Emma Tiglao and Christine Juliane ‘CJ’ Opiaza have made Miss Grand International history by earning the ‘golden crown’ in a row, the first back-to-back in the pageant’s history. But did you know they competed in the same pageant before?
The two were the perceived frontrunners in the first, and so far only, staging of the Miss Midori Clark pageant in 2018, a competition that sought an ambassador for the corporate social responsibility projects of the Pampanga resort and its parent company.
Tiglao, from Pampanga, already had runner-up finishes in the Mutya ng Pilipinas and Miss World Philippines pageants under her belt at the time, and a semifinal record from Binibining Pilipinas.
On the other hand, Opiaza from Zambales had her Miss Bikini Philippines title to her credit, a crown she won two years earlier.
But fate played an interesting game at the finale, and a relatively new aspirant trounced both of them-Jasmine Omay from Tarlac.
Then still a college student, the Tarlaqueña beauty sealed her hold of the coveted crown with an impressive performance in the final round.
Tiglao settled for the first runner-up spot, while Opiaza landed a third runner-up finish. But another runner-up would also eventually win an international title like the two of them.
Chinese-Filipino Pangasinense beauty Annie Uson was proclaimed fourth runner-up, completing the pageant’s final five.
Miss Midori Clark alumnae (from left) Jasmine Omay, Emma Tiglao, CJ Opiaza, Annie Uson, and Elaiza Alzona. Image: Armin P. Adina/INQUIRER.net
A month later, she joined the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant, which would pave the way for her appointment as the Philippines’ representative to an international competition.
In 2023, five years after her participation in the Mutya ng Pilipinas pageant, Uson got a call from the national organization about the Miss Chinese World pageant. She agreed to compete and eventually brought home the title.
As for Omay, she and Opiaza crossed paths anew at the 2022 Bb. Pilipinas pageant. The Tarlaqueña bet advanced to the semifinals, while the Zambaleña beauty went home empty-handed.
The other Miss Midori Clark runner-up, Elaiza Dee Alzona, who finished third overall, joined the Miss World Philippines and Bb. Pilipinas pageants.
Omay also joined the Miss World Philippines pageant, and finished as First Princess last year. The organizers later appointed her to the Universal Woman contest, where she landed a semifinal spot.
With three international crowns already brought home by Opiaza, Tiglao, and Uson, who knows what fate has in store for both Omay and Alzona?