Former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz has insisted that her recent statement about Cebuanos had been misinterpreted. Diaz made the statement when she was interviewed by ABS-CBN's Mario Dumaual, aired on the August 25 episode of TV Patrol. (CLICK HERE to read related story)

Asked to give her opinion of Maria Venus Raj's "major-major" answer during the Miss Universe 2010 pageant, Diaz told TV Patrol that using an interpreter for the Q&A portion of the pageant is a good idea.

"Kasi, when you think about a Cebuana can hardly speak English and, of course, Tagalog, maybe she should answer in Bisaya," the actress explained.

Her statement caused the ire of Cebuanos, and many asked for a public apology from the beauty queen. Cebu Rep. Rachel "Cutie" del Mar even expressed that she was disappointed with Diaz's statement. Shortly thereafter, the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines-Cebu issued a resolution declaring the beauty queen "persona non grata" in their city.

PRESS CONFERENCE. To explain her side, Diaz called for a press conference this afternoon, September 3, at Bowler Restaurant and Bar in Makati City.

Diaz delivered a brief defense to open the press conference.

"They [Cebuanos] did not realize that the interview was edited," she said. "Meaning, may kadugtong, before and after. What I was saying actually was, yes, we need a translator, because all of us somehow are more comfortable in certain languages or dialects."

She added, "My exact words were, 'Yes, I think we need a translator, like if you're a Cebuano, and you're not very good in Tagalog or English, I think you could speak Bisaya.' And then there was a continuation that said, 'Like an Ilocano, should speak in Ilocano. And a Kapampangan, should speak in Pampango.' Because my father was an Ilocano, and he could not speak Tagalog well."

"So meaning, even if you're a Filipino, you don't have to speak in Filipino. You speak in your language or dialect which you are most comfortable and you can speak from the heart. That's what I meant," she said further.

According to Diaz, she was surprised with the large negative reaction she received in exchange of the small statement she made.

"It snowballed into a mountain, which like at this point, I don't know where to start. There was nothing meant to harm them or to look down on them," she said.

Even the "persona non grata" status given to her, she said, is a big  surprise. "I think 'persona non grata' should be for murderers, hijackers, child molesters... I don't know what inspired them. But you know, that's life. If they think after my explanation that I deserve to be persona non grata, then so be it!" she said.

Diaz added, "I'm sorry that the Cebuanos thought that I picked [on them]... It was really misinterpreted, hindi nila alam na may kadugtong pa in the back and in the front. I am going to be the last person, I think, to say any derogatory remark about any other Filipino for that matter.

"I was very happy that Venus, who is from Bicol, made it. And I thought her answer was okay, she's never had a problem. It was great! I mean, who am I to say, right? I'm neither a judge nor a jury, so I was happy with [her answer]."

APOLOGY. According to Diaz, she does not think she should be the one making the public apology.