Miss Pacific Islands Pageant

Launching the year Tuesday night, the committee announced two main events on its calendar for the year – the project runway – August 12 and Crowning Ball – 28 October.   

Making the announcement, deputy Chairperson, Emma Waiwai again called for generous support.

“For these events to be successful, we are appealing to you once again to come on board and partner with us.  Whether it be in cash or kind, we know it will go a long way to make this year another successful one

Miss Papua New Guinea Kellyanne Limbiye was given the opportunity to be the first to introduce herself to the church congregation and expressed how inspired she was by the "angelic singing". 

The service was followed by press interviews and selection of her Topic to be presented on Thursday December 1.

Her topic will be health and her five-minute talk is one of the highest scoring categories in the pageant. The other categories are sarong wear and Traditionally Inspired Dress. The crowning will be on Friday December 2.'

Miss PNG, Kellyanne Limbiye needs support

http://www.looppng.com/content/miss-png-kellyanne-limbiye-needs-support

It was a proud moment for Papua New Guinea when Miss PNG 2015 Abigail Havora returned from the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in Cook Islands last year with the regional queen title and crown.

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PNG has once again seen off its cultural ambassador Kellyanne Limbiye to the regional pageant in Samoa this year.

Limbiye has a great team which she’s confident of but she still needs one thing…home support.

Before leaving for Samoa, her one request was for fellow Papua New Guineans to get behind her and support her through voting online.

The pageant week begins with a church service and over the course of the week will assess each contestants through various activities planned.

Contestants representing eight Pacific Islands - American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa and Tonga have all gathered in Apia, Samoa.

Contestants and their teams started arriving in Samoa last week for the 30^th anniversary of the Miss Pacific Islands.

The team settled into Taumeasina Island Resort, owned by PNG’s Lamana Group.

The hotel, opened only in June this year, will be host to the eight Pacific Island contestants and their team over the duration of the pageant.

The resort is an official sponsor of the Miss Pacific Islands pageant.

“Taumeasina is just awesome. Our PNG flag is just flying high outside. We’re so proud as all the contestants and their teams arrive,” the team spokesperson relayed.

Havora boarded the plane today with the rest of team PNG who are travelling to Samoa for the regional pageant.

This will be her final trip as the regional queen and ambassador, a title she had carried since being crowned in Cook Islands, last year.

“I started as a young eager Papua New Guinean and with every opportunity, shone light on the good side of my country,” Havora said.

“How do I unite a region?” was the first question that hit her hard.

But after soul searching, she is confident to tell her successor that it’s all about values.

 The six contestants were judged for public speaking by a five-man panel at Crowne Plaza in a room full of family, friends and sponsors.

Judges included Neville Choi, former Miss PNG Grace Nugi, Robert Aisi - the head judge, Imana Kone Sioa and Bou Tanginoa Fonua - guest judge from Tonga.

Each contestant spoke on a topic giving their suggestions on how to address the issues and then were asked questions by the judges.

First contestant Melody Leke- Miss Pacific Balance Fund spoke on tourism saying education on this topic was the way forward.

Institute of Business Studies was the first to jump on board in July to sponsor 19-year-old Samantha Kuase, followed by Pacific Balance Fund this week for 19-year-Melody Leke.

Chairman Johnston says MPIP PNG is now looking for sponsors for another seven contestants.

She is grateful for the institutions that are already on board.

“Sponsors like PBF have shown a true spirit of collaboration to empower our young women. We believe that education is the key to success and prosperity of this country,” Jonhston said.

It is meant to be a show to bring together a pool of designers to create garments with unique PNG designs that will be worn by the Miss PNG entrant to the Miss Pacific Island Pageant (MPIP) in Samoa in December.

Most designers who participated at last night’s event were small entrepreneurs, working from their home space.

Over the years, according to reigning Miss PNG Abigail Havora, the pageant has assisted some of them by assigning them to create outfits for Miss PNG entrants.

"This year, we are supporting with more incentives," she said.