| Gloria Diaz | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz March 10, 1951 Aringay, La Union, Philippines |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Height | 5'6 ft |
| Spouse | Gabriel "Bong" Daza |
Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz (born March 10, 1951) is an award-winning actress in the Philippines,[1] and the first Filipino to bring home the Miss Universe crown.[2]
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Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz was born in Aringay, La Union Philippines. Often referred to as one of the Diaz clan in newspapers, Diaz was one of 12 children. One of her sisters, Rio Diaz-Cojuangco, was also a Filipino actress and beauty titlist, who died after a six year battle with colon cancer.[3]
She was married to businessman Gabriel "Bong" Daza with whom she has two daughters, Isabelle and Ava.
She was approached by an individual who believed she would do well in the Miss Universe competition and groomed the young woman. Díaz was only 18 when she became Miss Universe in 1969 after outsmarting other candidates on the final question. It was about how to welcome the first men that had just landed on the moon -- Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins -- as soon as they were back on the planet. She was crowned in the international American-owned pageant in 1969 in Florida, U.S. after their footage was set on the Statue of Liberty in New York.[4]
Diaz is a well-known actress in the Philippine film and TV industry. Her box-office mettle, as well as her acting prowess, was recently honored when she received the most-coveted FAMAS Award (the Philippine equivalent of the Oscars) of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences for Best Supporting Actress in her role as a spinster adoptive mother in the FAMAS Best Picture Nasaan Ka Man (2005).[5]
In a televised TV Patrol interview shortly after the Miss Universe 2010 pageant on August 23, 2010, Diaz commented on the placing of Miss Philippines contestant Venus Raj as 4th runner up. She suggested in the interview that perhaps Raj and other Filipinas like would benefit from answering pageant questions via the use of an interpreter rather than in English. She further stated "[because] when you think about a Cebuana can hardly speak English and of course Tagalog. Maybe she should answer in Bisaya."[6]
This remark has sparked outrage among many Cebuanos who feel that Diaz insulted their English proficiency. Cebuano politicians such as Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Congresswoman Rachel del Mar have called on her to apologize.[7] In response to the controversy, Diaz 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 Diaz, De Los Angeles, Edison (2010-09-01). "Apologize to Cebuanos, Diaz told". Cebu Daily News. Inquirer Global Nation. http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view/20100901-289893/Apologize-to-Cebuanos-Diaz-told. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
On September 1, 2010 the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines-Cebu passed a resolution declaring Gloria Diaz persona non grata.[8]
FAMAS Awards Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s) 2006 Won FAMAS Award Best Supporting Actress for: Nasaan ka man (2005)
1999 Nominated FAMAS Award Best Actress for: Miguel/Michelle (1998)
Best Supporting Actress for: Jose Rizal (1998)
1975 Nominated FAMAS Award Best Actress for: Ang pinakamagandang hayop sa balat ng lupa (1974)
Gawad Urian Awards Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s) 2007 Nominated Gawad Urian Award Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for: Kasal, kasali, kasalo (2006)
2006 Nominated Gawad Urian Award Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for: Nasaan ka man (2005)
2002 Won Gawad Urian Award Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres) for: Batang West Side (2001)
Metro Manila Film Festival Year Result Award Category/Recipient(s) 1998 Won Festival Prize Best Supporting Actress for: Jose Rizal (1998)
Star Awards for Movie Year Result Award 2010 Won Movie Actress for Supporting Role for: Sagrada Familia
Persona non Grata Year Result Award 2010 Achieved Persona non Grata for Insulting Cebuano speaking people in her country. for: Miss Universe 2010 Interview
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| Preceded by Charina Zaragoza |
Binibining Pilipinas-Universe 1969 |
Succeeded by Simonette Delos Reyes |
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