KUCHING: Matthew Malong Bill and Suziana Damik are the 2019 Mister and Miss Tribal which was held at Borneo Tribal Village (BTV), Kampung Apar, Bau.
The winners were presented with a winning price of RM1,000 cash, a crown, sash, trophy, certificate and RM2,000 worth of products and services from Borneo Medispa and four days three nights stay at BTV and goodies by Borneo Tribe Festival Advisor Datuk Peter Nansian.
Meanwhile, the first runner up for the male and female category went to Dino Randy Keni and Emilia Mujan Kayan, and the second runner up for male and female went to Mohammad Zahid Ngaiman and Priscillya Stevenson Satu respectively.
During an interview, Matthew, the winner of Mister Tribal Fest 2019, said that he felt excited to have won the competition as it was a good platform to showcase the state’s diverse cultural background to the world.
“I feel excited as it’s a good platform to enhance and promote our culture regardless of the culture you represent. We have to find our roots and preserve it,” he said.
He added, “I knew of this competition through social media, Facebook. I have always been active in this type of competition which revolves around heritage and culture.”
He also said that the competition was tough as there were other talented participants.
Matthew, who is also a former reporter from Sri Aman, said that he idolises Ron Lloyd Albert Jingga, the winner for Keling Gawai Dayak 2016 and Bachelor of Malaysia Sarawak 2018.
“In the future, I would like to take part in more events like this but for now, I am satisfied with the present outcome.”
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Suziana, a Bidayuh from a village in Singai, Bau, expressed her gratitude to have received the amount of support for the beauty pageant.
“I’m overwhelmed with happiness for winning the competition today. This is my sixth time joining a beauty pageant. My previous pageant was Miss Earth Sarawak and Miss Kebaya 2018.
“Given the opportunity, I will join more beauty pageants. I would also like to reach out to young girls out there who wish to join beauty pageants to take the step in pursuing their interests.
“Should they need some advice, I am willing to give them some tips on how the contest works and try to expose their talents to the world,” she added.
Suziana also revealed that her idol is Viviana Lin Winston, who inspired her as she managed to compete at the international level, representing Sarawak as Miss Planet 2019 which was held in Cambodia.
The consolation prizes for the Mister and Miss Tribal Fest 2019 went to Andres Ricardo, Mike Jonathan John, Joannes Vinihilarry Elvin Harry, Rachael Emmila John Ahwang and Olivia Inoi Sap.
Also present at the event were Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and wife Datin Seri Loreta Sawot, Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, Batang Ai assemblyman Malcolm Mussen and wife Dorothy, Acting Deputy State Secretary Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik and other dignitaries.
The competition was participated by 14 individuals (seven men and seven women) in the first phase. There were 11 finalists (six men and five women).
During the event, a game which combined golf and football (Footgolf) was held as well as Catapult (Slingshots) and Sumpit.