Famecrawler
Six Things About Miss Philippines, Venus Raj, Including Her Family Controversy
Who won Miss Universe 2010? Not Miss Philippines 2010, Venus Raj. Though she was favored by oddsmakers coming into the night, her answer during the question and answer portion of the contest, in which contestants try to impress the celebrity judges, left many confused, and it had to do with her family.
Judge William Baldwin asked, “What is the biggest mistake that you’ve ever made in your life and what did you do to make it right?” (Hmm. I would have liked to hear Baldwin’s answer!) Raj replied that essentially she’d made no major mistakes. “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.”
That was widely seen as opening the way for Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete to win. Still, Miss Philippines, the fourth runner-up, was definitely one of the most interesting contestants. Here, five things about her, including where her mom and dad are from and why she almost didn’t make it to the pageant.
1. Raj was born in Qatar to a Filipino mom and an Indian dad.
2. She was actually stripped of her title earlier this year after inconsistencies about her birth certificate arose, which she blamed on clerical errors.
3. There was a huge outcry in the Philippines, with online petitions and Facebook groups springing up to support Raj. Finally the Filipino government stepped in and declared her a legal citizen based on jus sanguinis principle, which gives Filipino citizenship to anyone with a Filipino mom or dad regardless of where they were born.
4. The 22-year-old Catholic was praised by church officials after she refused to take part in the controversial pre-pageant photo shoot in which the contestants posted topless with body paint.
5. Raj is the youngest of five children and she grew up in Bato, where her house had no electricity.
6. She graduated cum laude from Bicol University, where she earned a degree in journalism.
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24 Comments
jenny commented on Aug 24 10 at 9:23 amCongrats to her although she’s 4th runner up only. After a very long year Miss Universe Pageant, now only again Philippines came to top5!! Check also the Europe and Philippines here http://www.europhilenterprise.com/
Francis Neri commented on Aug 24 10 at 10:45 amHer answer to the question was forthright. If she did not commit a big mistake in her 22 years (not yet anyway) why blame her answer that she has not? I have seen many dumb answers to questions in beauty contests and many of them dumb contestants won just the same. It is a beauty contest anyways.
Erwin Ladio commented on Aug 24 10 at 11:22 amCongrats Miss Venus Raj!,…Thanks a lot for representing our beloved country,We love and proud of you “MABUHAY” .For us you are still the winner,again Dios Mabalos saimo giraray.
Menchie commented on Aug 24 10 at 1:28 pmCongratulations! Mabuhay! I do not see anything wrong with your answer! You answered correctly what is true to you and I do not know why it is judged not right! I am so proud of you! You may be 4th runner up but you make us proud! Live your dreams! Keep on Believing in yourself!
trish commented on Aug 24 10 at 4:02 pmShe’s only 22 and maybe she hasn’t made any huge mistake in life yet. She seems to have a very close knit family. So her answer was good.
Elma commented on Aug 24 10 at 4:49 pmWell, her answer was ok but she should put some more words into it. Like ….but if I made a big mistake, I would …..
Lyn G. commented on Aug 24 10 at 5:05 pmIt’s a matter of Brain exercise,she did not took this opportunity,to create an advantage to William Baldwin’s question.Since Venus itself was a controversial Contestant in this Prestigious beauty pageant,She did not twist the question and turn it into an example of Miracle story of her life as an illigetimate child from an unknown Indian Father.But hey,she still bagged the 4th place.better than nothing.Congrats Venus!
TERESA commented on Aug 24 10 at 5:09 pmAs human beings, we do make mistakes. she should have thought of one simple mistake she made in her life and find an answer on how to correct it. If someone say “I do not see anything wrong in her answer” that means she also need to check her IQ…People were stunned in her dumb answer as they are anticipating her to win the title by giving a sensible and logical answer. She blew it big time…
jho commented on Aug 24 10 at 6:19 pmshe said she goin to be included in the top 4., being the 4th runner is not bad., though if she wud’ve answered better she wudv won, but anyone in her position will be nervous too especially if there are a lot of expectations from her.
james claypool commented on Aug 24 10 at 6:29 pmShe took a stand and did not pose topless.The devil did not get this one.She did a very good job for the Philippines.I live in CEBU
Tina commented on Aug 24 10 at 6:35 pmHER ANSWER WAS CLEARLY HER BIG, BIGGEST MISTAKE. HUGE MISTAKE. OUCH. OBVIOUSLY COST HER MUCH MORE. THE REAL QUESTION IS HOW WILL SHE MAKE THAT RIGHT!
Mike commented on Aug 25 10 at 2:34 amThe question is about ‘humility’. Acknowledging that we are not perfect creatures- and about the willingness to try to fix our mistakes.. Even though she says ‘I’m confident’- in the eyes of non Filipino’s or Venus Raj supporters, her answer doesn’t come off as ‘confident’, it actually sounds more like a defense mechanism.
k commented on Aug 25 10 at 10:51 amThe question was about the biggest MISTAKE … not PROBLEM. Her answer was PROBLEM not MISTAKE …. PROBLEM and MISTAKE are two different things!
Bobbo commented on Aug 25 10 at 11:10 amAlong with the humility aspect, I believe her use of English also played a significant factor in terms of the judges’ decision. While her response may seem appropriate to some(native Filipinos with English as a second language, for example), her answer actually came out poorly worded and confusing. She seemed nervous and, as a result, chose improper wording to illustrate her response.
MJ commented on Aug 25 10 at 4:25 pmI thought her answer was right although it could’ve been worded better. She’s has never killed anybody, robbed etc. that we know of. the birth cert. issue is not her mistake. She could’ve said to the judge that she’s made mistakes in life, but nothing major to wish it could be done all over again. She should’ve also said that it’s a waste of time to dwell on such matters because the truth is, mistakes can not be undone. one can only learn from them and move on. (just as a dig to the judge on a stupid question). Congrats Venus. Who died and chose those judges anyway? Aside from Nikki Taylor, I honestly don’t know what made the rest qualified.
JUSTIN MARTIN commented on Aug 27 10 at 12:32 amIf we want a Pilipina to win in the international beauty pageant, she should be provided w/ an intepreter. This is to her advantage.
violet r b commented on Aug 27 10 at 5:18 amexcuse me not only beauty contest its brain and beauty if only beauty many are qualified more than her..
LuMar commented on Aug 28 10 at 6:37 amShe messed up BIG TIME! Her answer sucked. But that’s not the reason she didn’t take the crown… Jimena was clearly the BEST out all of them.
She had no real competition besides Maria.
Jimena was just better all the way around.
Abe commented on Aug 28 10 at 11:27 amIf i have not done any big mistake in my life, i should also have answered the question like Venus Raj.
Direct and honest answer is the best! She just didn’t able to deliver her statement properly maybe due to nervousity but she did it well.
kodeeswaran commented on Aug 29 10 at 11:49 pmcongratulations
modelwannabe2 commented on Aug 31 10 at 9:58 pmOk, granted that MU Org doesn’t discriminate having translators, fine, but Jimena Miss MX can speak in English(!) so that’s not fair nor credible! Her question was also an internet cliche re parental guidance that an average person could render. She just got lucky. An ABSURD, NEGATIVE question like Venus’ should not have been included, as this is a beauty pageant not a job interview! Who would really feel comfortable answering that type of ABSURD question and to explain in seconds? c’mon. Venus still won the hearts of millions and IS much bigger than that crown.
modelwannabe2 commented on Aug 31 10 at 10:09 pmThough English is second language to the Philippines, I suggest Philippines also use an interpreter should a rep desires. Heck, if they can do, Philippines CAN! It CAN help the candidate a lot to be less nervous, express herself better and let flourish her national language. Let the Philippine language, TAGALOG, be heard in international pageants! CONGRATULATIONS VENUS RAJ FOR A MAJOR SPOT IN TOP 15 ALL THE WAY TO TOP 5!
Forrreeel commented on Sep 03 10 at 1:19 amI have never made a big big mistake in my life. And I don’t lie too. Congrats to Venus Raj for getting so close only to lose the crown simply because she couldn’t decide which of her many mistakes to discuss, at the end, she played safe and dodged the question completely. She should have just said “Sorry it’s too personal and I prefer not to answer it.” I am still not sure why she is competing in the first place.
whatever commented on Sep 10 10 at 9:33 pmShe just made the biggest mistake so far in her 22 years of existence… that pathetic response.
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