Gloria Diaz changes mind: ‘Maxine will win!’

MANILA, Philippines  - After seeing Miss Philippines Maxine Medina’s performance at the Miss Universe Preliminary Competition last week, Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz wished to change her statement by declaring in the Miss Universe red carpet last night that she thinks Maxine will win.

“She’s doing perfect now - perfect dress, perfect moves, she can now have an interpreter to give her more time and to speak in her own language,”said Gloria, who, in a much earlier interview before the preliminaries, blatantly said that Maxine will not win, “but she has a chance and chance is one in a million.”

She said that she likes Maxine’s national costume and even thinks it is attractive and “bongga” (fabulous).

“Okay lang ‘yan na pali-palit ang isip ko. ‘Di ba ganyan din si Duterte?” quipped the beauty-queen actress, who wore an Ito Curata creation in the red carpet and will don an Albert Andrada design for the coronation later.

“Be confident. Anything can happen, and just pray and be calm and meditate. You should be fresh!” Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran advised Maxine during an interview at the red carpet.

Winning another crown, said Margie, will be exciting especially to overseas Filpino workers.