Rush For Fiji Hibiscus Kings, Queens Now On

Rush For Fiji Hibiscus Kings, Queens Now On

Rush For Fiji Hibiscus Kings, Queens Now On.   A total of 133 applications were received during this year’s Vodafone Fiji Hibiscus contestant drive; 78 Queens and 55 Kings. Only 15 Queen contestants and 15 King contestants will be chosen to compete in the pageant.  Dubbed the Mother of All Festivals, the Fiji Hibiscus Festival, is now the premier festival in the country and the Pacific region. The festival, which is normally held in August, features Pacific arts and craft, traditional and contemporary dances, sports and many fun and exciting activities. Event spokesperson, Aqela Cakobau says the number of applicants vying for the Kings title is increasing each year, with 2010 seeing the largest number of applicants since the category began in 2007.  Cakobau believes the increase indicated that it is becoming more acceptable for men to compete in pageants.   “The common thinking amongst most young men in the Pacific is that pageants are only for girls,” Cakobau explained. “But as has been proven in the past three years, perhaps they see that this pageant is about sharing their views on issues of concern, building their self esteem, being involved in charity work, making friends, establishing networks and exploiting opportunities that they never would have known existed prior to competing.” “We are excited to see the increase and hope the calibre is just as high,” Cakobau added. Six judges sit on the audition panel this year comprising three committee members and three professionals from the business and corporate communities. This mix, according to organizers, will provide a good balance of pageant knowledge and outside perspective.   Applicants will be judged on poise, public speaking ability, intelligence and general knowledge; and each will be marked out of 30 points. Auditions for King and Queen Contestants are currently being held in Suva.   Events at the festival normally include Indian night, Fijian night, Pacific night, Asian night and a Youth night.   The new categories for competition, apart from the main Ms Hibiscus crown, are the Hibiscus Princess, Hibiscus Teens, Lady Hibiscus, Hibiscus King and Hibiscus Prince