Gloria Diaz

Gloria Diaz
Diaz in 2017
Born	Gloria Aspillera Diaz[Note 1] (1951-03-10) 10 March 1951 Manila, Philippines[1]
Occupation	Actress, model
Years active	1969–present
Home town	Aringay, La Union, Philippines and Baclaran, Parañaque
Height	5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Title	Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1969 Miss Universe 1969
Beauty pageant titleholder
Major competition(s)	Binibining Pilipinas 1969 (Winner- Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1969) Miss Universe 1969 (Winner) (10 Best in Swimsuit)

Gloria Maria Aspillera Daza^{[Note 1]} (nee Diaz, born 10 March 1951)^[1], better known as Gloria Diaz, 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.

Early life and family

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.^[2]

Pageantry

Commemorative stamp featuring Filipino winners of the Miss Universe pageant including Diaz herself (left).

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.^[3]

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.

Acting career

Personal life

Díaz studied at St. Scholastica's College Manila. She is separated from businessman Gabriel "Bong" Daza, with whom she has two daughters, Isabelle and Ava and son Raphael.

Controversy

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."^[5]

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.^[6] 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.^[7]

Filmography

Nominations and awards

Notes

1. ¹ Some sources reported her given name as Gloria Maria, however Maria is not indicated on her birth certificate.

References

External links

• Gloria Diaz on IMDb

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Martha Vasconcellos	Miss Universe 1969	Succeeded by Marisol Malaret
Preceded by Charina Zaragoza	Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1969	Succeeded by Simonette Delos Reyes