Beauty queen and Kapuso actress Rabiya Mateo recently completed a life-changing journey to the United States, where she finally met her long-lost father. The emotional trip turned into an adrenaline-fueled escapade, packed with heart-racing activities and unexpected injuries.
The Sparkle GMA Artist Center star spent two months overseas not only searching for family ties but also pushing her physical and emotional boundaries to the limit.
A dream fulfilled: Meeting her father
Mateo grew up without knowing her biological father. For years, she held on to the dream of finding him. That wish came true when she discovered he was living in the U.S. Without hesitation, she flew to meet him and hoped for a heartfelt reunion.
She shared that it was a long-planned trip and that she had been asking GMA Network for time off to make it happen. While the meeting didn’t go as she had envisioned, she gained the closure she needed.
Mateo expressed that although the result wasn’t exactly what she had hoped for, she still found peace. She learned she had two siblings and was relieved to know her father was doing well. She said her heart remains open for future connections with her family in the U.S.
From heartbreak to high-flying adventure
Turning pain into power, Rabiya made the most of her trip by diving headfirst—literally—into extreme adventures.
Her most unforgettable moment came when she decided to go skydiving. It was a lifelong dream she had never found the right time for until she met someone who encouraged her to just go for it.
But the thrills didn’t stop in the skies. Mateo also tried wakeboarding, a high-intensity water sport that ended with a minor accident. She suffered facial bruises and even chipped a tooth. Despite the injuries, her adventurous spirit remained unshaken.
She emphasized that she wasn’t going to let pain stop her from living fully. With a bright smile—chipped tooth and all—she revealed she’s now setting her sights on her next goal: learning how to ride big bikes.
From navigating emotional reconnections to conquering the skies and seas, Rabiya Mateo’s U.S. journey was more than just a vacation. It became a personal mission of healing, growth, and saying yes to life’s boldest challenges.
Shaina is an entertainment news contributor for BrigadaNews.ph. She delivers the hottest updates on TV, movies, and celebrity happenings with clarity and flair. Shaina has a knack for turning buzzworthy moments into must-read stories that keep readers in the loop and entertained.