CJ Opiaza, Selena Antonio-Reyes join Miss Grand Philippines 2024

Miss Grand Philippines veterans (from right) CJ Opiaza, Selena Antonio-Reyes, and Sophia Bianca Santos/ARMIN P. ADINA

After several delays, the 2024 Miss Grand Philippines pageant has finally rolled out, with 19 aspirants that include seasoned contenders CJ Opiaza and Selena Antonio-Reyes.

After weeks of anticipation since the call for applicants was first made, the official candidates were finally presented on Monday afternoon, Sept. 23, at the Fashion Interiors by Paul Cornilissen in Makati City.

Opiaza has not been mum about her plans to join the national search. She hs been dropping hints on social media with several videos that indicate her intention to go for the “golden crown.”

A national pageant veteran, Opiaza was already proclaimed Miss Bikini Philippines in 2016. She also participated in the 2022 Binibining Pilipinas pageant, and was first runner-up in the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines competition.

Selena Antonio-Reyes, a 38-year-old married woman and mother of two who was in the Top 20 in the 2024 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, is also competing. She is still qualified for the international competition Universal Woman, whose representative will also be chosen in the national tilt.

And fresh from her second runner-up finish in the 2024 edition of the sister pageant Miss World Philippines, Pampanga’s Sophia Bianca Santos is making another shot at a national crown.

But national pageant rookies are also poised to give serious competition to the veterans–reigning Limgas na Pangasinan-Grand Jenesse Viktoria Mejia, and physician Jubilee Therese Acosta who was first runner-up in the recent Miss Manila pageant.

For now, two titles are at stake in the competition–Miss Grand Philippines and Universal Woman Philippines.

The 2024 Miss Grand Philippines coronation night will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City on Sunday, Sept. 29.

The eventual Miss Grand Philippines titleholder will embark on a quest to post the country’s first victory in the Thailand-based Miss Grand International pageant on Oct. 25 in Bangkok.

The Universal Woman Philippines titleholder, meanwhile, will try to give the country a second consecutive victory after Maria Gigante became the first Filipino woman to clinch the Universal Woman crown in February.