IMMACULATE IS 2013 UNDUK NGADAU

CROWNED..... Immaculate Lojuki (middle) was crowned Kaamatan queen with her RM30,000 tiara. She is flanked by first runner-up Ritchel Andreas of Ranau (left) and second runner-up Nilsey Debbie Sening of Tuaran (right).

By : SHALINA R

IMMACULATE Lojuki reigns as the Harvest Festival Queen for 2013, beating 39 other Kadazandusun beauties from across Sabah.

“I never expected to win,” said Immaculate, “I didn’t think being the tallest contestant would necessarily guarantee a win,” said the beauty queen, half jokingly.

Standing at 5 feet 8.5 inches tall the 20-year-old lass towers over most women, a rare sight in Asia. .

However, to be crowned the Kaamatan Unduk Ngadau it is not just  a perfect physique, a lovely hairdo, the makeup and the expensive KadazanDusun costume that would sway the judges.

To win the title, a contestant is supposed to possess something of the quality of Huminodun, the legendary daughter of Kinoingan, or at least some supposed attributes of Huminodun as perceived in the minds of the judges. According to KadazanDusun folklore,  Huminodun sacrificed herself to divine a bumper harvest to stave off starvation of her people.

During the nerve-wrecking question-and-answer session, Immaculate articulately responded to questions regarding the preservation of the native languages among today’s youths. The packed audience roared their approval to her answers.

The Kaamatan Queen had qualified herself to represent Kota Kinabalu City for the State Unduk Ngadau title by winning the DBKK crown earlier this month. The third child of four siblings, Immaculate attended SMK Lok Yuk in Likas. She speaks English, Malay and Kadazandusun.

Currently working as a receptionist at Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa, the new reigning Kaamatan Queen will take over the role as Tourism Ambassador from 2012 winner Melinda Louis of Telupid.

Toh Puan Norlidah Jasni crowned Immaculate as the pageant winner with a RM30,000 tiara sponsored by Diamoney Jewelry. The crown is part of her total prize of RM87,800.

A pewter trophy with gold trimmings donated by Huguon Siou and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan, a RM25,000 diploma scholarship sponsored by Asian Tourism International College, a Star Cruise Package worth RM13,000 as well as a RM6,600 worth of cash and hamper from Nestle were among the grand prize that she received as the 2013 Kaamatan Unduk Ngadau.

First runner-up, 22 year old Unduk Ngadau Ranau Ritchel Andreas, received a total prize of RM26,900 that includes a pewter trophy sponsored by Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili. She also accumulated the most likes, 3035 votes, on the Unduk Ngadau Facebook page and was dubbed this year’s Unduk Ngadau Facebook Favourite.

Nilsey Debbie Sening of Tuaran was this year’s second runner-up winner. She won a total prize of RM23,130 that consists of a pewter trophy sponsored by Minister of Rural Development Datuk Radin Malleh.

The third runner-up winner was Unduk Ngadau Putatan Diana Gilbert, followed by Penampang’s Dedie Phang, Ledesma Steven of Klang Valley and Sarah Cleophas Gorotud of Tambunan. Norhanina Malih of Tongod was chosen as Miss Popular Digi 2013. (Insight Sabah)

JOY.... Immaculate beams with joy after being announced as this year's Unduk Ngadau. Her grand prize totalled to RM87,800.