By David E.
The suspense of the 2026 State-level Unduk Ngadau competition has ended, the question of the winner has been answered, the name Gelvia resounds as champion, and the state crown now sits beautifully upon her head.
This is no ordinary victory – for a graceful young woman who once admitted she “was not brave and her voice trembled” now stands proudly as the confident and authoritative Unduk Ngadau of Sabah State.
“Of course, I am very happy and grateful,” said Gelvia, her voice still trembling with emotion. She did not expect the win, but “the desire to become champion was indeed there.”
Behind the glittering stage and the roar of the crowd, Vivi Yana Jenny shed tears of joy over the victory of her younger sister Gelvia – the two had competed against each other on the same stage.
“The most meaningful moment was when I saw my older sister cry with happiness, and we had the opportunity to take photos together in full traditional attire,” Gelvia shared.
A special beauty shone through when the value of victory was shared and cherished together as sisters.
Before the final competition, Gelvia had said that her biggest victory at that time was successfully getting through the Q&A session. Now that she has become state champion, many are surely wondering what she considers her “greatest victory” on finals night.
Not the title, not the crown…
“I managed to get through another, more challenging Q&A session because the audience was larger and the number of preparation questions had also increased. And once again, I was able to stand on stage and deliver my answers along with my stage presentation – which will remain a very meaningful memory for me.”
According to Gelvia, true victory is about the courage to keep showing up, to raise one’s voice, and to express one’s ideas in front of thousands of eyes.
Many assume that preparations for the state level would be drastically different from the district level, but for Gelvia, that was not the case.
“I don’t think there were many changes. I just continued my preparations as before, only focusing more on public speaking practice and reading more to improve my general knowledge for the preliminary assessment.”
What is her secret?
“I try to stay active and take care of my physical health. Emotionally, I avoid negative things that could disturb my focus and inner peace, and I prefer to see and hear things that motivate me and have a positive impact on my mind.”
Before the state final, Gelvia admitted that there was a “battle between doubt and confidence” within her. In the critical moments before stepping onto the stage, Gelvia strengthened her resolve with whispered words to her heart: “I always tell myself: just enjoy the moment, smile sincerely from the heart, and God will surely guide my journey. This is the time to present what has been prepared – do not let regret follow.”
A simple yet profound philosophy – enjoy the process, surrender to the Almighty, and do not let regret become your companion.
This may be the most powerful message from Gelvia throughout the interview. As a true Kadazan girl, she is aware that her mother tongue is under threat. Gelvia does not just talk – she acts.
After being crowned State UNK, on how she will empower the Kadazan language, Gelvia said: “The main platform I will use is social media – the platform that is fastest and closest to young people.”
A smart move – Gelvia understands that today’s youth live with their smartphones in their hands. To reach them, Gelvia will go to their “home” – social media.
Her victory already serves as concrete proof that the mother tongue is not just a heritage but also an asset.
The judges at the state level did test Gelvia’s command of the Kadazan language more deeply, but she faced it calmly.
“Yes, it was indeed testing. Actually, the questions during the pre-judging session were quite similar to the questions I had practiced during my training sessions. So when answering, it wasn’t very difficult for me to find new ideas. At that moment, I only needed to arrange my sentences to fit the requirements of the question.”
The key to her success? Thorough preparation beforehand. Gelvia did not wait until the last minute to study. She had already trained herself with practice questions, making the pre-judging session feel like a “familiar test.”
Gelvia had previously defined a “True Unduk Ngadau” as a woman who is knowledgeable, has a strong sense of identity, dares to speak up, and has a heart to help others. During her one-year reign as state queen, what concrete action does she want to take to bring that definition to life?
“One thing I want to do is use the platform I have to encourage more young women to become knowledgeable individuals, confident in their own identity, and brave enough to contribute to society. I believe that a True Unduk Ngadau is not just a title – it is about how we inspire others, help people, and bring positive values into daily life,” Gelvia said confidently.
This is clearly not an empty promise but a personal manifesto that she will carry throughout her reign.
Regarding Hosiani James Joimis (UNK 2018) and Fransisca Ester Nain (UNK 2019) as her icons, Gelvia said: “I hope to receive guidance and advice from those who have experience carrying this responsibility as State-level UNK.”
Gelvia does not feel that her victory makes her perfect; rather, she is aware that there is still much to learn from those who have walked the same path.
Regarding her mentor, Ed Haqim, who helped her in a structured way, Gelvia said: “One thing I remember most and will put into practice is to always bring God into everything I do, to pray and ask for His help.”
That advice goes beyond competition strategy – it serves as a life guide.
In an article before the final, Gelvia already had a vision – to become an inspiration for highly educated women, to help others achieve their dreams, and to improve her own economic standing. Now with this title, she said:
“I will first strive to become an inspiration for highly educated women, while continuing to learn and empower our cultural heritage.”
This is a strategic choice – by becoming an inspiration first, she builds credibility and influence, which can then be used to help others achieve their dreams and improve economic standing.
When asked whether she would join other beauty pageants, Gelvia answered firmly: “I will focus more on education and mother tongue empowerment. I have no plans to join other beauty pageants.”
As a graduate of Malay Studies now waiting for a teaching posting, and intending to take up KDMR Studies, it is clear that her career path is in education and culture – not entertainment.
If Gelvia could go back to the time she registered for the Papar District Unduk Ngadau – when she was still “not brave and her voice trembled” – what advice would Gelvia give to Gelvia from that time?
“Don’t be afraid to try and step out of your comfort zone. Nothing is impossible if you work hard at it.”
A short, concise, and deeply meaningful message from a young woman whose voice once trembled, now standing as state champion. From someone who was not brave, she has become an inspiration to thousands of young girls in Sabah.
Gelvia has not merely won a crown. She has proven that true victory begins when we dare to step out of our comfort zone – even as our knees shake and our voice still quivers.
May Gelvia become a True Unduk Ngadau who brings change. Not merely a crown, prestige, and fame, but winning the hearts of the younger generation to work together in empowering culture and mother tongue.
