Miss Universe bet Maxine Medina has been advised by former Miss Universe winners not to take the pageant too seriously, and not to be afraid to answer in Filipino.
Gloria Diaz, who won the crown in 1969, and Margie Moran, Miss Universe 1973, gave their inputs during an event on Thursday, reported CNN Philippines.
“You just have to enjoy (and) you must not be pressured by anybody that you have to win because I find that contestants nowadays are very, very pressured. It’s more than a sport, it’s like you’re in a…patayan na [life or death situation]. Di ba?” Diaz reportedly said
She was quoted as saying that she always advocated for contestants to answer in their native language.
“Ang problema natin…di ba [our problem is] sometimes English is not their (the contentants’) first language. Ako, I’ve always fought that our Binibining Pilipinas should be able to…answer in Filipino and ask for a translator.’
Moran, meanwhile, said contestants could breeze through the question and answer portion with proper preparation.
“Continue to educate yourself. I would read current events so when there’s a question that’s being asked of you, you’re able to answer – if you’re a good reader, you know what’s happening in the world.’
Moran recalls her time as Miss Universe with fondness, remembering famous people she met during her reign.
She reportedly said she met the famous artist Salvador Dali when she was 19. Dali wanted to do her portrait, but Moran said she found Dali “weird” and turned down the offer.
She also recalled watching Tony Bennett when he was just the lounge singer at the St. Regis Hotel in New York, reported CNN Philippines.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo reportedly said Diaz and Moran do not have official roles in the up and coming Miss Universe pageant, but they are invited to attend all pageant events.
