Tabi basa & greetings! Today I’d like to share a story about Dyg Syafiqah Atiqah bt Abg Suhaili from Miri, Sarawak. This 32 y.o. lady has been working offshore since 2018 starting with Chemical Skid (Service Engineer & Project Engineer), followed by Transfame Sdn Bhd and now Sapura Energy Berhad, both as Field Engineer, though has been involved with #oilgasindustry since 2015, a challenging year for many.
She was blessed with career options in her hometown of Miri. However, it is not as easy as people think and it has taught a lot of lessons. For her, mental strength is the most important thing because she spent months working on a project jn the middle of the sea, surrounded by men. “Safety First” is her paramount slogan because she is working around the flammable materials under great pressure and treading a thin line between life & death. One wrong move & that’s the end. So, everyone looks after one another.
Weather is also a great challenge, especially when residing in a workboat or barge & it is bad weather outside. Seasick will accompany quite often too, especially during her early days. While working there as well, telecommunication is also another hassle that she has to face because it is limited and totally dependent on the connectivity strength provided by vessel or platform. Worstcase, just assume it is offshore life in pre-wifi days back in the 90s.
She hoped that from her sharing, people will realise that working offshore is not easy as people might think and to empower other women, especially young ladies to embrace the challenge. Though she is a lady, she has no problem because she is surrounded by professional men & those who accepts her as part of the great team. All the best to your great career ahead, Pika! Kitak tok nang antap. 😄👍🏻
Tabi basa balarantek! In this post today, I’d like to write about Lady Vivid. Lady Vivid is The Niners Management’s first event, with its objective to recruit new rookie to be their Social Media Influencer. From Lady Vivid, The Niners Management aims to create the next top young adult social influencer in Sarawak.
As for these top three finalist, they were chosen by netizen based on Instagram votings at The Niners Management. Our of twelve who registered for Lady Vivid competition, there were two plus sized participants. This is to emphasis that beauty can come in various shapes and sizes, not only for the slim ones.
To evaluate further these finalists, they were given a set of questions after their photoshoot. From their photoshoot, they were given a set of questions, where their answers can be seen below.
Interview With Top 3 Finalists
Nathasa
Hello, my name is Nasthasa binti Ali. My family member called me Shasha and some called me Nast and Tasha. I’m turning 19 on September 2. I’m currently studying at UiTM Samarahan, majoring in Office Management.
While studying, I also having a part-time job to earn extra pocket money for myself.
First of all, the main reason why I joined this Lady Vivid competition is because I wanted to boost my confidence and gain more experience. I’m the person who loves to try new things. Therefore, I guess this is a great opportunity for me to try my best this contest. I am keeping eye on a certain person – my idol. She’s a very hard working person. Even when she was pregnant, she is still doing her work diligently. Hence, she is successful in her career. She’s a very loving mother too and at the same time she’s very strict and serious person. I like the way she’s a boyish at the same time she can be so ladylike. She is Scha Alyahya.
My wildest dream is to be able to start up a small foundation to support the orphan and the unfortunate one regardless of their age, race or religion.
The challenge that I faced in life is I have strict parents. I was born in a family with all girls and that alone explains why I was guarded all through my life. Not only me but also my other siblings. It was something I liked, but at the same time something that I get annoyed at on certain time. This is because my parents trying to protect us from creating miserable mistakes that can ruin our future.
Last few days, I had my very first photoshoot with Tukang Rantek. I was a bit nervous when I was driving to the studio. Since the photographer is a guy, I afraid that I’ll get shy and couldn’t cooperate. Once I arrived the studio, he welcomed us with an open arm. He was very friendly and easy-going. At the end of the photoshoot, he shared to us about his journey which I found it was very interesting. He’s a sporting person too as we can share and give opinion about our thought.
My first impression about boudoir is of course I’m overwhelmed as I’m having a lot of mixed feeling. But I believe he can go further with his bravery and outgoing self. Because not everybody have the courage to take a picture of a half-naked model. And because of that I respect him as a photographer.
My final thought on Lady Vivid is a great avenue to boost someone’s confidence and made them feel happy with themselves. Lastly, my hope for Lady Vivid is that we can grow bigger and be a successful person in the future.
Gwen
Hi! My name is Gwyneth Eva Lai Anak Roha. I’m 21 years old. I’m a fresh graduate student from UiTM Mukah, taking Diploma in Business Studies. Currently, I’m looking for a permanent career.
At first, I never thought of joining this Lady Vivid due to my hectic schedule. But, I’m asking for my friends’ opinion about joining this virtual event. For almost one week, I keep on thinking , why not? At least I can experience how to be a model. With my curious personality, I also want to know a life of being a model. Nowadays, people tend to focus more on social media.
From there, we can see how the social media can give a big impact to the society. There is one thing, that keeps on running through my minds, I want to be a good influencer. I want to give a good impact to the society. Most of the people loves to express their feeling through social media instead of physical meeting. And the other reasons, of course is to build up my confidence level.
One of my wildest dream is to become a cat rescuer by providing them food and water as well as shelter.
Challenges that i always face is judgements from other peoples. I live in a judgemental society. It’s hard because you have to take care of everything that you do and actions that you take. Not only that, the challenges of being “me”. I love to say YES to everything. I can’t said no. It’s hard for me to reject everything since this is my personality since I was a teenager.
My first experience ever in photoshoot, was really a “lit” / exciting experience especially with Tukang Rantek. It was fun because he is so friendly. I’m really comfortable with him. We talked, we laughed & exchange thoughts et cetera. In short, it was fun.
Boudoir photoshoot is a new things for me. I started to know this kind of photoshoot since last year when Tukang Rantek started to post the boudoir pictures. I’m an open minded person. For me, it’s really a rare and good photoshoot. It taught women out there that they need to love themselves because no one will love the way you love yourself. I think Tukang Rantek can do it! I trust his passion. “Bila kita buat sesuatu benda dengan ikhlas, kita akan dapat berkatnya!” (when we do something sincerely, we will have His blessings) Keep it up!
For me, Lady Vivid, not only teaches the girls out there to be more confident in their own ways. I hopes that Lady Vivid can help those people out there to be more confident in themselves especially the girls that have a low confidence with their body.
Grace
Hi! My name is Grace Suling Belare. I’m 20 years old this year. I’m a student at College Geomatika Keningau, Sabah. The reason I’m joining this Lady Vivid because i want to become a more confident person and also I am really interested in this field of modeling and I want to be a famous model.This may sound cliché but my biggest inspiration is my mom because my mom is a hardworking person and she never complain about the hardship of life. She is also a very loving person and she have a strong belief in God.
My challenges in life is I grew up in the village my whole life and this is my first time in life going out alone and explore the city and also living alone by myself. It is not easy as I do not really have people to depend on but this taught me to handle the hardship of life as an emerging adult.
My first photoshoot experience with Tukang Rantek. He is a very sporting person and also friendly. He is able to communicate with us without being shy and it made me felt welcomed.
My first impression about boudoir challenges is to be honest I feel uncomfortable looking at a guy taking pictures of a half naked women or men. However, I tried to be an open minded person and think about it in a positive direction for a photographer as that is also an occupation and passion for some people just like Tukang Rantek.
My final thought on Lady Vivid is it is a great experience for people who had low self esteem and always feel discouraged about oneself. This allows them to be able to believe in themselves and to be more confident.
My hope for Lady Vivid is I can get more experience that can be the one to help me in life and also to make me a better person who believes in myself.
Epilogue
This concludes the article about Lady Vivid Top 3 Finalists. Based on their interview, it seems like all of them has their own insecurity, but nevertheless, they have something to look forward to in life. May the best lady wins and bag the title Lady Vivid 2021.
Tukang Rantek, Claudius
Note: Claudius is aBOUDOIR & Portrait “tukang rantek” (photographer in Bidayuh Pichin) based in Miri, with passion for writing.
Copyright Notice: All of the images on this site are protected by copyright laws and are the exclusive property of Claudius Weson. Images may not be copied, reproduced, manipulated, used or altered in any way without written permission. The use of any photography as the basis of another photographic concept or illustration is a violation of copyright.
Tabi basa and greetings balarantek! For those who didn’t know, balarantek means Tukang Rantek family, a combination of bala, which means family and short of Tukang Rantek. I am happy to see that my posts before this has inspired many peoples. Throughout my journey, I have met a lot of wonderful peoples, from all walks of life. Today, I want to write about two of them – Priscilla & Vivianna.
About Priscilla
Priscilla is an Iban-Bidayuh girl, where her late mother hails from Bau, and her father comes from Betong. She always said that she inherits her extra iron-willed stubbornness from her father. Instead of being disappointed and give up in life after facing so many backlashes, she grew to be more feisty and involved in many events, with recent event organised Lady Vivid 2021. She has been organising a lot of events previously since her university days, but she decides to let history be history. Hence, none is written in this section.
About Vivianna
Vivianna is an Iban-Kayan girl, a Medical Assistant by profession, is Miss Supermodel Worldwide Borneo Malaysia in 2018, and Miss Sarawak Earth Water 2017, organised by Sarawak Earth Queen.
The Sarawak Earth Queen Beauty Pageant Competition is an International Environmental Event channeling the beauty pageant entertainment industry as an effective tool to promote environmental awareness. For those who didn’t know, Miss Earth is the third-largest international pageant competition among women from countries around the world, after Miss Universe and Miss World. The delegates and winners give meaning and relevance to this beauty competition by promoting worthwhile environmental causes and getting actively involved in caring for the preservation of Mother Earth. This is a true celebration of a woman’s natural beauty, poise and personality. In fact, Miss Earth incorporates a special ‘Natural Beauty’ round where a women’s natural beauty is judged sans make-up or make-over. A tribute to natural beauty that is a reflection of the beauty within.
This pageant organized for the first time aims to appreciate what a women always wants – to be a natural beauty. Unblemished, immaculate and refreshingly natural! The pageant is held yearly in October or November in Manila, Philippines.
The winner of the pageant is bestowed the title Miss Malaysia Earth; her runners-up are also given titles named after the other classical elements: Miss Eco Beauty, Miss Eco Tourism, Miss Fire, Miss Water, and Miss Air, are of equal importance and thus have the same ranking. Miss Malaysia Earth is the only pageants which have individual titles for the runners-up. Their pageant criteria are ladies with age within 17 – 26, possess beauty face and proportionate body structure, outgoing and friendly. Excellent physical condition. For more enquiry, you may e-mail them at borneorepublicmalaysia@gmail.com.
Miss Supermodel Worldwide Borneo Malaysia is a pageant that supports the great cause of women empowerment especially ‘stop female foeticide’. The motto of the pageant is ‘beauty with intellect’. The pageant is a combination of glamour and a purpose. Apart from all the preliminary activities and sub-competitions, the pageant will also promote tourism and will cover various parts of the world’s largest democracy, India. It is a search for a face that is unapologetically beautiful and represents a modern and independent 21st century woman in the best way.
Apart from world of pageantry, Vivianna also can be seen in Alena Murang’s videoclip, Midang Midang. She also conducted few catwalk classes for those who would like to learn more in that craft.
Vivianna (second from right) and Alena Murang (centre)
Priscilla In The Eyes of Vivianna
Typically, I would be writing about the people based on the information that they gave to me. But for this time around, I asked these two to comment about each other and to see whether their expectations matches. In the eye of Vivianna, Priscilla is a more serious person, while she is more fun-side. After spending time with each other, she knows when to joke with her, and when to not. For her, Priscilla is like a big sister, where she tells her everything – from boy issue to problem at work etc. For new opinion and ideas, Priscilla appreciates her point of view and they love to bounce ideas together to create a better one.
During their first time meeting one another, they had a bad impression. During that time, it was Beauty and The Bike event in 2017. Priscilla was the one who organised the event, while she was one of the contestants. Despite her good package of talent, beauty and charisma, she didn’t win and she thought she chose her friends to be the winner. Priscilla also thought that she was an arrogant person because she joins a lot of bigger and more prestigious events. After BNTB 2017, they were still not close. Their sisterhood started after her Miss Earth event is over back in 2018. Priscilla approached her to mentor her talents for Beauty and The Bike event in 2018. The rest is history.
Their sisterhood really is all about bringing out the best in one another. For her, Priscilla is more than just a friend. Most importantly, she is not toxic. Instead, she oozes out this aura that makes anyone around her believes that everything is possible. She’s not just a friend that you would invite to drink at Ming Café. She is not a friend to go to pub and club together. She is also not a backstabber, which is important in life because you want someone whom you can rely on in times of difficult, not just good times. She didn’t expect them to be friend until now.
Vivianna In The Eyes of Priscilla
As for Vivianna’s story, they met each other during Miri Bike Week 2017. Priscilla was the organiser and Vivianna was the contestant. For Pris, even though Vivianna didn’t win, she was very supportive and joins in her clases and event. Pris look highly upon Vivianna and values her insight because she has achieved what many couldn’t in their career. Pageantry and Kumang is more than just pretty face, but one has to be equipped with the right skills as well. On stage, she’s like a goddess, a genuine Kumang and knows Adat Iban, all the customs and tradition as any Kumang should be.
BNTB memories
According to Pris, Vivianna was a laid back and low profile girl, the very traits that bonds them together apart from being family-oriented. She can bring her sister or family to any of Divabiz’s events, and Pris can hang out at her home. Vivianna is goofy, while Pris told me that she is always blur. They complement each other’s weaknesses and strength. Vivianna is more content about life and more reserved in speech, while Pris was more outspoken. But when she speaks, she’s savage. Like a sniper, she will shoot straight to the point, with facts. She’s very sharp as well, and can see if the person has bad intention or not. Despite her calm countenance, she is more furious. Both of them likes to eat.
What We Can Learn?
From these two ladies, I learned that we should be committed to whatever we do. It’s ok to say NO to other things if it contradicts to your goal. You can’t be spending all of your time to learn mathematics when all you want to be is a singer. Spend your time wisely. Above all, do not forget your family. Family always comes first. If you have a friend that can be part of your family, that would be a good bonus as well because in that way, your family knows who your circle of friends are. Not just spending mindless time outside without any particular purposes.
Another key lesson is not everyone will like you, especially those who are threatened by your very existence. How to manage these peoples? Stay away from them. Unless they threatened to harm you, then it is a police case already. I still stick to my mother’s teachings here; make friends as many as you can. If people do bad things to you, do not retaliate in kind nor stoop down to their level. Instead, brush off the dirt, and do better than yesterday.
That’s all I would like to write about these two ladies. I do hope that their story inspires you, especially those who are still lost. Whatever you want to achieve, when there is a will, there is a way.
Note: Claudius Weson is a “tukang rantek” (photographer in Bidayuh Pichin) based in Miri, mainly doing portraiture (indoor / studio / outdoor photoshoot), weddings and event photography.
All of the images on this site are protected by copyright laws and are the exclusive property of Claudius Weson Photography. Images may not be copied, reproduced, manipulated, used or altered in any way without written permission. The use of any photography as the basis of another photographic concept or illustration is a violation of copyright.
