Following CJ Opiaza’s Miss Grand International 2024 win, Philippine bet Emma Mary Tiglao hopes to build on the pageant’s heightened attention and bring home another crown for the country in Miss Grand International 2025.
However, she admits that achieving a back-to-back victory for the Philippines will be a tough challenge.
Speaking to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at her send-off party on September 26 in Quezon City, Emma shared that while the pressure is undeniable, she chooses to embrace it with optimism and grace.
"Oo naman, kasama yung sa kaba," said the 30-year-old beauty queen.
"Actually, laging tinatanong yan sa akin, kasi parang ang nakikita nila nagpa-pageant na ako nang matagal, nagho-host.
"So, para ang akala nila na sanay na sanay sa stage, pero yung kaba, andun pa rin.
"Pero mas ano kasi matimbang yung passion na meron. As long as kinakakaban ka, alam mo sa sarili mong ready kang matuto.
"Ready ka sa lesson na ibibigay ng pageant na 'to..."
Read: Emma Mary Tiglao crowned Miss Grand Philippines 2025
Despite this pressure, she remains hopeful that MGI founder, Nawat Itsaragrisil, and the panel of judges will look past the country's recent win and recognize her as the right queen for the crown.
Emma shared: "I'm praying and I'm hoping na makita naman nila it's not just about the country. It's what we can give to them.
"So, sana ganoon nila makita, noh? Na para siguro lucky charm naman natin yung Thailand.
"So hopefully, hopefully, maibigay yung korona sa atin."
EMMA MARY TIGLAO'S MGI PREPARATIONS
When asked about her preparations given the tight timeline, Emma emphasized that she made sure to be ready, particularly in the wardrobe department.
She expressed deep gratitude to her stylist, Vhee Co, for helping her achieve this.
"Nakikita niyo naman siguro, judging pa lang, 'no? So, tingnan na lang natin yung mga pasabog na OOTDs na ilalabas natin because we're working with a lot of Filipino designers.
"And I'm thankful that I have good people, good team behind me—Vhee Co, my stylist. Kaya wala siya dito, he's busy doing the wardrobe thing.
"And with the help also of ALV [Arnold Vegafria], ayan. Alam niyo namang walang pinapalampas si ALV pagdating sa OOTD. Tsine-check niya lahat.
"So, abangan na lang natin ano yung mga ilalabas nating OOTDs with different Filipino designers.
"Yung iba, hindi ko pa nakatrabaho na designer pero na-excite ako kasi nag-yes sila for this."
However, Emma is keeping the designs of her most crucial outfits—the national costume and evening gown—under wraps.
She said, "Ang evening gown is something that siguro pinag-isipan din talaga.
"There's pasabog behind it and my designer is a Filipino designer, of course. So, abangan na lang."
Beyond her outfits, Emma has also dedicated time to perfecting her pasarela (walk) and runway poses, specifically the final end pose that has become a signature slow-motion moment in recent Miss Grand International editions.
Emma told PEP, "Yun ang inaaral namin ni Mommy Gie [Georgette Garrido], my pasarela trainer. So, lahat yun ay inayos na before talaga aalis."
Emma believes her biggest challenge will be managing her energy throughout the demanding Miss Grand International schedule, which runs nonstop until the grand coronation night on October 18 in Bangkok, Thailand.
"Biggest challenge I think is, for now, it's the energy that I need to have kasi nakita ko yung schedule from day one that we will arrive there hanggang coronation ay puno kami ng activities.
"So, siguro yun yung challenge for me to have that energy always, to be like Emma lang din ang ganitong personality sa lahat ng activities."
THE NEXT MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL?
Emma also expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support she received from pageant fans.
Beyond her national following, she was especially thankful for the international encouragement — particularly from Thai pageant enthusiasts who had shown their admiration even before the competition began.
She said: "Grateful, of course, kasi actually right now, hindi lang Filipino fans yung nagko-comment, kahit mga international fans.
"Kaya we're trying doon sa ating mga nilalabas na videos... we're trying na fluent English na para mga international fans ay naiintindihan din.
"And sometimes we put also subtitles. And I'm really grateful kasi nagme-message na rin sila sa akin. And I'm excited to meet them. Most of them are Thai."
Before the press conference concluded, Emma answered the fundamental question always posed to aspirants: why she deserves to win the Miss Grand International 2025 crown?
She answered: "I should be the next Miss Grand International 2025. Because I have the courage, I have the compassion, and I have the heart to serve the grand world.
"And I am here to inspire, be the voice, and be the eyes of the people. I hope that you will trust me because, Miss Grand Organization, I am ready to work with you."
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