Beautiful Queen pageant to highlight Bisapug Gawai do
KUCHING: The Gawai celebrations for the Bidayuh of the Bisapug clan is merrier this year with the return of the biennial ‘Dayung Pimaguh Bisapug’ or Bisapug’s Beautiful Queen pageant.
Held every two years since its inception in 2008, the Dayung Pimaguh Bisapug is a cultural and beauty pageant which aims to unearth local talents from the Bisapug community renowned for their beautiful ladies.
This year’s pageant will be held on Saturday ( May 26) at Kampung Simpok community hall. The event, which starts at 7pm, will be officiated by Assistant Minister of Native Land Development and Tarat assemblyman Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn.
There will be 14 finalists vying for the title, and the winner is expected to embody the personality of the Bisapug clan – that of having beauty, aware of her community and suitably attired in the traditional Bidayuh costume.
The contest is open to single ladies of Bisapug ancestry aged between 17 and 25 years old. The Bisapug clan is found in four villages in Padawan namely Simpok, Mundai, Sarig and Pesang.
The contestants will showcase the beautiful traditional Bidayuh attire and be assessed on their beauty as well as grace and communication skill in presenting themselves in a parade co- ordinated and choreographed by Alvine Ngu and Pricilla Hyginus.
The winner, first runner up and second runner up will receive a cash prize of RM1,200, RM800 and RM600 respectively, while the other finalists will each receive RM250 consolation prize.
Six subsidiary titles are also up for grabs namely Miss Body Beautiful and Miss Natural Beauty sponsored by Austin Car Accessories, Miss Best Costume and Miss Cultural sponsored by Ferdinand Ray D’Rozario, Miss Photogenic sponsored by Jodeka Enterprise, and Miss Beautiful Smile sponsored by Jane Dripin of Creating Efficiencies.
Trophies, sash and hampers are sponsored by Nestle Products Sdn Bhd.
SBA president Niko Paduk, community leaders of the Bisapug, as well as those Bisapugs and their friends from Kuching and other towns are expected to attend the event.