GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Who is Miss Grand Philippines 2024 CJ Opiaza?
CJ Opiaza from Zambales is Miss Grand Philippines 2024.
During the pageant’s coronation night on Sunday, CJ took home five special awards including Best in Swimsuit.
She will represent the Philippines in Miss Grand International 2024 on October 25 in Bangkok, Thailand.
In the Q&A portion, CJ was asked: "Do you think winning beauty queens also deserve the rewards and the incentives that the Olympic athletes get from the government, private sector, and other establishments?"
She answered: "Being able to stand here is already a reward for us. Actually, I think that we actually don't need an incentive or a monetary reward to be able to be seen or to be heard. Just the very platform like this is already championing the lives of the people believing us, the people [whom] we inspire. I hope all the beauty queens here will continue their legacy to push for their causes and present themselves around the world."
But who is CJ Opiaza beyond pageantry? Here are some five facts to know about our new Miss Grand Philippines.
1. A pageant veteran
Born Christine Juliane Opiaza in Subic, Zambales, CJ is no stranger to pageants. Her pageant journey started in 2012 when she joined a beauty pageant in their city as the grand prize will be granted a four-year scholarship at Lyceum of Subic Bay.
She failed on her first try, but joined the following year and won 1st place, granting her a scholarship. She would later join university-based pageants and was hailed as Miss Lyceum in 2015.
Since then, she has joined various pageants such as the Ambassador and Ambassadress of the World-Philippines in 2019, Binibining Pilipinas 2022, and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 where she placed first runner-up to Michelle Dee.
2. A model
Aside from being a beauty queen, CJ is also a model. In 2021, the Zambales native graced the runway of Philippine Fashion Week Spring and Summer Collection.
She was also among the runway models at the Mega Fashion Week in 2019 for the French band L’ Oréal.
3. A pasarela coach
Given her extensive experience, it's no surprise that CJ is a pasarela coach.
She runs the pasarela coaching school The Canvas and has coached several beauty queens such as Miss Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas 2024 Dia Mate.
4. An academic achiever
CJ Obiena has both beauty and brains. She graduated with a degree in human resource development management at the Lyceum of Subic Bay earning Special Academic Awardee and Outstanding Student Of The Year awards.
5. A Chris Evans fan
CJ is a fan like all of us!
In a personality interview for the Miss Universe Philippines 2023, she revealed that American actor Chris Evans, best known for his role as Captain America in the Marvel franchise, is her celebrity crush.
In the interview, CJ described Chris as someone who has a “kind heart” and always helps people, especially kids.
“I really see myself in him as well because I am helping kids in the orphanage with disabilities,” she said.
— LA, GMA Integrated News
