Gloria Diaz

Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz (; born April 5, 1951)

Pageantry Aged 18, while studying at the St. Scholastica's College in Manila, Díaz entered and won Binibining Pilipinas 1969.

Díaz then entered and won Miss Universe 1969, at Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. on July 19, 1969. In the final question round, her answer to the question regarding "men in the moon" charmed the audience and the judges. She was the first Filipina to win the Miss Universe crown. News of her victory (and her measurements) were communicated to the Apollo 11 crew members during their space mission.

During her reign, Díaz travelled through 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 Shortly after her reign as Miss Universe, 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 first appeared in the drama series Anna Karenina. She garnered popularity after appearing in the sitcom Kool Ka Lang on GMA Network in 1998. That same year, she appeared in the biopic film Jose Rizal where she played Rizal's mother Dona Teodora Alonso. Her portrayal of Rizal's mother won a Best Supporting Actress award at the 1998 Metro Manila Film Festival.

In 2006, Díaz was cast in the psychological thriller Nasaan Ka Man alongside award-winning actress Hilda Koronel, 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, Díaz was once again nominated and eventually awarded as FAMAS Best Supporting Actress.

In 2009, she once again won a FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the highly acclaimed film Sagrada Familia.

In 2010, she starred in two GMA projects, Beauty Queen and Diva. She returned to GMA for Mistaken Identity after a brief stint in 100 Days to Heaven.

In 2011, she played a supporting role in her first TV5 project, Glamorosa, as Dra. Claudia Montesilva-Herrera.

Recent works From 2012 to 2018, Díaz appeared in several ABS-CBN television dramas including Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo, May Isang Pangarap, Mirabella, Dream Dad and had roles in MMK and an appearance in Ipaglaban Mo. She returned to GMA again in 2018 to play an evil mother role on Pamilya Roces. She also appeared in the comedy films Sisterakas and Kung Fu Divas.

In 2019, Díaz returned to ABS-CBN and was recently cast in the afternoon drama series Los Bastardos where she portrayed the role of Soledad Cardinal, the long-lost wife of Don Roman Cardinal (Ronaldo Valdez), and Consuelo Cuevas, the mother of Lorenzo Cuevas (Joseph Marco). She also appeared as a fictional version of herself in the second season of the Netflix series Insatiable with Dallas Roberts and Debby Ryan.

In 2020, Díaz returned to TV5 to play the role of Belinda "Tyang Bella" Vasquez on Oh My Dad!.

In 2022, Díaz returned to ABS-CBN to play the role of Helena "Helena Agcaoili-Wilson" on 2 Good 2 Be True. Via Kapamilya Channel And A2Z

In 2023, Díaz was a guest judge In Drag Race Philippines on HBO Go And WOW Presents Plus

Personal life Diaz married businessman and heir Gabriel Daza III in 1986, and had three children, including Isabelle Daza. They separated in 1995, and she has since been in a relationship with Michael Osmeña de Jesus, a Filipino banker.

In 2010, the Cebu chapter of the Vice Mayors League declared Gloria Diaz persona non grata after her Miss Universe comments on Cebuano models.

Through her sister, Diaz is an aunt of model and socialite Georgina Wilson.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role 1974 Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa Isabel Amor Amor 1975 Ang Nobya Kong Sexy An Affair in Tahiti Sa Pag-ikot ng Mundo Balakyot Sa Ibabaw ng Lahat Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw Na Lupa 1976 Pugad ng Agila Brutus Putik Ka Man... Sa Alabok Magbabalik Andalucia Dolores Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon? Diding 1977 Wanakosey Babae! Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping? Namangka sa Dalawang Ilog Bawal: For Men Only Babae... Ngayon at Kailanman 1978 Ibalik Mo ang Araw sa Mundong Makasalanan 1979 Ikaw ang Miss Universe Nang Buhay Ko 1980 Andres de Saya Matilde Wild Animals 1981 Uhaw Na Dagat Magda 1982 Five and the Skin Andres de Saya (Mabagsik Na Daw) Matilde 1983 Palabra de Honor Victoria Macho-nurin Hayop sa Ganda Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi Stella de Joya Karibal Ko ang Aking Ina Minsan Isang Tag-init 1984 Hawakan Mo at Pigilan ang Kahapon May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo Ellen Rivas May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga Ellen Rivas 1985 Lalakwe Bea Vergo Goat Buster sa Templo ni Dune Jane Sa Totoo Lang! Amy Momooo Menudo at Pandesal 1986 Anomalya ni Andres de Saya Part III Matilde Mga Anghel ng Diyos Ang Daigdig Ay Isang Butil Na Luha 1987 Working Girls 2 Gabriela 1988 Sa Likod ng Kasalanan 1989 My Pretty Baby Chiara/Biata 1990 Sagot ng Puso Love at First Sight Mga Birhen ng Ermita Island of Desire Trese 1991 My Pretty Baby Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum Dexter 1992 Miss Na Miss Kita (Utol Kong Hoodlum II) Dexter 1993 Maj. Napoleon Velasco: Kumander Kalbo Abel Morado, Ikaw ang Maysala Dalawa Laban sa Mundo: Ang Siga at ang Beauty Gladys' mother 1994 Alyas Boy Ama: Tirador 1996 Dyesebel Banak 1997 Reputasyon Kirot sa Puso 1998 Miguel/Michelle Tinang José Rizal Teodora Alonzo 1999 Dahil May Isang Ikaw Nanay Ruby 2000 Bob, Verushka and the Pursuit of Happiness Botanica Vendor 2001 Bakit 'Di Totohanin Isabel 2002 Milagro's Calling Milagro Batang West Side Lolita Fordham 2003 Nympha Nana Issa Captain Barbell Cielo's mom 2004 So Happy Together Daisy 2005 Nasaan Ka Man Lilia 2006 Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo Charito 2007 Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo Charito 2008 Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat Pres. Hillary Dafalong 2012 The Mommy Returns Mabel Sisterakas Maria Laurel 2013 Kung Fu Divas Charlotte's adoptive mother 2017 Si Chedeng at si Apple 2019 Unbreakable Helen Saavedra 2023 Mallari Doña Facunda Mallari 2025Rekonek Cory

Television Year !! Title !! Role

Kapag May Katwiran... Ipaglaban Mo!: "Ang Kay Pedro'y kay Pedro"

Insatiable (season 2)

Her remark sparked outrage amongst many Cebuanos, who felt that Díaz insulted their English proficiency by championing the controversial issue of Tagalog imperialist culture in the Philippines. Cebuano politicians such as Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Congresswoman Rachel del Mar called on her to apologise. In response to the controversy, Díaz declared there was no need to apologize and instead clarified her remarks:

quote|text=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.|sign=Gloria Díaz