SIDE BAR from HOLLYWOOD, California – The purpose of joining a competition is to win?if you can?t win, then just enjoy the ride. And that includes international beauty pageants.
Maria Venus Raj was determined to win. While facing the issue of her dethronement as Binibining Pilipinas Universe, she was asked if she would win Miss Universe ? she said yes without batting an eyelid.
She started the competition big. She was among the six Miss Universe 2010 contestants chosen to be part of the promotional tour. She remained as top choice for the crown till pageant night. Filipinos were cheering for her when she was called in as one of the 15 finalists, then the 10, and finally, the last to be called to the top 5. Yes, she gave her country hope that she would be the 3rd Filipina Miss Universe. But after her major-major answer to William Balwin?s question in the Q&A, Venus knew she would be 4th Runner-up.
In an interview after the Miss Universe pageant, she was asked if she thought Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete deserved the Miss Universe crown. She said yes, but that she was closer to Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell.
Now, could Maria Venus Raj have wanted so much to be Miss Universe that she would sabotage a competitor?s national costume?
Miss Australia claimed she was sabotaged during the Miss Universe pageant. She said she found sharp pins stuck to her national costume. She said she couldn?t point who among the 82 contestants did it but singled out 4th Runner-up Miss Philippines and crowned Miss Universe 2010 Miss Mexico. She was quoted as saying, ?Winning is so important for those girls because they become queens and are worshipped if they win, and it changes everything forever for them.”
If Maria Venus Raj was crowned Miss Universe, her country would celebrate. But don?t they all? Any country would be proud of a Miss Universe. Isn?t Australia proud Miss Campbell made it to 2nd Runner-up? Why single out Miss Philippines then?
We love our champions, our beauty queens, our international stars. We honor our heroes ? we give them a big warm welcome home.
If boxing superstar Manny the Pacman Pacquiao were from another country, wouldn?t they love him too? Don?t the Mexicans cheer for their champions? Didn?t the British fly all the way to Las Vegas to watch Hatton?s fight with Manny?
When the Pacman climbs up the ring this November 13 to face Antonio Margarito, his country would be watching him, anticipating his every move, cheering him all the way. That is our Manny Pacquiao, seven division boxing world champion, fighter of the decade.
We love Lea Salonga, our international singer and actress. We love Charice ? the little wonder. We love Maria Venus Raj ? our Miss Universe 4th Runner-up. And we should. We would love every Filipino who would bring honor to our country.
