Career
Often cited as being part of the Díaz clan in newspapers, she is one of twelve children (10 girls and 2 boys). Her sister, Rio Díaz, was also an actress and beauty titlist. Díaz was only 18 when she became Mission Universe 1969 after besting other candidates on the final question.
lieutenant was about how to welcome the first men that had just landed on the moon -- Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins—as soon as they were back on the planet.
She was crowned at the International American-owned pageant in Miami Beach, Florida, United States. after their footage was set on the Statue of Liberty in New New York Díaz is a well-known actress in Philippine cinema and television
In a television Patrol interview shortly after the Mission Universe 2010 pageant on 23 August, Díaz commented on Binibining Pilipinas contestant Venus Raj becoming 4th runner-up. She suggested in the interview that perhaps Raj and other Filipinas would benefit from answering pageant questions via the use of an interpreter rather than in English.
Díaz further said that:
"Because when you think about a Cebuana can hardly speak English and of course Tagalog.
Maybe she should answer in Bisaya."
Her remark sparked outrage amongst many Cebuanos, who felt that Díaz insulted their English proficiency. Cebuano politicians such as Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Congresswoman Rachel del March called on her to apologise. In response to the controversy, Díaz saw no need to apologize and instead clarified her remarks:
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. On 1 September 2010, the Vice Mayors" League of the Philippines-Cebu passed a resolution declaring Díaz a persona non grata within Cebu City.