Emma Tiglao calls for politeness as she recounts rude encounter with fellow Filipino audience member at Miss Universe

Emma Tiglao had an unexpected encounter with a fellow Filipino audience member during the Miss Universe 2025 pageant, prompting her to call for more courteous ways of interacting in such situations.

On Wednesday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” the reigning Miss Grand International queen acknowledged that she arrived a few minutes late for the show and kept her head down while finding her seat.

“Nakayuko po ako. Like whenever we watch sine po, ‘di ba sa cinema, nakayuko tayo parang sign of respect na rin sa mga people behind us watching,” Emma said.

She recalled that the production number had already started when a man behind her tapped her shoulder.

“Sabi niya, ‘Hey! We’re watching!’ So nagulat po ako. Kasi kung maayos po sana ‘yung pagkakasabi, mapapa-sorry po talaga ako kasi ayoko naman din pong maka-bother, maka-istorbo sa mga tao sa likod kasi it’s Miss Universe,” she said.

Per Emma, other Filipinos in the crowd also saw the incident and spoke to her afterward.

“OK na po ako. Ang gusto ko lang po sana eh ‘wag na natin—kahit po hindi ako ‘yon, kahit ibang tao, ibang nationality, sana kung may gano’n po tayo, na-excite po tayo, in a polite way. There’s always a polite way to ask,” she said.

The Miss Universe 2025 coronation event was held on November 21 at the Impact Muong Thong Thani Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Mexico’s Fátima Bosch won the crown, while the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo was named third runner-up.— LA, GMA Integrated News