KOTA KINABALU: A Form 5 student, Ayda Alip from SMK Bandaraya, attended the Jom Heboh Carnival for two days to participate in the "Bulletin Challenge".
However, she said that she only managed to make it to the stage today because she had to leave earlier due to personal reasons.
"I am glad I could make it today. I wanted to pair with TV9's presenter Saree Abdullah, but it was still a great experience to read the news alongside Bulletin TV3's newsreader Shafiq Adnan. I admire Saree, the way she speaks and her intonation. Everything about her is just 'wow'," said the third of five siblings, who often participates in news-reading competitions and emceeing events.
Another lucky teen, Dewi Allusah Rainal from Sekolah Menengah Lok Yuk, arrived at the venue at Likas Sports Complex as early as 6am.
"My siblings and parents often watch the news, so I am familiar with the TV personalities who are here today. I wanted to come the days before for the Bulletin Challenge, but I had school activities. So, I am happy to be here today and experience reading the news," said the Form 3 student.
After the challenge, Shafiq expressed his admiration for the participants' innate abilities.
"Sabahans speak very clearly and naturally. I'm not sure if it's due to genetics or culture, but it's a definite advantage. Whether it's singing or news reading, they excel naturally. Many of them seem to have trained beforehand, and their articulation is impressive. This natural talent should definitely be developed further," he said.
With six years of experience in the media, Shafiq encouraged aspiring broadcasters to cultivate their skills by regularly reading newspapers and other written materials.
"To be a good newsreader, consistent reading and a strong grasp of general knowledge are crucial. Understanding the topic you're discussing helps you convey the message more effectively. Every piece of news needs to be carefully studied. If something is unclear, we often refer to other sources to fully grasp the context. This helps us emphasise the right words and phrases so that viewers clearly understand the message," he said.
Other personalities present included TV3's Fatin Hammimah and Farah Nabilah, as well as TV9's Ahmad Barr Zainal Abidin and Fahiz Ariff.