Gloria Diaz

Gloria Aspillera Diaz (born March 10, 1951) is a Filipino actress, TV host and beauty queen who is the first Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown in 1969 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Often cited as being part of the Díaz clan in newspapers, she is one of twelve children (10 girls and 2 boys). Her sister, Rio Díaz, was also an actress and beauty titlist.

While studying in college, Díaz was scouted by a pageant aficionado and was convinced to join the sixth edition of Binibining Pilipinas. Her looks and, more importantly, her wit captivated the audience and she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas - Universe 1969 at 18 years old.

Díaz was then sent to Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. to compete in Miss Universe 1969. Arriving at the pageant as an early favorite, Díaz did not disappoint and sailed throughout all the pageant's event that led up to the final at the Miami Beach Auditorium. Making it to the Top 5, she participated in the final question round and her answer to the question regarding "men in the moon" charmed the audience and the judges. She was crowned Miss Universe on 19 July 1969 and becoming the very first Filipino to win the Miss Universe crown.

During her reign, Díaz travelled to several countries to promote the advocacies supported by the Miss Universe Organization as well as appeared in many public and television events in the United States.

Beginnings

For several decades now, Díaz has been considered a brilliant actress within the world of Philippine cinema and television. Shortly after her reign as Miss Universe ended, she pursued an acting career in the Philippines and in 1975, she was cast in her breakthrough performance as Isabel in the critically acclaimed Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa. Her performance in the film was met with praise by film critics and was considered one of the most promising breakthroughs of any actress in Philippine cinema. Later that year, she was nominated for a FAMAS Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role.

Díaz continued acting in film for many years before trying out starring in television. It was in 1996 when she starred in her first television series Anna Karenina. She received TV popularity after appearing in the sitcom Kool Ka Lang on GMA in 2001.

In 2006, Díaz was cast in the psychological thriller Nasaan Ka Man alongside award-winning actress Hild Koronel and Claudine Barretto, Diether Ocampo and Jericho Rosales. For her role as Lilia, a woman trying to suppress her distraught as she tries to keep her family together, she was once again nominated and eventually awarded the FAMAS for Best Supporting Actress.

Recent work

Díaz once again won a FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the highly acclaimed Sagrada Familia. On television, she has appeared in Glamorosa, May Isang Pangarap, Mirabella and Dream Dad. Recently, she has been part of blockbuster comedies such as 2012's Sisterakas and 2013's Kung Fu Divas.

In a TV Patrol interview shortly after the Miss Universe 2010 pageant on 23 August, Díaz commented on Binibining Pilipinas contestant Venus Raj becoming 4th runner-up. She suggested in the interview that perhaps Raj and other Filipinas would benefit from answering pageant questions via the use of an interpreter rather than in English. Díaz further said that:

"Because when you think about a Cebuana can hardly speak English and of course Tagalog. Maybe she should answer in Bisaya."

Her remark sparked outrage amongst many Cebuanos, who felt that Díaz insulted their English proficiency. Cebuano politicians such as Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Congresswoman Rachel del Mar called on her to apologise. In response to the controversy, Díaz saw no need to apologize and instead clarified her remarks:

Let me clarify it once and for all. People should have the right to say or to answer (questions) in whatever language they want to say it in. If they're Cebuanos, they can say it in Cebuano. I did not say that they did not speak English. If you're Ilocano, say it in Ilocano. But if you're Ilocano who speaks good English, say it in English. If you're Cebuano who can speak Spanish, if you're comfortable with Spanish, say it in Spanish. That's what I said and that's what I meant.

— Gloria Díaz, De Los Angeles, Edison (2010-09-01). "Apologize to Cebuanos, Diaz told". Cebu Daily News. Inquirer Global Nation. Retrieved 2010-09-06. 

On 1 September 2010, the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines-Cebu passed a resolution declaring Díaz a persona non grata within Cebu City.

Television

Movies