Precious winning moments

Salaam, readers.

Kaamatan Harvest Festival is around the corner (May 30th and 31st). For all of us (Sabahan, and Malaysian at large), this is the moment we are all have been waiting for. Surely, there are hundreds of celebrations taking place every month all over the world, and Kaamatan Harvest Festival is one of them. The main highlight of this event is Unduk Ngadau. As mentioned by Mrs. Angie Boilis (blog), "The Unduk Ngadau Queen selection is never meant to be just another of those Beauty Queen contest.  Beyond physical beauty, concealed in piety and attired gracefully in full traditional costumes of her ethnic community, the Unduk Ngadau must satisfy the judges that in her most natural self, she portrays the best virtues and potentials to resemble the beatified Huminodun, the Kadazandusun Queen of love and compassion, the ultimate symbol of perfection and purity as reflected in the ancient Bobohizan’s (Kadazandusun Priestess) rinait or mantras."

Bring up the subject of beauty pageants to a large group of people (Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan), and you're bound to get at least two harshly contrasting opinions. Many folks see them as great opportunities for young women to earn scholarship money, make connections, and develop confidence.  Others see them as exercises in hollow vanity that can cause a great deal of emotional and psychological damage.

Or maybe you just don't care...but whatever your opinion of beauty pageants is, there is no denying that a key component to winning one is poise. A girl can be the most beautiful woman to be placed on this earth but if she can't put one front in front of the other and form complete sentences, there is no way that she is going home with the crown (she'll be the third runner up, tops).

To choose a winner from a selection of young stunning beauties is never an easy task. The outcome may resulted in mixed reviews. Whether you like it or not, the judges have spoken. The winner may not be the perfect one to receive the title, but she is certainly the most ideal person to receive it (after considering many relevant factors on the judging sheet). Only the judges who knows best. But, in my honest opinion, maybe a certain portion of marks should also be allocated from the overall percentage - and it should come from the public. Say for instance, 15%. Why? Because we also have our rights to choose(vote) for the one that we think can represent us (for a year). Sounds so politikus! Never mind, "Hanya jauhari mengenal manikam."

Ladies, winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.

As the saying goes, "Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything." 

Listen, listen, listen...everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. So, good luck kio!

Written on May 25th, 2013

~End of Part I~

Now, let us proceed with the additional notes, written on July 13th, 2013.

Borneo Hornbill Festival has already ended successfully. I had the opportunity to witness a variety of exciting moments throughout the three days event. Congratulations to all winners! Others, you can try again in the next year's edition. Remember to always stay positive ya! Who knows luck will be yours? Kan? As I mentioned earlier, "Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything."

The grand title prizes went to Brandon Daby, 19 years and Marie Assunta Rijed, 18 years old, both from Kuching, Sarawak. They walked away with Mister and Miss Borneo titles, respectively.

They are still young and have a very bright future. They have their own greatness, unique and very talented. Hopefully this platform will give them the opportunity to be more successful in the future.

Notes: Some of the precious winning moments I captured in several different occasions. This is the moment I LOVE the most. Click HERE for more photos.

Borneo Hornbill Festival 2013

Top 2 Miss Borneo Ethnic, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2013

Winner (Marie Assunta Rijed, Miss Ethnic Sarawak, Dayung Pimaguh)

First Runner-Up (Jun Genevieve, Miss Ethnic Sabah)

Top 2 Mister Borneo Ethnic, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2013

Winner (Brandon Daby, Mister Ethnic Sarawak, Keling)

First Runner-Up (Adirano Ray, Mister Ethnic Sabah)

The newly crowned Queen of Borneo, Miss Marie Assunta Rijed.

This young beauty from Sarawak really stood out among all contestants. 

Right - Miss Chloe Chen, Miss Malaysia World 2011. 

She said, "At this young age, this is such a great achievement for me. BHF is my platform to move a step ahead, continue to promote the culture of 1 Borneo." You go girl!

Brandon Daby, Mister Borneo Ethnic, Mister Ethnic Sarawak, Keling Category. 

Unduk Ngadau Klang Valley 2013

Winner: Ledesma Steven of Tuaran Sabah.

First runner-up: Lyz Lorena Raynor

Second runner-up: Joanne Kimberlly

Holding hands with one another.

Left - Reigning queen Miss Joanne Bernadette John from Tambunan, Sabah.

Tears of joy.

Tears of joy are like the summer rain drops pierced by sunbeams. 

Sabah State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2011

Winner: Bo Tiza Arthur S. Disiomon (Penampang)

First runner-up: Jovenea Jim Lajim (Tamparuli)

Second runner-up: Caroline Anthony (Tuaran)

2011 Sabah State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan winner, Bo Tiza Disimon-Bosuin of Kadazan ethnic from Penampang, were joyfully celebrated by popular MTV/Chanel V host Denise Keller.

Coronation session officiated by His Excellency's wife Sabah.

Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is.

Bo Tiza A. Disimon, the winner of the State Level Unduk Ngadau  Kaamatan 2011 is another one of the most beautiful girl in Unduk Ngadau history.   Born and raised in Penampang, Bo Tiza in Kadazan means pearl or some people may refer to it as precious stones, or 'mutiara' in Malay language.

Winning moments.

Runduk Tadau, Borneo Hornbill Festival 2012

Winner: Sheary Sylvester

First runner-up: Sandra Beti Majungil

Second runner-up: Nelly Yawasang

Syeary Sylvester, the first winner of Runduk Tadau (which is then referred to as Miss Sabah Ethnic). The title comes from the ethnic word Runduk Tadau which means 'the girl crowned by the sunlight.'

Winning is not a sometime thing, it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time.Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.

Thank you for reading. Palad-palad ku jomuyu nantanan gi. Kihoyyy boh!

Sincerely yours.

Opss, no crown for me?