Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran named new CCP chair
MANILA, Philippines — The Cultural Center of the Philippines welcomes its new chair, Margarita “Margie” Moran-Floirendo, succeeding advertising maven Emily Abrera.
She was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as a member of the CCP Board of Trustees in January 2018 and was elected as CCP Chairman during the board meeting held in April.
Moran-Floirendo was the president of Ballet Philippines, a resident company of the CCP. During her time, she spearheaded successful fund-raising campaigns such as the Art Auction and “Ballet Barbie,” and special galas including Stella Abrera's debut performance in the Philippines through “Giselle,” in 2015, and ballet dancer Connor Walsh in 2011, and Joseph Gatti's Philippine debut performance for “Don Quixote,” among others.
With a soft heart for ballet dancers, the former BP president has supported the dancers' campaigns to international ballet competitions (IBC), including the successful campaign of Candice Adea (with her partner JM Cordero and coached by Victor Ursabia) in the USA IBC, Helsinki IBC, Seoul IBC and Boston IBC. She was also able to help raise the dancers’ salaries.
Through her efforts, the Ballet Philippines was able to establish branches of BP Dance School in SM Aura in Taguig, Greenhills Theater Mall in San Juan, and Victoria Sports in Quezon City. With her support, the CCP resident ballet company went to perform in various countries, including US, Canada, China, Middle East, South Korea, Indonesia and Cambodia, as well as various cities and regions in the country.
Notable for her social and civic works in promoting peace and livelihood in Mindanao, the new chairperson has been an advocate of Philippine arts and culture, starting with her stint at the Southern Philippines Foundation for the Arts, Culture and Ecology.
Moran-Floirendo hosted “Margie on Mindanao” on ANC and produced the multi-awarded film “Bagong Buwan.” In 2009, she hosted “The Red Carpet,” a cultural show of the CCP that aired on Net 25. She published two books, “Mindanao, A Portrait” and “Mindanao in the Mend.”
She also made her mark for winning the second Miss Universe crown for the Philippines in 1973, four years after Gloria Diaz won the crown in 1969.
Two years after her reign as Miss Universe, she finished her business administration degree at the Maryknoll College (now Miriam College) and Boston University, and her master’s degree at the University of London, awarded through the School of Oriental and African Studies. She moved on to work with various companies, including the Pearl Farm Beach Resort in Samal Island, Davao del Norte.
