‘My golden moment’: CJ Opiaza emotional as first Filipino Miss Grand International

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The Philippines' CJ Opiaza hopes to make the most of her four-month reign before crowning her successor in the 2025 edition of Miss Grand International in October

MANILA, Philippines – There’s a new Miss Grand International (MGI) 2024 queen, and it’s none other than the Philippines’ CJ Opiaza.

Opiaza was officially given the title of Miss Grand International 2024 — the first beauty queen from the Philippines to be crowned — in a glitzy coronation ceremony on Tuesday, June 3, at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Zambales stunner, who settled for first runner-up in last year’s competition, took over following the controversial resignation of India’s Rachel Gupta.

With Opiaza claiming the title, she will reign for four months before crowning her successor in the 2025 edition of Miss Grand International in October.

During her speech, Opiaza playfully recalled how MGI president Nawat Itsaragrisil, whom she calls “Papa,” once asked her why Filipinos are always so late. This time, she returned the question: “Papa, why so late?”

“I know the best things happen for a reason, you just have to wait for the very specific moment. But you have to hold on and do whatever it takes. Before I signed up for this job, I know I was born ready. I am always ready, and I am taking the challenge and I am taking the responsibility to feel the truth as your first runner-up and now as your Miss Grand International 2024,” the 26-year-old beauty queen said.

Opiaza acknowledged that her coronation was sudden, but said that it’s those moments of change that help us grow as individuals.

“There are different versions and means of winning in life, but this is my golden moment, and this is a historic win for the Philippines,” Opiaza said, greeting all the Filipinos who supported her run.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa pagpunta, ganun din ‘yung suporta na ibinigay ‘nyo sa akin simula noon hanggang ngayon. Kahit nasaan akong entablado, naririnig ko ‘yung mga sigawan ‘nyo. Ganun din kagalak ‘yung puso ko na makita kayong lahat na sinecelebrate itong pagkapanalo nating lahat. Lalaban lang tayo lagi,” she added.

(Thank you very much for coming. This is the same level of support you gave me from before up to now. No matter what stage I’m on, I hear your cheers. That’s also how happy my heart is seeing you all celebrate our win. We’ll keep fighting.)

The Filipina beauty wore a shimmery gold and green gown during her coronation, where highlights of her stellar performance during last year’s pageant was also flashed on the big screen.

Emotional throughout the ceremony, Opiaza later took her first walk as Miss Grand International 2024, officially becoming the pageant’s first Filipina titleholder.

Opiaza represented Castillejos, Zambales at the 2024 Miss Grand Philippines in September 2024, and settled for first runner-up in the pageant’s global edition the following month.

She was bested by Gupta, who held the title for seven months before stepping down from her post due to “broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment.”

Amid Gupta’s controversial resignation, the MGI organization said in a statement that the Indian beauty queen failed to perform her assigned duties, and would allegedly engage in external activities without their approval. MGI also said that Gupta had refused to participate in a scheduled trip to Guatemala.

Before her reign, the Philippines’ highest placing in the annual pageant was first runner-up, courtesy of Nicole Cordoves (2016) and Samantha Bernardo (2021). – Rappler.com