Seven Tongan beauties registered for the Miss Heilala Pageant 2012-13 made their first public appearance this afternoon, during an orientation program at the Liku'alofa Beach Resort, Kanokupolu, Tongatapu.

The contestants including four local girls and three from overseas, all expressed their excitement in taking part in the pageant held during the annual Heilala Festival in Nuku'alofa.

The local girls are Miss Loumaile Lodge Audrey Lolohea (21), Miss Lady Maria Australia, Siulolo Ramsay (18) from Havelu, Miss Liahona Alumni, Ebony Nuku (24) from Fanga, and Miss Black Pearl Suites, Kathleen Walters (22) from Nukunuku.

From New Zealand is Miss Bou's Fashion Diamond Langi (20), Miss Horizon Sun Zola Fauolo (19) from Utah, and Miss Malo e Lelei Travel Akinita Maile (18) from Hawaii.

The girls were beautifully dressed in their traditional puletaha, and also modelled sarongs designed by Chris Egan of Blue Banana.

The orientation briefed contestants on the various pageant competitions, which begin next week from July 23-28 at the Heilala Village in Pangai Lahi.

The reigning Miss Heilala 2011-12 Liberty Afeaki attended the program.

Pageant

The Miss Heilala Pre-Pageant interviews will be held on Monday July 23, at Davina House.

On Tuesday July 24, is the Miss Tau'olunga dancing competition to be followed by the Miss Heilala South Pacific Evening competition of island creation, talent, and sarong on Thursday, July 26.

The new Miss Heilala 2012-13 will be crowned during a Miss Heilala Ball on Friday night, July 27.

A float parade will conclude the Heilala Week and pageant on Saturday, July 28, starting from the Teufaiva Stadium and going through the business centre and along the Nuku'alofa waterfrontto the Vuna Wharf .