Miss Grand International (MGI) 2024 CJ Opiaza shared her thoughts after returning to the beauty pageant stage, not as a candidate, but as a host.
The first Filipina MGI titleholder posted a video with highlights from the event and shared her reflections in a caption on Instagram.
“Full circle moment! A year ago, I was standing on that stage as a candidate at the MGI Preliminary Competition. And now, I’m hosting the entire show. What an incredible journey!” she wrote.
CJ’s post has so far garnered 13,700 likes and over 1,000 comments.
View this post on Instagram
“My queen,” Miss Grand International 2024 first runner-up Talita Hartmann commented with heart emojis.
“You are amazing,” Mister International Costa Rica 2025 Roberto Mena wrote with a heart emoji.
“You look so good! Please keep this makeup look, please!!!!!” exclaimed another user.
CJ became the first Filipina to be crowned MGI after the original titleholder of the 2024 edition, Rachel Gupta of India, was dethroned following controversies. At that time, CJ placed as first runner-up.
After Gupta’s removal, CJ officially took over and was crowned by MGI franchise owner Nawat Itsaragrisil in Thailand last June.
During the crowning moment, she received a bouquet of flowers and the venue played the country’s national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang,” to signal the Philippines’ victory in the pageant.
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Now, CJ returns to the MGI stage, this time as the host of the MGI 2025 preliminary competition.
She is also set to crown her successor during the MGI 2025 coronation night, which will take place at the MGI Hall in Bangkok on October 18.
The Philippines is currently represented by Emma Mary Tiglao of Pampanga, a pageant veteran and Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019. She has been joining beauty competitions since her teenage years.
Emma is also a news anchor.
— with reports by Philstar.com/Kristofer Purnell
