KOTA KINABALU: Inanam's Hyellene Danius was voted the fairest of 51 beauties and crowned as Sabah’s 64th Unduk Ngadau at the Hongkod Koisaan in Penampang on Friday.
The 27-year-old school teacher at SJK (C) Tsi Sin in Tenom is also the first National Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan queen following the elevation of the pageant from its state-level status this year.
She took home prizes worth RM100,000, including RM12,000 in cash, a trophy and crown, ambassadorships with Flavettes Glow and IKS Sabah Products, plus other prizes.
Hyellenne was crowned by last year’s State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan queen, Carol Abbey Gail Grimaldi, from Papar.
Elldiwirna Saimen from Kiulu and Keningau's Monicka Majin were named first and second runners-up, receiving RM10,000 and RM8,000 cash, respectively.
Both also took home trophies, sash, bouquets of flowers, among other prizes.
Johor's Romandawi Gapari finished fourth, Tenom's Liana Melve Grace Lias finished fifth, Tongod's Elviana Gunong came sixth and Kemabong's Richella Kan Siang came in seventh.
The top seven winners will also participate in a three-day intensive course at the Customary School in Tuaran to deepen their comprehension and expertise in Sabah's cultural heritage and traditions, education sponsorships and funds, electronic toothbrushes, massage and spa vouchers,
and a year's rice supply from Sazarice, among others.
The Unduk Ngadau is among the highlights of the month-long Kaamatan (harvest) Festival, regarded as the largest cultural and traditional celebration in Sabah.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officially closed the event, for the second time since last year.
Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, the Huguon Siou (Kadazandusun Paramount Leader) Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, and Deputy Chief Minister I cum Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also the event’s organising chairman.
In addition, 10 subsidiary titles were also up for grabs, announced ahead of the Unduk Ngadau finale.
Kemabong’s Richella Kan Siang Feng and Keningau’s Monicka Majin were named the Tati Topiodo (Miss Natural Beauty) and Tati Tosuau (Miss Friendly) titles, respectively, and each took home RM1,000 cash, a crown, a sash, a trophy and bouquet of flowers.
Kunak's Feinny Khoo Kim Ni was voted Miss YumYeah Coffee 2024, Kota Kinabalu City’s Nurul Yanadido (Miss Mantra Humanity 2024), Membakut’s Nicole Lynn Maurice (Miss Imago 2024), Tongod’s Elviana Gunong (Miss Bold Pepsi 2024), Tuaran’s Natasha Jane Geoffrey (Miss Sawit Kinabalu 2024), and Tati Otoonong Jetama 2024 (Miss Peace Jetama 2024) went to Tenom’s Liane Melve Grace Lias.
Meanwhile, Pitas’ Jetilyna Jenytah Juzin’s attire won the Basaan Tinunturu om Linangkit Notinagas (Best Handwork Evening Gown) and Pagalungan’s Sueillvindra Tangumoh’s attire won the Basaan Tinandai Togingo (Best Dress), both received RM500 cash, a crown, a sash, trophy and bouquet of flowers each, while RM2,500 cash went to the designers.
