13th Miss Grand International

 Emma Mary Tiglao is revved up for her Grand journey

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte 

Miss Grand Philippines 2025 winner Emma Mary Tiglao is gearing up for her Thailand departure. Before the month ends, she will have flown to Bangkok in time for registration and the sashing ceremony; not to mention the anticipated arrival dinner with MGI president & founder Nawat Itsaragrisil, if she qualifies through the pre-arrival poll.

In its social media page, the ALV Pageant Circle (@msgrandphilippines) page wrote, "Philippines, are you ready? Because Emma Mary Tiglao is ready for Grand!

"This Sept, Emma will carry our nation's pride to Miss Grand International 2025 in Thailand. But this is no ordinary journey, this is the Philippines' quest for the golden crown and a chance to make history with a back-to-back victory."

During Angkol Nawat's visit to Manila last June for CJ's homecoming parade, he told national director Arnold L. Vegafria, during the press conference, that it would be possible for the country to achieve a back-to-back win if he chose the right representative.

"We are looking for our presenter, we are looking for our star! She is a queen who can take care of herself, like any professional person. You will win if you choose the right girl again," the MGI founder emphasized.

Angkol Nawat was part of CJ's two homecoming parades. The first time when she returned as 1st runner-up, and then again when she was crowned as the new Miss Grand International queen for 2024.

The MGI president also said that CJ was wearing the original crown from 2013 that was borrowed from a museum because her crown was not ready that time (and because the crown with Rachel Gupta was not yet with the MGI headquarters that time). An MGI crown is made once every three years, and 2024 is the last year for the existing crown, so CJ will be wearing the new crown when she turns over her title to the new queen.

The MGI organization is also working on a project with the United Nations where they, together with CJ, will visit concentration camps to drumbeat their mantra to "Stop the War and Violence."

The 13th Miss Grand International competition will run from Sept 29 to Oct 19 in the cities of Bangkok and Hua Hin in Thailand. As the new titleholder, Christine Juliane Opiaza of the Philippines will crown her successor at the culmination of the crowning rites. Stay tuned!