After briefly losing her crown on a technicality, Miss Philippines-Universe 2010 Maria Venus Raj is set to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2010 pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Country Girl

The bright lights of Vegas are a certainly a long way from this country girl’s humble origins. Born out of wedlock to a Filipina mother and an Indian father, Venus was raised by her mother in a palm hut surrounded by a rice field in the Philippine countryside. She trained for the catwalk by walking on rice paddy dikes.

Venus is certainly no stranger to the pageant scene, having competed in Philippine beauty pageants since she was seventeen. Before becoming Miss Philippines-Universe 2010, this twenty-two-year-old stunner was already Miss Philippines Earth Eco-Tourism 2008. Like the endearingly earnest farm girl that she is, Venus uses her pageant winnings to buy more farmland for her mother.

True to her countryside roots, Venus now works to protect Mother Earth. This journalism Cum Laude graduate serves as an information assistant for the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Unique Appeal

One thing you will notice in Venus’ interviews is the carefree, animated way she conveys her emotions. That demeanor provides a stark contrast to the dignity with which she carries her statuesque 5′ 9″ 35″-22″-35″ frame on the runway. That combination of rough-riding country girl and elegantly regal beauty queen gives Venus a unique appeal: she’s the glamor girl who knows how to kick it old school.

Venus’ unique appeal is not lost upon the Miss Universe audience. She’s a crowd favorite who consistently garnered some of the loudest cheers during the preliminaries. She’s also leading the Miss Universe online polls. You can cast your vote for Venus on her Miss Universe online profile.

As the first dethroned Miss Philippines-Universe to ever reclaim her crown, Venus exemplifies the sheer willpower and determination of a feisty fine Filipina. That determination could see her through to becoming Miss Universe 2010.

Miss Philippines-Earth 2010 winners. From left to right: Miss Philippines-Air Renee McHugh, Miss Philippines-Water Emmerie Cunanan, Miss Philippines-Earth Psyche Resus, Miss Philippines-Fire Gwennaelle Ruais, and Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism Angela Fernando.

With its 7,107 islands, the Philippines is a tropical beach paradise. With its 6,682 endemic species of flora and fauna, the country is also a biodiversity hotspot. That’s why nature tourism is so big in the Pearl of the Orient. What better way to promote nature tourism than with a bevy of nature-loving fine Filipinas?

The ecologically-themed Miss Philippines-Earth 2010 pageant selected five such beauties for its winners’ circle. Four of them bear titles corresponding to the elements of earth, air, fire, and water, while one of them serves as a muse for eco-tourism.

Miss Philippines-Earth 2010 Kris Psyche Resus, who also won the award for best in swimsuit, will go on to represent her country at the Miss Earth 2010 pageant in November. Psyche was crowned by Miss Philippines-Earth 2009 Sandra Seifert, famous for her dramatic comeback after being disqualified from the Miss Philippines pageant. Congratulations to each and every one of these lovely ladies on representing the natural beauty of their country!

Kris Psyche Resus

Psyche sees herself and her fellow Miss Philippines-Earth 2010 winners as hands-on leaders when it comes to protecting the environment. This confident and articulate young woman cites her headstrong mother as one of the biggest influences in her life. Psyche is the kind of person who wants to prove herself, take a stand, and make a difference — making her perfect for the twin roles of international delegate and environmental advocate.

Renee Rosario McHugh

New Yorker Renee loves organic food — a passion that jives well with the environmental focus of the Miss Philippines-Earth pageant. Growing up with a Filipina single mother has given her the strength and determination of a fine Filipina. That determination has driven Renee to compete in three different pageants, all the way to finally winning a crown at Miss Philippines-Earth.

Get to know Miss Philippines-Water, Miss Philippines-Fire, and Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism. Click through to the next page.

At the recently concluded Binibining Pilipinas 2010 (Miss Philippines 2010) pageant, Filipina-Indian civil servant Maria Venus Raj was crowned Miss Philippines-Universe 2010. Unfortunately for Venus, questions about her birth records have surfaced, and those questions have forced her to relinquish her crown.

With Venus dethroned, the title of Miss Philippines-Universe 2010 would normally have gone to first runner-up Dianne Necio. Unfortunately for seventeen-year-old student Dianne, she’s too young to compete at the Miss Universe 2010 pageant. As such, second runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson takes over the responsibility of representing her country at the Miss Universe 2010 pageant, as the new Miss Philippines-Universe 2010.

A Childhood Dream

As you can see from her photos, twenty-one-year-old model-journalist Nicolette is quite capable of taking on that responsibility. She certainly has the credentials to wear the crown: Nicolette was Miss Pampanga 2005, an Elite Model Look 2005 finalist, Miss San Fernando 2006, and Miss Photogenic at the Miss Philippines 2010 pageant.

Becoming a beauty queen is a childhood dream of Nicolette’s. As a young girl, she’d borrow her mom’s high-heeled shoes and pose in front of a mirror pretending to answer pageant questions. Thanks to a strange twist of fate, Nicolette’s now getting a shot at her dream.

A New Hope

Nicolette and Venus happen to be close friends. In fact, Nicolette says Venus would have been “a formidable contender for Miss Universe.” That’s why she plans to take on Venus’ hopes and energetically pursue the title in her friend’s place.

Most Filipinas are deeply religious Roman Catholics, and Nicolette is no exception. The 5′ 8 1/2″ stunner draws strength from a rosary necklace given to her by her deceased mother.

Like any modern young model with social media savvy, Nicolette keeps her fans updated on her adventures. If you’d like to follow the new beauty queen’s quest to bring glory to her country in the new decade, check out her official pages on Twitter and Facebook.

Miss Philippines 2010 winners. From left to right: second runner-up Nicolette Henson, Miss Philippines-International Krista Kleiner, Miss Philippines-Universe Venus Raj, Miss Philippines-World Czarina Gatbonton, and first runner-up Dianne Necio.

Congratulations to the winners of the Binibining Pilipinas 2010 (Miss Philippines 2010) pageant! Three of the finest Filipinas in the land have been chosen to represent the Philippines at prestigious international beauty contests this year.

The candidates for Miss Philippines 2010 represent the full ethnic spectrum of Filipina beauty, and the winner’s circle reflects that diversity. The top three titleists include a civic-minded SoCal actress, a nature-loving Pacific Island princess, and a strong-willed Indian goddess.

Second runner-up Nicolette Henson

Second runner-up: Helen Nicolette Henson
Age: 21
Height: 5′ 8 1/2″
Weight: 121 lbs.
Vital statistics: 35″-25″-35″
Special awards: Miss Photogenic

Nicolette took up broadcast journalism in college, and her career reflects her journalistic training. This skilled communicator can adroitly express herself in a plethora of ways: as a host, as a model, and as a travel writer.

Even Nicolette’s hobbies reflect her multimedia savvy: she loves surfing the net, reading books, writing poetry, and watching documentaries. She’s even got social media savvy: you can find her interacting with fans on Twitter and Facebook.

With the Philippine Presidential elections coming up, Nicolette was asked what she’s looking for in a President. Nicolette replied that she wants a leader with a good heart, because such a leader can sway the hearts of the people. Since Nicolette’s a journalist, her answer draws upon what every capable media practitioner knows: authenticity resonates with the people.

Nicolette was also an Elite Model Look finalist in 2005. That same look earned her the title of Miss Photogenic. Lest anyone think this young model-journalist is all work and no play, Nicolette also loves swimming and dancing.

First runner-up Dianne Necio

First runner-up: Dianne Necio
Age: 17
Height: 5′ 6″
Weight: 112.2 lbs.
Vital statistics: 34″-25″-36″

Dianne’s been winning accolades across the Philippine pageant circuit over the last year, having won the first runner-up spot at Miss Bicolandia 2009 and the titles of Miss Iriga 2009 and Miss Tabak 2009. Now on her second year of nursing studies, this teen pageant hotshot enjoys baton twirling and piano playing.

As she revealed during the question-and-answer portion of the pageant, Dianne is the kind of girl who listens intently to the important people in her life. Filipinos tend to form very tight-knit families and friendships; such bonds provide a source of strength for many Filipinas. As the youngest member of the winner’s circle, good advice from a capable support group should serve Dianne well in her promising career.

To learn more about the top three winners — Miss Philippines-International, Miss Philippines-World, and Miss Philippines-Universe — click through to the next page.

The Philippines is a tropical island paradise, and nothing says “tropical island paradise” quite like a bevy of bikini-clad beauties. Naturally, any fine Filipinas hoping to represent their country at the Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International beauty pageants should look good in bikinis.

Fortunately, the candidates at the Binibining Pilipinas 2010 pageant deliver amply in that regard. Marvel at these fine Filipinas’ flawless beauty in their swimsuits, and let your mind drift to thoughts of summer on the white-sand beaches of Boracay.

Once again, it’s time to choose some of the finest Filipinas in the land to represent their country and their people at the Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss World beauty pageants. The twenty-four candidates competing at the Binibining Pilipinas 2010 pageant represent the sheer diversity of Filipina beauty.

You’ll find fine Filipinas of almost every ethnic mix among this year’s batch of candidates: from tanned Pacific Island princesses like Mariella Castillo and Patricia Lae Ejercitado, to statuesque European goddesses like Nicole Kaufmann and Gwendoline Ruais. Public servant Maria Venus Raj is an exotic Indian beauty, while actress Krista Mae Kleiner is a vivacious SoCal girl. Fine Filipinas are truly a global phenomenon.

Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009 Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009 pageant! “Mutya ng Pilipinas” is Filipino for “Muse of the Philippines” — and considering how beautiful all the candidates were, these fine young Filipinas certainly live up to that title.

From left to right, the winners are first runner-up Samantha East, Mutya ng Pilipinas International Jane Banares, Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism Jacqueline Schubert, second runner-up Jennielyn Natividad, and Mutya ng Pilipinas Overseas Communities Ana Baladad. Check out footage from the coronation night after the jump.

(Via Joseph Gonzales.)

The Filipino phrase “Mutya ng Pilipinas” translates into “Muse of the Philippines”. As you can see from the candidates of the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2009 pageant, the name is more than fitting.

The Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant is positioned to promote tourism. These Filipina ladies certainly convince me that natural beauty abounds in the Philippines.

Mossimo Bikini Summit 2009 Grand Winner Vanessa Dime

Just like the winners of the Miss Bikini Philippines pageant earlier this month, the winners of the Mossimo Bikini Summit 2009 represent the wide spectrum of Filipina beauty. Second runner-up Sharla O’Hara looks very much like a Pacific Islander, first runner-up Rachel Anne Bustamante looks very Eurasian, and grand winner Vanessa Dime is a perfect balance of both. Congratulations on celebrating diversity, ladies!

Mossimo Bikini Summit 2009 First Runner-Up Rachel Anne Bustamante

Mossimo Bikini Summit 2009 Second Runner-Up Sharla O'Hara

(Photo credits: Vince Lopez Photography.)

Miss Philippines Earth 2009 Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the ecologically-themed Miss Philippines-Earth 2009 pageant! Especially remarkable is the victory of Filipina-German model and nurse Sandra Seifert, who was disqualified from the Binibining Pilipinas pageant earlier this year. Sandra has clearly recovered from that setback, grabbing the top title of Miss Philippines-Earth.

Check out Sandra and the other nature-loving island beauties after the jump.

Miss Philippines-Earth 2009 Sandra Seifert

Title: Miss Philippines-Earth
Name: Sandra Seifert
Age: 25
Occupation: Nurse
Earth-friendly tip: “Break the habit of using your car every time you go out. If the destination is nearby, use a bike instead.”

“I was a studious little girl who dreamed to make a difference in this world. The recent Earth Hour was memorable because I was helping Mother Earth in a big way, but at the same time saddening because not everyone participated in it. I believe that everyone has a purpose in life and that participating in Ms. Philippines-Earth has brought me closer to mine.”

Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism and Miss PAGCOR 2009 Adie Adelantar

Title: Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism and Miss PAGCOR
Name: Adie Adelantar
Age: 21
Occupation: Tourism graduate
Earth-friendly tip: “Being kind to animals means being kind to the environment as well.”

“My father got sick of cancer and passed away when I was fourteen. His death made me stronger and wiser.”

Witness the elemental beauty of Miss Philippines Fire, Air, and Water on the next page.