Life In Borneo

Posted by Daniel on June 13th, 2009 in Culture & Traditions, Events, Festivals, Legends

The Unduk Ngadau Grand Finals of 2009 was held in the Main Hall of KDCA’s Hongkod Koisaan on Sunday, 31st May. This year’s Unduk Ngadau saw 41 contestants representing their respective districts, as 5 more districts have joined the competition, including Putatan, Paitan, Pagalungan and Banggi Island.

The Legend of Huminodun

The event started with a brilliant play called “Teater Lagenda Huminodun”, which tells the legend of Huminodun. According to the legend, the earth, in the days of old, was plagued by the seven scourges sent down by the deity Kinoingan to punish mankind for their sinful ways. The seventh scourge was draught and famine which threatened to end all life on earth.

Huminodun, Kinoingan’s only daughter, took pity on mankind’s plight and sacrificed herself to end the famine that had plagued her father’s people.

Her body parts were planted as seeds and became rice, the food resource of the people. Thus the importance of rice in the lives of the Kadazandusun, as rice embodies the spirit of Huminodun who sacrified herself to save humanity.

Beauties dressed in ethnic attires

Earlier in the afternoon, the hosts introduced each of the hopefuls as they were presented on stage. The ladies were dressed in ethnic attire from native cultures found throughout Sabah, such as the distinctive black-and-white Lundayeh set and the hooded Dusun Tindal costume.

Tati Cecelia Riymante (Membakut)

Tati Sheron Olga Fedilis (Sook)

Tati Efahrina Nicholas (Tambunan)

Tati Gilda J Joeplik (Sandakan)

Tati Wanda Hendryana Pius (Lahad Datu)

Tati Flina Binti Rutum (Tamparuli)

Tati Elsie R Marius (Tanjung Aru)

Tati Sarimah Bt Tangkungon (Pagalungan)

Tati Fredericka Camilla Richard Daut (Tuaran)

Tati Emilda Albert (Paitan)

Tati Roziyanah Bt Mutang (Sipitang)

Tati Hulliwta Eliser (Tungku)

Tati Jukini Gamius (Semporna)

Tati Jacqueline Monalisa (Banggi)

Tati Affy Jackleyinda Entawin (Beaufort)

Tati Joanne Bernadette John (Beluran)

Tati Rachel Martinus (Inanam)

Tati Lydia Binti Binidik (Kemabong)

Tati Jacqueline Joseph (Keningau)

Tati Erra Quency Victor (Kota Belud)

Tati Jovenea Jim Lajim (Klang Valley)

Tati Deizi Sebastian Mojinu (Labuan WP)

Tati Rounnah Beb Robert Sylvester (Tenom)

Tati Elinna Masuin (Likas)

Tati Pearl Dianne Petrus (Kota Kinabalu)

Tati Laine Binti Tinggangau (Kota Marudu)

Tati Maylesthelyn Matius (Putatan)

Tati Appey Rowena Januin (Papar)

Out of 41 contestants, 15 made it through to the second round. During this round, the contestants’ wisdom and intellect were tested which requires them to answer a question chosen from a pile of sealed envelops. The questions ranged from subjects that touched social issues such as cultural identity, to economic issues such as how to improve Sabah’s tourism industry. The questions were many, but none of them were easy. This was definitely the hardest part of the competition.

The Top 15

Tati Pearl Dianne Petrus (Kota Kinabalu)
Tati Elinna Masuin (Likas)
Tati Elsie R Marius (Tanjung Aru)
Tati Joanne Kimberley J Majalap (Penampang)
Tati Maylesthelyn Matius (Putatan)
Tati Appey Rowenna Januin (Papar)
Tati Jacqueline Joseph (Keningau)
Tati Rounnah Beb Robert Sylvester (Tenom)
Tati Fredericka Camilla Richard Daut (Tuaran)
Tati Flina Rutum (Tamparuli)
Tati Stella Nakaran (Ranau)
Tati Gloria Lyne Bami (Kinabatangan)
Tati Rozyanah Mutang (Sipitang)
Tati Jacqueline Monalisa (Banggi)
Tati Jovenea Jim Lajim (Klang Valley)

The 7 Finalists

After the question-and-answer round, 7 finalists were announced in reverse order from 7th to 2nd.

7th Place was won by Tati Elinna binti Musiun, who represented Likas

6th Place was won by Tati Fredericka Camilla Richard Daut, who represented Tuaran

5th Place was won by Tati Jacqueline binti Joseph, who represented Keningau

4th Place was won by Tati Flina binti Rutum, who represented Tamparuli

3rd Place was won by Tati Joanne Kimberley J. Majalap, who represented Penampang

2nd Place was won by Tati Pearl Dianne Petrus, who represented Kota Kinabalu

And the Unduk Ngadau 2009 title goes to…

Tati Appey Rowena Januin from Papar!

The full list of winners:

Unduk Ngadau: Tati Appey Rowena Januin
2nd Place: Tati Pearl Dianne Petrus
3rd Place: Tati Joanne Kimberley J. Majalap
4th Place: Tati Flina binti Rutum
5th Place: Tati Jacqueline binti Joseph
6th Place: Tati Fredericka Camilla Richard Daut
7th Place: Tati Elinna binti Musiun
Digi’s Miss Popular: Tati Clarencena Kadius (represented Matunggong)

This year’s Harvest Festival has finally come to an end. Lifeinborneo.com congratulates all the winners of this year’s Unduk Ngadau and to all those that participated in this event and hope that the Spirit of the Harvest will be merrier next year!

• All photos and article are copyright of LifeInBorneo.com.Unauthorized publication or exploitation of text, images or content of this website is specifically prohibited. Anyone wishing to use any of these files or images for use, publication, for any purpose, must request and receive prior written permission from the administrators of LifeInBorneo.com.
  

6 Comments

Posted by Daniel on October 18th, 2008 in Events, Sports

Legend has it that more than two thousand years ago, a Greek messenger ran from the town of Marathon to the city of Athens for two days to bring news of great victory over their Persian Invaders. He ran without stopping, with only the honour of bearing the news giving strength to his weary legs and aching heels. Two millennias later, modern-day runners continued the long-running legacy of Philippides at the Likas Stadium last Sunday in the Borneo International Marathon. We didn’t wish to be left behind, so we packed our equipments and our running shoes and ran to the Likas Stadium at the hour of the owls to cover this international marathon event.

Runners, please take your place

12 October, 2008 – The event started during the early morning hours of Sunday at the Likas Stadium. The organizers – and some of the participating runners as well – had arrived at the stadium as early as 3:00AM to go through their checklists. Representatives from local and international press were also present to cover the event. It is also interesting to note that this is the first time ever that an internationally-recognized event in Borneo had invited bloggers to the event as medias – bringing the Borneon blogging community to the same level as professionals from the press.

The Marathon

The Borneo International Marathon 2008 had 5 categories, but the highlight of the event were the 3 main categories: Full Marathon (42km), Half Marathon (21km) and Quarter Marathon (10km).

The starting of the Full Marathon video

The Full Marathon started first at 4:30AM, followed by the Half Marathon at 6:00AM and lastly the Quarter Marathon at 7:00AM. The routes took the runners to some of the city’s most prominent tourist destination, such as Sutera Harbour, 1Borneo Hypermall and the Coastal Road – known for its scenic view of the coastline. The marathon starts and ends at the Likas Stadium.

The Half Marathon category started at 6:00AM

The Quarter Marathon category started at 7:00AM

Here are the top three finishers for the 3 main categories:

Full Marathon (Men’s Open)
1st – Sammy Kiprop Kiptoo (Kenya), 2hr 25min
2nd – Geoffrey Kiprotich Birgen (Kenya), 2hr 26min 42sec
3rd – Elkana Ruto (Kenya), 2hr 33min 18sec

Full Marathon (Men’s Veteran)
1st – Paul Hague (England), 3hr 10min 31sec
2nd – Duanis B. Indam (Malaysia), 3hr 26min 38sec
3rd – Yusop Tungkob (Malaysia), 3hr 31min 5sec

Full Marathon (Women’s Open)
1st – Frida Lodepa (Kenya), 3hr 18min 4sec
2nd – Pui Shan Chan (China), 3hr 27min 48sec
3rd – Joyce Runo Chemeli (Kenya), 3hr 32min 43sec

Full Marathon (Women’s Veteran)
1st – Tan Lee Huang (Singapore), 4hr 57min 27sec
2nd – Christina Daramat (Malaysia), 5hr 35sec
3rd – Ang Bee Hua (Singapore), 5hr 16min 7sec

Half Marathon (Men’s Open)
1st – Wilson Kibogo (Kenya), 1hr 11min 49sec
2nd – Muniandy Ramadass (Malaysia), 1hr 13min 54sec
3rd – Micah Kiprotich (Kenya), 1hr 18min 1sec

Half Marathon (Men’s Veteran)
1st – Guianus Salagan (Malaysia), 1hr 22min 2sec
2nd – Supermaniam Govindam (Malaysia), 1hr 23min 35sec
3rd – Lim Lian Hock (Singapore), 1hr 35min 2sec

Half Marathon (Women’s Open)
1st – Doris Chuchumba (Kenya), 1:24:10
2nd – Michele Tan Bee Kiang (Malaysia), 1:39:26
2rd – Mariana Mohammad (Malaysia), 1:41:11

Half Marathon (Women’s Veteran)
1st – Lian Bee Hoon (Malaysia), 1hr 44min 28sec
2nd – Kirsten Conrad (USA), 2hr 3min 4sec
3rd – Ling Nyuk Hwa (Malaysia), 2hr 4min 11sec

More results can be found at the event’s official website at http://www.borneomarathon.com/home.html

A smile to the finish line

The Greek messenger Philippides ran for two days from Marathon to Athens, but the spirit of marathon itself will continue to run around the world for many years more, crossing every boundaries. Perhaps the spirit of marathon had visited Borneo last Sunday, inspiring everyone to perform their best. Regardless, the Borneo International Marathon 2008 was a great success.

A few runners from the AirAsia Team

We at lifeinborneo.com congratulate all the runners that participated and we give our hands out for the organizers and their supporters for their tremendous effort. We were pleased to be part of this historic occasion and hope that it will become a yearly event in the Borneon calendar.

6 Comments

Posted by Xander on October 16th, 2008 in Events, Sports

October 11th , 2008 – The BIM 2008 Pasta Party was held at the Likas Sports Complex Indoor Multipurpose Hall at 6.30pm. Among those that attended the event were the events organizers, local press and various medias including celebrity bloggers and international runners from all over the world. The event was held to welcome the participants especially the international runners to Borneo.

International participants and celebrity runners..

The event was an opportunity to mingle with the participants and organizers alike. Some of the celebrity bloggers that attended that evening was Kenny Sia, recognized as one of Malaysia’s most famous blogger. He also participated in last years Penang Bridge Marathon. Another notable person which attended that evening was the ‘Cat Woman’ which hails from Singapore. Jenap M Said (aka Cat Woman) is widely known for running in a cat woman costume at almost every marathon event held in Singapore and throughout the neighboring countries. Some of the runs she has participated in the past were KL Marathon, Great Eastern 30km, Pacesetters 15 New Balance Run, Penang Bridge Marathon and KL Mizuno Run. In Thailand she also joined the Hatyai Nature Run, Laguna Phuket International Marathon and Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon.

Kenny Sia and Catwoman

And the show begins…

It was a night to relax and enjoy the evening with friends both new and old. Besides the good food and mingling that took place, traditional dances were performed that night. With a wide variety of ehnic backgrounds, Borneo is never short of eloquent performances such as the Sumazau dance and even from the far south of Sabah; a variation of the Daling-Daling dance. The performers even invited a few people from the crowd to join them on the stage especially the international runners and notably the AirAsia staff which was also present that night.

Sumazau Dance

The Kenyan runners join the Sumazau Dance

Kate from AirAsia also tries the Sumazau Dance

A variation of the Daling-Daling Dance

The runners join the Malay Joget Dance

Other than the dance performance was also the demonstration of the Borneon blowpipe. Most of the crowd also were invited to try out this weapon which was used by the tribes of Borneo a long time ago. Though they were only aiming it at the balloons tied to the ends of a long pole, it still looked like a hard task in itself and obviously enjoyable too as the people cheered at every target hit.

Borneon Blowpipe demonstration

It was a night that none may soon forget and the next day happens to be a long day indeed for both the participants and the organizers.

2 Comments

Posted by Xander on October 11th, 2008 in Events, Sports

11 October, 2008 – Conference started at 1.00pm at the lobby of Tune Hotel in 1Borneo Hypermall. The floor was quite packed with the media from both bloggers and the press. 8 AirAsia staff were present for the press conference and photo shoot session which includes the various medias.

Most of the AirAsia staff that is joining the Borneo International Marathon are mostly from Kuala Lumpur while 7 staffs comes from Kota Kinabalu. From the Q&A session, we also learned that 13 of them (AirAsia) will be running for the half marathon circuit while 6 will be entering the quarter marathon circuit. Only one staff will be running the full circuit(21km) which is the captain of the team, Captain Razali.

Most of the team members joining have had experience in long distance runs like Kate, which have joined the the 10K Power Run held in Kuala Lumpur.

Kate

The only stewardess from AirAsia that is joining the marathon is Lily. According to the officials from AirAsia, she is promised by AirAsia CEO Datuk Tony Fernandez, MYR 1000 for each 1KM she completes. When asked how far she thinks she could run for concerning the offer, she said “of course 21KM!”.

Lily

Tonight the Pasta Party will be held at 6:30pm in the Stadium Likas Multipurpose Hall and those who will be attending are the officials, the organizing committee, international runners, local press and bloggers.

3 Comments

Posted by Xander on July 18th, 2008 in Announcement, Destinations, Promotionals

Date: 12 October 2008
Time: 8:00am
Starting Venue: Likas Stadium Sport Complex

Organizers Office Address:
Championship Sports Events Sdn Bhd
B702, 7th Floor, Wisma Merdeka Phase 2,
Jalan Tun Razak, Kota Kinabalu,
88000 Sabah, Malaysia
Tel/Fax: +6-088-218833

October would be a month to remember for all in the Land Below the Wind. An event unlike no other would be held and it is certain to be a crowd-puller indeed. The Borneo International Marathon happens to be an international sporting event that promises to attract participants from South East Asia and even countless regions around the world.

The Borneo International Marathon are also looking forward to making this a yearly international event to highlight sports tourism in Sabah and also to raise awareness and fund for organizations that need it.

Money raised will be for 8 charitable organizations and 10% of participants entry fees shall go towards an organization of their choice.

With a venue like Sabah, its going to be a holiday that most people would reminisce. With three race routes offered to both experienced and novice runners alike (full marathon, half marathon and 10KM run). The starting and finishing point for the marathon will be at Likas Sports Stadium and the route will take runners along some major highlights in the city.

Full Marathon

Half Marathon

10KM

Race Categories :

Prizes :

Charitable organizations involved are:

• Rumah Kanak-Kanak Bondulu, Tambunan or Tambunan Childrens Home
This home is sponsored entirely by donations and looks after children from this interior town and the surrounding villages; this is a typical rural farming community and comprises some of the poorest areas of Sabah.The money will go to help to pay for the roof on the new dormitory that they have been trying to complete for over a year now.
Contact Person : Sister Rose (Tel: +6019 8719201)

• Emmanual Homes, Kudat, Sabah
Taking care of over 50 children with a small volunteer staff and very little money, this facility is very basic and the children need everything from beds to chairs. It is hoped that we can raise enough money to get them a small van so the kids can have days out. Please also see wish list from Emmanual Homes.
Contact Person: Howard Stanton (Tel: +6013 8818395)

• Borneo Child Aid Society
Providing basic educational support for children living in plantations.
Office: MDLD 6057, Lorong Perdana 3, Sri Perdana, P. O. Box 61850, 91127 Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Contact Person: Torben Venning (Tel: +6089 866857/862402), (Fax: +603-21784113) or (Mobile: +6019 8530656)
Email: info@borneochildaid.org or Website: www.borneochildaid.org

• Food For The Hungry International – Sabah
Office: City Gate, Unit No. C-2-3A, Block C, 2nd Floor, Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jalan Mat Salleh, Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu.
Contact Person: Melanie Chu or Horwath T. H. Liew Tong (Tel: +60 88240335) or (Mobile: 016-8391768)
E-mail: fhim@streamyx.com or Website: www.sabah.org.my/fhisabah

• MERCY Malaysia
Vision: Outstanding in the delivery of medical and humanitarian aid to all.
Mission: MERCY Malaysia is a non-profit organization focusing on providing medical relief and sustainable health related development for vulnerable communities.
Core Values: We focus on rapid medical response for the assistance of communities affected by disasters. We recognise the value of working with partners and volunteers. We provide an opportunity for individuals to serve with professionalism, upholding the International Code of Conduct for Humanitarian workers. We hold ourselves accountable to our donors and beneficiaries
Website: www.mercy.org.my

• Befrienders Kota Kinabalu
Vision: A world in which fewer people feel the need to end their own lives.
Mission: To alleviate distress and help reduce the risk of suicide through emotional support and public education.
Tel: +6-088-255788 or Website: www.befrienders.org

• SIP (Semporna Islands Project)
Community action for sustainable use and conservation of coral reefs.
Project Officer (Sabah): Helen Brunt. Email : helen@sempornaislandsproject.com
Website: www.sempornaislandsproject.com

• Health In Harmony
Health in Harmony supports an innovative programme in West Kalimantan, Indonesia that partners with local communities to integrate high quality, affordable health care with startegies to protect the threatened rainforest.
Email: kinariwebb@healthinharmony.org or anna.hallemeier@healthinharmony.org
Website: www.healthinharmony.org

No Comments

Posted by Promoter on May 10th, 2008 in Promotionals, Travels

Megah D’Aru Hotel, nestled strategically in the heart of Tanjung Aru Township, is less than 5-minutes drive south of Kota Kinabalu City center, the state capital of Sabah, and north of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Its 72 tastefully furnished rooms are equipped with modern conveniences to meet the needs of discerning business and leisure travelers. With is very affordable room rates, Megah D’Aru Hotel is your preferred choice of accommodation in Kota Kinabalu. Most importantly, the warmth and friendly services make the hotel an oasis of total comfort!

MEGAH D’ARU HOTEL
No. 2, Jalan Kinabalu, Tanjung Aru Township, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Tel : +6 088239666
Fax : +6 088239777
E-mail : mdaru2@streamyx.com

Website : www.megahdaru.com

No Comments