Wednesday 4 July 2012

Petagas War Memorial Garden

In January 1942, the Japanese Imperial Army successfully occupied North Borneo (now called Sabah). A very patriotic youth named Albert Kwok and some other three hundred men from all over the state fought against the Japanese military. Albert, being the Commander-in-Chief, organized the underground imperial force. He was helped by Kong Su Pui whom he chose as his deputy and Ling Keng Fatt became Albert's advisor. They used the plantation at Mansiang, Menggatal, a land owned by Liew Loi Kui as their secret training ground and headquarters.

Albert even risked his life once when he met the United States Armed Forces in Tawi-Tawi to request for military and other supplies. In September 1943, Albert received information that the Japanese military suffered a heavy defeat at the battle front in other countries in South-East Asia and they wanted to enlist 2,000 Sabahan youth to strengthen their front-line defense. It was at that stage that Commander Kwok suggested a plan to curb the move and to start taking action to disrupt the backside of the enemy army. The plan consisted of a strategy geared at weakening and de-stabilizing the enemy's strength, an attempt to help the Allied Forces to fight against them.

Without wasting any time, Albert immediately launched a surprise attack on the Japanese police station and the military police headquarters in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu). Armed with parang, they slashed to death a few scores of the enemy and started a fire at the Customs godown on the night of 9th October, 1943. The Japanese were considerably discouraged and their intention to enlist Sabahan youth eventually failed to materialize.

Unfortunately, the Japanese military soon received help from Kuching. They then conducted a massive search and captured the suspected members of the underground guerilla. The Japanese also stopped all food and other supplies to their secret hideout. With no reinforcement and proper supplies of food, the guerilla force suffered terribly and when the Japanese threatened to kill innocent children and women, within two months' time, almost all its members surrendered to the Japanese.

Then, On 21st January 1944, 176 men of the guerrillas (including sympathizers, followers and supporters) were transported by railway cargo wagons from the 'Batu Tiga' prison camp. Another group of 131 men were sent to Labuan to serve their imprisonment but 117 of them died of starvation, maltreatment, torture and the inhumanity living conditions. Some of the guerrilla members were known to have been tortured, killed and buried in other places and at other times.

After the war, a special committee was formed by the few remaining living members of the guerrilla force and their families. They re-buried those who had been brutally murdered together with the remains of the dead which were removed from Labuan, in this common burial ground. A monument was built over the grave and the surrounding was made into a beautiful garden in everlasting memory and in honour of their gallantry and selfless sacrifice for their country. The names of all those whose remains were buried here and all other known guerrilla force members who had been murdered by the Japanese military forces and buried in other places were engraved on this plaque. A yearly memorial service is held on the 21st January in memory of those brave men who fought against the Japanese occupation Forces.

 

Petagas War Memorial Monument


Here is the resting place for KK fallen heroes

Names of the Kinabalu Guerrillas inscribed on this plaque
Pictures are copyright@2012 kotakinabalutourism.com. All rights reserved.

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Unduk Ngadau Videos 2012















Monday 4 June 2012

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



All Pictures Copyright @kotakinabalutourism.com

Sunday 3 June 2012

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

All Pictures Copyright @kotakinabalutourism.com

Friday 1 June 2012

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

All Pictures Copyright @kotakinabalutourism.com

Thursday 31 May 2012

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

All Pictures Copyright @kotakinabalutourism.com

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...