MANILA, Philippines– Actress and beauty queen Rabiya Mateo reconnected with her father during a two-month vacation in the United States, providing her with the closure she had long sought.
Mateo’s father, an Indian based in the U.S., left the family when she was five years old.
Despite the meeting not meeting her expectations, Mateo expressed acceptance of the outcome, finding the closure necessary for her emotional journey.
In interviews, Mateo had previously expressed a desire to meet her father, highlighting her hopes about their interaction.
The reconnection took place during Mateo’s vacation, aimed at reconnecting with family she hadn’t known before.
She also discovered she has two half-siblings from her father’s side. Mateo remains open to future connections with her family in the United States.