UiTM student scores hat-trick at Bisapug Bidayuh beauty pageant  

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Lydia (seated), flanked by Catherine on her right and Christhebella, smiles for the camera during a photo-call after the crowning.

KUCHING: Lydia Hyginus of Kampung Simpok here recorded a hat-trick of some kind at this year’s ‘Dayung Pimaguh Bisapug’ ethnic beauty pageant held on Saturday night.

The 19-year-old scored top marks to beat 13 other finalists to win the ‘Dayung Pimaguh Bisapug’ crown, earning her RM1,200 and other accompanying prizes.

Moreover, the office management course student at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) also walked away with ‘Miss Best Costume’ and ‘Miss Natural Beauty’ subsidiary titles.

Lydia said her ambition was to become a businesswoman.

The pageant finale took place at Kampung Simpok community hall. It was open to single women aged between 17 and 25 from the Bisapug community – a Bidayuh clan in Padawan.

Another 19-year-old Catherine Gabriel Lee, also from Kampung Simpok, placed first runner-up – earning her RM800.

Like Lydia, the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) student also made a hat-trick feat – Catherine also clinched the ‘Miss Photogenic’ and ‘Miss Cultural’ subsidiary titles.

Christhebella Sophia Phillet from Kampung Mundai took third place. The 24-year-old, who had just finished her studies at UiTM, received RM600.

Selvia Lagoon James Pengos, also from Kampung Mundai, and Gennevy Gill Mackenzie from Kampung Sarig won the ‘Miss Body Beautiful’ and ‘Miss Beautiful Smile’ subsidiary awards, respectively.

Other finalists did not go home empty-handed as they were each given a consolation cash prize of RM250.

The biennal ‘Dayung Pimaguh Bisapug’ pageant is hosted as the highlight of the Gawai celebration by the Bisapug Bidayuhs, who make up the majority of villagers in Kampung Simpok, Kampung Mundai, Kampung Sarig and Kampung Pesang in Padawan.