A Fighter and conqueror right through to the end. That is the newly crowned Miss Pacific Islands 2026, 19-year-old Ailava Samuels.
Winning the title after a nine-year drought and representing Fiji was not an easy feat for Ms Samuels, who many of us know had faced cyberbullying in the lead-up to the 37th Miss Pacific Islands Pageant staged at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Nadi.
And despite being written off by some critics, the young contestant graced the week-long regional pageant with humility, strength and respect for her Pacific sisters.
She rose above the criticisms and acknowledged the Lord Almighty for being the source of her victory.
“I must say I feel so blessed,” Ms Samuels said.
“This journey was not an easy one and it has not been an enjoyable one.
“But I must say I’m grateful for all the support I have had from all my family, friends and my beautiful sash sisters (contestants) and their teams.
“And I will give back all the honour and glory back to the Man above for bringing me this far, strengthening me and for reminding me that he knows what he is doing in my life, and all I have to do is trust in him.”
The former St Joseph’s Secondary School student said she did not expect to win the Miss Pacific Islands 2026 and Best Interview 2026.
“I had a bible verse that I held dear to my heart, and I still do which is Jeremiah 29:11, and God alone knows the plans he has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me.
“And that reminded me that everything happens for a reason and it is for the good of me. It might come in active ways, but what I must do from there is to try and see the positives because at the end of every tunnel is light.”
Ms Samuels had a strong support system including the Reverend James Bhagwan who prayed over her as she participated in the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant 2026.
Her story is one that will be remembered in the history books of Fiji’s Pageantry, a phenomenal display of God’s strength in her life.
