Stefanus Is The New Mr Kaamatan

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Stefanus Able of Johor representative is the new Buvazoi Tavantang or Mr Kaamatan (MrK). - NSTP/ ERSIE ANJUMINKOTA KINABALU: Johor representative Stefanus Able is the new Buvazoi Tavantang or Mr Kaamatan (MrK).
The 26-year-old digital marketer and photographer beat 42 other hopefuls in the finale held at the Sabah National Culture and Arts Department (JKKNS) auditorium here today.
He took home prizes worth more than RM57,000, including an exclusive bedazzled "sigah" (traditional Kadazan Dusun headgear) worth RM4,000.
Second place was clinched by MrK DBKK Jafrejoe Japrin, a makeup artist. He won prizes worth RM38,600.
MrK Kemabong Maxwell Elity Sulaiman was placed third, which won him prizes worth RM26,100.
Completing the top seven lists of winners are, in fourth place, MrK Keningau Donny Johan; fifth place, MrK Putrajaya Paenus Kansirong; sixth place, MrK Tenom Christopher Joseph; and, seventh place, MrK Sook Stanley Supin.
The fourth to seventh-place winners also received prizes.
The MrK is Sabah's cultural male pageant and has been organised since 2008.
From a humble beginning, the pageant was recognised as one of the official events for the state's Kaamatan Festival celebration in 2021.
The pageant promotes the uniqueness of the culture, customs and traditional costumes of the Kadazan Dusun Murut Rungus (KDMR) community, apart from finding a titleholder who embodies knowledge and leadership.
Speaking to the press, Stefanus dedicated the victory to his family who always supported him.
"I thank God for my winning and I did not expect to win it…I would also like to congratulate all finalists.
"I did my best for the MrK competition and I dedicate this victory to my family," said the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia graduate.
Stefanus who is originally from Keningau but now based in Johor, said he would also like to be someone who young KDM men can look up to.
"This victory is a stepping stone for me to be an icon or a cultural ambassador so that I can be a kind of person who people would look up to, who can be an example to others and be a high-caliber leader,"
On his future plans, Stefanus disclosed he would cooperate with other MrK finalists to fulfil their competition manifestos, and inspired youth to be brave and use the MrK platform to preserve the KDMR cultures.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan expressed hope that districts in Sabah would organise Mr Kaamatan as one of their main Kaamatan events, just like Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan, starting next year.
"This year's programme started in several districts that selected their representatives for the State-level competition.
"I see this as a positive development for the competition," he said.
Kitingan's speech was delivered by Permanent Secretary to the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, Datuk Dr Mariana Tinggal. - NST

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