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Aug 27, 2010
LAS VEGAS – Filipinos in North America and the Philippines are celebrating as the Miss Philippines, Venus Raj, was declared the fourth runner-up in this year’s Miss Universe pageant held at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel in Las Vegas which was won by the Mexican beauty queen.
Raj, 22, almost did not make it to the contest when she was stripped of the Philippine title due to questions on her citizenship but regained it when she fought the organizers, gained the support of many people and officials and got her Philippine passport. The pageant which was beamed to millions around the world through television was participated in by 83 contestants from around the world. An early favorite in the contest, Miss Raj, almost ended the Philippines title drought. Aside from Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran won the Miss Universe title in the ’70s while Miriam Quiambao was first runner-up.
Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010, replacing Miss Universe 2009 Stefania
Fernandez, who gave Venezuela a second consecutive win by taking the title at age 18 last year. The South American country has won six titles since the pageant started in 1952. Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps was named first runner-up during this year’s pageant, hosted by Natalie Morales and Bret Michaels. Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavska, was third runner-up, while Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell, was second runner-up, The five winners were announced after one final turn across the stage in the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.
Before that, the top five tried their best to impress the panel of celebrity judges in the question and answer portion. A GMA News report stated that Raj, 22, was asked by judge William Baldwin, “What is one big mistake that you’ve made in your life and what did you do to make it right?” “Thank you so much, Sir, for that wonderful question,” she answered and then greeted the audience, met by wild cheering of the crowd.
“You know what, Sir, in my 22 years of existence I can say that there is nothing major major, I mean, problem that I have done in my life. Because I am very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So, thank you so much that I am here, thank you thank you so much,” she answered, the network added. This year’s contest became controversial when many of the candidates were told to pose in the nude. Raj did not go nude, but wore a special suit for that. Raj was almost replaced by Bb. Pilipinas runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson after being stripped of her crown and title when organizers of the Binibining Pilipinas Universe pageant found “inconsistencies” on her birth certificate.
Raj was advised by former Ms. Universe Gloria Diaz to let it go. Meanwhile, she found an ally in then Commission on Human Rights chairperson, now Justice Secretary, Leila de Lima On August 4, Raj flew to the United States to represent the Philippines, competing with 82 other beauty queens from Albania to Zambia in a pageantry of swimsuits, evening gowns and quick-thinking interview skills in the their quest to bring home the 2010 Miss Universe crown.
The contest, coowned by Donald Trump and NBC, was judged by celebrities including 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek and actress Jane Seymour.