mateo is entering medical school after establishing herself in Philippine entertainment. Her journey from beauty pageant winner to aspiring doctor has become one of the most notable developments in her life since her Miss Universe Philippines victory.
Where Is Rabiya Mateo Studying Medicine?
Rabiya Mateo is studying at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in Manila. The institution is one of the Philippines’ oldest and most recognised universities, making her admission an important academic achievement.
Mateo’s entry into the programme followed the medical school admission process, including the National Medical Admission Test. She has previously spoken about the effort required to reach this stage and her determination to continue pursuing medicine.
What Did Rabiya Mateo Study Before Medical School?
Before entering medical school, Mateo studied Physical Therapy at Iloilo Doctors’ College. She graduated cum laude in 2018, giving her a strong academic foundation in healthcare before she moved into pageantry and entertainment.
Her background in physical therapy also means that medicine is not an entirely new field for her. Instead, medical school builds on an area of study she pursued years before she became nationally recognised as a beauty queen.
What Was Rabiya Mateo’s NMAT Score?
Mateo previously revealed that she scored 741 out of 800 on the National Medical Admission Test, commonly known as the NMAT. The result reflected the level of preparation she put into her plan to enter medical school.
Her strong score also attracted attention because many people had assumed her career would remain focused on entertainment after her pageant success. Instead, Mateo demonstrated that she was serious about returning to academics and pursuing medicine.
Has Rabiya Mateo Always Wanted to Become a Doctor?
Becoming a doctor has been a longtime ambition for Mateo. Her decision to study physical therapy before entering pageantry already reflected her interest in healthcare, and she has continued to speak about her desire to pursue medicine.
Her medical school journey therefore represents the continuation of an old goal rather than a sudden career change. After spending years building a public career, she is now returning to education to work toward becoming a physician.
Rabiya Mateo’s Miss Universe Philippines Career
Mateo rose to national prominence when she won Miss Universe Philippines 2020. She represented Iloilo City and became one of the country’s most recognisable beauty queens following her victory.
She later represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 competition, where she advanced to the Top 21. Her performance gave her an international platform and helped launch the entertainment career that followed.
Rabiya Mateo’s Career After Miss Universe
After her pageant career, Mateo moved into Philippine entertainment and took on opportunities in acting, television hosting and modelling. She became associated with several television projects and established herself as more than a beauty pageant titleholder.
Her entertainment work included appearances in television productions and other media projects. However, her decision to attend medical school shows that she is now placing significant attention on her academic and professional ambitions outside show business.
Is Rabiya Mateo Still an Actress?
Yes. Mateo remains connected to the entertainment industry, although medical school is now a major priority in her life. She has previously indicated that she needed to adjust her professional commitments to make room for her education.
Balancing acting and television work with medical studies will be challenging because of the demanding nature of a Doctor of Medicine programme. For now, her focus appears to be on successfully completing the next stage of her education.
Who Is Rabiya Mateo’s Boyfriend?
Rabiya Mateo has been in a relationship with Filipino actor Jake Cuenca. Their relationship has attracted public attention because both have established careers in the Philippine entertainment industry.
Cuenca has also publicly expressed support for Mateo’s medical ambitions. His encouragement has featured in the public conversation surrounding her decision to return to school and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
How Old Is Rabiya Mateo?
Rabiya Mateo was born on November 14, 1996, in Balasan, Iloilo, Philippines. She is 29 years old in 2026 and will turn 30 later this year.
She entered the public spotlight relatively young through pageantry and has since built a career spanning beauty competitions, television and acting. Her move into medical school now adds another major chapter to that journey.
What Is Rabiya Mateo’s Net Worth?
Rabiya Mateo’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed. Her income has come from several areas of her career, including pageantry, acting, television, modelling, endorsements and other entertainment opportunities.
Various websites may publish estimates of her wealth, but these figures are not necessarily based on verified financial information. It is therefore safer to discuss her career achievements without presenting an unofficial estimate as a confirmed net worth.
What Is Next for Rabiya Mateo?
Mateo’s immediate priority is completing medical school and moving closer to her goal of becoming a doctor. The programme will require years of demanding study and clinical training, making this one of the most challenging stages of her career.
At the same time, her existing public profile means many people will continue following her progress. Whether she eventually returns to a larger role in entertainment or focuses primarily on medicine, her transition from pageantry to healthcare has already created a remarkable career story.
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Conclusion
Rabiya Mateo has officially begun medical school, marking a major transition from her career as Miss Universe Philippines 2020 and television personality to her longtime ambition of becoming a doctor. Her admission to the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery comes after years of preparation and a strong academic background in physical therapy.
Her journey is particularly notable because she is pursuing medicine after already achieving national and international recognition through pageantry and entertainment. For Mateo, medical school is not simply another career move but the next step toward a goal she has carried for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rabiya Mateo?
Rabiya Mateo is a Filipino beauty queen, actress, model and television personality who won Miss Universe Philippines 2020.
Is Rabiya Mateo in medical school?
Yes. She has begun studying medicine at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
What did Rabiya Mateo study before medicine?
She studied Physical Therapy at Iloilo Doctors’ College and graduated cum laude in 2018.
What was Rabiya Mateo’s NMAT score?
She reportedly scored 741 out of 800 on the National Medical Admission Test.
How old is Rabiya Mateo?
Rabiya Mateo is 29 years old in 2026.
Who is Rabiya Mateo’s boyfriend?
She has been in a relationship with Filipino actor Jake Cuenca.
Did Rabiya Mateo win Miss Universe?
She won Miss Universe Philippines 2020 and represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2020 competition, where she reached the Top 21.
Where does Rabiya Mateo study medicine?
She studies at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.