FOUR of the five contestants registered for the Miss Heilala 2011-12 crown made their first public appearance on July 20 at an orientation program held at the Black Pearl Suites at Sopu, on Tongatapu.

The contestants were Miss Tonga Visitors Bureau, 'Elisapeta 'Akau'ola; Miss Siangana Travel and Gateway to Paradise Tours, Liberty Afeaki; Miss Friendly Islands USA Pi'ilani Afu; and Miss Tonga Utah Lavinia Malekamu.

Another contestant Miss Lady Maria Tonga Australia Victoria Langafisi is expected to arrive in Tonga later in the week.

The Ministry of Tourism expects a total of eight contestants to join the pageant. Three other companies have confirmed participation but have not registered includes Miss Loumaile, Black Pearl and Havelu Bulldogs.

The judging events for the Miss Heilala Pageant begin next week from July 25-29 at a new venue changed from the Pangai seaside area to an open lot beside the ANZ Bank Nuku'alofa branch in central CBD.

The contestants will also make a guest appearance on Saturday morning at the WISE Tonga Inc. launch and Market Day in the Queen Salote Memorial Hall.