12 beauties vying for the Dayung Sangon title

KUCHING: The judges are expected to have hard time in making their decision on who should be this year's Dayung Sangon (Bidayuh Beauty Pageant) as all the 12 finalists has the beautiful look.

"All of them are beautiful and I believe the highly integellent one will be picked to win the title," said Alvine Ling, a member of the organising committee.

The finalists are Elssey Lessiana Richard, Sandy Dominic, Iesha Dominic, Jesseni Lewi, Alvey John, Andrea Natalia Jaed, Dolly Charles Saches, Madelina Lija, Donna Sikanok, Elviana Temit, Jacqueline Ayong and
Bellynie Johnek @ Ayong.

They were picked from 41 contenders in the preliminary round held at Eastern Mall Supermarket, Siburan on May 26.

One of the three judges at the preliminary round Charlie Unggang said they had a difficult task in choosing the 12 finalists, but was quick to say that those were the best top 12 who deserved to enter the final round.

"I wish them all the best in the final and I believe the penal of judges will also have their difficult time in choosing the top three winners as they are all beautiful," said Charlie.

The finale will be held on May 10 at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) multi-purpose hall here, starting at 6.30 pm.

The organising committte in the last meeting chaired by DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik has agreed to raise the amount of prizes for the nine consolation prize winners from RM200 each to RM300.
There will be nine consolation prize winners.

The "Dayung Sangon" will walk away with RM3,000 cash prize while the first and second runner-up will receive RM2,000 and RM1,000 besides  trophies and hampers respectively.

The inaugural state level Dayung Sangon 2014 showcasing the unique and diverse Bidayuh groups in Sarawak is organised by DBNA in conjunction with this year's Gawai festival.

With the theme "Cultures In Diversity", the beauty pageant hopes to bring the various Bidayuhs groups from Kuching, Bau, Serian, Lundu, Penrissen dan Padawan area to demonstrate the uniqueness of each group
through its costume, language and even food.

This competition is an important platform for the participants to groom their personality and build their confidence and become the ambassadors for the Bidayuh.

There was plan to make this cultural activity an annual affair to be included in the state's tourism calender.

(Left side, from top to bottom: Donna Sikanok, Bellynie Johnek @ Ajong, Elssey Lessiana Richard, Iesha Bezzani, Jessenie Lewi and Sandy Dominic.

(Right side, from top to bottom: Alvey John, Andrea Natalia Jaed, Dolly Charles Saches, Elviana Tenit, Jacqueline Ayong and Madelina Lija.

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