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Miss Fiji 2009 Merewalesi Nailatikau says hosting the 2009 Miss South Pacific Pageant provides the people of Fiji with a unique opportunity to learn more about the cultures of other Pacific island countries and discover what we have in common.
“We’re fortunate to host the pageant because I believe it’s a great opportunity for the people of Fiji to learn more about other Pacific Islands’ culture,” the 24-year-old, who was crowned Miss Fiji 2009 recently, said during the contestants’ first press conference at the Tanoa Plaza in Suva late yesterday.
“This pageant gives us (the people of Fiji) the opportunity to try and find out what we have in common with other Pacific countries and through this we’re able to unite as a region and have a much stronger voice on international issues if we stick together.”
The pageant was conceived by the Samoan Tourism Authority in 1987.
Fiji is this week hosting the event for the first time with the idea of recognising, attributing and promoting intelligence, talent and culturally inspired Pacific young women.
Nailatikau, a former journalist, said she would not like to make any predictions about her chances of creating history by winning the regional title for Fiji for the first time however; she boldly said however that she had a lot to offer.
“I definitely wouldn’t make any predictions about winning this pageant but I assure everyone that I am all good and I have something amazing to offer in my own way. We (the contestants) are all here to represent our country and I’m just going to do my utmost best with the same attitude that I had when I entered the Hibiscus pageant.”
“I’ve told myself that I’m going to be true to myself, true to my values and do my best.”
Nailatikau said she was very positive about the day to day pressure of keeping up with the program and performing well.
“I just have to do my best, be myself and approach every day as it comes and be determined to learn more. Everything is going well and luckily I’ve got a good group of people supporting me and this helps me handle the stress and pressure.”
The 2009 Miss South Pacific Pageant is being held at Suva’s Albert Park with tonight’s theme being Melanesian/Micronesian Night.
