Road to Pageant finale leads to S.S.A.B. and McDonald’s

By Aruna Lolani 07 September 2017, 12:00AM

The nine contestants of the McDonald’s Miss Samoa Pageant 2017 are counting down to the big moment when the winner will be announced on Saturday night.

Yesterday as part of the pre-pageant programme, the contestants visited the Samoa Stationery and Books (S.S.A.B.) as well as McDonald’s Family Restaurant, who are key sponsors of the Pageant.

At S.S.A.B’s Megastore, Togafuafua, the contestants were welcomed by the President of the S.S.A.B. Group, Fiti Leung Wai. She encouraged the contestants and wished them all the best.  

“I am a lawyer by profession but have opted to become a businesswoman,” said Mrs. Leung Wai. “I juggle life as a mother and running a business which employs 150 people in three countries.”

“My major project at the moment is establishing a bed factory in Samoa to try and employ some of our people who used to work for Yazaki. Why am I sharing this with you? I am sharing this with you as I want you to know that we girls can do anything when we have God with us.”

“There is a popular Samoa Proverb. ‘E au le inailau a tamaitai.’ This Samoan saying originated from the village of Falealupo. Literally, the proverb means ‘The women’s row of thatch was completed’ but metaphorically, the proverb reflects the strength of the tamaitai Samoa whose legacy is that of total achievement. O tatou o teine Samoa, e fai mea mafai ma fai mea maeaea.” (Read Mrs. Leung Wai’s speech) 

The second stop for the contestants was McDonald’s Family Restaurant where the girls were welcomed by the Acting General Manager, Herbert Tautolo.

“It’s definitely an exciting time for us,” he said. We’re honored to be able to be named as the main sponsor for the Miss Samoa Pageant.”

“Not only all of them are beautiful but they are well educated which is an important message we stand behind.”

Herbert said the Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Charlie Tautolo strongly believes in giving back to the community. 

“So you know any chance that he has to give back; he will and this is just another example of that.”

The pageant’s finale will be on Saturday night at Gym 1, Tuana’imato.

By Aruna Lolani 07 September 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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