Miss Samoa Sonia Piva has begun preparations for the 2018 Miss Pacific Islands Pageant which is scheduled for November 23 in Tonga. 

The reigning Miss Samoa leaves Samoa for Tonga three days before the regional pageant, which will see her coming up against peers from throughout the Pacific. 

Sonia said the pageant will be held over three days and each day will feature a different category for the contestants.

“We have the pre-pageant interviews which start it off, and there will be categories of sarong, stage interview, talent and the traditional wear.

“It is quite exciting and a great first time experience which I am looking forward for in Tonga as I have not been there before,” said.

Sonia said her preparations are going well and it will get busier for her closer to the event.

“But it’s what comes with the pageant and definitely what we signed up for so we are just hanging in there, it will be all worth it in the end.

“The only challenges I face are just trying to get over the nerves. And then a matter of getting mentally ready as well as physically ready which is the biggest challenge I have at the moment but it’s coming along well.

“The sponsors, the committee, my family and everyone have been always behind me and I feel so much support and really blessed to have everyone with me throughout my journey,” she added. 

The 21-year-old from the villages of Fagalii and Salelesi said “there will always be nerves” as she is carrying the weight of the whole country into the regional competition.  

“I know that they are supporting me which is why there is absolutely nothing that I cannot do at the moment. They are the reason why I push myself to be the best person I can be in representing Samoa.

“We had a lot of practices with the music we are going to use for the talent, a lot of dancing and a lot of people are helping me with my dancing routine.

“And then there are so many fittings for our costumes and what we are going to wear for the sarong and different categories,” she said. 

But the favourite part of her preparations to the regional pageant is representing Samoa in front of many people. 

“I believe that the essence of a Tamaitai Samoa (Samoan lady) is someone who can carry themselves gracefully, definitely a good role model and also someone committed in helping the people of our community.

“Samoa’s culture and its people make us unique from the rest of the world. Our culture is our identity which identifies and distinguishes us from other people; it is with this distinctive culture that I am so proud to represent to the rest of the world especially the pacific,” she added.