Back-to-back victory

 Philippines wins 13th MGI crown, proclaimed Country Power of the Year

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The long wait is over! The Philippines finally had its crowning moment!

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 Christine Juliane Opiaza crowning the newscaster from Pampanga. It was a truly proud moment for the Filipinos, especially when the Lupang Hinirang was played right after the crowning moment.

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 Nariman Battikha of Venezuela were named as 2nd, 3rd, and 4th runners-up, respectively.

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

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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), Harriotte Lane (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 2nd 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 beamed live to a global audience through the GrandTV channel on YouTube.