MANILA, Philippines - As 2010 Miss Universe 4th runner-up Maria Venus Raj has been getting an unfair share of unsolicited taunts and other unsavory comments about her purportedly unsatisfactory answer to the question-and-answer portion, fellow beauty queens come to her rescue.

Binibining Pilipinas-Universe and prizewinning actress Maria Isabel Lopez defended Raj.

“Let’s stop criticizing Venus. Let’s stop using major-major as misnomer to her. Kawawa naman ‘yong bata. Nanalo na nga siya, she already brought home the honor, tapos, gaganyanin pa natin siya.

“Let us be kind to her. Tama na ‘yang major-major na ‘yan. Inggit lang tayo sa kanya. Wala na tayong magagawa, tapos na ‘yong contest. Imbes na maging proud tayo na nanalo ang kababayan natin, kung anu-ano na naming kaekekan ang sinasabi natin sa kanya.

“Kaya we don’t advance as a nation. Wala tayong magawang matino sa mga kababayan nating nagdadala ng karangalan para sa ating bansa. Puro na lang pintas. Sana naman ay tigilan na si Venus,” Lopez said in a phone interview.

Maria Isabel, a Philippine representative to the 1982 Miss Universe in Lima, Peru, admitted though the limitation of Raj’s answer. “Of course, Venus’ answer was lean and it was supposed to be a contest. Pero the other contestants were quite impressive as well, ‘yong Ukraine, Jamaica, Australia at ‘yong Mexico,” she said.

Lopez said she understands Raj’s situation. “I’ve been there. Naramdaman ko ang nangyari kay Venus. Actually, winning the 4th runner-up title is a vindication for her. Imagine, na-dethrone siya tapos, she fought for it. It was already a plus point for her. She was really confident. Kung ‘yong runner-up sa Binibining Pilipinas na supposedly ay pumalit sa kanya ang ipinadala ro’n, I’m sure, hindi mapapasok ‘yon kahit sa Top 15.”

“Marami nang pinagdaanang hirap at trauma ‘yong bata kaya unawain natin siya. I feel for her. Naramdaman ko rin ‘yong pag-apak sa kanya sa beauty contest na ganyan. Galing pa siya sa hirap kaya what do you expect, masakit sa kanya na pintasan pa siya.”

Miss Philippines 1967 Pilar Pilapil who also competed in Miss Universe also feels for Venus.

“Let us be proud of her. I mean, she deserves the award. Let us not hurt her feelings anymore. She’s been through a lot and now she wants reassurance of her victory,” said Pilapil.

Although she didn’t watch the beauty pageant held at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas Sunday evening (Monday morning in the Philippines), Pilar said she was updated by her husband and daughter Pia Pilapil of the results and reactions of people on Venus’ answering the question.

“It was her way of articulating things so why question her? It’s her ballgame and she made good so let us be proud she won something in a very competitive contest,” she opined.