Latest news with #Joanna
Daily Express
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Better Unduk Ngadau judging system
Published on: Friday, May 30, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 30, 2025 By: Ricardi Unto Text Size: Joanna (right) explained that the format of the competition remains unchanged, beginning with 51 finalists before narrowing down to 15 and finally selecting the top 7, with two rounds of question-and-answer (Q&A) segments. Kota Kinabalu: The State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) final judging session this year will be improved with the aid of a computerised scoring system and language interpreters, the organisers said recently. State UNK co-chairperson Datuk Joanna Kitingan, during the registration on Monday, said a new computerised scoring system would be introduced for the grand finals on May 31, with hopes it would streamline the process and allow results to be announced earlier, ideally by 5.30pm or 6pm. She added that this year's panel will consist of seven judges - an increase from the usual five. Joanna explained that the format of the competition remains unchanged, beginning with 51 finalists before narrowing down to 15 and finally selecting the top 7, with two rounds of question-and-answer (Q&A) segments. 'In the first Q&A for the top 15, finalists will be required to answer in their mother tongue or native languages, while the second Q&A for the top 7 will be judged on content, accuracy, and confidence,' she said. State UNK co-chairperson Mary Gambidau said the inclusion of interpreters for Lundayeh and Murut languages was a direct response to suggestions from netizens calling for more equitable judging in the final rounds. Advertisement 'At this time, we are only providing interpreters for Lundayeh and Murut because Kadazan and Dusun are widely understood by most judges who are fluent in these languages,' she said. She emphasised that the interpreters will be independent professionals, not part of the organising committee, to ensure impartiality and accurate translation during the Q&A sessions. Mary also revealed that a dedicated and credible question committee, consisting of experts in the Kadazan Dusun language, was formed this year to draft thoughtful and culturally relevant questions. 'We hope the questions this year will be better,' she said. As for the scoring breakdown, the first round of judging for the 51 finalists is based on six components: natural beauty (10 per cent) assessed by the committee, overall beauty (30 per cent) by the judges, traditional attire (25 per cent), stage presence (15 per cent), discipline (10 per cent) assessed by the committee, and the CAN Video Project (10 per cent). The second round for the top 15 finalists focuses on five criteria: natural beauty (10 per cent) assessed by the committee, overall beauty (25 per cent), traditional attire (10 per cent), stage presence (15 per cent), and mother tongue usage (10 per cent) - evaluated based on fluency, content, and confidence - plus discipline (10 per cent) by the committee, totalling 80 per cent. The final round for the top 7 finalists adds a 20 per cent score from the general knowledge Q&A session, judged on content, accuracy, and confidence, making up the remaining percentage to complete the 100 per cent final mark. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
Thousands of farmers flock to Aberdeenshire farm for BeefTech 25
Thousands of people flocked to an Aberdeenshire farm for the Royal Northern Agricultural Society (RNAS) BeefTech 25 event today. It showcased some of the latest machinery and technology available to Scottish farmers. Although primarily aimed at the beef sector, there was plenty to interest sheep and arable farmers too. With numbers steadily building throughout the day, helped by sunny weather, an estimated 4,000 visitors attended the event at Home Farm, Kininmonth, near Mintlaw. The Gall family played host to BeefTech 25 and one of them, Joanna, said they were 'proud' to be helping to showcase Aberdeenshire farming to visitors from near and far. 'It was an honour to be asked to host this event,' said Joanna, adding: 'The lovely dry weather we've had lately made the preparations easier.' Aberdeenshire Provost Judy Whyte called the event a 'great showcase' for north-east agriculture. More than 19% of Scotland's beef cattle herd is in Aberdeenshire alone. The area also boasts in excess of 34% of Scotland's total red meat production. BeefTech 25 featured a broad range of activities to promote the agriculture and the beef industry, continuing a long tradition of specialist events hosted by RNAS over the years. There were lots of well-kent local faces in attendance. But Joanna said she'd been pleasantly surprised to also see so many farmers from much further afield. The day kicked off with a breakfast seminar featuring a banker, vet, sheep farmer and meat processor. The banker was Stephen Buchan, Virgin Money's head of agriculture for Scotland. He highlighted some of the financial pressures for farmers just now, and told a packed seminar how good cashflow and performance monitoring were key to securing a loan. Graeme Fowlie, of Meadow Vets, updated the audience about new treatments coming onto the market to help farmers keep their livestock healthy. He livened up his slide presentation with video segments and images of Aberdeen FC's historic Scottish Cup win over Celtic. And he gave everyone a close up of a cow's internal organs via a live camera link into a bucket. Cammy Wilson is a well-known sheep farmer from Ayrshire. His YouTube channel about life on his farm, The Sheep Game, now boasts more than 400,000 subscribers. His entertaining seminar presentation focused on opportunities for new entrants to the industry. Luck and good networking are crucial, said Cammy, whose enthusiasm for farming shone through. And he said his social media activities were helping to keep his farm financially viable. Prys Morgan is procurement director for meat processor Kepak UK, principal sponsor for BeefTech 25. Speaking about market opportunities for the UK beef supply chain, Prys said consumer demand for quality produce remains strong. And global events including the war in Ukraine highlight the importance of food security, he added. But the industry is facing a major challenge around costs and a long-term decline in the size of Britain's beef cattle herd, he warned. Prys also described the lack of any legislation committing the UK hospitality industry to tell customers where food comes from as a 'significant flaw'. The biggest challenge facing Britain's beef sector is to make sure it remains profitable for farmers without the end product becoming too expensive for consumers, he said. The host farm for BeefTech 25 supplies most of its finished cattle to Kepak's McIntosh Donald abattoir at Portlethen. McIntosh Donald procurement manager Ewan Hutcheson had previously hailed today's event as a 'great opportunity' to promote the beef industry. It also helped to highlight those within the supply chain who help sustain the industry through thick and thin, showcasing their commitment, talent and passion, he said. Other major sponsors at BeefTech 25 included Virgin Money, ANM Group, Denis O Brown, AAB and Harbro. As well as trade stands and beef industry seminars, there was a popular breed society marquee, as well as barley trial plots and working demonstrations of feeder wagons. Visitors got to see an autonomous tractor and hi-tech weed sprayer in action. Meanwhile, a walking tour with one of the Gall family took in some of Home Farm's feeding cattle, cows and calves. A stock judging and auction raised cash for the local branch of Macmillan Cancer Support. Home Farm, Kininmonth, has been under Gall ownership for more than 100 years. Its current custodians finish 1,000 head of cattle a year, many of them from Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. About 800 Shetland cross lambs are also bought for finishing and lamb is prominent on the menu at Saplinbrae Hotel and Lodges, a 14-bedroom establishment Noel and Joanna Gall acquired in 2015. The Galls showcasing their suckler cow and cattle finishing system at BeefTech 25. Their farm stretches to nearly 600 acres, with a further 200 acres rented – half for crops and half for grazing. About 350ac of barley are grown for feeding, with oats, wheat and oilseed rape taking up 120ac, 60ac and 60ac respectively.
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Computerised scoring, interpreters to enhance Unduk Ngadau 2025 final
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Joanna (right) and Mary at the press conference. KOTA KINABALU: The State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) final judging this year will see the introduction of a computerised scoring system and interpreters to enhance efficiency. UNK co-chairperson Datuk Joanna Kitingan said during a press conference on Monday that the new digital system is expected to streamline the process and enable results to be announced earlier, around 5.30pm or 6pm. She added that this year's final will involve seven judges instead of the usual five, aiming to ensure a broader and more balanced evaluation. The competition format remains the same with 51 contestants shortlisted to 15, and subsequently to the top seven, with two question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions during the process. Joanna said the first Q&A will require answers in the participants' native languages, while the final round will assess general knowledge based on content, accuracy, and confidence. Co-chairperson Mary Gambidau said interpreters for Lundayeh and Murut have been appointed following public suggestions, noting Kadazan and Dusun are generally understood by the judging panel. Advertisement She stressed that the interpreters are professionals independent of the organising committee, while a specialised team has been tasked with preparing well-crafted and culturally relevant Q&A questions. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
51 finalists for the 2025 National UNK pageants: cash prizes up
Published on: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 Published on: Tue, May 27, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2024 winner Hyellene Danius (middle) shows the new sash for this year's winner while Joanna (right) and Mary look on. Kota Kinabalu: The cash prize has been increased for this year's State Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, as organisers celebrate the pageant's 65th anniversary with renewed cultural vigour and growing national participation. Co-chairperson Mary Gambidau said RM15,000 would be awarded to the winner, up from RM12,000 previously, followed by RM12,000 for the first runner-up and RM10,000 for the second runner-up. Datuk Joanna Kitingan, who co-chairs the organising committee, said 51 finalists from across Malaysia have registered for the cultural pageant, which runs from May 26 to 31, forming the highlight of the annual Kaamatan Festival. 'This year's theme, 'Kaamatan for All', reflects our commitment to inclusivity and unity, bringing together participants and communities from every background to celebrate our shared cultural heritage,' Joanna told a press conference, Monday. She described the pageant as the oldest cultural event of its kind in Malaysia, possibly the world, with origins rooted in the legend of Huminodun - a unique distinction that gives it a spiritual and cultural depth unmatched by modern pageants. Joanna said the pageant's endurance over six and a half decades was thanks to the foresight of Sabah's early leaders who secured State-level recognition of Kaamatan from the British administration in 1960. Advertisement 'Without understanding our history, we cannot understand our identity,' she stressed, adding Unduk Ngadau remains a living celebration of heritage, resilience and the strength of womanhood in Kadazan Dusun culture. She noted that the event has grown significantly in scale over the years, symbolised by the move from smaller venues to the increasingly grand scale of the current hosting hall. Mary shared a line-up of cultural and educational activities scheduled throughout the week, ranging from photoshoots and a sashing ceremony to a short film competition on water and conservation. She said the Sodop Unduk Ngadau on May 28 would pay tribute to local designers by blending contemporary style with traditional attire, celebrating their role in preserving Sabah's visual culture. Joanna also highlighted efforts to strengthen documentation and research into traditional costumes, noting that each year has brought discoveries, including long-forgotten designs recovered through community consultation. 'These discoveries matter because they enrich our understanding of traditional dress, and we hope to establish a museum at KDCA to preserve them alongside our gallery,' she said. It was also disclosed that the top three winners will receive an additional RM5,500 monetary reward as well as scholarships worth RM85,000 in total. According to the organising committee, Sawit Kinabalu is sponsoring the top three cash prizes this year, while Jetama will support the awards for the remaining top seven finalists. The 2025 edition will proceed without a representative from Kinabatangan, but Joanna assured that the spirit of cultural continuity remains strong with 51 contestants carrying forward the tradition. She also reiterated the importance of intergenerational dialogue in preserving costume knowledge, encouraging families to ask elders about the meaning and significance behind their cultural dress. The Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, which honours the sacrifice of Huminodun, is seen not just as a beauty contest, but as a platform that empowers women through cultural knowledge and community leadership. Representing their respective districts, sub-districts and KDCA branches, the finalists are Nelmui Muhari (KDCA Bandaraya), Evanatie Sannie (Bandaraya KK), Airiana Rannie Jospuin (Banggi), Steavaynie Ginadus (Beaufort), Alvera Tassry (Bingkor), and Rini Swanda Jukilin (Beluran). Ivy Davina David (Inanam), Ally Lyverra Julius (Johor), Yohana Petrus (Kalabakan), Carolyn Tony (Kapayan), Jaclyn Ashley Honorius Jillu (Karambunai), Bibiana Wong Pau Yun (Kemabong), Lesdianaley Matius (Keningau) and Celarin Jenny (Kiulu). The Klang Valley is represented by Norasnish Madjalan, along with Allvera Azerra Jaunik (Kota Belud), Adrina Alvera Kladius (Kota Marudu), Hazeville Tan (Kuala Penyu), Dolly Haizal Densol (Kudat) and Einnawenda Wenceslaus (Kunak). Other contestants include Lorain Ephrin Chan (Labuan), Paige Naville Chong (Lahad Datu), Velleryn Vivienne Hikson (Matunggong), Brolyn Bilid Benjamin (Melaka), Dellysia Juanis (Membakut), Melleney Melvin (Menumbok) and Emylia Easter (Nabawan). Velintinah Marcus (Pagalungan), De Souza Rojar (Paitan), Ann Rachel Oilon (Papar), Slecther Myranda Floyd (Penampang), Raysendra Protasious @ Raynolf (Penang) and Petronelizin Jackson (Perak). Nicolyn Rosleen (Pitas), Sabrina Tubong (Putatan), Emelka Ryner (Putrajaya), Jenylin Janis (Ranau), Elly Reachel Marcus (Sandakan) and Izavel Alesandra Beko (Sarawak). Pinqie Ivany Benrond (Semporna), Michelle Labo (Sipitang), Jacqlyna Doney (Sook), Elka Alika Pijeh (Tambunan), Atitih Yatih Robert (Tamparuli), Cherub Sharleena Cassdey (Tanjung Aru), Mercy Steffie Wong (Tawau), Fellisa Earla (Telupid), Fayedonna Romeo (Tenom), Winddy Pearl Gibson (Tongod), April Adelaide Agedius (Tuaran) and Rosa Eligius (Tungku). These finalists will take part in various activities throughout the cultural pageant week, culminating in the highly anticipated grand finale at Hongkod Koisaan, KDCA, Penampang. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
National Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025 kicks off with 51 finalists, Kinabatangan opts out
The 51 finalists for the 2025 National UNK pageant, with last year's winner Hyellene Danius (front row, 14th from left). KOTA KINABALU (May 26): The National Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025 (UNK 2025) officially began on Monday with the registration of all 51 finalists from across Malaysia at the Hilton Hotel. UNK 2025 co-chair, Datuk Joanna Kitingan, said this marks the start of the Cultural Pageant Week from May 26 till May 31 and this year's edition holds special significance as it commemorates the 65th anniversary of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, a cultural pageant that continues to honour the legend of Huminodun and celebrate the enduring beauty, strength and wisdom of Kadazandusun women. The Kinabatangan district opted out from participating in the UNK 2025 and did not send a representative due to the lack of participation in the district level UNK contest. 'This is the Kinabatangan district's first absense in the National Level Unduk Ngadau pageant in so many years. I heard they celebrated the Kaamatan festival there but did not hold the Unduk Ngadau contest,' said Joanna. 2024 National UNK winner, Hyellene Danius (centre) holds up the sash that will be worn by winner of the 2025 National UNK on May 31, as well as showcases the crown for the upcoming queen. Also in the picture are Joanna (right) and Mary. Out of the 51 finalists, only one will be crowned as the 2025 UNK queen on May 31, and receive the main prizes of RM15,000 in cash prize, a custom-designed crown, a handmade beaded sash, a scholarship from the North Borneu University College (NBUC) and others. The prizes for the first runner-up and second runner-up as well as the top seven winners will be announced later on May 31, she said. Meanwhile, throughout this week, the finalists will embark on a journey of cultural immersion and learning. Highlights include an experiential visit to the Sabah Museum, where they will participate in traditional activities such as Magagung (pounding the gong), Menutu Parai (rice pounding), bead making, and the preparation of traditional dishes like tuhau, losun and hinava. The finalists will also make a special appearance at the Malaysian International Cocoa Festival at the Sabah International Convention Centre, take part in the culture, gro-tourism and nature (CAN) short film awards at Imago Shopping Mall, and attend educational talks on cultural heritage and healthcare. Their itinerary also includes a visit to the traditional houses at Koisaan Cultural Village, KDCA. On May 28, the prestigious Sodop Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Gala night will bring together dignitaries, community leaders and cultural supporters. While all dinner tables are fully sold, gallery tickets (without dinner) are still available for purchase. The grand coronation will be held on May 31, where one finalist will be crowned Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2025. To commemorate this milestone year, a limited edition 65th anniversary Unduk Ngadau commemorative stamp and souvenir book will be released. Co-chairperson, Dr Mary Gambidau, also shared that among the improvements adopted for this year's UNK finale is getting translators for the finalists answering questions in Lundayeh and Murut. 'We have listened to netizens, and in our effort to improve, there will be a translator for finalists delivering their answers in Lundayeh and in Murut,' said Mary. She added that the translators are not among the juries. 'We have a team to prepare questions from Maktab Perguruan (Teachers College), the Kadazan Dusun Foundation (KLF), and the Dusun language enthusiasts,' she explained. On May 31, all 51 finalists will be showcasing and introducing themselves, after which the number will be narrowed down to 15, who will answer a question in their mother tongue with the assistance of an interpreter. From there, the selection will move to the top 7, where the finalists will undergo another round of question-and-answer session, and thereafter, the top three will be selected. Joanna said that a total of seven judges are employed to carry out the judging, and they have also employed a computerised system for the finals on May 31. 'We hope to conclude everything and present the next reigning queen by 5pm or 6pm on May 31.' Further details will be announced via our official Unduk Ngadau social media platform. Sponsors for the event include Sawit Kinabalu, Jetama, Skintific Malaysia, Imago Shopping Mall, PHI Dental, KOVAC, Trusted Shark, PopOutlink, Beauty Wonderland, Happy Place, Chuck & Dunk, Vaseline, Sazarice, Pepsi, Maxis and many more. The theme for this year's event is 'Kaamatan for all', or 'Kaamatan montok toinsanan'. The UNK 2025 stands as a testament to cultural continuity, heritage preservation and the evolving role of women as ambassadors of tradition in a modern world. Also present during the press conference was 2024 UNK Hyellene Danius.
