The Philippines has added another crown to its growing collection of international beauty accolades: the once-elusive Miss Grand International title that Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza received, albeit belatedly.

The Filipino “pasarela” (pageant walk) coach was crowned as the official Miss Grand International 2024 queen at the MGI Hall of Bravo BKK in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 2, more than seven months after last year’s competition.

Opiaza, who finished first runner-up in the 2024 competition, is stepping in after the embattled winner, Rachel Gupta, gave up the crown last week through a social media post.

“The months following my crowning have been marked by broken promises, mistreatment, and a toxic environment I can no longer endure in silence,” said the erstwhile queen, India’s first Miss Grand International winner.

Gupta later appeared in a video narrating the incidents that supposedly led to the decision to prematurely end her reign. The Miss Grand International Organization, through its head Nawat Itsaragrisil, was quick to respond.

The Thai organizer launched an online attack, accusing Gupta of unprofessionalism, and breach of contract, even saying that she is a “troublemaker.”

Gupta, meanwhile, said she is “praying” for Opiaza. “My heart is with her. I hope to God that she does not experience the same thing I did. But the truth is that this is the organization she is choosing to work with,” Gupta said in a video posted by The Savera Times.

In accepting the Miss Grand International crown, Opiaza spoke of “a moment of transition and change.” “That’s how we grow as individuals,” she said. “That’s how we win in life.”

The pageant veteran from the province of Zambales continued: “There are different versions and meanings of winning in life. But this is my golden moment. And this is a historic win for the Philippines.”

Before Opiaza, no other Filipino woman has brought home the “golden crown” since the Miss Grand International pageant’s inception in 2013. Nicole Cordoves and Samantha Bernardo came close by finishing second in 2016 and 2020, respectively.

Many consider the Philippines as an international pageant powerhouse, with an impressive record of four Miss Universe winners, one Miss World queen, six Miss International titleholders, and four Miss Earth winners.

The country has also posted one win in Miss Supranational, five in Miss Asia Pacific International, six in Miss Tourism International, two in Miss Intercontinental, two in Reina Hispanoamericana, and two in the current iteration of The Miss Globe.

“I know the best things happen for a reason. You just have to wait for the very specific moment,” Opiaza said. “But you have to hold on and do whatever it takes.”

Offering her crown to her motherland, the new queen ended her emotional address by announcing: “I am Christine Julian Hinkle Opiaza, from the Philippines, your Miss Grand International 2024!”