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.

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!

Immaculate Lojuki is Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2013 (Pictures)

The state level 2013 Kaamatan Festival have just been concluded and the dust has settled a bit now, so, I'll make a considerably image-packed update of the Unduk Ngadau competition held at Hongkod Koisaan KDCA on May 31.

If you've been wondering why the monotonous hairstyle, I can only answer that, it's a pre-requisite (Note: make-up artists are actually free to style the contestants' hair into something other than the 'gong' style. See comment below). You can watch them in free hairstyling at Sodop Unduk Ngadau 2013

Again, less talk here. Just pics:-

Some of the 40 participants

Ms Rayana Raymund in Ethnic Murut attire from Pagalungan

Kadazan attire donned by Ms Immaculate representing Kota Kinabalu

Attire of ethnic Rungus by Ms Iziana Midung representing Matunggong

Ethnic Dusun attire from Kota Belud

 Second attempt by Ms Ladesma Steven, this time representing Klang Valley

 Another Kadazan attire by Putatan representative, Ms Diana Gilbert

 UNK Tuaran and UNK Kota Kinabalu waiting anxiously

 Kota Kinabalu's  Immaculate react as her name was announced as the 2013 Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK)

 Top 7 winners

Ms Immaculate Lojuki (seated) flanked by 1^st Runner Up, Ms Ritchel Andreas (L)
and 2^nd Runner Up, Ms Nillsey D Sening (R)

Congratulation, UNK 2013, Ms Immaculate Lojuki

All pictures are copyrighted and if you'd like to borrow them for use in your website, kindly ask for permission from TheGreenMechanics.


See you in UNK 2014 event!

Sodop Unduk Ngadau 2013

Warning: This will be a post with a lot of pictures.

'A lot' in the sense that I have not written an article with more than 10 pics for a while now.

Sodop Unduk Ngadau, the Harvest Festival Queen Gala Nite (or may also be translated as "An Evening With the Unduk Ngadau"), not only parade all the contestants for the State Unduk Ngadau competition but to also raise funds for charitable bodies. This year, the proceed will go to Pusat Kebajikan Care Haven.

Cultural dance performance as curtain opener

Appearance by reigning UNK 2012, Miss Melinda Louis

This years UNK participants

Let's meet the ladies from all over Sabah:

UN Penampang, Miss Dedie Phang voted Tati Topiodo or Miss Natural Beauty

Best Creative Design is won by Boyd Petrus Pensin, donned by UN Tanjung Aru, Miss Ashley Selvi Ravindran

Miss Shanen Brenda Engelbert Lim from Papar won the Tati Tosuau or Miss Friendly title

See you at State Level Unduk Ngadau  Kaamatan  2013 competition on May 31.

One of them will be crowned Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2013 in the final tomorrow.

State Level Kaamatan Celebration 2013

Harvest Festival (Kaamatan) month is fast approaching to a conclusion and the peak of the celebration will be on 30th - 31st May 2013 at Hongkod Koisaan KDCA in Penampang.

This year's theme:

"Potilombuso Piunungan om Pirotian Maya Kaamatan"

"Goodwill and Understanding Through Kaamatan"

If you intend to visit Sabah, this is the month to do it, and you can then proceed to the neighbouring state, Sarawak for the Gawai Dayak celebration which falls on June 1, 2013.

You can visit the cultural village during or before the Kaamatan celebration. It is located within the compound of the KDCA building.

'The Vase' - The Harvest Festival has always been associated with a traditional liquor, the Tapai, which is normally stored in a vase such as this one. But personally, i feel getting overly drunk during this time is not necessary.

 Miss Bo Tiza Disimon of Penampang is the 2011 Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan

Miss Melinda Louis of Telupid is currently the reigning queen,  the 2012 UN Kaamatan

 Miss Melinda Louis

Who would be crowned Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan this year? The answer would be revealed on 31st May 2013 at about 6.00pm. Stay tuned.

Happy Harvest Festival

"KOTOBIAN TADAU TAGAYO DO KAAMATAN"

Melinda is Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2012

The peak of the state level Harvest Festival 2012 was marked with the crowning of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, which is traditionally done during the closing ceremony. What you can expect is a packed Hongkod Koisaan KDCA hall.

Date       : 31 May 2012
Venue    : KDCA Hall, Penampang
Time      : 12.30pm - 6.30pm
Emcees  : Denis Primus & Jennifer Lasimbang

Unduk Ngadau 2012 received prizes in cash and kinds totalling RM68,80.00 and top seven get at least RM4,000.00 each.


The winners are:

Unduk Ngadau 2012   : Miss Melinda Louis (Telupid)

1st Runner Up           : Miss Fenney Doimis (KK City), and

2nd Runner Up          : Miss Meryl Foster Paladius (Tambunan)

4th place     : Miss Vanessa Samantha Manih (Tg. Aru)
5th place     : Miss Samantha Sharon Laujang (Penampang)
6th place     : Miss Milviana Madrigal (Kota Belud)
7th place     : Miss Raemma Justin (Tuaran)

Note: This is not my photography website, hence the limited pictures uploaded here. But I will point you to my photopage  for more pictures once it is updated. Please bare with me.

The final 7 prize winners

2nd runner up receiving her trophy, and this...

...leaves the last two smiling at each other (full of hope)

Nervous or excited?

Unduk Ngadau Telupid, Miss Melinda Louis was crowned Sabah Unduk Ngadau 2012

Congratulations!

Miss Melinda Louis (Unduk Ngadau 2012) is flanked by

1st runner up, Miss Fenney Doimis (left) and 2nd runner up, Miss Meryl Foster Paladius (right).

Top 3 Winners receive:

Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (Winner):
Pewter trophy RM1,500, cash RM5,000, Diploma scholarship RM25,000, jewelry RM8,400, Samsung smartphone + 1 year internet subscription RM2,300, Travelling sponsorship RM25,000, hamper RM300, cosmetics RM600
Total: RM68,800.00

1st Runner up:
Pewter trophy RM1,400, cash RM4,000, jewelry RM5,300, Samsung  smartphone + 1 year internet subscription RM2,000, hamper RM300, cosmetics RM300
Total: RM13,450.00

2nd Runner up
Pewter trophy RM1,200, cash RM3,000, jewelry RM3,000, Samsung  smartphone + 1 year internet subscription RM1,700, hamper RM250, cosmetics
Total: RM9650.00

4th, 5th, 6th and 7th place receive prizes totalling RM4,000.00 each.