"How Beautifully Connected We Are..."

(Author's note: This is the 2nd of three parts about my feature on Ms. Emma Mary Tiglao, BBP 2019 candidate representing the province of Pampanga. Get to know more about Emma's #BeyondBeauty persona behind all the glitz and glam of pageantry.)

"Find people who help you feel more at home in your heart, mind and body, and who take joy in your joy. Find people who love you, for real, and who accept you, for real. Just as you are. They’re out there, these people. Your tribe is waiting for you. Don’t stop searching until you find them.” 

If you would ask Emma Mary Tiglao what gives meaning to her life, family and friendships are at the top of her list. 

All her life (at 24 years, four months and 19 days as of today), Emma has made some incredible, loving connections outside of her family, they are her person... her tribe. One of them I had the pleasure of knowing recently. She is Kash Manalo, a young Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) working in Dubai.

Emma and Kash became friends eight years ago. Emma was a third year Tourism student of Holy Angel University where Kash was working as a multimedia specialist. "The College of Hospitality and Tourism Department produced a video campaign material where Emma was one of the hosts and the rest is history," Kash said.

Emma and Kash during one of their travels

Their friendship was unexpected. When they met, Emma - at 18 - was a student and title holder in a national beauty pageant while Kash was 6 years older and the total opposite of her. "We hit it off. We didn’t share the same era, but we shared the same purpose. Purpose to give, to live and be alive. I can’t even put into words how beautifully connected we are in many ways but all I know is that we value our friendship beyond distance," Kash narrated.

Kash is grateful that her friendship with Emma gives them the allowance for mistakes and freedom to grow individually. "When Emma realizes that she has done something wrong, she would tell me without hesitations and wait for my sermons. Her maturity for admitting something and accepting my opinions makes me so proud. She’s helping herself improve and learn from her mistakes. She’s trying to learn every day and striving to be better."

Kash also appreciates how Emma, despite all her successes and achievements, remains the humblest and kindest person. "She’ll join you in your battle, she’ll be the first person to jump and cry because of your achievements. Emma will even cross the ocean just to see you and make up for lost time. She values her friends and people around her. She has a rare quality that’s hard to find."

When asked what makes Emma unique as a friend and as a person, Kash recalled Emma's efforts. "When she was competing in Binibining Pilipinas 2014, that was also the time I was about to leave the Philippines to fulfill my dreams. Emma went out of her way to go back to Pampanga to surprise me and say our goodbyes. It was short but it left a significant mark in my life," Kash said. 

Emma was also an OFW like Kash. At a very young age of 21, Emma took out a big step outside her comfort zone to go to Cambodia to help her family, buy them a house and a family car. "She was at the peak of her modeling and hosting career, but Emma chose to leave. She’s bold and brave to take a path that she’s not familiar with. Her bravery took her places, she found new friends and family, it kept her well-grounded," Kash said.

But Emma's kindness is more evident in how she helps people in need, big or small. Kash recalled how Emma has been helping charitable organizations focused on special children and less fortunate kids since 2014. 

Emma loves to share her blessings without using her platform.

"Even when she was in Cambodia, Emma - together with some of her friends there - continued to do good deeds and random acts of kindness. They cooked Filipino dishes and shared it with some of the less fortunate people in Cambodia," Kash added. 

After fulfilling her dream of buying a house and car for her family, Emma came back to the Philippines and continued to share her blessings. According to Kash, Emma organized outreach programs at the Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth and the Special Education Center in Angeles City without using her platform. 

Kash also shared that there were times when they would pack some goods, drive around Angeles City and San Fernando and hand out these goods to the homeless and street families. "When Emma helps, she helps silently. She doesn’t use her platform to gain attention. She just wants to change the world with her simple kind gestures. Her enthusiasm to help makes a big difference and inspires the people around her to do the same. I believe that your vibe attracts your tribe. That’s what she does. Her enthusiasm to help others gives us the reason to be better and to share."

Emma loves being around children.

When I asked Kash what could have been Emma's career if she did not pursue her dream of being a beauty queen, she told me it would either be as a teacher in a social facility organization or a flight attendant. 

"Emma really wants to be a teacher. She is fond of children. She enjoys her time playing and interacting with them. Being a Flight Attendant is also one of her biggest dreams. She sees it as an opportunity to see places around the globe. She loves to travel a lot. She enjoys her time being on the beach, hearing the sounds of the sea," Kash added.

According to Kash, Emma joined different beauty pageants and accepted modeling stints to raise money and pay for her college tuition. "Her dream was to finish her college and have a diploma. She graduated with flying colors while working left and right. She knows what she wants and what she wants to achieve. She worked hard for every single penny she earned," Kash proudly says about Emma.

Behind all that glitz and glamour, Kash says the one thing that people would be surprised to find out about Emma is that she is also a cowboy. "She’s always on the go. When you ask her if she wants to join you on a 9-hour bus ride, she’ll drop what she’s doing and go for it without hesitation. Sasakyan lahat ng trip mo just to please you."

"We all know that she is flawlessly beautiful. I always tell her that she’s “halimaw” whenever she is on stage. We always laugh it off. Because deep down she’s simple, exceptionally thoughtful and determined."

On Emma's normal days, which she rarely has, she tries to spend time with her family, to watch movies or have dinner out to catch up with them. 

"People see Emma the beauty queen. But in the eyes of her friends, we see the determined Emma who works hard for her dreams. Her dreams are not actually about her, it’s about her family especially for her mama and papa. She wants her father to stop working overseas that is why she’s striving so hard for her family," Kash said.

When I asked Kash what she thinks was the biggest challenge faced by Emma and how she overcame it, Kash said it would be what she went through in 2014. 

"The world of technology can be so mean and cruel. After joining Binibining Pilipinas and Miss World Philippines that year, Emma was brutally bashed about her performance in the Q&A segment. It was heartbreaking to read the mean comments, but she took these comments positively and as constructive criticisms. Her 5 years off in pageantry gave her the time to focus on healing, learning and growing. She was bold enough to try things that were new to her. She traveled a lot, met new people, tried to go outside her comfort zone and that shaped her into who she is today. These opportunities opened her eyes to the reality of life and discover what she really wants."

Now, Emma is back stronger and better than ever, brave enough to try again and wise enough to know that she is already a winner because she kept going, grateful in the thought that no matter what happens, she will always have the love and support of her family and true friends.

Thank you Kash. It's a pleasure to know you. I hope to see you soon. 

My Queen

(Author's note: This article is the 1st of three parts that I am writing about Ms. Emma Mary Tiglao, BBP 2019 candidate representing the province of Pampanga. Get to know more about her through the eyes of the people who value her as a beautiful human being.)

“Namaste... I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells.”

Emma Mary Tiglao was only a name to me about a year ago.

My first encounter with her was during the launch of the Search for Miss Midori Clark 2018. Emma was among the first to message us through FB inquiring about the pageant’s details. The minute I mentioned to my office mates that a certain Emma Tiglao sent a message, I was startled by their instantaneous reaction. When I asked why, their answer was unanimous - “Naku ma’am hindi mo ba alam? Alamat si Emma Tiglao sa Pampanga” (Didn’t you know ma’am? Emma Tiglao is a legend in Pampanga.)

It got me so curious that I stalked her social media accounts, and I honestly got intimidated by what I read and saw. I wondered why a pageant veteran, with all her achievements and accolades, would still want to join our search.

A few days later, my work colleagues began contacting handlers and beauty queen aspirants in Pampanga to invite them to join the Miss Midori pageant. Some of those who initially expressed interest in joining was already bailing out because of Emma.

When I asked if the reason was because they feel intimidated by her, one of our team members gave me an interesting answer: “Yung dalawang possible candidates ma’am, sobrang idol po nila si Emma. Ayaw po nilang kalabanin kasi mataas daw ang respeto nila sa kanya.” (Ma’am, two of the possible contestants said Emma is their idol. They said they do not want to compete with her because they look up to her.)

So early on, I already knew that Emma - in the eyes of some of  her fellow Cabalens especially  young girls - is "somebody" in her province. I assumed they idolize her because of the titles and crowns she has already won while representing Mabalacat and Pampanga. Turns out - as I would learn later on - that there is more to her than her beauty titles.

During the go-see of the Miss Midori Clark 2018 applicants, Emma Tiglao's screening was one of the most highly anticipated. We were all curious about candidate number 35 (that was her go-see number). The minute she stepped out on stage, we were all speechless. She definitely did not disappoint. There she was... radiant... a towering figure... a Q-U-E-E-N.

Emma Mary Tiglao during the Miss Midori Clark 2018 go-see on June 1, 2018.

I asked Emma why she  joined our pageant, and if she didn't consider it a demotion for her given her caliber and previous achievements in national pageants. She told us there was no hesitation on her part because Midori is a five-star property that gives pride to Pampanga, her beloved province, and that it would be a great privilege if she got the chance to be the face of Midori and its charitable causes. 

That day, we learned that Emma stopped joining pageants after her Miss World 2015 stint where she finished as 4th Princess, and decided to be an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Cambodia to help her family. She told us that if she makes it to Miss Midori, it will be her comeback of sorts to the pageant world after five years.

Emma was candidate #12 during the Miss Midori 2018 pageant

Of course, Emma Mary Tiglao made it as our official candidate number 12. 

Emma is a natural in front of the cameras. During our artistic shoot, she moved around with ease. One could see the glow in her eyes, her commanding presence, and how she loved every minute of what she was doing. I was in awe of her; this girl has no bad angle.

But beneath that beauty is an even more beautiful soul. This was evident during our pageant's CSR activity at the Bahay Pag-Ibig home for abandoned elderly where Emma, like the other girls, brought happiness to the beneficiaries. She went around hugging them, making sure they were okay.

Emma during Midori's CSR activity at Bahay Pag-ibig in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Emma possesses this natural gift to help those in need, quietly and without any pretense, a calling that I also pursue. This is the reason why when I learned that she was doing an outreach for some of the SPED children in a public school in Angeles, Pampanga, I said I wanted to give a little help. She told me that during her five-year hiatus from pageantry, she has been doing random acts of kindness and charity works whenever her time and resources would permit. It has always been her purpose: to spread kindness and love, especially to those who need it.   

Emma, her family and friends during a charity work
for some SPED kids in Angeles, Pampanga on July 4, 2018. 

The pageant ran for over two months. During its course, Emma never showed any "attitude". She did not crave for attention and her demeanor was self effacing. Emma was never loud. She was always respectful, focused on doing her best, and worked hard to prove her resolve to promote Midori in her social media platforms.

After the pageant where she became one of our major winners, I had the opportunity to spend more time with Emma during Midori's various events. I have never seen her so beautiful, not because of how she looks or how she effortlessly carries herself, but with how she makes everyone around her feel like she sees and acknowledges them. 

I also appreciate how she finds time to check on me on unexpected days despite her hectic schedule, and pays me a visit just to hug me whenever she would have the time to do so. She is one of the most genuine persons I have ever met in my entire life, and I will infinitely love her.

   

Angels Dream project of Midori last Dec 2018

With My Queen Emma Mary Tiglao

Midori's Christmas Party for its Employees in Dec 2018.

In my eyes, what makes Emma a true queen is not her gorgeous appearance - with or without make-up - or her impeccable pasarela, or the fabulous dresses she wears, or her achievements. 

What makes My Queen beautiful is her unfeigned ability to love and care for other people even if she doesn't stand to gain anything from helping them. Emma does not want people to repay her for her charity. Instead, she hopes to inspire them to pay it forward. She helps not for publicity or to gain public acceptance or approval, but simply because it is her life's purpose. And she does it regardless of whether she is competing in a pageant or not.

Emma's beauty lies in her courage and tenacity to pursue her dreams, not only for herself but for her family most of all. 

She is flawless - not in her looks - but in her audacity to see the good in other people, and to pass kindness rather than judgement. Emma remains positive even in the face of failure, always choosing to take in the lessons rather than dwell on the pains of her perceived shortcomings. She doesn't pretend to be full of eloquence, but she knows that the best way to communicate is to speak her truth kindly and always from her heart.

Most of all, My Queen's strength lies in her faith in God and in the light that flows within her beautiful soul. 

Whenever she catches me staring at her with a big smile on my face, she would always ask me why. I guess I have never really told her the reason, and now she will know why...

Emma Mary Tiglao is no longer just a name and a pretty face to me. She totally changed - rather demolished - my perception that beauty queens are just pretty faces and eye candies who are consumed by how they look, what dresses or shoes to wear, and the number of followers they have on social media. 

Emma showed me that a queen's essence rests not on the crown on her head, but on how well she lives her life in the present and strives to make a difference in the life of others. 

So to you My Queen, I want to say THANK YOU for choosing to be the beautiful human being that you are. I wish you one hell of a ride on your journey. This is your time.

Lord make me an instrument of Your Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy. 

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive, 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.