406. Miss Universe 1969 GLORIA DIAZ: Universal Beauty Calendar Insert, from SEIKO, 1970

GLORIA DIAZ , IN A SEIKO CALENDAR GIVEAWAY, 1970

One of the favorite giveaways of companies during Christmas and the New Year are calendars—chosen for their practical use, and for decorative purpose. Indeed, SEIKO WATCHES made sure their premium calendar—given free as an insert in magazines---will be most appreciated, as the company tapped the year’s reigning Miss Universe 1969, 18 year old  Gloria Aspillera Diaz, to grace the one-sheet calendar. Diaz was hailed as the very first Filipina Miss Universe, and went on to become a successful actress and showbiz personality.

SEIKO, the Japanese company that made quality  watches, clocks, and timepieces, was founded in 1881 by Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo.  SEIKO  has distinguished itself as the most dependable, innovative (the company was one of those that launched the first quartz watches in the world)  and durable brand of timepieces in the market.

 SEIKO WATCHES were already available in the Philippines in the late 1960s, with many service centers nationwide. Today, they are sold by Seiko Philippines is a Filipino-owned corporation designated as the  authorized seller and service center of Seiko Watch Corporation in the country.

21.PEPSI BEAUTIES: Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz and Miss International 1970 Aurora Pijuan.

At one time, Pepsi lorded over the soda market in the Philippines, starting in the early 70s, outvoicing Coke in its aggressive advertising. Why, it even managed to persuade the teen superstar Nora Aunor to shift allegiance to Pepsi, after her Coke endorsement!

When Gloria Diaz became the country’s first Miss Universe in 1969, Pepsi quickly snapped her up for product endorsement. Previously, Coke had used former Misses Philippines in print ads like Josephine Estrada and Monina Yllana. This time around, Pepsi was quicker on the draw.

 As Diaz’ was winding down her Miss Universe reign,  Aurora Pijuan captured yet another world crown in Osaka,Japan—Miss International 1970. Pepsi got her too—running these print ads featuring our international beauties side by side,  a rare casting coup that capitalized on our craze for beauty pageants!