Her answer to the question is very typical of a filipina – answering in English with a tagalog accent. She should have trained in the call center before she competed. It’s a bit disappointing since we have all the resources here in the Philippines to help her in the competition specially during the final interview. Her answer to the question should have been “Problems arise because of the wrong choices and the mistakes that we do in our lives. As a 22 year old Filipina, I haven’t had any major mistakes in my life. I am not sure if I am supposed to be happy with that but growing up without knowing my father and being poor made me very focused of what I want to become. I am not saying that I am perfect but what I’m trying to say is that mistakes are a part of life. All of us make it in one way or another. Without it, we will never know what is right. What is important is that we know how to forgive and forget, love again and in the end become better individuals.”

I meant ditto to Lorin . Anton’s answer is interesting , however did the other contestants answer in perfect English ? Or through a translator ?

Well, now that she made the biggest mistake of her life last night, I wonder how she would answer that question now.

Hey ATON: Easier typed then done.. Try answering a difficult question in front of millions under extreme pressure & not @ home alone in your room.

I, too, agree that the question Philippines unluckily picked was unfair. All the other questions were based on personal OPINIONS – which everyone has, whereas the one Philippines chose was based on a personal EXPERIENCE. The question was, “What is one big mistake that you have made in your life and what did you do to make it right?” Already nervous, great fear of saying the wrong thing, and loaded with the pressure to impress, what can one possibly answer that would not ruin one’s reputation? Not to mention, she only had so long to respond to the question as well. I honestly believe that had the other 4 contestants chosen that question, they, too, would not have stuttered, not answered it properly or would’ve lied for sake of saving their reputations and answering the question in a timely manner. It definitely is hard to spontaneously turn a mistake into a positive experience. I thought of some answers she could’ve given, and none would’ve given her a positive impression. Had she picked the other questions (i.e., what does she think of the death penalty, what she thinks about x-ray screening at the airports, what she feels is the effect of the internet on youth, what’s her opinion on the government controlling dress codes), I’m sure she would’ve given a good answer and would’ve wound up winning the contest. If anything, based on the answers to the questions, I believe Jamaica’s answer was the best and do not understand why the crown was given to Mexico instead.

The judges should get together and make sure their questions are fair and consistent!!! I honestly think there should be a rematch!!

Hey anton, Venus raj is not a call center agent… Pls understand that she’s infront of millions of people and the pressure is pretty much extreme…

I agreed w/ Lorin, the question is kinda personal. And she’s only 22, and the question is a “MAJOR PROBLEM” . Her and english accent has nothing to do her answer.

Oh cmon. She lost because of the “major major problem.” what was that? “bongang bongang problem?” – a gay lingo? who is her communication coach? she answered the question like it was a local barangay beauty pageant. she represents the country of english speaking people. can she not do better than that? cmon! stop depending her poor answer. it was the worst among the top 5. and please dont blame the judges about their questions. they are there for a reason. and besides we don’t have any control about whichever the judge the MUO will choose and whatever questions they will ask. what we have control of is to train our representative to speak better. i admire venus about her life history, her physical look, the way she walks in the catwalk and her appeal. i am just not sold out with her answers.

Oh cmon. She lost because of the “major major problem.” what was that? “bongang bongang problem?” – a gay lingo? who is her communication coach? she answered the question like it was a local barangay beauty pageant. she represents the country of english speaking people. can she not do better than that? cmon! stop depending her poor answer. it was the worst among the top 5. and please dont blame the judges about their questions. they are there for a reason. and besides we don’t have any control about whichever judge the MUO will choose and whatever questions they will ask. what we have control of is to train our representative to speak better. i admire venus about her life history, her physical look, the way she walks in the catwalk and her appeal. i am just not sold out with her answers.

I totally agree with the writer—the question was a catch 22-type situation for Miss Philippines. An honest answer no matter how trivial could have given her a negative image to the audience ruining her chances to win it. She never stood a chance whichever way she answered— that kind of question tends to expose a dark side to her being.

that’s incriminating sorry.

hey guys,is it wrong to talk english in Filipino accent?after all candidates should showcase their own country they’re representing ,isnt it?we should be proud of her instead….atleast she made it to top 5…

i agree, the binibining pilipinas organization should have trained their candidates well. they should give ample time in training these candidates so they will have big chances of winning. not just with the catwalk (they have done that so many times already the first they join a pageant in their hometowns) but with effective communication. i agree with anton. she should have emmersed herself in a call center even for just a month. call centers are playgrounds where you can practice good communication with real people in the western part of the globe. if only she did that, she would have sounded the best in the final interview because she already got used to it.

what’s take on it?
i think it’s better if theyre given the same set of questions:)

*edited-sorry fat fingers.lol

what’s my take on it?
i think it’s better if theyre given the same set of questions:)

I wonder when we’ll have a Filipino answering in tagalog or any local dialect. I find nothing wrong with it:)

It’s sad to note that Miss Philippines’ harshest critics are her own kababayans when we should all be rallying behind her for achieving what many have failed to do. We should be proud that she was the ONLY Asian to reach the final five_and ALMOST won the title…except for that darn question.
Venus deserves a little more respect and understanding, Period.

The question for her wasn’t fair. Its a question that needs so much time and reflection to have a good answer. The question was too personal totally different from social issue questions for other candidates. Unless one is prepared for that question which is no longer an impromptu answer or the candidate is a whore then she can make a quick answer. :)) That question was made to defeat a candidate. I wonder how would the other 4 contestants answer when they have that question. :) Watch abcnews and find out how Bush, Obama and CEOs couldn’t make an answer.

In the past Miss Universe, the questions were asked by the emcee
Bob Barker. I think the way they ask the questions at the present time can cause bias among the judges. Why I say that is because the contestant picks the name of the judge instead of the question.
In my opinion they already had Miss Mexico in mind to win the crown.

mexican mafiosi! regardless of who the judge she may have picked, the same question was already reserved for her! poor venus….another victim of a pre selected winner…even before the pageant started!

1.The Answer and Question was not fair for all candidates as there are global issues ask and there are personal issues ask. Some question is heavier than the other. There should have been only one question for all the candidates, let the judges decide who made the best answer.
2.Candidates who has interpreter must answer the question in one full complete answer/sentence instead of making answer-pause after answer-pause or giving initial after initial answer to the interpreter like what Miss Mexico did. Everytime the interpreter talks having his interpretation, this gives time for the candidate to think and add her initial answer. This betrays the importance of impromptu answer.
3. Some candidates can understand English but couldn’t speak English well. From the time a judge ask his/her question to the candidate, to the time the interpreter translate the question, this gives long time for a candidate to think and reason before she answers. This is not fair for those English speaking candidates. It would be fair if the a.)judge give his/her written question to the interpreter.b.) The interpreter ask the question to the contestant in her language, c.) the candidate answers while the question in English is flash/shown at the widescreen at her back, d.) the interpreter interprets her answer in English.

First of all, I am happy for Ms. Philippines and proud she made it to the top 5.

“Mistakes are a part of human being. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are; precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way” Al Franken..

It’s impossible for a person to have not done any major mistake in their life. However little it is, if it is the BIGGEST one you did then you have committed a major major mistake. I might not be major to other people but it is to u..

she messed up period

hay nako. ang dali dali ng question nya. di pa nasagot ng tama. nakakaloka!