A father from Solosolo has been crowned Samoa’s Father of Year on TV1’s popular ‘Father of the Year’ programme.

Peni Fa’autauta walked away from yesterday’s prizegiving the happiest of all the fathers who received consolation prizes after the four week contest. Thirty-three fathers started the elimination rounds. In the end, Mr. Faautauta was up against four other contestants, Pala Fuimaono, Toetu Lavea and Tupa’i Amani Tolo in the final.

Chief Executive Officer of TV1, Galumalemana Faiesea Matafeo, congratulated the winner as well as all fathers  who put their hands up.

 “I want to congratulate all the fathers who participated in this year’s Tama O le Tausaga programme,” she said.

“Special thanks to the mothers as well for giving the fathers the chance to participate and for having the patience for them to come here every day for the programme.”

Host, Sioeli Taule’ale’ausumai Alofaifo, said the four finalists were given three tasks. The first was to fry a round pancake, second was to draw a portrait of their wives and they had to learn the sula toga, a ritual usually performed by women.

Mr. Fa’autuatua proved far too good for his rivals. He received $2,000 cash prize, a gas stove from Origin Energy, wheel barrel from St. Therese, a dining table for four, Kambrook Toaster, Rice Cooker, food hamper, Havaiiana jandals and a wrist watch worth $250 tala from SSAB.

The other three finalists received $1,000 cash prize each with special prizes.

“I never expected this and this is the best father’s day gift I could ever receive,” said Mr. Fa’autuatua.

 “It was a tough competition but it gave me and the other fathers the opportunity to get to know one another, it drew us closer and we managed to create friendships because of this programme.”

Mr. Faautauta is married with six children.