Team Fiji arrive in Samoa

LICE MOVONO
Friday, November 25, 2016

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Miss Fiji Anne Dunn arrived in Samoa today. Picture: Niyaaz Dean

Update: 6:44PM MISS Fiji Anne Dunn arrived in Apia, Samoa today to compete at the 30th Annual Miss Pacific Islands Pageant.

he 23 year old law graduate is chaperoned by Shayneal Lal, a former Hibiscus King contestant who coached 2016 Miss Fiji 1st Runner Up Sharlin Sing and last years Miss Fiji 2nd Runner Up Sheryl Mudaliar.

The third member of the team, MPIP Board member Ana Tuiketei joins the two next Wednesday.

"They have safely arrived and begin preparations straight away. This Sunday they pick their research topic and will be interviewed by the media," Miss Tuiketei said.

Ms Dunn competes with seven other contestants from American Samoa, Cook Islands, Nauru, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga.   

The competition includes the Sarong category where contestants are judged on their ability to creatively tie the sulu vatoga into an appropriate yet creative beach attire and the talent competition where the girls perform on stage.

Also important is the traditional attire competition, an area Mr Lal is an expert at after winning this category for Miss Nausori at the 2016 Miss Fiji Pageant. The Research Topic Competition, Miss Dunn?s speciality begins the competition next Wednesday.

"Miss Dunn has prepared well and we are all excited for her participation at the pageant. She has shown incredible resolve and perseverance and so far, we are confident she will represent all Fijians well," Ms Tuiketei said.

Kristian Scanlan, the pageant secretary of the MPIP said the organisers had an exciting program ahead.

"We are excited to welcome the Pacific beauties and our reigning Miss Pacific islands, Abigail Havora, to the home of the Miss Pacific Islands, beautiful Samoa, to celebrate 30 years of this auspicious event," Mr. Scanlan said.

"We have an exciting programme planned for the week ahead, and we look forward to the 8 ladies showcasing their unique cultures."

In recent years, Fiji has achieved the following results:

• 2009 - Mere Nailatikau, Miss South Pacific, Best Talent, Best Traditional Attire and Best Research Topic (Interview).
• 2010 - Sera Tikotikoivatu, 3rd Runner Up
• 2011 -  Alisi Rabukawaqa, Miss South Pacific; Best Traditional Attire; Best Research Topic (Interview)
• 2012 - Drue Slatter; 2nd Runner Up
• 2013 - Priscilla Reddy, unplaced
• 2014 - Nanise Rainima, 2nd Runner Up; Miss Photogenic
• 2015 - Zaira Begg, 3rd Runner Up; Best Traditional Attire

http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=379784