MANILA – Here’s why the Philippines’ first Miss Universe winner thinks the crown will not stay in the country this year.

Gloria Diaz, who won Miss Universe in 1969, explained her previous statement that Maxine Medina has a “one in a million” chance of getting a back-to-back win for the Philippines.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News’ Marie Lozano, Diaz stressed that her opinion does not imply that Medina does not deserve the crown, saying it has a lot to do with the fact that she is the host delegate.

“We’re the host. Parang can you imagine if we make our representative win? Eh ‘di magwawala lahat ng candidates and also their countries, their ambassadors? And they would all think that we are unfair,” she said.

“Even if our candidate deserves it, it will be a shock. It will be a one-in-a-million chance… Tayong mga Filipinos, the last thing we should hope for is for our own candidate to win,” she added.

Diaz said she sees Medina as first runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant, although it is still not likely to happen because it will look like a “hometown decision.”

“I believe she can be first runner-up, pero mahirap naman, parang hometown decision. It’s parang biased, ano?” she said.

‘BASHERS DON’T COUNT’

Diaz said she has been hearing a lot of criticism when it comes to Medina’s English speaking skills, but the Miss Universe 1969 winner advised the young beauty queen to not mind them.

“All those bashers, they don’t count. Hindi naman sila ang naka-expose doon eh,” she said.

“She (Medina) is so pretty. And I don’t care if she speaks English, Tagalog or Bisaya. It doesn’t really matter. This is not naman a Miss Whiz or something like that. This is not a brain contest,” she added. “Super ganda [niya]. I love her. She could be my daughter.”

Despite her praises for Medina, Diaz said Filipinos should be realistic when it comes to their expectations. “It will not be politically correct kung siya pa ang manalo sa ating country. Kaya in my opinion, kung ako ang Miss Philippines, I will not be hoping for myself to win here,” she said.

Reiterating her previous statement that Medina should get an interpreter to boost her chances of placing well in the pageant, Diaz said: “Insist. Recommend is a mild word. I’ve been saying this for more than 10 years, even in Binibining Pilipinas… Mag-Tagalog ka. Who’s gonna stop you? You can even ask the question paulit-ulit to give you a little more time. It will give her time to think in Tagalog.”

“During my time… it’s a must to always speak in English. Pero ngayon, hindi na ganoon. We love our country, we love our language. You should speak in whatever language you’re comfortable with,” she added.

Medina has welcomed suggestions that she should get an interpreter for the Miss Universe pageant, saying she is “here to win.”