Finalists and members of the public listen to tips on beauty pageants from Joshua and Yeo.
MIRI: Youngsters in Miri are encouraged to join beauty pageants as a platform to promote Miri and the country to the world community.
Miri-born Mister Tourism World 2017, Joshua Lennet said unless youngsters take part, they will not know their potential of becoming winners including at the international level.
“Don’t be afraid to be yourself and believe in your talent. One of the ways is taking part in beauty pageants and from there you learn and improve,” Joshua told The Borneo Post when met at the Talent Show which is one of the subsidiary titles of the inaugural Miss Grand Miri (MGM) beauty pageant held on Thursday night.
Joshua, 27, an operation technician at Petronas Carigali here and the competition’s judges including Regina Patrick were among those sharing beauty tips with the finalists.
“Beauty pageants can open up your horizon and this MGM supports Visit Miri Year to attract tourists and investors in order to boost the local economy,” said entrepreneur and singer Regina.
The top three MGM talents – Rina Easter, 22 (Iban), Cendida Gadung, 18 (Kayan) and Daryl Shalini,18 (Berawan/Iban) praised organiser Brenda and Brandan’s Art Paradise and sponsors as well as Miri City Council (MCC) for endorsing the beauty pageants.
They said the event was an opportunity to showcase their talent to the next level besides promoting cultures and traditions.
“Some people think I am too skinny to take part in a beauty pageant but I showcase my passion for dancing. I specifically perform the Bollywood Dancing Fusion, which I love,” said Rina, a former college student waiting for her results in Diploma in Health Care and Early Childhood Education. She has a vision to open free tuition classes for less fortunate children as education is the key to opportunities in life.
Daryl who learnt dancing since 12 has been actively involved in her church Gateway Mission Senadin. She said dancing keeps her mind focussed.
“I enjoy dancing including prophetic dance with our dance troupe,” she said.
Cendida who aspires to be an accountant said: “Beauty pageants and dance are platforms to build confidence. I get my confidence from performing the Asmaradana. Our dance troupe Gamala Kencana Riam won the Best Ethnic Choreographer for Dance.
The three MGM top winners were among 16 finalists vying for the grand prize and 14 subsidiary titles – the winners to be known at the grand finale this evening.
Miss Grand Miri MGM founder and divisional director Brenda Yeo said the grand winner will represent Miri in the state level Miss Grand Sarawak to be held in Sibu from Feb 28 to April 1, 2018; while the first MGM runner-up will take part in the Miss Grand Marudi, Sarawak in March, 2018.