EIGHT contestants including three rookies are competing in the finals of Miss Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival (BDCF) 2024. The competition, held in conjunction with the 10-day Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) which kicked off on Aug 8, will take place at the main stage of Tun Tuanku Bujang Square in Sibu, Sarawak, tonight. The eight finalists were whittled down by judges Sibu councillor Augustine Merikan, Datuk Alice Jawan Empaling and Adina Sana from 16 aspirants during a preliminary round.
The competition is open to single Dayak women aged 18 to 30, with a minimum height of 157.48cm. The eight who made the cut are Angelina Rani Gawan, Sylviana Rinya Galing, Hermina Anthony, Felisia Jeffery, Natasha Malviana Nyandang, Kartina Bagan, Arabella Sunta Langkan and Clarissa Rinya Setian.
Five of the eight finalists have previous pageant experience or have won other competitions. Kanowit lass Hermina was crowned Kumang (winner) at the Pekit Kumang Siol Kandis 2024 beauty pageant in Kuching in May. Clarissa won the 2024 Durin Cultural Carnival Kumang contest on April 28.
Angelina took third place at BDCF 2023 with Kartina and Sylviana as consolation winners at the same competition. Miss BDCF 2024 will bag RM5,000 cash, a crown, sash, trophy, hamper and flowers, with the runner-up taking home RM3,000, sash, trophy and hamper. Third place will receive RM2,000 along with a sash, trophy and hamper, while other finalists get a consolation prize of RM800 each.
Miss BDCF 2024 is organised by Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Sibu in collaboration with Sibu Municipal Council (SMC)..
