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MANILA, Philippines — Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, known for her unfiltered comments whenever she’s interviewed, mused that she’s trying to dial down her bluntness — but it’s proving to be a challenge.
On the sidelines of the media conference for Regal Films’ horror movie “Untold” premiering on April 30, Gloria appeared aware of an observation that while she’s fearless, many are afraid of the things she says.
“I know, that’s what they say,” she quipped in response to the notion that her candor had caused some stir.
She noted that even her daughter, Isabelle Daza, has even joked about it, commenting on her mom’s Instagram back in 2018, “Without filter since 1969.”
But Gloria admitted that she’s making a conscious effort to be more careful with her words. “No, I try. Because nowadays, I always have to try to lower… not say everything kasi napapahiya sila,” she said, explaining how sometimes her comments are misinterpreted. “Or I’m quoted… sometimes, taken wrongly.”
Despite her best efforts, Gloria confessed that it’s not always easy to keep her honest thoughts to herself. “In a way, I’m able to explain why I said this and why I said that. But in truth, I’m trying very hard,” she shared. “Not always successful to be more, you know, sedate, more careful, medyo filtered. But it still comes out.” But in the end, she said, “I also always say what I want.”
She clearly spoke her mind when asked about possibly sharing “untold” stories from her life in a memoir. “No. Too many men, too little time,” she quipped.
On the current state of beauty pageants, Gloria didn’t hide her reservations about the overemphasis on training and preparation. “I don’t like too much yung training-training-training,” she said.
“Ayoko yung masyadong trained na pati turning, pati tingin, pati tayo, I don’t like that… I want to see a more natural person.”
She’s neither in favor of candidates being judged solely on their answers.
“I also don’t like that they are judged by what they answer. Because sometimes, the answer is so complicated I myself always cannot understand what they’re saying.
“This is not an IQ contest. It’s a beauty contest. It’s okay with me, all the plastic surgery and all that. I don’t care.
“But I don’t like these very parang genius answers and people think just because you could speak English, magaling ka na. Hindi.”
Gloria said that she prefers that candidates speak in Tagalog, Bisaya or whatever their local language is so that the answer is “more from the heart.”
"I always wanted them to speak in their language, whatever they’re comfortable with…
“I’m not impressed with those big words na diaspora, serendipity. Parang balewala naman iyan sa akin, hindi ba?”
As for the evolving Miss Universe competition, Gloria acknowledged the changes but admitted she wasn’t fully on board. “The Miss Universe now, I think, basta iba, iba na talaga. They made it more, how do you say that? Inclusive, hindi ba?”
She noted the inclusion of older women and non-traditional contestants.
“But I’m not really for that. Because Miss Universe should be mga ganun, 18 to 25, 26… During my time, when you’re above 23, 24, they always say, ‘And now, the oldest candidate for Miss Universe, 24-year-old something-something!’ Right?
“So parang naninibago ako. But I try to adjust, kasi marami namang magagandang 28 years old… But I’m not crazy about, you know, all the changes happening.
Gloria, nevertheless, still holds Miss Universe as the top pageant, despite the rise of many others. “Siyempre, Miss Universe pa rin. And there’s nothing next.”
Meanwhile, the veteran actress is turning 74 on April 5. She shared her birthday wish: “Health, wealth, and time to spend it.” She revealed that her celebrations have traditionally been intimate, usually involving dinner with her long-time partner, banker Mike de Jesus. This year, she plans to still keep things low-key and celebrate at home with her family.
