Miss American Samoa Lorisa Mata’utia is doing well representing the territory in the Miss South Pacific Pageant that officially opened late last week in Suva, Fiji, the host country, said Virginia Samuelu, a member of the Pageant’s board of directors, representing American Samoa.

The official pageant night is Nov. 28 in Suva, which is Friday night in Pago Pago and the regional pageantry will be carried live on PCS-TV Ch: 11 for three hours.

Mata’utia, 22, is among 12 contestants from the region vying for the title. The official opening, which included a parade, was held Saturday (Friday local time).

“Miss American Samoa is representing the territory very well in Fiji,” said Samuelu in an e-mail message from Suva, responding to Samoa News inquires.

On Monday (Sunday local time), the contestants visited the South Pacific Village at Albert Park, also the venue for the Miss South Pacific Pageant competition, said Samuelu.

The pageant board member for American Samoa said the venue is an outside one that hosts sports activities, and whilst, she is rather concerned with the “openness” in regard to acoustic and sound system problems, she is sure the organizing committee has considered this.

At the South Pacific Village, Mata’utia, as well as all the Contestants, provided for Fiji TV One, a short performance of their traditional dance, Samuelu said.

“Ms. Matautia did American Samoa honors in performing the Taualuga, showing her traditional malu; Miss Samoa, as well as a Samoan gentleman with traditional pe’a, all aiaiuli during the showcasing of Ms. Matautia’s performance,” she explained.

“On behalf of the American Samoa’s delegation, we would like to extend our gratitude to the Fiji Organizing Committee for their hospitality thus far and the Contestants are thoroughly enjoying sharing each other’s Culture and making good friendship amongst each other,” Samuelu said.

She wants to personally than Rev. and Mrs. Isaako Matautia for their patience in following Miss American Samoa in all the activities. Samuelu also recognized Monty Tupuola— president of the Miss American Samoa Inc.— for his superb dedication in preparing Miss American Samoa daily in their very busy schedule of activities since last week until now.

In the afternoon of pageant day, is a float procession through Suva followed by the awarding of special awards: Miss Personality, Miss National Tourism, Miss Photogenic, Miss Internet, and Miss People’s choice.

Television broadcast rights for the pageant is assigned to Fiji Television Limited and it’s broadcasting live to 15 countries and territories in the region.

Bill Hyman, owner and operator of PCS-TV Ch: 11, told Samoa News yesterday that PCS-TV will carry live the pageant night starting at 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday— local time.

Hyman said PCS-TV is also able to provide live coverage of other ongoing events of the week-long pageant but is unable to air those events due to the lack of a sponsor.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the week long events can contact Bill Hyman at 699-6853 and cell phone 252-7288

Yesterday evening the Miss South Pacific Board of Directors was scheduled to hold their meeting, in which the board member from Papua New Guinea will officially present their bid to host the Miss South Pacific Pageant in November 2010.

Solomon Islands is also to provide their intention of hosting the Pageant for the year 2011.