PENAMPANG: Francisca Ester Nain has been crowned unduk ngadau in this year’s Kaamatan festival.
The 25-year-old lass, who represented Karambunai, took over the role of the legendary figure Huminodun from former unduk ngadau Hosiani Jaimis.
The Unduk Ngadau pageant is one of the most important highlights of the Kaamatan festival, which celebrates Huminodun, a maiden who was sacrificed by her father, Kinoingan, to save the people from famine to bring about a bountiful harvest.
The unduk ngadau is expected to carry out social and charity work, as well as promote Sabah tourism for a year.
Francisca not only outshone 63 other contestants, but also her own performance two years ago.
“I was at the finals of this pageant two years ago, but only secured 15th place,” she said.
“My past experience definitely gave some advantages for this contest,” said the 170cm tall beauty at Hongkod Koisaan here.
Francisca plans to further her studies in teaching the Kadazandusun language.
Francisca, whose parents are farmers, is the sixth of eight siblings.
She said she used her mother tongue, Dusun Tindal, to converse with family members and hoped to inspire other youngsters to embrace their own cultures.
Francisca took home RM100,00 in prizes, which included a cash prize of RM18,000, education sponsorship worth RM50,000, a trophy, and return flights to Japan and Korea.
The first runner-up was Pantai Manis’s Annette Rabecca Januin, who won a cash prize of RM13,000 and an education sponsorship worth RM40, 000, as well as flight tickets to Thailand.
Second runner-up Penampang’s Leticia Casianus Bansin bagged RM10,000 and an education sponsorship of RM30,000.
In fourth place was Skye Judith Harding representing Tamparuli; followed by Conne Juenin (Kundasang); Nurul Yanadido (Tandek); and Vinny Alvionitta Sasising (Klang Valley).