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CJ Opiaza and more Filipina beauty queens who finished as 1st runner-up in int'l pageants
It is said that no one remembers second placers, but that is not true for these trailblazing Filipina beauty queens who led unforgettable pageant journeys in their respective competitions.
These ladies may not have won the crown, but they certainly won the hearts of fans with their grace and confidence on the pageant stage.
1. CJ Opiaza
CJ Opiaza's campaign in the recently concluded Miss Grand International 2024 is still fresh in the minds of Filipino fans days after she finished first runner-up in Bangkok, Thailand.
The pageant veteran delivered a strong performance from the pre-pageant activities to the final Q&A round, making it to the final two ladies alongside eventual winner Rachel Gupta of India.
CJ may have missed the ultimate prize, but her finger wags and hair flips will always be iconic Filipino pageant moments no matter what.
2. Samantha Bernardo
Like CJ, Samantha Bernardo finished first runner-up in the Miss Grand International 2020, which was held in 2021 after it was delayed by the pandemic.
Samantha gave a show-stopping performance in both the preliminaries and coronation night and made waves with her Philippine eagle-inspired national costume "Agila."
Her bond with eventual winner Abena Appiah of the United States will always be remembered by fans for their adorable reactions before and during the crowning moment.
3. Nicole Cordoves
Before CJ and Samantha, Nicole Cordoves came one step away from winning the Philippines's first-ever Miss Grand International title in 2016.
Ariska Putri Pertiwi of Indonesia won the crown, but Nicole gave the country its highest achievement at the Miss Grand International pageant after its launch in 2013.
Nicole is now enjoying a successful hosting career.
4. Ahtisa Manalo
Ahtisa Manalo was the first runner-up in the Miss International 2018 before her return to pageantry this year.
Her performance then was so good that fans were overjoyed to see her competing again at Miss Universe Philippines 2024, where she was named Miss Cosmo Philippines 2024.
Ahtisa finished her Miss Cosmo journey in the Top 10.
5. Gwendoline Ruais
In 2011, Gwendoline Ruais aimed to be the first Filipina to win the Miss World crown.
She was a standout for her height and confidence and bagged three out of five Miss World "fast-track" competitions.
The French-Filipina beauty queen ended her campaign as Miss World 2011 First Princess, while Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela took the crown.
6. Miriam Quiambao
Miriam Quiambao's Miss Universe 1999 journey was a testament to how she rose after a downfall.
During the competition, the Filipina beauty queen fell off the stage after her heel got stuck in her gown's train, but that didn't stop her from giving an incredible performance in the pageant.
She might have finished as the first runner-up, but her iconic moment that showcased her resilience and determination will always be one for the books.
7. Janine Tugonon
Before Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray ended the Philippines's Miss Universe title drought, Janine Tugonon was the closest woman to achieve the feat in 2012.
The crown went to Olivia Culpo of the United States that year, but Janine's performance solidified the country's status as a beauty pageant powerhouse and a top contender in the Miss Universe.
Above all, Janine delivered one of the best pageant answers from a Filipina beauty queen, maintaining that there should be no language prerequisite for being Miss Universe.
8. Yllana Aduana
Yllana Aduana is another Filipina queen who almost won the crown.
The Laguna beauty was crowned Miss Earth Air (first runner-up) at the Miss Earth 2023 pageant, where Drita Ziri of Albania emerged as the winner.
Yllana had an impressive pageant performance in the pageant, making it to the Top 5 Best Appearance and won Miss Earth 2023's Best Bikini. She also earned a spot in the Top 12 Best National Costume category for her Maria Makiling-inspired look.
9. Pauline Amelinckx
If the stars aligned for Pauline Amelinckx, the Philippines could have gotten its second Miss Supranational title in 2023 after Mutya Datul won the crown in 2013.
Nevertheless, the Filipina-Belgian beauty queen remains close to the hearts of fans for her warm personality and eloquence on stage.
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
