A great line-up of brawny, muscular men were recently seen at the Recital Hall of University Malaysia Sabah on June 15. The male pageant, Bachelor of Malaysia (BOM) 2019 saw a total of 19 men compete against each other under the aspect of talent, body, knowledge and personality.
Daniel Hansen of Sabah was declared as the grand prize winner, but the bachelors from Sarawak were not short of any. Seven Sarawakian men took the honour to represent our state in the prestigious comptetion.
From Sarawak, Ron Lloyd managed to finish among the top 7, while Kumaresan Krishnan in the top 14 won the Mister Popular BOM 2019, Mister Best in Speech BOM 2019, and Top 5 in Fitness and Top 5 in Speech. Meanwhile, Johnny Bong won the Mister Icon Malaysia 2019, Mister Fitness BOM 2019 and Mister MMP Award, while Desmond Marcus placed in the top 5 of Best in Speech, and top 5 of Best in Preliminary round. Gabriel Elser Cillie managed the top 14, while Suhaimi Syaffin and Charis Lorin are both in the top 19.
Having a short interview with the boys, New Sarawak Tribune managed to get the scoop on these bachelors.
Ron Lloyd, 29
An Iban lad hailing from Kuching, Sarawak, Ron is a flight attendant for a local airline. During his leisure times, he can be seen behind his piano, jamming to classical tunes. His favourite traditional food are the popular Iban dishes, “ayam pansuh”, “daun ubi & daun ensabi”.
For him, BOM changed him by improving what he lacks, and that he is more fearless now. Through the pageant, he learned to speak more confidently in front of public, how to control his nerves for public speaking and also discovering the new side of him (spontaneous) in pageant sessions (dance & catwalk in particular).
For his future, he hopes to make Malaysia proud with his achievement in cultural/traditional activities, modelling and in the pageant industry.
Johnny Bong Lip Fun, 26
Chinese Johnny Bong is a philanthropist under his company, Rural Impact Social Enterprise (RISE). Under his care, the company’s aim is to help the rural community across Borneo to obtain clean water sources.
His first involvement within the pageant industry was during the 2018’s BOM when he managed as the second runner-up. This year, he managed to return to the competition at the national level.
For him, BOM creates a life changing moment. In term of self experience, he became even more disciplined and determined in achieving his goals especially during the preparation for the muscular body competition. Being the recipient of Mr Icon Bachelor of Malaysia 2019, it opens up doors of opportunity such as connections and networking with relevant individuals/groups for him. These can boost up the publicity of his current business (RISE) to expand across Malaysia to help those in need.
Admittedly, he shared that whole his public relation was good, his public speaking before was not as satisfying and that BOM had taught him the tips and tricks of public speaking. “After some self practices and a few classes during BOM, I realised that I managed to overcome my nervousness to talk in front of people,” said Johnny.
In the future, he aims to compete at international levels. As for his career path, he hopes that the network from BOM across the globe could collaborate with RISE could reach out to communities in marginalised areas in terms of receiving clean water daily. As for now, he is under a one year contract with BOM as Mr Icon BOM 2019 and will do charity as a whole around Borneo.
Desmond Markus, 29
A Bidayuh from Serian, Desmond currently resides in Kota Semarahan. Reaching 30 soon, Desmond graduated in Mass Communication and was a former reporter for a local newspaper. He is now currently working as a Corporate Communications Executive in a private college. During his free time, he loves to sing with his band ‘Dragellia’, and at times modelled for local boutiques and photography studios as his side.
His pageantry endeavour started with 2019 BOM, and the pageant had certainly changed him for the better in terms of grooming, and the need to look good everyday as he had now become a role model for the public.
Aside from that, Desmond believes courtesy with others is crucial in sustaining mutual understanding. As a newcomer in the industry, the pageant had taught him how to strike a good pose, to differentiate catwalking between pageantry and fashion shows, to be more disciplined in his fitness and to be punctual.
He foresees his future to keep doing what he loves, to perform with his live band, continue modelling and to inspire others with positivity.
Kumaresan Krishnan, 28
Often teased as a 1Malaysia boy, Kumar is an Indian originating from Penang, raised in Johor, and had studied in India and Malacca. He is now currently stationed in Kuching, Sarawak and had represented Sarawak in the recent BOM.
In the field of Medicine and Surgery, Kumar has been delving in the pageantry scene since 2017. His highest achievement before BOM was being the winner for Jejaka Idola Berkarisma 2017.
For him, Bom was a very transformational journey especially from his personal point of view. Kumar discovered a lot of things about himself and finally got the chance to face his biggest fears in life: the fear of not living up to expectations, fear of failure, fear of others’ opinions, fears within himself.
Kumar had finally found the true purpose of living and what to look forward to. BOM’s preparation process also led him to owning his best physique till date.
Perseverance is Kumar’s future as he is not stopping just there. He foresees himself to be stronger and better until he can eventually be able to represent Malaysia at the international stage.
Working hand in hand with his managing team Brenda and Brandan’s Arts Paradise and Paris Saloon Miri, they are going to plan his future ventures.
Kumar will be pursuing his Masters in Clinical Research in September at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang.
Charis Lorin Justin, 22
Born and raised in Miri, Sarawak, Charis is a mix of Kayan, Orang Ulu and Batak. His main reason in joining his first pageant BOM was to obtain the experiences of being in the pageant scene.
Having given his best and had participated with charisma, BOM changed his perspective towards the country, especially when he had met other contestants from different parts of Malaysia.
“The unity in diversity is founded when different ethnic groups and races are united to compete in one competition. Sharing of ideas regarding the tourism in the speech challenge, have given me so much exposure to whats going on with our country, Malaysia.”
Despite not winning any titles, Charis did not regret joining the competition. Instead, he gained self confidence, good communication skills and character development through BOM. Apart from being punctual, sharp and efficient, he also learned the skill of public speaking.
Having no plans to join anymore pageant competition in the future, Charis however, advice determined Sarawakians male to stand out and compete in the future BOM pageant.
Suhaimi Syaffin Bin Mohd Beneth Azri, 21
The eldest among two siblings, Suhaimi hails from Sibu, Sarawak but is currently based in Kuching as a fitness instructor. The Iban-Melayu Indonesia mix admitted that this was his first experience in joining the pageant world.
According to him, BOM had heightened his confidence level. He used to be a shy and hard person to talk to, but because of BOM, he changed into a more amicable and disciplined person.
Suhaimi explained that he did not mind of the final outcomes of BOM as his journey was only to experience it.
As for his future, Suhaimi says that he will continue his career as a fitness coach, and if given the chance, he would want to delve into the acting line. He hopes to be a successful person, and at the same time being able to provide to his parents and his sibling.
Gabriel Elser Cillie, 28
An Iban from Sri Aman, Gabriel, now an assistant medical officer in Penang, first explored the pageant world with BOM. Through his first experience, he had learned to be proud of himself, and it has improved his confidence tremendously. He also admitted that he had become more of a ‘gentleman’ than before.
Gabriel is now trained in catwalking, speaking and how to look presentable. Most importantly, he said, he had learned how to pose like a piece of art on photos.
As a proud healthcare worker, Gabriel hopes to continue his degree-level studies and to be able to serve the community and society in many ways in the future. He also plans to venture the pageantry world more, and to be a part-time model.
