Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj. CDN Digital photo | Michelle Joy Padayhag
Cebu City, Philippines — Obey your parents.
This was the advice of Miss Universe 2019 fourth runner-up Venus Raj to the schoolchildren of Exceptional Children’s Educational Center during their moving-up and recognition ceremony at the Jimei Room of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.
The 30-year-old beauty queen, actress, and host was the keynote speaker of the event.
“You should obey them because it is good for you and the Bible says you will have a long life in this world,” the 30-year-old beauty queen and host said.
Raj started her speech showing three glasses. One glass was filled with brown water which represented the sins just like lying and disobeying.
The two other glasses symbolize man and God.
While showing the three glasses, Raj shared the story of Adam and Eve who ate the fruit from the forbidden tree despite God’s warning.
“Then sin entered the man. We were
originally clean but because of sin we became dirty and silty,” she added.
But Raj reminded the schoolchildren how Jesus Christ saved the people.
“What God did, he allowed his son to died on the cross for us. Jesus cleansed us. It is only Him who can clean us because of his death on the cross. All our sins before today and in the future have been forgiven,” she added.
She also told the schoolchildren how God loves everyone.
“Sometimes we feel unloved but the reality is God loves us very much. Even if we are alone in the house or even if mommy and daddy are not there,” Raj added.
Raj appreciates parents
The 30-year-old beauty queen and host ended her speech by congratulating the parents.
“I am not a parent yet. It is amazing to have kids like these ones. I am sure you are so proud that finally, they are moving up,” she said.
She also lauded all the parents for the great job and hard work they did in raising their children.
“All those sleepless nights, especially for the mothers who are here. I can not imagine myself actually doing what you are doing. I do not know how hard it is to be a parent. I might be one in the future but I just want to salute you and you are doing a great job because of all your hard work,” she said.
Raj also encouraged the parents not to give up when struggles come in the family.
“There are times that you wanna give up, but as what the student a while ago, said, be strong, everything will be fine at the end of it,” she said.
In 2017, Raj finished her master’s degree in Community Development at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
She also graduated in Communication Arts at the Bicol University.
Raj brought pride to the Philippines when she finished fourth runner-up in Miss Universe 2010 held in Las Vegas, Nevada. /bmjo
