Ethnic Beauty Pageant Miss Fair & Lovely WHF 2007

Last Saturday, Tintin and Snowy were invited by our very best friend to witness the Ethnic Beauty Pageant in Sarawak Cultural Village. We enjoy the dinner very much in Dewan Legenda. Among all the dishes served on the table, the manok pansoh (bamboo chicken) and the beef rending are the best.

The Grand Finals of Miss Fair & Lovely WHF2007 started with fifteen finalist, parading in traditional Orang Ulu costumes. As I was told by Mr. Zaini, they are about 100++ girls enrolled for the beauty pagenat contest. First round, somewhere around January, they screen down to 60, then from 60 to 30, then... from 30 to 15 for the Grand Finals.

As a contestant, they had gone through various training such as ethnic dance lessons, public speaking, gooming, cat walk and etc....

The Grand Finals started with the Orang Ulu dance presented by all the beauty peagents. Well, I guess... this is the moment for judges to judge their talents and skills in dancing. To see whether they can dance gracefully or not, their body, hands and feets movement have to be syncronized with the sape music too....

Haa... Here comes the Q & A session. Besides judgin their outer beauty, we must thest the contestant IQ too. Mr. Zaki (shown in the picture below) and Mr. Irwan did a very good job. Both of you makes a good couple. Both of you are talented and spontaneous MC. I really enjoyed the songs "LADY" and "CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU" sung by both of you. Zaki and Irwan, you have such an attractive voice. Zaki was the partime newsreader for Radio too.

Wanna be one of the Grand Finalist....? In order to be crown as Miss Fair & Lovely, you must be smart enough to answer a few questions like "-

1) Why Sarawak Cultural Village is a "must visit" destination for a foreigner?

2) As a ambassador of Sarawak, how are you going to promote Sarawak to a tourist?

3) If you are given RM10, what are you going to buy for you mum during Mother's Day?

Apart from these questions, as a Sarawakian, you must know you mother tongue well enough. I guess, this is how the Miss Hazel Desmond win the judges heart.

If I were one of the judges, I will probably ask the pagent this kind of questions :-

1) How do you cook the bamboo chicken (Manok Pansoh)?

2) Do you know how to cook with fire wood? How to light up the fire?

3) Can you make the kelupis? How to make 'tuak', the rice wine?

4) How to make a rattan basket?

5) Can you name any traditional cuisine? such as..... how to cook them?

heeee.....

Miss Fair & Lovely 2007 goes to............

Miss Hazel Desmond, a 24 year old trade product specialist from Sibu, outshone 14 other finalists to become Miss Fair & Lovely, World Harvest Festival 2007. Hazel also took home subsidiary titles Miss Hotlink Beautiful Voice WHF 2007 and Miss Hollywood Personality WHF 2007. The five-foot-two-inch-tall Bidayuh-Iban lass won RM3, 000 in cash prize, a SEGi scholarship to study Diploma in Business Management (Tourism), a Nokia handphone and other prizes. For her subsidiary titles she received a total of RM800, a Nokia handphone, two special crystal trophies and sashes.

The First Runner-up goes to....

Miss Hani Iryani Bonny Leong, an 18-year-old from Kuching. She also took home two subsidiary titles – Miss SMS Voters’ favourite WHF 2007 and Miss Fair and Lovely Talent Anggun. She took home RM2, 000, Nokia handphone and other prizes, while her subsidiary titles earned her a total cash prize of RM1, 500 and other prizes. Hani who just completed her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) hopes to study business management and aspires to be a successful businesswoman.

Second runner-up goes to......

Miss Eileen Lawrence, a 20-year-old Kenyah-Kelabit lass from Miri. She holds a Diploma in Business Studies and is currently working as a freelance dancer.

The fifth and last subsidiary title, Miss Top Colour Photogenic WHF 2007 was won by Hamaria Mohamad Harun. The 25-year-old Malay-Indian lass from Kuching took home RM500, a ramed portrait, sash and film product.

(Photo shows 24-year-old Hazel Desmond, (centre) a Trade Product Specialist, after being crowned Miss Fair & Lovely 2007 beating 14 other finalists at the World Harvest Festival held at Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong, Kuching last Saturday night. Hazel, of Bidayuh and Iban descent, also won the titles of Miss Hotlink Beautiful Voice WHF and Miss Hollywood WHF. The new Miss Fair & Lovely 2007 brought home RM3,800 cash, a crown and two mobile phones. Also seen in the photo are the first and second runner-up Hani Iryani Bonny Leong (right) and Eileen Lawrence. )

The other 12 finalist did not leave empty handed. Each one took home RM300, trophy, sash, Marie Claire sunglasses sponsored by Eyesight Optic Sdn Bhd, Hotlink Sarawak Plan, ARS shoes sponsored by Lea Centre and a Fair and Lovely hamper.

Photo courtesy of Koh May Kee

Theme Play - Orang Ulu Legend - "Belawan Burieng Hercules Of Keliman River"

The staging of a theme play based on a Kayan (Orang Ulu) legendary warrior entitled “Belawan Bureing-Hercules of Keliman River. This legendary half-man, half-deity with many wives was staged in a 45-minute themed play with perfectly choreographed dances, war scenes, beautiful costumes and soothing traditional music in conjunction with World Harvest Festival 2007.

The theme play is staged outdoor where the natural ambience and the traditional structures around the Sarawk Culture Village lake is be fully utilised as it had added an unique flavour to the play. It had spice up my weekend with the explosive drama and cultural passion, highlighting the beautiful folk songs, sape and gong music and traditional costumes of the Kayan people.

Tales of Belawan Bureing the son of Belarik Ubong Do the God of Thunder and Lightning, have entertained the Kayans of the Balui River and enlivened their evenings for centuries. Despite the blood and violence, the polygamy and back stabbing, the tales of Belawan Bureing ultimately centre around one universal theme - the triumph of good over evil.

World Harvest Festival 2007

Tintin at the World Harvest Festival 2007

Harvest Festival is an important for the Dayaks communities of Sarawak because the festival reflects their rich cultural heritage as well as to mark the end of a successful harvesting season. This cultural extravaganza is organised by the Sarawak Cultural Village and supported by the Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism Sarawak for the third year (formerly it was known as the Gawai Tourism Night 1996-2004).

Well, I believe that, in many parts of the world, especially in the region of South East Asia, rice, water and bamboo play an important role in lives. In the harvest festival, the respective indigenous people will gives thanks to the gods and spirits for the bounty of the land. With centuries of tradition behind it, this native ritual involves communication with the spirit world, ancestral worship and feasting with friends and family of the whole community.

Among the highlights include the cultural performances and interactive workshops from the invited international cultural groups from Lithuania (Toncius) and Uzbekistan (Uzbegim Yoshlari). As a guest of honour, Snowy and Tintin had enjoyed the walks of life and experienced the different cultures from both of you. We love your music and costume very much!

Thanks Tintin, for rescueing with Flight 714....

An Afternoon with Maestro Winston Law Tze Chin

Hailing from the city of Kuching, Winston Law Tze Chin will be giving a LTCL diploma Piano Recital in the RTM Small Auditorium, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuching on 29th May 2007 at 2pm.

Winston, aged 18, started his piano lesson at a very tender age. Winston, a multi-instrumentalist who plays the piano, flute and violin. He was the pricipal flutist of St. Joseph school band and Symphony Orchestra Negeri Sarawak. With the leadership skills and musical ability, he was the St. Joseph School band president in Year 2006. He also won the band idol in the band finalist.

Winston currently persuing his Piano LTCL Diploma under the tutelage of Loo Bang Hean and Mrs. Sylvia Yeo. Winston, a hardworking and a determine musician who aims to become a virtuoso performer.

He will be performing selected pieces from JS Bach, Mozart and Barber.

Tickets will be available at RM5 each from Avant Garde Music (Westmoore House, Rock Road). For enquiries, please call them at 082-236233.

Report on Malaysia in Amnesty International Report 2007:

Dear Friends,

How well do you know about the Human Rights in Malaysia? I got this from my ex-housemate. Find that is worth to share with all of you as a piece of information.

Report on Malaysia in Amnesty International Report 2007

MALAYSIA
Head of state: Raja Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
Head of government: Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Death penalty: retentionist
International Criminal Court: not ratified

The year ended without the government fulfilling its pledge to establish an independent police complaints commission. At least 80 men accused of links to Islamist extremist groups were held without charge or trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA). Freedom of expression, association and assembly continued to be constrained by restrictive laws. People suspected of being irregular migrants or asylum-seekers were harassed and detained in harsh conditions pending deportation. Hundreds of people, mostly alleged irregular migrants, were imprisoned or caned after unfair trials. Death sentences continued to be passed and four executions were carried out.

Police reform
Non-governmental organizations continued to press the government to create an Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). In 2005 a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the police had recommended a wide range of reforms, including the establishment of an IPCMC by May 2006. Draft legislation to establish an IPCMC remained under consideration by the Attorney General at the end of the year. A range of other reform recommendations, including repeal or review of laws allowing for detention without trial or requiring police permits for public assemblies, were not implemented

Police brutality
There were continued reports of excessive use of force by police officers during peaceful
demonstrations. In March and May police armed with shields violently dispersed a series of peaceful protests in Kuala Lumpur against fuel prices, with batons and water cannon. Several people were reported seriously injured and dozens arrested. All were subsequently released. There was still concern over the effectiveness of safeguards to ensure the safety and wellbeing of detainees in police custody. At least five people, including one woman, were reported to have died in custody during the year.

Detention without trial
The ISA, which allows for detention without trial for periods of up to two years, renewable indefinitely, continued to be applied and also used as a threat. At least 80 men accused of membership of or links to Islamist extremist groups remained in detention at the end of the year. At least 20 detention orders were renewed, and the reasons were not made public.

In May, 11 people were arrested under the ISA in Sabah for alleged involvement in an Islamist group known as Darul Islam Sabah.
In October, at least 17 alleged members of Jemaah Islamiyah and the Malaysia Militant Group (Kumpulan Militan Malaysia) were released, but remained under orders restricting their freedom of movement.

At least 700 criminal suspects remained in detention under the Emergency (Public Order andPrevention of Crime) Ordinance (EO), which allows for indefinite detention without trial. Many were detained under the EO because the police did not have sufficient evidence to charge them. In October, the Federal Court ruled that the lawfulness of EO detentions by police could not be challenged in the courts once the Minister of Internal Security had issued a detention order.

Migrant workers, refugees and asylum-seekers
Refugees, asylum-seekers and migrant workers remained vulnerable to arrest, detention in poor conditions and deportation under the Immigration Act. Migrant workers were subjected to psychological and physical abuse by agencies and employers, and were often denied equal access to benefits and protections guaranteed to Malaysian workers, including maternity provisions, limited working hours and holidays.

Excessive use of force and ill-treatment were reported during repeated raids and mass arrests,mostly conducted by members of the volunteer civilian armed corps RELA (Ikatan Relawan Rakyat Malaysia), of suspected irregular migrant workers. Hundreds were whipped after being found guilty of immigration offences.

In February, the bodies of five migrant workers who allegedly fled a RELA raid were found in a lake in Selayang, near Kuala Lumpur. Witnesses reported that at least one body bore signs of ill-treatment.

Freedom of expression and association

There was continued criticism of the Printing Presses and Publication Act which allows the authorities to refuse, revoke or suspend printing permits.

During the year, two newspaper editors were forced to resign following their newspapers’ coverage of police abuses, and four newspapers were suspended after publishing drawings of the Prophet Muhammad first published in a Danish newspaper in 2005 and judged offensive.

In May the opposition People’s Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) protested at the refusal to grant a printing permit for the party’s official paper.Two opposition parties, the Malaysian Dayak Congress and the Socialist Party of Malaysia (Parti Sosialis Malaysia), were denied registration under the Societies Act.

Death penalty and corporal punishment

In March the Malaysian Bar Council passed a resolution calling for the abolition of the death penalty and a moratorium on all executions.

Death sentences, however, continued to be passed during 2006, mostly as a mandatory punishment for certain drug-related offences. Four executions for armed treason were carried out. The authorities continued not to disclose regular statistics on capital punishment.

In May, Parliament passed a water privatization bill, which also extended the death penalty to cover serious cases of water contamination.

Caning, a cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment, was also carried out.


AI country reports/visits

Report
• Malaysia: Amnesty International’s campaign to stop torture and ill-treatment in the ‘war on terror’
(AI Index: ASA 28/003/2006)

Visits
Amnesty International delegates met government officials in March, and local civil society groups in June to discuss progress in the implementation of police reform.

Belgium marks 100th anniversary of Tintin creator

While 'lepaking' around the streets in the city of Kuching, Joe found something interesting in a DVD shop. Guess what? It's Tintin's adventure comic DVD. Brother, I guess you will love this!!! Wait till 7th March 2008, I will present it to you as your 26th Birthday present.

Brother and I used to be a fan of Tintin. We enjoyed reading Tintin's comic, sinse we are young. We are still on the way collecting all the 22 series!!!

The Adventures of Tintin (French : Les Aventures de Tintin) is a series of Belgian's comic books created by Belgian artist, Herge. Tintin, a young Belgian reporter and traveller who embarked on his very first adventure in 1929. Titin, who is an adventurous reporter, involved himself in lots of dangerous cases, which he takes heroic action to save the day. From the beginning he was accompanied by his faithful dog, Snowy and for more than half a century this intrepid pair journeyed to exploits around the world.


Tintin is a young man of more or less neutral attitudes and is less colourful than the supporting cast. In this respect, he represents the everyman.

A Tribute to my beloved God Brother....

John Lee, 李添盛 a guy who have a blessed name in Chinese which means “Added Prosperity”. What a 'Si Beh Li Hai" name!!!!

How do we get to know each other? It’s an interesting story to share. Both of us come from different school. John came from St. Joe, which is a Boys School, and I came from a co-ed school. It’s because of MUSIC. Well, I guess all the musicians speak the same language. We meet in SONS in 1990s. John was a saxophonist, playing alto sax. I was a percussionist, playing timpani at that time. We were sitting at the left end corner at the back.

Still remember our orchestra trip to Sibu. What had we done? I believe that the token of appreciation we got from SONS means a lot to us. It enable us to dine a meal in KFC during our good old days. Thought about KFC, hahaha….. John, you better go and find the umbrella and return it to the owner!!!

We had not been seeing each other while we were at Uni. I graduated and came back to Kuching. Surprisingly in Year 2003, I meet John’s classmate, he told me something about John. “Hey…. John is earning BIG MONEY now in UTM. He is now afforded to fly back from Johor Bahru (JB) to Kuching every week, earning 5-figure income.” I was wondering what John is doing…….

Out of the blue moon, Da Lao Ban, John Lee called me up. It’s a surprise for me. I wonder how he managed to dig my mobile number out. John, did you hire any secret agents? Investigator? I just don’t believe that John is now a Business man. The Entrepreneur John Lee you see today is the DOUBLE JOHN LEE you know in your school days. Not bad leh …. Beside changing your status, you had changed your physical outlook too…. :P keke (am I sounded too sarcastic?)

John, you’re one of a very rare, precious and priceless pearl found in the deep oceans. I like your descriptions of yourself because it’s true that a pearl of precious, priceless worth and value is only found once in a lifetime. If you never search, never come to know this pearl...you never know the value of this pearl. That's exactly what you are!! A male friend and also a confidant to me, whom I enjoy talking, gossiping, hanging around with. A person who always filled up my emotional tank.

Brother, you are an angel sent from Heaven above, true to yourself and I’m truly thankful our paths crossed many moons ago and we still keep this special friendship over the years.

Am Glad that I had a God Brother like you :p

Metatake on my Metathoughts.......

Dear friends, bloggers, fans and readers

Welcome to my blog page. Thought of writing, having my own homepage years ago. But.... sadly never started it. Well, am getting bored,.... looking for something to occupied my time. I guess this will be a place where i write about my thoughts, sharing information with friends.

Sit back, have a cup of tea, perhaps a cup of 'Apple Tea' or a cup of 'Davidoff Coffee'... Relax... and enjoy the read.