Bb. Pilipinas is now on ABS-CBN and Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner up Venus Raj is now a kapamilya talent!

ABS-CBN, Philippines’ largest media organization, proudly announced on Friday its five-year partnership contract with Bibinibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPIC), the organizer of the prestigious Binibining Pilipinas pageant. Alongside this historic move is the installation of 2010 Miss Universe Runner-up Maria Venus Raj as the newest Kapamilya artist. Present in the contract signing were Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN President and COO, Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Channel Head, Linggit Tan , ABS-CBN Head of TV Entertainment Production, Stella Marquez-Araneta, Chairperson of BPIC, Conchitina Bernardo and Pitoy Moreno, members of the BPIC executive board, Sienna Olaso, BPIC Director for Marketing and Romy Tan, BPIC Head of Finance and Ms. Venus Raj, 2010 Bb Pilipinas Universe.

In line with this “major, major” partnership, the Kapamilya network also takes pride in airing the much-awaited 2011 Binibining Pilipinas pageant in March. Now the Philippine’s most prestigious beauty competition can be watched not only in the country, but from all over the world through ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC).

Being the country’s premiere beauty pageant, BPCI rigorously screened and interviewed 90 of this year’s Binibining Pilipinas applicants nationwide and from all over the world. Among them, only 24 of these talented, gorgeous and statuesque ladies who can maintain poise and presence of mind amidst pressure will be chosen to battle it out for the esteemed crowns. With a reputation of mounting the best productions in the country, ABS-CBN Special Projects team headed by Chit Guerrero will spearhead this glamorous parade of beauties. It will be directed by top Kapamilya director Johnny Manahan.

For three years in a row, ABS-CBN has been the country’s official carrier of airing the most beautiful and glamorous night in the universe each year, the Miss Universe pageant held in various host countries.

In September, the Kapamilya network will air the 2011 Miss Universe pageant which will be held in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Besides producing the country’s best beauties as Philippine flag bearers for various international competitions such as the Miss Universe and Miss International pageants, BPCI, which is founded by chairman Stella Márquez-Araneta, has been a key partner in nation-building for over four decades, providing skills training, educational workshops, mission work and other relevant services for the marginalized sectors of the community.

With the annual pageant as its main source of funds, the BPCI tries to bring the message of hope and love across the nation. Young Filipina pageant participants are given the opportunity to be carriers of this message as the humanitarian missions make up BPCI’s primary goals. Its role in the upliftment of less fortunate fellow Filipinos through economic support generated from corporate sponsorships and other benefactors and donors is the basic reason for BPCI’s existence and relevance as an institution.

Meanwhile, 2010 Miss Universe Runner-up Maria Venus Raj feels very proud to be part of the Kapamilya network. Before she signed a contract with ABS-CBN, she was special guest of some of the media giant’s special projects such as the 2010 Bayaning Pilipino Awards and the ABS-CBN Christmas Special, and a stint as a “hurado” in one of the network’s leading talent shows, Showtime.

“I’m extremely honored to become part of the country’s biggest network. I’m proud to be a Kapamilya,” said Raj.

Photo Credit: Venus Raj’s Facebook Page