Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Miss Philippines Venus Raj is fourth runner-up

MISS Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2010 on August 23 in Las Vegas, the same city where their country first captured the crown nineteen years ago.

Crowd favorite Maria Venus Raj was fourth runner up, ending more than a decade-long wait for the Philippines to make it to the top five in the pageant.

The new Miss Universe, Jimena Navarrete, glowed in her ruby-red evening gown after being crowned at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino by 2009 Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela.

"I dedicate this (win) to my people…I want to show the world my wonderful and beautiful country, Mexico " Navarrete told a press conference via an interpreter, following her coronation.

She said she is very proud of her people and cited Mexicans in the US as "hardworking, good people."

But she skirted a question on the Arizona immigration law saying, "I believe my job is to promote my country and do what the Miss Universe Organization wants me to do."

The 22-year-old from Guadalajara, Mexico said she is interested in nutritional science. She has been modeling since she was 15 years old.

Aside from the diamond-encrusted tiara that was placed on her head, Navarrete received a one-year scholarship to the New York Film Academy, and a year’s supply of dresses, shoes and hair products.

She is the second representative from Mexico to be named Miss Universe after Lupita Jones won the title in 1991. The pageant was also held in Las Vegas, NV that year.

Navarrete consistently got high scores in both the swimsuit and evening gown competitions during the pageant night.

In the question and answer portion, Olympic gold medalist skater Evan Lysacek asked for her views on the problem of children using the internet without proper supervision.

"I do believe that the internet is an indispensable, necessary tool for the present time. We must be sure to teach them the values that we learned as a family," she said.

The pageant was participated in by representatives from 83 countries. First runner-up was Miss Jamaica, while second and third runners-up were Miss Australia and Miss Ukraine.