1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz is now a ‘persona non grata’ in Cebu. This resolution was made by the Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines (VMLP)-Cebu Chapter. Gloria Diaz said in an interview that a Cebuana can hardly speak english and tagalog.
The interview was about getting an interpreter for international beauty pageants.
This draws criticisms that the former Miss Universe insulted the Cebuanos. The resolution now demands Gloria Diaz to issue a public apology.
Diaz clarified her statements in another interview saying that she was misunderstood.
“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.”
