Who Is Maria Venus Raj?

Maria Venus Raj was born out of wedlock in Doha Qatar.Upon separation of her parents, Maria Venus Raj was taken to Bato, Camarines Sur as an infant and was registered by an aunt as Philippine-born to Roman Catholic parents. Her mother was a former tenant farmer and dressmaker who brought Maria Venus Raj up as a child. Maria Venus Raj lived in a nipa hut made of wood, bamboo and anahaw leaves with no electricity in the middle of a sprawling rice field in the rural Bato town for more than twenty years. She allegedly used rice paddy dikes for her early training where she eventually developed her distinct catwalk. The youngest among five children, Maria Venus Raj started joining local beauty pageants at 17 years old. She also joined oratorical contests at San Vicente High School where her english teacher served as her coach. With her victories in major contests, Venus Raj had started to buy land on installment basis for her mother as a means of improving their livelihood.

Maria Venus Raj obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Communications Arts, major in Journalism, at Bicol University in Albay, with Latin Honors (Cum Laude). She graduated through the scholarship that she received from Francis Papica Foundation. Back in the Philippines, she works as an Information Assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region V. She also works as a part-time fashion model.

Venus competed with more than 80 stunning ladies and received overwhelming support not just from the Philippines but also from the Filipino community in Las Vegas. To recall, the 21-year-old Bicolana was briefly dethroned after Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated (BPCI) discovered inconsistencies with the information she disclosed to the organizers and the papers she submitted for the competition. But later on the BPCI retracted their decision and reinstalled her as the representative to the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas. And finally Venus make it to the top five and bring pride to our country being the 4^th runner of the recently held pageant in Las Vegas. The Filipinos are really proud of you. Congratulations!

Jimena Navarrete was Crowned Miss Universe 2010

Congratulations to Miss Mexico for winning the Miss Universe 2010 but most of all congratulations to our own Miss Venus Raj who garnered the 4th place in the pageant.

The top five contestants with their answers to the questions.

First up, Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete: What effect is unsupervised Internet use having on today's youth? Through an interpreter, she says the Internet is an "indispensable, necessary tool" and we have to make sure kids are using it according to family values.

Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell: What role should the government play in regulating potentially offensive clothing? "One of the greatest things we have is the freedom of choice...I don't think the government should have any say in what we wear."

Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps: Is the death penalty acceptable and why? "I believe that life is a gift...I believe that none of us as humans have the right to take a life."

Miss Ukraine Anna Poslavska: How do you feel about full-body scanners in airports? Through an interpreter, she says, "I think it's a very important question of security...if that helps us to save the lives of people, than I'm for it."

Miss Philippines Venus Raj: What is one big mistake you've made and what did you do to make it right? She says she hasn't made any major mistakes, then gives a shout-out to her family. "Thank you so much that I am here."

Mernadeth Sicutan from the Ata tribe Won the Hiyas Ng Kadayawan 2010

Mernadeth Sicutan won as this year's Hiyas sa Kadayawan during the coronation night held last August 20, 2010 at the Davao City Recreational Center or Almendras Gym. She studied at Rizal Memorial College taking up Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. She was a crowd favorite during the pageant because of her authentic beauty, charm and intelligence despite of her petite appearance. She was proud to represent the Ata tribe. She won PhP 50,000 cash plus other prizes from the sponsors for being this year's Festival Gem.
Among other winners were 1st and 2nd runners up winners are Jalma Bete Mohamad from the Kalagan tribe and Fatima Sharine Jadjuli from the Tausug tribe, respectively. Mohamad won PhP 40,000 cash plus other prizes from the sponsors as this year's Hiyas sa Kauswagan (Gem of Progress).Meanwhile, Jadjuli won PhP 30,000 cash plus other prizes for being this yesar's Hiyas sa Tingusbawan (Gem of Fulfilled Promise).

Kadayawan 2010

Below are some of the special events during the Kadayawan 2010. Everybody is invited to witness the said activities prepared for enjoyment and one way of showing our thanksgiving for the abundant blessings we received throughout the year. Let's party and enjoy!

1. Agri-Trade Fair
2. Hulagway: Faces and Places: Davao
3. 1st Mayor Inday Sara Duterte All-Women Aero Marathon
4. Katingalahang Kalingawan sa Kadayawan
5. The Best of Sayaw MindanawShowcase
6. Opening of Kadayawan Activities at SM City Davao
7. Panagtagbo: Multi-cultural Performances

8. Hudyakaan: On the Street Food and Entertainment

9. Kadayawan Tabo: Mag-Negosyo Ta Day Fair Trade
10. Kadayawan sa Apo View Hotel
11. Hiyas sa Kadayawan: The Festival Gem

12. Deca Cup Wakeboarding and Wakeskating Competition

13 Kadayawan Tiangge sa Chinatown Opening
14. Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan
15. Pamulak sa Kadalanan

What is Kadayawan?

What is Kadayawan means to all Davaoneos?

Kadayawan" is derived from the Mandaya word "mandayaw" The term "Kadayawan" is derived from the Mandaya word “madayaw”, a warm and friendly greeting used to explain a thing that is valuable, superior, beautiful, good, or profitable.

Long time ago, Davao’s ethnic tribes residing at the foot of Mount Apo would converge during a bountiful harvest. This ritual serves as their thanksgiving to the gods particularly to the “Manama” (the Supreme Being).....

Various farming implements, fruits, flowers, vegetables, rice and corn grains were displayed on mats as villagers give their respect and thanks for the year's abundance. Singing, dancing and offerings to their divine protectors are the highlights of this ritual.

Although times have changed, this practice of thanksgiving or “pahinungod” is still very much practiced by modern day Dabawenyos. This tradition flourished and evolved into an annual festival of thanksgiving.

In the 1970’s, Mayor Elias B. Lopez, a Bagobo, initiated tribal festivals featuring the lumad and the Muslim tribes of Davao City where they showcase their dances and rituals of thanksgiving.

Later in 1986, a program called "Unlad Proyekto Davao" was initiated by the government which was aimed to unite the Dabawenyos after the turbulent Martial Law era. At that time, the festival was called "Apo Duwaling," a name created from the famous icons of Davao: Mt. Apo, the country's highest peak; Durian, the king of fruits; and Waling-waling, the queen of orchids.

“Apo Duwaling” was meant to showcase the city as a peaceful destination to visit and to do business after 1986 EDSA Revolution.

Finally in 1988, City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte renamed the festival as "Kadayawan sa Dabaw" to celebrate the bountiful harvest of Davao’s flowers, fruits and other produce as well as the wealth of the city’s cultures. To this day, the festival continues to honor the city's richness and diverse artistic, cultural and historical heritage in a grand celebration of thanksgiving for all of Davao City's blessings.

Food Tips

I love cooking and it is already my passion to try new recipes I got from the net. But in the process of cooking I discovered minor difficulties in the preparation of the ingredients which somehow affect the length of time. I would like to share some simple tips to make food preparation easy.

Peeling garlic cloves.
For a quicker peeling of garlic cloves, you must have to microwave them first for 10 seconds. They will pop out of their skin instantly.

Storing of apples and carrots.
Don’t store apples and carrots in the same compartment inside the refrigerator because apples emit a gas that makes the carrots bitter.

Easy way to steam veggies.
Simply place a colander over a pan of boiling water, pour prepared veggies in and put a lid over the top for 10-12 mins. The veggies will be cooked and crunchy but be careful in getting the veggies, because the strainer will be hot!

How to cut meat into thin slices.
When cooking beef or pork which required to cut the meat as thin as possible. You must have to cut it while it still partially frozen.

Tips for cooking beans.
When cooking beans, when you have any additional ingredients, such as acidic substances, like lemon juice, vinegar, tomatoes, ketchup or wine, it should be added at the end of the cooking time, since acid makes the beans firm.

Filipino People Remembers the First Year Death Anniversary of President Cory Aquino

Last Sunday, August 1, 2010 marked the first death anniversary of late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino. The celebration was led by his son President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III together with his family, relatives, friends and followers gathered at La Salle Greenhills in San Juan City to attend the tribute mass.
After a short program, President Aquino unveiled the commemorative marker signifying the legacy of his mother and her contribution in shaping the country. The President was joined by his sisters Ballsy, Pinky, Viel and Kris with two sons Joshua and Baby James. Then a mass shortly followed after the unveiling. There are also politicians, celebrities and other known personalities attended the said celebration.

President Cory Aquino Picture Mosaic

A Filipino photojournalist and photo mosaic artist attempted to break world records by unveiling a 250 x 250 feet photo mosaic of Philippine democracy icon, the former president Cory Aquino last Saturday at Quirino Grandstand in Manila. He is Revoli Cortez, award-winning photojournalist and photo mosaic artist, first began with the idea right after the death of President Cory Aquino in August last year. The emotions that overflowed during the Cory’s wake and the pile of pictures he had while covering the former president for two years were the inspiration behind his masterpiece.

He said “In the end, I realized two-year supply of pictures was not enough to create and complete the project. So what we did together with the organizers and Ms. Deedee Sytangco was we opened the competition to the public. Anybody who wanted to submit a photo could just e-mail me. This resulted to a great outpour of pictures from the public,”

The event was attended by President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Mayor Alfredo Lim of Manila and Chris Carrion from the Spirit of EDSA movement.

“This photo mosaic is a symbol of hope, the real challenge however is in making Cory Aquino’s legacy part of our daily lives,” President Aquino said during the event.