Miss Philippines-New Zealand 2023
In October 2023, Katharina Weischede participated as in Miss Philippines-New Zealand 2023 as the candidate representing the Filipino community of Auckland as “Miss Philippines-Auckland.”
Her decision to join her first pageant followed her interesting research topic of beauty pageants in Year 10. So, she used this pageant to truly form an opinion for herself about whether beauty pageants were a "shallow means of beauty, or a positive and impactful thing," as she believed you "can't really make a fully informed, or proper opinion, without experiencing it." In this journey, she saw the latter. That beauty pageants are a place of growth, self-development, and a joining of communities for others.
Since winning the crown and title as Miss Philippines-New Zealand 2023, as her first pageant, Katharina Weischede has created a 12-month plan to mark her reign as an impactful one.
This is still continuing as she passes the crown to the successor on October 2024, and has included visits to the New Zealand Embassy, outreach programmes, "Help me, help them" campaign, participation in the Filipino-Kiwi community, starting the first Filipino Cultural Dance group in her school - St Cuthbert’s College, volunteering in migrant communities, and more.
Action in the community & Awardings
Awarded the Filipino-Kiwi Hero: Youth Achievement Award on 8 June 2024 at the 7th Grand Annual Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Auckland, New Zealand
Volunteering at the Christmas Eve food drive for the ELE workers who were laid off a few days before Christmas (2023)
Visit to the NZ Embassy in Manila, Philippines (Jan 2024)
Attended Christchurch's Philippine Day (Feb 2024)
1st St Cuthbert's College Filipino Cultural Dance Group performing at PolyFest Diversity Stage (2024) & Pofiafia Night (2024)
What we did through
"Help me, help them"
In Janurary 2024, I travelled to the Philippines to visit, entertain and to give aid to four organisations, in outreach programmes. One of my personal advocacies has been to and is to work with street children and orphans in the Philippines. I have been involved in this area since I was five years old. Given the privilege of representing Kiwis and Filipinos, as the reigning Miss Philippines-New Zealand 2023, I asked the support of fellow NZers and Kiwi-noys to create moments of happiness, foster a sense of belonging, and offer hope to those in need. Via providing them with toiletries, school supplies, meals, basic clothing, and toys.
Read below to see and hear what our collective kindness did for the children in these organisations + what our outreaches were like!
He Cares Foundation
The Center takes care of 150 street children, offering five programs that cater to the children’s spirituality, health, family, life, education, and livelihood.
What they received:
During our visit, with the help of your generous donations, we were able to feed 300 street children on the 20th of January 2024. They each enjoyed a home cooked meal of chicken curry, rice, fried chicken, watermelon, and bananas. We conducted our outreach programme during the morning feeding programme, in which we played several games, each round a child winning a prize (pencil case, etc.)
Since He Cares Foundation is focused on education, striving to get the kids to complete high-school and attend university, they had a large need for school supplies. Thus, our care packages were cater to that need giving 150 kids in the morning feeding programme:
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Notebook
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Pack of crayons
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Colouring pencils
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Eraser
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Scissors
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Ruler
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Packed in custom "Beauty is within" tote bag.
Vision of Help
International Foundation
A charity organisation that focuses on fighting human trafficking, child exploitation and abuse in the Philippines. It seeks to promote and provide appropriate, quality programs and services that address these concerns holistically.
What they received:
On the 23rd of January 2024, we visited the young kids, primarily ages 1-8 years old at their 'House of Hope'. We played games with them, read book together -including one of their favourites the Children's Bible. We also provided the kids, staff, and volunteers with Jolibee meals, entertainment from the 2 hired clowns, and gave them a care package which included:
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Toys
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Water
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Vitamins
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Packed in custom "Beauty is within" tote bag.
SCOT Foundation
A New Zealand based organisation who gives scholarship, donations and assistance to the lives of street children under their care. As I carry this charity project, I ask you to help me help them and make the encounter a memorable one for each of the children from these organisations.
What they received:
On the 27th of January 2024, we took the street children and orphans (accompanied by some of their guardians) of SCOT Foundation to a fun experience out at The Dessert Museum in the Mall of Asia (MOA). In which they had access to play and take photos in several dessert themed rooms, where they could taste 3 sweet treats! Their care packages included:
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Towels
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Water
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Food
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Toys
Thank you to these generous sponsors & donors of our Janurary Outreach
Rex and Joan Yap
Hyra and Chuch Evangelista
Alie Canares
Richie Hong
Eddie Katigbak
Emer Clavel
April Asok
Crestine Carson
Ashley Wong
Brianna Li
Siena Lee
Li B Y and Sun
Charny Ann Galang
Lynette Matencio
Ashley Urrea
Michelle Shao
Lyonl Concepcion
Hershal Randhawa
Rhuel Lopez & Che Sengco
Stella Casey
Charito Severo
Lorenzo Delos Santos
Frederick Gardner
Carlota & Ray Abalos
Aeizel Niegos
Princess & Harris Loninia
Anita Iese
Romy & Fritzi Lobo Udanga
Gloria Meredith
Rebekah Hall
Jen Dela Cruz
Aanya Naidu
ID Severo
