At the Church entrance
KOTA KINABALU, Aug. 30 — Thirteen years
after winning the Kaamatan Festival Sugandoi Dazanak singing
competition at KDCA Penampang, Maria Tatiomiss Guntingan returned to the spotlight, this
time as a bride.
The
wedding took place at Stella Maris Catholic Church, Tanjung Aru, where
Fr Jeffri Gumu served as celebrant. Tatiomiss, now 26, exchanged vows
with Kevin Wong Kah Cheun, a businessman.
Tatiomiss
rose to prominence after the Sugandoi in 2012, performing in Kaamatan
and Christmas radio concerts while continuing her studies. A
multilingual talent, she excelled in English, Chinese, French, and
Kadazan, and later earned a master’s degree from City University
Malaysia, majoring in TESL or Teaching English as Second Language.
She is currently teaching at Geomatika College Malaysia in Keningau.
She also played football at school.
Her mother, Elizabeth Anjun, confirmed she is the youngest of four siblings, with her the only girl.
Interviewed
after the ceremony, Tatiomiss said she has recorded seven songs in
Kadazan, and one each in Malay and English. Her first hit, “Doiti id
Pomogunan” (“In This World”), remains a local favorite. She plans to
record three more Kadazan songs composed by her late father, to complete
an album.
Her songs are regularly chosen by younger singers when they compete in the annual Kaamatan Festival Singing competitions.
Local Kadazan radio stations aired wedding wishes for two weeks, playing selections from her discography.
Kevin,
asked about his wife’s musical career, said he fully supports her
continued recording efforts. “In fact, I would also like to join in the
studio, if I can,” he added.
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