2005 Narcissus Queen Darah Dung
Symbolism plays a big part in Darah Dung’s life. The Narcissus Festival Queen was born on Chinese New Year’s day in 1981, the Year of the Rooster. As she celebrates her 24th birthday, she reigns as ambassador for the Chinese community in observing the lunar new year.
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“My parents and grandparents brought us up to be respectful and empathetic to other people,” Dung says. “We were reminded that we are who we are because of what we have around us. We live in a nurturing environment.”
That homespun wisdom should serve her well as she travels to China this summer on a goodwill tour. The three-week tour in June covers 10 cities where Dung and her entourage will meet with government officials and other local dignitaries. This will be Dung’s first visit to China. It’s an opportunity to discover her roots and to visit ancestral villages. Perhaps she’ll see Nam Long Sun Tin Di in South China, where her popo (grandmother) was born.
“To share who I am with China is such a huge thing for me,” she says. “It’s a wonderful personal experience.”
The tour also is a significant mission for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. “With the new global economy, it is important that we become more aware of the history and culture of our trading partners,” says chamber president Winfred K.T. Pong. “The development of a successful trading relationship between Hawaii and China must be built upon knowledge.”
In addition to the trip, the Narcissus Queen is endowed with regal gifts, including an $11,000 scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University, courtesy car from J.N. Chevrolet, dining and merchandise certificates, as well as jewelry. Narcissus Queen contestants go through five months of training and classes in Chinese history, culture and arts.
But the greatest reward, according to Dung, is the pageant experience itself. “I learn so much; every experience is brand new,” she says. “I always wanted to enter the Narcissus contest and go through the cultural experience. When (sister) Dana-Li did it back in 2000, she had a wonderful experience, going to classes and making new friends. I want to give it my all and give it the respect it deserves.
“I’m very proud to be Chinese,” Dung says. “My ethnicity influences me in everything I do as a person. You need to have respect for yourself in order to have respect for others.”
She sees no conflict or compromise of those values as a member of the younger generation. The so-called millennial generation — babies of the baby-boomers born from 1977 to 1994 — is said to be very independent minded.
Dung asserts, “We want things yesterday … we like instant gratification. This generation is very motivated and very driven to go after what they want. Our interests are different; we start businesses at an early age and are technologically advanced.”
She adds, “Women (of this generation) are very independent and outspoken about what they want. That’s a good thing. They are taking on more leadership roles.”
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