Nelson Morales

'This is my golden moment': CJ Opiaza in tears at Miss Grand International coronation

Article (news)

Reyma Deveza

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748937072951MGI1.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Screen grab: YouTube/GrandTV"/><span class="fr-inner">Screen grab: YouTube/GrandTV</span></span></span></div><p>The Philippines&#x27; Christine Juliane &quot;CJ&quot; Opiaza officially took over the title of Miss Grand International (MGI) at a formal coronation event on Tuesday, June 3, in Bangkok, Thailand. </p><p>The crowning ceremony was held at the MGI Hall in Bangkok and broadcasted live on the GrandTV YouTube channel.</p><p>Radiant under the spotlight, Opiaza took the stage glowing with confidence as she was introduced as the new queen of the MGI pageant. She was wearing a dazzling green gown by renowned Filipino designer Mak Tumang that perfectly matched the golden crown from the organization.</p><p>The ceremony also included a replay of her standout moments during the MGI finals held seven months ago where she originally finished as first runner-up to Rachel Gupta of India.</p><p>However, following undisclosed disagreements between the MGI organization and Gupta, Opiaza was officially appointed as the new Miss Grand International, set to serve until October 2025.</p><p>No less than MGI President Nawat Itsaragrisil personally crowned CJ during the ceremony, placing the golden crown and sash on her as she beamed with pride and joy, after which the Philippine anthem was played. </p><div><br/></div><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/1748937658678MGI2.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px" alt="Screen grab: YouTube/GrandTV"/><span class="fr-inner">Screen grab: YouTube/GrandTV</span></span></span></div><p>Opiaza was in tears as she accepted her new title stressing that it&#x27;s a big win for the Philippines.  </p><p>The 26-year old beauty has now made history as the first Filipina to win the Miss Grand International crown as Miss Grand Philippines national director Arnold Vegafria joined her ceremony too.</p><p>Below is Opiaza&#x27;s full speech as Miss Grand International 2024.</p><p>&quot;This very  moment feels so surreal right now.  I was in the same place like months ago competing for my country, the Philippines, and hoping to make you guys proud. I&#x27;m just one of those hopeful candidates to bring pride to my country and I was able to take home the first runner-up crown. And, I&#x27;m really, really grateful to have been part of the roster of such amazing women from all around the globe to be representing their countries and, of course, to be an international ambassador of the Miss Grand International organization. </p><p>&quot;But there&#x27;s one thing I want to share with you guys. I just want to make the whole room a little bit lighter. There was one specific event before when I was a candidate. It was during the dinner there was a question Papa askeds me. He said &#x27;Philippines, why so late?&#x27; I&#x27;m asking the  same question back &#x27;Papa, why so late?&#x27; But kidding aside, I know best things happened for a reason you just have to wait for that very specific moment but you have to hold on and do whatever it takes.</p><p>&quot;Before I signed up for this job, I know I was born ready, I am always ready and now I&#x27;d been given the challenge and I&#x27;m taking the challenge and taking the responsibility to fill that shoes as your first-runner up and now your Miss Grand International 2024. Truly it&#x27;s an honor. I know there will be challenges along the way but I know I have my family with me, the Miss Grand International organization, to be able to surpass all of these and, of course, all the Filipinos, all the Thai fans, my fans all over the world, my organization from the Philippines, my family, of course, my team. My team is here. Thank you so much. My designers are also here. Thank you for making time. </p><p>&quot;I know this moment is so sudden. There&#x27;s a moment of transition and change but that&#x27;s how we grow as individuals and that&#x27;s how we win in life. There are different versions and meanings of winning in life but this is my golden moment and this is a historic win for the Philippines. </p><p>&quot;Mabuhay sa lahat ng mga Filipino, maraming-maraming salamat po sa pagpunta. Ganoon din &#x27;yung suporta na ibinigay niyo sa akin simula noon hanggang ngayon. Kahit nasaan akong entablado naririnig ko ang mga sigawan niyo. Ganoon din kagalak &#x27;yung puso ko na makita kayong lahat na sini-celebrate itong pagkapanalo nating lahat.  </p><p>&quot;Lalaban lang tayo -- lagi. Para ito sa bansang Pilipinas. Para ito sa Miss Grand International organization and we will continue the legacy that Miss Grand International cemented over the years, the one and only. I am Christine Juliane Opiaza, your Miss Grand International 2024.&quot;  </p><div><br/></div><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/1748937882378MGI3.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Screen grab: YouTube/GrandTV" style="width:960px"/><span class="fr-inner">Screen grab: YouTube/GrandTV</span></span></span></div><p>After her acceptance speech, Opiaza made her first walk as Miss Grand International 2024.</p><p>Opiaza replaced 2024 winne Gupta of India after MGI announced the termination of the reign of the latter, citing her &quot;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.&quot;</p><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" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">PH&#x27;s CJ Opiaza poised to be next Miss Grand International after winner&#x27;s reign terminated?</a></div><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><p>In an interview with ABS-CBN News before flying to Thailand, Opiaza expressed her excitement to wear the MGI crown and accept the responsibility. </p><p>&quot;It is in the contract… If the winner cannot fulfill her duties, the first runner-up shall take the place and take all the responsibilities. And as first runner-up, I signed up for the job,&quot; Opiaza said.</p><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><p>Gupta, for her part, confirmed that she stepped down as MGI 2024 in a decision that was &quot;not made lightly.&quot;</p><p>In an Instagram post, the Indian beauty queen said her reign has been &quot;marked by broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment I can no longer endure in silence.&quot;</p><div><a href="http://india%20wins%20miss%20grand%20international%202024;%20ph%20bet%20cj%20opiaza%20is%201st%20runner-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">India wins Miss Grand International 2024; PH bet CJ Opiaza is 1st runner-up</a></div><p>With her new title, Opiaza will be having new responsibilities including visits to Spain and Myanmar, and she is hoping to get a visa in time for the crowning of Miss Grand USA in August. </p><p>She will also take part in MGI&#x27;s various sponsored activities.  </p><p>Opiaza is also committed to be present at the Miss Grand Philippines set for July 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. </p><p>After fulfilling her duties in the Philippines, Opiaza is expected to spend most of her time in Bangkok, as stipulated in the contract up to October 2025 when the new MGI Queen will be crowned .</p><p>A homecoming ceremony is set to take place in Manila on June 8 to formally celebrate Opiaza’s historic win. <strong><em>-- With a report from Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News</em></strong></p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><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/eC3W4w6PDV4?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><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/tmnSKb7G5dg?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><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/Stda7OMK_Y8?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><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><br/></div><div><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/B1IHLgoHaeg?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippines' Christine Juliane "CJ" Opiaza officially took over the title of Miss Grand International after she was crowned at a formal coronation on Tuesday, June 3, in Bangkok, Thailand.</p>

The Philippines' Christine Juliane "CJ" Opiaza officially took over the title of Miss Grand International after she was crowned at a formal coronation on Tuesday, June 3, in Bangkok, Thailand.