Daven Tamayo

Thai beauty queen finds a new sister in Pinay Miss Grand winner Emma Tiglao

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17707178298571770717860669.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Miss Grand International 2025 Emma Tiglao (right) with first runner-up Sarunrat Puagpipat. <em>Puagpipat/Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><p>The <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/pageants-beauty-queens/2025/10/18/emma-tiglao-scores-back-to-back-win-for-ph-in-miss-grand-international-2307">Miss Grand International pageant</a> did not just give Emma Tiglao a crown but also a new sister in her runner-up, Thailand&#x27;s Sarunrat Puagpipat.</p><p>The two have grown noticeably close over the past months and have even amassed their own group of supporters, prompting Miss Grand International to hold a fan meet in Manila last February 1.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUQQlkogUOu/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2614114%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="567" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Puagpipat, fondly known by her nickname Gotchabell, took to Instagram to share her &quot;most beautiful 8 days in the Philippines&quot; while also expressing her love for Tiglao.</p><p>&quot;Thank you, Emma, and all your friends, for taking such gentle care of me and making me feel that the Philippines feels just like home,&quot; she said. &quot;I now understand why so many people fall in love with this country — the kindness, the smiles, the easy laughter, even between strangers.&quot;</p><p>&quot;You are truly my sister,&quot; the Thai beauty queen declared.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUimuz9k5Cf/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=675&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A2653956.899999976%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>During her visit to the Philippines with Tiglao, Puagpipat also got to shoot a short movie in Camiguin and enjoy the country&#x27;s sights. </p><p>And despite not being able to return to Thailand on time due to the recent storm, she still saw a silver lining. </p><p>&quot;Being stranded gave us extra time — time to rest, to connect, to build new friendships, to share stories over Filipino food, to learn Tagalog, and to truly feel the warmth of this land and its people,&quot; she said. </p>

<p>The Miss Grand International pageant did not just give Emma Tiglao a crown but also a new sister in her runner-up, Thailand's Sarunrat Puagpipat.</p>

The Miss Grand International pageant did not just give Emma Tiglao a crown but also a new sister in her runner-up, Thailand's Sarunrat Puagpipat.