S’wak, Sabah cultural heritage on display at 2nd International Borneo Fest
MIRI: The 2nd International Borneo Fest 2018 held at Suria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday night showcased the rich cultural heritage of both Sarawak and Sabah to some 10,000 patrons during the two- day event.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok officiated at the closing of the festival which was organised jointly by Persatuan Warisan Sarawak Sabah KL and Borneo Street KL, supported by Suria KLCC and sanctioned by Tourism Malaysia.
Also present were Selangau MP Baru Bian and Persatuan Warisan Sarawak Sabah KL president Dr Laurence John, who was also the organising chairman.
Kok in her speech thanked the organisers for successfully organising the event in KL to promote the indigenous products of the people in Sarawak and Sabah.
Laurence, meanwhile, called for greater efforts in helping to promote the festival.
“I hope that this festival can be made a yearly event. Both Sarawak and Sabah must play a major role to work with us in KL to take advantage of the large population of half a million people,” he said, stressing that people should look at culture as economic products.
He said their ultimate goal is to develop culture as an economic product and to preserve culture for the younger generation.
He said as part of the festival, 14 traders sold various food and craft while Sarawak Tourism Board set up a booth to promote the state’s tourism products.
Among the highlights of the festival were the Borneo Ethnic Dance Award – comprising 13 teams – selection of the top three for Miss/Mr Ambassador and Borneo Designers Award to go to the final to be held in London on Dec 2.
The top three for Miss Ambassador are Helen Leong Siau Phing from Sabah, Lianny Bujang ( Sarawak) and Jennylin Johnny (Sabah) respectively, while Darren Augustine (Sarawak), Jewellary Bumpoh ( Sarawak) and Lexterinus Harris from Sabah are the top three respectively for Mr Ambassador.
Designers from Sabah conquered all three top placing. They are Mohd Farhanezam Nerjoh, Godffery Sylvester and Maryneth Juanis.
In the Borneo Ethnic Dance Award, troupes from Sarawak won seven out of the eight prizes offered in both ethnic and dance drama categories.
Legasi Seni Tari from Bintulu was adjudged the overall champion, beating 12 other troupes to win a cash prize of RM4,000 in addition to a trophy and certificate.
The dance troupe also won a cash prize of RM300, trophy and certificate for the best ethnic choreography and best ethnic costume categories.
Second place went to Gemala Kencana Riam, who also won the best dance drama and dance drama costume categories, earning them a total cash prize of RM3,300 while another troupe from Sarawak, Tingang Madang from Miri, won the Ethnic Dance category to win a cash prize of RM1,000.
The sole flag bearer from Sabah was Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s troupe which won the best dance drama choreography.