From dethronement to fighting for her crown, Miss Philippines Venus Raj faces yet another challenge in her quest to win the title Miss Universe— dealing with the sudden loss of her good friend Bb. Pilipinas International 2009 Melody Gersbach.

Venus learned of the shocking news that the Fil-German beauty queen, together with two other companions, was killed in a car accident en route to Naga, Camarines Sur, during her rehearsal break at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino where she instantly burst into tears and felt very devastated.

“She is really the one who pushed me to join Bb. Pilipinas,” recounted Venus in an interview with Dyan Castillejo in Las Vegas and aired on “TV Patrol.”

Despite being down and distracted with the loss of Melody, whom she considers as one of her mentors, Venus is trying her best to remain in focus and got even more determined to win the crown.

“I’m sure Melody would’ve wanted me to continue the fight for the crown thus, I dedicate this Miss Universe to her,” she told Dyan.

Since Venus arrived in Las Vegas, Filipinos worldwide have been following her every move with reports filed by Dyan Castillejo in “TV Patrol,” “Bandila,” “Umagang Kay Ganda,” “The World Tonight,” “News Central” and even live updates via her Twitter account.

The most awaited coronation night, to be hosted by Bret Michaels and Natalie Morales, is set to happen tomorrow in Las Vegas and will be judged by Chazz Palminteri, Chynna Phillips, Criss Angel, Evan Lysacek, Jane Seymour, Niki Taylor, Sheila E, Tamron Hall, William Baldwin, Basim Shami, BJ Coleman, Carlos Bremer, Corinne Nicolas, Louis Burgdorf, Natalie Rotman, and Sadoux Kim.

Will Venus be triumphant and be chosen as the most beautiful woman in the universe?

Watch “Miss Universe 2010” airing via satellite on tomorrow (Tues), 9:30 AM on ABS-CBN with a primetime telecast the same day on Studio 23 at 9:30 PM and on Velvet (SkyCable ch 53) at 6:30 PM and 10:00 PM.

Image courtesy of Miss Universe L.P., LLLP