Venus Raj banks on spiritual strength

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  — Despite her rigid physical trainings and mental calisthenics, Philippines’ bet to the Aug. 24 (Manila time) Miss Universe Pageant Venus Raj admitted that spiritual preparation is her real tool to stay strong until the competition is over.

“I know I am facing goddesses of beauty and brains in this Miss Universe competition. But my unconditional faith in God is the real tool that is keeping me composed and never waiver that I could win this very tough contest,” Raj told The STAR when she visited Bicol University, the state-run school where she graduated cum laude in AB Journalism.

Raj admitted she went back to her hometown in Bicol before leaving for the US, not only to visit family and relatives but also to seek the blessing and praying over from the pastor of a Christian congregation she is a member of . The pastor is named Pinki Anasin but she did not mention the name of the religious group.

Raj said that their rigid physical trainings and mental tune-ups through the close supervision of Binibining Pilipinas Charities Incorporated (BPCI) in preparation for the competition seemed incomplete without spiritual blessings, particularly prayers.

“This might be very personal, but this is my honest feeling. After that blessing and pray over I feel very ready to face this competition. Added to this, of course, are the prayers of you all, my fellow Filipinos,” Raj said, as she also expressed elation over her consistent No. 1 position in the on-going on-line voting.

Raj revealed she refused offers by rich and influential people for service vehicles and comfortable billeting while preparing for the contest to avoid controversies that might affect her image as the country’s pageant representative.

“We just rode taxis and rented a cheap apartment in Pasay during the months of our trainings. Anyway, I am not used to comfortable living being poor myself,” Raj said.

She also admitted that the earlier stripping of her crown nearly brought her down, had not she felt the overwhelming support not only of Filipinos but the whole world as well.

“Only now I realized that you would feel so strong and determined when the people are behind you,” the beauty titlist said.

Raj said she has already buried any misgivings brought by that crown issue.

In the on-going on-line voting in missuniverse.com, Raj remained No. 1 with Miss Venezuela coming in next.