The 2023 Digicel Miss Samoa pre-pageant program has officially commenced with Onomea Productions formally welcoming the contestants to introduce themselves to the country. 

Monday marked the start of the pre-pageant week for the 10 contestants, who took to the podium to introduce themselves and their sponsors at the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) Fale in Apia with the actual pageant program to start on Sunday this week. 

The Onomea Production Chairwoman, Leituala Toelupe Tago said the journey of the Miss Samoa Pageant this week will prepare the contestants for what is to come in the competition.

"This is really an opportunity to take the girls through a program that will help prepare them for the actual pageant in terms of building their confidence, networking with each other and learning from the process," said Ms. Tago. "They are in a position to be better prepared as they engage in the pageant at the end of the two weeks."

According to the Chairwoman, the 10 contestants will have access to mentorship sessions and site visits and will also be hosted by a number of professional organisations. This will give them an opportunity to learn, discover and build confidence before engaging and competing on Saturday 9 September 2023. 

The large number of local contestants in the pageant also didn't go unnoticed with Ms. Tago acknowledging the spike in interest locally and describing it as a "great development".

"We are very happy and grateful that this year we've generated interest from our local girls to compete in the pageant because, in the last couple of years, we haven't seen many local girls take interest in the platform and want to compete. 

"This year, just seeing the level of interest and confidence in our local girls wanting to be a part of the competition is a great development. Having an opportunity to compete together from overseas and diaspora communities is a wonderful opportunity for all of them where they can learn from each other."

Ms. Tago added that the key guiding principles for Onomea Production's preparations – as they plan to set sail for the 2023 Miss Samoa Pageant – is premised on the Samoa metaphorical reference, "E leo le Fale, ao le Anofale". She said it emphasises the importance of the selected 10 young women's journey to understanding and appreciating their cultural heritage, identity and who they are as Samoans.

The application of Samoan cultural values is also embedded in all that they do as Tamaitai Samoa and as Samoans in general, she added.

The launch of the pre-pageant program on Monday also acknowledged the importance of the Anofale and the significance of the concept in preparing young women to take on their calling as "an ambassador for Samoa" over the next 12 months from the crowning night on Saturday 9 September 2023.