Dannyka Manangan

Samantha Bernardo on CJ Opiaza possibly becoming new Miss Grand International: 'I never doubted you'

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Miss Grand International 2020 1st runner-up Samantha Bernardo took to social media to express her joy and pride over fellow Filipina beauty queen CJ Opiaza’s possible coronation as Miss Grand International 2024.</p><p> On Instagram, Samantha shared her heartfelt message, celebrating what she considers a full-circle moment in Philippine pageantry.</p><p> “In 2020, I was crowned 1st Runner-Up at @missgrandinternational A crown I wore with pride—not just on my head, but in my heart, my values, and my voice. And now, to witness the very first Filipina officially crowned with the #MGI title—it feels like a full-circle moment. A quiet affirmation from heaven that it was all part of something bigger. 🙏🏽👑,” she wrote.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKM2bTIzkIv/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A64002%2C%22ls%22%3A3252.1999999997206%2C%22le%22%3A3762.399999999907%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><p> Reflecting on divine timing, Samantha described CJ’s milestone as a testament to faith and purpose.</p><p> “God’s plan is always better than ours. His timing is divine—always aligned, always filled with purpose. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how everything unfolds exactly when and how it should—not always as we expect, but always as we need. 💫,” she said.</p><p> Samantha also emphasized that true fulfillment doesn&#x27;t always come from winning, but from walking a path that resonates with one’s soul.</p><p> She expressed, “Because life isn’t always about winning. Sometimes, the true win is choosing the path that aligns with your soul. The quiet &#x27;yes&#x27; to your calling. The voyage — as @bethelmusic sings — that becomes the map of your legacy.”</p><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/28/ph-s-cj-opiaza-poised-to-be-next-miss-grand-international-after-winner-s-reign-terminated-1522"><strong>READ: PH&#x27;s CJ Opiaza poised to be next Miss Grand International after winner&#x27;s reign terminated?</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>She posted a video edit from a fan featuring the crowning moments of both her and CJ during the Miss Grand International coronation night.</p><p> “This video edit from a fan reminded me of that: of standing in grace, in peace, in purpose. Of what it truly means to be a queen. 👑 Congratulations to our first ever Miss Grand International from the Philippines, @cjopiaza 🥹,” she expressed.</p><p> “I never doubted you. I always believed. And I’m beyond proud that it’s you. 🥹💛.”</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHfbjjKTLdD/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A100910.29999999981%2C%22ls%22%3A3252.1999999997206%2C%22le%22%3A3762.399999999907%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><p> On May 28, then reigning titleholder Rachel Gupta of India announced her resignation, citing “broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment.”</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKL-MKaygGl/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A120267.09999999963%2C%22ls%22%3A3252.1999999997206%2C%22le%22%3A3762.399999999907%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Later on, Miss Grand International organization released a statement on the effective termination of Rachel following “failure to fulfill her assigned duties, engagement in external projects without prior approval from the organization and her refusal to participate in the scheduled trip to Guatemala.”</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKMB12dPhlp/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A140634.3999999999%2C%22ls%22%3A3252.1999999997206%2C%22le%22%3A3762.399999999907%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="879" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><p><strong> </strong>In the hours that followed, Miss Grand International and Miss Grand International Philippines shared a video highlighting CJ’s pageant journey. The clip ended with the words “The new Miss Grand International 2024 is…” and a shot of CJ.</p><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKMsyIovc4T/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A160153%2C%22ls%22%3A3252.1999999997206%2C%22le%22%3A3762.399999999907%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><p> Although there is no official announcement from both the organization and the Filipina beauty queen, the video seemingly indicates that CJ will be hailed as the new titleholder and will be officially crowned soon.</p><p> Miss Grand International President Nawat Itsaragrisil also posted the video on his personal social media page with a caption: “Right person and Real queen coming soon.”</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-11" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKMruPjJaSe/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A11%2C%22os%22%3A178371.7999999998%2C%22ls%22%3A3252.1999999997206%2C%22le%22%3A3762.399999999907%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-11" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><p><strong> </strong>While there has been no official proclamation from the organization or CJ Opiaza herself yet, it would be a historic feat for the Philippines as a pageant house.<strong></strong></p>

<p>Samantha Bernardo expresses happiness for CJ Opiaza on her possible new title.</p>