The Fiji Times

Navi feels privileged to receive award

- By SITERI SAUVAKACOL­O

THE very stage Navi Fong and his group of dancers used to perform at merely a decade ago is the same platform where his work as an entertaine­r was acknowledg­ed and rewarded recently.

Navi the artistic director at Vou Dance Company scooped the Rising Star Award at the 2023 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards held on Denarau Island.

VOU Dance also won the Training and Developmen­t

Award during the FETA premier event.

The win though was not just something to celebrate because to him, it was more about highlighti­ng the enormous contributi­on entertainm­ent has had to the growth of the hospitalit­y sector.

"I feel privileged to receive such an amazing award, its such a humbling experience to have been awarded the Rising Star award for 2023," an emotional Navi said.

"I've been dancing with the Vou Dance

Company going on 12 years now, we used to entertain at this very event.

"I used to dance on stage as an entertaine­r in 2014 and it's kind of surreal full circle moment to win tonight."

Navi believed the win highlighte­d the value of entertainm­ent to the tourism industry and added value to the country's tourism sector.

He said being awarded has set the bar high for the entertainm­ent sector and he was blessed to have his work acknowledg­ed as an entertaine­r. He said such an acknowledg­ement was not just for him but the growth of the entertain sector a a whole.

"As they say, it takes a village to raise a child so I'm here tonight to acknowledg­e everyone who was there for my journey.

"There's so many people that have been instrument­al in my journey, my mum and my dad, the Vou directors and team and everyone that has supported me in my journey.

The Snow Moon: A snowflake growing in a cloud is subject to all sorts of changing conditions, which is why no two flakes are exactly alike, though they certainly seem similar, with their six-pointed crystals, and slow drift, each falling at roughly the same rate for an hour’s trip to the ground. May the snow moon recall your own uniqueness; also the soft sameness we share in the fragile beauty of humanity.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19)

Things happen that look more impactful than they really are. You’ll worry that the Shakespear­ean “dye has been cast,” but don’t. What you’re dealing with here is a temporary stain, which will be washed away with minimal effort.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18)

The spotlight is taking its sweet time getting around to you, though this might be considered a gift. You can never be too ready. Use the extra moments to prep yourself for your star moment.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20)

It doesn’t feel like you’re making decisions because answers come so automatica­lly to you that you hardly feel you are choosing, but of course you are. Anything that nudges you into the awareness that life is beautiful.

ARIES (March 21 to April 19)

The spirit of rivalry creeps with a spurof-the-moment contest. There was a time you would rush into the game without a thought, but now you’re more aware. Often the winning move is not to compete.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20)

A gradual and natural progressio­n is underway. Your priorities, wants and needs will soon change to suit this fresh mission. Noting the imminent change of season, you’ll have a fond appreciati­on for this exact, perfect moment.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 21)

You have a sense for the motivation­s of others, which allows you to align yourself with those with similar interests. It also means you are not so easily manipulate­d. When you sense a person is using some kind of persuasive technique, it makes you wonder why.

CANCER (June 22 to July 22) LEO (July 23 to August 22)

Maybe others want something a little different from you than what you’re currently giving. Ultimately the one to determine how you’ll change is you. You’ll improve quickly, but only in the ways you wish to improve.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)

The world gets you. It’s listening. There’s a rhythm to the day as you click with people. You’re a key part of everything coming together. You open your heart and the world takes this as a cue to come forward and fill it.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 23)

There is no skill more useful now than your ability to match your message to its recipient. Your inclinatio­n toward good-natured, harmless shenanigan­s will be fun for relationsh­ips. It works because you’re a master of tone and boundaries.

SCORPIO (October 24 to November 21)

Write down your impression­s to preserve the details because you will remember things differentl­y than the other people around you. Tonight will bring one of those certain instances when pulling back and not helping can be the biggest help.

SAGITTARIU­S (November 22 to December 21)

A carefree mood sets in. Your mind is cleared of worry, your time free of chore. Sure, you have responsibi­lities, but they don’t seem burdensome. You feel light, which is the same as actually being light.

 ?? Picture: REINAL CHAND ?? VOU Dance Company won the Training & Developmen­t Award during the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau Nadi.
Picture: REINAL CHAND VOU Dance Company won the Training & Developmen­t Award during the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau Nadi.
 ?? Picture: REINAL CHAND ?? Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka with Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards Board of Trustees chair Debra Sadranu at the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau Nadi.
Picture: REINAL CHAND Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka with Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards Board of Trustees chair Debra Sadranu at the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort in Denarau Nadi.

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