By Philip Cass
Tonga’s tourist authorities will wipe the former Miss Heilala, Kalo Funganitao, from the records in retaliation for her speech at this year’s crowning ceremony.
The committee’s decision comes a day after the Heilala Festival Committee and the Tonga Tourist Association issued a statement acknowledging Funganitao’s work in promoting Tonga during the past year.
Funganitao spoke out during the crowning ceremony about how she had been bullied since being crowned and what she said was the lack of support over the issue.
READ MORE: Anger as Tongan beauty queen’s bullying claim speech disrupted
As Kaniva News reported earlier this week, the committee said they did not condone any form of bullying.
The Tonga Tourist Association Executive Committee said yesterday Funganitao had not fulfilled the requirements of her position and all records of her reign would be removed.
“It is regrettable that as an ambassador of Tonga Miss Funganitao has not fulfilled her duties and obligations,” the committee said in a statement.
“She failed to properly hand over her reign to the newly chosen Miss Heilala 2019-2020. “
The committee said Miss Funganitao voluntarily gave up her crown and sash when she placed them on the podium and walked off the stage during the final night of the competition.
She did not crown her successor on the night
“Due to the removal of Miss Funganitao as Miss Heilala 2018 – 2019 the committee has concluded that Miss Lupe Vete who was the first runner up of the Miss Heilala Pageant 2018 – 2019 competition be recognised as the Miss Heilala for 2018 – 2019 and all future records will reflect this.”
End pageants
Funganitao’s speech and the furore following it has become a global story, with The Guardian newspaper reporting yesterday:“Tonga is in uproar after its annual beauty pageant was marred by accusations of bullying, backstabbing and racism, prompting calls by women’s rights leaders for the pageant industry to be abandoned altogether.”
Co-ordinator of Tonga’ Ma’a Fafine Moe Famili, Betty Blake, told Radio New Zealand the event should be reviewed.
She said it highlighted a wider issue with people in power trying to cope with young women.
“There’s a power struggle and there’s a cry from this young woman to be heard. I think beauty pageants have had their day.”
Philip Cass is an editorial adviser for Kaniva Tonga and a research associate of the Pacific Media Centre.
I feel this young lady’s speech and cry shouldn’t be ignored but look into it and re evaluate the Miss Heilala program itself. We cannot just ignore a problem sweep it under the fala and forget about it. This young ladies that compete are young, scared, and afraid because they come and compete but already train what to say, how to act, walk, etc, they are not themselves. So they are afraid to speak out of how they feel and such. As of now everyone is heated with different emotions and of course decisions will be made with anger. The world is watching on how we handle problems in our homeland. I know for a fact many supporters will re think there participating in this great event. just my thoughts hope I don’t get put down and sweep under the fala.. ofa atu. Fatafehi O Lapaha.
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