Padawan girl wins Dayung Bidayuh Sarawak 2023 title

KUCHING: Lydia Hyginus, a 24 years old Bidayuh girl from Padawan has emerged as the winner in the first edition of Dayung Bidayuh Sarawak 2023. 

She brought back the main prize which is RM 5000 together with a crown, and she will be represent Borneo at Miss Global Asian Borneo 2024, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur next year.

In his speech, Datuk Snowdan Lawan who is the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts said that the beauty queens have the potential to shape the identity of Sarawak as a culturally vibrant destination and various aspects of Sarawak’s heritage.

“If you want to win from here, you must go further; make sure that you have a strong champion when there is a higher representative, such as Dewi Seriestha.

All the 12 finalists photo group with all the juries for a momento.

“Winners are chosen for more than simply their attractiveness. It is also depending on the intelligence. Because it will represent in the future and will be going to an international arena, ensure that they are knowledgeable. Intelligence is necessary,” he said during the officiation of the competition at Borneo Cultures Museum on Sunday (November 12).

He also added that beauty pageants like this are crucial as they are a platform to promote the unique ethnic culture of the contestants as well as promote tourism.

“This selection process was carried out throughout the Sarawak region via a virtual platform, and final physical registration was done at Pris Bridal Studio on July 22 to promote and raise the Bidayuh ethnicity, particularly Bidayuh girls, to the Malaysian and international stage in the field of Female Pageant. 

“This is the first year that this organisation hosted a competition including Bidayuh females from across Sarawak,” he added.

Following the announcement of the secondary title, the Top 5 were announced. Phynterliana took the 4th runner-up spot, while Neeshanoli took the 3rd runner-up spot. Moving up to the Top 3, Cynthia took 2nd Runner Up, while Angela Lou took 1st Runner Up. 

A total of 15 finalists were successfully selected and registered from the 30 applicants from across the Sarawak Region based on the stated criteria, but only 12 finalists acquired it to the final stage because some finalists had to withdraw due to unavoidable reasons. Angela Lou, Auxilia Rose, Cynthia, Daylinn, Eunice, Fleyrissa, Gracezila, Jenna, Joecylyn, Lydia, Neeshanoli, and Phynterliana are among the 12 finalists who contested for the final.

Lydia Hyginus (sit) was the Winner of Dayung Bidayuh Sarawak 2023.

Throughout the day of the final from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, all 12 Finalists presented three kinds of clothes, namely Cocktail Dress, Evening Dress, and Bidayuh Traditional Costume from various ethnic groups and all cocktail and evening dresses showcases Bidayuh motifs and have their unique stories.

On another note, Snowdan announced that he will be donating a total of RM 20,000 grant for programmes like Dayung Bidayuh Sarawak, which aim to bring the Bidayuh Race and the Dayak to the international scene.

Some contestants received Subsidiary Title at the end of the competition, namely, Fleyrissa (Miss Photogenic DBS 2023), Angela Lou (Miss Popular DBS 2023), Neeshanoli (Miss Talent DBS 2023), Lydia (Miss social media DBS 2023 and Miss Best Catwalk DBS 2023), Joecylyn (Miss Best Traditional Costume DBS2023), and Neeshanoli (Miss Best Makeup & Hairdo DBS 2023).

Also present were Datuk Melinda Claudia Bucking Lawan and other distinguished guest.