Maria Venus Raj
Encyclopedia
Maria Venus Bayonito Raj (born July 7, 1988) is a Filipina
beauty queen
. She was crowned Binibining Pilipinas
(Miss Philippines)-Universe on March 6, 2010 during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum
. She represented the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and placed fourth runner-up to Ximena Navarrete
of Mexico
.
in Bicol Region
, Philippines
as an infant and was registered by an aunt as a Philippine-born child to Roman Catholic parents. Raj grew up with her mother, a former tenant farmer and dressmaker who brought Maria Venus Raj up as a child.
A former Roman Catholic, She is now a Born Again Christian
Raj lived in a nipa hut
made of wood, bamboo and anahaw leaves with no electricity in the middle of a sprawling rice field in the rural Bato town for more than twenty years. She allegedly used rice paddy dikes for her early training where she eventually developed her distinct catwalk.
The youngest among five children, Maria Venus Raj started joining local beauty pageants. She also joined oratorical contests at San Vicente High School where her English teacher served as her coach. With her victories in major contests, Venus Raj had started to buy land on installment basis for her mother as a means of improving their livelihood.
Raj obtained her Diploma in Communications Arts, major in Journalism
, at Bicol University
in Albay
, with Latin honors
(Cum Laude). She graduated through the scholarship that she received from the Francis Papica Foundation. Back in the Philippines, she works as an Information Assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region V
. In addition to this, she also works as a part-time fashion model in her native Bicol
and Manila.
, and was named as Miss Philippines Earth Eco Tourism 2008
, and fourth runner-up to eventual Miss Earth 2008
winner Karla Henry on May 11, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza
Galleria
, Manila.
Universe during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum
. She won the right to represent the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. She also won the special awards Best in Long Gown, Best in Philippine Terno, and was a co-winner for Miss Friendship - a rare feat for a major title winner.
Raj had planned to take legal action to combat BPCI's decision in court,-plans-to-fight-for-her-crown- but she also weighed in on her decision because of its potential impact to her future career.A Lawyer Francis Padua Papica, who sponsored Raj’s college education, and another counsel volunteered to defend her for free. led supporters in sending an appeal regarding Raj's case to the Miss Universe Organization
Dethroned-beauty-to-regain-crown-if-she-gets-passport.
In a local television appearance, Raj stated that a representative for the Miss universe 2010 spoke with her and looked into her case. In the same interview, she said, “My fight is now more than just chasing a dream. It is about clearing my soiled reputation. It is about standing up for people who are poor and born out of wedlock. It is a fight for acceptance.”
Upon the issuance of her Philippine passport, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. announced that they are reinstating Raj. Currently, Raj holds the record as the first-ever dethroned Binibining Pilipinas to have successfully attempted for a reinstatement of a Binibining Pilipinas crown.
and took part in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant. As part of the six delegates which were handpicked for a media tour, Raj along with Jesinta Campbell of Australia
, Natalia Navarro
of Colombia
, Sarodj Bertin
of Haiti
, Ximena Navarrete
of Mexico
, Mariana Vicente
of Puerto Rico
and Miss Universe 2009
Stefania Fernandez
were scheduled for several television appearances prior to the actual pageant in Las Vegas
, Nevada
. 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, to which she simply replied that she had never made any big mistakes in her life. Raj received the highest rating in the Miss Universe website, with 3.54 points, the highest-ever for a Filipina delegate. In an event held in Diablos Cantina at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Raj won in a Chicken Wing Eating Contest, increasing her popularity even more during the run of the pageant.
While competing at Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, Raj was emotionally distressed to hear about the death of Filipina-German beauty queen Melody Gersbach
and make-up artist Alden Orense in a car accident. Gersbach, a fellow Bicolana who previously competed and secured a place in the Top15 finalists at Miss International 2009
in China, was one of Raj's coaches in her preparation for the Miss Universe pageant.
, including the airing rights of the Binibining Pilipinas
for at least five years.
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
beauty queen
Beauty Queen
"Beauty Queen" is the second song from Roxy Music's second album, For Your Pleasure. The lyrics refer to Ferry's girlfriend, Valerie Leon, one-time UK beauty queen, B-movie actress and model working in the Newcastle area, circa 1973.-Musicians:...
. She was crowned Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas is the organization responsible for sponsoring the annual national beauty pageant which selects representatives of the Philippines to Miss Universe and Miss International, among others.-History:...
(Miss Philippines)-Universe on March 6, 2010 during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum
Araneta Coliseum
The Smart Araneta Coliseum, known as The Big Dome is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena located in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines...
. She represented the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and placed fourth runner-up to Ximena Navarrete
Ximena Navarrete
Jimena "Ximena" Navarrete Rosete is a Mexican model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe 2010. She was previously named as Nuestra Belleza México 2009.-Personal life:...
of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Early life
Maria Venus Raj was born to an Indian father and a Filipina mother. Raj was taken by her mother to Bato, Camarines SurBato, Camarines Sur
Bato is a rural municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 44,437 people.-History:...
in Bicol Region
Bicol Region
The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
as an infant and was registered by an aunt as a Philippine-born child to Roman Catholic parents. Raj grew up with her mother, a former tenant farmer and dressmaker who brought Maria Venus Raj up as a child.
A former Roman Catholic, She is now a Born Again Christian
Raj lived in a nipa hut
Nipa Hut
The nipa hut also known as bahay kubo, is an indigenous house used in the Philippines. The native house has traditionally been constructed with bamboo tied together and covered with a thatched roof using nipa/anahaw leaves....
made of wood, bamboo and anahaw leaves with no electricity in the middle of a sprawling rice field in the rural Bato town for more than twenty years. She allegedly used rice paddy dikes for her early training where she eventually developed her distinct catwalk.
The youngest among five children, Maria Venus Raj started joining local beauty pageants. She also joined oratorical contests at San Vicente High School where her English teacher served as her coach. With her victories in major contests, Venus Raj had started to buy land on installment basis for her mother as a means of improving their livelihood.
Raj obtained her Diploma in Communications Arts, major in Journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, at Bicol University
Bicol University
Bicol University is a state university in Legazpi City, the Philippines. The administrative center of Bicol University is in the City of Legazpi while its colleges are in separated campuses of Polangui, Guinobatan, Daraga, Legazpi City and Tabaco of Albay province...
in Albay
Albay
Albay is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Legazpi City and the province borders Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf....
, with Latin honors
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
(Cum Laude). She graduated through the scholarship that she received from the Francis Papica Foundation. Back in the Philippines, she works as an Information Assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region V
Southern Tagalog
Southern Tagalog, or Region IV, was a region of the Philippines that is now composed of Region IV-A and Region IV-B . Region IV was split into the two regions on May 17, 2002...
. In addition to this, she also works as a part-time fashion model in her native Bicol
Bicol Region
The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...
and Manila.
Miss Philippines-Earth 2008
Following her victory as Miss Bicolandia, Raj represented Legazpi City and competed in the Miss Philippines-Earth 2008Miss Philippines Earth
The Miss Philippines Earth, originally called "Miss Philippines" in its early years, is a beauty pageant held annually in search of the most beautiful and environmental-friendly woman in the Philippines...
, and was named as Miss Philippines Earth Eco Tourism 2008
Miss Philippines Earth
The Miss Philippines Earth, originally called "Miss Philippines" in its early years, is a beauty pageant held annually in search of the most beautiful and environmental-friendly woman in the Philippines...
, and fourth runner-up to eventual Miss Earth 2008
Miss Earth 2008
Miss Earth 2008, the 8th edition of Miss Earth beauty pageant, was held on November 9, 2008 at the Clark Expo Amphitheater in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. Eighty-five delegates arrived from October 19, 2008 in the Philippines...
winner Karla Henry on May 11, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza
Crowne Plaza
Crowne Plaza is a chain of full service, upscale hotels catering to business travelers and to the meetings and conventions market. It forms part of the InterContinental Hotels Group family of brands, which include InterContinental and Holiday Inn and operates in 52 countries, usually located in...
Galleria
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
, Manila.
Binibining Pilipinas-Universe
After joining Miss Philippines-Earth in 2008, Raj took a break from beauty contests and worked as an Information Assistant at the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. On March 6, 2010, she was crowned Binibining PilipinasBinibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas is the organization responsible for sponsoring the annual national beauty pageant which selects representatives of the Philippines to Miss Universe and Miss International, among others.-History:...
Universe during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum
Araneta Coliseum
The Smart Araneta Coliseum, known as The Big Dome is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena located in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines...
. She won the right to represent the Philippines in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. She also won the special awards Best in Long Gown, Best in Philippine Terno, and was a co-winner for Miss Friendship - a rare feat for a major title winner.
Dethronement
A few weeks after her coronation, Raj was dethroned by Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. citing alleged inconsistencies between her birth certificate and the personal account of her birth. Raj was briefly replaced by second runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson since first runner-up Diane Elaine S. Necio, also from Bicol was only 17 years old and did not meet the age requirement policies of Miss Universe.Raj had planned to take legal action to combat BPCI's decision in court,-plans-to-fight-for-her-crown- but she also weighed in on her decision because of its potential impact to her future career.A Lawyer Francis Padua Papica, who sponsored Raj’s college education, and another counsel volunteered to defend her for free. led supporters in sending an appeal regarding Raj's case to the Miss Universe Organization
Miss Universe Organization
The Miss Universe Organization is the organization that currently owns and runs the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA beauty contests. Based in New York, it is owned jointly by NBC Universal and Donald Trump. The current president is Paula Shugart...
Dethroned-beauty-to-regain-crown-if-she-gets-passport.
In a local television appearance, Raj stated that a representative for the Miss universe 2010 spoke with her and looked into her case. In the same interview, she said, “My fight is now more than just chasing a dream. It is about clearing my soiled reputation. It is about standing up for people who are poor and born out of wedlock. It is a fight for acceptance.”
Reinstatement
On April 10, 2010, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. allowed Raj to reclaim her title due to humanitarian reasons. An additional requirement that Raj should legally obtain a valid Philippine passport as proof of her true citizenship was also requested by the pageant organizers. On May 19, 2010, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs issued Raj a Philippine passport thereby attesting to her Filipino citizenship. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Raj is a Philippine citizen by virtue of the jus sanguinis principle (“right of blood”), a basic right provided by the Philippine Constitution which bestows upon a person the citizenship of his father or mother regardless of where the person was born, thus declaring her of Filipino citizenship.Upon the issuance of her Philippine passport, the Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. announced that they are reinstating Raj. Currently, Raj holds the record as the first-ever dethroned Binibining Pilipinas to have successfully attempted for a reinstatement of a Binibining Pilipinas crown.
Miss Universe 2010
In August 2010, Raj flew to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and took part in the 2010 Miss Universe pageant. As part of the six delegates which were handpicked for a media tour, Raj along with Jesinta Campbell of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Natalia Navarro
Natalia Navarro
Natalia Navarro Galvis is a Colombian beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Señorita Colombia 2009 and placed in the Top 15 at Miss Universe 2010.-Early life:...
of Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, Sarodj Bertin
Sarodj Bertin
Sarodj Bertin, is best known as a beauty pageant contestant from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.-Personal life:Bertin was born in Haiti, the daughter of Mireille Durocher Bertin, a Haitian lawyer. She worked for the International Alliance for Haiti's Recovery and is currently a law student living in the...
of Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
, Ximena Navarrete
Ximena Navarrete
Jimena "Ximena" Navarrete Rosete is a Mexican model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe 2010. She was previously named as Nuestra Belleza México 2009.-Personal life:...
of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Mariana Vicente
Mariana Vicente
Mariana Paola Vicente Morales is a Puerto Rican model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2010 and placed in the Top 10 at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant.-Biography:...
of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and Miss Universe 2009
Miss Universe 2009
Miss Universe 2009, the 58th Miss Universe pageant, was held at the Atlantis Paradise Island, in Nassau, Bahamas on August 23, 2009. It was the first time back to back victories in Miss Universe history: Stefanía Fernández of Venezuela, was crowned Miss Universe 2009 by outgoing titleholder Dayana...
Stefania Fernandez
Stefanía Fernández
Stefanía Fernández Krupij is a Venezuelan beauty pageant titleholder who won the Miss Venezuela 2008 and Miss Universe 2009 titles. She earned a Guinness record by being the first Miss Universe winner who was crowned by a compatriot....
were scheduled for several television appearances prior to the actual pageant in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. During the Miss Universe question and answer portion, Raj was asked by American actor William Baldwin
William Baldwin
William Joseph "Billy" Baldwin is an American actor, producer, and writer, known for his starring roles in such films as Flatliners , Backdraft , Sliver , Fair Game , Virus , Double Bang , as Johnny 13 in Danny Phantom , Art Heist , The Squid and the Whale , as himself...
about the biggest mistake that she made in her life and what she did to make it right, to which she simply replied that she had never made any big mistakes in her life. Raj received the highest rating in the Miss Universe website, with 3.54 points, the highest-ever for a Filipina delegate. In an event held in Diablos Cantina at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Raj won in a Chicken Wing Eating Contest, increasing her popularity even more during the run of the pageant.
While competing at Miss Universe 2010 in Las Vegas, Raj was emotionally distressed to hear about the death of Filipina-German beauty queen Melody Gersbach
Melody Gersbach
Melody Adelaide Manuel Gersbach was best known as a beauty pageant contestant from the Philippines.-Personal life:...
and make-up artist Alden Orense in a car accident. Gersbach, a fellow Bicolana who previously competed and secured a place in the Top15 finalists at Miss International 2009
Miss International 2009
Miss International 2009, the 49th Miss International pageant, was held at the Sichuan International Tennis Center, Chengdu, Sichuan, China on November 28, 2009. The pageant was originally scheduled to be held at The Venetian Macao in Macau on November 7, 2009, but the host committee backed out. 66...
in China, was one of Raj's coaches in her preparation for the Miss Universe pageant.
Career
Prior and post-Miss Universe, Raj guested on multiple networks as guests. On January 14, 2011, Raj signed up an exclusive contract with ABS-CBNABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
, including the airing rights of the Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas
Binibining Pilipinas is the organization responsible for sponsoring the annual national beauty pageant which selects representatives of the Philippines to Miss Universe and Miss International, among others.-History:...
for at least five years.
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2011 | Kris TV Kris TV Kris TV is a Philippine morning lifestyle talk show currently airing weekdays on ABS-CBN debuting June 27, 2011. It is hosted by the "Queen of All Media" Kris Aquino, who is making a talk show comeback after two years since Boy & Kris, and is more of a talk show comeback evolving from her previous... |
Guest | ABS-CBN ABS-CBN ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ... |
| Mutya Mutya Mutya is a Philippine fantasy series produced and aired by ABS-CBN that is based on Pablo S. Gomez's comic of the same name. The series introduced the network's newest discovered child actress Mutya Orquia... |
Mikki | ||
| Happy Yipee Yehey | Performer/Herself | ||
| 2011-present | ASAP Rocks! ASAP (variety show) ASAP Rocks is a musical variety show in the Philippines broadcast by ABS-CBN in the Philippines. The show is presented by its main hosts Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera. The show first premiered on February 5, 1995, and airs live Sundays... |
Host/Performer | |
| 2011-present | Umagang Kay Ganda Umagang Kay Ganda Umagang Kay Ganda is a morning show airing on ABS-CBN, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group, and simulcasts on ABS-CBN News Channel. Premiered on June 25, 2007, it airs every weekday mornings from 5:00 to 8:15 AM.-Synopsis:... |
Host - Present | |
| 2010 | Showtime | Guest Host/Judge | |
| ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2010 | Performer/Herself | ||
| Show Me Da Manny Show Me Da Manny Show Me Da Manny is a Philippines situation comedy television series that premiered on GMA Network on August 23, 2009. It stars Manny Pacquiao and Marian Rivera. The show premiered on August 29, 2009, one week after its original premiere, on GMA Pinoy TV. The show is set to end on July 10, 2011 on... |
Special Guest | GMA-7 | |
| Unang Hirit Unang Hirit Unang Hirit is a Philippine morning news and talk show aired every Weekday mornings by GMA Network. Previously, it is aired weekdays at 5:15 to 8:30 AM but as of September 19, 2011, the show started airing from 5:00 AM to 8:15 AM... |
Guest Co-Host | ||
| Hole in the wall | Guest Co-Host | ||
| Paparazi | Guest host | TV5 Associated Broadcasting Company The Associated Broadcasting Company, Inc is a television network in the Philippines, with main broadcast facilities and transmitter located at 762 Quirino Highway, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. The network was previously known as the , Associated Broadcasting Company remains the legal... |
|
| Juicy Juicy (talk show) Juicy! is an entertainment news program that premiered on August 11, 2008 on TV5. Hosted by Alex Gonzaga, IC Mendoza, Cristy Fermin, Mo Twister, and Shalala, the show features entertainment news, trivia, fan features, and interviews that highlight the Philippine entertainment industry... |
Past-Host | ||
| P.O.5 P.O.5 P.O.5 is a defunct Sunday noontime musical variety show that aired on TV5. The show premiered on April 11, 2010 and is one of the three leading Sunday Entertainment Shows in the Philippines. The show broadcast live from the Westside Studios at the Broadway Centrum in Quezon City and also featured... |
Guest | ||
| E-Live | Host | ABS-CBN ABS-CBN ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ... |
|
| SNN SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon is a Philippine primetime entertainment news program broadcast by ABS-CBN and is currently presented by Boy Abunda and Bianca Gonzales. The show premiered on February 16, 2009. On September 9, 2011, SNN aired its final broadcast... |
Guest-Host | ||
| The Buzz The Buzz (talk show) The Buzz is a weekly entertainment news and talk show in the Philippines. Premiering in 1999, it is the longest-running weekly entertainment news and talk show on ABS-CBN. It features local celebrity gossip and news.-Casting:... |
Guest | ||
| Inside the Cinema | Guest | Cinema One |