KUCHING: A total of 13 finalists have been selected for Dayung Sikora 2015.
They are Barbara Shirley Snelus, Alice Nelly Lloyd, Stephanie Micheal Bakat, Staecy-Ann Niker, Steptaniaudrey John, Angelia Nashatilla Karlo, Maretinie Belit, Suziana Rinder, Christine Yong Su Fong, Jeshica Tiza Kon, Stephanie Naidia Darlia, Ivy Maria Marcus, and Emelda William.
The finalists will be judged on their physical appearance, costume, intelligent, discipline, commitment and pose. They will compete for the title at the grand finale to be held at Redeems Centre in Singai, Bau on June 13 at 9.30pm.
According to Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (Redeems) central executive committee member and event organiser Jiller Bimbang, a new category was included in this year’s beauty pageant.
“There will also be a pageant competition for male participants known as ‘Bujang Pogan 2015’.
“This is the second year for the male pageant competition after it was first introduced in 2013 and was stopped last year,” she said when met at the centre recently.
The 10 male participants for ‘Bujang Pogan 2015’ included Stevie Astly Robbart, Gregory Ghausse, Van Vacqur Cotter, Camillus Kilau Budit, Rigerier Assty Arries, James Macwester, Ronaldo Sang, Allan Bacelon Gunban, Robert Inde, and Terence Uden. They will be judged based on the same criteria.
They will compete at the grand final at the centre on June 12 at 8pm.
“This year, the prize will be slightly different from the previous year, especially in terms of better cash prizes.
“There will also be other subsidiary titles to be won including Mister Favourite and Mister Fitness for the Bujang Pogan category, while for Dayung Sikora the titles are Miss Favourite, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Talent,” Jiller added.
She pointed out that this would be the 10th edition of the beauty pageant, and she attributed the success to it being the right platform for aspirants.
“The objective of these competitions is that the new generation will get to know more on the cultures especially among the Bidayuh community in Singai.
“In our community, there is no specific name for such competition. But in Singai, we use the term ‘Sikora’ which means ‘Bintang’ (star) to represent the most beautiful girl, while ‘Pogan’ which means ‘warrior’ will represent the strongest and bravest man,” she explained.
The annual beauty pageant is organised as one of the programmes for the Redeems Gawai Dayak carnival.
The 10th anniversary carnival will be held at Redeems centre from June 11 to 14. Besides the competitions, other events include cultural performances and sales of food and handicrafts.
Themed “1 Malaysia, Multi-Culture”, the opening ceremony will be held at Redeems community hall in Singai, Bau on June 13.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem is expected to attend the ceremony that will start at 6.30pm with the highlight being the crowning of Dayung Sikora 2015.
Those who are interested to attend the opening ceremony can purchase dinner tickets priced at RM1,000, RM750, RM550 and RM400 per table of 10 persons from Redeems Kuching office (above Maybank MJC) or www.redeems.my.
For further information, the public can contact Jiller at 019-8845586.
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Tickets for the 10th Gawai Carnival Redeems opening ceremony.