Who is Emma Tiglao, Miss Grand International 2025?

MANILA, Philippines – The crown remains in the Philippines, and it’s Emma Mary Tiglao of Pampanga who made it happen.

At the Miss Grand International 2025 stage on Saturday night, October 18, the Philippines achieved back-to-back wins, with Emma now wearing the crown after 2024 queen CJ Opiaza of Castillejos, Zambales. 

But even before her grand coronation, the Kapampangan queen feels she already came full circle, finding her purpose in pageantry and paving the path for other people throughout her journey. 

Emma’s story

Named after the Christian mother of faith, Emma Mary Francisco Tiglao was born on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1994, in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Raised by her Tatang Antonio and Mommy Isabelita, Emma is described as a good-hearted, obedient, and kind daughter, as shared in a video posted on the beauty queen’s YouTube channel.

She is the youngest among four siblings, affectionately called the “Apat na Maria” in their family. Despite being the youngest, Emma emphasized in one of her vlogs that she is far from being spoiled, as they were brought up in a household that taught gratitude and contentment.

“Lumaki po ako sa family, sa environment na hindi lahat ng gusto ko, lahat ng luho ibibigay. Du’n ko natutunan na kung ano ‘yung nasa harap mo, maging masaya ka, maging grateful ka,” she said.

(I grew up in a family, in an environment where I wasn’t easily given everything I want. That’s where I learned to be happy and grateful for what you have.) 

These lessons stayed with her throughout her life. In a 2021 question-and-answer vlog, she shared how her dreams have shaped her journey and how she strives to stay true to herself amid life’s changes.

One of the challenges she faced was nearly quitting college due to financial difficulties. Instead of giving up, she persevered by modeling part-time to support her studies.

Her determination paid off when she earned her degree in International Tourism Management from Holy Angel University in 2014, where she consistently made it to the dean’s list.

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At the age of 21, Emma worked abroad as a model-ambassador for a hotel in Cambodia. Although the experience provided her with a stable income, it was emotionally challenging to live away from her family.

Despite the struggles, she chose to focus on the brighter side, knowing that her hard work was for her loved ones. She shared that the experience also taught her to communicate well with people from different nationalities.

“Ako kasi, pinili ko kasi aside from sa makakaipon ako on my own (I chose it because aside from getting to save my own money), I can also help my family. That was my way of giving back to them. It is not my responsibility but it is my own choice,” she shared.

Eventually, Emma found purpose in helping people by working as a TV host and a news anchor in a network in the Philippines. 

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In the end, Emma’s positive outlook and unwavering perseverance continue to push her forward, not only for herself but also for the people she deeply cares for.

“Ang daming challenges but at the end of the day, hindi ko ‘yun tinuring na mabigat, kasi ang dami kong natutunan and happy memories mula sa mga challenges na ‘yun,” she said in her mini vlog.

(There were a lot of challenges but at the end of the day, I didn’t think of them as heavy, because I learned a lot and got a lot of happy memories from those challenges.) 

A long journey of beauty, perseverance

With more than a decade of experience in beauty competitions, Emma is regarded as one of the true “Kapampangan Pride” in pageant circles. But like many big names, Emma’s story began with small and humble beginnings.

At just 13, she joined her first beauty competition at her local school in Pampanga. That experience became her launchpad to participate in other local pageants, which she took on as a side hustle while pursuing her studies.

Armed with her wit, beauty, and unwavering dedication, she used every opportunity to carve an entry point into the world of pageantry. Her first major break came at the age of 18, when she finished first runner-up in Mutya ng Pilipinas 2012.

From there, Emma continued to make her mark on the national stage. She joined Binibining Pilipinas 2014, where she finished among the Top 15, and in the following year, competed in Miss World Philippines 2015, where she had a strong finish as 4th Princess.

In 2019, Emma’s name became a buzz among pageant fans across the country when she was crowned Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental, earning the right to represent the Philippines at Miss Intercontinental 2019 held in Egypt, where she placed in the Top 20.

After her first major international stint, Emma took a hiatus from the pageant scene, partly due to the age restrictions imposed by many major competitions. Amid calls from fans for her to return, she uploaded a video reflecting on her journey and expressing gratitude to those who had supported her along the way.

“Gusto ko pa rin sana lumaban before my age reaches the finish line. Sa totoo lang, nag-training na ako last year (I still want to fight before my age reaches the finish line. In truth, I trained last year),” she said.

“I was prepared, but God has already opened doors for me to take a different path, and I am hopeful that you will remain my constant source of encouragement and support as I embark on a new journey,” Emma shared to her fans.

That is why when Miss Grand International Philippines extended its age limit to 35 years old, it felt like a perfect sign for the 30-year-old Emma — a chance to bring her game once more and chase what she had long dreamed of.

On August 24, Emma competed at Miss Grand International Philippines and ultimately won the title. Then two months later, she made a truly iconic comeback by achieving back-to-back wins for the Philippines at the Miss Grand International 2025 competition — a historic moment that solidified her place among the country’s most celebrated beauty queens.

For a Grand reign and beyond

In a segment of Binibining Emma on Net 25, Emma shared the stories behind the crowns, sashes, and trophies she has earned over her years in pageantry, along with the greatest lesson she has learned from her journey.

According to her, finding one’s purpose in life is not easy, but understanding the reason behind what you do is what helps you persevere and push forward against all odds.

“Finding your purpose in life is not easy. It’s a process full of challenges and struggles. You need to find what gives meaning to your life. Why are you doing what you’re doing?” Emma emphasized.

In the same video, she revealed that having a wider platform to help people and share their stories has been a major part of her journey as a beauty queen. Even before earning her national and international titles, she has been a strong advocate for Persons Deprived of Liberties (PDLs).

Emma has been vocal about the importance of giving second chances to those behind bars and people who are often forgotten or harshly judged by society. During the pandemic, she conducted multiple outreach programs and donation drives for the PDL residents of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Angeles District Jail.

In a separate vlog, she elaborated further on this advocacy, explaining how it began during her Binibining Pilipinas journey when prisoners helped create her national costume.

“Sila naman ang tumulong sa’tin last year. Kung natatandaan niyo po yung national costume natin sa Binibining Pilipinas at Miss Intercontinental, sila po yung gumawa noon. Ibabalik po natin ang tulong na ibinigay nila sa atin,” she explained.

(They helped me last year. If you remember the national costumes I wore in Binibining Pilipinas and Miss Intercontinental, they made that. So I’m just giving back in return the help they gave me.)

She believes that even the smallest acts of kindness can create countless smiles and spark gratitude that transcends beyond physical contact and spoken words.

“Hindi naman importante yung maibalik mo sa kanila yung mga tulong. Ang mahalaga ay masaya ka na nakapagbigay ka ng tulong, at mararamdaman nila na mayroon pa ring nagmamahal sa kanila,” Emma added.

(It’s not important that you get something in return from helping others. What’s important is you’re happy that you were able to help out, and they can feel that they are loved.) 

As a journalist, Emma’s purpose also extends to using pageantry as a platform to raise awareness and call for accountability for crimes committed by those in power.

During the Miss Grand International coronation night, she delivered a powerful speech addressing the rampant corruption in the Philippines that continues to claim innocent lives, as well as the violence and dangers that journalists face in the pursuit of truth and service.

“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 Daqqa from Gaza, who died for truth,” she declared.

She ended on a poignant note, reminding everyone that humanity does not thrive in fear but in love and peace that begins in the small choices we make every day.

“Peace begins when parents teach children with compassion, leaders embody humility, and youth find their purpose. When we live with empathy and kindness, let love be the grandest voice to peace,” Emma concluded.

Now, as Emma takes on the weight of the crown, she does so with an empathetic heart. A reign that is shaped by years of journey through challenges and people’s stories. It carries a broader mission to stand as a symbol of persevering dreams, to amplify voices that are rarely heard, and to transform passion into purpose. – Rappler.com