In the eyes of the Filipino people, Maria Venus Raj brought home not only a place in the Miss Universe 2010 pageant, but also pride and distinction to the country. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)
Since her return, Venus has been making the rounds as TV guest. The latest was her live appearance on Showbiz Central yesterday, August 29. She was interviewed by hosts John "Sweet" Lapus, Pia Guanio, Raymond Gutierrez, and Rufa Mae Quinto for the "Intriga Crossfire" segment.
JOYFUL HOMECOMING. How does it feel to be home at last?
"Grabe po, pagdating ko pa lang sa airport, sobrang daming tao na nagkakaguluhan sila!" gushed the beauty queen. "Sobrang sarap ng feeling na at least pagbalik sa bansa natin, e, may karangalan akong dala para sa Filipinos."
The welcome and support she received everywhere, from the people in Las Vegas to the airport here in Manila, filled Venus with joy.
"Super overwhelmed ako," she smiled. "Parang hindi ko naman ine-expect na ganoon kalakas mag-support ang Pilipino. Parang sobrang amazing sa feeling po!"
LUCKY CHARMS. It's been 11 years since the Philippines placed in the Miss Universe pageant. Rumor has it that the earrings Miriam Quiambao wore in the Miss Universe 1999 where she finished 1st runner-up helped Venus get a place in the Top 5. True?
"I think so, kasi parang hindi lang si Ms. Miriam nagsuot, si Ms. Lara [Quigaman, Miss International 2005] din yata," smiled Venus.
Venus also received a gift from Melody Gersbach, the Bb. Pilipinas-International 2009 winner who died in a vehicular accident last August 21. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)
"She gave me a bracelet na pearls na may cross," Venus said. "Binigay niya 'yon noong send-off party ko. Sabi niya na 'Itong bracelet na ito, bigay sa akin ng isang kaibigan. Ginamit ko ito sa Miss International.' Nagpabigay daw sa kanya ng lakas ng loob."
Venus was a close friend of the late beauty queen. Melody was very down to earth, said Venus. "Kahit ang yaman-yaman niya at maganda siya, e, hindi niya ipapa-feel sa iyo na mas angat siya. Noong nag-start pa lang kami ng pageant sa Bicol, sobrang bonded na talaga."
Both Venus and Melody are from Bicol.
EXPERIENCES BACKSTAGE. News of backstage catfights in beauty pageants is common. For Venus though, she's lucky that she didn't really experience anything bad in a "major way" during the Miss Universe 2010 pageant.
"So far, this year, parang wala po!" laughed Venus. "Sabi nga ng organization na batch daw namin is the greatest batch kasi mabait lahat at masunurin. So far, wala naman ganoon."
Can she mention some Miss Universe 2010 contestants who were not really nice?
quot;Ako po'y napag-uusapan natin 'yan!quot; laughed Venus. quot;But I'm very much willing maging part ng Kapuso!quot;
sumali yata ng Bb. Pilipinas PERO NA-ELIMINATE AGAD!
HAHAHAHAHHA!
may mga taong...EWAN....
masyadong seryoso ang ibang tao dito....
pwede ba? MOVE FORWARD nalang tayo?
VENUS RAJ beat 77 other beautiful women from around the world including Miss Venezuela and Miss USA! That's something to be proud of and to be happy for!
hindi nga niya naiuwi ang Miss Universe crown pero ano pa ba ang hahanapin niyo sa 4th Runner Up place na natamo niya?
Kung may problema ka pa, PWEDE BA SUMALI KA NA LANG NG BINIBINING PILIPINAS, WIN THE BINIBINING PILIPINAS-UNIVERSE, AND EVENTUALLY WIN THE MISS UNIVERSE TITLE KUNG TALAGANG MASMAGALING KA KAY VENUS RAJ!
kung ano-ano pang pinagsasabi mo diyan, PROVE YOURSELF before pointing out all the weaknesses you see in Miss Venus Raj!
YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE...AND THIS IS FOR YOU!
So you're saying Filipinos are proud of liars? Because Venus is a liar as proven by her birth certificate saga. As I've said, she didn't do her homework, other six Miss Universe winners in the past decade required a translator. Whether Venus speaks in her native tongue or English she is still a one dimensional, boring, non-articulate, non-engaging, lying, 'excuses-loving' dunce. To be proud of such a Filipina is definitely lowering the standard of quality.
As I've said, I would prefer a Filipina Miss Universe contestant who comes last but is honest and doesn't resort to excuses.
Go Venus!
Raj!
Raj!
Raj!
Mabuhay ka Venus! You make us pinoys proud.
Sorry to dispel the imprudent parable you uphold Ms. Toronto!
Venus did her best? If that's the best she has to offer then that's a complete disgrace! And if you are proud that a liar reached the top 5 in an international competition then seriously your values are questionable.
Venus lied Ms. Toronto and if you want to turn a blind eye to that obvious fact in return for transient national glory, then that's rather pitiful! I would stand more proud and boast of a Filipino Miss Universe candidate who CAME LAST but whose values are intact, wreaks honesty and never resorts to excuses to cover up one's misgivings. HONESTY AND INTEGRITY HAS MORE WEIGHT IN GOLD than A LIAR AND a PERSON WHO MAKES EXCUSES TO FAST-TRACK any system for personal gains in life.
As for your side comment about pepsters using English here, are you that narrow-minded that some pepsters reside overseas and have IMPRESSIVE usage of the English language and are WELL UNDERSTOOD in their respective country of residence? Sorry, to dis
una---dapat masaya na tau sa napanalunan ni venus, sabihin man panglima or pang una, ang importante,ginawa niya ang the best na makakaya niya,she really did her best sa q amp; a portion, i review nyo, i salute her for that!!!!bravo venusgt;gt;gt;ikaw pa rin ang nagwagi
Oh please entertain me some more and tell me what excuse you have for Venus saying that if she had requested for an interpreter it will adversely affect her chances for winning the crown. It just goes to show how intellectually ill-equipped this disgraceful liar is! I don't respect liars. If she was naturally intellectually handicapped I will be forgiving but for a person who RESORTS TO EXCUSES AND LIES, I am not so forgiving.
First of all, where in my posts did I say a Filipino Miss Universe candidate ever employed a translator? Where? Tell me because I find your accusations very amusing to say the least!
Secondly, obviously you are not privy to Venus Raj's saga of her being dethroned. Sad, truly sad! She lied about the details on her birth certificate. She knew all along the details on that birth certificate were false. They had every intention to correct it but they didn't because her mother thought the money is better spent on providing for her poor family. As I've said, she lied about this, irrespective of the circumstances, a person's character/ integrity is measured by their honesty. Venus is a LIAR, through and through. Therefore, let this serve as an invaluable lesson to you - DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU COMMENT. Otherwise, you'd have egg on your face and indeed prove you're the ignorant one here!