Maria Venus Raj: Her Bumpy Journey into the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant 2010
The journey of the reigning Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2010 title holder Maria Venus Raj to the Miss Universe beauty pageant is controversial; in the sense that she was dethroned for a while but then, permitted again to compete in Las Vegas, Nevada this coming August 23rd at the fabulous Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino live via satellite.
As you all know, the dethroning of Ms. Raj by the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant organizer created a stir among her supporters and fans, as well. Media interviews, including the digging of personal information about the family background of the title holder brought them to a small town called Bato (means stone), Camarines Sur, the same province where I live here in Bicol, Philippines.
Venus, as her friends and family call her, came from poor family and an inter-racial marriage (her father is of Indian descent). Her mother, interviewed by local media, said that she was separated from her Indian husband when her daughter was still young. So, she singled-handedly strived to give her daughter a good education until Ms. Raj graduated from college. Until opportunities came to her to join local pageants and win; then grabbed the most coveted title that will bring her on the curvy journey to the Miss Universe Pageant competition.
The Miss Universe Beauty Pageant
There are 83 official candidates to the contest this year. This last week of July, Ms. Raj is ahead of her other fellow beauty titlists at the online competition. Being voted in the internet is the Most Photogenic award.
Venus just recently given a memorable send off party and praised for her courage to fight the title that's rightfully given to her, to represent the Philippines in the prestigious contest.
Only two Filipinas have garnered the title of Miss Universe, Ms. Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Ms. Margie Moran in 1974.
She's hoping that she could do the same if luck will favor her.
Miss Universe Philippines 2010 Candidate!- Maria Venus Raj c/o Zivanalynn
Glimpses at the early life of Ms. Raj
Being born out of wedlock is not an easy part for Venus. But through the perseverance of his mother, she was able to beat the odds and graduated cum laude in college (at Bicol University with a Journalism degree) and now works as an information assistant in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Her down-to-earth disposition in life is molded by her experiences during her high school and college days. The rigors of walking on the rice paddies everyday made her a better model on the fashion runways. She juggles her time in Manila and Bicol for her government work and as a model.
Her fair decision was tested when she was dethroned by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. because of inconsistencies in her birth certificate that made it difficult to get a Philippine passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The options of the officials of the BPCI were to resign or be dethroned. She didn’t chose any of the two, instead she seek legal advise from a legal counsel and other organizations and personalities.
And the rest is history…she was reinstated by the BPCI and ready to compete in the 56th Miss Universe beauty pageant.
Prior on her triumph with Binibining Pilipinas contest, Venus other achievements were:
1. Ms. Bicolandia 2007
2. Miss Philippines Earth - Eco Tourism 2008
So, I think, she's ready to strut her beauty, wit and brains to grab the Miss Universe title this year. What do you think, fellow hubbers?
