State Level Unduk Ngadau 2012

Miss Melinda Louis, 22 years-old, was the first Unduk Ngadau from Telupid to win the state-level Unduk Ngadau which was held at KDCA where the state-level Kaamatan Festival was being celebrated. She is from Kampung Gading, Telupid and works as an administration account staff.

The first runner-up was Miss Fenney Doimis who represented Kota Kinabalu City.

The second runner-up was Meryl Foster Paladius from Tambunan.

Melinda received a cash prize of RM5,000 , a pewter trophy with gold trimming worth RM1,600, a diploma scholarship from Asian Tourism International College (ATI) worth RM25,000, crown and jewellery set worth RM8,300 from Diamoney Jewellery Holdings, a Samsung smartphone inclusive of one-year free internet, a gold edition hotel voucher, hamper, Innershine beauty products, Victoria Jackson beauty products, winning sash and a bouquet of flower from the organizing committee.

“I didn’t expect to win this title as all the finalists are very experienced and beautiful in their own ways. However, this winning is a special gift to my district, first time winning the state-level Unduk Ngadau,” said the winner.

Melinda will be a ‘Huminodun’ of the Kadazan Dusun Murut to promote the tourism of the state for a year, until the next Unduk Ngadau is chosen next year. She is also expected to carry out social works such as raising funds for charities.

The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh winners were Vanessa Samantha Manih of Tanjung Aru, Samantha Sharon C.E. Laujang of Penampang, Milviana Madrigal of Kota Belud and Raemma Justim of Tuaran who received a total of RM4,000 prizes from the sponsors.

After receiving the most votes through the DiGi voting contest, Juslinah Dian Rangga from Tawau was awarded the subsidiary title of Miss Popular Digi.

The Unduk Ngadau is a tribute to legendary Huminodun, the beauty among the beauties who without hesitation came forth to offer herself to be a sacrificial lamb to save her people from sure death from starvation.

Spectators inside the KDCA

The KDCA hall was packed to the door

UN 2011 Bo Tiza Disimon made an appearance before the 41 UN contestants

Some of the 41 UN contestants

5 UN taking turns to parade

UN Papar - Miss Wedylin Patin

  

UN Banggi - Miss Evilin Mathis

UN Inanam - Miss Elsie R. Marius

Another 5 UN taking turns to parade

 

UN Kota Kinabalu - Miss Fenney Doimis

Next 5 UN taking turns to parade

UN Penampang - Miss Samantha Sharon C.E. Laujang

 

Next 5 UN to parade

UN Telupid - Miss Melinda Louis

UN Beaufort - Miss Gurmesh Kaur A/P Harjit Singh @ Geraldine

UN Kinabatangan - Miss Nelly Lynda Abidin

UN winners for the 7th, 6th, 5th and 4th place

Miss Melinda Louis from Telupid is the Pesta Kaamatan's Unduk Ngadau 2012

Big smiles for the photography session

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Sodop Unduk Ngadau 2012

The Sodop Unduk Ngadau 2012 or Harvest Festival Queen Gala Nite which was held on May 29 at the KDCA building not only paraded all the contestants for the State Unduk Ngadau but also raised funds for the Sabah Society for the Blind.

On this Gala night two other subsidiary titles; Tati Topiodo or Miss Natural Beauty and Tati Tosuau or Miss Friendly were presented by Puan Sri Genevieve Kitingan, wife of  YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Pairin Kitingan, also the Huguon Siou.

There were several artists who made very outstanding performances during the Sodop Unduk Ngadau 2012. As usual there was also the drawing of lucky tickets with the grand prize worth not less than RM25,000.

Forty-one contestants representing all districts and sub-districts across the state would compete for the Unduk Ngadau 2012 title. The Unduk Ngadau competition was the main highlight of the Kaamatan Festival celebration at the state level.

They say a picture paints a thousand words...well, I wanted to get the best photo shoots of the Unduk Ngadaus but it was hard, really hard...the video man cum photographer in charged for the Gala night took a spot that was right in the middle of the audience just below the stage and as usual there were sooo many other photographers who were swarming near the stage...ohh it was difficult indeed! Between the delicious foods that were being served and photographing...I chose to concentrate on the food instead while enjoying the show. But I still managed to get some pictures...oops the audience heads were definitely unavoidable.

Appearance by the then reigning UN 2011, Miss Bo Tiza Disimon

UN Parading on Kaamatan's Gala Night

 

UN Parading on Kaamatan's Gala Night

Swarms of Photographers with all kinds of Gadgets

Marsha was a Great Performer on Gala Night

Linda Sang while the UNs Continued Parading

Announcements of the Winners

Tati Topiodo and Tati Tosuau

Miss Melinda Louis from Telupid is Tati Topiodo

I felt honored to be eating one table with Datuk and Datin Mayor

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Kota Kinabalu's Unduk Ngadau 2012 (Part 3)

Miss Fenney Doimis is crowned as Kota Kinabalu Unduk Ngadau 2012! 

She bagged the RM4,000 cash prize, a winning trophy, RM3,000 worth of jewelery from Diamoney and other goodies from the organisers. She earned the right to represent the city at the State-level Unduk Ngadau contest to be held at the Hongkod Koisaan on May 31.

Charlyn Christopher Sherman, 18, was declared the first runner-up and besides claiming the RM3,000 cash prize, a trophy, jewelery from Diamoney worth RM2,000 and goodies, she will represent Likas at the State-level contest.

Meanwhile, 25-year-old Vanessa Samantha Manih was the second runner-up and with it the right to represent Tanjung Aru at the State-level contest in addition to winning the RM2,000 cash prize, a trophy, RM1,500 worth of jewelery from Diamoney and goodies.

Fourth and fifth places were won by 22-year-old Jun Mitchelle Maisi and Frederica Fabian Peter and each received RM800 and RM500 cash prizes respectively with goodies from the organisers.

After receiving the most bouquets and flowers from the audience, Fiona Anthony Lijua was awarded the subsidiary title of Miss Popular, while Debra Maclene Sylvester was declared Miss Digi.

Presentation of prizes to the winners

 

Datuk and Datin Mayor presenting prizes to the winners

 

KK Unduk Ngadau 2011 passing on the crown to her successor

 

Miss Unduk Ngadau makes her family proud

 

Miss Fenney Doimis is KK's Unduk Ngadau 2012

  

KK Unduk Ngadau Winners

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Kota Kinabalu's Unduk Ngadau 2012 (Part 2)

Unduk Ngadau owes its origin from the part of the KadazanDusun genesis story which pertains to the sacrifice of Huminodun, Kinoingan's only daughter. The Unduk Ngadau which derives its name from Tunduk do Tadau which means "Zenith of the Sun" crowned in the 'afternoon' completed the meaning of the Kaamatan (Harvest) Festival as the Unduk Ngadau is indeed the Tunduk which can grow and be the new shoot.

To this day, the KadazanDusun people have included the Unduk Ngadau Pageant as a grand part of their Kaamatan Festivals. It is a manifestation to the deep sense of respect and admiration that the KadazanDusun people have for the legendary Huminodun.

Here is the Part 2...the next 7 KK Unduk Ngadau Finalists.

Contestant No. 15 - Colleen Ineme Bernard

 

Contestant No. 14 - Jun Mitchelle Maisi

 

Contestant No. 13 - Fenney Doimis

 

Contestant No. 12 - Rounnah Beb Robert Sylvester

Contestant No. 11 - Vanessa Samantha Manih

Contestant No. 10 - Fiona Anthony Lijua

  

Contestant No. 9 - Frederica Fabian Peter

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Kota Kinabalu's Unduk Ngadau 2012 (Part 1)

The KadazanDusunMurut (KDM) Kaamatan festival (also called Harvest Festival) is perhaps the most indigenous and grandest festival in Sabah. Merry celebrations are held at all levels commencing from the kampong (village), then the district and climaxing at the state level.

To the KDM, the Kaamatan festival is particularly significant as it marks the occasion to thank God for their bountiful harvest and for His generosity in prolonging life on  earth. It is also an occasion where the promise of friendship and brotherhood is renewed through mutual forgiveness as manifested in the open-to-all sharing-caring Kaamatan festival.

In every Kaamatan festival, the Unduk Ngadau (beauty queen)  Contest assumes the highlight of the day's occasion. To the KDM, it is the culmination of all the activities undertaken as symbolic response to Kinoingan's ever-bounding love for his people.

The Unduk Ngadau Contest for the City of Kota Kinabalu this year, 2012, was held on the 18 of May  at the City Hall and 15 beautiful contestants (all finalists) had participated in the contest.

The Unduk Ngadau was commenced with a brief speech
by  Datuk Abidin Madingkir, Kota Kinabalu's Mayor

Let's take a look at  the contestants for KK Unduk Ngadau...

Contestant No. 8 - Anjelica Gantasim

 

Contestant No. 7 - Charlyn Sylvester Sherman

 

Contestant No. 6 - Debra Maclene Sylvester

 

Contestant No. 5 - Natasha Aprillia

 

Contestant No. 4 - Samantha Natasha Miles

 

Contestant No. 3 - Cassandra Devi

 

Contestant No. 2 - Vera Ginsu

Contestant No. 1 - Petronas Pitoro

All the 15 KK's beautiful Unduk Ngadau contestants...Round 1

To be continued...


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Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF) 2012

Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF) is an annual event in KK and this year, 2012, is its 4th year. KKIFF states that this year it will be organizing an even more exciting and memorable event. The event, to be held from 08 to 14 June, will provide to the people of Kota Kinabalu exciting opportunities and be able to enjoy various international and local movies while increasing their knowledge on film-making.

Firstly, it will be showing several foreign films from countries such as France, Japan, Germany and the Philippines. Secondly, a filmmakers’ competition called ‘Links5’ (which it has already announced and will end on May 9) in which 3 cash prizes totaling RM8,000 will be presented to the winners. This competition is opened to Malaysians who live in Malaysia. A workshop for the ‘Links5’ Filmmakers’ Competition will be held at which reviews and comments will be made for chosen entries.

This year the Sabah Film Forum, held over the weekend of 09 and 10 June will present four workshops: ‘Story-telling’, ‘The Work of the Producer’, ‘What a Cinematographer’s Work Involves’ and ‘How to Write Proposals to Get Funding for Your Movie’. The workshop front runners will come from KL and beyond -  famous people in the film industry. There are no fees charged and anyone who is interested in film-making can attend these workshops.

Also for the first time, KKIFF 2012 welcomes short film submissions from Malaysian movie makers and selected submissions will be shown for free on 10 June from 7.30pm-9.30pm. There will be Questions and Answers session after the screening of each film so that people at these workshops will have a better understanding of what each director is trying to express through his work.

The video above is one of the short films submitted for the 'Links5' competition. The film "Treasure" is directed by Dulie Hamdan and acted by Artorbelly Evali, Robinson Ken, Jeremy Alsten and Nathasius Julian.