CHRISTINE Juliane “CJ” Opiaza will again get to share hosting chores with fellow international beauties, this time for the inaugural edition of the MGI All-Stars competition.
The 2024 Miss Grand International titleholder will be one of the hosts of the first preliminary round of the competition, for evening gown and “bare face,” on May 27.
Joining her on stage will be Thai beauty queen Veena Praveenar Singh, first runner-up in the 74th Miss Universe pageant, and 2026 Miss Universe Asia Zhao Na from China.
The announcement of their hosting duties was released on the Miss Grand International social media pages on Saturday evening, May 9. Ecuadorian actor, model, and Telemundo host Danilo Carrera had earlier been announced as the host of the final competition.
This will not be the first time that Opiaza will host a pageant alongside fellow international beauty queens. At the 2025 Miss Sultan Kudarat pageant, she was joined by 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray and reigning Miss World Opal Suchata Chuangsri of Thailand.
MGI All-Stars is a groundbreaking international competition from the team behind the Miss Grand International pageant that gathers veterans from various global pageants. The contest is open to women—whether single, divorced, separated, or widowed—between 20 and 40 years old. Mothers and transgender women may also participate.
Five participants are from the Philippines: Miss International Queen 2022 winner Fuschia Anne Ravena; 2025 Universal Woman Arabia Keylyn Trajano; reigning Noble Queen of the Universe Alexia Nuñez; 2016 Miss Philippines Earth (resigned) Imelda Schweighart; and 2019 Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados.
The final competition will take place at MGI Hall in Bangkok on May 30. The winner will take home $100,000, which may increase to up to $1 million if she is able to defend the title in two succeeding seasons. (Armin P Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
