THE Philippines’ quest for the Miss Grand International pageant’s elusive “golden crown” continues as Filipino bet Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza settles for the first runner-up spot in the recently-concluded staging of the global tilt in Thailand on Friday night, October 25.
Rachel Gupta scored India’s first victory and clinched the crown by besting 67 other aspirants in ceremonies staged at the MGI Hall in Bangkok to inherit the title from Peruvian queen Luciana Fuster who won last year.
Completing the final five were second runner-up Thae Su Nyeim from Myanmar, third runner-up Safietou Kabengele from France, and fourth runner-up Talita Hartmann from Brazil.
The five remaining delegates in the Top 10 who did not advance to the final round were all proclaimed as fifth runners-up. They were Maria Felix from the Dominican Republic, Nova Liana from Indonesia, Arlette Rujel from Peru, Susana Medina from Spain, and Amy Viranya Berry from the United Kingdom.
In her final walk at the final round, Opiaza, who was wearing a slinky silver cutout column gown, tripped slightly that caused her to pause for a bit. But the beauty queen recovered her composure immediately and continued with her signature pasarela, or pageant walk.
To this date, the Philippines still has not scored the Miss Grand International title. Notable Filipino contenders in the past editions include Nicole Cordoves and Samantha Bernardo, who finished as first runner-up in 2016 and 2020, respectively. Roberta Tamondong was one of the five fifth runners-up in 2022.
The three ladies were fielded by the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI), that held the Miss Grand International franchise for the country from 2015 to 2022. (Armin P. Adina © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
