In celebration of the Higalaay Festival, CLIMBS participated as the co-presenter for the search for Miss Cagayan de Oro 2023, which was held at the Atrium, Limketkai Center, CDO, on August 26, 2023. Out of the 12 candidates from different districts, Katheryn Tan Guipetacio, candidate no. 2 from Barangay Lapasan, received the title as CLIMBS Ambassadress for Climate Action, which advocates on being the purveyor of change and the catalyst for hope in achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation. She is also the First-Runner-up of Miss CDO 2023.

Guipetacio also expressed her sentiments when asked the question, “What is your stand on Climate Action?” by saying, “The ‘no plastic policy was my initiative when I was a president of green campus agenda in Xavier University and until now it’s being practice, and I’m very happy that the culture in XU is being lift not only in the campus but its brought even at home even in cafe’s, a lot of students are cleaning their waste, Claygo and I’m very happy, it’s a legacy that I have fulfilled in my university,” She continued.

“Climate change, it’s a collective problem but it grows out of individual’s clear responsibility, we may not fix it by government imposing regulations, we may not solve it overnight but it will always start somewhere so trust in your capability, trust in the amount of change you can impact, the ripple that you can make in the world.” Guipetacio said during the co-presenter visit last August 18 at CLIMBS building, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City.

In response to the call for action on climate change, Katheryn Tan Guipetacio demonstrated her devotion and dedication to campaigning for sustainability and combating environmental concerns in today’s society.

During the question and answer portion at the coronation night of Miss Cagayan de Oro 2023 last August 28, Guipetacio was asked, “What event in Cagayan de Oro city’s history do you want future generations to never forget? And why?”

Guipetacio proceeded to answer the question by stating, “One event in Cagayan de Oro City that has impacted a lot of Kagay-anon’s  is the greatest typhoon “Sendong”. I want everyone to never forget this historic event because it is a reminder that we Kagay-anons need to be prepared and in order to be prepared, we need to shift to sustainable living and practices start in our homes. And as a Kagay-anon woman, and environmentalist myself, I am very willing to serve and help the community through case study competitions, empower the youth and help resolve the city issues. Prepare the youth at the same time for their future and become globally competitive Kagay-anons,” She said.

The CLIMBS Climate Action Advocacy also promotes Weather Protect Insurance (WPI), which strives to safeguard and mitigate the effects of climate change on farmer-members and the agricultural sector. Guipetacio will also represent CLIMBS on various multimedia platforms in terms of additional climate action activities, paving the way for the organization to become a visual representation of societal resiliency and sustainability.