By ROBERT KENNETH
The hosting of the first “Dayung Iyang Biatah 2011” was indeed a beauty contest that created much excitement before the real show was held on Saturday night at Wei Thian restaurant in Siburan, but came under fire even few hours before the show.
Based on the sales of 90 dinner tables, the guests attended the show was estimated to be more than 900 people.
But it was a disappointing to some audients who complained that the highlights of the evening - “Dayung Iyang Biatah” beauty contest took place too late in the evening kept them waiting.
Many also said the speech by the guest-of-honour Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit was lengthy and boring.
Others complained that the stage was narrow causing limited space for the contestants to perform the catwalk.
Due to limited space, the group playing the gongs had to placed at the back of the stage.
“The gongs player should have performed on stage to showcase our culture to the quests,” said Peter Komoi, one of the guests.
The PA system and the lighting was also not up to the mark while the MCs could have done a better job if they had been able to give detail synopsis of the cultural dances performed on stage and read with the right timing.
The presence of the three Bidayuh artists – Bintang RTM 2005 champion Felicia Gek, AF7 Finalist Claudia Geres and RTM2 “Pilih Kasih 2” reality show champion Livonia Ricky Guing - however saved the event.
“It would have been more entertaining should the organiser had invited Livonia to do the monologue on stage rather than sing as her talents is in acting not singing,” said Roger Pongus, one of the guests at the show.
Nevertheless, Livonia should be praised because despite her few years of experience she has successfully choreographed the contestants.
Many also said the venue wasn’t suitable for such event and they suggested better venue for next year.
“The organiser should also create a Gawai festival environment to portray the Bidayuh Biatah culture and heritage,” said Roger.
State level Kumang Gawai 1992, Tresa Jidang, who is also an experience choreographer said there were too many shortcomings in the organisation of the beauty contest.
She said the ten finalists did not have enough time to train and had only one rehearsal before the competition.
“The contestants were new and they needs the right team of people to train them before the competition,” said Tresa, who is one of the judges for the beauty contest.
Tresa said although she was not invited by the organiser to train the contestants but out of her concern in wanting to help her fellow Bidayuh she came to see the rehearsal.
“I pity Livonia who struggled alone to train the contestants. She is an actor and although she had won a beauty pageant, she does not have experience in choreography,” said Tresa.
She said the organizer could have engaged an experience choreographer for the contestants so that when come to the real show they could perform well on stage.
“As I was not appointed as their choreographer I was just there to see and give some tips to the contestants,” said Teresa.
She said nobody told the contestants what costume to wear and it could be seen some contestants were wearing mixed Bidayuh and the Ornag Ulu costumes.
“That was a Bidayuh beauty contest and the contestants should be wearing full Bidayuh costumes and not of the Orang Ulu.
“The stage was two small and also too low for such event while the judges was put in front of the stage when they should be on the side of the stage,” Teresa said.
Dr Dawos in his speech said the event must continue on a bigger scale next year.
The event if properly planned and organized could be a very popular cultural event.
Meanwhile the event’s organising committee chairman Dr Benedict Poris accepted there were shortcomings
“This was the first time we organized this sort of event and I believe we can improve on the weaknesses,” said Dr Benedict.
Sylvia Thomas, 19, of Kampung Semadang defeated nine other finalists to win the first “Dayung Iyang Biatah Gawai 2011’ beauty title.
She went home with M3,000 cash prize, a trophy, a certificate and hampers sponsored by Nestle.
Priscilla Hyginus, 23, was the first runner-up and second runner-up was Angelicia De Rozario, 23, both of Kampung Simpok.
The seven consolation prize are Karen Christabel, 21, Alvina Grifti, 25, Grancyllie Dollin, 22, Wina Uding, 21, Debbie David, 19, Racheal Emmilia, 18, and Cynthia Jingom, 20,
There were 52 entries received but only ten were selected from the preliminary round to compete in the final.
The contestants were judged base on their beauty which will carry 50 marks, costumes (20%), intelligence (20%) and pose/personality (10%).
The anaugural event, theme “Unity Through Culture” is jointly by the Bidayuh (Biatah) Community Association, Biparuh Association, Penyewa Association and the Bisapug Association in conjunction with this year’s Gawai Dayak celebration.
Apart from the beauty contest, the function also showcased the Bidayuh Biatah cultural dances.
The “Rejang Sadis’ dance was\performed by Kampung Git cultural troupe, the ‘Rejang Rami’ dance by the Kampung Sg. Duuh cultural troupe and original ‘Rejang Bauh’ dance was performed by two elders from the Kampung Simpok.
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