renae
Bella Dela Cruz is not your typical beauty queen. As Miss International Australia 2025, she proudly represented the nation on the global stage at the prestigious Miss International competition in Japan on November 27 last year. While the international spotlight was a defining moment in her journey, Bella’s story goes far beyond gowns, crowns and applause. It is a story grounded in intellect, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to creating lasting change through education.
Bella’s pageant journey is both inspiring and impressive. Her very first competition in 2023 saw her crowned Miss Philippines Australia as well as Miss Charity Queen — a remarkable debut that revealed her natural poise, confidence, and heart for advocacy. In May 2025, she competed in Miss Universe Philippines Sydney/Lucena, where she placed in the Top 20 out of 70 candidates from around the world. This outstanding achievement further cemented her place as a rising force in the pageant world and set the stage for her national title and international representation.
However, what truly sets Bella apart is what she does outside the pageant stage.
By profession, Bella is a full-time economist and consultant at Oxford Economics. Her career is built on data, research, and strategic insight, allowing her to analyse real-world issues through an evidence-based lens. She graduated with distinction honours from the University of New South Wales with a double Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics. Her majors included econometrics, business strategy, marketing, and international relations — a powerful combination that complements both her corporate career and her advocacy work. Even during high school, Bella demonstrated exceptional dedication, graduating as an honour roll student with an ATAR of 95. It was during her time at UNSW, while conducting research alongside lecturers in the economics department, that Bella uncovered a life-changing truth: education is the single most effective tool in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.
Photo Credit: Elegantography
This discovery became the foundation of her advocacy, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 — Quality Education. Bella’s focus is on ensuring vulnerable children and rural communities have access to the learning resources and opportunities they need to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
From this research and passion, Bella established Bella’s Book Foundation. Through this initiative, she raises funds to donate school supplies and learning essentials, provide scholarships, and create mentorship programs that encourage students to remain in school and pursue their aspirations. Her foundation is not simply about donating books — it is about equipping children with the tools, confidence, and support systems they need to change the trajectory of their lives.
Bella believes that education does not just uplift individuals; it uplifts entire communities and future generations.
Photo Credit: Elegantography
Despite her demanding professional career and pageant commitments, Bella maintains a vibrant and well-rounded life. She has a natural love for performing and enjoys singing, dancing and hosting community events as an MC. Her athletic side is equally impressive — she is an athletics age champion, a state-level dodgeball player and enjoys playing social volleyball to stay active and energised.
Bella also embraces her creative and cultural passions. She loves learning new languages, watching anime and spending quality time cooking with her mum, preparing beloved Filipino dishes such as sinigang, pancit and adobo. In quieter moments, she enjoys reading, painting and drawing — hobbies that allow her to relax, reflect and recharge.
Having represented Australia on the international stage in Japan, Bella returns not just with memories of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but with renewed purpose. The global platform amplified her voice and strengthened her resolve to continue advocating for quality education for those who need it most.
Photo Credit: Elegantography
Bella Dela Cruz represents a new era of beauty queens — women who are as intellectually powerful as they are graceful, as compassionate as they are confident, and as committed to impact as they are to excellence.
For Bella, the Miss International stage was never just about competition. It was about using her voice to speak for children who deserve access to education, for communities that need opportunity, and for a future where knowledge becomes the key to breaking poverty’s cycle.
And that is a crown she continues to wear with pride.
Jason Harris
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