Julia Christine Botin

CJ Opiaza aims for grand reign as first Filipina Miss Grand International

Article (news)

Christopher Sitson

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748841809785PARANAQUE CJ OPIAZA DEPARTURE CHRISTOPHER CF CARD1 060225_frame_24720.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/></div><p>Christine Julianne &#x27;CJ&#x27; Opiaza is ready to claim the title as the new Miss Grand International (MGI) queen, replacing Rachel Gupta of India.</p><p>Opiaza is set to be crowned Tuesday afternoon, June 3, in Bangkok, Thailand.</p><p>The event will be live-streamed on MGI&#x27;s Youtube Channel.</p><p>The Filipina queen arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 on Monday morning for a quick send-off ceremony before she flew to Thailand.</p><p>&quot;I feel like a candidate na magde-depart pa lang ako and day one ito ng competition. Nanginginig ako now, but thank you very much. I know there&#x27;s a lot of things na naka-line up na rin for me to do as your new MGI 2024,&quot; Opiaza said.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748841849045PARANAQUE CJ OPIAZA DEPARTURE CHRISTOPHER CF CARD1 060225_frame_23518.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/></div><p>Opiaza emphasized that hard work and destiny can fulfill dreams, as she shared her new achievement withg every Filipino.</p><p>&quot;I think it&#x27;s destiny, it&#x27;s fate, maybe ito na &#x27;yung result ng hard work, not only me, but all the Filipinos waiting for the crown. This is a historic moment for all the Filipinos,&quot; she said.</p><p>Opiaza will make sure to have a meaningful reign before she pass the crown to its new owner before 2025 ends.</p><p>&quot;This is the first Golden crown for us. I want to celebrate every bit of it, the journey, until the coronation night. This is gonna be the shortest reign I think, shortest preparation, shortest reign, but this would definitely a grand reign for the Filipinos. I will make the most out of it,&quot; she shared.</p><p>When asked about why she took the title after all the dramatic turn of event, Opiaza said that she&#x27;s just doing her job as a queen.</p><p>&quot;It is just my job as the first runner-up to take up that space. We cannot leave a throne without a queen. Siyempre always ready to work before pa umabot sa Miss Grand International,&quot; she mentioned.</p><p>&quot;Most importantly, of course, making use of this international, a big platform to promote more the advocacy that is to stop war and violence,&quot; she added.</p><p>She then introduced herself as the new MGI titleholder for the 2024 edition of the pageant.</p><p>&quot;Mabuhay Pilipinas, I am Christine Julianne Opiaza, Miss Grand International 2024,&quot; Opiaza said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/5/30/coronation-ceremony-of-cj-opiaza-as-new-miss-grand-international-set-on-june-3-1003" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CJ Opiaza to take over Miss Grand International crown</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/6/1/cj-opiaza-reacts-to-becoming-miss-grand-international-i-signed-up-for-the-job-0041" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CJ Opiaza reacts to becoming Miss Grand International: &#x27;I signed up for the job&#x27;</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><br/></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?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/iJEY29-4QVM?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>CJ Opiaza is set to be crowned Tuesday afternoon, June 3, in Bangkok, Thailand.</p>