Ma. Venus Raj looks quite fierce in her orange evening gown for the Miss Universe 2010 pageant.

For a decade now, we already know that the downfall of our delegates in the Miss Universe pageant is NOT the swimsuit and NOT the question and answer segment BUT the evening gown per se.

Since 2000, no Filipina made it to the semi-finals of the Miss Universe pageant although we are sending excellent delegates every year. Some people are blaming Donald Trump and his being biased to the latinas. Some people are blaming the judges for being racists. Some people are blaming the politics inside the MU organization and how the delegates of its business partners make it to the semis year after year.

We also have to consider the downside of our delegation. Although we have picked the best delegate to represent the country in the Miss Universe pageant, we ended up criticizing the…gown. Remember last year? Bianca Manalo was among the favorites from the beginning until she showed up wearing the blue gown with a giant bow. Should I even begin with the evening gowns worn by our previous delegates?

Now lo and behold. Here is our very own Ma. Venus Raj in her evening gown for the Miss Universe pageant:

We know Venus can carry any gown she wears because her personality is awesome. But what do you think?

Photo courtesy of Matt Petit / Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

Meanwhile, watch this interview by Balitang America on Ma. Venus Raj: