Emma Tiglao bags back-to-back win for PH at Miss Grand International 2025
It's back to back victories for the Philippines as Emma Tiglao has been crowned as Miss Grand International 2025, following the reign of fellow Filipina queen Christine Juliane Opiaza.
Tiglao bested 76 other candidates during the pageant's much-awaited coronation night on Oct. 18 at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.
After her are Thailand's Sarunrat Puagpipat as first runner-up, Spain's Aitana Jimenez as second runner-up, Ghana's Faith Porter as third runner-up, and Guatemala's Nariman Battikha as fourth runner-up.
Tiglao's win comes after she was asked about the global threat of online scams and their connection to human trafficking.
"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," she said.
She continued, "'Cause one day I hope that we will live in a peaceful world where no one should deceive just to survive."
In the Top 10 speech round, Tiglao lamented about the series of disasters that had impacted 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," she said.
"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 added.
With this, the Philippines has now achieved its first consecutive win at Miss Grand International.
Opiaza was crowned Miss Grand International 2024 in June earlier this year, replacing her initial title as first runner-up. The previous titleholder, Rachel Gupta, relinquished the crown following her claims of mistreatment by the pageant's executives.
