Honor student Katherine Campbell is this year’s Diwa Ng Kalayaan

The 2015 Diwa ng Kalayaan loves  sports and music

The 2015 Diwa ng Kalayaan loves sports and music

Miss Filipino-American, 1st Runner Up Rianne Avendula-Philips, and Hiyas ng Pilipinas Jasmine Binag

Miss Filipino-American, 1st Runner Up Rianne Avendula-Philips, and Hiyas ng Pilipinas Jasmine Binag

- Bituin ng Mindanao Andrea Hermoso, and Bituin ng Luzon Joanna Lizardo  - Bituin ng Visayas Anne Marie Lim. Photos by Monico Rabara

– Bituin ng Mindanao Andrea Hermoso, and Bituin ng Luzon Joanna Lizardo
– Bituin ng Visayas Anne Marie Lim. Photos by Monico Rabara

An 18-year-old honor student from Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey was crowned on April 11 the 2015 Diwa Ng Kalayaan (Spirit of Independence), which is part of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) series of celebrations leading up to the June 7 Independence Day Parade on Madison Avenue.

Katherine Campbell, a graduating senior at Hasbrouck Heights High School, had her coronation at the Grand Ballroom of the Double Tree by Hilton, in Newark. Outgoing Diwa ng Kalayaan Mikaela Alexa Rada turned over her crown assisted by Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. and Mrs. Kalayaan 2014 Joji Rafael. PIDCI President Fe Martinez and Roland David presented the scepter to Katherine.

The 5′4” beauty also won the Most Photogenic award. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She has a string of pageant titles to her name, such as the 2013 National American Miss New Jersey Teen USA Ambassador NJ Teen 2014, and Top 16th-Ms. Teen USA-NJ. She loves sports and music and aspires to study Nutrition and Business in college.

The other titleholders are Rianne Avendula-Philips, 16, of New York, who was named Miss Filipino-American, 1st Runner Up; Hiyas ng Pilipinas Jasmine Binag of Nutley, New Jersey; Bituin ng Luzon Joanna Lizardo of Allendale, New Jersey; Bituin ng Visayas Anne Marie Lim of Jersey City; and Bituin ng Mindanao Andrea Hermoso of Bayonne, New Jersey.

They will be presented to the public riding a float at the Independence Parade and during the open-stage Cultural Festival on June 7th.

In a statement, PIDCI said the Diwa ng Kalayaan pageant celebrates young Filipino-American women who personify beauty, intelligence, and self-confidence.

“In keeping with the tradition of purity and prestige of the competition, the winners will serve as Ambassadors of Goodwill for one year as they promote the commemoration of the annual Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence,” said the statement.

The Diwa panel of judges are 2009 Diwa Ng Kalayaan Monica Castillo Meares; vocal coach Bituin Escarcha; personal trainer Ador Orca; professional development Certified Trainer Ricky Rillera; and writer, fashion designer, choreographer and former beauty queen Yiling Li.

Masters of Ceremony for the evening were actor/choreographer Miguel Braganza and 2011 Diwa ng Kalayaan Marvi Sanagustin.

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