One of Samoa’s most iconic shows is about to be bigger and better this year.

The Miss Health Fa’afafine beauty pageant which every year provides Samoa with a night of entertainment, laughter and fun is set for this Friday.

While hard at work to make sure that this year’s show will be unforgettable, the pageant committee says guests will be treated to talents, entertainment, fashion and humor unique only to the fa’afafines of Samoa.

With this year’s theme, ‘Eating the Colors of the Rainbow’, the pageant is aiming to promote healthy eating and living.

Adding some extra pizzazz to the lineup of local fa’afafine, will be the involvement of international competitors, said the president of the Samoa Fa’afafine Association, So’oalo Roger Stanley.

“We will be lifting the level of the pageant,” he told the Samoa Observer.

“There will be contestants from Australia and New Zealand, all of whom are of Samoan descent. 

“We will also be allowing any fa’afafine to take part regardless of their situation.Even if they have had Sex Reassignment surgery, they will be allowed to take part as long as they identify themselves as a fa’afafine.”

And for the pageant itself, So’oalo is promising their guests a good night full of laughter and fun.

“The pageant night will be bigger because of the increase the number of contestants as well as an increase in the entertainment.

“It’s always a fantastic night but this year, we want to exceed everyone’s expectations.

“What makes this pageant unique to Samoa is that we get people to laugh from the start till the finish of the show and as you know, laughter is the best medicine for anything.”

All the proceeds from the show will be going towards charity programmes such as Mapuifagalele as well developing their Association.

“What makes this year special is that we will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary of both our association and with our Prime Minister being our patron,” he said.

The pageant began their one-week programme leading up to Friday with a Mass on Sunday.

Today they will be meeting with M.O.H. for a press conference, and will be involved in a series of public appearances with the reigning Miss Fa’afafine, 2015.

So’oalo also expressed gratitude to this year’s sponsors.

“We would like to thank M.O.H. for assisting us with health-related activities for the whole of the week including the Pageant,” he said. “We would also like to thank TV1 and Samoa Stationary and Books.

“We hope to see everyone on Friday for an exciting show.”

The pageant will begin at 7:30pm, Gym 1 Tuanaimato Sports Complex on Friday 02 Sept; the entrance fee is $20.