Back-to-back: PH's Emma Mary Tiglao wins Miss Grand International 2025

Back-to-back: PH's Emma Mary Tiglao wins Miss Grand International 2025

Earl D.C. Bracamonte 
Philstar.com

October 18, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Emma Mary Tiglao bested 76 other international delegates to be crowned the 13th Miss Grand International at glitzy rites in Bangkok, Thailand.

It was technically a back-to-back victory, with outgoing queen, the Philippines' Christine Juliane "CJ"  Opiaza crowning the newscaster from Pampanga.

Finally, the Golden crown was won, fair and square. Emma's victory harks back to the near-wins of Nicole Cordoves in 2016 and Samantha Bernardo in 2020.

Sarunrat Puagpipat of Thailand was proclaimed 1st runner-up. The Thai beauty also won Best in Swimsuit and Best National Costume.

Aitana Carolina Jimenez of Spain, Faith Maria Porter of Ghana, and Hariman Battikha of Venezuela were named as 2nd, 3rd, and 4th runners-up, respectively.

Emma wore a custom burnt orange Rian Fernandez gown in the finals. The Kapampangan beauty also impressed with her final question-and-answer portion where they were asked: “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?”

The beauty queen related her winning answer as a TV presenter. 

"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," Emma answered. 

The other five semi-finalists who were all declared 5th runners-up were Laura Ramos (Colombia), who automatically joined the Top 10 through the Popular Vote; Marietta Norwickova (Czech Republic); Montserrat Villalva (Mexico), Best in Evening Gown; Ana Lendl (Guatemala), and Beatrice Alex Akyoo (Tanzania).

The other lucky delegates who made it to the first cut (Top 22) were Ivana Garcia (USA), Cecilia Romero (Paraguay), Sirisopha Phimmakaisone (Laos), Erika Ishibashi (Japan, one of two Miss Grand Talent recipients, alongside Miss Ghana), Harriote Iane (United Kingdom), Madelyn Mejia (Dominican Republic), Axelle Rene (Martinique), Vina Sitorius (Indonesia), Elisabeth Eva Mysyshyne (France), Anna Musonda (Zambia), Jane Baesen (Belgium), and Samantha Quenedit (Ecuador).

The other special award recipient was Vishakha Kanwar (India), one of three winners of the Best National Costume, alongside Misses Thailand and Brazil, Kaliana Diniz. On the other hand, the national directors of Dominican Republic (Golden Award), India (Silver Award), and Myanmar (Bronze Award), each received their individual distinctions.

Miss Grand International 2026 will be hosted by India, with pre-pageant activities in the cities of Jaipur, Agra, and New Delhi.

This is Emma's second bid for a back-to-back victory. The first one was in 2019 when she aimed for a consecutive victory, while representing the country in Egypt, after Karen Gallman won the Philippines' first Miss Intercontinental crown in 2018.

Hosted by Matthew Deane, the 13th Miss Grand International final show unfolded at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand. The fabulous state-of-the-art coronation rites was streamed live to a global audience through the GrandTV channel on YouTube.