Key Points
- Karenza De Leon was crowned Miss Philippines Australia 2024 at the 34th Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura.
- She is dedicated to empowering students, both in Australia and abroad, through her initiatives that seek to provide better training and resources to schools.
- In some Southeast Asian countries, only 2% of children meet basic literacy and numeracy standards, a stark indication of the inequities in education.
Karenza De Leon, a 27-year-old model, radio host, educator, and community volunteer from New South Wales, is the new Miss Philippines Australia. Her victory comes after a fierce competition among seven remarkable candidates.
Karenza, who has Filipino and Korean heritage, not only took home the prestigious title but also bagged several other awards, including Charity Princess, Best in Filipiniana, and Best in Swimwear. Her multifaceted background and passion for service made her a standout during the event.
As an early childhood teacher, her advocacy centers on improving education in rural Southeast Asia.
Data from the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) in 2020 highlights that 1 in 3 Grade 5 students is still performing at early primary levels, with some countries seeing only 2% of children achieving basic literacy and numeracy skills. Moreover, while many countries have strong education policies, they are often poorly implemented at the classroom level, leading to further inequities in learning outcomes.
Karenza aims to provide schools with better training and resources, focusing on underserved communities. Her vision aligns with her passion, where she strives to empower students both in Australia and abroad.
The Miss Philippines Australia title has a rich history of promoting Filipino culture and charity work in Australia, and she is poised to continue this legacy. The outgoing queen, Bella Dela Cruz, who was known for her active involvement in community and charity programs, passed the crown to Karenza, symbolising the continuation of the important work done by the titleholders.
The pageant also saw the crowning of other exceptional candidates. Kiara Prieto-McCarthy was named Miss Charity Queen 2024 and secured the first runner-up position, while Queensland’s Zoe Honeyman, a psychology student, won Miss Popularity, Miss Photogenic, and shared the Miss Friendship title with Aniah Nogaliza from Canberra.
Additional finalists who shone in the competition were mental health advocate Georgia Marie Fenton, Christine Mae Macayana from NSW, and Myan Hernandez Pulgo from Victoria, each bringing their own unique backgrounds and advocacies to the stage.
