MF on the just concluded UB-Iban Karaoke Singing Competition

(The 3 Winners of the night. My favorite to win is Jesper Nimoy, the beautiful guy on your lefthand corner of your screen)

( Claudia being accompanied on guitars by YB Snowdan & friend )

( Childhood buddy, Mervyn Tajem. Now popularly known as Vynne, the Administrator for RadioKitai.Com He is the Event Manager for this Competition. I didn't notice he is that tall or maybe I'm the pendek one here? )

(Our friend & fellow blogger Reynold Sabai AKA rino)

( Roslina, one of the invited guest singers, who is also a friend of MF )

( WOW! I asked Reynolds Gregory for this one pose "specially for my Blog" I told him. Also known in the local entertainment arena as "Elray" one of the late Elvis Presley's impersonators. Also in the picture. Jimmy Geres, Claudia's dad. He composes most of Claudia's tunes and plays the lead guitar. Wish I was as good as Sama' Yen)

(Roslina with Stef AKA adMF. The last time adMF met Roslina was when she was about 5 years old)

(MF's partner for life, my pillar of strength, Jennifer AKA LadyJenn with daughter Stephanie Dindu. Ada rupa macam mak kah?)

( Rino will remember this moment in a long time being a great fan and supporter since AF 7 He is one of those in RuaiKitai who "gerakan" AFUNDI CLAUDIA during the last AF Season 7)

( At the end of the night well into the wee hours of the morning, as we were about to enter our Kancil when we "crashed" into them, Jesper Nimoy's Dancers, y'all!)

( One of the many dishes that night. MF can cook also... same same like that! )


"Unity Through Songs" is the Theme chosen by the Organisers for 2009.

The Guest 0f Honour was YB Snowdan Lawan, who did his part by contributing some songs before the Results was announced by DJ Francis Linggie AKA Ambai Kumang. He did an impromptu act along with Claudia and a friend of the YB's. As always, singing is one of his many loves, now being a full time politician. ( Our friendship, goes back to many, many years ago, when I joined our late "brother" Stanley Jemat & Roy Lawan for our jam sessions on our Kapok guitars. Of course, yours truly is not as good as them. Rest in peace, Stan mah man! )

Coming back to the UB-Iban Karaoke, it was sponsored by many big time Corporate players which I'll not mention names here.

I, salute you guys. You've all done a wonderful & fantastic job!

There were 10 Finalists all in all, including surprisingly, two Malay participants.

It started a bit late (after 7:30pm) though Vynne of RadioKitai assured me the Show will start at 6:45pm, and ( if you're reading this Yynne, "nat ke perut lapar tudah kaban" I had to skip my dinner because I don't want to miss a minute of the action ....

After the Welcoming Speech by the Organisers, the Sponsors, finally the Show start-off with Claudia AF7 taking the center stage with two numbers. She sang confidently. I guess as a former student of Akademi Fantasia helps her a lot and the crowd really enjoyed her Special Guest Appearance on that night. Before the Show started, Fay, (her "other" name known to most family members)shook hands with the diners that came and took plenty of pictures with them.

Music soothes your soul. Music unites all walks of life, the rich and the poor, the famous and the not so popular. Politicians, news people, businessmen, "pengampu" included here too!

The Iban Music Industry is still young as compared to others. It was a notable effort by SADIA especially its President "uncle" Sidi Munan for his tireless effort to promote it and judging by those who are not Ibans singing in the Iban dialect effortlessly is rather encouraging and interesting.

Is that our answer towards our PM Najib's Call for ONE MALAYSIA ???

I saw many local Iban celebrities. But what caught my eye that night after stealing a glance at the "older" Iban beauties, and since Gawai Dayak Festival is about a week's away, the FIRST THING I can't help noticing is their "golden hair, golden mane" almost everyone of them wears them blonde! Maybe that's is IN THING in Fashion to welcome the Gawai mood? I dunno guys ....(anang nganu aku sida ibu ti tebacha ke blog tu, au? Tundi aku aja nya, ney.)

I invited Reynold Sabai AKA Rino, as he is a great fan of Claudia's during the AF 7.

My family shared ours (Table No.40) with Claudia's family and her aunt. (My in-laws, wai! Kati ke enda dih?)

The Winner at the end of the Competition is a lass from Simunjan, Leezuizita Ripin. 2nd place went to Mary Lika Sumbang but I personally like the performance from Jesper Nimoy, who won 3rd place. He really got the crowd going like crazy! His dancers, not bad.(mischievious grin*) His vocal control, his pitching is good.Even a great guitarist like Jimmy Geres acknowledges that. And he still sings even today. But my views is not shared by the three appointed judges for the night. What can I say?

I hope the Organisers will do this sort of Competition at least once a year to look for new talents. I talked to Maxwell Rojis after the Show ended and offered to help organise an event such as this in the future. No kiddin' you jaku nya, unggal Max.

The Show was finally over after 12am.

We reached home before 12:15am, no traffic jam, ma!


PS I think its not to early to wish each one of the Blog walkers, readers,well wishers A Selamat Hari Gawai Dayak 2009. May your harvest be bountiful always.

Posted By Stephen KU Dass AKA Merekah Fajar