Raj, 22, received a 3.10 rating in the survey, to lead the online popularity poll of 83 candidates for this year’s beauty contest.

Miss Philippines Maria Venus Raj led a worldwide online popularity survey sponsored by the  Miss Universe organization.

Raj, 22, received a 3.10 rating in the survey, to lead the online popularity poll of 83 candidates for this year’s beauty contest.

She was followed by Miss Indonesia Qory Sandioriva (2.84), Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibon (2.82), Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro (2.81), Miss Curacao Safira de Wit (2.80), Miss Mexico Jimena Navarette (2.76), Miss USA Rima Fakih (2.74), Miss Brazil (2.73), Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin (2.73), and Miss Russia Irina Antonenko (2.72).

Raj graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts at Bicol University in Albay.

Before she won the 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Raj worked as an information assistant for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and a fashion model.

Last year, the same website running the online survey crashed following the number of hits that took part in the worldwide poll. Miss Indonesia Zivanna Letisha Siregar topped the 2009 Miss Universe popularity survey but was unplaced in the finals.

Raj also maintained her popularity when she made it to the weekly 2010 Miss Universe Top 15 Hot Picks, sponsored by Missosology, a popular beauty pageant website, as listed by experts.

But organizers of the Miss Universe beauty pageant said that the worldwide popularity poll has nothing to do with the selection of this year’s winners.

They said that the winners will be chosen based on evening gown, interview, and swimsuit competitions.

This year’s beauty contest will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on Monday August 23.

Back-to-back winner Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela will crown her successor during the two-hour finale. Fernandez has spent her reign travelling around the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research, and legislation. The new Miss Universe is expected to do the same.