The much-anticipated press presentation for the Australian delegates in the Miss Universe Philippines 2025 competition took place at the Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club on Sunday, 24 November 2024. The event showcased the poise and talent of the delegates, with Miss Universe Philippines Australia 2024, Kymberlee Street, in attendance and a captivating performance by Adrian Tamayo.
The presentation introduced three extraordinary women who will proudly represent the Australian-Filipino community on the international stage: Karenza De Leon, representing Australia; Bella Dela Cruz, representing Sydney; and Chanel Olive, representing Melbourne.
Karenza De Leon, reigning Miss Philippines-Australia, brings her passion for education, community service, and cultural empowerment. A graduate in Early Childhood and Primary Education, Karenza founded The Learning Glow Project, which provides school supplies to underprivileged communities in the Philippines and Cambodia. Her advocacy centres on educational equity and economic sustainability, aiming to uplift children in need.
Her multifaceted career includes roles as a stewardess, community radio host at Alive 90.5 FM, and fashion model. Through her radio work, Karenza has supported causes such as The Cancer Council and Supertee. With her platform, she aims to raise awareness about the importance of quality education in rural Southeast Asia, inspire Filipino youth, and celebrate the Philippines’ rich culture.
Bella Dela Cruz, a 25-year-old economist at Oxford Economics, graduated with distinction honours from the University of New South Wales. Passionate about education as a tool for opportunity, she has led initiatives like the Australian Youth Diaspora Project to reconnect Filipino-Australian youth with their heritage. Bella is committed to improving access to education in the Philippines by addressing resource and infrastructure gaps.
Bella’s volunteer work includes supporting charities such as St. Vincent de Paul and the SPARK program, which assists homeless and refugee children. Through her journey, she hopes to inspire women, step outside her comfort zone, and foster meaningful connections with Filipinas globally while proudly representing Sydney.
Chanel Olive, a 34-year-old Filipino-Australian, exemplifies resilience and breaking boundaries. A seasoned pageant contender, she earned the title of Binibining Pilipinas Supranational 2017 and placed in the Top 10 at the Miss Supranational 2017 competition, where she proudly represented the Philippines. She was also crowned Miss Philippines Earth Air 2015. Competing as a married woman in her thirties, Chanel aims to inspire others by demonstrating that dreams have no expiration date.
As an Event & Wedding MC, model, and content creator, Chanel uses her platform, Flourish GodlyConfident, to promote mental health, self-worth, and faith-driven confidence. With a background in counselling and ministry, she encourages women to embrace their potential and thrive at any stage of life.
These three inspiring women embody the strength, diversity, and resilience of the Australian-Filipino community. They are poised to shine on the global stage, sharing their advocacies, talents, and stories to inspire others.
