The day Margie won Miss U

In a television interview, Margie Moran noted that reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach wasn’t even born yet when she won the Miss U crown in Athens, Greece, in 1973. Pia’s in her mid-20s, while Margie’s already a senior citizen.

Pia’s victory in Las Vegas, Nevada, ended the 42-year Philippine ‘drought’ in the Miss Universe beauty pageant. And Margie’s so glad the ‘drought’ is over. Ditto Gloria Diaz, the very first Filipina Miss Universe, who won in 1969 in Miami Beach, Florida.

The July 23, 1973 issue of Philippines Daily Express carried on its umbrella banner, ‘Margie Moran is Miss Universe’ with the subhead, ‘I feel like crying.’

Margie was a pre-pageant favorite, adjudged the most photogenic of 61 candidates in the 22nd annual pageant, held at the ancient open air Herod Atticus theater at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens.

In place of bikinis and swimsuits, said to be ‘unbecoming to national traditions and the dignity of the ancient, open-air setting,’ the girls wore Grecian-inspired playsuits.

The judges included international actors Ginger Rogers, Jean Pierre Aumont and Horst Bucholz. A former Miss Universe, Margaretta Arvidson of Sweden, said, ‘I think Miss Philippines is a beautiful Miss Universe. She has got poise and personality.’

The next year, 1974, the Miss Universe contest was held in Manila, where Margie crowned her successor, the tragic Amparo Muñoz of Spain. Srta. Muñoz was not able to crown the 1975 Miss Universe as she was involved in so many controversial issues.

When the reign of Margie (Maria Margarita Roxas Moran) was over, she finished her studies (AB cum laude at Maryknoll) and starred in a movie (one and only) opposite Cocoy Laurel, Oh Margie, Oh!, where she showed her dancing skills. She married Tonyboy Floirendo of Davao, who served as three-term congressman.

Margie is involved in promoting tourism and helping the needy with livelihood and housing projects. She is also active with Ballet Philippines. She and Tonyboy have two beautiful grown-up daughters. — RKC