From left to right: Laew, Goh, Hii, Caroline and Eloise.
KOTA KINABALU: In what could only be described as a galant evening in the waters off Sabah, three locals emerged as stars in a singing competition held on board the Star Cruises vessel Aquarius.
Contestant Hii Bui Hung won the first place after wowing judges Richaerd Kim, Ho Yong Pin and Hong Geok Jin with a Mandarin number.
“Not only is this a soft and relaxing song, but it is the right song for you, and you were able to sing it very well,” Richeard told Hii.
As the winner, she received a total of RM3,000, as well as a trophy and a Hong Kong return air ticket for a four-day, three-night cruise.
The first runner-up was Goh Siaw Hung decked in a blue dress, which sparkled during her rendition of ‘Tears of A Lover’. She stood proud along with Hong and they held hands when the winners were announced.
Speaking to the judges after the performance, Goh said that she was feeling seasick as she was singing and felt that she did not perform well.
The judges, however, praised her heartfelt singing and low voice. For her talent, Goh was awarded RM2,000 and a trophy.
In third place was Laew Saet Hung who was the only male performer chosen out of the 20 who stepped onto the stage. He sang ‘I’ll Never Leave You’ and received RM1,000 and a trophy.
Meanwhile, two other performers of the night, Caroline Wong En Mui and Eloise Siaw Tze Sim, received consolation prizes.
The judges told Caroline that she had to be careful when using a high pitch for a song. They also told her that though her voice was sweet, she still had issues tackling the high notes of the tune. She won RM500 and a trophy.
Eloise grabbed the final place by singing ‘It Seems That You Don’t Want Anything’. The judges said that the song was challenging for her voice. She won RM300.
The event was organized by T&S Beauty.
After the performance, Star Cruise Aquarius gave back to those who have been on its cruises since it first docked here by conducting a lucky draw competition.
The main prize of RM8,888 was won by Bruneian Ho Fui Zee who was on the cruise on November 21, last year.
Jacki Fan Yu who went on the cruise on November 12, last year won RM6,888.
Words could not describe the happiness etched on Tsen Siong Yee’s face when she was called to receive the third prize of RM3,888 from the captain of Aquarius, Peder Nillsen.