Legacy of love: Son of AGGS alumni reflects on mum’s Polyfest journey

The 50th celebration of the ASB Polyfest has sparked memories among alumni, including Sāmoan personality Joe Fa’agase, who discovered footage of his late mother, Faapale Salani Fa’agase, performing with the Auckland Girls’ Grammar School (AGGS) Sāmoan group in 1989.

Watching the video brought back strong emotions for Joe, highlighting his family’s deep cultural ties and sense of loss since his mother’s passing.

Joe, who grew up in Australia with few Pacific Islander peers, recalls how his mother vividly shared her experiences of Polyfest, making him appreciate its significance.

AGGS has a rich history at Polyfest, with many successes, and this year’s celebration will feature a performance by proud AGGS alumni.

Joe, affectionately known as the ‘mayor of Logan City’ by his fans in Brisbane, Australia, remembers his mother’s pride in being an AGGS old girl, evident as he cherishes her school uniform and tie.

Polyfest50 is drawing attention online, and videos of past performances are resurfacing.

“I've only just seen this footage and even though it's low quality, I was immediately able to pick out my mum,’’ he says.

“I got instant goosebumps watching her step onto the stage so many emotions came rushing in.”

The Fa’agase family is a close-knit unit with strong roots in their culture and traditions.

1989 Auckland Grammar Girls School Sāmoan group. PhotoSupplied.

Watching the video profoundly affected Joe, as it allowed him to connect with his heritage through his mother and offered a glimpse into her experience at Polyfest.

“Her performing at Polyfest is an experience my brothers and I never had the chance to share since we grew up in Australia,” he says.

“It's incredibly bittersweet, especially now that she's passed away. Seeing her there, even in a grainy video, makes me feel closer to her again.’’

Fa'agase Family portrait. PhotoSupplied.

For many young Pacific Island high schoolers, including Joe and his siblings in Australia, Polyfest is a foreign concept. He recalls the stories his mother shared about her experiences and their lasting impact on him.

‘’I remember my mum telling me about Polyfest when I was little, and it was so hard for me to understand how there could be enough islanders to put something of that scale together,” he says.

“The school my mum sent us to here in Australia had almost no Pacific Islanders, so it felt so distant to me.

‘’But I’ll never forget how her face would light up when she’d explain to us what Polyfest was. It was like she was sharing a piece of her heart and culture with us.”

Faapale Salani Fa’agase performing, second from the left, third row. PhotoSupplied.

Keen to learn more about this important piece of history, Joe explored past performances and reached out to relatives.

A family member mentioned that the ‘89 Maulu’ulu song was used for auditions all the way up to when they graduated high school 13 years ago.

AGGS has a notable history on the Sāmoan stage, having achieved 31 wins and 43 top-three placements, and they are the current titleholders of 2024.

The rich history is evident in this year’s celebrations, with Auckland Girls’ Grammar School (AGGS) or Teine o le Kalama set to feature proud OGs in a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

Joe remembers his mother beaming with pride when she would talk about being an ‘old girl from AGGS’.

“I remember that she used to tell my brothers and I that it was like a huge honour to be able to perform for your school,” he says.

“She was so proud to be an old girl from AGGS’ that I still have her school tie and uniform.”