No regrets, says Venus Raj
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MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) – A day after the coronation night of the 59th Miss Universe in Las Vegas, Nevada, Miss Philippines Venus Raj was still on cloud nine.
The 5'9" beauty from Camarines Sur was proclaimed 2010 Miss Universe 4th runner-up. Although she lost the crown to Jimena Navarrete of Mexico, Raj was still ecstatic over the outcome of the competition.
Up until now, she said she still could not believe that she made it to the top 5 and was named 4th runner-up.
The last time the Philippines placed in the pageant was in 1999, with Miriam Quiambao bagging first runner-up. The Philippines has two title holders --- Gloria Diaz, who won in 1969, and Margarita Moran, who won in 1973.
The blooming Bicolana and her friends merely made fun of her much talked about response during the question-and-answer portion of the competition.
When actor William Baldwin asked her to mention one biggest mistake in her life and what she did to make it right, many were dismayed when she answered that she had made no “major, major” mistake during her “22 years of existence.”
It was reportedly the reason why she lost the coveted title.
Optimistic person
Looking back, Raj admitted that she could not cite one because she has always been an optimistic person.
"Wala naman talaga akong mistake na ginawa sa buhay ko. I think it’s not a mistake, never ever… I’m a very positive person. Everything na nangyayari sa akin, I take it as a challenge, something na magiging positive in the end kahit na anong masamang nangyari sa’yo," she said.
She said she would give the same answer if asked the same question again. She added that she did not regret it.
When asked if she gets offended when people make fun of her answer, she replied: "No way. So what kung ano sabihin nila? At least naging part ako ng everyday conversation nila."
She added that she is no longer dwelling on it, saying she is now looking forward to her life after Miss Universe.
“Tapos na, it's done. So, kahit na anong gawin mo, anong isipin mo, hindi na mababalik ‘yon. So, do not think of the past, think of the future. Ano bang naghihintay sa akin sa Pilipinas? Ano bang mangyayari pag dating ko doon?" she said.
Amid criticisms, many Filipinos are still proud of Raj’s achievement. Raj, for her part, said she is thankful to all her Filipino supporters.
Unforgettable experience
Raj is excited to see her family and spend some quality time with them before pursuing the remaining days of her duty as Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 2010.
She said she will never forget her experience in Las Vegas when she comes back home.
She is scheduled to arrive in Manila Thursday morning. -Reports from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News, and Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
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GOOD JOB!! MABUHAY TO YOU VENUS....
VENUS.. I AM PROUD OF YOU! GOOD JOB FOR BEING IN THE TOP 10. YOU DID NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG WITH YOUR ANSWER. YOU TRIED YOUR BEST AND YOU ARE VERY BEAUTIFUL THAT NIGHT..AM SO PROUD OF YOU!
PLEASE SHRUG OFF THE CONTROVERSY AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE. HAVE YOUR CHIN UP AT ALL TIMES.
WELL DONE FOR REPRESENTING OUR COUNTRY WITH YOUR BEAUTY...
GO OUT AND PROSPER!
GOD BLESS
I beg to disagree that Venus Raj was robbed
I beg to disagree with the statement of miSALAS that Venus Raj was robbed of the Miss Universe crown. The fact is, the judges were not satisfied of her answer – that’s it. Even majority of the Filipinos opined that her answer lacks substance and how it was delivered. On the question whether or not Venus Raj was given the opportunity to use an interpreter, my counter question is, did she request officially to have an interpreter? If she did ask and was denied then I would agree to your statement that: “If Venus Raj was given the opportunity to use and interpreter, it’s certain that she would have given a totally different answer and Miss Philippines would have been Miss Universe 2010.” But if she did not ask, then I totally disagree with your statement. It was obvious that Venus Raj opted to answer on her own, without the use or aid of an interpreter because she thinks and was cinfident she could squarely handle it.
Before the Q&A started it was announced by Bret Michaels, the male Presenter that in some cases the finalists can use their interpreter, meaning that everybody was given the opportunity to use their own interpreter. Moreover, every finalist was given 30 seconds to complete her answer. But Venus Raj very quickly gave her answer without the benefit of taking a pause, to think for a few seconds what would be the most appropriate answer. The question that was asked of her was some kind of personal past events. To recall personal past events would require some few moments to ponder, but Venus Raj, maybe because she has not experienced a major, major problem, and then there goes her answer. It is a fact that it is in the Filipino veins and blood to show that we have the capability and competence to speak English most especially in this particular prestigious worldwide event. Interpreter’s job is to tell the substance of the answer, which will be thoroughly analyzed by the judges. And this is where Venus Raj failed.
For we all we know Venus Raj tried her very, very best, but that’s all the judges could decide: Fourth Runner-up. Venus Raj herself admitted that she got nervous in the process. Nonetheless, Long live Venus Raj, long live Philippines. You put our country on top of the world.
OH YES SHE WAS ROBBED !!!
It wasn’t Miss Universe Inc that denied Venus the option to use an interpreter, It was us, the Filipino people and Binibining Pilipinas Inc (Stella Marquez Araneta).
The Philippines has never used and interpreter and look how many Miss Universe crowns we’ve brought home regardless of how many stunningly beautiful and intelligent representatives we send.
Filipino culture ridiculously and illogically equates English proficiency with intelligence. A very disturbing and culturally corrupt attitude.
It’s ironic how our representative wears a national costume (terno) and sash saying “PHILIPPINES” but would bring shame to her countrymen if she let the world hear her talk in Filipino. Is that what’s called Filipino pride???
We are a non-native English speaking country. Our primary language is Filipino.
We need to stop this insanity. We need to make interpreters MANDATORY for all Miss Philippines in the Miss Universe Pageant. Most especially when answering preliminary interviews with judges and final Q&A segments. For all other social and casual purposes, she would not need an interpreter (unless the candidate chooses so herself).
This is the ONLY advantage our competitors have against us and they’ve been beating us for years.
The word of the day during
The word of the day during the pageant... Major... Major...
This is now what most people say. LOL
Fhaye Jones
Turning Winds
INTERPRETER INTERPRETER INTERPRETER – Venus Raj was robbed !
English is one of the official languages of the Philippines and most Filipinos are fluent in conversational English BUT our minds and hearts think and speak in Filipino. This is true for most, if not all, Filipinos of every socio-economic class.
Venus Raj does NOT need to know from anyone how she should have answered. Surely, seconds after her stumble she already knew what she should have said. Almost anyone could give an acceptable answer to that question if they were given some time to think. In this case, she was required under heavy pressure to give an instantaneous answer which isn’t an easy task for anyone.
In the 1999 Miss Universe Pageant, Miss Philippines (Miriam Quiambao) also lost her chance at the crown due to her stumbling at her final Q & A. And who knows how many of our representatives could have made the preliminary cut had they been able to satisfactorily answer the interview questions?
Almost any Filipino can smoothly engage in casual conversational English BUT this isn’t casual conversation we are talking about here. It’s a nerve-wracking split-second Q & A under heavy pressure on stage and live telecast worldwide.
Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia etc. etc. etc. are among the perennial finalists and ultimate winners of the Miss Universe Pageants. All of them use interpreters. All of them are at a great advantage. Using an interpreter buys you time. It gives you a few extra seconds to think and more importantly puts you at ease in a comfort zone when you hear the question in your own language. YOU AUTOMATICALLY FEEL AT HOME.
You are judged on the content of your answer regardless of what language you answer it in. It’s NOT an English proficiency test.
Venus was robbed of the Miss Universe crown !!!.
If Venus Raj was given the opportunity to use an interpreter, it’s certain that she would have given a totally different answer and Miss Philippines would have been Miss Universe 2010.
Miriam Quiambao, Venus Raj --- --- How many more of our contestants will be denied the crown because of our arrogance and persistence in not allowing them to speak from the heart?
MABUHAY SI VENUS RAJ !!! MABUHAY PHILIPPINES !!!
Galing ng Pinay!
when the Philippines was called for the final slot sa top 15, tumulo luha ko sa Tuwa. Mabuhay Venus Raj! we are proud of you..and to those who think she gave the wrong answer, sumali kayo next year,Sagot nya yun, it must have come from her heart..