Emma Tiglao, other pageant veterans join Miss Grand International PH 2025
Miss Grand International Philippines 2025 candidates. Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista
Emma Tiglao and other pageant veterans are set to heat up the forthcoming Miss Grand International Philippines 2025 pageant.
Formerly known as Miss Grand Philippines, the pageant organization has officially unveiled the final 32 aspirants who will vie for this year’s crown for a chance to succeed CJ Opiaza and represent the country in the Thailand-based stage.
Tiglao, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019, and Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) 2024 Top 10 Anita Rose Gomez led the roster of candidates for this year’s local staging.
The 32 delegates looked like real-life dolls in their pink dresses as they opened the press presentation and sashing ceremony on Tuesday, July 1, in Parañaque, with a dance performance to Aqua’s “Barbie Girl.”
The candidates then flaunted their toned physiques in their aqua blue swimwear as they introduced themselves and the cities they are representing.
Tiglao, who is representing Pampanga in this year’s Miss Grand International Philippines, officially made her comeback to pageantry.
During the question and & answer portion, Tiglao said the Miss Grand stage is the right arena for her “to come home to.”
“When I heard the news that the Miss Grand International lifted the age limit, I decided—actually, other people call it coming back, but for me, because pageantry is my home, I call it coming home. And why Miss Grand? Because I saw how extravagant their production is and how they feature different personalities of their queens. I think this stage is the right stage to come home to,” she said.
Gomez, who’s representing Zambales, stated that she deserves to be the next Miss Grand International Philippines because her advocacy to help stop violence aligns with the organization’s vision and mission.
“After the reign and win of my queen CJ, … I know it’s such great pride and honor for my province. I really want to be your next Miss Grand Philippines because I have a vision and a mission, and I know that my ideas, my advocacy, and how I want to help stop violence resonate with the advocacy of Miss Grand Philippines,” she explained.
Aside from the aforementioned, Reina Hispanoamericana 2024 segunda finalista Michelle Arceo, crowned Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas at MGPH 2023, is also included in the final roster, representing Taguig City.
Nikki Buenafe, crowned Miss Multinational Philippines at the 2024 Miss World Philippines pageant, is now representing Quezon City.
Miss Elite 2022 first runner-up and Miss Grand Philippines 2023 first runner-up Shannon Tampon will try to take home the crown for Bulacan.
Miss Eco Teen International 2022 first runner-up Francesca Beatriz Abalajon McLelland, fresh from Binibining Pilipinas 2025 where she finished in the Top 14, is now representing Aklan Province.
MUPH 2025 candidate Angeleyh Caballero, on the other hand, will try to take home the title for Davao City.
This year’s pageant has four crowns at stake: Miss Grand International Philippines, Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas, Face of Beauty Philippines, and Miss Asia Pacific Philippines.
Aside from Opiaza, Reina Hispanoamericana 2025 Dia Mate, and Face of Beauty Philippines 2025 Isabelle Bilasano were also present during the reveal to express their support for the candidates.
Meanwhile, this is the third national search for the Miss Grand International representative under the ALV Pageant Circle. /edv
