Second try the charm as Karambunai lass wins National Sugandoi Kaamatan
Published on: Sunday, May 26, 2024
By: Ricardo Unto
Christina (centre) flanked by Scolastica (left) and Gretchene.
PENAMPANG: The second time is the charm for Karambunai representative Christina Imelda Rudy, who was crowned as champion of the National Sugandoi Kaamatan competition at the Hongkod Koisaan Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) here Friday.
At the finals, the 18-year-old defeated nine other hopefuls to walk away with RM7,000, a trophy and a certificate.
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She also won another RM1,000 for grabbing the best vocal award.
“Initially, I did not want to compete this year, but my family encouraged me to participate again in the Inanam-level Sugandoi competition,” she said.
“And once again, I represented Karambunai after becoming the runner-up at the Inanam level, just like last year.
“I was surprised to win at the national level as all the finalists were impressive, and some were very experienced.
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“This is the first time I have made it to the finals because I did not even pass the quarter-final stage last year.”
Scolastica Ann Bonnieface, who represented Tuaran, and Gretchene Quirina Salipa (Penampang) took second and third place, respectively.
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Scolastica won RM5,000, while Gretchene received RM4,000. Gretchene also won RM1,000 for the best performance award and shared another RM2,000 with Feli Stacy Paimin (Ranau) for the best battle award.
The other finalists were Eleliah Bianus, who represented Keningau, Ain Faresha Azamain (Tanjung Aru), Chrispine Joseph (Beaufort), Sentilina Jamurang (Kota Marudu), Ackley Arthur Amin (Tamparuli) and Carrenicqa Evs Petrus (Kota Belud).
Each finalist was given a consolation prize of RM500.
At the finals, contestants were required to perform two songs of different genres and tested their vocal prowess in a battle round conducted in pairs.
Finals for two other categories – Songkotoun (senior) and Dazanak (children), were also held on Friday.
For Songkotoun, the winner was Abdullah Jimon, who represented Paitan, followed by Francis Pius Ganis (Tambunan) and Alexious Micheal Angkangon (Telupid). Jaidi Arifin (Papar) grabbed the best performance award.
Qahirah Maisarah Syahlil (Papar) came out on top in the Dazanak category, while Danny Lovyechrist Lucius (Sipitang) and Ryan Develdivax Roreh (Pitas) took the second and third places, respectively. Qahirah also won the best performance award. The other finalists in the Songkotoun and Dazanak categories were Tapui Kassim (Karambunai), Ann Aneley Alphonsus (Keningau), and Pamela Fredley (Beaufort).
The Songkotoun and Dazanak categories’ winners each received RM2,000, the first runner-ups received RM1,500, and the third-place winners brought home RM1,000.
Sugandoi Kaamatan is one of the highlights of the annual Kaamatan Festival celebration, aside from the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant.
Since its inception in 1987, the anticipated annual singing competition has produced a huge pool of talents from the Kadazan Dusun Murut communities in the State.
The prizes were presented by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, who is also KDCA Deputy President cum State Kaamatan Festival Main Organising Chairman.
Also present was National Sugandoi Kaamatan Organising Chairperson Evaristus Gungkit.
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