Go easy and have fun, beauties advised

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2014 Unduk Ngadau Cheryl Lynn Pinsus.

2014 Unduk Ngadau Cheryl Lynn Pinsus.

AFTER carrying the title of State-level Unduk Ngadau for a year, Cheryl Lynn Pinsus is ready to pass on the baton to her successor.

The 22-year-old beauty believes whoever wins the title will be able to carry out the responsibility just as well as, if not better than her.

“To the ladies in the running for the Unduk Ngadau title, don’t be hard on yourself. Never look down on yourself, just have fun. Whether you win or lose, you are already a winner.

“Taking the champion title home is a real bonus but let’s just be grateful with the consolations if we don’t win, because at the end of the day, we make more friends than before,” said Cheryl.

She described her journey as the ambassador for the Kadazan Dusun and Murut (KDM) community after winning the title as a transformation from just an ordinary quiet and shy girl to a confident and friendly beauty queen.

“I was very shy and quiet before entering the Unduk Ngadau peagent, but after winning the title I got the chance to meet many people, participate in various activities with the Kadazan Dusun Culture Association (KDCA) and slowly develop my communication skills. It is like a transformation for me, but in a very good way,” she said.

She admitted, winning the title was an opportunity to change her fate.

“I was working as a clerk at a music store. And today, thanks to the pageant, I am able to pursue my dream of owning a bakery shop one day,” said Cheryl, who is currently undertaking Diploma in Pastry Arts, a course of her choice, after winning the scholarship sponsored by the Asian Tourism Institute, which was part of the Unduk Ngadau prize.

This Sunday, Sabah will be crowning the new Unduk Ngadau, which literally means the girl crowned by the sunlight.

Unduk Ngadau owes its origin from the KDM genesis story, which pertains to the sacrifice of a beautiful and loved maiden of her time, Ponompuan, by her father, Kinoingan, a very influential man, to fertilise their land and allow people to grow food.

Overwhelmed by the sacrifice, the people uttered prayers for Kinoingan, his wife Suminundu and Ponompuan, whom they now call Huminodun (which literally means the transformed Sacrifice).

Cheryl will, for the last time, take the stage at the Hongkod Koisaan hall in Penampang, before handing over the title to one of the 42 contestants vying for the top spot.

“It has been a great year and I cannot wait to share it with the new queen. I am ready to hand over the title, and hopefully the new queen will enjoy the journey with the KDCA,” said Cheryl.