THE Philippines will finally have a Miss Grand International (MGI) winner as Filipino queen Christine Julianne “CJ” Opiaza is set to receive the once-elusive “golden crown” in less than a week’s time.
Opiaza, who finished second in last year’s competition, will assume the remainder of the reign left behind by erstwhile winner Rachel Gupta, who abdicated her throne via a social media post on May 28.
“Time tells all. The CROWN has found its QUEEN,” the Miss Grand International pageant posted on social media on Thursday evening, May 29, with an image of the Filipino queen set against a backdrop of the pageant’s crown and a Philippine flag.
“Join us for the official coronation of Miss Grand International 2024 — Christine Juliane Opiaza, the first-ever Grand Queen from the #Philippines. Be part of the historic moment. [Philippine flag emoji]” continued the post.
Her coronation is set to take place at the MGI Hall at Bravo BKK in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 3, at 2 p.m. The ceremonies will be streamed live on the GrandTV YouTube channel.
No less than Nawat Itsaragrisil, MGI president, made the confirmation in posting a video of Opiaza, saying she is the “right person and real queen.”
Opiaza also confirmed the coronation on her Instagram.
“Rising from the golden ashes is a Phoenix who is ready for a comeback to conquer the grandest heights. I am Christine Juliane Opiaza, Miss Grand International 2024 from the Philippines,” she said with a photo of herself in a red gown reminiscent of the mythical bird with a thigh-high slit, feathers and cape.
Before Opiaza, two other Filipino contenders came so close to winning the Miss Grand International crown by finishing as first runner-up – Nicole Cordoves in 2016 and Samantha Bernardo in 2020. (Armin P. Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
