Bicolanos wish pal's death won't affect Raj

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  – Aware of the deep friendship between the country’s Miss Universe bet Maria Venus Raj and former beauty queen Melody Gersbach who was killed along with two others in a road collision in Camarines Sur Saturday, Bicolanos are wishing that the tragedy would not affect the former’s quest for the world crown in Las Vegas tomorrow.

Gersbach’s mother Marina herself said she wishes that Raj would remain composed and bag the Miss Universe crown, as her daughter would wish, too, if she was still alive.

Mrs. Gersbach said her daughter, the 2009 Binibining Pilipinas International, was excited to watch the Miss Universe competition and see Raj win the beauty pageant.

“Venus and my daughter were really very close friends as they shared joys and sorrows every time they joined beauty competitions. Although we are in solemn mourning, just the same we wish Venus the best. I’m confident that Venus will be crowned as Miss Universe,” Mrs. Gersbach told reporters here.

Raj, Gersbach and another beauty titlist, Jane Banares, all Bicolanas, were handled by fashion designer Alden Oren­se, also one of the fatalities in the road accident, along with their driver, Santos Ramos Jr.

For his part, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said, “Melody has done her part and could have done so much more. The entire province deeply feels the loss and shares the sadness of her family. I just hope the tragedy will not affect Venus in Las Vegas and instead (she would) use this event as a challenge and to uplift the plight of Bicol,” Salceda said in an e-mail to The STAR yesterday.