23-year-old Unimas student wins Gawai beauty pageant

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Priscilla (centre) flanked by Balannie Sulan on her right and Maria Madelina.

KUCHING: Twenty-three year-old year old Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) student Priscilla John Pillai has been adjudged the winner of the first edition of CATS Kumang Gawai Darlie 2017 pageant, taking home the inaugural title and RM2,000 in prize money during its final round at Summer Mall on Sunday.

The Iban girl who is also an active member of the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Youth won the hearts of professional judges and the public not only with her beauty and grace, but also with her warm personality.

“I am very happy but surprised as other contestants were equally good,” she said humbly, adding that the pageant has been instrumental in helping her improve her social skills and self-confidence.

The title of first runner up went to 20 year old Balannie Sulan Imong, followed by 21 year old Maria Madelina Sujie with the title second runner up.

Balannie also won a subsidiary title, Miss Darlie Smile, and won vouchers and hampers sponsored by Darlie.

CATS Kumang Gawai Darlie 2017 is the first ethnic beauty pageant organised by CATS FM in collaboration with Darlie.

The event has received encouraging response from throughout the state and has garnered interest among the public as a some 5000-strong crowd was reported to have witnessed its finale.

Also present during the event was CATS FM CEO Mohd Iskandar Mohd Nawawi; Summer Mall Managing Director Dato’ Lee Chee Fui; and Hawley and Hazel Marketing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd Area Sales Manager Sarawak and Brunei Jefferson Chua.