Unfortunately during the pageant’s final competition, poll and audience favorite Venus Raj subconsciously thought out her answer to William Baldwin in native language (Iriga Bikolano or Rinconada), and then articulated it in second language (English). Psycholinguists will confirm that a non-native speaker, even if intermediate level in learning achievement, may hardly be able to respond with spontaneous eloquence in second language within a fleeting time-sensitive instance at a public stage event. The hard lesson learned here is that, even if a Philippine beauty candidate can speak English, she should opt to avail of interpreter service, as how English-speaking Miss Mexico did. After all, Miss Universe is not an English public speaking contest — it is an international beauty competition!

Still, making it to Top 5 in hand-me-down gowns was no minor, minor feat. So here’s my sincere “MAJOR, MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS TO MISS RAJ!”

I think the emails are read by robots and I doubt if Paula ever read all of the emails.

I don’t think Filipinos take pageants serioulsy kasi Miss World are not broadcast here bcoz of low tv ratings.

Only the gay community and few women watch beauty pageants.

i’ve been reading venus fan page in facebook at mga beauty pageant messageboards. base sa mga nababasa ko, confirm nga na madaming sumulat sa miss univese org.