Deputy P.M. Tuala crowns Miss Global Samoa

By Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi • 26 September 2023, 3:22PM

The first-ever Samoan tama'ita'i to participate in the Miss Global international pageant was officially crowned on Tuesday morning by the Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio.

The crowning ceremony was held at the telecommunication company Vodafone Samoa's headquarters in Maluafou as the former Miss Samoa, Haylani Pearl Kuruppu prepares for the pageant in Vietnam later this year.

Tuala, who is also the Acting Prime Minister, spoke on behalf of the Samoa Government of Samoa and wished Ms. Kuruppu all the best with her preparations.

"The Miss Global organization has been instrumental in creating a global platform that not only unites diverse women from all walks of life but also creates a platform that can make a positive impact in making a difference in the world," said the Acting Prime Minister.

"Miss Global empowers women and gives them a voice to make a difference. It's about embracing cultures, accepting our differences, celebrating our diversity and understanding what makes a woman special and unique.

"Earlier this month, we witnessed the magnificent Miss Samoa contest and showcase of the inherent beauty of a Samoan woman. This is our national contest where the criteria are set around what it is to be a Samoan beauty and what constitutes the essence of being a Samoa woman.

"The emphasis is on the depth of the role and the values of a Samoan woman. It includes talent, intelligence, creative fashion and demonstration of the Samoan culture.

"Miss Global is an international beauty pageant. It is another platform that focuses on the outer destination and in other regions of the world where our Samoan women can also participate and showcase the beauty of Samoan women to new captive audiences.

"Although the platforms are different, they both promote the empowerment of our women and awareness of global issues, such as environmental protection, cultural diversity, and women in leadership."

Tuala then articulated that sending a contestant from Samoa to participate in the international beauty contest is an opportunity to "promote Samoa as a destination to potential markets."

He then acknowledged Vodafone Samoa for the initiative and for giving Haylani Pearl Kuruppu, former Miss Samoa 2022 the opportunity to compete in Vietnam this November with 75 other women from countries around the world.

"The visit of the reigning Miss Global Shane Tormes a few weeks back was seen as a step towards giving our Samoan women that opportunity.

"I have been told the Miss Global Organization is keen on Hosting the 2024 Global Pageant in Samoa. Vodafone and its partners are currently doing a feasibility study to determine if this can be done given the high cost of hosting an international event like Miss Global.

"The Miss Global Pageant will attract millions of viewers and followers from various countries. This provides an excellent platform to introduce Samoa's unique attractions and tourist destinations to a diverse audience in 75-plus countries 1.3 million people around the world follow Miss Global Organization.

"We wish Haylani all the best for your crowning today as Miss Global Samoa and let's hope we can create history in Vietnam."

Last week, Vodafone Samoa announced that they have appointed Miss Samoa Melbourne 2022 and Miss Samoa 2022-2023 as the Samoan candidate for the Miss Samoa Global 2023 pageant.

Ms. Kuruppu in an exclusive interview with this newspaper said she was reluctant at first as she was preparing for the Pacific Games.

However, with a heart and passion to serve her people and community, Miss Kuruppu said she is excited and proud" to be representing her country on the world stage.

"We will be taking 685 to the actual world now. It is so surreal because I really thought I was done with pageantry after I relinquished the Miss Samoa crown.

"I was preparing to represent Samoa in the Pacific Games because that was my next step. But then when I was given this opportunity by Vodafone to represent Samoa on the world stage, I just can't deny the grand opportunity."

She also admitted that the reigning Miss Global's visit to Samoa two weeks ago encouraged her to participate and take up the opportunity.

"She was very encouraging and she told me about the amount of service that she has been able to do and the amount of travel, the lovely people she has met during her reign, the experience she has gained and how being Miss Global changed her life.

"So I thought hard about this and it's something that you cannot deny. When you get opportunities, you take it up and make the most of it.

"I'm proud to take Samoa to the world stage, the world needs to hear about the best island in the world in the heart of the Pacific. For me, it really comes down to being an example for the future.

"I'm so excited to do this because it's the first of many to come for the young girls in Samoa. Taking up this opportunity will prove that we are able to go beyond and represent our culture and heritage to the world. It's an encouragement for the young tama'ita'i Samoa living here and abroad.

"For many years, pageantry in Samoa stops at the Pacific stage. It never gets further. It's always the Cook Islands that go further, it's only the New Caledonia that goes further why can't Samoa go further?

"This opens doors for future girls and this is a great initiative from Vodafone Samoa for opening this opportunity for Samoan girls so we can show the world what Samoa is made of and to put our country's name on the map."

In terms of preparations, Ms. Kuruppu said Vodafone Samoa will be taking her to receive world-class training in Asia ahead of the pageant.

"I was on the fence about it because the biggest concern for me was that there was no one with the experience and knowledge of how to train me for this international pageant because Samoa has never gone to the world stage.

"However, Mr. Rana Bose of Vodafone Samoa said he is in contact with world-class coaches who have actually coached the Miss Universe and Miss World so he's actually got me to go to Asia to receive world-class training and that really helped with my confidence, that I will be in good hands. We're taking the 685 to the actual world now."