In a deeply personal and courageous moment, Rabiya Mateo stepped away from pageant crowns and public expectations to speak openly about a battle she had long kept private—her mental health journey.

Through a revealing social media post, the former Miss Universe Philippines titleholder shared that 2025 marked a turning point in her life, when she was formally diagnosed with depression and anxious distress. What followed was not an easy path, but one defined by survival, courage, and an ongoing commitment to keep going.

“Mental Health Awareness.

2025, I was diagnosed with depression and anxious distress. I had several rounds of medication. I left the country for three months so I won’t get triggered by people who have no idea what I’ve been going through.”

Rabiya revealed that everyday life became a test of endurance—one that many never saw behind filtered smiles and public appearances.

“Every day was a struggle to survive. I almost deactivated everything and disappeared to have a quiet and peaceful life. I fought hard and am still fighting up until now.”

Her decision to step away, both physically and emotionally, was an act of self-preservation. Leaving the country allowed her space to heal, away from voices that minimized pain they could not see.

A particularly poignant part of her reflection came from witnessing the heartbreak of another family’s loss—an experience that forced her to confront what giving up would mean for the people she loves most.

“When I saw what happened to Emman and saw how painful it was for Kuya Kim Atienza and his family, I made a promise to myself to never give up because I don’t want my Mama to experience the same thing.”

That promise—to stay, to fight, to live—became her anchor.

Rabiya also emphasized how fragile the inner world of someone struggling with depression can be, and how words—often thrown casually online—carry far more weight than people realize.

“You don’t know how little kindness means to a depressed person like me and how your words can push me to do something else.”

For years, she said, silence felt safer than disclosure. She chose to endure quietly, even as the weight grew heavier.

“I planned to keep my depression to myself.

Years of battling it every day. Years of trying to keep myself together.”

But breaking that silence now, she made a clear and urgent stand against bullying—especially in digital spaces where cruelty is often normalized.

“Bullying needs to stop now. It causes harm more than you ever know!”

Rabiya Mateo’s story is not one of instant healing or easy victories. It is a testament to persistence—to choosing to stay even when disappearing feels easier, to finding reasons to live when the mind insists otherwise.

By sharing her truth, she reframes strength not as perfection or resilience without cracks, but as honesty, vulnerability, and the decision to ask for kindness in a world that often forgets how powerful it can be.

Her message resonates beyond titles and accolades: survival is an achievement, staying is an act of love, and speaking out can save lives—including one’s own.