I was looking for an excellent reason to blog about her once more. Good thing her photos for the latest issue of Fair Magazine got uploaded so we now have a Wayback Wednesday feature for Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 and Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner-Up Venus Raj. She who takes the bragging rights for starting off the placement streak of the Philippines in Miss Universe that rapturously culminated in our 3rd crown last 2015 for Pia Wurtzbach and a continuation this year when Maxine Medina claimed a Top 6 position during the 65th Miss Universe in Manila last January.
Here is a video of the full Preliminaries during the 59th Edition held in Las Vegas that eventually led to her Top 5 finish:
courtesy of Latino Vicente
Now here are videos of her latest TV guesting on “Magandang Buhay” of ABS-CBN:
And here is a video of the new house of Venus Raj in Camarines Sur:
courtesy of Pinoy News
Still as divine as the day she started the placement streak of the Philippines in Miss Universe
So as you can see, Venus has really progressed from seven years ago till now. The road after Miss Universe 2010 may have been bumpy at times, but she kept on pushing things forward and making a good accountability of herself – be it as a Bicolana, as a student of higher studies, as a former Bb. Pilipinas titleholder and even as a host.
Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 Venus Raj during her send-off to Miss Universe 2010
One of the pre-arrival pics of Venus for MU2010
The woman who jumpstarted the Philippines’ string of Top 5 placements in Miss Universe is sporting a new look with her short hairdo and a visibly more serene presence.
After the victory party of Aces & Queens last weekend, I decided to check out all the 2010 photo files on my laptop so I can come up with a Throwback Thursday post for Venus. Just look at her send-off photos above. She had such a ravishing aura. Back then, it was no longer a surprise that she was handpicked by MUO to be one of six (6) ladies to do a promotional junket of sorts for the pageant in Los Angeles (watch video below), days ahead of the actual thing in Las Vegas.
Check it out. 😀
courtesy of Mark Paul Yap
The latest pic of Venus (rightmost) during the Aces & Queens Victory Party
All send-off photos courtesy of Bruce Casanova. Victory Party photo courtesy of Jory Rivera.
The peak of her spotlight may have already lapsed last 2010, but Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 and Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner-Up Venus Raj continues to shine. In fact, she manages to keep her trim and sexy self up to now. The enviable waistline has never changed. What’s more, the naturally warm personality remains intact.
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Venus Raj speaking in front of a full-packed venue during the Youth Convention hosted by the Atty. Francis Padua Papica Foundation in Naga City.
Years after Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 and Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner-Up Maria Venus Raj brought the Philippines pageant honor in Las Vegas, she is now gazing at more charity and advocacy-oriented activities.
Guests of Honor and Speakers during the Naga City-hosted Youth Convention
During a chat we had early last year, I remember her saying that she sincerely wants to put up a foundation for the education of streetchildren. So I was no longer surprised when she turned out to be one of the speakers during the Youth Convention organized by the Atty. Francis Padua Papica Foundation and attended by thousands of youth leaders from all over the country. Along with the Hon. Leni Robredo, mentor Jonas Gaffud, fellow Beauty Queen Ariella Arida, actor Benjamin Alves, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Jim Paredes and more, she spoke to the participants about her journey to success and inspired them to do everything to the best of their abilities to rise above the challenges today.
This speaking engagement should help Venus jumpstart her noble plans for the future. Her leadership skills cannot be ignored. And in just a few years from now, I wouldn’t be surprised if she joins politics in the Bicol Region, if not put into motion her long-cherished dream of putting out-of-school youth inside the classroom.
Your blogger is behind Venus in whatever good endeavor she plans to accomplish in the years to come. 🙂
Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 and Miss Universe 4th Runner-Up Venus Raj is the new face and body of Folded & Hung underwear and swimwear.
I’m amused at how our beauty queens get more fierce, more gorgeous and more arresting a year or two after their reigns. Venus Raj is no different. She is just one ‘boom-boom-pow’ of a Pinay!
It probably comes with age and experience. After all Venus has been through, she has come out wiser and stronger. And these qualities definitely show in all her photos for Folded & Hung.
So where is Venus going from here? Far, I reckon. Be it in showbiz or public affairs, this lady has shown that anything is possible if you set your heart and mind to it.
Bb. Pilipinas 2011 Official Candidate Roxanne Cabanero
Below is the video of Roxanne Cabanero when she was featured on GMA-7’s Wish Ko Lang last January 8, 2011;
courtesy of gmapublicaffairs
Roxanne Cabanero
5’ 6″ ; 24
129 lbs.
University of San Carlos –Cebu City
Special talent/Sports/Hobbies –
Reading , net surfing, flag football, badminton, running.
You can say all you want. Roxanne Cabanero is riding on the wave of being Venus Raj’s look-alike. Earlier last month, she was shown on GMA-7’s Saturday afternoon “good samaritan” show “Wish Ko Lang where she expressed her hopes of joining the Binibining Pilipinas and possibly follow the footsteps of her idol and deadringer, Venus Raj. Nothing wrong with that. The girl has the height and exotic looks to dream Beauty Queen-big. She even had encounters with people who mistake her for Venus and rode along for fun.
Fast forward to the announcement of the Bb. Pilipinas 2011 Official Candidates. The girl went through the rigorous screenings and had the good fortune of making it to the list of 40. And if she plays her cards right and ends up in the winning circle, the achievement will be a major, major step from her days as a Miss Mandaue candidate.
But aside from looks, does she have the right moves and X-factor appeal to do a Venus Raj? My answer is no. She is no clone of our Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010. She is still raw and unpolished. But is she a potential beauty queen? My answer is maybe. She is an Official Candidate, right? And if she buckles down to diligently doing her homework and instilling the desired attitude and discipline needed to be one, then my answer might just be a tentative yes! 😉
Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj during yesterday's send-off ceremonies for the Miss Universe Pageant in Las Vegas. (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova of OPMB Worldwide)
Finally, the day has come. Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj was feted by Binibining Pilipinas organizers with a formal send-off to the Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Las Vegas on August 23. Attended by media, family, fans and supporters, Venus was visibly glowing as she basked in the fulfillment of one of her dreams – to represent the Philippines in an international beauty competition.
Venus was all smiles as well-wishers trooped to the Gateway Suites at the Araneta Center for her send-off. (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova of OPMB Worldwide)
Venus will actually be arriving in Las Vegas a few days earlier than the rest because she was handpicked to join a small group of candidates who will accompany Donald Trump in a media tour of the pageant to drumbeat interest for the same. And she is taking this opportunity to start making her mark.
Venus with her proud mother. (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova of OPMB Worldwide)
During the send-off, BPCI (Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc.) head Stella Marquez de Araneta clarified some questions regarding Venus. She reasoned out that the usual Colombia training was altogether scrapped due to time constraints. She also shared that a Filipino designer offered his services to assemble Venus’ wardrobe but was turned down since they have already completed all the attires to be worn in Las Vegas. Regarding the National Costume, she neither confirmed nor denied that Alfredo Barraza created the same, but added that a brand-new show-stopping piece will be worn during the pageant.
Two gorgeous morenas - Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj (L) and Bb. Pilipinas-World 2010 Czarina Catherine Gatbonton. (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova of OPMB Worldwide)
Below is a video of Venus being interviewed by ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo during the send-off. She proudly showed off her 22-inch waistline here.
It was a lazy Sunday afternoon last August 1. I was going through my usual routines and then decided to watch TV and check on the latest newsbits on GMA-7’s Showbiz Central. I almost fell off my chair when their segment on Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj started showing and this blog – Norman’s Blog – was used as backdrop showing her photos and that of her competitors’ plus my post on how to do the online vote. For those who may have missed it, the portion of the show with the Venus Raj spot is embedded below.
The Venus Raj feature starts right after the click.
video courtesy of YouTube/pinoyakoinfo
Thanks to the people behind Showbiz Central who deemed my blog appropriate enough to go with their Venus Raj feature! 😉
P.S. Venus will be leaving for the US tomorrow evening via Philippine Airlines. Bon Voyage!
Following last week’s blog which featured the exclusive interview of OPMB with Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj, below is the video clip of the group’s tete-a-tete with Bb. Pilipinas-International 2010 Krista Kleiner. The beautiful Fil-Am mestiza, who is a TV celebrity in her own right, gave out fresh and articulate views about the national pageant, her preparations for the Miss International competition later this year and how she plans to represent the Philippines abroad.
Enjoy!
video courtesy of YouTube/ecurb of OPMB Worldwide
P.S. Krista Kleiner left for Australia yesterday to join the Julio Iglesias World Tour as one of the featured performers. She will be touring the world for three months before coming back to Manila by the end of June to resume her training for the Miss International 2010 competition.
Hi! Norman here. When I'm not working, I spend most of my free time planning on daily blogs. If you will notice, I always make sure that a fresh topic comes out everyday - not an easy thing to do but it's all good. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy the visit!
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