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Pepsi Amplifies the Spirit of Gawai and Kaamatan: Celebrating East Malaysia’s Rich Harvest Traditions with Music and Local Talent

From limited-edition cans to modern beats and community events, Pepsi unites music, art, and culture in a vibrant tribute to the harvest season, featuring Belle Sisoski and a new wave of young East Malaysian voices.

  • In Happy Gawai Kaamatan – Remix ft. Belle Sisoski, Marygrace & Rezza Shah, the Official Pepsi Harvest Celebration Anthem 2025, globally acclaimed Bornean artist Belle Sisoski brings her signature sound to the forefront, joined by Marygrace and Rezza Shah, adding a modern twist to East Malaysian cultural elements and making the celebrations of Gawai and Kaamatan more visible, relatable, and exciting for a younger generation. 
  • This year’s limited edition cans feature the Rungus motif by Charles Mawan (Sabah) and the Pua Kumbu by Daphne Sia (Sarawak), brought together in one visual celebration of East Malaysian identity. Two cultures, one shared canvas..
  • These collectable cans are available across East Malaysia and exclusively in Peninsular Malaysia via 7-Eleven. Shoppers can also join a special contest by purchasing Pepsi to win exclusive prizes.

23 May 2025, Kuala Lumpur – Pepsi has launched its 2025 Harvest Festival campaign, a nationwide celebration of Gawai and Kaamatan that brings together music, design, and culture to honour the vibrant spirit of East Malaysia. At the heart of this year’s campaign is a dynamic new anthem featuring Bornean star Belle Sisoski, one of Borneo’s most celebrated artists, alongside Sabah’s beloved Marygrace, and Rezza Shah, as the voice of Sarawak: a musical collaboration designed to spotlight East Malaysian traditions while connecting with younger audiences through contemporary expression. Alongside limited edition can designs inspired by Rungus and Pua Kumbu motifs and exclusive retail promotions, the campaign underscores Pepsi’s ongoing commitment to uplifting local voices, uniting communities, and making cultural celebration a shared experience for all Malaysians!

The campaign reflects Pepsi’s long-standing commitment to championing what unites Sabah and Sarawak, while continuing to strengthen the brand’s relevance, affinity, and leadership in East Malaysia. As the festive spirit of Gawai and Kaamatan returns, Pepsi proudly embraces its role as a cultural connector, amplifying local stories through the very platforms that speak loudest to younger Malaysians — music, design, radio, and digital content.

A Modern Beat to a Timeless Celebration

A highlight of the campaign is Pepsi’s latest anthem, titled Happy Gawai Kaamatan – Remix ft. Belle Sisoski, Marygrace & Rezza Shah – Official Pepsi Harvest Celebration Anthem 2025, produced in collaboration with TVS, which you can listen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxv0zRjoryo. Fronted by three of East Malaysia’s most dynamic voices, the track gives cultural celebration a fresh twist, one designed to resonate on the platforms and playlists of today’s generation

The new anthem is brought to life by Belle Sisoski, who not only leads the vocals but also produced and reimagined the track with her signature artistry. Known for blending ancestral sounds with contemporary textures, Belle transforms the original Happy Gawai Kaamatan into a bold, genre-crossing celebration of Bornean identity. The foundation for the song was originally laid by Ramles Walter, who composed and wrote the first version with Kadazandusun translation by Dabra Sia. Performed by Ramles and Dabra, and produced by Galvin Patrick, Revon Jeremiah, and Ramles himself, the anthem now enters a new chapter under Belle’s creative direction, bridging generations and reshaping tradition for today’s soundscape.

Building on that vision, Belle blends over 50 traditional instruments from both Sarawak and Sabah, including the Iban engkerumong, Bidayuh sirutoung, and Kadazan-Dusun bungkau and sompoton—with electronic elements to create a soundscape that feels fresh, relevant, and deeply rooted. Her composition adds a modern twist to cultural celebration, helping bring the sounds of East Malaysia into the spaces where youth connect through music, movement, and digital expression.

She’s joined by the Sabahan powerhouse vocalist Marygrace, whose breakout on One in a Million made her a national icon, and Sarawakian Star Rezza Shah, a 2024 finalist now making waves with his single Mungkin. Together, the trio leads the charge in celebrating culture through platforms that resonate with today’s generation, including the nationwide #PepsiHarvestDanceChallenge, which invites fans to move, celebrate, and share the rhythm of Gawai and Kaamatan across TikTok and beyond.

The Pulse That Unites – Through Music, Design, and Celebration

As Belle, Marygrace, and Rezza’s voices resound with a celebration “by the locals, for the locals,” Pepsi is also introducing something you can hold in your hand and feel in your heart.

The limited edition 2025 Pepsi Harvest cans are more than festive packaging — they are cultural artefacts that tell a story of rhythm, resilience, and pride. Designed around the theme of the “Pepsi Pulse”, the cans reflect the heartbeat of Gawai and Kaamatan, echoing the festive drums and unity of spirit. These intricate designs were brought to life by the same visionary East Malaysian duo who shaped the 2024 cans: Charles Mawan and Daphne Siaw (Artsy Daphy).

From Sabah, Charles revives the geometric elegance of the Rungus pattern, a motif that speaks of harmony, strength, and ancestral wisdom. From Sarawak, Daphne reinterprets the revered Pua Kumbu, blending its sacred symbolism with a modern palette to honour both the myth and the momentum of Iban heritage.

Together, their work transforms each can into a tribute to unity in diversity, showcasing the rich visual heritage of Sabah and Sarawak side by side. These limited edition cans are available across East Malaysia and, for the first time, in Peninsular Malaysia exclusively through 7-Eleven outlets! West Malaysian shoppers can also enter the 7-Eleven x Pepsi Harvest contest — just spend RM10 on Pepsi for a chance to win a cultural getaway to East Malaysia this July.

Uplifting Talent, Empowering Community

The 2025 Pepsi Harvest campaign isn’t just about remixes or refreshed packaging; it’s about uplifting local talent and ensuring culture continues to grow, evolve, and inspire. As East Malaysia remains a beating heart of creativity and tradition, Pepsi proudly takes on the role of connector: amplifying voices, preserving heritage, and inviting Malaysians to shape what comes next. This year, that invitation takes form through the Pepsi Harvest 2026 Can Design Contest: a nationwide call for original designs inspired by Gawai and Kaamatan. Winners will receive cash prizes and see their artwork featured on next year’s limited edition cans, continuing this celebration of culture, by the people and for the people.

For Amy Gan, Vice President of Marketing at Etika Sdn Bhd, the campaign reflects a long-standing commitment to community and cultural relevance: “At Pepsi, we deeply appreciate the rich cultural heritage of East Malaysia. Both Sarawak and Sabah have their own unique stories, traditions, and celebrations, and they’re all incredibly beautiful in their own way. We’re honoured to continue our journey of celebrating Gawai and Kaamatan by introducing our limited-edition Harvest Festival cans, thoughtfully designed to reflect these traditions. While they remain special to Borneo, this year we’re also making them
available in 7-Eleven stores nationwide so more Malaysians can share in the spirit of the season.”

She continues, “We’re especially proud to collaborate with East Malaysian talents like Belle Sisoski, Mary Grace, and Reza, who have helped reimagine traditional music in a way that brings it closer to today’s generation while still honouring its roots. Alongside our music video and our on-ground celebrations in both Sarawak and Sabah, this campaign is all about bringing people together through music, culture, and community.”

A Campaign as Big as the Celebration Itself

Pepsi’s 2025 Harvest campaign goes beyond music and design, it’s a cultural celebration made for the entire nation. From a 14-day activation at KDCA Kaamatan Festival in Sabah, to the Gawai Parade, Sarawak, and exclusive giveaways at outlets like Jollibee, Uncle Bob, and 4Fingers, Malaysians everywhere are invited to join in. Whether through traditional games, karaoke, or limited-edition can drops, the festivities are designed to bring people together in the spirit of Gawai and Kaamatan.

For more updates, music drops, and announcements, follow us on Pepsi Malaysia’s official social media channels at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PepsiMalaysia.) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pepsimy/?hl=en)

So pick up a limited edition Pepsi Harvest can and experience the pulse for yourself. Watch the anthem remix, share it with your friends, and be part of this tribute to unity, heritage, and joy.

 

 

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