Gloria Diaz

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Aspillera and the surname or paternal family name is Diaz.

Gloria Diaz
Gloria Diaz (left) with Margie Moran (middle) and Pia Wurtzbach (right)
Born	Gloria Aspillera Diaz[Note 1] (1951-03-10) March 10, 1951 Manila, Philippines
Occupation(s)	Actress, model
Height	5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Beauty pageant titleholder
Title	Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1969 Miss Universe 1969
Years active	1969–present
Major competition(s)	Binibining Pilipinas 1969 (Winner- Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1969) Miss Universe 1969 (Winner) (10 Best in Swimsuit)

Gloria Aspillera Diaz^{[Note 1]} (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.

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.

Pageantry

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.

Acting career

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 Hilda 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.

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."

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.

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network
2014	Dream Dad	Nenita Viray-Javier	ABS-CBN
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	Lola
	Mirabella	Lucia Magnolia Flores
2013	May Isang Pangarap	Olivia Rodriguez
2012	Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo	Elvie Raymundo
	Glamorosa	Claudia Montesilva-Herrera	TV5
2011	Mistaken Identity	Queen Mercedes	GMA Network
	100 Days To Heaven	Dolores Bustamante	ABS-CBN
2010	Beauty Queen	Madame Yuri Sandoval	GMA Network
	Diva	Paula Fernandez
2009	Nagsimula sa Puso	Pinky Ortega	ABS-CBN
2007	Sana Maulit Muli	Monica Johnson
2004	Star Circle National Teen Quest	Judge
2003	Sarah The Teen Princess
2001	Kung Mawawala Ka	Czarina Montemayor	GMA Network
	Kool Ka Lang	Nadia
1996	Anna Karenina

Movies

Year	Title	Role	Company
2013	Kung Fu Divas	Charlotte's Adopted Mother	Star Cinema Reality Entertainment
2012	Sisterakas	Maria Laurel	Star Cinema Viva Films
	The Mommy Returns	Mabel	Regal Films
2008	Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat	Pres. Hillary Dafalong	Star Cinema
2007	Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo	Charito
2006	Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo
2005	Nasaan Ka Man	Lilia
2004	So Happy Together	Daisy	Regal Films
2003	Nympha	Nana Issa
2002	Batang Westside		Hinabing Pangarap Jimon Productions
	Milagro's Calling	Milagro	Chardonnay Films
2001	Bakit 'Di Totohanin	Isabel	Star Cinema
2000	Bob, Verushka and the Pursuit of Happiness	Botanica Vendor	Angelina Productions
1999	Dahil May Isang Ikaw	Nanay Ruby	Viva Films
1998	Jose Rizal	Teodora Alonzo	GMA Films
	Miguel/Michelle	Tinang	Forefront Films
1997	Kirot sa Puso
	Reputasyon
1996	Dyesebel	Banak	Viva Films
1990	Trese
	Love at First Sight
	Island of Desire		Regal Films
	Sagot ng Puso		Seiko Films
1989	My Pretty Baby	Chiara/Biata	Regal Films
1988	Sa Likod ng Kasalanan
1987	Working Girls 2		Viva Films
1986	Ang Daigdig ay Isang Butil na Luha
	Anomalya ni Andres de Saya	Matilde	Golden Lions Films Bukang Liwayway
1985	Menudo't Pandesal		Essex Films
	Sa Totoo Lang!	Amy	Viva Films
	Lalakwe	Bea Vergo	Essex Films
1984	Goatbuster		Lea Productions RVQ Productions
	Moomoo
	May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga	Ellen Rivas	Essex Films
	May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo
1982	Andres de Saya Mabagsik na Daw	Matilde	Golden Lions Films Bukang Liwayway
	Cinq et la Peau		Bancom Audiovision G.P.F.I. Les Films de l'Alma Forum Distribution
1981	Palabra de Honor	Victoria	Viva Films
	Uhaw na Dagat	Magda	Bancom Audiovision
1979	Andres de Saya	Matilde	Golden Lions Films Bukang Liwayway
	Ikaw ang Miss Universe Nang Buhay Ko
1977	Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping?		Hemisphere Pictures
1976	Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon	Diding
1975	Sa Pag-ikot ng Mundo		Roma Films
	Ang Nobya Kong Sexy		Lea Productions
1974	Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa	Isabel	Gemini Films

Nominations and awards

Year	Film/TV Show	Category	Organization	Results
2010	Sagrada Familia	Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy)	Golden Screen Awards for Movies	Nominated
		Best Actress for a Supporting Role	FAMAS Awards	Won
		Movie Supporting Actress of the Year	PMPC Star Awards for Movies	Won
2008	Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo			Nominated
2007	Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo	Best Supporting Actress	Gawad Urian Awards	Nominated
2006	Nasaan Ka Man	Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Drama, Musical or Comedy)	Golden Screen Awards for Movies	Nominated
		Movie Supporting Actress of the Year	PMPC Star Awards for Movie	Won
		Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role	Young Critics Circle	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	FAMAS Awards	Won
			Gawad Urian Awards	Nominated
2002	Batang West Side			Won
1999	Miguel/Michelle	Best Actress	FAMAS Awards	Nominated
	Jose Rizal	Best Supporting Actress		Nominated
1998		Best Supporting Actress	Metro Manila Film Festival	Won
1975	Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa	Best Actress	FAMAS Awards	Nominated

Notes

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

External links

• Gloria Diaz at IMDb