Miss Philippines 2010: Wrong Answer, No Crown!
Although she was one of the favorites in the Miss Universe beauty contest, Miss Philippines 2010 Venus Raj failed to impress the audience when her answer was too evasive and she diplomatically skipped the question. Perhaps she didn’t like that question? Anyway Miss Philippines ended up on the fourth place in the Miss Universe 2010 contest held at the Mandalay Bay Casino Resort in Las Vegas Nevada.
Venus Raj is a gorgeous woman, she sure looked like she could handle a simple question like William Baldwin’s: “What is one big mistake that you made in your life and what did you do to make it right?” It didn’t sound too bad, did it? Well, the 22-year-old beauty queen must have been too nervous to think about a good answer for this question and ended up saying pretty much nothing at all.
She thanked the audience, she thanked William for the question, she even thanked her parents for her success but her answer was evasive and obviously skipped the question. Miss Philippines 2010 Venus Raj told William Baldwin and the audience: “Thank you so much sir for that wonderful question. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Good evening Las Vegas. You know what sir, in my 22 years of existence, I can say 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.”
Before this moment, Miss Philippines seemed to be taking the lead in the online rating since she had a score of 3.55, which is very good. Miss Universe 2010 was crowned Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, a 22-year-old Guadalajara beauty.
Here’s the video:
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I have been a big fan of Miss.Universe my entire life, and always look forward to when it’s on. I cannot remember the last time a contestant made me smile as much as Miss.Philippines did last night. A beautiful woman who made it that far.She did not have dance or music classes to brag about in her youth.she would never complain of any family issues she had to deal with. She was lucky to have had a pair of shoes. &She is woman who is proud that she was able to go to school. This is a real big deal for a Filipino who was raised in poverty!!A woman who was raised with NOTHING. For most of these other girls in the pageant world, they could never live a day in the life of what it is to be raised 3rd world.
So go ahead ignorant reporters and critics around the globe, critisize Miss. Philippines for answering an empty question not up to your ideal. In my opinion, Her excited smile, apparent pride, and giddy nervousness.. makes her the most beautiful, real, & amazing woman above all others.
Yay Venus! I loved you!!!
Sorry, but evading questions is not acceptable. She had an opportunity to show that she has the intelligence to honestly evaluate herself. But instead we get “Nope! I’ve never made a mistake in my whole life! I’m perfect!”
The ability to see your missteps, and more importantly learn from them, to correct your mistakes shows character.
She answered as a politician would have.
I’m Filipino by the way. Her answer does not reflect well.
MISS PHILIPPINES – VENUS RAJ GAVE AN HONEST ANSWER AND IT COSTS HER THE CROWN
Let me enlighten you as to why?
Venus Raj lives a simple and poor life. She lives in a province, sort of your rural America or the boonies. The house she lives in is a simple thatched-roof hut made of bamboo and wood, located in the middle of the rice paddies. Her immediate support are her family, friends, and relatives. She was born illegitimate. In the Philippine society, it is still a stigma. She strives to do her best to study hard and succeed in life. She graduated Cum Laude in Communication Arts and managed to find a job as Information Assistant in a governmental agency in her province. While doing that, she helps her mother, a farmer, buys land on installment basis. Her goal is to help her mother and family improve the quality of their lives and lift from the life of poverty.
Going back to the question posed by Mr. Baldwin, “what is the one big mistake that you did in your life, and what did you do to make it right?” When Venus answered, “In my 22 years of existence, there is nothing major – major problem that I have done in my life. Because I’m very confident about my family and the love they are giving me. So thank you so much…”
IF YOU ANALYZE HER ANSWER, SHE IS TELLING THE AUDIENCE THE TRUTH! WHEN DOES TRUTH BECOMES A LIABILITY?
In her 22 years of life, she did not commit a ONE BIG MISTAKE WORTH UNDOING OR REGRETTING! SHE THANKS HER FAMILY BECAUSE THEY ARE HER GUIDE AND SUPPORT.
Let’s see…where could she make a big mistake?
DID SHE SLEEP AROUND AND CATCH HIV/STD DISEASES? – No, she did not. Remember, she lives in a rural area in a conservative Catholic society, acting whorish is a big NO NO!
DID SHE GET PREGNANT AND HAVE AN ABORTION? – NO, she did not. She is one wholesome girl. Her family watched, protected, and nurtured her. She can’t escape the watchful eyes of her 4 brothers. Suitors will have a hard time to be near her. If there is going to be one, he will be talking to the whole family instead of talking privately with her. That’s the way life in rural Philippines. Everybody knows everybody, and everybody knows what everybody is doing.
DID SHE SMOKE OR DID DRUGS? – NO, she did not. She came from a poor family. She has no means of buying it. These bad habits are only enjoyed by the wretched people, who are typically shunned by Philippine conservative society.
DID SHE FAIL IN SCHOOL? – No, she did not. She excelled in school. Graduated Cum Laude.
DID SHE COVET A MARRIED MAN? – No, she did not. She doesn’t have a boyfriend at the present time.
IS SHE A BAD DAUGHTER? – No, she is not. In fact, she helps her mother and family improve their lives.
OVERALL, VENUS IS A WHOLESOME, GOOD GIRL, WHO GREW UP IN A RURAL CONSERVATIVE SOCIETY, PROTECTED, NURTURED, AND WATCHED BY HER LOVE ONES AND DID NOT EXPERIENCE BIG MISTAKES IN LIFE. SHE LEAD A CAREFUL AND NORMAL LIFE THAT IS TOTALLY OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU EXPECT OF A LIFE OF A YOUNG LADY IN THE MODERN WESTERN SOCIETY.
UNFORTUNATELY, SHE WAS JUDGED BY A PANEL OF MODERN SOCIETY JUDGES AND AUDIENCES WHO CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT THEY WERE HEARING. TRUTH IS INDEED STRANGER THAT FICTION. BUT JUDGES, BY VIRTUE OF BEING A JUDGE, SHOULD ALSO LOOK AT FACTS AND TRUTHS, NOT SOME GENERALIZED OPINION THAT SOUNDS GOOD TO THE POLITICALLY CORRECT. VENUS ANSWER WAS FACTUAL AND BRAVE, AND SHE SHOULDN’T BE LAMBASTED FOR TELLING THE TRUTH, AND IT SHOULDN’T COST HER THE CROWN.
VENUS COMING FROM A POOR EXISTENCE AND MAKING IT INTO THE WORLD SHOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR PEOPLE LIVING AND BORN INTO POVERTY, WHICH APTLY APPLIES TO THE 70% OF THE WORLD POPULATION, AND FOR THOSE BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK. SHE CAN BE A GREAT MESSENGER TO THE WORLD THAT:
1. THERE IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF BEING BORN OF OUT WEDLOCK. IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. LIFE OFFERS REDEMPTION AND MANY POSSIBILITIES.
2. BEING POOR IS NOT A HINDRANCE TO SUCCEED IN LIFE.
3. STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND OF FINISHING COLLEGE.
4. HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF MORAL CHARACTER AND A GIRL’S WHOLESOME IMAGE
5. FAITH OF A CREATOR WITH UNLIMITED GIFTS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE ~NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD. HE CAN USE A MESSENGER FROM THE LOWLY AND POOR AND EXALT HER TO NEW HEIGHTS. SHE CAN BE A LIVING TESTAMENT OF GOD’S GRACE AND POWER THAT HE CAN DO ANYTHING AND CAN CHANGE LIVES.
6. GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR YOUNG GIRLS ~BE VIRTUOUS~BE HONEST ~HONOR THE PARENTS~EXCEL IN SCHOOL~HELPS FAMILY, ETC.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND A RARE AND SPECIAL GIRL LIKE VENUS RAJ?
MR. TRUMP AND THE PANEL OF JUDGES FAILED TO DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE. THEY FAILED TO DO THEIR JOB AND IN FAILING TO DO THEIR JOB, THEY MISSED THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR A GREAT MESSENGER TO THE WORLD, WHO IS CONVINCINGLY BELIEVABLE TO THE WORLD, BECAUSE SHE IS A LIVING AND BREATHING PROOF OF A POOR GIRL BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK WHO OVERCOMES HARDSHIPS, OBSTACLES, AND CHALLENGES IN LIFE. JUST LOOK AT HER LIFE … AND HOW FAR SHE GOES.
IF THE MISS UNIVERSE ORGANIZATION WANTS TO BE RELEVANT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, THEY SHOULD SEND THE RIGHT MESSENGER TO THE WORLD, WHO WOULD INSPIRE THE WORLD BY EXAMPLE, AND WHO CAN WALK THE TALK. A PRETTY FACE WON’T CUT IT ANYMORE.
Eric, I believe Venus and that she did not have one big mistake. Look at me, I’m 44 years old and I don’t have a one big mistake in life worth regretting. That’s why I can understand where she is coming from. Me too, grew up in the province. I’ve been surrounded by my parents and relatives, who watched over me. I don’t do those bad things girls usually do. Even now, that I’m living in the US. I just don’t do it. I don’t drink, smoke, sleep around, drugs, etc. I was never pregnant or have an abortion. I never have a relationship with a married man. I live my life clean. I don’t even have a traffic violation. I like it that way. So I can agree with Venus on this.
I do have minor mistakes like paid my bills late or forgot to return the books I borrowed from the library and was charged a late fee, forgot my appointment, etc. They are so minor and not even worth mentioning.
But you see, the question posed by Mr Baldwin was ” one big mistake” that is worth undoing. If that question was asked to me, I would have the same answer. I don’t have a major mistake and I would thank my parents and family for being there for me and for bringing me up good.
I’m sure I’m not the only one with the same experience with Venus. Most of us are reared in the province and lead a simple provincial life, away from the bad influences from the city.
I’m a big fan of Miss Universe Pageant eversince and a very loyal Filipino, but in this event I’m really kind of disappointed with the answer of the Philippines contestant, which I believe that causes her to lose big points.
It’s not about here how she was raised or what kind of life she grew up, she’s not the only one in the world who grew up poor yet with great achievements. But this is a competition of women who has both beauty and brain gifts, and their mission is how to show it to the world. Yes, she’s a beauty, of course with elegance and intelligence, because you can’t be a beauty queen if you don’t have beauty and brain.
The frustrating part is that the question for her was so easy just like the other questions, ( I bet judges really asked easy questions because they understand how nervous rocking the event for every contestant even how confident they are) these are simple questions that the contestant’s answer will reflect of who they are as a person based on their own opinion about a particular experience in their life or issues around them. Her answer was way out or not even related from the question.
I felt sorry for her, she’s bragging to graduate in college with honors, but she messed up on a simple opinion based question, that any school age kid can understand and answer it correctly with their own experience, that portion of the pageant is an opportunity for her to show the world of her personal intelligence that will reflects her personality. Well, I guess, she can count that experience now as one big mistake in her life that she wish she can still make it right,( if she admits that her answer was really non-sense from the question and learn from it) it’s just that in life’s reality, it really hurts if you lose one big chance to reach one of your big goals just because of one simple mistake. In fairness for her, she did a great job in the whole pageant, except that last part of it, well, no one’s perfect! and being in the top 5 out of 83 is great enough..maybe she’s not really meant to be a Miss Universe in the world but only in the Philippines..and I’m sure she still have that awesome experience to count on as one of her blessings in life.
She had all the right motives yet the wrong delivery… she let her nerves overcome her which in my opinion is what cost her the crown… she said she is confident yet it wasn’t proven to the judges… from what i see with watching dozens of pageants… the final question should always be 50% brains and 50% confidence… given their beauty…
Having endured public controversy on account of her late-registered Birth Certificate and then bravely overcoming to recover her beauty crown from BPCI in time, MVRaj could have answered WBaldwin better by saying:
“One big mistake I may have made in life was omitting the inelegance of my complicated origins when I competed for the Binibining Pilipinas beauty crown. I corrected the mistake by personally declaring a sad truth about my humble international beginnings. Happily, doing the right thing when it became due worked things out wonderfully and so, thank you so much to my family and friends for all the love and support, for here I am tonight with audacity of hope to try to win as Miss Universe 2010!”
Considering that exotic and regal MVRaj was No.3 in swimsuit and No. 5 in gown (on same averaged rank with Miss Australia), do you think she would have made a different result? Still, making it to the Top 5 is already big international honor by itself! CONGRATULATIONS, MISS RAJ, AND WELCOME BACK!
Give her a break. The question might seem easy to us; some may even claim that it is the easiest question out of all five. Yet, was it?
Think about it. The other four questions deal with your beliefs; they are debatable. To answer those questions “correctly” (or at least that is how it will appear to the millions of viewers), one needs only to voice out the opinion of the majority. Take one side, explain it a little, and you’re good to go.
But Miss Philippines’ question was philosophical, even personal. She answered as honestly as she could, and tried her best to answer it on-the-spot, to answer it under pressure. I don’t understand why people claim that she was implying that she was perfect; she merely said that she did nothing regrettable in her life. Legitimate answer, although it failed to impress.
I don’t get it; why are we obsessing about THIS particular Q&A? Did anybody else notice that MEXICO NEVER ANSWERED her question? Maybe that’s what it takes to get a Miss Universe crown nowadays; rant about something nice and ignore the question you were asked. When asked about the EFFECTS of something, talk about how we should not let that thing happen. Never mind explaining why we shouldn’t let it happen (after all, the explanation might lead us to the answer to our question); just enthrall the judges and the audience with our confident smile and answer. Who would say that we failed to answer the question, anyway? Only those who attentively examine the answer we gave – and these ones do not include the judges obviously; the judges had been so dazzled by our beauty, remember?
Until now I am still thinking what would be the best answer a “very good girl” could provide in that so-called- simple question. Because, even if she gave a very simple mistake in life like skipping classes: she will still be rediculed by many people. If she gave that birth certificate issue as her biggest mistake: she will appear dishonest to the whole world, and I don’t think it is worth saying.
I’ve read a lot of excuses for Miss Philippine’s disappointing answer to the question that she received at the Miss Universe Pageant. A few of her defenders even suggested that she is just a good girl, who was merely being honest. First of all, unless you know Miss Raj, personally, you cannot attest as to her true character. Second, anyone who had the audacity to enter a beauty pageant, while also being “poor from the farm” as others have referred to her, cannot be anything but savvy and supremely ambitious! So, it is my opinion that her “evasive” response seemed more dishonest than honest. I think this is true given that she had been guilty of omitting the truth of her illegitimacy in another pageant prior to the Miss Universe Pageant. My guess is that Miss Raj has behaved in ways that she was not too proud of in the past and that she was not about to disclose to an international audience.
What she should have done was to confess that, as it is true for all flawed humankind, she has made many mistakes in her life that she has tried to rectify by first admitting her wrongs. She could then say that she has done nothing “major-major” in her life.
In response to Luz Mina, who said that if Miss Raj had offered the issue with her birth certificate as an example of her “big” mistake, then she would have “appeared” dishonest, so it was not worth mentioning. Not mentioning something pertinent to Miss Raj’s history, especially when such an issue could have jeopardized her crown, is a lie by omission. Therefore, she will appear dishonest, because she was dishonest. She did not reveal the truth of her illegitimacy initially because she calculated the detrimental effect this might have upon her chances to win the Miss Binibining Pilipinas. This was a miscalculation on her part, and a “big” mistake that garnered publicity. At the Miss Universe Pageant, I think this very publicized mistake is what Willaim Baldwin was alluding to when he asked the question, “What big mistake have you made in your life, and what have you done to rectify it?” I think he asked this question to see if she could be humble in her honesty. Well, she proved that she was neither humble nor honest, exclaming proudly instead that she was “very confident and thankful” for what her family has given her. She behaved as if she had never before been caught in a publicized scandal – for conveniently omitting unsavory truths. Oh, please. The “very good girl” image her defenders have offered to explain her less than forthright answer is questionable.