Miss Grand Philippines CJ Opiaza (center) beams with her court composed of (from left) 2nd runner-up Alexandra Mae Rosales, Universal Woman Philippines Sophia Bianca Santos, Miss Teen International Philippines Anna Margaret Mercado, and 1st runner-up Jubilee Therese Acosta. Image: Armin P. Adina/INQUIRER.net
The question-and-answer (Q&A) portion of the Miss Grand Philippines 2024 pageant sets up the fate of the top five candidates, with each of them delivering their thoughts on topics including the incentives of Olympic athletes, ongoing tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea, and social media as one of the causes of mental health issues among the youth.
The final part of the national pageant, held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater from Sunday, Sept. 29 to early Monday, Sept. 30, culminated in the coronation of CJ Opiaza as the country’s representative for the Miss Grand International 2024 tilt.
Here’s how Opiaza and the rest of her court— Sophia Bianca Santos, Anna Margaret Mercado, Jubilee Therese Acosta, and Alexandra Mae Rosales — performed in the Q&A portion.
CJ Opiaza of Castillejos, Zambales, Miss Grand Philippines 2024
Olympic athletes and beauty queens have a lot of things in common. They train and work hard to achieve their goals, and they both bring honor and glory to the country when they win. However, compared to the millions that Olympic medalists get, the rewards that winning beauty queens don’t get anything at all. Do you think that winning beauty queens also deserve the rewards and incentives that Olympic athletes get from the government, private sectors, and other established brands?
Being able to stand here is already a reward for us. I believe that we don’t actually need an incentive or a monetary award to be able to be seen and to be heard. Just the very platform like this is already championing the lives of the people who believe in us, and the people whom we inspire. And so, I hope all the beauty queens here will continue their legacy to push for their causes and to present themselves around the world.
Sophia Bianca Santos of Pampanga, Universal Woman Philippines 2024
One of the most rampant causes of mental health issues among today’s youth is the misuse of internet and social media. True or false? Defend your answer.
Truth to be told, because I believe [that] misuse of social media sets unrealistic standards and putting a pressure on us and harming our mental health. With that, to protect ourselves, we should use social media wisely, ethically, and responsibly. Thank you.
Anna Margaret Mercado of Quirino, Miss Teen International Philippines 2024
If you have a choice, would you rather be a president or first lady?
If I have a choice, I would definitely choose to be the president. Because being the president, you have the ability and you have the power to lead by example, to inspire others, and to make a difference in our country. That would be all. Thank you.
Jubilee Therese Acosta of Manila, Miss Grand Philippines 2024 first runner-up
If you are the president, how will you put an end to the endless bullying that the country continues to endure from China in the West Philippine Sea?
I believe that the only thing we lack right now is the lack of proper sit-down, to have peace talks. And throughout my lifetime, I want to tell the leader, both leaders, that we need to have a proper dialogue. We need to have meaningful comprehension to it and in that way, we can achieve peace in society. And that’s what I’ll do as a woman with a grand ambition for the world. Thank you.
Alexandra Mae Rosales of Laguna, Miss Grand Philippines 2024 second runner-up
Are women better peacemakers than men?
Thank you for that question. I do believe that we are all equal and we all have the capacity to be peacemakers. As someone who is a part of Miss Grand Philippines, I would like to encourage men and women to be the best peacemakers in this country and in the world. It is us, it is within us who can only inspire other people, and these little things that we can do can make a very big difference. That would be all. Thank you.