Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Grand International 2024 CJ Opiaza, and MUPH 2024 first runner-up Winwyn Marquez. Images from Instagram
The love fest for Miss Grand International 2024 CJ Opiaza continues, with Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo and runner-up Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez joining the chorus of praises for the newly-installed queen.
Opiaza has been receiving congratulatory messages for being the first Filipino woman to wear the Miss Grand International pageant’s “golden crown,” even before the crowning ceremony held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday afternoon, June 3.
“Congratulations, CJ. Ang galing (It is so great)!” Manalo told INQUIRER.net on the sidelines of a recent press event in Taguig City.
Marquez, who was with Manalo at the event, chimed in, “And sabi ko nga sa kanya (what I told her), what’s meant to be is meant to be. I’m just so happy for her,” she said of Opiaza, who was her “pasarela” (pageant walk) coach at the recent MUPH competition.
Manalo said Opiaza’s journey just showed that dreams are sometimes delayed. “Hindi mo agad siya maa-achieve (You do not achieve it right away). Sometimes it takes time,” she said.
“And the universe has a funny way of giving you your dreams. And she got it. I’m so happy for her,” continued a beaming Manalo.
MGI should ‘take care of its new queen’
Marquez, for her part, shared her astonishment at Opiaza’s performance during the 2024 Miss Grand International pageant in Thailand: “Thank you, CJ, for doing your best as well. I saw how she performed, she was amazing and flawless.”
She said she loves Opiaza “with or without the crown,” and expressed her prayer that the Miss Grand Organization would take good care of the new queen. “Sana, siyempre, alagaan din siya ng organization,” Marquez quipped.
Opiaza is taking over the remainder of the reign left behind by erstwhile queen Rachel Gupta, the first winner from India, who abdicated the title via social media last week.
Heir apparent?
Another one of Opiaza’s well-wishers was Anita Rose Gomez, 2024 Miss Universe Philippines Top 10 finalists, who many consider as her heir apparent.
“As we all know, I’m a co-Zambaleña of Ate (big sister) CJ, and I just wanna say congratulations. At last, you got the crown that you truly deserve,” Gomez told INQUIRER.net in a quick chat.
The young pageant aspirant is among Opiaza’s growing roster of “pasarela” (pageant walk) students, a lineup that includes reigning Reina Hispanoamericana Dia Mate, newly-crowned Miss Aura International Krishan Pauline Allere, and 2025 Miss Eco International Alexie Mae Brooks.
Gomez is now among the official candidates of the 2025 Miss Grand International Philippines pageant, and hopes to succeed Opiaza for the national crown, and take a shot at scoring a back-to-back for the country in the global tilt.
Opiaza is set to have a grand homecoming parade in Manila on Sunday, June 8, MGI head Nawat Itsaragrisil shared in a press conference in Bangkok after the crowning ceremony. /edv