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The 2010 Hibiscus Festival, Fiji’s “mother of all festivals”, ends tonight with the crowning of the King and Queen at Albert Park in the capital Suva.
A cherished remnant of colonial-era Fiji since it was first launched in 1956, the annual event lost its shine towards the turn of the millennium and after a lapse of several years was relaunched with a bang in 2006.
Organisers have since given it the ambitious full tagline of “mother of all festivals, pride of the capital city and the premier festival of the South Pacific”, a claim bolstered by last year’s Miss Hibiscus Merewalesi Nailatikau going on to capture the Miss South Pacific title at the bigger, regional pageant held in Fiji for the first time.
The week long Vodafone sponsored event showcases not only Fiji’s best talent but also raises charity and works with various organisations to assist the poor and the needy.
This year’s festival has the theme “Working together for a brighter future” with the contestants in the various categories being required to have their presentations reflect the theme.
The year’s Prince, Princess, Teens, Ladies and Adi Senikau winners have already been crowned.
The major attraction of the final day will be the crowning of the King and Queen. The 2010 Hibiscus Queen will also get the chance to represent Fiji at the Miss South Pacific Pageant in Papua New Guinea this November.
Blessed with fine weather, the festival also had new attractions such as an agriculture show, horticulture show, pet show, arts and craft exhibitions, a careers expo and the regular star search, Fiji has talent, baby show, police dog shows and various sports activities.
The list of winners in the various categories is as follows:
Prince and Princess
2010 Hibiscus Prince - Mr Yadua Taba, Ashutosh Mohan.
2010 Hibiscus Princess - Miss Vatulele Island, Miss Varea Young.
Teens
Best Talent - Miss Gerald Catering, Jenny Paolo.
Best Fantasy Outfit - Miss Cope Construction, Sonia Sekran.
Miss Internet - Miss Gerald Catering, Jenny Paolo.
Miss People’s Choice - Miss Cope Construction, Sonia Sekran.
Miss Personality - Miss Frincos Hire, Elizabeth Lockington.
2nd Runner-up- (Joint winners) - Miss Trendy Fashion, Seruwaia Railala and Miss Vico, Lice Ravoka.
1st Runner-up - Miss Gerald Catering, Jenny Paolo.
Winner - Hibiscus Teen 2010 - Miss Shop and Save, Siteri Aull.
Lady
Lady Internet- Lady Paper 1, Mrs Maria Wilson.
People’s Choice - Lady Kumaran Restaurant, Ms Romika Chandra.
Best Traditional Attire - Lady Paper 1, Mrs Maria Wilson.
Best Personality - Lady Sharp, Mrs Nikita Bhavsar.
2nd Runner-up - Lady Mr Dairy, Ms Margaret Lum On.
1st Runner-up - Lady Shop and Save, Mrs Joyce Johnson.
Winner- Lady Hibiscus 2010- Lady Modyl, Reshma Lal
Adi Senikau
Best Talent - Miss Sri Lanka.
2nd Runner-up - Miss South Africa.
1st Runner-up - Miss Jamaica.
Winner- 2010 Adi Senikau - Miss Australia
Kings
Best Talent- Mr FJN/Rentokil, Joeli Colati.
Mr Internet- Mr Apco, Mark Baldosa.
Best Dressed - Mr Yellow Ribbon, Penaia Cimo.
Mr Personality- Mr Southern Cross Textiles, Rusiate Vosavakadua.
Queens
Best Talent- Miss Perfect Party Hire, Shristi Sweta Singh.
Miss Internet- Miss Modern Aluminum and Glass, Tracy Chand.
Miss Tourism - Miss Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Henrietta Newton.
Best Personality - Miss Suva Retailers Association, Taraivini.
Best Photogenic - Miss Fiji Sun, Ellen Stolz.
Friendly Face - Miss Fiji Sun, Ellen Stolz.
Best Dressed Queen - Miss Suva City Council, Sera Tikotikoivatu.
By Reginald Chandra
