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Miss Grand International (MGI) 1st Runner-up CJ Opiaza during a press conference in Pasay City, December 8, 2024. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

Miss Grand International (MGI) 1st Runner-up CJ Opiaza during a press conference in Pasay City, December 8, 2024

Article (news)

Miss Grand International

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1733673029417120824_CJ Opiaza 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Miss Grand International (MGI) 1st Runner-up CJ Opiaza during a press conference in Pasay City, December 8, 2024. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Miss Grand International (MGI) 1st Runner-up CJ Opiaza during a press conference in Pasay City, December 8, 2024. <em>Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Miss Grand International (MGI) 1st Runner-up CJ Opiaza on Sunday expressed her gratitude to the Filipino pageant community in a press conference at the Lime Resort Manila Hotel, Pasay City.</p><p>She was also joined by MGI founder Nawat Itsaragrisil and his entourage, who had plenty to say about Opiaza’s performance in the pageant that concluded last October in Bangkok, Thailand.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/12/7/miss-grand-runner-up-cj-opiaza-back-in-manila-all-set-for-grand-homecoming-2146">Miss Grand Runner-up CJ Opiaza back in Manila, all set for grand homecoming</a></div><p>“She’s so stunning that night,” said Nawat, referring to the first time he met Opiaza at the Top 10 dinner.</p><p>“The first impression, first meeting is the most important. Must look gorgeous, and a lot of the ‘four Bs’— [which includes] brains,” he added.</p><p>Itsaragrisil also commended Opiaza’s ability to keep a positive attitude, charm, and wit which she showcased during the interview stage of the competition.</p><p>He revealed that the 26-year old beauty actually scored the highest for the panelists that day.</p><p>When asked whether she believed she would get different results if she had more than three days to prepare for Thailand after winning the Miss Grand Philippines Crown, Opiaza said she doesn’t quite think so.</p><p>“I would say it’s fate. It’s destiny. I was given the 1st runner-up crown and I’m just so proud that I made this possible, not only for my own dream but this is a dream of all the Filipinos,” said the Zambales pride.</p><p>Opiaza also sent her thanks to the Filipino pageant community, highlighting the importance of the noise made online about her MGI journey.</p><p>“To all the Filipinos, thank you, thank you so much for all your support. To my family, my friends, my core team who’s here also, thank you so much also. It takes a village to create a queen and it takes [all] of you to allow me to wear this crown [on] my head.”</p><p>Also expressing her thanks to the community is her younger sister Princess who said they have &quot;been talking about Miss Grand for years and now she’s here with the crown.”</p><p>Miss World Philippines 2024 Krishnah Gravidez also gave a heartfelt message to her dear friend CJ, sharing how much she admires her heart.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/10/25/india-wins-miss-grand-international-2024-ph-bet-cj-opiaza-is-1st-runner-up-2339">India wins Miss Grand International 2024; PH bet CJ Opiaza is 1st runner-up</a></div><p>“Your heart not only in helping your community, but most especially your family, and that is one value that I look up to the most. So, you really deserve this,” said Gravidez.</p><p>Both Opiaza and Nawat shared that more exciting events are coming up for 2025, but for now they focus on more media events, photoshoots, and brand partnerships to settle in the Philippines.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E0ooKF3BOZE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Miss Grand International 1st Runner-up CJ Opiaza on Sunday expressed her gratitude to the Filipino pageant community in a press conference at the Lime Resort Manila Hotel, Pasay City.</p>

Miss Grand International 1st Runner-up CJ Opiaza on Sunday expressed her gratitude to the Filipino pageant community in a press conference at the Lime Resort Manila Hotel, Pasay City.

CJ Opiaza grateful for warm homecoming in Manila

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CJ Opiaza grateful for warm homecoming in Manila

Dyan Castillejo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 09, 2024 12:03 AM PHT

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Updated Dec 09, 2024 12:56 AM PHT

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