Venus Raj

Maria Venus Bayonito Raj (/rɑːdʒ/; Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈɾah, ˈɾadʒ]; born July 7, 1988) is a Filipino actress, model, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2010.[1] She represented the Philippines at the Miss Universe 2010 pageant and placed 4th Runner-Up.[2][3]

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Bayonito and the surname or paternal family name is Raj.

Venus Raj
Raj at a fashion show in Toronto, 2014
Born
Maria Venus Bayonito Raj

(1988-07-07) July 7, 1988
Doha, Qatar
EducationBicol University (BA)
University of the Philippines Diliman (MS)
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title
Agency
Hair colorBlack
Eye colorBrown
Major
competition(s)

Raj placed as fourth runner-up in 59th Miss Universe pageant, where she is known for her answer "Major Major".

Early life and education

Maria Venus Bayonito Raj was born in Doha, Qatar, to an Indian-American father and a Filipino mother, the youngest of five children. She came to the Philippines while still an infant and was raised in Bato, Camarines Sur.[4][5]

For the first two decades of her life, Raj lived in a nipa hut made of wood, bamboo and anahaw leaves, with no electricity, in the middle of a sprawling rice field. She allegedly used rice paddy dikes for her early training, where she eventually developed her distinctive walk.[6]

Raj started out by joining local beauty pageants, as well as oratorical contests at San Vicente High School, where her English teacher served as her coach. Using the prize money won in major contests, she then bought land on an installment basis for her mother to help improve their livelihood.[6]

Raj obtained her bachelor's degree in communication arts, major in journalism, at Bicol University in Legazpi City, with Latin honors (cum laude). She graduated through the scholarship that she received from the Francis Papica Foundation.[6] She initially worked as an Information Assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for Bicol Region. It was at this time that she also worked as a part-time fashion model in both her native Bicol and Manila.[7][8][9]

In 2017, Raj completed her master's degree in community development from the University of the Philippines Diliman.[10]

In June 2021, she graduated from Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics (OCCA), Oxford, England.[11]

Pageantry

Miss Philippines Earth 2008

Raj first competed in Miss Philippines Earth 2008 where she was crowned as Miss Philippines Eco Tourism 2008.[12][13]

Binibining Pilipinas 2010
Main article: Binibining Pilipinas 2010

After joining Miss Philippines Earth 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.[14] On March 6, 2010, she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2010 during the pageant's Grand Coronation Night at the Araneta Coliseum. She also won the special awards for Best in Long Gown, Best in Philippine Terno, and Miss Friendship. She gained the right to represent the Philippines at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada.[9]

Miss Universe 2010
Main article: Miss Universe 2010

The Philippines' pending participation at Miss Universe 2010 attracted international attention due to Binibining Pilipinas' controversial initial dethronement of Raj for citizenship reasons.[5] However, due to increasing public pressure and the ensuing intervention of the Miss Universe Organization under Donald Trump, national director Stella Araneta and the country's Department of Foreign Affairs made an agreement with Raj to reinstate her to the national title upon making an exception to grant her a Philippine passport. Raj eventually travelled in August 2010 to Las Vegas, United States and became the official Philippine delegate to the competition.

During the Miss Universe competition, Raj was emotionally distressed to hear about the death of Filipino-German beauty queen Melody Gersbach and make-up artist Alden Orense in a car accident. Gersbach, a fellow Bicolana who previously competed and placed in the Top 15 at Miss International 2009 in China, was one of Raj's coaches in her preparation for the Miss Universe pageant.[15][16] Raj was one of six delegates who 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. Raj received the highest rating in the Miss Universe website, with 3.54 points, the highest-ever for a Philippine delegate.[17]

Raj was the last delegate to be announced to the Top 15, signalling both an end to a 10-year semifinal drought for the Philippines and the beginning of its streak of appearances at Miss Universe during the live finale up to 2021 - the country's longest in its history on the pageant. 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, citing the famed answer "Major Major" in her response.[18] Raj eventually finished in the Top 5 as 4th runner-up to winner Navarrete from Mexico, marking the Philippines' highest placement at Miss Universe since Miriam Quiambao placed second in the competition in 1999.

Television career

Prior and after Miss Universe, Raj guested on multiple networks as guests. Eventually she was offered hosting stints including a spot in the morning show Umagang Kay Ganda. In 2011, Raj signed up an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN, coinciding with the network gaining the airing rights of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant for at least five years. In 2013, she left on hosting Umagang Kay Ganda due on the reformat of the show. Less busy with entertainment commitments, Raj pursued her master's degree in Community Development at the University of the Philippines Diliman and lent a hand to the group called “Care For Children.”[19]

Filmography

Television
YearTitleRoleNetwork
2011MutyaMikkiABS-CBN
2011–2013ASAP 2012Host/Performer
2011–2016Umagang Kay GandaHost
2012 Wansapanataym: Bye, Bye BangungotDiwata
Maalaala Mo Kaya: KoronaHerself
2014Wagas[20]January IsaacGMA News TV
2015Maalaala Mo KayaChristine BalaguerABS-CBN
Tunay Na BuhayHostGMA Network
2016Celebrity PlaytimeHerself/PlayerABS-CBN
A1 Ko Sa 'YoHerselfGMA Network
2017Umagang Kay GandaHerselfABS-CBN
Family FeudHerself/PlayerABS-CBN

Film
YearTitleRoleProductionRef.
2012PridyiderCelineRegal Films [21]
2013Slumber PartyHerselfRiginals [22]

Awards and nominations
Awards and Nomination
YearAward Giving BodyCategoryNominated WorkResults
201125th PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Morning Show Host
(shared with Umagang Kay Ganda hosts)		Umagang Kay GandaWon
5th UPLB Gandingan AwardsWon
201226th PMPC Star Awards for TVWon
6th UPLB Gandingan AwardsWon
201327th PMPC Star Awards for TVNominated
7th UPLB Gandingan AwardsWon
201428th PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Travel Show Host
(shared with Christina Decena)		Business FlightNominated

See also

Notes

    References
    1. Tupaz, Voltaire; Tayag, Voltaire (December 11, 2019). "LOOK BACK: The Binibining Pilipinas legacy through the decades". Rappler. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
    2. Lapeña, Carmela (August 24, 2010). "RP's Venus Raj 4th runner-up in Miss Universe pageant". GMA News Online. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
    3. "Venus Raj 4th runner-up in Miss Universe 2010". Filipino Journal. August 6, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
    4. Dy, Adrienne (July 14, 2011). "Venus Raj: The goddess is a hometown girl". Inquirer Lifestyle. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
    5. Francisco, Butch (April 6, 2010). "Venus: 'Goddess' in distress". Philstar. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
    6. Ephraim Aguilar (September 4, 2010) Dethroned Bicol beauty queen fights for dream Archived April 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Inquirer Southern Luzon.
    7. Bacungan, VJ (June 9, 2017). "LOOK: Venus Raj flaunts U.P. 'Sablay' graduation photo for master's degree". CNN Philippines. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
    8. Cagape, Kristhoff (October 9, 2017). "Beauty & Brains: 8 Celebrities who graduated with top honors". Push. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
    9. Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 Archived March 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. bbpilipinas.com
    10. "Venus Raj completes master's degree in UP". ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs. June 8, 2017. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
    11. Layug, Margaret Claire (June 25, 2021). "LOOK: Venus Raj graduates from school in England". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
    12. Adina, Armin (May 13, 2008). "Second time a charm for new Miss Earth". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on April 27, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
    13. Jojo, DJ Mojo (May 17, 2008). "Mother's Day for Mother Earth". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
    14. Dy, Adrienne (July 14, 2011). "Venus Raj: The goddess is a hometown girl". Inquirer Lifestyle. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
    15. Another mishap: beauty queen dies" Archived August 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. The Manila Bulletin, (August 2, 2010). Retrieved on May 12, 2012.
    16. Robert R. Requintina Venus mourns, but is ready to shine. August 22, 2010
    17. Members. Miss Universe. Retrieved on May 12, 2012.
    18. Flores, Karen (June 13, 2011). "'Major major:' Venus Raj's legacy?". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on June 13, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
    19. Santos, Rhea. "Venus Raj declines Willie Revillame's offer, signs up with ABS-CBN". Push. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
    20. "Second chance: January Isaac and Wade Bodlovic Love Story sa 'Wagas'". GMA Network. January 23, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
    21. "Venus ready for movie debut in 'Pridyider'". ABS-CBN News. August 28, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
    22. "'Major major' viral video inspires comedy flick". ABS-CBN News. November 2, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
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