CJ Opiaza finally gets her ‘crowning moment’ with 2023 Miss Grand Luciana Fuster
Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza could not contain her giddiness after creating a moment with 2023 Miss Grand International Luciana Fuster at the sidelines of the activities for this year’s global tilt in Thailand.
When the Filipino queen became the first delegate from the Philippines to receive the Miss Grand International title after assuming the remainder of the reign left by erstwhile winner Rachel Gupta from India in June, it was pageant head Nawat Itsaragrisil who put the crown on her head.
Opiaza emerged as first runner-up at the conclusion of the 2024 contest, and it was Gupta who had a crowning moment with the Peruvian predecessor.
Fuster and Opiaza are both currently in Thailand for the 2025 Miss Grand International pageant, and the Peruvian queen approached the Filipino titleholder to create a crowning moment.
“May not be the typical crowning, but it will always be a moment written in history. Thank you, my Queen [Fuster], for initiating and recreating this beautiful moment [stars emoji],” Opiaza penned as she posted photos on social media.
“My inner self can’t stop feeling all the kilig (giddiness)[hands forming a heart emoji],” continued Opiaza, who is scheduled to crown her successor this weekend.
She set out to post the Philippines’ first Miss Grand International victory when she flew to Thailand just three days after receiving her national title last year. But she fell short and it was Gupta who recorded her country’s first win.
But in May, Gupta announced that she was abdicating the throne because of unfulfilled commitments from the Miss Grand International Organization, and mistreatment from the officials.
The organizers, particularly Nawat, retaliated and accused Gupta of being difficult to work with, even violating the terms of her contract as reigning queen.
About a week after the online tirade between the two sides, Opiaza flew to Bangkok, Thailand, to officially accept her new role as the reigning Miss Grand International titleholder, making history for the Philippines.
Just a little over four months since assuming the title, Opiaza is set to relinquish her title to crown successor, who will be proclaimed at the conclusion of the coronation ceremonies at the MGI Hall in Bangkok on Oct. 18. The Philippines is represented this year by broadcaster and pageant veteran Emma Tiglao. /edv
