Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas Dia Mate a ‘good student’ to coach CJ Opiaza
Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas Dia Mate (center) with her ‘pasarela’ mentor and 2024 Miss Grand International first runner-up CJ Opiaza (second from right) and their fellow ALV Pageant Circle queens (from left) 2025 Universal Woman Philippines Sophia Bianca Santos, 2024 Face of Beauty International Jeanne Isabelle Bilasano, and 2024 Miss Grand Philippines runner-up Jubilee Therese Acosta/ARMIN P. ADINA
The Philippines’ Dia Mate has displayed impeccable stage routines in the ongoing Reina Hispanoamericana pageant in Bolivia, thanks to her coach, 2024 Miss Grand International first runner-up Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza.
The “pasarela queen” was the pageant walk coach of the Caviteña singer who prepared her for the Latin-dominated international competition, which has gained a reputation for showcasing explosive stage performances.
Filipino queen Teresita Ssen “Winwyn” Marquez, the first-ever Asian winner of the Reina Hispanoamericana title, was also known to be a stage diva, thanks to her background as a dancer and actress. And her performances served as inspiration to her successors.
Opiaza has also made a mark on the national and international pageant arenas with her impressive spin turns and impactful swaying of her hips with every step that she takes on the stage, that many pageant aspirants have tapped her expertise.
“She’s really a good student. Mabait siyang student, nakikinig siya (she listens),” Opiaza said of Mate during the latter’s sendoff party held last month at La Noire in Makati City.
“She improved a lot, I would say, as a trainor speaking right now. She really has improved a lot. [Because] she really put so much hard work when she does her training,” Opiaza shared.
She said Mate would ask her what points she needed to improve on, or if there were anything she needed to add, or to tone down in her performance.
Opiaza also imparted her message to Mate as a friend. “I don’t want you to feel the anxiety with the international competition. Of course, it’s gonna be a big responsibility to represent the whole country, to bring all Filipinos, to bring pride as well. But I don’t want you to think every day na (that) ‘I need to do this, I need to do that.’ I want you to enjoy, and just feel the whole journey,” she said.
“I know it’s a great responsibility. Every day you’re gonna question yourself also. At some point you’re gonna ask yourself what you need to do, ‘do I need to change anything?’ the very moment that the pageant is ongoing. But always go back to your core, and just be yourself,” Opiaza added.
She said Mate’s journey resonated with her because the Caviteña lass is also “driven,” and has “so much passion and determination” like she does. “You can win and you can take home the crown for us. If not, it’s okay, you’re still a winner for us. But we are praying for you. Everyone’s rallying behind your back. I love you,” Opiaza said.
Mate has already received the “Mejor Traje Tipico” (Best in National Costume) award, and was in the Top 5 for “Miss Turismo” (Miss Tourism) in two auxiliary events, and impressed netizens with her “pasarela” during the preliminary competition.
She will try to post the Philippines’ second win, following Marquez’s victory in 2017, at the 2025 Reina Hispanoamericana finals in Bolivia on Feb. 9 (Feb 10 in Manila).
