(UPDATED) Miss Universe Philippines 2020 and actress Rabiya Mateo is hoping she is now closer to finding her father, Syed Mohammed Abdullah Moqueet Hashmi, after getting a new lead regarding his whereabouts months ago. 

“Somebody emailed me, ‘this is your dad.’ Maganda kutob ko because his year of birth, tugma. According to the details, may isang anak na lalake. Specific sa address. May contact number. Tumawag ako. May sumagot na babae. I was looking for my dad—but sabi ng babae hindi niya kilala,” Mateo said during the press conference where she was named as the CEO of a jewelry brand in Cavite.

 “Malalaman ko lang if puntahan ko and do background check. It was out of the blue. I have a good feeling. I am hoping and praying I find him,” she said.

 According to Mateo, some of her friends have volunteered to help vet the information.

 “Alam ‘to ni Kuya Kim and close friends. He said he will help me because he has connections in the US, to do background check. It was out of the blue, I don’t know paano nito nalaman email ko,” she explained.

 Mateo recounted in a 2020 interview with host Tim Yap on his online talk show that she and her mother were expecting he would return after flying to the US, but he never came back.

 “I think it was his plan to abandon us,” she said, noting that they never heard from him after his departure.

She also narrated on the vlog that her mother was no longer able to contact her father’s brothers.

 “And all of a sudden, all of the connections were cut,” Mateo said.

 "Hatred will ruin you: Despite father's plan to abandon her, Rabiya chooses understanding"

Mateo is optimistic her new stint as the  CEO of the fine jewelry brand in Cavite  will help fund her search—especially since she recently lost millions after being scammed by a “friend.”

 “Dahil CEO na ako, mas marami na ako pera para hanapin yung dad ko. Of course, he is in the states. I need funds, for plane ticket—hindi madali maghanap ng taong ayaw magpahanap. But overall, mahanap ko o hindi, at least ‘yon fulfillment ko bilang tao,” she saod.

The actress explained she wishes to find her father, who she believes is now 57 years old, as she wants to take care of him.

 Mateo also clarified despite believing her dad abandoned them—she does not hold any grudge.

 “Never ako pinalaki na may sinasabi masama about my dad. Sana makita ko siya because he is getting old. Sana,” she said.

 “I would always want to look for him. Pero wala talaga. Madami nagsasabi for sure alam niya—baka daw ayaw magpahanap. Wala ako galit,” she said.