Paul (fourth left) receives sponsorship from Nestle Products event and sampling manager Tony Marrel. Also seen are organising committee members.
KUCHING: Twelve Bidayuh women from the Bisapug clan will vie for the Dayung Pimaguh Bisapug beauty queen title at Kampung Sarig tomorrow.
Sarawak Bisapug Association (SBA) president Paul Kawin Pipo said the champion will receive a trophy, RM800, two days one night stay in a family deluxe room at Damai Beach Resort and a Nestle Products hamper.
The first runner-up will receive RM500, a trophy and hamper, while the second runner-up RM300, a trophy and hamper.
The other nine contestants will receive RM100 and a hamper each.
Paul said the contestants would be judged on their beauty (40 per cent), costume (25 per cent), intelligence (15 per cent), poise (15 per cent) and participation in village, church or social work (5 per cent).
“The contest which is in its fifth edition this year aims to preserve and promote Bisapug traditions and culture and enhance their confidence level,” he said.
He said the pageant had produced potential talent who went on to win state- and national-level events.
Paul cited Dayung Pimaguh Bisapug 2008 Livonia Ricky, who went on to win Miss Borneo Beautiful 2010, emerged champion of the ‘Pilih Kasih 2’ reality programme by TV2 in 2011 and is now in the finals of Miss Universe Malaysia 2014.
Priscilla Hyginus, 2008 runner-up, went on to win Miss Kumang Gawai 2009 and emerged Dayung Iyang Biatah 2011 first runner-up.
Marie Assunta Rijed, 2012 runner-up, went on to win Miss Borneo Ethnic 2013 while Dayung Pimaguh 2012 champion Cincilin Voon Tarah won the Miss Favourite title of the Dayung Sikora Redeems 2013.
Reigning Dayung Pimaguh Bisapug 2013 Jacqualine Ayong was fourth in the Dayung Sikora Redeems 2013 and second for the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Dayung Sangon 2014.
Bisapug beauty Rita Berry Stephen also won the Dayung Sikora Redeems 2012.
Paul added that side events for the event tomorrow would be a cultural show, presentation of education incentives to Bisapug students who scored excellent results in public exams, live band performance and catwalk parade by former Dayung Pimaguh Bisapug contestants.
State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker and Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah has been invited as guest-of-honour.