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The country now has a new Miss Grand Philippines as Zambales representative CJ Opiaza was crowned the 2024 Miss Grand Philippines yesterday, September 29. She will represent the country in the Miss Grand International pageant to be held on October 25 in Bangkok.

At the final show held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport World Resorts, CJ bested 19 other queens and emerged the winner.

Related Gallery: The Final 20 Miss Grand Philippines candidates

During the question and answer portion of the show, CJ was asked if beauty queens should also receive the same monetary rewards as medal-winning athletes. She responded that beauty queens should use the attention to push for their advocacies instead.

“Being able to stand here is already a reward for us. Actually, I think that we actually don't need an incentive or a monetary reward to be able to be seen or to be heard," she said. "Just the very platform like this is already championing the lives of the people believing us, the people who we inspire. I hope all the beauty queens here will continue their legacy to push for their causes, to present themselves around the world."

The Miss Grand Philippines coronation night was hosted by celebrity KC Montero and broadcaster Dyan Castillejo.

This year's Miss Grand Philippines contestants were first announced during a press presentation held last week at the Fashion Interiors by Paul Cornelissen and streamed on the Miss Grand Philippines official YouTube channel.

The Miss Grand Philippines organization staged their final screening for the pageant's applicants more than a month ago, in a “grand spectacle filled with excitement and anticipation” held at the Okada Manila.

CJ Opiaza is succeeding Miss Grand Philippines 2023 Nikki de Moura, who represented the country in the Miss Grand International pageant last year at the Phú Thọ Indoor Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

MEANWHILE, CHECK OUT PHOTOS OF MISS GRAND PHILIPPINES 2023 NIKKI DE MOURA