Will Maxine be Miss Universe? Gloria Diaz weighs in

MANILA, Philippines — Former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz on Monday evening believes it's a long shot for candidate Maxine Medina to give the Philippines a back-to-back Miss Universe victory.

"I think she has a chance and chance is one in a million," Diaz said in an interview with PTV at the Governor's Ball at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

As the country's first-ever winning Miss Universe candidate, Diaz previously gave an advice to Medina.

"You just have to enjoy. You must not be pressured by anybody that you have to win because I find that contestants nowadays are very very pressured," Diaz said at a press conference last December.

Some netizens picked apart the Philippines' bet this year for her supposedly challenged speaking skills, saying they are worried this might lead to her defeat at the prestigious pageant.

Diaz said candidates should feel free to answer in the Filipino language and should not be pressured to secure victory.

Margarita "Margie" Moran, country’s second Miss Universe, also urged Medina and other Miss Universe candidates to be well informed as she said this will get them through the question and answer portion.

"You'll be able to answer if you are a good reader… if you know what’s happening in the world," Moran said at the same news briefing.

Diaz was named Miss World 1969 while Moran was crowned Miss Universe in 1973.