The annual Miss Madang Pageant, a prestigious fashion event in Madang is set to commence this year on the 24th July at the Madang Resort’s Haus Win Restaurant as was confirmed by Maureen Hill, a pioneer charity supporter and Philanthropists in PNG and Madang. Describing it as the Social Event of the year, Hill said the annual pageant will be introducing a male category which will now be called the ‘Mr & Miss Madang Pageant’ 2021. “We will be having the pageant again this year and we are happy to announce a new title to this event”, said Hill. Madang Rotary Club’s President Steven Kaipa said the pageant welcomes 5 male contestants and 5 female contestants, between the ages of 18 to 25 to enter. “The pageant will commence on the 23rd July with a traditional category where contestants will be dressed in their traditional attire, which they will be judged on,” added Steven. The annual Madang Charity event has raised funds towards various Health and Education projects, previously raising funds towards the Blood Bank at Madang’s Modilon General Hospital. “This year, we would like to raise funds towards purchasing equipment’s for Madang Province’s Community health centers”, said Steven. The Madang Rotary club has requested for sponsors, who would like to sponsor a contestant for the pageant. “It is a request for business houses, organizations, institutions, women’s groups, sports groups and individuals to either sponsor a contestant, purchasing a table or donating towards prizes and raffles,” said Steven. The pageant’s committee has chosen the Madang Resort’s Haus Win restaurant as a suitable venue to host a large gathering whilst adhering to the COVID-19 protocols. Managing Director of the Melanesian Tourist Services Ltd, a patron of the Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, former politician and long-time member of various charity organization in Madang and Papua New Guinea, Sir Peter Barter described the event as a necessary cause to bring people together. “During this tough COVID-19 pandemic that we are all going through, many people have lost their sense of being a part of a community and events such as this allows people to come together whilst adhering to the COVID protocols”, said Sir Peter. Assistant General Manager of the Madang Resort, Vince Barubia said that there will be ample spacing between the tables and every person attending the dinner should have a face mask with hand sanitizers throughout the restaurants. “We successfully had the Miss Madang Pageant last year and we were privileged enough to have our Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare attend as our guest of honor”, said Barubia. He concluded that the pageant last year was a success following the COVID-19 protocols and we will be practicing that again this year.