TWENTY years ago, there were eight Elvis impersonators in Sarawak. Today, only two remain, as the others have either passed away or are no longer active.
At that time, singing competitions were even held among the Elvis performers, often attracting large numbers of fans.
These gentlemen, each with their own stage name, were also frequently invited to perform at functions like weddings and association dinners.
For Sebastian Bong, 75, better known by his stage name Elbongo, the legacy of Elvis Presley is more than just music – it is a lifelong passion that only fully came to life in his later years.
His journey as an Elvis impersonator did not begin in his youth, but rather at the age of 55, proving that it is never too late to pursue one’s passion.
“I first became interested in Elvis songs during my secondary school days. At that time, I only knew a few songs,” he recalled, saying that Kiss Me Quick was among the first that captured his attention.
However, it was not until about 20 years ago, while working in Labuan, that he took his first bold step onto the stage.
His debut performance was at a grand annual dinner organised by an international motor company. Despite the scale of the event, Bong admitted he was far from fully prepared.
“I didn’t even have my own jumpsuit at that time. They had to rent one for me from Kuala Lumpur,” he said with a smile.
From that humble beginning, he steadily built his identity as Elbongo, drawing inspiration from senior Elvis impersonators in Kuching, especially Wilfred Ragam, who remains active on the performance scene today.
To perfect his craft, Bong studied Elvis closely – from his movies to recorded live performances.
“I learned his movements from films and laser disc recordings. His performances were very unique, especially in the jumpsuit. Once people see it, they immediately recognise Elvis,” he said.
Bong, who lives in Miri, now owns four to five custom-made jumpsuits sourced from the Philippines and Bangkok, each costing about RM5,000.
These outfits are more than just costumes – they are an essential part of delivering an authentic Elvis experience.
His song choices are equally thoughtful.
Among his favourites are The Wonder of You and I Just Can’t Help Believing.
“I always study the audience before performing. If the crowd is older, I will sing more classic songs. I also choose my jumpsuit based on the type of event,” he explained.
Bong has performed widely across the region, including in Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Phuket, as well as throughout Sarawak whenever invited.
Among his most memorable moments was performing at the Astana in Kota Kinabalu during a New Year celebration, where he entertained distinguished guests including the Sabah head of state and chief minister.
He also counts his participation in an Elvis competition in 2015 as a career highlight.
Despite the passage of time, Bong remains committed to keeping Elvis’s music alive. He noted that while there were once eight Elvis impersonators in the scene, only two remain active today – he and Wilfred.
“I will continue performing Elvis songs as long as I am still able to sing and people still invite me,” he said.
Performing mainly at wedding dinners and social club events, Elbongo continues to bring the King of Rock and Roll back to life – one song, one suit and one stage at a time.
