The reigning Miss Global 2022 Shane Tormes is ecstatic to finally be in Samoa and hopes to inspire young Samoan women to use the international beauty pageant as a way to promote Samoa, its cultural values and beliefs. 

Ms. Tormes , who arrived in the country on Tuesday evening, is accompanied by the Head of Public Relations (P.R.) for the Miss Global organisation and the content creator from the international organisation. 

She is the first international beauty queen to visit Samoa and is hosted by one of the biggest telecommunications companies in the country, Vodafone Samoa. 

There was a traditional ava ceremony at the Vodafone Samoa Headquarters at Maluafou on Wednesday morning to officially welcome Ms. Tormes and her delegation to Samoa. 

Ms. Tormes was crowned Miss Global 2022 on 11 June 2022 in Bali, Indonesia, she said it was "unbelievable" that she is finally in Samoa. 

"Who would have believed that I would be flying to Samoa during my reign," she said. 

"It's unbelievable that I am here. I am a tourism graduate and I only knew little about this place when studying geography and I did not think that I would be here."

Ms. Tormes said she feels at home being in Samoa because it reminds her of the province in the Philippines. 

While in Samoa, she is hoping to meet with Government leaders so she can share with them the significance of having a representative from Samoa to participate in the Miss Global pageant. 

"We are not just about sending queens and beautiful girls to compete," she added. "When we enter the pageant, we represent where we come from and the beautiful culture that we have. 

"It's a great way to promote your country and can be utilised as one of the avenues to put your country out there on the international arena."

Ms. Tormes said she is hoping to visit a few tourist attractions in Samoa and share her journey with the rest of the world. 

"Samoa feels like a home away from home. I was surprised that it's very much like the Philippines. 

"You guys are so blessed to have this kind of environment. I am so lucky to wake up in this kind of scenery you have in Samoa. 

"I am looking forward to visiting a few of your tourist attractions and taking photos so that when I go back, I will be looking back at these memories and maybe encourage myself to return to Samoa. 

"I will also share my journey with all of my followers, and already, a lot of them have messaged me saying they want to come to Samoa."

Ms. Tormes said she will be excited to go back to the Philippines knowing that a Samoan girl will be participating in this year's Miss Global in Vietnam at the end of the year. 

Vodafone Samoa hosted a welcoming dinner for Ms. Tormes and her delegation at the Tanoa Hotel on Wednesday evening and was attended by the Filipino community in Samoa.