Who Is Miss Grand International Emma Mary Tiglao And Why Her Winning Answer Matters Now More Than Ever

Many may see Emma Mary Tiglao’s Miss Grand International win as simply a back-to-back victory for the Philippines, but for those who have followed her journey, it's the culmination of a decade’s worth of perseverance, hard work, and unwavering discipline.

ICYDK, Emma, representing the Philippines, has been crowned Miss Grand International (MGI) 2025, making her the second Filipina to win the title, following CJ Opiaza of Castillejos, Zambales.

Hailing from Mabalacat, Pampanga, Emma has proudly represented her province throughout her pageantry journey. She earned her degree in Hospitality and Management from Holy Angel University, driven by her dream of becoming a flight attendant. And it looks like she's really meant to go international!

Emma first competed in Binibining Pilipinas in 2014, where she reached the Top 15. The following year, she joined Miss World Philippines and finished in fourth place. Her last pageant before MGI was in 2019, when she represented the Philippines at Miss Intercontinental in Egypt and landed in the Top 20.

But behind her pageant career, Emma has built a name for herself as a journalist and TV presenter. And her background in journalism played a key role in shaping her MGI advocacy: fighting corruption and upholding justice.

During her Top 10 speech, Emma tackled one of the most pressing issues faced by Filipinos today: corruption. She linked it to the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters, stressing how corruption continues to worsen the nation’s recovery.

"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," Emma opened.

"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," she concluded.

Emma did not fail to emphasize the same point during the Top 5 question and answer portion, showing how she uses her platform responsibly and meaningfully. The question was: "Scammers are an online threat—a form of warfare often tied to human trafficking that has global consequences. Countries such as South Korea and the USA have launched severe crackdowns. What penalties do you think could help dismantle these operations?"

Emma responded with conviction and compassion: "As someone who reports these kinds of stories, I really want to use the power of balance, ask 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," Emma said.

"Cause one day I hope that we will live in a peaceful, peaceful world where no one should deceive just to survive," she added.

Her win is truly well-deserved. As the new Miss Grand International, Emma stands not only as a symbol of beauty and grace but also as a voice for truth, justice, and compassion. Emma proved that she is, indeed, for the Filipino people.