Cooking show? Miss Grand International asks Philippines' CJ Opiaza for reaction

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Grand International founder and owner Nawat Itsaragrisil asked Miss Grand Philippines 2024 CJ Opiaza on what's her take over her countrymen's accusations that the pageant is a "cooking show."

During the preliminary interviews for the ongoing Miss Grand International 2024 pageant, CJ faced the judges for a closed-door interview. 

"I am Christine Juliane Opiaza, you may call me CJ, as everybody calls me. I'm 26 years old, and I'm hailing from the beautiful country of the Philippines," she said.

"I would say I am a very multi-faceted woman. I wear different hats. I am a model, a host, a pasarela coach, I am a mental health advocate, and most importantly, I am the breadwinner of the family.

Miss Grand Philippines 2024 CJ Opiaza Closed door interview.
Nawat: All Philippine fans call us Cooking show. How do you feel about that? And what do you want to say?

"Cooking in THAILAND, their dishes is what I am looking forward." - Best answer CJ????????… pic.twitter.com/RqM3J5U4nM

"I am a mental health advocate, particularly for my fellow breadwinners, because I want to share their stories and my stories, and I believe that would allow me to inspire more people, young women as well, and others who are listening to me, to know that there is a power within you that you can use to be an inspiration and to be an instrument for others as well.

"At times, you may not feel that you are not your own inspiration, but you can be an inspiration to others, so you should take that chance within you."

CJ said that it was her second chance at Miss Grand International because she wanted to join the pageant last 2022 but Roberta Tamondong won it. 

"And so I took the chance when I was able to, we were able to have another separate pageant for Miss Grand International in the Philippines. And so I said, 'This is my chance, maybe,' and so I tried, even though I know that I would be given just three days to prepare and be here," she said.

"Yes, I know it is a challenge, but I also know deep in my heart that I was preparing for the competition for how many years already, because I've always wanted to perform," she added. 

When asked by a judge what's her unique quality,