Why was her answer considered a 'gaffe'?

[Dogwood_Poet 16]

"The show was without any major gaffes, except for Miss Philippines' answer when asked what her biggest mistake in life was and how she fixed it.

"In my 22 years of existence, I can say there is nothing major," Venus Raj said.

Before the pageant, Raj was rated among the top contestants in an online poll on the pageant's website. She finished in fifth place."

AP Article

Gee, 22 years old and never had to solve a world crisis?

I didn't watch, so maybe something was lost in the translation.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"The show was without any major gaffes, except for Miss Philippines' answer when asked what her biggest mistake in life was and how she fixed it.

"In my 22 years of existence, I can say there is nothing major," Venus Raj said.

Before the pageant, Raj was rated among the top contestants in an online poll on the pageant's website. She finished in fifth place."

AP Article

Gee, 22 years old and never had to solve a world crisis?

I didn't watch, so maybe something was lost in the translation.

The judges are looking for the contestants to share a personal experience. She should have prepared to answer such a question with some kind of personal struggle, even if she doesn't consider it major.

[Atencio 43]

I agree. She should have had some story to share.

[May2 3]

She did actually said the word "major" 2 times, which in tagalog gay slang could also means Bongang-Bonga. Mr.Trump said he is surprise Ms. Philippines didn't go further. But being in the top 5 was not bad at all.

[damulag 26]

The audience was pretty quiet when she finished her answer. After her answer my wife said "Fourth runner up is not so bad"

[scotty's girl 1]

The judges are looking for the contestants to share a personal experience. She should have prepared to answer such a question with some kind of personal struggle, even if she doesn't consider it major.

I agree

[edp333 9]

Everyone makes mistakes. But, what is major (big) to one person may not be major to someone else.

Stating that you have made no big mistakes in life is almost as pompus (arrogant) as saying you have never made a mistake.

Hence, the one reporter's response,"The answer to this question is now her major mistake."

Edited August 24, 2010 by edp333

[TravellingNomad 12]

i watched it just in time for her question portion. IMO...that shameless plug about how happy that she is supported by her family and how very happy she is at being a contestant...which btw was 2/3 of her answer....sealed it for her being last. i agree...her answer was very arrogant. you can just wonder what the Baldwin brother was thinking at her answer. that was even an easy question to answer because all you had to do was focus on one of your life experience. i would've figured that she would've used her experience about being stripped of the Bb. Pilipinas title earlier this year and then explaining what she learned from it (which is don't lie)....would've probably gotten her better results.

but it's ok....being 4th runner up is good enough to get a contract with either kapuso or kapamilya to pursue an acting and singing carreer.

Edited August 24, 2010 by TravellingNomad

[Fudpukker 18]

I just dont get how she made it to the top 5, there were many better looking contestants then her.

[rlogan 2,036]

Good on her. She retained her dignity instead of being a tool. Everyone likes to take their opportunity to cut down someone more beautiful and talented than themselves.

Let's see the critics up on stage in a swimsuit.

Ak! No, let's not!

[DouglasFiel 53]

I just dont get how she made it to the top 5, there were many better looking contestants then her.

I am thinking Ms Universe for the past years is more about making a political statement,,, then a contest about

beauty and poise. You think Ms Mexico,,, had the best answer?

Just my two jaded centavos,

[scotty's girl 1]

Miss Mexico didn't answer the question 100%, that's our opinion (me and husband)

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

i would've figured that she would've used her experience about being stripped of the Bb. Pilipinas title earlier this year and then explaining what she learned from it (which is don't lie)....would've probably gotten her better results.

I would have to agree with this statement.

On a side note, can someone explain to me why a Philipina would misrepresent their birthplace a Qatar instead of in the Philippines? The few Philipinos I do know are all proud of their heritage and birthplaces..

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Everyone makes mistakes. But, what is major (big) to one person may not be major to someone else.

Stating that you have made no big mistakes in life is almost as pompus (arrogant) as saying you have never made a mistake.

Hence, the one reporter's response,"The answer to this question is now her major mistake."

Yep. I think it's a cultural difference. What many Westerners would interpret as arrogance, is a Filipino way of showing pride. But then again, pride and arrogance are two sides of the same coin.

[Fudpukker 18]

I am thinking Ms Universe for the past years is more about making a political statement,,, then a contest about

beauty and poise. You think Ms Mexico,,, had the best answer?

Just my two jaded centavos,

Ms. Mexico did not have a great answer as well but what I was talking about is how she made it to the top 5, this was before the question and answer portion. The contest works in many strange ways, Ms. Philippines was not all that good looking as was Jamaica, in my opinion I think Ms. Venezuela looked better.