Hotel receptionist Immaculate crowned Unduk Ngadau

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Toh Puan Norlidah R M Jasni (third left) and other invited guest in a group photo with Unduk Ngadau winners, Immaculate Lojuki (seated) flanked by other winners yesterday. – photo by Aniq Azraei

PENAMPANG: Hotel receptionist Immaculate Lojuki of Kota Kinabalu was crowned Unduk Ngadau 2013 at the State-level Kaamatan Celebration at Hongkod Koisaan Hall here yesterday.

Ritchel Andreas of Ranau and Nillsey Debbie Sening of Tuaran were the first and second runners-up respectively.

Immaculate, who stands at 174cm, beat 39 other finalists to win RM87,800 worth of prizes, including a RM30,000 custom-made tiara.

“I did not expect to be at the top seven, but I am very happy after being announced as the winner. I am thankful for the support from my family, all their prayers were answered,” said the beauty queen who speaks English, Malay and Kadazan.

“Since I got the diploma scholarship, I have to arrange my schedule to further my studies. I might be doing it part-time because I am currently working at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa,” said the third child among four siblings, referring to the scholarship she won as part of the prizes.

With the title, Immaculate will play ‘Huminodun’ of the Kadazan Dusun Murut to promote Sabah tourism until the next Unduk Ngadau is chosen next year. She is also expected to carry out social works such as raising funds for charities during her year-long reign.

She was crowned by Toh Puan Norlidah R.M. Jasni, the wife of Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.

The title comes with a RM1,700 pewter trophy with gold trimming which was sponsored by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan, a tiara and jewellery set worth RM38,800 from Diamoney Jewellery Holdings Sdn Bhd, diploma scholarship from Asian Tourism International College worth RM25,000, a cruise package for two inclusive of air tickets sponsored by Star Cruises worth RM13,000, cash and hamper worth RM6,600 from Nestle and a smartphone inclusive of one-year free internet service from DiGi Telecommunication Sdn Bhd worth RM1,850.

Immaculate also received beauty products from Marie Aesthetic’s Beauty Spa worth RM300, a hamper sponsored by Albert Oliver House of Dresses worth RM600, a sash and a bouquet from the organizing committee worth RM450.

Meanwhile, first runner-up Ritchel received a pewter trophy with gold trimming worth RM1,500 sponsored by Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili, a cruise package worth RM13,00, cash and hamper worth RM4,300, a smartphone inclusive of one-year free Internet service RM1,450, a jewellery set worth RM5,300, two hampers worth RM900, beauty products worth RM300 and a bouquet worth RM150.

Ritchel, who received the most votes in a Facebook voting contest, was also named Miss Facebook Favourite, a subsidiary title that comes with a RM500 cash prize and photo-shoot session worth RM500 sponsored by David Aramaitii Photography.

Second runner-up Nillsey Debbie received a pewter trophy, cruise package, cash and hamper, jewellery set,  smartphone with one-year free Internet service, beauty products and a bouquet worth a total of RM23,130.

Diana Gilbert of Putatan, Dedie Phang of Penampang, Ledesma Steven of Klang Valley and Sarah Cleophas Gorotud of Tambunan were placed fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

The fourth and fifth spot finalists received a total of RM15,240,000 prizes from the sponsors, while sixth and seventh spot winners received RM14,080 worth of prizes.

Earlier, Norhanina Malih of Tongod was named Miss Popular DiGi and received a RM500 cash prize, a smartphone inclusive of one-year free Internet serviceand a bouquet.

The winners were selected by professional judges who evaluated their beauty and IQ level.

The Unduk Ngadau pageant is a tribute to legendary Huminodun, a beauty among the beauties who offered herself to be a sacrificial lamb to save her people from famine and certain death.