Young dancers in their traditional element. — Photos by Othman Ishak
SIBU: The audience braved the rain just to watch the Borneo Talent Awards (BTA 2016) held at Sibu Town Square on Friday night, where a total of 51 semi-finalists delivered their upmost best to reach the Nov 26 finals.
The semi-finals saw participants of various talents from the auditions held in different places – Kuching up to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
“From the 51 entries in the semi-finals here, we select 18 entries to enter the grand finale,” said the organising chairperson of BTA 2016, Councillor Wong Hie Ping when met earlier on. They were gleaned from auditions held in Kota Kinabalu, Sibu, Bintulu, Miri and Kuching, which received 134 entries comprising 310 participants.
According to Wong, there was also SMS voting for the Most Popular Talent Award, where 50 per cent of votes come from the public, 30 per cent from judges and 20 per cent from councillors and guests. The Sibu semi-finalists were Bar-Mac, Sister, Kritika Crew, Farhan Fadhillah Mohamad Me’eraj, Asri Amirrudin, Kusenitari Group Sibu (KSG), Michael Lian Gau, Project of Legacy, Ashley Panaguiton, L.F.M.B, Sanggar Seni Sibu Jaya, Ronnie Ho and RNR Ethnic Team. They pitted their talent against semi-finalists from places such as Kota Kinabalu, Bintulu, Miri and Kuching.
“This (BTA) is a platform for us to discover more talented people,” Wong said. She added that the winner of the Talent Star of the Year Award will receive RM5,000 and a trophy and other titles up for grabs are the Most Popular Talent Award (RM1,000 and trophy), the Most Entertaining Talent Award (RM1,000 and trophy) and Most Creative Talent Award (RM1,000 and trophy).
Wong was elated to note the increasing number of participants since the event made its debut in 2011. On the number of participants entering the semi-finals, she did not wish to limit the number as she preferred to go for talent.
“We like to see quality rather than quantity. If I allow a big number then, you don’t have quality. But if I limit the number, talented people won’t have the chance to perform. That is why we are quite flexible,” she explained.
A participant wowing the audience with her fire act.
A group with a unique presentation.