MANILA, Philippines – Emma Mary Tiglao from Pampanga has clinched the Miss Grand International (MGI) 2025 crown during the pageant’s coronation night on Saturday, October 18, held at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Kapampangan stunner bested 76 other candidates vying for the title. She also bagged the Country’s Power of the Year award, which granted her a spot in the Top 22.
Thailand’s Sarunrat Puagpipat bagged the first runner-up title.
Emma’s win has secured the Philippines’ back-to-back victory in the global pageant, following her predecessor CJ Opiaza of Zambales.
CJ Opiaza, who originally finished as first runner-up during her run, was passed the crown after then Miss Grand International — India’s Rachel Gupta — stepped down from her title.
Strong pageant performance
During the speech round, where each candidate was given the space to share their advocacies, Emma spoke powerfully. “As a journalist, my heart aches for my country drawn by corruption, for the lives lost to earthquakes and typhoons,” she said.
“We are not born in fear, but to hope, to love, and to live in peace,” she continued. “Peace begins when parents teach children compassion, leaders embody humility, youth finds their purpose.”
“Let love be the grandest voice to peace,” she said.
During the evening gown segment, Emma donned a showstopping, orange and gold gown with a shimmering bodice paired with a matching, sweeping, feathered cape. The look echoed her earlier hooded reveal, but this time channeling a phoenix — signifying power and transformation — a creation by Rian Fernandez fit for a queen.
During the Q&A segment, the top five candidates were asked the 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?”
Emma answered, “As someone who reports these kinds of stories, I really want to use the power of balance — us people, to be educated and aware for us to not be scammed, and the help of the government, to enhance their justice system — for the scammers to be behind bars, to be accountable,” she spoke.
“Because one day, I hope that we will live in a peaceful world where no one should deceive just to survive,” she added.
Serving looks
Her red preliminary gown had sparked mixed reactions online — a rare miss, according to some fans, as Emma had already delivered a string of stand-out looks in the days leading up to the coronation that made her a crowd favorite, with some netizens even naming her as “the most prepared Filipina candidate to date.”
Upon arrival, Emma made a “grand” entrance in a gold, Thai-inspired ensemble by Chico Estiva, evoking a queenly procession with the dress’s elegant draping and shimmering, jewel-toned fabric that catches the airport lights as she passes by.
For the sashing ceremony, she enacted drama in an ethereal, high-fashion piece by Jason Castillo that blends bridal simplicity, fantasy couture, and futuristic edge. The gown featured a hood that was initially lowered to cover Emma’s head in a veiled bride look, then later pulled back for the reveal, adding a touch of mystique and ceremony.
At a dinner party with MGI Organization president Nawat “Papa Nawat” Itsaragrisil, reigning Miss Grand CJ Opiaza, and the other candidates, Emma “served” in a red, jewel-embellished blazer dress and matching beret-style hat by Leo Almodal. The look channeled authority, glamour, and timeless poise, combining the structured tailoring of the blazer with the retro-inspired hat, to create a classic, feminine silhouette.
For her closed-door interview, Emma donned a chic, monochromatic white ensemble by Rich Sabinian that featured a woven texture design throughout; the all-white evoked purity and modernity while the weave pattern added an organic, craftsman element.
At the pageant’s national costume parade, Emma showcased the Philippines’ rich terrain of stories and craft in an ensemble titled “Mayari: The Lunar Empress of Pampanga.” The costume is a nod to her Kapampangan roots.
“Mayari” was created by Filipino designer Patrick Isorena.
Emma is no stranger to the spotlight, being a model, TV host, and pageant veteran who had represented the Philippines in Miss Intercontinental 2019, finishing in the top 20. She was crowned Miss Grand International Philippines earlier this year on August 24, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Miss Grand International 2025 is the 13th edition of the pageant, which was first held in 2013. The pageant is run by MGI PCL, the organization founded that year by Nawat Itsaragrisil. – Bea Gatmaytan/Rappler.com
