PINAY beauty queen Emma Mary Tiglao took home the country’s second golden crown at the coronation night of Miss Grand International 2025 last night, October 18, held in Thailand.
It was a historical feat for the Philippines as Tiglao’s predecessor is the country’s first MGI winner, Christine Juliane Opiaza, marking its first back-to-back win in the pageant.
Besides winning the title, Tiglao was also awarded Country’s Power of the Year, which granted her spot at the Top 20.
During the swimsuit competition, she wowed everybody with her unparalleled pasarela skills, further catapulting her in the Top 10.
Candidates in the Top 10 were then given the platform to deliver a speech relating to the pageant’s theme of “Stop the war.” There, the 30 year old Kapampangan gave a heartfelt message in a mix of English and Thai, even sharing to the world the problems currently being faced by the Philippines.
“As a journalist, my heart aches for my country drowned by corruption, for the lives lost to earthquakes and typhoons. And for journalists like Mariam Abu Daga from Gaza, who died for truth. We are not born in fear, but to hope, to love, and to live in peace. Peace begins when parents teach children with compassion, leaders embody humility, youth find their purpose. And when we live with empathy and kindness, let love be the grandest voice to peace,” Tiglao’s speech went.
During the evening gown competition, Tiglao was a showstopper with her orange and gold gown created by pageant designer Rian Fernandez. She entered the stage donning a floor-length feathered cape and later on revealed the body-hugging shimmering gown, likening that of a phonexing’s rebirth “returning to triumph.”
Completing the Top 5 with Tiglao were the delegates of Ghana, Spain, Thailand, and Venezuela.
They were all asked the same final question, “Scammers are an online threat, a form of warfare, often tied to human trafficking that has global consequences. Countries such as South Korea and USA have launched severe crackdowns. What penalties do you think could help dismantle these operations?”
To which the Filipina beauty answered, “As someone who reports these kind of stories, I really want to use the power of balance. Us, people, to be educated and aware, for us not to be scammed and help the government enhance their justice system for the scammers to be behind bars, to be accountable. Because someday I hope we will live in a peaceful world where no one should deceive just to survive.”
Thailand’s Sarunrat Puagpipat and Tiglao’s roommate was hailed first runner-up, followed by Spain’s Aitana Carolina Jimenez, Ghana’s Faith Maria Porter, and Venezuela’s Nariman Battikha.
Pageant veteran and TV personality
Prior to joining and winning Miss Grand International 2025, Tiglao joined many national and international pageants.
In 2012, she joined Mutya ng Pilipinas, finishing her journey as a Top 10 finalist. She was later on crowned 4th Princess in Miss World Philippines 2015. And in 2019, she joined Binibining Pilipinas, bagging the Miss Intercontinental Philippines crown. In the same year, she competed in Egypt, finishing at Top 20.
Beyond pageantry, Tiglao is also a television personality, serving as one of the hosts of Net25’s Kada Umaga and one of the news presenters of Mata ng Agila.
One Response
Wow! Congratulation Emma!