Gloria Diaz: Maxine Medina should just go for first runner-up

For Gloria Diaz, Philippines bet Maxine Medina should simply aspire to win first runner-up honors in this year's pageant.

The Miss Universe 1969 winner made the pronouncement on Tuesday in a live interview on "State of the Nation with Jessica Soho."

"She has one chance in a million. Parang 'di siya pwedeng manalo in a host country so dapat mag-focus siguro siya sa experience and to go for first runner up," Diaz said.

Diaz had previously made headlines about her assessment of Medina's chances, but clarified that it was only because she didn't think the Philippines bet should win in a pageant hosted in the country.

“I don't think I've ever heard of a country hosting and then sila ang nanalo. It doesn't seem very hospitable,” she said in an earlier interview.

The 65th Miss Universe pageant airs live on January 30 at 8 a.m. on GMA-7. --Anna Felicia J. Bajo/JST, GMA News