Miss Universe 2010

The Miss Universe Organization once again chose the entertainment capital of the world as this year’s venue which saw the crowning of Miss Universe Lupita Jones (Mexico) in 1991 and Miss Universe Alicia Machado (Venezuela) in 1996.

“Las Vegas is so fabulous, we had to come back again for the Miss Universe pageant,” said Miss Universe Organization President Paula M. Shugart in a press release. “The world will be watching as women from all around the globe descend on Mandalay Bay to compete for the crown and the title!”

Among the candidates competing for the title is our very own Maria Venus Raj who is representing the Philippines. The stunning 21-year-old fashion model came from a struggling family in Bicol, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism through a scholarship grant. At an early age, she joined various local beauty pageants as she carried her dream of winning a world beauty title someday.

The Miss Universe pageant airs on ABS-CBN for the 4th consecutive year which makes the Kapamilya Network the home of Miss Universe in the Philippines. ABS-CBN senior sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo will follow Venus in her journey and report pageant highlights via “TV Patrol” and “Bandila.”

Will Venus’ shine the brightest in the so called city of lights? Will she become the third Filipina to win the crown?

Watch the “Miss Universe 2010” airing via satellite on August 24 (Tues), 9:30 AM, at ABS-CBN with a primetime telecast the same day on Studio 23 at 7:10 PM and on Velvet (SkyCable ch 53) at 6:30 PM.