Leoshina Mercy Kariha

This was the response from Miss Pacific Islands Leoshina Mercy Kariha regarding a recent Facebook post that went viral for all the wrong reasons.

It was one of those posts that unexpectedly makes an unfortunate individual Facebook famous.

Following the crowning of Leoshina Mercy Kariha as Miss PNG last month, a fellow Papua New Guinean updated her Facebook status with a discriminatory post, questioning Kariha’s win and likening her to an animal.

Leoshina Mercy Kariha warmly embraced friends, loved ones and supporters as she entered the Jackson’s International terminal yesterday (Nov 5^th) afternoon.

The 18-year-old beauty, in spite of her exhaustion, radiantly greeted everyone as she made her way into the Jackson’s State Lounge Room.

Kariha shared how relieved she was when she got into the national carrier, Air Niugini, and how they enjoyed the hospitality extended by PNG’s flight attendants.

She also appreciated the friendliness shown to her and the PNG delegate in Tonga.

At 18 years of age, she was the youngest out of six contestants, and is only the second Papua New Guinean to be Miss Pacific Islands since MPIP PNG joined the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant franchise in 2011. 

From a mixed parentage of Central and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Kariha has again created history by winning the Miss Pacific Island beauty contest.

Kariha also received Miss Tourism, Miss Personality, Best Topic Presentation/Interview and Best Talent awards, winning cash prizes as well as the crown.