Ex-beauty queens to Venus Raj: "We're still so proud of you"

CEBU, Philippines - Even though she failed to bring home the crown, former beauty queens were all praises for Venus Raj.

Miriam Quiambao, who was first runner-up in the 1999 Miss Universe, posted on her Twitter account: “Congrats Venus! We’re still proud of u!”

Former Miss World Second Princess Ruffa Gutierrez, on the other hand, tweeted: “Just woke up...watching MISS UNIVERSE. Cannot believe I totally forgot to set my alarm! :( But super proud that PHILIPPINES in the Top 5!”

Charlene Gonzales, who was a Top 6 finalist in the 1994 Miss Universe held in Manila, also tweeted: “For me!!! Venus is still a winner… She made us proud, the fact she made it tht far!!! Wow!! Were proud of u!!!! Good job Venus!”

Meanwhile, American billionaire Donald Trump, who owns the Miss Universe franchise, was quoted by GMA TV as saying after the pageant: “I was surprised Philippines didn’t go further. I wasn’t surprised by the win [of Miss Mexico].”

Venus was deemed by many to have bungled in the final Q&A, wherein she was asked by Hollywood actor William Baldwin on the biggest mistake she has made in her life and what she did to make it right.

Venus answered: “You know what, sir, in my 22 years of existence I can say that there’s nothing major, major problem that I’ve done in my life because I’m very confident with my family, with the love that they are giving to me. So thank you so much that I’m here. Thank you, thank you so much!”

In a post-event interview with GMA News, she further explained her answer: “Yun ang gusto kong sabihin, maybe hindi ko lang nasabi ng maayos. Siguro overwhelmed lang ako masyado, very proud ako.”

Told that her “major-major” answer has already become a trending topic on twitter, Venus said with a laugh, “At least yung major-major nakapagbigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa.”