CJ Opiaza Shines as Miss Grand International 2024 First Runner-Up, Winning Hearts and Praise
CJ OPIAZA – Philippine bet CJ Opiaza receives widespread praise for her outstanding performance at Miss Grand International.
Miss Grand Philippines 2024 CJ Opiaza, has earned widespread praise following her first runner-up finish at the Miss Grand International pageant. Representing the Philippines on the global stage, CJ continued her country’s tradition of high placements, which many credit to her dedication, resilience, and hard work.
In heartfelt Instagram posts, Arnold Vegafria, the franchise holder of Miss Grand Philippines, and makeup artist Yaj Labeo celebrated CJ’s commitment and efforts throughout the competition. Arnold highlighted CJ’s “relevant and timely message about respect,” which was instrumental in winning her the first runner-up crown.
Additionally, Arnold acknowledged her significant contribution to mending the relationship between the Filipino pageant community and Miss Grand International president Nawat Itsaragrisil, stating that CJ “put an end to the misunderstanding and unwanted hatred.”
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Makeup artist Yaj Labeo, reflecting on CJ’s journey, shared her persistence through two previous attempts to win a crown—first in the 2022 Binibining Pilipinas pageant and again in the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines pageant. According to Yaj, CJ’s journey in the Miss Grand International pageant was a labor of love, and it brought “a joy beyond words” to see the country rally behind her.
This support was evident when fans enthusiastically participated in voting challenges for the pageant, like the Country’s Power of the Year challenge, which helped CJ secure a spot in the top 20. During the Miss Grand International pre-arrival voting, she reached the top six, standing alongside representatives from Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Her placement in the top 10 earned her a special dinner with the pageant’s president.
CJ departed for Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on October 3, bolstered by the encouragement of her fans and the Miss Grand Philippines organization. Before her departure, she received a warm send-off, with fans wishing her “confidence and determination.” Her journey to the Miss Grand International stage began when she was crowned Miss Grand Philippines at Newport World Resorts, where she triumphed over 19 other contestants.