LONDON
Fay Fernandes was crowned the Miss Goa International 2026 during the grand finale of the first-ever event at London Heathrow on September 6.
Luanna Fernandes was declared the first runner-up, while Erika Martha D’Costa was awarded the second runner-up.
Originally from Assolna-Goa and presently in the UK, Fay Fernandes represented the Sash Title ‘Miss Quepem’ and was felicitated with a certificate by former UK minister and MP Keith Vaz, a sash by Holly Prentice, and crowned by Meurel Beverly Viegas.
Her pageant journey has already seen her reach the Top 10 in the Miss Great Britain London heats, where she also won the Miss Radiance Award earlier this year.
The first runner-up, Luanna Fernandes, who specially flew all the way from Goa, was felicitated with a certificate by Savio Terry, sash by Seazal Fernandes, and crowned by Holly Prentice. Luanna, a professional football player and professional model, had also represented Goa at Elite Model Look India and secured a place in the Top 8.
The second runner-up, Erika Martha D’Costa, who wore the Sash Title ‘Miss Salcete’, was felicitated with a certificate by Romail Gulzar, founder of Britt Punjabi, sash by Jaz Sidhu Wellbeing Partner – Phytoventra, and crowned by Seazal Fernandes. Erika is originally from Chinchinim and moved to the UK with her family at a very young age.
The grand finale was judged by celebrity judges, including former UK minister and Silver Star Diabetes Chairman Keith Vaz; British actress Holly Prentice; international title holder Meurel Viegas; lounge manager at Heathrow Airport Savio Terry; and cancer biologist and PhD research scholar Seazel Fernandes.
Each contestant had a sash based on each of the Talukas of Goa. Two of the finalists, Rachael DSouza and Leticia Colaço, could not attend the final due to unforeseen circumstances.
The event was directed by Milroy Goés in collaboration with the event company J&D Entertainment. The pageant was founded by film director and Emmy voting member in Hollywood Milroy Goes, film distributor Navayah Films, Councillor of Cranford Hounslow Vilber De Costa, Jason Diniz of J&D Entertainment, and Metroy Soares, event architect.
THE ROUNDS
The event had three rounds: the First Round, the Introduction Round, where each contestant was introduced by MC Madonna; the Second Round, the Talent Round, where each contestant performed their chosen talent; and the Final Round, the Question and Answer Round.
In the Talent Round, Erika Martha D’Costa performed a dance, Natania Dias performed a dance act, Trisha Mascarenhas performed a dance, Delicia Pinto sang a Konkani song, Adrina Desouza gave a self-expression speech, Winona Rebello gave a public speech, Nizzal Rodrigues performed a dance act, Luanna Fernandes performed a dance, Richelle Travassos presented a live painting, expressing Goa from the window, and Fay Fernandes performed a dance.
In the Question and Answer Round, questions asked by each judge to each participant were added to the final score. The total score was between 1 and 10, with the scores counted by Lester Antao and the final score calculated by Rajan Dewed, former director general of police, India, UN expert on eHealth and human rights advocate.
THE FELICITATION
The event also recognised and felicitated two women of Goan origin for their distinct contributions to Goan culinary art.
Chef Carafina Pereira, founder of Martin’s Corner in Betalbatim, was felicitated by Keith Vaz. Her son, Bonny Pereira, was also present.
Chef Ashney Rebello, a celebrated Goan chef, food writer, entrepreneur and passionate ambassador of Goan culture, based in Vancouver, Canada, was also felicitated for her contribution to culinary art by former Director General of Police, India, UN Expert on eHealth and Human Rights Advocate Rajan Dewed, along with Clayton Baretto, a respected and dedicated member of the Goan community in the United Kingdom.
“The whole idea of this pageant was to raise a face for Goa, not just as a state of India, but as a brand among the Goan diaspora around the world. The aim is to give these girls a platform in films, brand deals and opportunities to become celebrities,” said Milroy Goés.
