On March 29, less than a month after being crowned, beauty Maria Venus Raj was stripped of her crown and lost the right to participate in the Miss Universe 2010 contest.

Maria Venus Raj at her coronation moment. Photo: GB.

The Binibining Pilipinas (Miss Philippines) organizing committee explained that Maria Venus lost her title because she lied when she submitted her application. Her birth certificate was found to contain false information. Maria Venus Raj was born in Qatar, not in Camarines Sur, Philippines as she stated in her application.

Maria Venus Raj is gorgeous in evening gown. Photo: BP.

The Miss Universe Philippines crown will be passed to 2nd runner-up Helen Nicolette Henson, a 21-year-old supermodel who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Helen Nicolette will also represent the island nation at Miss Universe 2010.

First runner-up Dianne Necio was not appointed to replace Maria Venus because she is only 17 years old and cannot participate in Miss Universe 2010. According to Miss Universe regulations, contestants in this contest must be between 18 and 26 years old.

Helen Nicolette Henson – Maria Venus Raj’s replacement. Photo: Misso.

Maria Venus Raj, 21 years old, won the Miss Universe Philippines title at the Miss Philippines pageant on March 7. In addition to the crown, she also won subsidiary awards such as: Miss Best Evening Gown, Miss Congeniality…