FOR 23-year-old University of the South Pacific student Salanieta Qalo, competing in this year’s Hibiscus Festival is more than just a pageant — it is a chance to give voice to an issue she has lived through herself.
The Naivucini lass from Naitasiri is one of the 10 women vying for the crown in the 69th Hibiscus Festival beauty pageant, which begins today.
“This is a dream come true for me,” Ms Qalo told The Fiji Times.
“The festival gives me the platform to speak on women’s health, an issue that is very close to my heart.”
Her advocacy comes from personal experience. For more than three years, she battled sharp abdominal pains that went undiagnosed despite repeated hospital visits. In 2023, doctors finally discovered she had an ovarian cyst that required surgery.
“If I had known earlier, it could have been prevented. Instead, I had to go through surgery and now live with a scar — but that scar tells a story.”
Her message to young women is simple: do not ignore the signs.
“Too many women are afraid to talk about reproductive health for fear of stigma.
“I want to encourage them to seek medical advice, to get checked, and to know they are not alone.”
Ms Qalo is no stranger to the pageant stage. She previously competed in Miss Universe Fiji and the Miss Nausori pageant, collecting several awards, including best research topic, best traditional attire, best smile, and cultural ambassador.
Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics at USP, she admits her preparation for the pageant has been short, but she feels ready.
“I’ve been preparing myself every day, whether it’s through reading, listening to pageant podcasts, or practising question and answer sessions.
“I feel confident.”
