In her homecoming celebration at HAU, her alma mater, Miss Grand International 2025 Emma Mary Tiglao looked back on her college years and expressed her gratitude to the community during a program held at Plaza San Jose, December 1.

“When I was a student here, I wasn’t the most confident… I wasn’t always sure about my path, ang dami kong tinry. But HAU became the school that shaped my courage, my character, and my dreams,” Tiglao stated in her speech.

The HAU alumna also recalled the support that the community has given her during her time as a student, especially its help with the continuity of her and her siblings’ education, emphasizing the importance of “showing up.” 

“Natutunan ko na when life gets tough, don’t be afraid to ask for help. What matters is you keep showing up for your dreams kasi kapag may mga taong nakaka-recognize no’n, tutulungan ka nila,” she said. 

Tiglao further expressed gratitude to her professors, former organization League of Tourism Students of the Philippines (LTSP), friends, and family who shaped her journey.

“You believed in me even on days when I doubted myself. Every lesson, every encouragement — talagang tinulungan niyo ako makarating kung nasaan ako ngayon. Maraming salamat po.”

Tiglao graduated from the university in 2014 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in International Tourism Management. 

She was recently crowned as the Miss Grand International 2025, where she brought a back-to-back win to the Philippines after Christine Juliane Opiaza was hailed as the grand winner from last year’s edition.

The homecoming celebration included a parade that started from the Garden of the Epiphany of Angels, as well as various tribute performances from students including poetry, song, and dance.

Messages to Tiglao were also given by University President Leopoldo Jaime Valdez and HAU – University Student Council (HAU-USC) President Adonis Cayanan. 

Meanwhile, student publications were prohibited from entering Casa Nena where Tiglao proceeded after the program, stating that there had been no allotted time for the press.