SOLOMON Host – the host of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) 2025 – is yet to secure a platinum sponsor for the prestigious regional event scheduled for February 1 to 8 in Honiara.
Owner of Solomon Host and Director of the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant, Joyce Konofilia revealed this Friday at a press conference.
Solomon Host holds the hosting right for the Miss Solomon Islands Pageant and the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2025.
“We haven’t got a platinum sponsor yet,” she said, adding that most of the secured sponsors so far are bronze sponsors.
Ms Konofilia said sponsors have been secured for the Overall Winner award, the First Runner-Up Award and the Second Runner-Up Award.
She said the Overall Winner Award worth USD5000 will be sponsored by Coral Sea Casino, the First Runner-Up Award by the Coral Sea Resort and the Second Runner-UP Award by the Honiara Pokies Club.
“So, these three top prizes are sponsored by Coral Sea Resort. They have different branches.”
Ms Konofilia explained that the normal prize set by the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Secretariat for the Overall Award is USD3,000, but Solomon Host raised it to USD5000 based on the amount offered by the sponsor, adding that Nauru also had it at USD5000.
Nauru hosted the MPIP 2024.
She said the Solomon Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) will be sponsoring the Best Talent Category, the Bank South Pacific (BSP) will be sponsoring the Best Interview Award, Tourism Solomons will be sponsoring the Tourism Award and Print Wise will be sponsoring the Photogenic Award.
She said Satsol is considering sponsoring the Traditionally Inspired Wear Award.
As for all other awards, Ms Konofilia said, Solomon Host is still to secure sponsorship for them and thus any business or individual out there wanting to participate in this event by way of sponsorship is most welcomed.
Other Miss Pacific Islands Pageant award categories are the Best Pre-Pageant Interview, Best Introduction, Best Sarong, Best Talent, Best Float Award and Best Stage Interview.
Ms Konofilia said some companies provide assistance through kind, such as the Solomon Motors Limited which has been giving vehicles for use by the organising committee (Solomon Host) to prepare for the event and for transporting Miss Solomon Islands.
She said Solomon Motors Limited will continue its assistance in-kind.
By IAN LADDS OSO
Solomon Star, Honiara
