Wednesday, June 1, 2016

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

Thursday, May 26, 2016

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.

Tuesday, May 17, 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.