Salceda on Venus Raj: It's a major, major sayang talaga
MANILA, Philippines - Venus Raj's "major, major" answer to the question posed to her in the Miss Universe 2010 is being picked up by many Filipinos, including her fellow Bicolanos.
No less than Albay Governor Joey Salceda has caught on the "major, major" bug.
When asked to comment on the 4th place finish of Raj, who hails from Bato, Camarines Sur, former President Arroyo's economic adviser said: "It is a major, major sayang talaga."
Salceda recalled that Miriam Quiambao also nearly won the crown in the Miss Universe beauty pageant in 1999.
"Second time na ito. The first was Miriam Quiambao, who had the title except the crowning after the Q and A," he said.
Nonetheless, Salceda said Raj's fourth runner-up win was a "major, major achievement for Bicol."
"Venus put up a good fight, despite the Melody [Gersbach] tragedy and Quirino [Grandstand] embarassment, just as Bicolanos fight for a better life. So for us, she is the Miss Universe," Salceda said. "Mabuhay ang Bicol!!!"
He was referring to the untimely death of Bb. Pilipinas International Melody Gersbach from a car-bus collision in Bicol last Saturday, and Monday's bloody ending to a hostage crisis involving Hong Kong tourists at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
Raj was asked by American actor William Baldwin during the question-and-answer portion about the biggest mistake she made in her life and what she did to correct it.
She replied, "You know what, sir, in my 22 years of existence, I can say that there's nothing major, major problem that I've done in my life because I'm very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me."
Her "major, major" answer has become a trending topic on social networking sites worldwide.
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@ mlSALAS
I think Miss Philippines representative is bound to abide with the rules of Binibining Pilipinas Inc with regard to what to wear, how to move, how to style their hair, their make up etc etc etc. But in the case of the option to take an interpreter, I don’t think that this is included in their rules that this option to take an interpreter is NOT permitted. This is only your interpretation, I suppose. Anyhow, for the benefit of the rest of the readers in this forum, it would be best if you can provide any link online (website) wherein we can verify and confirm whether or not your contention that the option to take an interpreter is NOT permitted by BPI. And with this, we can close the issue that it is BPI (but not all the Filipinos) who robbed Venus Raj of her Miss Universe crown.
This question “What is one big mistake that you’ve made in your life and what did you do to make it right?” does not need an interpreter. Even a grade six pupil could readily understand this question. But the major problem is the substance of your answer. And being on that extremely precarious scenario, you have to be very extra careful and sure that what you will give is to the satisfaction of the judges. I agree with you that she got the worst pick of all the questions. Had she picked a judge with questions that have similar context to the other four finalists, Venus Raj getting the Miss Universe crown was a real possibility. Then the INTERPRETER issue is not going to come out. But, that’s her luck – her destiny, so to speak. And for this reason, we have to accept and nevertheless we should show our support to Venus Raj in all her future endeavors.
NOTE: My statement is clear: “Moreover, every finalist was given 30 seconds to complete her answer.” There was no mention of 30 seconds to think and then answer.
Lost In Translation
Dear "noypiako"
She WAS robbed!. It was us Filipinos that robbed Venus!
YES, contestants are given the option to use an interpreter. However, the Philippines has never used one and this is not because they did not need one.
It is not the contestants that make the major decisions (ie. what to wear, how to move, how to style their hair, their make up etc etc etc). These decisions are made by their individual sponsor/agent. In the case of Miss Philippines, it is BPI (Bininbining Pilipinas Inc) headed by Stella Araneta. She makes the decisions!.
Miss Philippines representatives are NOT permitted to take that option. It would be perceived to be very “nakakahiya” to use an interpreter since Filipinos speak English and do NOT need an interpreter. This is a very unfortunate and disturbing cultural attitude.
It is arrogant and ridiculous of us Filipinos to persist that we do not need to use an interpreter. As a matter of fact, it should be made mandatory (unless the contestant is a native English speaker of Filipino descent). Let's stop this insanity and allow our representatives to feel at home by hearing their own language and responding from the heart.
Of course the judges were not satisfied with her answer. Her answer was horrible but if she had been asked that question in Tagalog and had she replied in Tagalog, I strongly believe that her answer would have been totally different. It’s absurd to think otherwise.
This was clearly a classic case of "lost in translation". Compounded with the fact that she got the worst pick of all the questions. That question is often asked in American job interviews in which, IF UNPREPARED, is rarely answered satisfactorily. Only seasoned interview goers could have answered that in a split-second.
NOTE: true, she was given 30 seconds. 30 seconds to answer NOT 30 seconds to think and then answer.
I beg to disagree that Venus Raj was robbed
I beg to disagree with the statement of mlSALAS 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.
NO INTERPRETER = NO CROWN
INTERPRETER INTERPRETER INTERPRETER – Venus Raj was robbed !
We have been disadvantaged for many years now. Our greatest competitors have always taken advantage of using an interpreter and with amazing results. Year after year, South & Latin American contestants have consistently made it to the TOP 15, TOP 10, TOP 5 and many have won the Miss Universe title.
The use of an interpreter is without a doubt our missing link in our quest to bring home the Miss Universe crown.
English is one of the official languages of the Philippines and most Filipinos are fluent in casual 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 or hear 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 more 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 have long been 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 Raj was robbed of the Miss Universe crown !!!.
If Venus 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?
Again I beg to disagree that Venus Raj was robbed
Again I beg to disagree 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.
Unfair Question from William Baldwin
I am proud of Venus and her feat as 4th runner up. For a change I think we Filipinos should just be proud and not say anything else. Matuto naman tayong maging masaya sa kababayan natin dahil pangalan naman ng bansa natin yung dinala nya. Ang hirap sating mga Pinoy, pag panalo tayo super puri at super proud tayo. Pero pag talo yung kandidato natin, todo mura ang aabutin nung contestant. Just like what those hypocrites are doing right now.
Also has it occurred to you people that Venus got the worst question among all 5 finalists? Contestants 1 thru 4 had easy debate questions. It was easy to take the positive side and give the answer. It was a walk in the park question. Yung kay Venus was personal and uncomfortable. It was a question meant for a 5th placer no matter who got the question. I would bet that kahit si Miss Mexico would flounder on her response given that kind of ridiculous question.
So let's give Venus the benefit of the doubt. Halong kaba at saka awkwark yung tanong from William Baldwin. That's all there is to it. Maging proud na lang tayo. Wala nang negative comment pa. Mahiya naman kayo nga kababayan.
To Governor Salceda: If you
To Governor Salceda:
If you are asked the same question and given only 30 seconds to answer, what would you say??
I agree with waterdragon in his comment below. even the President of US wasn't able to answer the same question thrown to him by a reporter...
I am so proud about Venus' achievement..she's way more beautiful than the winner...she did her best..and she made us proud...
Venus Raj
Gov. Salceda dai ka tabi naugma? Hilinga man tabi ang kalaban ni Venus - Ms. Mexico. Habo ka pa na nakua ni Venus ang ikaapat na pwesto? You should be proud. Bicol is again on the map of the Philippines. I don't see anything wrong with her answer to that question. Not even the President of the U.S. were able to answer that question. What more with Ms. Venus Raj? She answered with all truthfulness in her heart. Eh sa wala talaga siyang maling ginawa?
Come on guys, ang hirap sa ating mga Pinoy - ibigay mo ang kamay - gusto pati braso kasama. We should all rejoice as after her being almost "thrown-out" due to an alleged citizenship problem she made it to the fourth place.
Dapat maugma ka Gov. Salceda. Mabuhay ang Bicolnon!