Venus Raj proud to be an inspiration to young women in provinces

Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Maria Venus Raj is one of the most memorable Filipina beauty queens because aside from her iconic "Major, major" answer, she has brought the Philippines once again to the Miss Universe Top 5 after an 11-year drought.

Before entering the beauty pageant industry, Raj served as a government official in her hometown Bicol and lived a simple and happy life with her family.

After winning Binibining Pilipinas, she faced even more challenges—she was dethroned as her citizenship was put in question.

Despite all of it, the Filipina beauty queen believes that everything happened for a reason.

“All of it actually worked together for good noong nag-Miss Universe. They know about me even before I went to the competition... Ngayon, nare-realize ko na everything happened for a reason. Everything happened because the Lord has a purpose," she said.

Almost seven years since she represented the Philippines in Miss Universe and brought pride to the country, Raj continues to be thankful for all the opportunities that came her way.

More than all her projects, she is grateful for the chance to inspire young women who came from the provinces.

“Dati, kapag taga-probinsya, maiti at hindi masyadong maganda ang tingin. Sa amin lalo sa probinsya, 'Ay, maitim. Okay lang, foundation na lang sa buong katawan,'" she said.

"I believe that (my win) inspired many young women na kahit pala taga-probinsya ako, mahirap kami, kahit hindi ako kayang pasalihin ng parents ko, kung may potensyal ako, kayang-kayang mag-compete nationally and internationally," she added.

Right now, Raj is pursuing a Master's degree in Community Development to extend a helping hand to more remote places in the Philippines.

Message to Maxine Medina

Like all Binibini queens, Raj is praying for Miss Universe Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina, who is currently competing for the country in the prestigious international pageant.

Medina is among the candidates in the 65th Miss Universe pageant, which will conclude with a Grand Coronation Night on January 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Her message to the country's representative: Listen to yourself and your mentors, not your detractors.

“Ang lagi kong sinasabi sa kaniya before is to know yourself first, kasi kung hindi mo kilala ang sarili mo, ang bilis mong ma-sway ng opinion ng ibang tao," Raj said.

The Filipina beauty queen added, "I'm praying for you, that's for sure. People will always expect us to have the crown, but don't be pressured. Kung ibigay sa'yo, ng Panginoon, then accept it with all of your heart. But if not, my prayer is, aside from the physical crown that people are expecting us to have, I'm praying that you will have the eternal crown—the one in heaven. Mas importante sa akin 'yun kaysa sa mga bagay dito sa lupa ngayon.” — BAP, GMA News