MANILA -- Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz reacted to the performance and placement of Chelsea Manalo at the 73rd Miss Universe competition held in Mexico City last Sunday.
Manalo ended her journey in Miss Universe 2024 in the Top 30, as the Philippines made the first cut in the prestigious pageant for a second year in a row.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Wednesday afternoon, Diaz said what happened to Manalo was only a step towards her future.
"Like I always say, winning or losing is not the beginning or the end. It's only a step towards your own future, whatever it's that you do. Chelsea is beautiful. I've seen her many times in person, twice, three times. She's perfect but maybe today, maybe it's not yet her time. The winner was good," Diaz said.
"And medyo spoiled kasi tayo, we always want to be winners, hindi ba? And I think for the moment now Chelsea is my winner," Diaz added.
Chelsea Manalo misses Miss Universe 2024 Top 12 cut
Diaz also gave her reaction to Miss Universe giving out Continental Queen titles. Manalo is the first Miss Universe Asia.
"That's good. They are being inclusive so they want to do new things. In fact, I heard the crown was made here. Ako naman I'd like to go with the times but of course during my time, it's always to be better than ever. Kasi during my time it was simple, it was not as under pressure. Well, our prizes were good and our country was happy and that's all that counts. And I worked and met a lot of very important people," Diaz said.
'It was a surprise!' Chelsea Manalo reacts to Miss Universe Asia title
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