Maria Venus Raj: Major, Major Winner!

Yes, it is a “major, major” Success for all Filipinos.

To Ms. Maria Venus Raj ---> You are today’s “major, major” Philippine Pride.

Ms. Maria Venus Raj made us all proud – she has put a genuine smile in our face despite the very tragic hostage-tasking incident last August 23 at the Quirino Grandstand - such made the Philippines an infamous country.

She is our “rainbow” after the rain, the good news, and the start of a brighter tomorrow. Two thumbs up, Ms. Raj. :)

Beautiful, sophisticated, confident, witty and charming, you can also make your way to be like her – living a happier, healthier life as well as more gorgeous and slim woman. Here is how. Check the link and be the new YOU.

See and like her “major, major” Facebook Fan Page!

ABS-CBN News Update on “major, major” Maria Venus Raj

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - She may have failed to get the crown, but Venus Raj, the country's representative to this year's Miss Universe pageant, left something for the whole world to remember -- the term "major major."

The expression, apparently made out of nervousness, is currently a hot topic among Internet users across the globe. As of 5:53 p.m., "major major" is the seventh trending topic on Twitter worldwide.

During the Miss Universe question and answer portion, Raj was asked by American actor William Baldwin about the biggest mistake that she made in her life and what she did to make it right.

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. So thank you so much that I'm here. Thank you, thank you so much!"

The 5'9" beauty with a 22-inch waistline, who was a crowd favorite even before the pageant, became the fourth runner-up after the question and answer portion.

It was Mexico's Jimena Navarrete who was proclaimed Miss Universe 2010.

At the time when the pageant was aired live on television, Raj was the top trending topic on Twitter. As of this writing, she went down to third place.

What should've been said?

Despite the so-called slip-up during the question and answer portion, Raj was highly praised by 2 of the country's Miss Universe beauties.

Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran, winners of the Miss Universe title in 1969 and 1973, respectively, noted that being in number 5 at a time when the Philippines is under fire because of the hostage-taking incident in the Quirino Grandstand is already a huge feat.

"She was good, she was awesome. Very positive siya (She was very positive) even after yesterday's fiasco," Diaz told ABS-CBN News.

Moran added, "Being number 5 out of 80 is an achievement in itself. It is a time of celebration, and we need it."

The 2 beauty queens, however, noted that Raj could've done better.

Moran, in particular, said that Raj could've cited her struggles in getting a valid Philippine passport as she tried to win back her Binibining Pilipinas title.

Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. earlier stripped her of the crown due to inconsistencies in her birth records.

"She had difficulty going to the States. She should've talked about that," Moran explained.

Nevertheless, Raj said that she is flattered by the increasing popularity of her "major major" remark during the pageant.

In an interview with a local television network, she said in jest, "At least 'yung major major nakapagbigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa. (At least 'major major' brought honor to the country somehow.")

This may, indeed, be the starting point of Raj's road to stardom.

Congrats! :)

By the way, here are the other Miss Universe 2010 winners – “major, major” beautiful ladies!

♥♥♥ Myraine ♥♥♥

Miss Universe 2010 Winners

With all excitement and thrill, here is the official list of winners:

4th runner-up: Ms. Philippines
3rd runner-up: Ms. Ukraine
2nd runner-up: Ms. Australia
1st runner-up: Ms. Jamaica
Ms. Universe 2010: Ms. Mexico

Winners with their Names

4th Runner Up - Maria Venus Raj
3rd Runner Up - Anna Poslavskaya
2nd Runner Up - Jesinta Campbell
1st Runner Up - Yendi Phillips
Miss Universe 2010 - Jimena Navarrete

♥♥♥ Myraine ♥♥♥


Source: GMA News

RP's Venus Raj 4th runner-up in Ms. Universe competition

Miss Philippines, Venus Raj, was heavily applauded after being declared the fourth runner-up in this year's Miss Universe pageant, participated in by 83 contestants from around the world.

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010, replacing Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, who gave Venezuela a second consecutive win by taking the title at age 18 last year. The South American country has won six titles since the pageant started in 1952.

Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps was named first runner-up during this year's pageant, hosted by Natalie Morales and Bret Michaels.

Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavska, was third runner-up, Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell was second runner-up,

The winners were announced after one final strut across the stage in the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.

Before that, the top five tried their best to impress the panel of celebrity judges in the question and answer portion.

Raj, 22 was asked by judge William Baldwin, "What is one big mistake that you've made in your life and what did you do to make it right?"

"Thank you so much, Sir for that wonderful question," she says and then greets the audience, met by wild cheering.

"You know what, Sir in my 22 years of existence I can say that there is nothing major major, I mean, problem that I have done in my life. Because I am very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So, thank you so much that I am here, thank you thank you so much," she answered.

Raj was almost replaced by Bb. Pilipinas runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson after being stripped of her crown and title when organizers of the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe pageant found "inconsistencies" on her birth certificate.

Raj was advised by former Ms. Universe Gloria Diaz to let it go. Meanwhile, she found an ally in then Commission on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima

The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. said Raj would be reinstated on the condition that she is able to obtain a valid Philippine passport.

"We have reassessed the situation pertaining to Miss Maria Venus Raj and have decided, for humanitarian reasons, that if she is able to obtain a valid Philippine passport, we will reinstate her as the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe," said the BCPI.

Raj then obtained a valid Philippine passport from the Department of Foreign Affairs, despite saying she should be reinstated without condition.

On August 4, Raj flew to the United States to represent the Philippines, competing with 82 other beauty queens from Albania to Zambia in a pageantry of swimsuits, evening gowns and quick-thinking interview skills in the their quest to bring home the 2010 Miss Universe crown.

The contest, co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC, was judged by celebrities including 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek and actress Jane Seymour.

The pageant started as a local bathing revue in Long Beach, Calif., organized by a swimwear company. It now skips over the world; it was held last year in the Bahamas and in Vietnam in 2008.