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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj has a new achievement under her belt – she has completed her master’s degree in community development from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.
On Wednesday, June 7, Venus shared her graduation photo on Instagram.
“To those who became instruments in making this journey possible, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I can never boast of this moment, this is all by the grace of God,” she wrote in the caption.
“Sa lahat ng magsisipagtapos (To all of the graduates), let us still consider ourselves students of this life. Never stop learning. When we stop learning, we stop growing. There are far more lessons that we have to discover. Don’t be afraid of the process, God is with you.”
In another post, Venus showed copies of her thesis, which was titled “Spirituality as a Pillar of Disaster Resilience: Experiences and Images of Spirituality Among Small Fisherfolks in Bato, Camarines Sur.” Venus hails from the province of Camarines Sur.
“Dumarating pala talaga ‘yong oras na parang ayaw mo na (The time really comes when you don’t want to keep going anymore). I was at the verge of quitting while writing my thesis. But God’s encouragement, grace, and assurance sustained me along this process,” she wrote.
“To those who are still writing their thesis, kaya niyo yan (you can do it)!!! Work hard, as if it all depends on you. But pray harder, as if you have not worked at all.”
On Sunday, June 25, Venus formally got her diploma during the graduations rites at UP Diliman. On Instagram, she wrote: “Nagbunga na ang apat na taong pagsisikap. Sa mga kapwa ko magtatapos, isang taos-pusong pagbati sa inyo.”
(The 4 years of hard work was worth it. To all my fellow graduating students, congratulations.)
On Monday, June 26, Venus posted: “Battles are won in His strength, not ours. Wisdom comes from above, not within. His power is perfected in our weakness. We are simply vessels. Without Him we can do nothing ( Chris Tiegreen).”
Nad Bronce, one of Venus’ trainers in Aces and Queens, the beauty camp she trained with greeted her on her graduation day.
“As a teacher and as one who thrives in an academic environment, I feel proud and elated that my daughters take their education seriously. (Whenever a trainee introduces herself as a student, I immediately call her attention to the rigors of pageantry and tell her to prioritize her education first.) Today, I am proud of my students who have graduated from UP. I am also immensely proud of my beloved daughter Venus, who never stopped at learning, and in the process, continued to transform herself for the better.
More importantly, she has strengthened her faith, and made it a foundation of her life, as she has helped others build their own. In fact, her very thesis reflects on this transformation: spirituality as a pillar of disaster resilience. I am confident that Venus will blaze new trails and I am praying that she will continue to help and enlighten others. To you anak [Venus Raj], your MA may not glisten as much as a crown on your head, but certainly, it feels and sounds as glorious. Congratulations! Padayon!”
Before becoming a beauty queen, Venus graduated with a degree in Journalism at Bicol University. After placing 4th runner-up at the Miss Universe pageant 2010 in Las Vegas, Venus did a number of hosting stints and acted on television.
In January, she hosted the red carpet special for the Miss Universe pageant in Manila and co-hosted the Binibining Pilipinas 2017 pageant in April with Pia Wurtzbach and Xian Lim. – Rappler.com
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