Get to know what the 1973 Miss Universe been up to in the last 13 years
Maria Margarita Roxas Moran-Floirendo, more popularly known as Margie Moran, appeared on Tatler Philippines’ cover in June 2007, more than three decades following her victory in the most prestigious beauty pageant around the world—the universe rather. At that time, she was already very much involved in the arts and culture, women empowerment, the environment, children’s education and community development. She never stopped and has continued this journey, resulting in valuable contributions and significant achievements in these fields to this day.
Read also: A Look Back On The Four Filipina Miss Universe Queens
A peace advocate and one of the women leaders in Mindanao, she chaired the Mindanao Commission on Women based in Davao. “Our purpose was to help build peaceful and prosperous communities for Mindanao families focusing on three areas of work: peace and multiculturalism, poverty reduction, politics and governance,” she explains.
It comes as no surprise, too, that Moran-Floirendo has built shelter for many families through a massive housing project in the south. After all, her winning answer in the 1973 Miss Universe pageant was, “If I had a million bucks, I’d buy a house and lot, and live by myself and [build for] other people.” The dedicated civic leader shares, “I was a trustee of Habitat for Humanity, Philippines, for over 20 years. My most important project was building 1,000 homes for both Christian and Muslim families as an entry point to establishing peaceful communities in Central Mindanao through equitable opportunities.”
Beginning 2009, she served as president of Ballet Philippines for nine years. Following this post, she was appointed as chairman of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), a position she currently holds. “My work was very diverse, but my unceasing love for the arts was the core of everything I did, from peace-making skills to audaciously thinking out of the box. It motivates and inspires me to work for the glory of God, and by doing so, I feel I am doing something significant,” she says.