Miss Philippines CJ Opiaza won first runner-up at the Miss Grand International 2024 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct. 25.

Miss India Rachel Gupta was crowned Miss Grand International 2024.

Other winners were Myanmar, 2nd runner-up; France, 3rd runner-up; and Brazil, 4th runner-up.

CJ, 26, is a pageant veteran who is also a model and trainer.

During the final question-and-answer portion, the top 5 candidates were asked, "What do you think is the most critical issue in the world today that needs to be resolved, and what solutions do you propose?"

CJ answered: "The most pressing issue that we have today is, of course, the presence of war and violence. We can see all around media that there are people dying, people suffering, you can see the kids crying, their dreams are being shattered. How our differences make us divided. I collect you all as you leave this place today to bring much more kindness, respect, and treat one another as human. We live in the same world, we breathe the same air. We are living in the same place. Treat one another as your brothers and sisters."

The Philippines has yet to capture the crown since the Miss Grand International pageant was created in 2013.

The first runner-up honors remained the highest placement in the international competition in the Philippines, obtained by Nicole Cordoves in 2016 and Samantha Bernardo in 2020.

Eighty-eight contestants worldwide competed in the 12th edition of the Miss Grand International pageant. The beauty contest aims to promote peace.