Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2021 Samantha Panlilio/ARMIN P. ADINA
At the homestretch of the 2024 edition of the Miss Grand Philippines pageant, Samantha Panlilio reminded the ladies competing in this year’s national contest to go all-out.
The 28-year-old entrepreneur earned her ticket to the Miss Grand International pageant upon winning one of the national titles in the 2021 Binibining Pilipinas pageant. The duty of selecting the country’s representatives to the global tilt is now with ALV Pageant Circle, which is holding its second search this year.
“If you’re aiming for the golden crown, don’t be afraid to show yourself,” Panlilio said when INQUIRER.net asked for her message to the 2024 Miss Grand Philippines candidates. She faced members of the media at the Shang Palace at the Makati Shangri-la on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 25, to share updates about her Pangarap at Kalinga (PAK) Foundation.
“Again, Miss Grand is all about being ‘the hostess with the mostest.’ So if you’re going to be extra, ilabas n’yo lahat (give it your all),” she reminded the ladies.
Twenty ladies are competing in a truncated edition of the national pageant this year, with just a whole week between the presentation of candidates on Monday, Sept. 23, and the coronation on Sunday, Sept. 29. The eventual winner has to be in Thailand by Oct. 2.
Panlilio also imparted another advice to whoever will carry the responsibility of representing the Philippines in the 2024 Miss Grand International pageant: “Stick to your core, and always be the strong woman that you are. That’s what they’re looking for.”
Miss Grand Castillejos, Zambales CJ Opiaza/ARMIN P. ADINA
She also shared well-wishes to her 2023 Miss Universe Philippines batchmate CJ Opiaza, who is representing Castillejos, Zambales, in the 2024 Miss Grand Philippines pageant.
“To CJ, good luck, kaya mo iyan (you can do it), girl. You know, we actually did [Bb. Pilipinas]. I did Binibini the year before her. So my sentiments go out to CJ. I’m really rooting for you, and kayang kaya mo iyan! (you really can make it),” Panlilio added.
Opiaza was first runner-up in the 2023 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, but was empty-handed in the 2022 Bb. Pilipinas competition. She was crowned Miss Bikini Philippines in 2016.
Two more Miss Universe Philippines alumnae are competing alongside Opiaza – Selena Antonio-Reyes and Alexandra Mae Rosales – who were both from the most recent edition of the national competition held in May.
Reyes, a married woman and mother of two, advanced to the Top 20, while Rosales, the first Filipino woman to be proclaimed as Miss Supermodel Worldwide, finished in the Top 10.
The 2024 Miss Grand Philippines coronation night will be held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City. Aside from the top winner, the contest will also choose the country’s representative to the 2025 Universal Woman pageant.