February 02, 2011
MANILA, Philippines - Goddess on a mountain top, burning like a silver flame. A sonnet of beauty and love…and Venus was the name.”
That line from the classical hit popularized by the Beatles kept ringing in my ears as I was rooting for the official Philippine representative during the Miss Universe 2010 Beauty Pageant held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada last August.
Until finally, the last berth in the Magic 15 slot was given (drum roll, please) to Maria Venus Bayonito Raj from San Vicente, Bato, Camarines Sur. Upon hearing her status, I wasn’t like those screaming mimis on YouTube. Rather, I offered a thanksgiving prayer to the Lord as our candidate confidently sauntered to her place onstage to acknowledge the appreciative crowd.
From the Top 15 to the trimming down to 10 and eventually garnering a 4th runner-up finish in the Magic Circle of Five finalists, Venus was a goddess on a pedestal; truly, a stand-out by doing the Philippines proud after an 11-year drought in the most prestigious beauty pageant in the world.
Born to be a Beauty Queen
“I’ve been joining (beauty) contests ever since I can remember, even those mock pageants we used to play at home and in the neighborhood when we were kids. During school intramurals, I kept joining as well until grade five,” she recalls amusedly.
Rising above her peers at 5’7” made the then-sixteener go into pageant-hopping in nearby towns and cities in Region 5, among them Miss Camarines Sur and Miss Bicolandia. Year 2008 also saw her competing in Miss Earth Philippines. Yet in all these, the sultry morena would always end up a runner-up. Not until the 47th annual Binibining Pilipinas Beauty Pageant held at the Araneta Coliseum was staged that things took on a different, far better course.
Ticking the tape at 33 ½-22-35 and tipping the scales at 110 lbs. beneath that 5’9” frame, the half-Indian Venus also bagged the Best in Philippine Terno, Miss Friendship and Best in Long Gown special awards during the pageant night. The Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 title was her first major victory!
In every competition, however, detractors abound and in no time at all, she was hogging national headlines as a dethroned beauty queen. Her citizenship was questioned, including her vital papers and documents. When she finally obtained her Philippine passport, she flew off to compete in Las Vegas.
Yet amid all these, Venus simply refused to be downtrodden and, just like Venus rising, she emerged from this brouhaha unruffled, unperturbed and unscathed, with head held high.
“I realized that I had to undergo all that because God has a better plan for me. What did I do wrong when all I did was win the title? Everything happens for a reason as every question was answered.
“I became a stronger woman in the process. They cannot judge me because they do not know the real me. Had I not passed that stage, I wouldn’t have felt the outpouring of love, sympathy and support from all of those who believed in me. I also thank the people who tried to put me down because, in the end, there were more of them who rooted for me,” Venus states.
Her being a stand-out as a Filipina also paved the way for Unilever Philippines to avail of her services as the newest Cream Silk endorser.
Proudly Philippine Made
Prior to the main ceremonies, Venus was also personally handpicked by Donald Trump and the Miss U organizers to promote the pageant alongside selected candidates. Her landing on the Magic 15 was a feat, as she was the only Asian to have entered the circle of finalists.
“Misses Indonesia, Malaysia (my roommate) and the other Asians were so excited for me as well; they were crying as they hugged me backstage. ‘We’re very happy! You Asian, you win!’ I knew then that they were proud of my accomplishment, too,” reveals this A.B. Communication Arts major in Journalism (Cum Laude) alumna from the Bicol University.
We, as Filipinos, are definitely proud of her as well. After Miriam Quiambao’s 1st runner-up finish during the 1999 Miss U ceremonies, it is only now that a Filipina has once again brought glory to the country from that competition. What, then, sets Venus apart from past Bb. Pilipinas Universe candidates who were not as fortunate?
“I’d like to believe that it was also through Divine Intervention. Nothing can beat one’s faith in the Good Lord. It also helped that I was subconsciously thinking that ‘I would win, I would win.’ It’s all in the mind; it’s yours so you just have to claim it. My being poor didn’t stop me from realizing my dreams, regardless of our house being located in the middle of a rice field and not having electricity while I was doing my assignments. One’s destiny in this world has already been written even before one was born.
“It also helps if you have a good heart. I’ve encountered fellow Miss U candidates who are undoubtedly gorgeous and stunning but you could sense something was lacking from within. In the end, no matter how beautiful you are physically, it’s the real beauty from within that stands out,” she attests.
When I reminded Venus that this is intended for “People of the Year” and with her being the youngest of this season’s honorees, she couldn’t help but feel elated over the award.
“Pag naging cover ka ng People Asia, parang ang laki ng naging contribution mo sa bansa mo (When you land on the cover of People Asia, it means you have done something great for your country). Up to now, it really hasn’t sunk in that I’ve landed as 4th runner-up. But I am really thankful that your magazine recognized my small contribution to society.
“That is why I really want to be an inspiration and a role model for the youth that kahit mahirap ka at walang pampaaral ang pamilya mo sa iyo (despite your being less fortunate with your family not being able to afford your tuition fees), there are other means of surviving and making it in this world.
“Even though if I didn’t bring home the bacon, my serving as an inspiration to my fellow Filipinos is already an achievement in itself,” Venus concludes with a flash of her pearly whites.
Spoken, indeed, like a true queen… beautiful, inside and out!
No comments:
Post a Comment