May 31 The Moment Of Truth For 53 Unduk Ngadau Finalists

KOTA KINABALU, May 26 (Bernama) -- Fifty-three Unduk Ngadau finalists have been chosen to represent their districts and the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) branches, including from the Peninsula, this year.

Sabah Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Committee chairman Dr Mary Gambidau said all participants will be placed at a hotel here from today until the competition night on Sunday (May 31).

She said that of the total, the top 25 finalists will advance to the next round, up from only 15 previously.

"This is to give more space and opportunities for participants to highlight their respective potential, personality and capability,” she told a press conference in conjunction with the competition here today.

The Unduk Ngadau is a traditional beauty pageant held in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival that judges not only one's physical beauty but also acknowledges the participants’ wisdom, personality and knowledge of the culture and legends of the Huminodun.

She said the organisers have also introduced a two-tier evaluation system, with preliminary assessment carried out through various internal sessions starting today.

It is then followed by the final judging on the culmination of the event on Sunday (May 31) at the KDCA Hongkod Koisaan Hall in Penampang.

Mary said that throughout the period, participants will undergo various official sessions, including cultural and customary knowledge interviews, and also participate in a Short Film Competition themed "Kaamatan: Menuai Perpaduan, Meraikan Keharmonian” (Kaamatan: Harvesting Unity, Celebrating Harmony).

To ensure fairness and transparency, the organisers have also devised a specific scoring rubric as an official guideline, in addition to providing skilled translation services, such as the Murut language, to facilitate the jury.

"Through this rubric, judging will be fairer, more professional and transparent, with attention fully focused on the stipulated judging criteria,” she said.

This year's Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan winner is set to return home with RM15,000 cash, educational scholarship sponsorship, health screening packages, beauty products and various accompanying prizes from sponsors.

-- BERNAMA