Akisha Albert - Philippines Lucky Charm From Curacao

CJ Opiaza- Miss Grand International Philippines 2024

Here is another beauty pageant trivia you don't want to miss. Would you believe Akisha Albert is the new Miss Grand Int'l Curacao 2024? So, does it matter to Filipinos if she will represent Curacao or not?

On the face value ... maybe none. But if I am going to tell you ... she is a lucky charm to some of our previous winners. Maybe you will reconsider your answer.

She was unplaced in Miss Earth 2014, but Jamie Herrell of the Philippines won Miss Earth 2014.

Akisha continued her pageant journey ... and in Reina Hispano America 2017, she won first runner-up ... only second to Winwin Marquez of the Philippines, who took the contest by storm, being the first-ever delegate of the country to the contest ... and won.

Akisha doesn't rest on her laurels.  In 2018 ... her third attempt at Miss Universe was the most-watched. By now having proven she was indeed a lucky charm ... Filipinos were already sure and confident Catriona Gray would bring home the bacon ... and the rest was history ... Catriona was boiling hot with her lava walk giving the Philippines its fourth Miss Universe Crown.

And what is this we heard the indefatigable Akisha is trying out her luck this time at Miss Grand International 2024 - the title that is too elusive for Filipinos ... what with Uncle Nawat's sweet and sour relationship with the Philippines.

Will CJ Opiaza bring the Golden Crown to the Philippines and will her victory prove that Akisha Albert's being the lucky charm was not only coincidental ... but providential. 

The finals of Miss Grand International came, and bomber CJ Opiaza fell short as she ended up only as the second best (first runner up). Filipinos were expectant that the Philippines would finally win the elusive crown ... but it was not written in the stars. Although downhearted...  they console themselves ... "Well, next year will be another year."

So did Akisha Albert's magic being the lucky charm for not just one but four Philippine titleholders, a mere coincidence? Or is it just an oddity ... it may have worked with the other Pinoy beauty queens in the past, and the Miss Grand 2024 finals was its expiry date?

Fast forward to the present - May 28. 2025. What's this we heard that Rachel Gupta - Miss Grand International 2024 has resigned. Or was she terminated? It looked like there was bad blood between her and the organization.

And as expected, with her resignation, somebody has to take over, and who would aptly assume control and fill in her beauty shoes than the first runner up herself, CJ Opiaza?

Moral of the story? It is not over ... till it is over.

Indeed, Akisha Albert is the Philippines' lucky charm. The finals of Miss Grand 2024 may not be the way we expect it to be ... but with Akisha around ... the melodrama has made its last twist and turn ... and the Golden Crown ... was given to the rightful owner, CJ Opiaza.

Akisha Albert - Miss Grand International Curacao 2024

Rachel Gupta Reisned (Or Was SAhe Terminated?)

Indeed, 2025 is the Philippines' year. After a string of successive wins internationally (see my post yesterday), we didn't realize it was a portent and a forewarning of more good things to come.

As of presstime, there is no official notice regarding the resignation/termination of Rachel Gupta (Miss Grand International 2024) or the appointment of CJ Opiaza to take over. Knowing Nawat, anything can happen.

The world is watching, and Filipinos will be ecstatic if Nawat fulfills what is to be expected.

If the crown is given to CJ Opiaza, the elusive Golden Crown is a stone's throw away.

And you know what that means, the Philippines has finally won practically all major and minor pageants there are. 

It has been firmly fixed and secured its powerhouse status, being one of the few countries that has completed six major wins on Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Earth, Miss International, Miss Supranational, and Miss Grand International

Unless Nawat changes his mind again. The ball is now on his side.

This early, our neighbor's narrative changed. Their statements will run something like this: "Unless Miss Philippines won Miss Cosmo ... the powerhouse status remains doubtful and questionable."