RP's Venus Raj 4th runner-up in Miss Universe pageant

Miss Philippines, Venus Raj, was heavily applauded after being declared the fourth runner-up in this year's Miss Universe pageant, participated in by 83 contestants from around the world.

Miss Universe fourth runner - up Miss Philippines Venus Raj (left), first runner - up Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillips, Miss Universe 2010 Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, third runner - up Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska and finalist Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Paola Vicente. AP

Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe 2010, replacing Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez, who gave Venezuela a second consecutive win by taking the title at age 18 last year. The South American country has won six titles since the pageant started in 1952.

Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps was named first runner-up during this year's pageant, hosted by Natalie Morales and Bret Michaels.

Miss Ukraine, Anna Poslavska, was third runner-up, Miss Australia, Jesinta Campbell was second runner-up,

The winners were announced after one final strut across the stage in the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.

Before that, the top five tried their best to impress the panel of celebrity judges in the question and answer portion.

Raj, 22 was asked by judge William Baldwin, "What is one big mistake that you've made in your life and what did you do to make it right?"

"Thank you so much, Sir for that wonderful question," she says and then greets the audience, met by wild cheering.

"You know what, Sir in my 22 years of existence I can say that 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," she answered.

Raj was almost replaced by Bb. Pilipinas runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson after being stripped of her crown and title when organizers of the Binibining Pilipinas-Universe pageant found "inconsistencies" on her birth certificate.

Raj was advised by former Ms. Universe Gloria Diaz to let it go. Meanwhile, she found an ally in then Commission on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima

The Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. said Raj would be reinstated on the condition that she is able to obtain a valid Philippine passport.

"We have reassessed the situation pertaining to Miss Maria Venus Raj and have decided, for humanitarian reasons, that if she is able to obtain a valid Philippine passport, we will reinstate her as the reigning Bb. Pilipinas-Universe," said the BCPI.

Raj then obtained a valid Philippine passport from the Department of Foreign Affairs, despite saying she should be reinstated without condition.

On August 4, Raj flew to the United States to represent the Philippines, competing with 82 other beauty queens from Albania to Zambia in a pageantry of swimsuits, evening gowns and quick-thinking interview skills in the their quest to bring home the 2010 Miss Universe crown.

The contest, co-owned by Donald Trump and NBC, was judged by celebrities including 2010 Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek and actress Jane Seymour.

The pageant started as a local bathing revue in Long Beach, Calif., organized by a swimwear company. It now skips over the world; it was held last year in the Bahamas and in Vietnam in 2008. –Carmela Lapeña, VVP, GMANews.TV

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