By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, May 21: Substitute teacher Esther Mira Jackson Jambol has been crowned the winner of this year’s Miri Division Gawai Dayak Celebration pageant in the Kumang Iban category.
The 24-year-old, of Iban and Chinese heritage and hails from Rumah Kabok, Ulu Layar Betong, was crowned the winner in last night’s finale (May 20).
The beauty pageant is divided into four categories: Kumang Iban, Dayung Sangon, Keligit Orang Ulu, and Keling-Belawan.
For the Dayung Sangon category, 19-year-old student Daniela Angel Boon, who is of Bidayuh, Chinese, Iban and Penan parentage from Pulau Kendis, Padawan, in Kuching, emerged as champion.
As for the Keligit Orang Ulu category, 21-year-old Kelly Raywyn Cahill from Lawas, who is Australian and Lun Bawang, walked away with the crown.
Meanwhile, for the Keling-Belawan category (male category), 22-year-old property agent Johnson Elson, a Lun Bawang from Lawas, was chosen as the winner.
Each champion received a crown, a scholarship worth RM15,000 from Fajar International College, a sash, a certificate of participation, and a trophy.
Meanwhile, the first runner-up in the Kumang category went to 18-year-old Michelle Rienny Michael of Rumah Libau Sungai Sekaloh Niah, while Jemina Sindun Nyambar, 20, a student, took the ‘Selinggar Matahari’ title.
In the Dayung Sangon category, second place went to Barbara Maria Michael Javennie, 20, from Kampung Stass, Bau, and Tania Angela Derek, 23, in third place.
Vanessa Livan Sigau, 19, of mixed Kayan-Kenyah parentage from Long San, Baram, came in second, and Angeline Embang Hendry, 18, came in third for the Keligit Orang Ulu category.
For the Keling-Belawan category, Daniel Douglas, 25, and Hakkinen Lewis, 23, came in second and third place, respectively.
They each received a scholarship worth RM10,000 and RM7,000 each.
A total of 24 finalists took part in this year’s pageant.
The event’s guest of honour was Deputy Minister for Transport Sarawak, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil representing Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Transport Sarawak Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Deputy Minister of Food Industry, Commodities and Regional Development Martin Ben, Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon, and Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau. — DayakDaily
