By Katalina Siasau

Miss Heilala Pageant contestants gracefully performed traditional dances and displayed their costumes last night, 3 July, at the Heilala Village, in Nuku'alofa.

The top five contestants in the Tau'olunga category, announced in random order, were:

Contestant #2 Miss 'Eua Tourism, Manusiu Tapaita Tumpelina Havea
Contestant #7 Miss Vava'u Heilala, Sophron Kosmios 'Unaloto ki he Melino Latu
Contestant #10 Miss AGT and Maa'imoa Catering, Racheal Angelica 'o Manakakapu Guttenbeil
Contestant #11 Miss Kalapu Kolokakala SLC, Selaafu Tiana Vakapuna
Contestant #12 Miss Apraxus Tonga, 'Akosita Fa'alangi 'Ofa ki Vava'u Guttenbeil

The Contestants were judged on their ability to perform the tau'olunga, to balance their body with grace and movements, while interpreting the song appropriately through motions and emotions.

The contestants tau'olunga costumes were also judged.

The top five contestants with the best tau'olunga costume, announced in random order, were:

Contestant #7 Miss Vava'u Heilala, Sophron Kosmios 'Unaloto ki he Melino Latu
Contestant #8 Miss Tonga-China Friendship Association, Susi 'Elisapeti Birgitta Caprian Tonga
Contestant #9 Miss Ha'apai Masani, Fipe Latai Holeva Finau
Contestant #11 Miss Kalapu Kolokakala SLC, Selaafu Tiana Vakapuna
Contestant #12 Miss Apraxus Tonga, 'Akosita Fa'alangi 'Ofa ki Vava'u Guttenbeil

The panel of judges were ‘Ema Latu, Malia Mahe, Tiulipe Leone, Debbie Paunga, Hola Taue, Metuliki Fakatava, Pahulu, Pasimata Ve’ehala, Tevita Fauonuku, and Dephnie Tu’i’onetoa.