UPDATE: In The News- Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete Wins Miss Universe 2010 Click here if you want to read about Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete winning the Miss Universe Crown 2010. In The News- Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete Wins Miss Universe 2010 In a huge upset, Miss Mexico Jimena Navarete grabs the title of Miss Universe 2010, with millions watching, she walked down the runway, tears in her eyes, and completely awed by the moment.She has won first place in a competition …
Now to one of the candidates that lost this evening…
Miss Philippines Maria Venus Raj Is Top Contender For Miss Universe 2010
The beautiful Maria Venus Raj is quietly but firmly in real contention for the Super Bowl of Beauty Contests. The Miss Universe Contest. She has had her prior crown swatted off, because of a set of parents who were allegedly not in the nuptual way when Maria was born.
Oh what hypocrites, the papers are screaming. Does anyone remember the fabulous Vannessa Williams, and that little uproar? Well a questionable parental history should not be an issue of contention in this day and age. I’m just sayin’.
The 22-year-old half Filipino-half Qatari from Camarines Sur, Philippines is bubbly, her emotions flowing with a nervous excitement that just exudes enthusiasm. As she is among the 83 other beautiful young women from around the world competing for the Miss Universe crown to be held at the Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas, NV on August 23, Raj knows winning can be difficult.
It’s been more than 35 years since Margarita Moran won the Miss Universe crown representing the Philippines in 1973. In 1969, Gloria Diaz became the first Filipina to wear the crown.
Raj wants to be the third Miss Universe hailing from the Philippines.
Leading up to the competition, there’s been some controversy regarding Raj’s representation of Miss Philippines but she said it’s all been cleared up and that the adversity of having the Miss Philippines crown taken away from her only to get it back has only made her more stronger, grateful and excited for the opportunity to represent the homeland in the Miss Universe pageant.
Story continues below…
Currently winning hearts all over the world, Filipina beauty Maria Venus Bayonito Raj has captivated many, being an early favorite in the Miss Universe 2010. She is leading the pageant’s online survey at the moment and gaining more and more fans and followers. The top 15 were already chosen by the judging committee on August 20.
Maria Venus Raj was previously dethroned by the pageant’s organizers (BPCI) citing alleged inconsistencies between her birth certificate and the personal account of her birth. During which, Maria Venus Raj was briefly replaced by second runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson.
A first runner-up candidate Diane Elaine S. Necio was only 17 years old and did not yet meet the age requirement policies of Miss Universe. Raj’s sudden dethronement and also the questionable ineligibility of the first runner up candidate caused a heavy uproar among her Filipino supporters. Some fans conducted online petitions, signature campaigns, Facebook fan pages, blogs, forums and petition letters to BPCI Miss Universe Organization to report the irregularities. In April 10, 2010, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. (BPCI) reversed their decision.
Citing “humanitarian reasons” the BPCI allowed Maria Venus Raj to reclaim her title pending correction of her birth certificate. It was also an additional requirement that Maria Venus Raj legally obtain of a valid Philippine passport as proof of her true citizenship. In May 19, 2010, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issued a Philippine passport to Maria Venus Raj thereby attesting to her Filipino citizenship.
Miss Universe 2010 Latest Update: Philippines Maria Venus Raj Gets Philippines, Maria Venus Raj remains on top spot in an online popularity poll by the Miss Universe Organization. Trailing behind are other …
Miss Philippines Maria Venus Raj Tops Miss Universe 2010 Poll Miss Philippines Maria Venus Raj currently tops the online survey … Venus Raj continues to be a favorite contender for the … on top spot …
Maria Venus Raj in Miss Universe 2010 | USA NEWS UPDATE Beauty Contests Maria Venus Raj Miss Philippines Universe 2010 … swim in the sky Maria Venus Raj Miss Universe Philippines 2010 …
Miss Philippines – Universe 2010 Maria Venus Bayonito Raj Is An … Maria Venus Raj The beautiful Miss Philippines – Universe 2010 Maria … Universe 2010 – A Top Contender For The Miss Universe 2010 Title …
Raj a top choice for Miss Universe crown | Manila Bulletin Miss Philippines Maria Venus Raj, who is in Las Vegas, Nevada, … Raj is seen as a strong contender, as she remains the top choice for the crown in an …
Miss Philippines is UNIQUELY BEAUTIFUL..SHE IS DEFINITELY THE ONE FOR THE MISS UNIVERSE 2010 CROWN!!!
Thanks for the comment on Maria. Yes, she really is a beauty, and we are rooting for her. She is an underdog, and I always go for those! She has been though quite a bit, and I believe she deserves the crown. Go Maria!
Apparently, poll and audience favorite Venus Raj subconsciously thought out her answer to William Baldwin in native language (Iriga Bikolano or Rinconada), and then articulated it in second language (English). Psycholinguists will confirm that a non-native speaker, even if intermediate level in learning achievement, may hardly be able to respond with spontaneous eloquence in second language within a fleeting time-sensitive instance at a public stage event. The hard lesson learned is that, even if a Philippine beauty candidate can speak English, she should opt to avail of interpreter service, as how English-speaking Miss Mexico did. After all, Miss Universe is not an English public speaking contest — it is an international beauty contest! Still, making it to Top 5 in hand-me-down gowns was no minor, minor feat. So here’s my sincere “MAJOR, MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS RAJ!”