CASTILLEJOS, Zambales — This town’s homegrown beauty queen added another star to her universe of awards by emerging first runner-up in the recent Miss Grand International competition in Bangkok, Thailand.

Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza, the reigning Miss Grand Philippines 2024, competed against 68 other candidates at Bangkok’s MGI Hall on Oct. 5 and emerged runner-up to Rachel Gupta of India.

Prior to this, CJ represented Castillejos in the Miss Grand Philippines 2024 tilt at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City on Sept. 29, and won the title over 19 other candidates.

The Miss Grand International victory was the latest for 25-year-old, 5’ 7” beauty who started out as Miss Lyceum of Subic Bay, her alma mater, and Binibining Castillejos in 2015.

In March 2016, she bagged the Binibining Zambales during the Zambales Mango Festival, then followed it up with the Miss Bikini Philippines 2016 title at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City in May 2016.

In January 2018, she was crowned Binibining Republika de Filipinas-Luzon 2018; Miss Agoo 2018 at the Marcos Sports Complex in Agoo, La Union in May 2018; and Miss Econest 2018 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic Bay Freeport Zone in October 2018.

In 2019, she became Miss Royale Ambassador Central Luzon 2019 at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga in San Fernando, Pampanga in March; and Ambassadress of the World-Philippines 2019 at The Eye of The Green Sun Hotel in Makati City in June.

In May 2023, CJ represented Zambales at the Miss Universe Philippines 2023 contest, competed against 37 other candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, and was named the first runner-up. 