Miss Philippines Maria Venus Raj and five other candidates were personally handpicked by billionaire Donald Trump to promote this year’s Miss Universe Beauty contest.

This developed as Raj, who completed the two-day pre-pageant activities in Los Angeles, California, earned another feather on her cap, this time emerging as the top choice for two categories — “People’s Choice” and “Miss Universe top 15 hot picks” — among the 83 delegates now heading for Las Vegas, Nevada for the finals on Aug. 23.

Raj, 22, shared the limelight with five other candidates during the pre-pageant ceremonies, sponsored by the Miss Universe Organization, owned by business mogul Donald Trump. They were accompanied  by 2009 Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez.

The five other candidates were Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell, Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro, Miss Haiti Sarodj Berin, Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, and Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Vicente.