CJ Opiaza to bag Philippines’ first ever Miss Grand International crown

Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo - Philstar.com

May 29, 2025 | 10:46am

MANILA, Philippines — Miss Grand International (MGI) is set to crown Christine Juliane “CJ” Hinkle Opiaza as the new 2024 winner, the Philippines’ first ever MGI title.

This is after the 2024 winner, Rachel Gupta, was dethroned for allegedly failing to fulfill her duties. Gupta won the first ever MGI title for India. Opiaza was the first runner-up.

On Instagram, MGI teased about CJ becoming the new 2024 queen that would likely pass on the crown to the 2025 winner.

“Being a queen isn’t just about outer beauty — it begins within. Stay tuned!” MGI said.

Although MGI, on Wikipedia, said that “The replacement has not yet been disclosed” for the 2024 winner, Opiaza’s Wikipedia profile said, "Following the resignation of the winner Rachel Gupta in May 2025, she is expected to assume to title, becoming the first Filipino to hold the title. She was previously crowned Miss Grand Philippines 2024 and competed in Binibining Pilipinas 2022."

Prior to Gupta, Myanmar’s Thae Su Nyein was stripped of her 2nd runner-up title after she returned her crown last year. MGI revoked the title, citing "inappropriate behavior and actions that violated several regulations.” 

In her Instagram Stories, Opiaza shared posts by others already congratulating her as the new Miss Grand International.

Even non-Filipinos are already celebrating Opiaza’s victory even before the official announcement by MGI.

A comment on social media, originally posted in Spanish, said: “I'm still thrilled, CJ is living proof that what was born to be yours, one day comes to you! Whoever accompanied her knows how much she deserves this crown, a lifelong dream, and now her efforts were no longer useful because the contest was already over, but the purpose of her life still had to be fulfilled, so finally! First crown for the Philippines and CJ deserves a worthy crown and a wonderful reign that is already getting better and better!”

A chef’s journey to plant-based healing

 

BY REGGIE ASPIRAS

MAY 29, 2025

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Bring a cucumber, get some gin

Mylene Vinluan Dolonius is a plant-based chef who pursued her culinary studies on the fundamentals of raw plant-based cookery in Thailand. She is also the founder of Plantmaed Academy, the country’s first plant-based culinary studio.

In the past decade, she has dedicated herself to promoting the benefits of plant-based cooking. Since the inception of her culinary school, the raw food instructor has successfully taught over 500 chefs who by now are equipped to prepare plant-based food, or at least incorporate plant-based dishes in their daily menus.

She is also a trainer for the Department of Health, where she educates medical practitioners on the healing properties of raw plant-based food.

Dolonius’ passion to spread wellness through nutrition has brought her recognition and won her numerous accolades.

She is proud of the courses and programs she designed. What she imparts to her students goes beyond the basics of preparing delicious raw vegan meals; it’s a journey beyond the kitchen that becomes a way of being, a way of life.

“I am not here to convince anyone to stop eating meat,” said Dolonius. All she yearns for is to be heard, and for people to know the many advantages that eating raw brings.

Raw plant-based chef Mylene Vinluan-Dolonius —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Overall health

Raw plant-based food advocates are assured of vibrant health. Raw vegan cuisine, according to Dolonius, is abundant in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that promote overall health and well-being. By consuming nutrient-dense, plant-based foods in their raw state, you can experience increased energy levels, improved digestion, and enhanced immunity.

She herself has benefited from the healing powers of plant-based food. When she was 44, her frequent bleeding caused by cervical cysts stopped. She attributed this to the food that she prepared and ate for 30 days while attending a raw food, plant-based course at Matthew Kenny’s vegan culinary academy in the US.

Kamote Tops Cheesecake

Diagnosed a little short of stage 1, Dolonius was due for a biopsy. In the span of a month, however, what was found simply vanished. Her healing was a gift that kept giving. Her other health issues such as acid reflux, hyperacidity, early-onset rheumatism, vertigo, and even depression from weight gain all slowly disappeared. The lady, who was once a size 8, now wears XS!

That’s how she was inspired to further explore the world of plant-based culinary education. Her desire to learn more brought her to the Sayuri Healing Academy in Bali, Indonesia, and to pursue further studies in plant-based nutrition in the United States.

Dolonius debunks the myth that preparing raw plant-based food is difficult. “No, it isn’t! If can do it, so can you,” she said. “I was in the entertainment industry as a producer for 20 years, and suddenly I woke up, and now, I am a happy vegan chef.”

Coconut Squid

Culinary pursuit

Plant-based food is far from boring. Raw food is a refined culinary pursuit. It requires dedication to transform the highest quality of vegetables using simple techniques to extract exquisite flavors, while preserving the essential nutrients and enzymes.

Equally challenging is complementing a prepared dish with nuts, seeds, seaweeds, sprouts, and fruits. Properly done, it gives the food multiple layers of flavors, textures, and tastes while increasing its health benefits.

Radish Noodles

Dolonius pointed out that adopting a raw vegan lifestyle is beneficial not only for one’s health but also for the planet. “By reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a sustainable food system, you contribute to a greener and more eco-friendly future.”

To date, Dolonius has 2,500 pending inquiries for her cooking lessons, and multiple collaborations locally and internationally. A host of plant-based nutrition programs is also due to launch later this year.

Like the vegetables she cooks, the future of this plant-based vegan chef is bright and sunny.

Potato Ceviche

Chef Mye’s Patola Ceviche

• 2 c patola or sponge gourd (peeled and diced)
• 1 c uong or banana mushroom (minced)
• 1/2 c singkamas (minced)
• 1/4 c lasona (local onion), sliced into rings
• 1 c tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
• 2 Tbsp kamias, minced
• ½ almost ripe mango, diced

Sauce:

• 1 c fresh-squeezed
 calamansi juice, strained
• 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 sili labuyo, seeds and ribs removed, minced
• 2 Tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tsp onion, minced
• 5 leaves of laurel
• 1 Tbsp coconut sap (or yakon syrup)
• 1/4 c chopped cilantro (extra for garnishing)
• 1/4 c chopped spring onion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Prepare patola, mushroom, lasona, tomatoes, singkamas, kamias, mango.

Mix all the sauce ingredients.

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Drizzle 2 tsp of sauce on patola.

Add the rest of the ingredients to the sauce. Toss. Add patola last.

You may add basil and mint for extra flavor. Garnish with sesame seeds, too.

Uray and Strawberry Cheesecake

‘Uray’ and Strawberry Cheesecake

• 2 c cashews
• 3 bananas
• 3/4 cup uray/kulitis or spinach or kale
• 3/4 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup maple syrup (or agave nectar)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/8 tsp sea salt

Crust

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 c granola
• 4 dates ( soaked, peeled and seeded)

Process crust in a processor until it comes together like a ball. Flatten crust in an 8-inch cake pan. About 1 1/2 inch thick.

Combine rest of the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Pour into cake pan. Freeze overnight.

Add toppings of choice mangoes, strawberries or mixed nuts. Keep frozen.

Contact @studioplantmaedph on Instagram.

Visit www.reggieaspiras.com or @iamreggieaspiras on Facebook.

The classroom shortage needs a nation's effort

 

The problem of a shortage in classrooms has been around too long. Every school opening, we read about that and we see photos of overcrowded classrooms and campus open spaces converted into makeshift learning areas.

This week, the gravity of the crisis was laid bare by Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara: The country is short by 165,443 classrooms — and at current budget levels, it would take the Philippines 30 years to close that gap.

The implications are staggering. For every year this backlog persists, millions of Filipino children are denied quality learning environments. Many of them study in cramped, hot rooms or outdoors under temporary structures. In some places, children do not go to school every day because of the absence of classrooms. This isn’t just an infrastructure problem — it’s a learning and national development crisis.

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With a reduced budget in 2025, the department is left to do more with less, even as the number of students continues to grow. At a time when other countries are investing heavily in education to build globally competitive workforces, the Philippines continues to face a basic education problem – lack of classrooms.

With these limitations, the DepEd has pursued public-private partnerships (PPPs) to speed up the construction of additional classrooms.

The initial goal is to build 15,000 classrooms by 2027. That’s just a fraction of the total need—but it’s a start.

The private sector has long been a sleeping giant in national development. Many private companies have donated school buildings and classrooms as their corporate social responsibility program.

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President Marcos has expressed support for PPPs to accelerate classroom construction, particularly in underserved regions. That endorsement must translate into more enabling policies, streamlined regulations, and incentives for private players to participate more deeply in education infrastructure.

An initiative to gather more private sector support was launched recently as Generation HOPE, a collaboration between DepEd, social enterprise HOPE, and a coalition of well-known brands. This partnership empowers consumers to directly contribute to classroom construction every time they make a purchase of participating products.

During the launch of Generation HOPE, Angara emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing the classroom crisis.

“Education is not just a duty — it’s a solemn responsibility we all share,” he said.

By enabling the public to take part in funding education through daily consumption, DepEd is helping Filipinos translate their goodwill into real-world impact. Angara said, this initiative is not just about funding classrooms; it’s about “nation-building.” And in the absence of sufficient government funding, such grassroots, consumer-driven support could be a game-changer.

This model of citizen-powered development is not new, but its application to education in such a systematic way is bold and commendable. It reflects a growing recognition that education is not solely the government’s responsibility — it’s everyone’s.

The learning crisis brought on by the classroom shortage is not insurmountable — but it demands urgency, creativity, and unity. DepEd’s openness to partnerships, and the people’s willingness to engage, show that there is hope.

This is the moment for Filipinos — government, business, and everyday citizens — to come together for education. Every classroom built today is an investment in the dreams of tomorrow.

Kuh Ledesma speaks about the perseverance of a mother's love

 

By Robert Requintina

Published May 28, 2025 10:10 pm

Mother's Day has passed, but pop diva Kuh Ledesma believes that we should celebrate Mother's Day every day.

"One of God’s greatest blessings is the love of a mother for her child. It is selfless. It is enduring.  A mother is willing to sacrifice without expecting anything in return. She forgives without hesitation and prays constantly for her child," said Kuh as she prepares for a special post-Mother’s Day celebration, "Mamma Mia," at the Hacienda Isabella on May 31.

Kuh believes that a mother’s love is steadfast, especially when life becomes messy. It doesn’t give up, it doesn’t give in—it continues to hope and believe even when others no longer do. It is a love that stands the test of time, just like the bond between Kuh and her daughter, Isabella.

Kuh revealed that their journey hasn’t always been easy, adding that deep personal challenges marked the years. 

It came as an unexpected blow when Kuh’s marriage fell apart—a painful and turbulent season that deeply affected Isabella.

The trauma of witnessing her parents’ separation, twice, left lasting emotional and mental wounds. The mental anguish was further aggravated by prescribed psychotropic medication, which Isabella took for years.

Kuh said that it took time, faith, learning from the experiences of others with the same challenges who had overcome similar situations, and biblical counseling to realize that true healing would not come from medicine alone. 

It was through Kuh’s unwavering relationship with Jesus Christ that she found the strength to see her daughter through.

She would not believe that the psychotropic drugs were the solution to Isabella's healing, but in the power of prayer and holding on to the promises of God and God's faithfulness, and most of all, in Isabella's obedience to the word of God.

Kuh remained steadfast, prayerful, and immovable."It was in those hardest months that her love for Isabella proved deepest. In meals prepared with care, in conversations filled with God's word, in prayers—countless, unrelenting prayers," she said.

But most of all, in her decision to stay and endure the process and not let the psychotropic drugs and psychiatrists handle the situation, walking away would have been easier, but not beneficial. "And without a doubt, believing that God can do the impossible and that God is the true healer."

Today, Kuh continues to minister to other parents going through the same trials, offering comfort, wisdom, and the reminder that they are not alone. "That healing is possible. That God is very able."

"And by God's grace, after a long break, Isabella is once again sharing her incredible talent through her music and her art," Kuh added. 

With her recent very successful concert and return to the recording studio, Isabella isn’t just going back to what she used to do—she’s stepping into a new chapter with a deeper purpose, becoming who God designed her to be and using her God-given talent to the fullest.

Kuh also believes that there is no shame in sharing their story. "The process was not simple, but it was God's plan and purpose for both of them to learn how healing happens and how God can use their experience to encourage others who are going through similar challenges."

She believes in Isabella's tremendous talent in singing, thus she continues to mount concerts to encourage Isabella and unashamedly asks for the support of friends and family.

Behind that, moving up and moving forward is Kuh—the mother whose perseverance, relentless prayers, and unshakable faith have been the anchor. "Sometimes with force, sometimes with tears, but always with hope. Always with love."

Citing 1 Corinthians 13:70-8, Kuh mentioned: "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”

Catch this mother-daughter tandem in a very special post-Mother’s Day celebration, "Mamma Mia," at the Hacienda Isabella on May 31, 2025. Dinner at 6 pm/show at 8 pm/ snacks follow after the concert.

Meteorologen prophezeien Rekord-Temperaturen

Ein einzelner Baum steht auf einer ausgetrockneten Ackerfläche in der Wetterau in Hessen. Das Bild entstand am 13. Mai

Foto: Boris Roessler/dpa

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von Guttenberg

28.05.2025 - 08:07 Uhr

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Kühler wird es wohl nicht mehr. Im Gegenteil. Nach dem Rekordjahr 2024 werden die globalen Durchschnittstemperaturen in den fünf Folgejahren weiterhin auf Rekordniveau bleiben, heißt es in einer Prognose, die die Weltmeteorologieorganisation (WMO) am Mittwoch in Genf vorlegte.

▶︎ Es gebe sogar eine 70-prozentige Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass eines der Jahre bis 2029 noch heißer werde als 2024.

„Wir haben gerade schon die zehn wärmsten Jahre seit Beginn der Wetteraufzeichnungen erlebt“, erklärte die Vize-Generalsekretärin der WMO, Ko Barrett. „Leider liefert dieser WMO-Bericht keinen Hinweis für eine Atempause in den kommenden Jahren. Das bedeutet, dass es zunehmende negative Auswirkungen auf unsere Wirtschaft, unseren Alltag, unsere Ökosysteme und unseren Planeten geben wird.“

LESEN SIE AUCH

Dürre in Griechenland und ItalienAuswärtiges Amt warnt vor Glut-Hitze am Mittelmeer

Worauf Sie achten sollten, wie Sie sich schützen.

Die Autoren des WMO-Berichts gehen davon aus, dass in den Jahren 2025 bis 2029 die globale Oberflächen-Durchschnittstemperatur zwischen 1,2 und 1,9 Grad über dem Niveau in den Jahren 1850 bis 1900 liegen wird. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass die globale Durchschnittstemperatur in einem der kommenden fünf Jahre mehr als 1,5 Grad über dem vorindustriellen Zeitalter liegt, beträgt 86 Prozent. Eine immerhin 70-prozentige Wahrscheinlichkeit besteht laut WMO, der Temperaturanstieg in dem gesamten Fünf-Jahres-Zeitraum bei über 1,5 Grad liegt.

Der Bericht wurde von der britischen Meteorologiebehörde MetOffice im Auftrag der WMO erstellt. Für die Prognose wurden Daten verschiedener Forschungseinrichtungen zusammengetragen. Sie ist ein weiteres Indiz dafür, dass es angesichts der fortgesetzten Nutzung von fossilen Energieträgern immer schwieriger wird, das Pariser Klimaabkommen einzuhalten.

Welche Rentenhöhe Sie brauchen, um zur Mittelschicht zu gehören

 Stand:

28.05.2025, 17:58 Uhr

Von: Max Schäfer

Die Mittelschicht umfasst eine beachtliche Spanne. Jedoch zählt man mit einer Rente als einzigem Einkommen selten dazu. Welcher Betrag ist notwendig?

Frankfurt – Wer in Deutschland in Rente geht, droht seinen sozialen Status zu verlieren und in Armut abzurutschen. Die Armutsgefährdung von Rentnerinnen und Rentnern nimmt immer weiter zu. Im vergangenen Jahr waren 3,4 Millionen Rentnerinnen und Rentner betroffen, 2,1 Millionen davon waren Frauen. 

Zu niedrige Renten: Besonders im Alter verschwindet der Mittelstand

Als armutsgefährdet galt laut Statistischem Bundesamt, wer als Single 2024 weniger als 1378 Euro im Monat zur Verfügung hatte. Die Grenze gilt ganz unabhängig davon, ob die Betroffenen eine Rente beziehen oder noch erwerbstätig sind. Doch unter Älteren nimmt die Armutsgefährdung zu. Waren laut der Sonderauswertung des Statistischen Bundesamts 2005 noch knapp zwei Millionen von Armut betroffen, habe sich die Zahl in den 20 Jahren dazwischen um mehr als 70 Prozent erhöht. 

Der Mittelstand erodiert damit – über die gesamte Gesellschaft hinweg. Laut Ifo Institut gehörten 2007 noch 65 Prozent der Mittelschicht an, 2019 waren es noch 63 Prozent.

Mittelstand bewegt sich zwischen 3260 Euro und 8692 Euro – laut OECD-Definition

Die Eckwerte der Mittelschicht sind klar von der Organisation für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (OECD) definiert: Wer zwischen 75 und 200 Prozent des Medianeinkommens erhält, gehört dazu. In Deutschland liegt der Wert, der die Mitte der Einkommensverteilung angibt und die Bevölkerung damit exakt in zwei Hälften teilt, bei 52.159 Euro brutto im Jahr. Das sind etwa 4346 Euro im Monat. 

Damit bildet ein Einkommen von 3260 Euro im Monat die Untergrenze der Mittelschicht. Ein Bruttoeinkommen von 8692 Euro bildet damit die Obergrenze der OECD-Definition. Davon müssen jedoch noch Steuern und Sozialabgaben gezahlt werden. Auch von der Rente gehen noch Beiträge für Pflege- und Krankenversicherung ab. Zudem müssen auch Rentnerinnen und Rentner Steuern zahlen, wenn der steuerpflichtige Teil der Rente über dem Freibetrag von 12.096 Euro liegt.

Paare gehören ab 2270 Euro als gemeinsamem Renten-Einkommen zur Mittelschicht

Für die Mittelschichtgrenze beim Nettoeinkommen hat das Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW) eine Definition erstellt. Bei einem Singlehaushalt beginnt die Mittelschicht im engeren Sinne bei einem Nettoeinkommen von 1850 Euro. Die obere Grenze liegt bei oder 3470 Euro, wobei das IW diese mit 150 Prozent des Medians enger definiert als die OECD. Wer über dieser Grenze liegt, gilt als einkommensreich.  

Renten-Meilensteine in Deutschland in Bildern – von Bismarck über Riester bis Müntefering

Fotostrecke ansehen

Bei Paarhaushalten ohne Kinder liegt die Untergrenze der Mittelschicht bei 2270 Euro netto im Monat. Die Obergrenze entspricht 5200 Euro, oberhalb des Werts gelten Paare als reich. Hier gilt zu beachten, dass das IW einem Konzept der Bedarfsgewichtung folgt. Es geht davon aus, dass das Leben günstiger wird, wenn mehrere Menschen zusammenleben.

Wer allein von der Rente lebt, rutscht häufig aus der Mittelschicht ab

Um in der Rente zur Mittelschicht zu gehören, müssen Alleinlebende damit mindestens eine Nettorente von 1850 und 3470 Euro bekommen. Die Obergrenze ist jedoch – zumindest allein aus der gesetzlichen Rente, nicht realistisch erreichbar. Nur 92.000 von 18,7 Millionen Altersrenten liegen über 3000 Euro. Der durchschnittliche Rentenzahlbetrag lag 2023 bei 1102,16 Euro. 

Viele Menschen aus der Mittelschicht wünschen sich auch im Alter ein finanziell unbeschwertes Leben, doch häufig reicht die Rente nicht, um den Status zu halten. (Symbolfoto) © Patrick Pleul/dpa

Bei einem Paar würde es rechnerisch reichen, wenn beide jeweils eine Rente von 1135 Euro bekommen. Wie hoch die Nettorente jedoch letztendlich ist – und wie viele Entgeltpunkte dazu im Erwerbsleben gesammelt werden müssen – hängt dabei von Faktoren wie der Steuerklasse oder weiteren Einnahmen ab. 

Damit liegt die Grenze der Mittelschicht über der Standardrente. Das ist eine rechnerische Größe, welche die Rentenhöhe angibt, wenn Erwerbstätige 45 Jahre lang exakt das Durchschnittsgehalt bekommen haben. Die beträgt schon ohne Abzug der Beiträge für Kranken- und Pflegeversicherung 1769,40 Euro brutto. Damit ist ein sozialer Abstieg vorherbestimmt. Der Unterschied zwischen den Mitteln im Erwerbsleben und im Ruhestand nennt sich Rentenlücke.