Primary school teacher crowned Kaamatan queen

 

Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan winner Hyellene Danius, flanked by Elldiwirna Saimen (left) and Monicka Majin. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Primary school teacher Hyellene Danius has been crowned as the winner of the 2024 National Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan pageant.

She beat 50 other contestants at the pageant held at the Kadazandusun Cultural Centre in Penampang, Sabah, according to The Borneo Post.

Danius takes home prizes worth over RM100,000, including cash rewards, educational sponsorships, ambassadorship opportunities and a rice sponsorship.

She told reporters that she did not expect to win the crown, as she had initially aimed for the Top 15.

The 27-year-old said she had been participating in Unduk Ngadau pageants, previously in Tuaran (2016) and in Kota Kinabalu (2022), but did not reach the finals on those occasions.

Elldiwirna Saimen from Kiulu took the second spot, while Monicka Majin from Keningau came in third.

Johor’s Romandawi Gapari finished fourth, Tenom’s Liana Melve Grace Liaswa in fifth place, Tongod’s Elviana Gunong in sixth and Kemabong’s Richella Kan Siang in seventh. - FMT