Savai’i takes centre stage in Pacific Pageant

By Sarafina Sanerivi In Savai’i 30 November 2016, 12:00AM

We often hear people say that if you are visiting Samoa for the first time, you haven’t been to Samoa if you have not been to Savai’i. 

With that in mind, the eight contestants vying for the Miss Pacific Island Pageant Crown this year will return to their respective homes at the end of the week knowing that they have definitely been in Samoa.

This is because they spent two days on the big Island of Savai’i, lapping up the wonderful hospitality as well as the island heat. For the organisers of the Pageant, this was the first time they’ve taken the contestants to the big island of Savai’i. 

The trip was organised by the organising committee of the pageant in Samoa in collaboration with the Savaii Samoa Tourism Authority. 

The contestants were warmly welcomed in a true Samoan way starting from their arrival. 

The students from the Don Bosco College at Salelologa waited the arrival of the contestants at the wharf. 

Then the contestants were welcomed by the whole school with special performances from the school. 

They were also given the opportunity to introduce themselves and dance in front of the whole school. 

The reigning Miss Pacific Islands, Abigail Havora, spoke on behalf of the contestants to thank Samoa for the welcome they had received.

“We were touched and emotional seeing how you welcomed us, and for that we thank you,” said Ms. Havora.

“Everything was just wonderful and it is something we will take back with us to our home lands. Seeing the performance today was just something amazing, I took a video of it and I will take it back to my country and show to the schools there and tell them that they need to up their game."

“But thank you once again for everything.”

The girls were then welcomed in a traditional way by the matai’s of the village of Faletagaloa Safune. 

An Ava ceremony was held to welcome the girls. The girls started their rehearsals yesterday and a corporate dinner was held last night at the Amoa Resort for the lovely contestants. 

Yesterday, they had rehearsals before they headed down to the waterfall at Palauli to cool down.

They are back in Apia today for the final formalities ahead of the big day on Friday.

By Sarafina Sanerivi In Savai’i 30 November 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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