MANILA, Philippines – Miss Universe 4th runner-up Maria Venus Raj, who returned home Thursday morning, volunteered to talk to the survivors of a bloody bus hostage crisis that took place here on Monday.

In a phone interview on ABS-CBN morning show “Umagang Kay Ganda,” Raj said she is willing to extend any help to restore the image of the Philippines in the international community, including reaching out to the victims.

“Kung kailangan ng Pilipinas ng someone, siguro kung kailangan nila ng isang tao na kumausap sa mga naging biktima, pamilya ng mga naging biktima...wala pong problema sa akin na gawin ‘yon para sa bansa natin. Para maalis din sa isip nila na ganoon lahat ng Filipino,” she said.

She admitted that she has not seen the footage of the bloody hostage drama, but some of her friends already told her about it. She said she is saddened to hear the tragic incident.

The 22-year-old beauty from Camarines Sur said she was lucky to have made it to the top 5, noting that her feat in Las Vegas, Nevada has in a way brought back pride to the Filipinos.

“Noong maka-place ang Philippines, parang nabalik ulit ‘yong karangalan sa Pilipinas. At maraming nagsasabi na I am very, very proud, Venus, na Filipino ako,” said Raj.

The coronation night of this year's Miss Universe beauty pageant took place a day after Monday's hostage situation.

Emotions are now running high in Hong Kong over blunders by Philippine police in the chaotic climax to Monday's events, when a disgraced former policeman held a group of Hong Kong tourists hostage for 12 hours.

The bodies of the 8 tourists killed at the end of the siege -- including a father and his two daughters -- were on Wednesday night flown back to Hong Kong, with bagpipers playing "Amazing Grace" at a poignant airport ceremony.

According to reports in Hong Kong, the Philippines has ignored requests for a joint investigation. But Hong Kong Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee demanded that Manila report back its findings without delay.

Warm welcome

Raj returned to Manila Thursday morning after she was crowned 4th runner-up in the prestigious Miss Universe pageant two days ago.

She was warmly welcomed by her relatives, supporters and members of the media upon arriving around 4 a.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

The beauty queen received a bracelet and necklace as surprise gifts from the flight crew of the Philippine Airlines.

Raj said she is excited to see her family, most especially her mother. When asked what she missed most about the Philippines, she said her mom’s cooking.

She shared her mom loves to cook sinigang na baboy.

When asked about her father, who she has not seen since she was young, Raj vowed to double her efforts to look for him.

As for her much talked about response during the question-and-answer portion, meanwhile, Raj admitted that she got nervous. However, if asked the same question one more time, she reiterated that she would stand by her answer.

Raj also disclosed that she prayed hard to make it to the top 5.

“Pinagdadasal ko na sana umabot sa lima. Kasi malaking karangalan po ‘yon sa bansa natin... Alam ninyo po parang nasa top 5 ka lang pero malaking achievement na po ‘yon,” she said.

Moreover, she shared her thoughts about Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz’s suggestion to get interpreters for Filipino beauties competing in international pageants.

According to Raj, she does not have any problem with it. In her case though, she thinks it was improper to have an interpreter because she speaks English in some of her media interviews. -With a report from Agence France-Presse