Latest news with #SabahVfmSongAwards
Daily Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Hangadon Zou wins SabahVfm Song Awards
Published on: Saturday, July 12, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 12, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Joniston presents the prizes to the overall winners. PENAMPANG: When Lyron Felix and his team stood on stage at the KDCA Hall here, they did not expect their Kadazan ballad Hangadon Zou to clinch the top prize at the second season of the SabahVfm Song Awards. 'To me, a win means working hard towards something and finally achieving it,' said Lyron after being named overall champion. 'But honestly, I did not expect to win because all the other songs were incredibly strong – we are just grateful that it turned out in our favour.' The win marks a significant moment for the young singer-songwriter, who explained that the song had been in the works for years before finally coming to life in 2023. 'It (Hangadon Zou) is not my first single, but this one had been planned for a while. 'We paused the project when I joined Sugandoi and only resumed a year after winning it,' he said. Hangadon Zou, which translates to 'I Miss You', is a poignant piece about the longing and emotional depth in a long-distance relationship, said co-writer Pontius Otigil. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article. Support Independant Journalism Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News Exclusive News Invites to special events Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards 1-Year Most Popular (Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Hangadon Zou takes centre stage at SabahVfm Song Awards
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Lyron performs Hangadon Zou. - Pic by Ricardo Unto | Daily Express PENAMPANG: Singer-songwriter Lyron Felix and his team were named overall champions at the second season of the SabahVfm Song Awards with their Kadazan ballad Hangadon Zou , to their surprise. The State Sugandoi Kaamatan 2022 winner said the win felt like the result of years of dedication, though he did not expect it given the strength of the other finalists. The ballad, co-written with Pontius Otigil, Raymond KSTV Stephen, and Elvine Ng Nyuk Vui, was originally planned in Malay and reworked into Kadazan. Describing the piece as a song about longing and sincere love in a long-distance relationship, Pontius said it stood out for its challenging structure and blend of local identity with international influences. The song's final arrangement was a significant departure from the original, incorporating Korean ballad elements and tailored to Lyron's vocal range. Lyron expressed hope that the award would encourage young Sabahans to embrace ethnic languages and preserve their cultural heritage through music. Hangadon Zou was among 12 finalists in the biennial competition, with other category winners including Boros Ginawo (Dusun), co-written by Marcolate Viola Marcus and Jairah Marcus and performed by Norzizi Safira Iddy; Simpatataan (Murut), written by Jati Ampasok and performed by Syamson Tingkalur and Afiezal Fahmi Inggu; and Selekat Kiti Mitu (Bajau), written by Nurul Fadzilah Noordin and performed by Mohd Rozaimi Rozali. * 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
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
State reaffirms support for local arts and culture
Published on: Friday, July 11, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Joniston presents the prizes to the overall champion. - Pic by Ricardo Unto | Daily Express PENAMPANG: The State Government remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote Sabah's rich arts, culture, and languages, including the SabahVfm Song Awards, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. In a speech delivered by Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai at the KDCA Hall here on Thursday night, Hajiji expressed confidence that such programmes would continue to uncover new talents and elevate Sabah's ethnic music industry. He said the Government would collaborate with Sabah RTM and other agencies to roll out more impactful cultural initiatives, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing the local creative landscape. Hajiji added that the SabahVfm Song Awards aligned with the State's vision to empower local music and reflected RTM Sabah's engagement with the community through accessible platforms such as RTM Klik and social media. Congratulating the finalists, he encouraged continued public support -especially from the younger generation – to preserve and celebrate Sabah's ethnic music as a living expression of its people's identity. The overall champion of the SabahVfm Song Awards was the Kadazan song 'Hangadon Zou', co-written by Lyron Felix, Raymond KSTV Stephen, Elvine Ng Nyuk Vui, and Pontius Otigil, and performed by Lyron. Also present was Sabah Broadcasting Director Mohd Yusni Mohamed Ali. * 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
SabahVfm Song Awards returns with bigger prizes
Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: The finalists. KOTA KINABALU: The SabahVfm Song Awards returns for its second season tomorrow (July 10) with a showcase of the best ethnic songs from Sabah. Organised by the Sabah Broadcasting Department, the event will take place at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA in Penampang from 8.30pm onwards. The biennial awards aim to elevate ethnic music and foster the creation of new works in Sabah's native languages. Launched in 2023 as a flagship programme of Sabah RTM's SabahVfm radio station, the awards spotlight songs from the Kadazan, Bajau, Murut, and Dusun communities. Twelve songs selected between May 2024 and May this year will compete, with three finalists representing each ethnic language category. Sabah RTM's panel shortlisted finalists based on vocal quality, tempo, and musical arrangement. The finalists are: Kadazan: Hangadon Zou – Lyron Felix – Lyron Felix Sopiiso Nodaa Ngoduvo – Presley Petrus – Presley Petrus Kopiiso Zito Ngoduvo – Elden Isos and Esther D Kimsiong Bajau: Selekat Kiti Mitu – Rozainie Rozali – Rozainie Rozali Rengot Jangat – Tantiana Tukiman – Tantiana Tukiman Angay – Mohammad Hud Lufti Jamail Murut: Simpatataan – Syamson Tingkalur and Afiezal Fahmi Inggu – Syamson Tingkalur and Afiezal Fahmi Inggu Insan Ru – Anjee Afirra Laijih – Anjee Afirra Laijih Sumilah Poh Bulan – Sitipah Jahamin Dusun: Sumilau – Wirona Malun – Wirona Malun Boros Ginawo – Norzizi Safira Iddy – Norzizi Safira Iddy Sunudai Oku – James Sami Finalists will perform live on stage accompanied by the Angkasapuri Orchestra and RTM Sabah Combo. The awards ceremony will be aired live and streamed on RTM Klik, RTM Sabah Facebook, and SabahVfm, as well as on Sabahfm, Tawaufm, Sandakanfm, and Keningaufm. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is scheduled to attend the event as the guest of honour. A total of RM48,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, an increase from RM27,500 in 2023. The top prize for Song of the Year is RM6,000, while RM2,000 will be awarded each for Best Vocal, Best Performance, and Best Lyricist. Winners for each ethnic category will receive RM4,000, runners-up RM3,000, and third place RM2,000, with all recipients receiving trophies and certificates. Admission is free, and the public is encouraged to attend and support Sabah's vibrant music scene. * 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
