Venus Raj’s new take on beauty

Venus Raj’s new take on beauty 

By Jojo P. Panaligan

Venus Raj started the four-year streak of Pinay bets winning at the most prestigious international pageants in 2010 when she ended up as Miss Universe 4^thrunner-up. Her victory was made more significant by the fact that the last time the Philippines reached the Top 5 was more than a decade prior.

These days, ask Venus about her views on beauty and you’d see her in a different light.

“Lagi na lang beauty is about physical appearance dahil na din sa yan ang na-pro-promote sa media pero ang totoo, hindi lang yan tungkol sa kulay mo, sa kutis mo, sa tangkad mo, sa liit ng bewang mo. Walang peg ang beauty. As long as may maganda kang kalooban and you do what’s right, you become beautiful in the eyes of people,” she said in an exclusive interview.

 Venus recalled a time when she wanted to become fair-skinned.    

 “But then I became a Born Again Christian and I realized that seeing maputi as a measure of beauty is the world’s standard. Now I look at my brown skin and I’m thankful for it. Eto ang bigay sa akin, so why would I want something else?”

 It doesn’t mean, though, that one should not do anything and everything to enhance or preserve ones’ looks. Beyond vanity, Venus believes taking care of oneself is divine mandate.

“God wants us to be healthy, both inside and out. We also reflect His work in our lives by the way we look. Wag mong pabayaan ang mga gifts Niya sa yo,” was her simple explanation.

 In renewing as endorser of the 42-year-old Dermclinic, the beauty queen is happy that its anniversary theme is “Be in the Pink,” with emphasis on beauty a by-product of being healthy. The go-to dermatological center of Dr. Vinson B. Pineda already has 18 branches nationwide and Venus can explain the success from a personal point of view.

 “This company treats me and all of its clients like family. Mararamdaman mo yan. In my case, comfortable ako even sa pinakamay-ari. He guides me in things beyond our professional dealings. He reminds me to be a channel of blessings to people,” she said.

 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva concurs.

 “His existence and the way he runs the business are testaments to God’s goodness and faithfulness. He is my idol and I am one of those who can tell that he is successful because of God’s approval,” Villanueva said to that effect.

  Venus advises women and beauty queens to not compare themselves to others. She said that everyone has a time to shine and what’s more important is integrity even when another has taken the spotlight.

 “There will always be someone greater or ‘lesser,’ if that’s the word to use. It really doesn’t matter. Just be yourself---the way you were meant to be---and the world will see your beauty. Have peace in your heart, your life. Be happy, stay happy.”

Source: Manila Bulletin, December 2, 2013