Miss Chipao Malaysia 2018 winner Liew (centre) with the four runners-up (from left) Goh, Darshini, Lim, and Chan.
MIRIAN Esther Michael, a petroleum geologist from the Sebob community, has brought glory to Sarawak by winning the recent Mrs Chipao (Cheongsam) Malaysia 2018 in Kuala Lumpur.
Winning the crown was a complete surprise though as she was only hoping to be in the running for Mrs Popularity through Facebook votes.
Esther and her prizes for winning the Mrs Chipao Malaysia 2018 and the Mrs Friendly subsidiary title.
“Even that seemed a bit farfetched, so imagine my surprise when I was announced the winner,” she beamed.
Describing the whole experience as an uplifting journey, she said it had not only boosted her confidence but self-belief as well.
“It has given me a lifetime opportunity to reach out to and be heard by my own community as well as the minorities and the womenfolk in Sarawak, who often doubt their own latent talents and abilities to excel.
“Moreover, women not only have the power to influence their own future but also the important role to educate their children – the future generation,” Esther told thesundaypost over the phone from Kuala Lumpur.
On what inspired her to take part and how had the pageant transformed her from a sceptic into a person confident and determined to reach out to others, she said the contest gave her the opportunity to connect with people, especially women, and get to know and understand them better.
“Hence, winning the title gave me an excellent platform to reach out not only to women but also youths in demonstrating the importance of self-confidence, self-belief, and pursuit of education.
Importance of education
She said education has a special place in her heart as she strongly believes it empowers families to change and break out of poverty.
“Although from a very rural kampung, my grandparents were determined to make sure all their children received formal education. Their efforts bore fruits – without them, I won’t be here – a wife, a mother, a professional and a pageant winner,” added Esther, who also took the Mrs Friendly subsidiary title.
She said in the past she had spoken several times to the youths of her hometown and they had thanked her for “waking them up”.
Esther, the newly crowned Mrs Chipao Malaysia 2018, with Hee.
Some were even on the verge of giving up as they were not only stressed out in school but their parents were also not supportive of their ambitions, she recalled.
“For instance, a few young women came up to me and said they had given up their ambition to work in the automotive industry because of objection from their parents, who insisted the job was only for men.
“I might not be able to change people’s mindset straightaway but change has to come from somewhere.”
The pageant, focussing on empowering women through Malaysian culture, was organised by Miss Kebaya Malaysia (MMK) Organisation, headed by founder Jason Hee Jee Pin, in collaboration with One Caring Heart Malaysia, a charity-based NGO, and Panda Events.
It was endorsed by Tourism Malaysia and the Ministry of Tourism of Culture and supported by numerous sponsors.
The grand final was held together with the final of Miss Chipao Malaysia 2018 in conjunction with the One Caring Malaysia Leadership Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Awards 2018 on April 1.
First pageant
Esther said Mrs Chipao Malaysia 2018 was her first beauty pageant and she decided to join after words of encouragement from previous participants and her sister-in-law, Rebecca Goh Kah Ling, who was third in Miss Chipao Malaysia 2018.
Several auditions were held since February with 21 contestants shortlisted for the final – seven Mrs and 14 Misses. For both categories, there was only one representative each from Sarawak.
She said she didn’t think of winning at all as everyone seemed to fit the title but after going through the activities in the programme, she became more confident for the challenge.
Through the pageant, she has made many new friends and positive-minded people and is looking forward to expand her networking.
As for Hee and his team, including the judges, Esther said they were very dedicated and worked hard right from the start without expecting anything in return.
“All they seemed to need and expect from us were our time and commitment to the pageant and its objectives. Several of the activities were charity-orientated, which allowed us to reflect and strive for self-improvement.”
She felt the judging criteria were fair, saying “being part of the pageant gave me an insider’s view – it’s more than physical beauty. The judges were also interested in the person’s natural character, motivation and talents”.
Mrs Chipao top three winners (from left) Dr Gee, Esther and Choo.
Balanced lifestyle
It’s not all work and no play for Esther who holds a Bachelor of Environment Science (Hons) degree in Geology, Geology-Earth Science from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Apart from her work, the loving mother of three scuba dives in her free time and also plays the drums and guitar.
She said these recreational activities gave her an advantage over the six other pageant finalists, including the second place winner, Dr Gee Hui Fang, 31, from Johor, and third place winner, Christy Choo Woon Peng, 45, a homemaker from Selangor.
Other winners
In the Miss Chipao Malaysia 2018, the winner was Liew Kel Li, 22, a finance undergraduate from Selangor.
The second, third, fourth and fifth placings went respectively to Lim Tze Jean, 18 (a student from Kuala Lumpur); Darshini Rajoo, 24 (a marine engineering graduate from Klang, Selangor); Rebecca Goh Kah Ling, 26, (trained emergency room nurse and medical sales representative from Tawau, Sabah); and Rebecca Chan Hui Ting, 24 (a software sales account manager from Kuala
Hee with Liew – Miss Chipao Malaysia 2018.
Lumpur).
Esther said although there were no cash prizes, she was delighted the awards included a Nottingheels shoes voucher and 3BSkin face products.
“I would say these prizes have given me a chance to invest in myself, my physical attributes, as you not only need to feel good and confident on the inside but also on the outside.”
Opportunity to inspire
Esther revealed that despite her fear of public speaking, Goh was “absolutely thrilled” by her achievement and she planned to use the opportunity to inspire the people in her own hometown of Tawau, and also Kunak on the east coast of Sabah.
At the moment, she is focusing on her career in healthcare but already looking forward to the next challenge out of her comfort zone.
Apart from her mother and sister-in-law, Esther also had colleagues and friends not only from Kuala Lumpur but also Sabah and Sarawak cheering for her.
Some even posted live updates on Facebook for those supporting her and Rebecca from home and abroad.
Words of encouragement
Asked for further comments on her triumph, Esther said, “First, I’m always thankful to God for all the things that have come my way – good or not so good.
“Secondly, don’t be afraid of mistakes – they are the best teachers in life. A bad patch is a challenge that leads to self-growth and allows better things to happen.
“And thirdly, you can do or be anything you wish as long as you truly believe, have the passion for it and willing to put in 110 per cent effort.”
Meanwhile, Hee said Miss Chipao Malaysia, Mrs Chipao Malaysia and Miss Malaysia Kebaya were culturally unique and education-based.
“That’s why Tourism Malaysia is so supportive because for tourism in the country, we really need kebaya pageantry and culture pageantry to promote our cultural heritage to the rest of the world,” he added.