Who Is Emma Tiglao? 5 Things About the Newly Crowned Miss Grand International 2025
It's a back-to-back win for the Philippines!
by Firas Abboud
Published on Oct 19, 2025
Major congratulations are in order for Emma Tiglao, who was recently crowned Miss Grand International 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. Besting 76 other candidates, Emma's win is a historic one. She succeeds CJ Opiaza's reign, marking the first-ever back-to-back victory in the Miss Grand International (MGI) pageant.
Joining Emma in the top 5 of MGI's 13th edition are Thailand's Sarunrat Puagpipat, Spain's Aitana Carolina Jimenez, Ghana's Faith Maria Porter, and Venezuela's Nariman Battikha, who placed first to fourth runners-up, respectively.
Who Is Emma Tiglao? 5 Things About the Newly Crowned Miss Grand International 2025
1. She is a Sagittarius.
Winning the MGI crown at 30 years old, Emma Mary Francisco Tiglao was born on December 8, 1994 in Mabalacat, Pampanga. She was named Emma Mary because her birthdate coincides with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
2. She has a tourism degree.
Emma graduated in 2014 from the Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampanga. She was a dean's lister. She took up International Tourism Management, which is no surprise given her height of 175cm (5'9"). She is also an entrepreneur, being a co-owner of a café in Pampanga.
3. She modeled internationally.
Emma worked as a model in several Asian countries such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, China, South Korea, and Japan. She continued modeling here in the Philippines, having walked for Leo Almodal and Ternocon.
4. She is a news anchor.
Since 2021, Emma has been working for Net25 as a host and news anchor. This experience of hers came in handy when she answered the MGI's 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 the USA have launched severe crackdowns. What penalties do you think could help dismantle these operations?
"As someone who reports this kind 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. 'Cause one day I hope that we will live in a peaceful, peaceful world where no one should deceive just to survive.”
5. She is a pageant veteran.
Emma has been competing in pageants for more than a decade. She initially competed at Mutya ng Pilipinas in 2012, where she placed 1st runner-up. In 2014, she reached the top 15 at the Binibining Pilipinas pageant. A year later, she joined Miss World Philippines and finished as the fourth princess.
In 2019, Emma competed once again at Binibining Pilipinas, where she took home the Miss Intercontinental crown. She went on to represent the country in Egypt and placed in the top 20. While Emma announced her retirement in 2022, she thankfully came back for Miss Grand Philippines this 2025 and won the title.
Congratulations and thank you for representing us so well, Emma!