Emma Tiglao bids emotional farewell to pageantry after MGI journey
Emma Tiglao marked the end of her pageant journey with an emotional farewell speech near the end of the Miss Grand International 2026 coronation night held on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Tiglao radiated glamour in her magenta ball gown by Rian Fernandez. The design featured a strapless sweetheart neckline, intricate beadwork, and feather-inspired details across the bodice and skirt. Accentuated by a fitted silhouette and a dramatic, sweeping train, she completed the ensemble with a gold crown and minimalist jewelry.
After her farewell walk, Tiglao reflected on the years of perseverance, setbacks, and lessons that led to her winning moment.
"There's a long journey before I got to this grandest chapter. 13 years of waiting, becoming, learning, failing, falling, and getting back up again before I got, or we got, the thirteenth MGI crown," she began.
"I realized those years of almost, became one unforgettable 'finally,'" Tiglao added. "My reign was nothing but grand, of course, you know that before I joined Miss Grand International, I do live selling into charity, and thank you MGI for giving me the opportunity to put it in the international arena," she added.
She went on to look back on her reign, including attending fashion weeks with Filipino designer Leo Almodal and producing her own short film, Ulayaw, which she co-produced with MGI 2025 first runner-up Sarunrat Puagpipat, also known as Gotchabell.
Tiglao also expressed her gratitude to those who supported her reign, including the people of her hometown of Mabalacat, Pampanga.
"This would be my last pageant," she announced. "Thank you for making my graduation in pageantry the grandest."
The 30-year-old beauty queen, known for her jolly personality, lightened the mood with a quip in Filipino: "mas nakakakaba pala ito kaysa sa Q&A."
Reflecting on the challenges she faced throughout her reign, Tiglao spoke about the criticism she received and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
"I realized that I've been criticized, belittled, underestimated, but at the end of the day, it's not about pleasing people; it's about leaving a legacy that speaks louder than the criticism," Tiglao said.
"To all Filipinos, Pilipinas, maraming salamat ipinaglaban niyo ako dahil ipinaglaban ko rin kayo, hanggang sa dulo," she added. "Hinding-hindi ako magsasawang ipaglaban ka. Thank you for showing me the true meaning of bayanihan."
She also expressed pride in the Philippines' back-to-back victories at MGI.
As she passed on the crown, Tiglao left a message for her successor: "I hope that you will embrace and enjoy your journey. It will not be smooth; the crown is heavy—literally and figuratively—but I hope that you will just enjoy your journey. Miss Grand International is the one and only, the best, I should say," she added.
"Thank you for letting me live my grandest dream," she added.
Tiglao as MGI 2025 queen
Tiglao’s reign as MGI queen was marked by a mix of exciting milestones, fashion moments, and meaningful initiatives. Just months after securing a back-to-back win for the Philippines and receiving a grand homecoming parade, Tiglao reunited with Gotchabell for their first fan event in the Philippines, the “BELLMA 1st Fan Meeting,” last February.
She also took her place on the international fashion scene, walking the runways of New York and Paris Fashion Weeks in creations by Filipino designer Leo Almodal. Back home, she strutted the runway at Bench Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026.
Reflecting on her runway moment, Tiglao, who hails from Pampanga, shared a clip on social media alongside a message about perseverance and growth.
“This moment is a testimony. That showing up, even when it’s hard and unseen, matters. That patience is not wasted time. That every ‘delay’ carries a deeper preparation,” she wrote.
More than just a beauty queen, Tiglao also took on hosting and judging roles for various pageants and shows, including the Miss Q&A segment of It’s Showtime and MGI All Stars.
She also took on a role as National Director at the inaugural Reina Filipinas, which crowned Angelica Lopez.
But her reign was not just about the spotlight and glamour. For this year’s Women’s Month, Tiglao spearheaded “Closet for a Cause,” bringing together fellow beauty queens Joy Barcoma, Chelsea Fernandez, Krishnah Gravidez, Myrna Esguerra, and Katrina Anne Johnson, among others, to donate pre-loved items for a cause close to their hearts. Proceeds from the closet sale benefited the Likhaan Center for Women’s Health, a non-government organization that provides reproductive health services and education for women and young people.