Gloria Diaz: Advocacy is ‘for the stage,’ beauty still rules pageants

Gloria Diaz sparks debate, says beauty, not advocacy, still decides pageant winners.

Gloria Diaz, the first Filipina Miss Universe winner, said she believes beauty remains the primary factor in judging pageants despite the increasing focus on advocacy in recent years.

Diaz, who won the Miss Universe crown in 1969, said the standards used to select winners have remained largely unchanged.

“There’s no difference. You don’t choose the ugliest or something. It’s still the prettiest who wins,” she said.

She added that while pageant presentations have evolved, the outcome is still largely based on a contestant’s appearance.

“The one who’s best dressed wins, the best in bathing suit—it’s still the same at the end of the day. Maybe the outfits are different,” she said.

Diaz also questioned the significance of advocacy in the judging process.

“The advocacy, that’s only palamuti—the decorations. The judges really just want to see how charming the girls are, how pretty they are. When they say their advocacy, it’s only for the stage. I don’t think anybody follows it,” she said.

Asked about changes in pageants over the years, Diaz acknowledged that some developments have been positive but said adapting to change is necessary.

“Yes and no. Some are for the better and, hopefully now, with new management and everything, syempre we have to go with the flow, ’di ba?” she said.

The Philippines is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading pageant nations, having produced multiple winners across major international beauty competitions.

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