Sherry Anne Laujang crowned 2016 Sabah Harvest Festival Queen

It was a shame I couldn't make it to the main event for a couple of years now. This school holiday, we were on a family trip to Gold Coast during the final days of the state wide Harvest Festival celebration.

Received news from home saying that our hometown girl was adjudged winner of this year's competition. Here is a capture of her when she won the Penampang UNK competition and became the representative of this district:


Sherry Anne Laujang. Picture by de engineur

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Here is the article carried by The Star on Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Student Sherry Anne crowned Harvest Queen


Sherry Anne Laujang (middle) flanked by Claryssa Henry and Fenny Ester Joslin. Picture by The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Student Sherry Anne Laujang of Penampang was crowned this year's Unduk Ngadau or Harvest Queen in the penultimate event of state-level Kaamatan festivities.

The 21-year-old Kampung Ramayah resident outshone 43 other contestants from around Sabah as well as the Klang Valley, Johor and Labuan to take the title.

In second place was 23-year-old Claryssa Henry of Kudat while the third spot went to Fenny Ester Joslin, 21, of Sabah's northernmost island of Banggi.

They received their prizes from the wife of Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negri Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni.

Earlier in the day, the ritual chanting of Kadazandusun priestesses in the age-old magavau or thanksgiving ceremony was among the events to kick off the harvest festival celebrations. The festivities at the Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang here started with the cutting of seven padi stalks.

Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin performed the symbolic harvesting and later beat a gong seven times. Also present was Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who is also the Huguan Siou or Kadazandusun paramount leader.

Pairin later read out the speech of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who said Sabah gives priority to cultural festivals like Kaamatan because they help foster unity and understanding among the state's diverse communities.

The celebrations included cultural performances, including the sumazau dance of the Kadazan of Penampang, the pokodinding of the Dusun Tindal and the sayau of the Dusun Liwan.

Source: The Star Online

Penampang Unduk Ngadau 2016: Sherry Anne Laujang

Sumazau dance by Unduk Ngadau contestants and the invited guests

Held - for the first time - outside the confined space of Tun Fuad Hall or Penampang Cultural Centre, this year's district-level festival venue was Padang Siol, Kg Hungab here.


The last ten in the second round

The day-long fest was capped with the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (beauty pageant) and here are some of the contestants in the second round (top ten):-


Angel Sungkadhamai M. Motiung





She reacts to a 'lifeline' offered by the cheering crowd during the Question & Answer session.



Eventual winner Sherry waits anxiously with the runner-ups.



Sherry Anne is congratulated by the 2015 UNK.



Sherry Anne Laujang: Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2016



Happy moment for the fair ladies!



Sherry Anne with the rest of the seven finalists


Full result of the Penampang Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) contest:

Unduk Ngadau: Sherry Anne Laujang (representing Kg Ramayah)
1st Runner Up: Fayelina Rudolf @Unon Labangka (Penampang Proper)
2nd Runner Up: Carrey Evanne Kim Lee (Kg Koidupan)

The rest of the top 7:

Angel Sungkadhamai Motiung (Kg Ramayah)
Deborah Wilson (Kg Babagon)
Joyce Liew Mei Ling (Kg Kolopis)
Sabrina Tubong (Kg Mogkoputi)



Sherry Anne is the younger sister of former Penampang Unduk Ngadau (UNK 2012), Samantha Sharon Laujang. You can see her winning moment here or at JDfloydPictures.



Samantha Sharon Laujang, the 2012 Penampang UNK. -- Do you think they look alike?


Congratulation Sherry Anne!

She will be representing Penampang district in the state-level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan at Hongkod Koisaan KDCA, Jln PEnampang on 30-31 May 2016.

Didy Yani Dinoh is Kota Kinabalu city Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2016

The Kaamatan Festival

The Kaamatan  or harvest festival is a thanksgiving celebration in honour of the rice spirit for a good harvest by the KadazanDusun and Murut communities in Sabah.



The city-level Kaamatan carnival this year was held at Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu with host of not-to-be-missed highlights such as the Unduk Ngadau or Harvest Beauty pageant, Sugandoi or singing competition featuring KadazanDusun songs, traditional cooking, local food tasting and many, many more.

Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan

Fifteen finalists took part in this year's competition with seven making it into the second round. The winner is chosen after going through interviews conducted in their mother tongue and in a language of their choice.


Ms Valencia Ann Primus, the Unduk Ngadau DBKK 2015 is making appearance for one last time and is here to crown the 2016 UNK.

Some of the contestants:














The 7 finalists in the final round with their winning sash, together with Miss Popular and Miss Best Hairdo.



Ms Didy Yani Dinoh is Kota Kinabalu city Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, UNK 2016


Ms Didy Yani received RM4,000 cash for her victory and several other prizes in kind. Here is the full list of winners for DBKK Unduk Ngadau pageant:

Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan: Ms Didy Yani Dinoh
1st Runner Up: Ms Laura Simon
2nd Runner Up: Ms Mirna Kota
3rd Runner Up: Ms Tatiana Rudolf J.Milip
5th Place: Ms Andrea Nyuk Fah Harry
6th Place: Ms Dewina Petrus Guriting
7th Place: Ms Alexsa Chin Chiaw Yinn

Miss Audience Choice & Miss Popular: Ms Cindy Jenniffer David
Miss Best Hair Do: Ms Shareene Francis Loudin

Ms Didy Yani Dinoh will represent Kota Kinabalu and Ms Laura Simon to represent Likas in the state-level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2016 at Hongkod Koisaan KDCA on 30-31 May 2016.

Congratulation!

More pictures of the Kota Kinabalu UNK 2016 here.

Note: All right reserved. I would not object to the usage of my images for non-commercial purposes, as long as you seek my permission to do so.

Ryannie Neils Yong is State-level 2015 Kaamatan UNDUK NGADAU

This is the second consecutive year that I was unable to make myself available for shooting the colourful, beautiful closing ceremony of the month-long Kaamatan festival. Not that I don't support it nor that I've lost my passion for photography. I was away from home during both occasions.

The last time I 'squeezed' myself in to shoot was in 2013 when Immaculate Lojuki was crowned Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan. Great experience.

What I can share with you today is the result published by the local dailies immediately after the event.

The Borneo Post, June 1, 2015

Ryannie Neils Yong (seated middle in the pic) representing Tanjung Aru - donning the Tambunan traditional costumes  - was crowned winner of the State-level 2015 Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan. She took home RM6,000 in cash, a trophy and a crown, RM25,000 worth of scholarship from ATI, air tickets to London and Melbourne, 4D/3N Bali trip and a designer handbag.

Harian Express, June 1, 2015 (Bahasa Malaysia section of the Daily Express)

Daily Express, June 1, 2015

Full list of winners:-

Top 7 at the Unduk Ngadau (UN) final:

1. Ryannie Neils Yong  (Tanjung Aru) - Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2015
2. Shirley Anthony Danggok (Tambunan) - 1st runner-up
3. Evrina Masalan (Tenom) - 2nd runner-up
4. Valencia Ann Primus (Kota Kinabalu) - 4th place
5. Natasha Aprillia Benggon (Inanam) - 5th place
6. Sherrylyn Jane Rannytho (Putatan) - 6th place
7. Kimberly Vung (Likas) - 7th place


Other titles:

Miss Popular Altel - Sherrylyn Jane Rannytho (Putatan)
Tati Topiodo (Miss Natural Beauty) - Kerinah Mah (Pitas)
Tati Tosuau (Miss Friendly) - Natasha Apprillia Jalius S Benggon (Inanam)
Miss Conservation WWF - Olga Willnelia Nasib (Paitan)


The Green Mechanics two cents:

It is good that contestants took note of the Organising Committee's emphasis on choosing this year's Unduk Ngadau "that would not only be the best embodiment of Huminodun but should also have an in-depth grasp of the origins of their ethnicity and heritage", in their efforts to win the vote of the judges.

I like the winner's back-to-basic approach in her costume selection.


See you on May 31 next year, hopefully.

9th Sabah International Folklore Festival 2014

Welcome back SIFF 2014. After a less-participated event last year, let's hope this year will be merrier.

Throughout the second week of June, culture vultures will be enthralled by the colours, rhythms and diversity of the world's folk dances right here in Kota Kinabalu. The 9th Sabah international Folklore Festival (SIFF) is an annual effort to promote peace and understanding through cultural understanding as dance troupes from around the world gather in the Land Below the Wind to showcase their unique folk dances.

The festival begins with a scheduled Sabah International Folklore Festival Parade at Lintasan Deasoka in Gaya Street on 9 June 2014, from 2.00pm to 5.00pm (barring last minute change). I was at such parade in 2012 and believe me, it's mesmerising.

Latvia folk dance during the 2012 SIFF parade at Lintasan Deasoka. Pic by de engineur

The premier show takes place on 12 June at the Tun Raffae Auditorium, Menara Tun Mustapha at 7.00pm. The highlight of the festival is none other than the International Folk Dance Competition on 13 and 14 June, where participating dance troupes will compete for the title of champion. The competition takes place at the Tun Raffae Auditorium.

Ticket prices:

RM30 - Adults
RM10 - Students below 17 years of age
International Folk Dance competition will be on 13th and 14th June 2014.
SIFF dates: 7 - 15 June 2014

For further information please contact:

Sabah Cultural Board
Wisma Budaya Building
Tel: 088-268836
Email: borneosiff@gmail.com
Mr Joisin Romut - Chief Liaison Officer, Sabah International Folklore Festival

You can also refer to the tentative programme schedule here. Kindly note that the competition venue has been changed from Sabah Cultural Centre Penampang to the Tun Raffae Auditorium at Menara Tun Mustapha in Likas.

Winning performance by the Chinese dance troupe in 2012. They did not take part last year.

TheGreenMechanics: It's about time you change your mindset about watching cultural performance - be willing to pay.

We did not go to the SIFF last year but did the previous year when it was won by the China dance troupe. We plan to come back to enjoy the performances this time around.

Cynthia Joseph is Penampang Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan - 2014

Harvest Festival or what is locally known as Pesta Kaamatan for Penampang district was held on 17 May 2014 at Tun Fuad Stephen multipurpose hall in Donggongon town, officiated by Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin. This year's Harvest Festival (Tadau Kaamatan) theme:

"Koubasanan - Impoon do Pibabasan om Piombolutan"

"Culture - Foundation of Peace and Friendship"

"Kebudayaan - Asas Keamanan dan Persahabatan"

Following the old age tradition, the peak of the celebration is the beauty pageant or known locally as Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan. I was a bit late in joining the other photographers but space was ample as other districts were celebrating at their respective place the same day. Here are some of the pictures:-

The 10 who made it to the second round.

Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2014 (Kaamatan Beauty Queen 2014) Miss Cynthis Joseph, representing Kg Baru Penampang.

Reigning UNK 2013 Miss Dedie Phang
You can see more pictures of her during the Unduk Ngadau pageant 2013 here.


Some of the participants:

Representing Kg. Tinduzon Sugud

Representing Kg. Kolopis

Representing Kg. Nosoob Baru

Representing Kg. Baru Penampang

Representing Kg. Sindaanan

Representing Kg. Kibabaig

All hoping and beaming with smile

Down to two!

Reigning UNK Miss Dedie Phang crowning the new Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2014

Top 5: UNK Miss Cynthia Joseph (seated) with L-R: Thamicka, Melstephy, Rachel and Rapunzel

Cynthia flanked by Melstephy (left) and Rachel (right).

Happy Harvest Festival and Kotobian Tadau Kaamatan!

No end to the kidnappings since 1998

This statistics would be enough to scare a lot of people - the tourists, investors, the genuine citizens, you, me! How can one live in a place where people treat others worse than animal!

Sabah-based Daily Express, April 24, 2014

You can grab your copy of today's local daily - the Daily Express - and read the full article, but I'll spare you that and I'll summarise the kidnapping incidents around the vicinity of Semporna town since 1998:

September 1998 - two Hong Kong Chinese and a Malaysian Sabahan were reportedly kidnapped on one of the islands near Sabah-Philippine boarder in Semporna

April 2000 - a band of six men armed with M16 rifles and rocket launchers staged a quick raid on Pulau Sipadan off Semporna, and took 21 hostages including ten foreign tourists in two junk boats around dinner time.

September 2000 - an armed group struck at a resort in Pandanan just six month after the Sipadan kidnapping, involving 3 Malaysian hostages

October 2003 - six foreign workers (three Indonesians and Filipinos) we're kidnapped by a group of ten armed men, believed to be pirates, from the Borneo Paradise Eco Farm and Resort on a Sunday night.

April 2004 - two Sarawakians and an Indonesian were kidnapped by a group of armed men, believed from Abu Sayyaf group, off Pulau Taganak, while heading to the Solomon Islands in the Pacific.

March 2005 - a group of five armed pirates abducted three Indonesian crew of a Sandakan-based sea transporting company near Mataking Island, off Semporna.

January 2010 - a crew of six to eight men fishing bout was captured by gunmen, when their boat strayed into the Philippine waters near Boan Island.

February 2010 - a manager and supervisor, aged 35 and 43, of a seaweed cultivation farm in Semporna were kidnapped by four armed men in Pulau Sebangkat about eight nautical miles off Semporna.

May 2011 - ten gunmen kidnapped a Malaysian businessman on a troubles southern Philippine Jolo Island, a known stronghold of Islamic militants.

November 2012 - a 33-year-old plantation manager and his 25-year-old assistant, both cousins, we're inspecting a swiftlet house in the plantation near Felda Sahabat 15, 50kma way from Lahad Datu! with two workers when they were abducted by five armed men who dragged them into a waiting boat.

August 2013 - nine fishermen claimed that they wee kidnapped by a group of 20 armed men off Semporna waters.

November 2013 - a Taiwanese tourist was shot dead and his female companion abducted by an armed group at the Pom-Pom Island Resort located some 14 nautical miles off Semporna.

April 2014 - a 29-year-old Chinese tourist and a 40-year-old Filipina resort employee, were abducted by a group of seven armed men from the Singahmata Adventure and agreed are sort located some 10 minutes boat ride from Semporna Town.

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So, please tell me how to explain this to a tourist intending to cancel his trip to Sabah, or, how can I convince my friends and family that it is safe to visit these areas in the East Coast.

Figures don't lie.

50W Solar PV system for the rural folks

Four community learning centres (or pre-schools) in the rural areas of Sabah have benefitted from a noble effort of several philanthropists.

The beneficiaries of the initial 4 sets of solar power system are community learning centres in Tenom, Tongod and Paitan. It is very encouraging to see synergy of effort from various NGOs to help those deprived of the basic necessity - power supply.

The 50W solar photovoltaic systems. Source: DE, Dec 17.

Parties involved in the project:

Inner Wheel Club of Kota Kinabalu	:	Fund raising to purchase and install the systems
Penampang Renewable Energy S/B	:	Design and supply (at cost)
Centre for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology (CREATE)	:	Training provider, especially on renewable energy, for rural youths
Tonibung	:	Installation of the solar PV systems at no cost, including training on their operations and maintenance.

The solar PV systems

Each system, designed and supplied by Penampang Renewable Energy S/B, consist of the followings (I hope the reporting by Daily Express is accurate):

• 50-Watt solar panel
• Solar power pack, c/w charge controller, 12V USB, 5V USB
• 70Ah battery
• 300W inverter
• LED lamps

* The packs are expandable for bigger load if required, which is really good as the folks surely would need more power in the near future. This is something like a modular design where people could donate an 'expansion' or two and they just add up to the existing one.


TheGreenMechanics: As an alternative, there is a similar set on sale which I think is comparable to the above system. I saw one at City Mall with almost similar features - solar power pack with solar panel, USB outlets, 70Ah battery c/w 4 units of 3W LED bulbs. The system is marketed at RM550.00 minus the inverter. A separate 300W quasi-sine wave inverter will cost around RM250 to RM300.

Solar and wind potential power supply alternatives for Sabah

To 'revolutionise' is a bit of an over-statement especially with regards to wind turbine but with up to 36 km/h (10 m/s) of wind speed as the study found, this is not impossible to achieve. Wind turbines starts generating electricity when the wind speed is 3 m/s but to make any venture viable, the speed has to be 5 m/s or more.

The demo units constructed in the feasibility study in Kudat generate a modest 34.8 kW of power - 25 kW from wind turbines  and the remaining 9.8 kW from solar PV.

This is too small a demo to scale an installation size that can 'revolutionise'  electricity generation on Sabah, but the result of the study is at least promising.

With regards to solar PV, Sabah - in particular, Kota Kinabalu - is known for being the best location (meaning highest solar irradiation) in Malaysia for photovoltaic installation.

Daily Express, December 9, 2013 - page 2

Solar And Wind Turbine Renewable Energy Can Revolutionise Electricity Generation In Sabah

Source: Bernama, December 8

Renewable energy from solar and wind turbine is not only an excellent power alternative for the future but it can also revolutionise electricity generation in Sabah, says Science, Technology and Inovation Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin.

He said Sabah had its own uniqueness as it endowed was rich natural resources which could be used to generate renewable energy and contribute to economic development.

"Operational cost for power generation is extremelly high and power producers like Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd face a great challenge and the problem has been further aggravated by the inconsistent hike in fuel prices.

"As such, the government always welcomes any party that can come foward to explore and apply green energy and simultaneously support the government's move to develop sustainable energy," he said when launching two TechnoFund Mosti projects here Sunday.

The projects, the Application of Wind Technology System for Energy Generation and the Sustainable Thin Film PV Building and the Renewable Energy Generation, have been entrusted to Sirim Bhd by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for research and development.

Overall, the projects can generate 25 kw of wind turbine power and 9.8 kw of solar energy.

The power generated can light up a resort near the project site in Tg Simpang Mengayau and can be supplied and stored in a battery system.

Ewon said the research findings can be developed on a large scale, commercially, and can contribute towards reducing the number of power interruptions in Sabah.

It can also bring cheer to the many rural residents who live far away from grid areas.

In the long-term, renewable energy can become a big alternative to the current practice of generating electricity from fuel oil, charcoal, diesel and hydro reservoirs which incur huge operational costs.

TechnoFund is a grant scheme funded by Mosti which covers 13 projects under the Renewable Energy Task Force.

Established by the Cabinet, the scheme provides funding for technology development, up to pre-commercialisation stage, with the commercial potential to create new businesses and generate economic wealth for the nation.


TheGreenMechanics: SIRIM Berhad and Mosti have proven in their 4-year study that it is very much feasible in Sabah. Now get some fund and implement it already!

It will at least help alleviate some of the power supply issues we have in the state.

Mount Kinabalu from different perspectives

The older generation believe that Mt Kinabalu is the heart of this land. By heart, they mean the life of the land - if you take it out, this land will destabalise like a driver-less boat, floating aimlessly into the open sea. Anyway, I'll leave it to the folks to tell the story to the young.

Not too long ago, it was taught to be the highest peak in South East Asia but with the emergence of better technology, the highest peak is now known to be somewhere in Indonesia. With this fact known, you still think that Mt Kinabalu is one of the most spectacular looking mountain around.


Scenic view from Mengkabong Bridge, Tuaran



Pekan Nabalu, few kilometres away from the actual location of Mt Kinabalu



Visitors enjoying the spectacular close range view of the mountain at Pekan Nabalu observation deck



Afternoon view from Kasih Sayang Resort, located above Kokol Hill in Menggatal



Wider view from Mengkabong fisherman village located around 60 km away

Sunrise at Donggongon town of Penampang


I've heard that the views from around Kota Belud area are just as magnificent and some say that the best place to get a glimpse of the dangerous cliff is here in this district.

I hope to make a trip there soon.