Nineteen lovely women from all over the country were presented to the media yesterday as the official candidates for Miss Grand Philippines 2024, which will have its coronation night on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.

The winner, who will be proclaimed that night, will then fly to Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct. 3 for the start of the competition for Miss Grand International 2024, with the finals set for Oct. 25. The MGI crown has so far eluded the Philippines since its participation, with Filipina queens Nicole Cordoves (2016) and Samantha Bernardo (2020) getting as far as placing first runner-up.

Aside from the main title, the country's representative to the Universal Woman 2025 pageant will also be chosen on Sept. 29. The reigning queen is the Philippines' Maria Gigante who bested 47 other contestants from all over the world in the Universal Woman 2024 pageant held in Cambodia last March.

The complete list of Miss Grand Philippines 2024 contestants are as follows:

1. Zsarlene Mae Anicete (Batangas)

2. Isabel Dawson (Bulacan)

3. Marinel Salvador (Cabanatuan)

4. Chloe Guatno (Camarines Norte)

5. Christine Juliane Opiaza (Castillejos, Zambales)

6. Julianne Rose Reyes (Cavite)

7. Geralyn Basto de Klerke (Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental)

8. Carrhyll Manicad (Malabon)

9. Jubilee Therese Acosta (Manila)

10. Mikaela Jane Fajardo (Marilao, Bulacan)

11. Alyssa Marie Geronimo (Nueva Ecija)

12 . Sophia Bianca Santos (Pampanga)

13. Jenesse Viktoria Mejia (Pangasinan)

14. Selena Antonio-Reyes (Pasig City)

15. Angel Bianca Agustin (Quezon City)

16. Anna Margaret Mercado (Quirino)

17. Samantha Margaret Babila (Rizal)

18. Diana Mariel Valendia (Sta. Mesa, Manila)

19. Patricia Mcgee (Zambales)

Of the 19 in the list, most are joining a national beauty contest for the first time while four have either placed or won in other prominent competitions. These include Candidate No. 5, CJ Opiaza, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 first runner-up; Candidate No. 9, Jubilee Therese Acosta, Miss Manila 2024 first runner-up; Candidate No. 12, Sophia Bianca Santos, Miss World Philippines 2024 2nd Princess; and Candidate No. 14, Selena Antonio-Reyes, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Top 20.

Opiaza believed that winning the elusive MGI crown was just a matter of timing. "I want to credit all the past queens who tried their best to get the crown. However, it's just like the perfect timing for all of us. It would not hinder us, even if it's just a week of preparation or just a few days before the international (pageant), because Filipinas are always ready. And we are always ready to brave whatever challenge will come our way."