Indeed, Venezuela in spite of problems, she, Venezuela, in my mind is a place of Beauty Queens. As Kevin Siosana one of the Officials of the K5 News Network in Tacloban opined rather in jest that the real Target of Us President Donald J. Trump are the Venezuelan Beauties.
As a young boy surrounded by beauty pageant neighbors and family, Ms. Venezuela was the ultimate nation of Miss Universe and Miss International winners, from the 1980s to present. Maritza Sayalero, First Venezuelan to win Miss Universe, causing the “Maritza Effect” that inspired a generation of Venezuelan pageant contestants. From 1979 to 2025 there were 8 Miss Universe winners. Irene Saez, later became Mayor of Chacao Venezuela and later run for President, seeing these Beauty Queens are notable public figure.
Being in the forefront of the news these days when its President Nicolas Maduro also known as Super Bigote was extracted and brought to the United States for crimes like Drug Trafficking and Human Rights violations, indeed, the world cuts a deep look into Venezuela.
Venezuela and the Philippines both shine in their own ways: Venezuela is rich in natural beauty and culture, while the Philippines is celebrated for its people’s warmth, resilience, and values. Together, they show how nations can be admired not just for resources but also for character.
The political climate is also bearing semblance of turmoil, Venezuelans has Nicolas Maduro who is now detained somewhere in the United States, the Philippines has Rodrigo Duterte who is now at the Hague. Both strongmen who are now held accountable for theirs and their agents had caused.
The narratives are similar, using the issue of Sovereignty and Judicial Autonomy as arguments for their release. Both forgetting that they two had not respected the role of law in their time as leaders.
Venezuela however had some Oil reserves and yet its people are in abject poverty and as one Venezuelam describe Caracas the capital, it is a place of Heaven and a Place of Hell, depending on your luck and alliances.
Venezuela has beauty, biodiversity and yet it also has poverty. Philippines has the same and yet they are also intertwined with labels like that of having corrupt leaders.
Indeed, Venezuela and Philippines are in more ways than one, similar and yet we are separated by thousands of Kilometer space in between.
Today, I wish the Venezuela people the best and remind the Philippines that we are in more ways, like the Latin Country.
