Emma Tiglao Makes a Statement with a Handcrafted Solihiya Ensemble
Filipino beauty queen Emma Tiglao is turning heads in Bangkok ahead of the Miss Grand International coronation, not just for her poise on the pageant stage, but for a fashion choice that blends culture, craft, and resilience. In a headlining moment during her closed-door interviews, Emma wore a white pant suit with a solihiya-pattern tube top—an outfit that embodies a revitalized vision of traditional Filipino fashion.
The Pattern with a Modern Twist
Solihiya, a sunburst-inspired lattice design commonly seen on rattan furniture and decorative screens, is a familiar sight in Filipino aesthetics. Emma’s ensemble recast this classic into a contemporary fashion statement, pairing the patterned top with a minimalist white suit. By marrying heritage with modern tailoring, the look signals a broader trend in Filipino fashion: honoring the past while presenting it in a fresh, global-ready silhouette.
Crafted by People Deprived of Liberty
What makes Emma’s outfit particularly meaningful is its provenance. The solihiya ensemble was handcrafted by inmates at BJMP San Fernando City Jail, reflecting a powerful collaboration between incarcerated artisans and the fashion world. Emma publicly highlighted that the garment is “handcrafted by the resident basket weaver inmates,” a detail she shared on Instagram. Designer Rich Sabinian supervised the piece, which Emma described as a reminder of the strength, creativity, and resilience that define Filipinos.
A Cultural Bridge Through Food and Fashion
Emma’s preparation for Miss Grand International went beyond fabric and thread. In the moments leading up to her closed-door interviews, she distributed boxes of polvoron—a beloved Filipino polvoriento shortbread—so judges could sample a taste of home. The polvoron is a family affair in Emma’s circle, with her mother and sister making the delicacy and her father lending a hand in personalizing each box. This gesture underscored how Filipino culture often centers family ties, shared recipes, and communal hospitality—even in the high-stakes world of international pageantry.
What the Outfit Communicates on a Global Stage
Emma’s solihiya ensemble is more than a fashion pick; it is a strategic cultural statement. The pattern’s sunburst geometry evokes light, warmth, and interconnectedness—qualities that can symbolize the Filipino spirit in international spaces. By choosing a design that is deeply rooted in Filipino craft, Emma aligns herself with a narrative of resilience and ingenuity, attributes that pageant judges often prize as part of a candidate’s cultural ambassador role.
Design and Creative Partnership
The orchestration behind the look involved not just the pattern itself, but a deliberate collaboration between a designer and the makers who bring Filipino artisanal craft to life. Rich Sabinian’s design, paired with the skilled hands of the inmates who wove or shaped the solihiya motif, creates a telling juxtaposition: traditional artistry meeting contemporary fashion. Emma’s description of the outfit conveys pride in an inclusive craft economy where people from varied backgrounds contribute to a shared cultural display.
Looking Ahead: Miss Grand International 2025
As Emma Tiglao travels to Thailand for the Miss Grand International 2025 competition, the judicious blend of food, fashion, and cultural representation will likely be a talking point among fans and judges alike. The event, slated for October 18, could become a showcase of how Filipino culture can travel confidently across borders—through taste, texture, and textile.
Why This Moment Resonates
Emma’s choice to feature a solihiya-inspired outfit made by inmates, paired with a traditional Filipino confection, paints a broader picture of how pageantry can spotlight social impact. It highlights themes of community, empowerment, and craftsmanship—values that resonate far beyond the stage lights and cameras. For supporters of Filipino culture and fashion, this moment reinforces the idea that style can be a vehicle for meaningful conversations about heritage and rehabilitation.
