Pacific islands beauties welcomed in Tonga [1]
Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 18:30. Updated on Saturday, March 15, 2014 - 19:23.
The seven contestants for the Miss South Pacific Pageant 2005 were guests last night of the Federal Pacific Insurance, who hosted a welcome cocktail and dinner in Nuku'alofa, where two 'Uvean girls discovered they had an old connection with Tonga.
It was the beginning of a hectic four day program for the girls. It was also a family reunion night for the Miss New Caledonia Edweena Talatini, and Miss Wallis and Futuna Monika Fiafialoto (Miss 'Uvea). Edweena is originally from 'Uvea, and both she and Monika speak French and very little English, but going back to their roots, they discovered that when they speak their native 'Uvean tongue, it is Tongan. It did not take long before a few Tongans in the crowd, including the organizer of the Miss South Pacific Pageant in Tonga, Simote Po'uliva'ati, established their linguistic connection with their visitors from Futuna and 'Uvea.
The insurance company who hosted the welcome has offices in most of the Pacific Islands capitals.
The girls spent today enjoying the sunshine on the beach at Pangaimotu Island Resort.
Meanwhile, voting has begun in the "Miss Internet" section of the contest where the public chooses the winner. Votes can be cast online. Voting closes at 5 p.m. on Friday 11 November, the Pageant night.