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.