Gloria Diaz, the iconic Filipina who first brought home the Miss Universe crown in 1969, recently shared her candid opinions on the evolution of beauty pageants, and her insights are as refreshing as ever.

When asked what aspects of contemporary pageants she finds less appealing, Diaz didn’t hesitate to answer. “I don’t like too much ‘yung training, training and training,” she stated plainly.

Drawing from her experience as a frequent judge, she elaborated, “Kasi (because) at the end, I’m always a judge. They asked me if I could be a judge forever. The thing is, they all look alike. When I do judge, hirap na hirap talaga ako kasi ambilis. Hindi ko na maalala (Because in the end, I’m always a judge. They asked me if I could be a judge forever. The thing is, they all look alike. When I do judge, I struggle because it’s so fast! I can’t even remember them anymore).”

Diaz also expressed her reservations about the emphasis placed on contestants’ answers during the question-and-answer portion. “I also don’t like that they are judged by what they answer. Kasi (because) sometimes, the answer is so complicated. I, myself, always cannot understand what they’re saying. This is not an IQ contest, it’s a beauty contest,” she asserted.

Interestingly, Diaz has no qualms about cosmetic enhancements. “It’s okay with me, the plastic surgery and all that. I don’t care. But I don’t like these very parang genius answers and people think just because you could speak English, magaling ka na. Hindi (But I don’t like these very seemingly genius answers. People think just because you can speak English, you’re already good. No).”

She yearns for more authenticity in the contestants’ communication. “Sa akin, gusto ko nga, mag-Tagalog sila eh para it’s more from the heart. Or Bisaya or whatever. But ‘yun, ayoko ‘yung masyadong trained na pati turning, tingin and tayo. I don’t like that (For me, I want them to speak in Tagalog so it’s more from the heart. Or Bisaya or whatever. But yes, I don’t like it when they’re too trained, even their turning, their gaze, their stance. I don’t like that).”

With a touch of her signature wit, Diaz added, “Wala na… tapos pag-ikot mo sa likod, iba na sila, hindi ba? I want to see a more natural person (Nothing... then when they turn around, they’re different. Aren’t they?).”

When asked if she agrees that Miss Universe has lost some of its luster, Diaz offered a nuanced perspective. “Yes and no. Because the Miss Universe kasi is different now, hindi ba? The Miss Universe now, I think, basta iba, iba na talaga. They made it more, how do you say that? Inclusive, hindi ba? Even if you’re a mother with a kid, I think there’s no age limit na ngayon, you can be a man, you can be whatever. But I’m not really for that. Kasi Miss Universe should be mga 18 to 25, 26 years-old (Yes and no. Because Miss Universe is different now, right? The Miss Universe now, I think, it’s just different, really different. They made it more, how do you say that? Inclusive, right? Even if you’re a mother with a kid, I think there’s no age limit now, you can be a man, you can be whatever. But I’m not really for that. Because Miss Universe should be around 18 to 25, 26 years-old).”

She recalled the norms of her time, saying, “During my time, when you’re above 23, 24, they always say, ‘And now, the oldest candidate for Miss Universe, 24-year-old something-something!’ Right? Parang naninibago ako. But I try to adjust, kasi marami namang magagandang 28-year-olds. But I’m not crazy about all the changes that’s happening (During my time, when you were above 23, 24, they would always say, ‘And now, the oldest candidate for Miss Universe, 24-year-old something-something!’ Right? I feel a bit out of place. But I try to adjust because there are many beautiful 28-year-olds. But I’m not crazy about all the changes that are happening).”

Diaz reiterated her preference for authentic communication over elaborate vocabulary. “Like I said, I always wanted them to speak in their language. Whatever they’re comfortable with. I’m not impressed with those big words na diaspora, serendipity. Parang balewala naman iyan sa akin (Like I said, I always wanted them to speak in their language, whatever they’re comfortable with... I’m not impressed with those big words like diaspora, serendipity. They seem meaningless to me).”

Despite the proliferation of beauty contests today, when asked to name her top three, Diaz’s loyalty remained unwavering. “Siyempre, Miss Universe pa rin. There’s nothing next (Of course, still Miss Universe. There’s nothing next,)” she declared with her characteristic straightforwardness.

Interestingly, Diaz is also part of the cast of Regal Entertainment’s upcoming horror film, Untold, slated to hit theaters on 30 April. The movie stars Jodi Sta. Maria, Joem Bascon, Lianne Valentin, Sarah Edwards and Juan Karlos with Manny Valera as the supervising producer and Roselle Monteverde and Keith Monteverde as executive producers. The film, directed by Derick Cabrido, is rated R-13 without cuts.