She has a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts Major in Journalism at Bicol University in Legazpi City with Latin honors and graduated cum laude. In 2017, she completed her master's degree in Community Development from UP Diliman. And in July 20, 2021, she graduated from Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics in Oxford, England. But maybe we remember her better when she was asked the Miss Universe question in 2010, "What is one big mistake that you've made in your life?" She answered, in her 22 years of existence, she has not done any "major-major" mistakes yet in her life. And now, we will ask her again, if there's anything "major-major" that she has been through. And has she committed mistakes in her 30 something years of experience. We have, Venus Raj. - Hi, Venus.
- Hi, Toni. Thank you. Thank you for having me. Really appreciate this. Wow, that "major-major" in 2010. I think that became everyone's favorite expression. Yes. At first, I'd be annoyed to hear that. Really? Yes. Why? Because I wouldn't know anymore if it were an expression or if people were just making fun of me because I fumbled on that Q&A. So in my head, "Why do they keep repeating it?" Something like that. Did you think, at that time, that your answer was a mistake? I was in denial, of course. I watched some of my interviews right after the pageant. And I said in the interview that, "I'm not going to change my answer because that came from my heart." But, "Hey, earth to Venus." "Be better." I feel like I couldn't communicate in a manner that I really want to communicate to people. English is not our first language so in my head, I did a translation. Now, in your 30 plus experience, are you comfortable to say your age? You are? Oh yeah, I'm 33. See, 33. She's 33. So in your 33 years of experience, if I were to ask you again, what's a "major-major" mistake that you have done in your life? I think, the thought that relationships would be the ultimate, when it comes to having a relationship with a man. And compromising my purity. Because that's something I can never have again. Moments like that. That you feel like that's the best thing you can give to someone, you know, that you're in a relationship with. So for you, right now, what was the greatest gift that you can give your partner? Aside, you know, yourself. Yeah, such a difficult question, Toni. I think now, it would be honoring and respecting the person that I'm in a relationship with. Are you in a relationship now? No. Ah, single. For how long? 7 years. Really? 7 years? I remember seeing you in Laguna. Where we all saw each other. Your boyfriend at that time-- Let's go back to that. Because we're talking about the past. Like the "major-major" experiences in your life. You were born in Doha, Qatar. Yes. And your father is Indian. Yes. Your mother brought you to the Philippines when you were just months old because she and your father separated. Yeah. So you grew up never really knowing who your father is. Did you see his photos? I saw his photo but he was wearing shades. So that's the only photo you saw? Yes. Just that. So in my mind, the picture of him in those huge shades will always be there. He was even leaning on a TV set. And there was a staircase. So that's the only photo of your dad? Yes. So growing up, you did not have a father figure? I had a stepfather. But you have that feeling you can't hide knowing that he's not your dad? Yes. You know what I mean? Different. It's still different if the person is family. And the treatment is different. Really different. Although, my stepfather is a good man. But I know it's still not the same. Something lacks. You feel like there's a part of you, a hole, that can't be filled. Yeah. So when you're growing up, how did you feel that void? A boyfriend. - How old were you when you first had a boyfriend?
- 16 years old. 16 years old. I was in high school. And usually, older. What was your age gap? The very first one, I was 16, the guy was 28. 28? Yes. So what was the dynamics of your relationship? 16 and then 28 years old. I did not know anything about life yet, Toni. I just follow. Whatever people tell me. All of that was just to say you are in a relationship. I don't know what a toxic relationship was then. I don't know the dynamics. Am I to submit? Or how else should I act? No idea at all. I was introduced to things that I shouldn't be introduced. First sexual experience. And I thought, maybe it is like this. This is love? Yes, maybe it is love. It is. Because it usually happens that way. You should give your whole self to the person. It ended after 2 years. I think, a year and a half. Because... Yeah, he got another lady pregnant. Every failed relationship teaches you something. That's true. There is. At that time, I did not know there was a void. I know now, I can name that as a void when I was younger. But when I was there, I did not know it was called a void. That there was something I did not understand. I just feel that I wanted to be with him in this life. Companionship. Security. Validation. Acceptance. Provision. Belonging. Yes. You belong to someone. Yes. And then you joined a beauty pageant. How? In your town, yes? Local first. Grade 5, very first pageant. My teacher said, "There's no class representative, do it." "Okay." My sister also does pageants. So I was confident that someone would teach me. Because my sister was in high school that time. She'd join beauty pageants. So I was chosen. Miss United Nations or Linggo ng Wika, stuff like that. And then, this is my Pia Wurtzbach moment. So in the coronation, in the announcement, she was the first runner up. And I was announced as the winner. And then our principal went up the stage. My principal said, "The result was wrong." They took the flowers and gave it to the sixth grader. What did you feel when they took it back? It was fine. Did you cry or not? I wasn't competitive. Not yet. As long as I just represent the class, I'm good. I think the idea of beauty pageants was only introduced to me in 1994 when Sushmita Sen won. She was Indian, so it was big news in the Philippines. I think, it was held here in the Philippines. That's how the concept of pageants came to me. But I never dreamed of being a beauty queen one day. Up until college. During that time, I said, "This could be good." "Maybe I should put all my efforts here." So that's when we started joining beauty pageants in our community. Provincial, national. So that's where it started, "Okay, I think I could do this." All of my prizes, and the savings from being a scholar in the university, I would keep. I would either give it to my mother or I'll save it for myself. Until you really worked on being a beauty queen full time, right? You made it to Miss Universe Philippines. Yes. You were being championed. But during that time, there came a controversy because your birth certificate was being questioned if you really were a Filipino. Yeah. That's a big deal and I did not expect that to be a problem. The day after the coronation night, it dawned on them, "Hold on, I think you weren't eligible to compete." Something like that. So they revisited my papers. And then there were lawyers. A lot of lawyers discussing. You know, while you were telling that story, I was thinking about what happened to you when you were 9 years old. Your win was also questioned. Oh, yeah. Because they also took it back. You're right. It happened to you twice. You were 9, and you won, but it was taken back from you. That's right. I never realized that. But, yeah. That happened twice. So how did you handle that situation? The last one was hard because it was already a fulfilled dream. I wanted to compete in the Miss Universe pageant already. My heart wasn't willing to give it all up. Not anymore. I know that I didn't do anything wrong. And I know that I was honest from the beginning. So the feeling was, "Wait, I didn't do anything wrong." "I didn't." Why are they taking away something I worked hard on? Something like that. We're fighting for it now. It came to a point when I had no money, so what can I do? How can I actually fight for what I think is right? But I did not have the resources for that. I think the Lord has been so faithful even in those times. Until this news has reached the Miss Universe organization. And the Miss Universe organization called my lawyers. They talked. And their only requirement was for me to have a passport. So if you do have a Philippine passport, then you are recognized by the Philippine government. You are a Filipina. Yes. I really am a Filipina. So I said to myself, "Okay, this pageant is really happening." And if this pushes through, it means there's a reason. Were you able to find the answer for that? Yeah. Because? Because that time after Miss Universe is when I got to know God. Very same year, after the competition, the time will come that God will use that platform, not for me, but for his Name. So at that time, I couldn't understand him. Why do I need to go through that zigzag road just to get to the Miss Universe? Or why is it not the title? Why the fourth runner up? Why not the main crown? Why the fourth runner up? Okay, so I could return to the Philippines. And when I came back, that very same year, that was the time that everything just made sense. What did? That my life had a purpose. Before, I thought it was just like, "Okay, do this." "Finish this, then here's the next task." "And the next." Something like that. But apparently, there's a reason why He made me win. There's a purpose for all of this. When did that start or when did you realize that you need to know God? What happened? What incident? There was this time, when I returned, and of course the people, the Filipinos, know me already. Nobody knew me before. And it so happened that I have a cousin that I didn't know. I know his mother. I called her mom, "Mom" too. So "Mom," apparently had a son whose name is Coach Rio dela Cruz. Until he brought me to church. He introduced me to the missionaries who welcomed me to church. And that's where I knew God. The first time you went to the church, do you still remember the message? I do. But I really remember the song that I cried my heart out to. What song? Amazing Grace. - I don't even know that song.
- It's my favorite. In what part did you cry in that song? "I was once lost, but now I'm found." "I was blind, but now I see." You cried? Why? Because? Because it's like everything I'd done in my life flashed again. Everything flashed back and I saw that my lifestyle was wrong. I was blind. But from that moment, you know that feeling when, "Yes, my child. You are blind." "But I took out what obscures your vision." I was once lost, and now I'm found. I looked for my dad for a long time and I could not find him. But when He found me, the feeling was incomparable. It's like you realized that He's always been the father that you needed. Yes. You never realized that He's always been there for you. Yes. So after you heard the song Amazing Grace, what changed for you that day? You know that feeling where, you're filthy, but come here, I will embrace you. Even if you are filthy, come to me in my arms. That's how much I love you. You found the love that you were looking for. Yeah. From your father. From the relationships. Yeah. From people. Affirmation. Pageant fans. Validation. Everything. Shocks, it's this. He gave you the real crown in life. Yeah. But maybe now, what really sticks is Galatians 2:20. It reads, "I have been crucified with Christ." "It is no longer I, who live." "But Christ lives in me." "And the life that I now live in the flesh, I live in the Son of God, who loves me and gave himself up for me." Who am I? Why did You sacrifice your life for me? I'm nothing. But You died for me. That's how much You love me? What is something you lost in order to be the new Venus Raj? She's not in the industry anymore or she's not big anymore. She's not out there anymore. Where is she? - What's she up to?
- She has no career anymore. She has no career anymore. I think, for people who are observing me or my life, that's what they think. But in reality, if I would compare my life before to my life now, even if I don't have the resources I was enjoying during those years anymore, the assurance, the peace to sleep soundly at night, that you are embraced by your Father, your God, everything is provided for that He promises that you will have a good future. He will not leave and abandon you. As a child, you'll be called the King of Kings, what else is missing? Is there anything else I need? More than enough. Yeah. I think, what you really found in your life right now as I'm listening to you and looking at you, you found peace. Yeah. It's a peace that surpasses all understanding. They don't have to understand what you have right now. But there is peace in your heart that you know, no matter what happens, someone is watching out for you, taking care of you, and most importantly, loving you. Yes. That's the ultimate thing we all look for. Yes.
