CJ Opiaza ends Miss Grand International journey as first runner-up
Christine Juliane "CJ" Opiaza made the Philippines proud as she finished as first runner-up at the Miss Grand International 2024 pageant.
The beauty queen from Zambales ended her journey to the highly coveted crown as a finalist at the pageant held on Friday, Oct. 25. Rachel Gupta from India was crowned the winner.
A veteran when it comes to pageantry, Opiaza previously competed in the 2022 edition of Binibining Pilipinas before going on to become an aspirant at Miss Universe Philippines 2023, where she eventually won first runner-up
Opiaza's Miss Grand International journey started when she was crowned Miss Grand Philippines last September and succeeded Nikki de Moura.
Her exceptional beauty queen skills were evident throughout the competition. She consistently excelled, securing titles such as Best in Swimsuit, Miss Photogenic, Miss Multimedia, Miss Aqua Boracay, and Miss Mestiza.
When she's not using her expertise to compete, she applies it to her job as a modeling coach, where she focuses on teaching pageant contestants how to walk on stage.
Read on to have a look at Opiaza's Miss Grand International journey.
During the grand coronation event in Bangkok, Thailand, Opiaza started the night with a bang as she wore an alluring jumpsuit with thigh-high slits. Adding flare to her look are chunky hoop earrings that match her golden attire.
Opiaza dazzled even more during the final swimsuit competition, turning up the heat in a white, two-piece bikini styled with a gold chain belt.
She made sure to showcase all her best parts as she did elegant turns and finished with a stunning hair flip.
After the Filipina beauty made it to the top 10, she delivered a powerful message addressing the wars happening in several parts of the world.
"In a world filled with trauma and uncertainties, there is another world that we live in. It is within. How we see ourselves is a reflection of how we perceive our surroundings. The moment we feed our hearts with hatred, envy, and anger, we create a monster, a human who doesn't fear pain and suffering, nor empathy," she said.
"Now is the time to mend what is broken, win in our inner struggles, act ethically and with respect, and raise above all the atrocities. Together, let us feel the missing pieces of our individuality, and let us all repair the broken pieces of this world," she continued.
Later in the evening, Opiaza captivated the audience with her stunning silver gown adorned with sparkling gems, designed by renowned fashion designer Mak Tumang. The gown featured a detachable cape that added an extra layer of elegance to her already glamorous look.
During the preliminaries, the beauty queen stunned the runway wearing a metallic gold two-piece swimsuit matched with gloves. She effortlessly commanded the stage and secured a spot among the top 20 contenders for Best in Swimsuit.
For the evening gown portion, the 26-year-old beauty sashayed the stage in Ryan Ablaza Uson's yellow-orange beaded dress with a cape. Her gown was an homage to Queen Sirikit of Thailand.
The dress was embellished with a dazzling array of Swarovski crystals and featured a vibrant canary yellow hue, inspired by the iconic Pagoda Thai Temple and the protective spirit of the Thai talisman.
Before this, Opiaza wore a costume inspired by the national leaf, Anahaw during the international pageant's national costume competition.
She showcased designer Patrick Isorena's stunning green and gold outfits, adorned with thousands of golden crystals, hardwire, and leaf-shaped fabrics. The ensemble's use of gold and green paid homage to Miss Grand International's "vivacious colors."
"A quintessence of valor, hard work, and ultimate victory, the round-leaf fountain palm, or most commonly known as 'Anahaw', is a Philippine national symbol that denotes Filipino strength of character, champion mindset, and good fruits of labor," Opiaza wrote on Instagram.
If Opiaza had won, it would've been the country's first-ever Miss Grand International crown.
