The finalists helping to plant mangrove trees at the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands.
KOTA KINABALU: Twelve finalists will vie to be the Miss Sabah Earth 2015 during the grand finals which will be held this Sunday in Hakka Banquet Hall, Tanjung Lipat, Likas here.
They are Joyce Chong Jing Yee, 19, from Kota Kinabalu, Dewina Petrus Guriting (24, Tambunan), Tham Cheng Teng (26, Lahad Datu), Emily Chung Yee Yen (18, Inanam), Annatasha Shanty Jeremiah (18, Penampang), Kristina Yohanis (19, Inanam), Falynda Sharon Mathew (20, Penampang), Felcy Francsie Julian (18, Penampang), Jennifer Lim Yen Thing (22, Kota Marudu), Anita Kong Chuk Yee (22, Papar), Sanjeda John (23, Kota Kinabalu) and Joyce Mac Leonar (18, Keningau).
Organizing chairman Victor Bryan said the competition is themed ‘Beauty for A Good Cause’.
Prior to the grand finals, the finalists visited the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands where they were introduced to the wetlands and marine ecosystem, and experienced an interpretative walk into the mangrove swamp.
The participants also helped to plant mangrove seedlings while they were there. They also received certificate. The Miss Wetlands title was also presented that day.
Victor said that another significant contribution by the finalists this year is that they are being appointed as the judging panels for the Kota Kinabalu City Hall’s cleanliness competition for Kampung Sembulan which started from July and will end in August, during the Merdeka month.
The finalists, he said, were very excited to evaluate and help out in the judging processes which are conducted in three sessions.
Victor believes that this experience will expose and enrich the knowledge of the contestants on the roles of local authority and the society in working together for the good of the environment.
According to him, during the grand finals, the contestants will go through three rounds of competition where they will wear eco wear which will be designed by the finalists themselves and beach wear in the second round. In the final round, the participants will be wearing evening dress prepared by the finalists with the theme ‘Miss Earth Evening Dress Inspired’.
Other subsidiary titles that are offered are Most Popular by Audience Choice, Most Popular via Social Media, Most Photogenic, Body Beautiful, Best Design Evening Gown, Best In Theme Evening Gown, Most Creative Eco Wear, Best In Theme Eco Wear and Best Catwalk & Stage Presentation.
Attractive prizes are in the offer for the state-level search, whereby the winner, first, second and third runners-up will receive trophy, sash and cash prizes RM2,500, RM2,000, RM1,500 and RM1,000 respectively. The top four winners will also represent Sabah at the national level.
Local artists will be performing that night and tickets for the grand finals are sold at RM300/RM200/RM100 per pax. With their dinner ticket, the audience will have a chance to vote for the Most Popular by Audience Choice.
The organizer is also going to offer cash prizes to the best dressed male and female audience and the most creatively dressed audience that night.