Miss Tonga

Tupou was part of a slew of special awards and sub-titles that were awarded at the University of Saint Anthony in Iriga, Camarines Sur.

Tupou is a 23 year-old student at the University of the South Pacific.

In other categories, Europe was won by Miss Azerbaijan, Africa by Kenya, Asia by Japan and Americas by Brazil.

The beauty competition ends next week 22 March 2023, with the final crowning of the Miss Face of Beauty International winner.

Other countries competing from Oceania are Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji and Solomon Islands.

Funganitao, 23, was crowned Miss Heilala 2018 in July.

According to Kaniva News, she is also Miss Appraxus Tonga New Zealand.

In the Miss Heilala competition Funganitao won four of the five judging categories including island creation, pre-interview, talent, and sarong wear.

Funganitao will be joined by Miss PNG, Leoshina Mercy Kariha; Miss Samoa Sonia Piva; Miss American Samoa, Magalita Johnson and Miss Tuvalu, Emelipelesa Panapa.

Contestants from the Cook Islands and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) are also expected to compete.

The Miss Pacific Pageant in Samoa has surfaced some great young leaders and ambassadors in the Pacific region pushing for a particular issue they believe is the hardest for the Pacific to overcome.

Some share the same view, for instance Miss Tonga, Laura Melaia Renae Lauti, who is an ambassador for the Bay Area Successful thinker’s network in California.

She also plays a huge role in a Non-Profit Organization in Tonga that encourages and recruits youth to take lead in their lives.

Raking 31 percent so far with 2,277 votes, Miss Tonga Laura Melaia Renae Lauti, 21 years old, is running first towards the title of Miss Internet.

Following in second place is Miss Nauru, Lucina Detsiogo, 19, who has also covered 31 percent with 2,351 votes.

PNG’s Limbiye in third place has managed to cover only 9 percent with 705 votes so far.

She gifted the school $200 on behalf of her team before performing a traditional Tongan dance, again presenting the principal with the money she was given while dancing.

The college interestingly started the 2015 year short-staffed and there was just $6 in the school bank account.