The 7 candidates who won Miss Universe in their home country

Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz recently made waves when she said that it might not seem "hospitable" for Maxine Medina to win the Miss Universe title this year, as the Philippines is hosting the pageant.

"I don't think I've ever heard of a country hosting and then sila ang nanalo," she said, urging Medina to aim for first runner-up instead.

However, the Miss Universe title has been won by seven contestants in their home country before, including three within the last 20 years. The total becomes eight, if you count the Puerto Rican contestant who won in the US in 1985 as well.

From 1952 to 1971, the United States hosted the pageant. In 1954, it got its first Miss Universe crown through Miriam Stevenson's win at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in California.

It got its second title when Carol Morris was crowned at the same venue in 1956.

Linda Bement of Utah won in 1960, when the pageant moved from California to Miami, Florida.

In 1967, Sylvia Hitchcock became the fourth American to win Miss Universe, still in her home country.

Since 1972, the pageant has been traveling outside the US, with the Philippines becoming a host country in 1974 and 1994.

In 1997, with the pageant back in Miami, Brook Lee won the crown, becoming known as the winner with aloha spirit as she represented Hawaiian beauty.

American actress and model Olivia Culpo reigned in the 2012 pageant, which was held in Las Vegas.

In 2001, Puerto Rico hosted the pageant and its queen Denise Quiñones became the winner.

In 1985, Puerto Rican Deborah Carthy-Deu won in the US.

If Medina does win the Miss Universe title next week, she won't be the first candidate to win the title in her home country—but she would be the first candidate to do so who is not from the US or a US territory.  — Anna Felicia J. Bajo/BM, GMA News