Gloria Diaz, who made history as the first Filipina to claim the Miss Universe crown in 1969, recently spoke openly about the changes in beauty pageants over time. Never one to shy away from honesty, she candidly expressed her views on aspects of modern competitions that she finds less appealing.
One major aspect she dislikes is the excessive training that contestants undergo. “I don’t like too much ‘yung training-training-training,” she admitted. Having served as a judge multiple times, Diaz explained that over-preparation has made many candidates appear identical. “When I judge, I really struggle because it’s so fast—I can’t even remember them anymore,” she remarked, emphasizing how the uniformity among contestants makes her job challenging.
Diaz also took issue with the emphasis placed on the question-and-answer portion of the pageant. She finds it frustrating when contestants are judged primarily on their responses, particularly when their answers become overly complex. “Sometimes, the answers are so complicated that even I don’t understand them,” she pointed out. For Diaz, beauty pageants should not be mistaken for IQ contests.
Surprisingly, she has no objections to cosmetic enhancements. “I’m fine with plastic surgery and all that. I don’t care,” she said. However, she dislikes the notion that speaking English fluently automatically equates to intelligence. In her view, authenticity in communication matters more. “I’d actually prefer if they spoke in Tagalog or Bisaya—it would feel more heartfelt,” she suggested, expressing her disapproval of overly rehearsed performances.
Regarding the modern direction of Miss Universe, Diaz offered a mixed opinion. “Yes and no,” she said when asked if the pageant has lost its appeal. She acknowledged the organization’s efforts to be more inclusive—allowing mothers, older women, and even transgender candidates—but admitted she’s not entirely on board with these changes. “Miss Universe should be around 18 to 25, 26 years old,” she maintained, recalling how, in her time, a 24-year-old contestant was already considered “the oldest” in the competition.
Despite the proliferation of beauty pageants, Diaz remains loyal to Miss Universe, declaring it as her top—and only—choice. Outside the pageant world, she is also making waves in the entertainment industry. She is part of the cast of Regal Entertainment’s upcoming horror film Untold, set for release on April 30. The movie, directed by Derick Cabrido and rated R-13, features Jodi Sta. Maria, Joem Bascon, and Juan Karlos, among others.