MISS Papua New Guinea (pictured) and Miss Vanuatu arrived in Honiara on Saturday to complete the pageantry for the Carpenters Miss South Pacific Beauty contest which started on Sunday night.
In an interview with the Solomon Star upon arrival, Miss Vanuatu said she was so naturally excited to be in Honiara and the thought of how the week would unfold.
Valerie Martinez hails from a family of Spanish descendents and Vanuatu heritage.
She is 24-years-old and work at the QBE Insurance Company in Port Vila as a credit controller.
Martinez treasured model in life is her father. She said he worked hard to see his children succeed.
Martinez is studying for a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in accounting at the University of the South Pacific in Port Vila.
She tutors children, plays the ukelele and does the tamure (traditional island dance).
Martinez represented Vanuatu in the Miss Asia Pacific World in South Korea in October.
She aims to show other women that being a woman is God’s gift.
Miss Papua New Guinea Christine Aiwa is originally from Chimbu and Morobe parentage.
She turns 24 this Christmas and works at South Pacific Post as a office manager.
She is currently on a break from tertiary studies to pursue interests in sales and marketing.
She also hopes to complete her degree in political science at the University of Papua New Guinea.
Aiwa’s interests include reading, travelling, photography and learning different cultures.
She said the pageant show was a platform to empower women in Pacific countries.
“It is an event set as an avenue for us, the contestants, to exchange cultural values while making friends with each another.
“I’m obviously looking forward to the contest. I’m proud and honoured to represent my country,” Aiwa said.
She believed that representing PNG in the Miss South Pacific Pageant was an honour and she was looking forward to meeting the other contestants.
The Solomons Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga launched the event.