Thomas Tan
Suziana Anak Damik’s dream of being a beauty queen becomes a reality when she was crowned Miss Sarawak Kebaya 2018.
The 21-year-old Bidayuh from Kuching beat out nine contestants at the Miss & Mrs Sarawak Kebaya 2018 grand final charity crowning gala dinner held at UCSI Hotel, Kuching on 16 November 2018.
To make her victory sweeter, the 160 cm (5’ 3”) tall beauty who works as a freelance part-time model also picked up two subsidiary titles of Miss Personality and Miss Elegant.
First runner up went to 18-year-old student Roxanne Lee from Kuching and second runner-up to 25-year-old finance officer Priscillia Christopher, a Bisaya from Limbang.
That same evening, 31-year-old Audrey Isis, an Iban Bidayuh also from Kuching beat 11 others to win Mrs Sarawak Kebaya 2018.
The mathematics secondary school teacher also grabbed the Mrs Social Media subsidiary title.
Both winners Suziana Anak Damik and Audrey Isis will go on to compete at the Miss & Mrs Malaysia Kebaya 2018 national grand final to be held at Auditorium DBKL, Kuala Lumpur on 14 December 2018.
The grand final charity crowning gala dinner was attended by Datuk Amar Hajah Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang, wife of Sarawak Chief Minister.
A total of 16 subsidiary titles, eight each for Miss and Mrs categories were awarded.
Suziana Damik was over the moon when she was announced the winner of Miss Sarawak Kebaya 2018.
“I feel so proud of myself because I manage to overcome my own challenges to success,” she told Citizen Journalists Malaysia (CJMY) in an interview.
“I praise the Lord for giving me the opportunity to compete in this pageant where elegance and personality are the main things that judges look for.
“I cannot thank you all enough to pay back all those efforts and support from family members, committees and friends who were always there to support me during the pageant activities.
“Gratitude and grace will always be part of me. Always have faith and courage to face any kind of situation so that we can win it with dignity,” she said.
Suziana is the reigning Miss Earth Sarawak 2018 where she also won the Miss Body Beautiful subsidiary title and and Ambassador for Environmental School Awareness. She was also second runner-up in Dayung Sikora Redeem 2017.
The Sarawakian also enjoys participating in beauty pageants. “Beauty pageant is a platform for me to grow stronger and I believe beauty isn’t only about good looks but good heart with positive mindset. Failure in our first attempt doesn’t mean we can’t be champion, but it teaches us the meaning of passionate, discipline and manners. Our personality reflects our true colour,” she said.
On her preparation for the national grand finals of Miss & Mrs Malaysia Kebaya 2018 pageant, she said: “I really have to work hard because the competition is going to be tough so I will prepare myself both physically and mentally.
“Always be ready to accept failure and criticism because only through these two factors we can show our capabilities and efforts to win not only the title but also the heart of the nation.
“I will improve my speaking skills, have eye contacts with the audience without feeling stage fright and learn to balance the rhythm between pageant catwalk, traditional pageant catwalk and runway catwalk. I am really looking forward to the national grand finals and I will give it my best shot.”
Suziana is thrilled with getting up close and personal with Mother Nature.
“I love adventure activities such as hiking and jungle trekking because exploring the nature gives calm to my soul and relax my mind which are very important to my health,” she said.
Suziana loves the kebaya for its elegant look and classic touch.
“I wear the kebaya as often as I can. I’ll make a video about the history of our kebaya, its culture and traditions, and use the power of social media to promote the uniqueness of our kebaya,” she added.
For Audrey Isis, a mother of a three-year-old daughter, she believes all her hard work has paid off now.
“I am grateful because after all my hard work, it has paid off in the end, and I finally won the title. I feel excited and at the same time, I feel that the journey becomes tougher as now I have to represent my state at the national level.
“I had my first pageant in 2009 where I joined the Bidayuh ethnic beauty pageant which was a district-level competition and I won. Then I actually stopped competing in other pageants due to my studies and work. I make a come back in 2016 where I joined Mrs Sarawak and once again I won,” she said.
To prepare for the national final of Miss & Mrs Malaysia Kebaya 2018 pageant, Audrey said she is focusing on building her mental and physical strength.
“For this coming national final in KL, I am in the midst of preparing myself mentally and physically. I would push myself harder doing more research about kebaya, practicing my talent and keeping myself fit and healthy so that I will be energised during the pageant finals,” she said.
Audrey takes great pride in wearing the kebaya for her daily activities.
“Thanks to God, because of my working environment, I wear the kebaya almost every week. I love wearing the kebaya because the cutting of the attire boosts my confidence and tells me to love my body more. It makes me look good and fabulous in that dress.
“I can help to promote kebaya using social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. We all know that most individuals, about 90% or more, are very attached with these social networking sites. Making videos, reviews and pictures really help to introduce our kebaya to the world in just one click. I strongly believe, the social media nowadays is the most powerful medium to promote our kebaya,” she said.
Audrey enjoys hobbies such as singing, dancing, cooking, baking, reading and jogging.
Miss & Mrs Sarawak Kebaya 2018 Final Results
Miss Sarawak Kebaya 2018
Champion : Suzianna Damik, 21
1st Runner Up: Roxanne Lee, 18
2nd Runner Up: Priscillia Christopher, 25
Mrs Sarawak Kebaya 2018
Winner : Audrey Isis, 31
1st Runner Up: Fujica Ak Anngo, 31
2nd Runner Up: Norita Ak Bangga, 34
Subsidiary Title winners
Miss Congeniality – Angeline Cynthia
Miss Personality – Suziana Damik
Miss Best Catwalk – Asnida Bt Roslan
Miss Elegant – Suziana Damik
Miss Photogenic – Stella Phillip
Miss Beautiful Smile – Jasmine Wong
Miss Talent – Jessie Lau
Miss Social Media – Jessie Lau
Mrs Congeniality – Dayangku Norhasiba
Mrs Personality – Fujica Anggo
Mrs Best Catwalk – Fujica Anggo
Mrs Elegant – Patricia
Mrs Photogenic – Norita
Mrs Beautiful Smile – Clara Dan
Mrs Best Talent – Ezanoni Hadjeli
Mrs Social Media – Audrey Isis
C. Khor
CJMY
