Representatives from Sarawak Tourism Board, Tourism Malaysia Brunei Darussalam, SMK Agama Miri and Pan Bright Travel at the starting line of the Miri International Back2School Run last weekend

Representatives of Pan Bright Travel supporting the run

Pan Bright Travel Service co-organised the Miri International Back2School Run with the SMK Agama Miri which took place at the said school last weekend. The event is part of the “Lakas Tah ke Miri promotion” in conjunction with Malaysia Mega Sales Carnival National Sales Campaign & Visit Sarawak Campaign 2019 in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia Brunei Darussalam and supported by Sarawak Tourism Board.

This is the second run organized by Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Miri and this is the first time SMK Agama Miri collaborated with Pan Bright Travel Service to cater for the residents of Brunei Darussalam. There were three categories overall – 5KM run, 11KM Men’s and Women’s Open and the Mountain Biking Jamboree 44KM Open & Veteran. The event attracted more than 140 participants from Brunei from the 1,3000 participants of the run.

The Lakas Tau Ke Miri promotion is still ongoing until the 31st July 2019 where for every purchase of BND 800 worth of travel products from Pan Bright in a single receipt, you are entitled to a rebate special from as low as BND 35 at Meritz Hotel or BND 75 at Miri Marriot per room per night. There are also special room deals from Meritz Hotel (BND 59) and Miri Marriot (BND 99) which includes breakfast for two.

I can understand why Mertiz Hotel is very popular among Bruneians because of the convenience of shopping at Bintang Mall (Ever Rise supermarket, H&M, Uniqlo and many more). My recent stay saw many Bruneians parked their car at the parking lots though the congestion might test your patience. The same can be said for Miri Marriot where Brunei families and expats would pamper their kids and children at the massive swimming pool and it’s also located a bit further from the busyness of Miri.

For more enquiries about the promotion, do contact Pan Bright Travel offices at 224 0980 (Bandar) or 334 1154 (Kuala Belait). You can also their Facebook or instagram @panbrighttravel for updates.

My room at Meritz Hotel during the Lakas Tah ke Miri Promotion

John Teo, General Manager of Meritz Hotel with representatives from Tourism Malaysia Brunei and Pan Bright Travel

Our hotel inspection at Miri Marriot

The sizable pool that caught the eyes of Bruneians

Miri Marriot also offer spa services for singles and couples

International Buffet on weekends only at Miri Marriot

As the year comes to an end, Mothercare and Bebeland will run a 3-day only Late Night Sale starting tomorrow, 28th December until 30 December from 9pm to 12 midnight.

Additional benefits and discounts will be given to the public throughout the sale period.

At Mothercare, the best deals on 12 products with the most number of online fan votes will be highlighted.

Bebeland will offer bargain deals on departments of toys, stationery, fashion, furnishing, and sports.

While Mothercare will offer special discount on display sets and additional mark down on fashion, home and travel, etc.

The sale will be held at Mothercare Kiulap and its other branch at Delima; while Bebeland at its Kiulap and Delima stores as well.

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Well, why not spend it at the Family Day Out Event this 28th – 30th September in Times Square, Berakas! Friday has gone and now you are left with Saturday and Sunday.

Oh yea, just to remind those who hasn’t pre-order, you still can do it until 30th September so you enjoy even more discounts for both Bebeland and Mothercare.

HOW IT WORKS:

> To confirm order, payment must be made at any Mothercare branch or thru online bank transfer.
>> Items to be then collected at the Family Day Out event, 28-30 September, 10am-10pm in Times Square Berakas.

For more details, WhatsApp us at 898-2811 or message them on Facebook.

Apart from that, do enjoy exciting free activities awaits you and your families like Baby Crawling Contest, Mega Blok Competition, Balance Beam, Face Painting, Coloring Competition by Global Arts, Stroller Fitness for Mothers, Gaming Activities from Hasbro and so much more during the event.

So save the date, bring the kids, and join the Family Day Out event!

I kinda like the idea that there is a Baby Crawling event happening. This is something new and unique. It will definitely be fun to watch. So parents, what are you waiting? Seize this opportunity.

There will be special discounts too when you use Baiduri cards.

Check out the Family Day out at Times Square Shopping Centre.

The scenario at Times Square today

Don’t forget to pre-order and enjoy discounts

Me part of the membership of Mothercare and Bebeland

Baiduri Bank is the official bank for the event and you enjoy some discounts as well

Some of the products being displayed and ready to be bought

Don’t forget to pre-order and enjoy discounts from Bebeland

Also you can enjoy some freebies 😀

Your kids can also enjoy some time during the event

Looking for something fun to do during the weekend? Well, why not spend it at the Family Day Out Event this 28th – 30th September in Times Square, Berakas!

Exciting free activities awaits you and your families like Baby Crawling Contest, Mega Blok Competition, Balance Beam, Face Painting, Coloring Competition by Global Arts, Stroller Fitness for Mothers, Gaming Activities from Hasbro and so much more!

So save the date, bring the kids, and join the Family Day Out event!

For more information, contact us at 898-2811 or message us here on Facebook.

Click image to enlarge

Students and the music instructors from Yippy Tune at the 24th KK Music and Dance Festival in the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort last weekend

It was quite a memorable moment for the children and parents

A total of 52 students from Yippy Tune Music School participated in the 24th KK Music and Dance Festival in the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort on the 1st & 2nd September in Kota Kinabalu. This year, the event saw a record participation of 1,600 musicians from Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia. The participants from Yippy Tune competed in the category of piano, vocal, violin and drums and pocketed a total of 90 medals, which consists of 26 Gold, 41 Silver and 23 Bronze.

Some of the students who attained outstanding results include Siena Hoon, 5 Medals (2 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze), Freda Ngu (2 Gold, 1 Silver), Ethan Officer and Jonathan Foo (2 Gold each).

This is the second year that Yippy Tune has sent students to compete in the KK Music Festival, following an initial win of 13 medals win during their first visit two years ago. “While the students came here after months of preparations and hard work, one of the main reasons for this participation was for the spirit of communion and exchange with other musicians. Deon Ong, Yippy Tune’s principal remarked, “Completing a performance is like winning a sport event! It helps to create awareness of live music performance and reflects the music school’s practice of providing a balanced and outgoing programs for students.” She added, “Coming to the event required tremendous commitment, time and effort not only from the students alone, but the undivided support from the teachers and parents whom we pay our utmost thanks and gratitude to.”

According to a parent, “The KK Music Festival created an incredibly inspiring and unique experience where my child can perform in front of an international crowd. It really humbles you to see so many talented individuals and at the same time lift everyone’s standard because of the friendly competition.” Said Delon Hon, whose daughter, Natalie received a Gold Medal in her Piano Performance.

Comparing to the previous years, the judges have elevated their expectations, tightened the number of medals they released, while assessing the contestants’ every strength and weaknesses in much greater details. “This is a welcoming change, because it lifts the standard for everyone and motivates the students to work harder in their preparation for the next year’s event. It also makes the award extra more precious for those who have won.” Said Teacher Marcel from Yippy Tune. “All our teachers are extremely proud of our students’ effort and result. Their tenacity and attitude towards music has really encouraged each of us.”

The music gathering this year was a much-anticipated event especially because the organisers stepped up the game by inviting world-class performers and judges to take part in the judging panel and conducted special group classes for the students. Renown participants included Pianist, Yen-Lin Goh whose work appeared in Vera Ivanova’s soundtrack, Wesley Johnson, a senior lecturer from UPSI, Dr. Tham Horng Kent, the recipients of Asia Yamaha Music Scholarship graduated from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Japanese pianist Misa Yamamoto. Press release and images courtesy of Yippy Tune.

One of the gold medal recipient from Yippy Tune

Aubrey Lee receiving a medal too

Siena Hoon was one of the biggest winners with 2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze

Siena with her mother Deon Ong

Freda Ngu and Audrey Koh were also recipients during the event

Ethan Officer with his gold medal

Siena with the music instructors from Yippy Tune

The upcoming ‘We Run KB’ is organised by Rosnah Yusof & Sons Entertainment (RYS Entertainment) and supported by the Kuala Belait & Seria Municipal Department. The run aims to promote fitness and wellbeing, to create more fun and healthy activities in Belait and to establish a connection in between the residents of the country and their community.

In addition to promoting Kuala Belait as a ‘Little Town with Big Hearts’, the event is also aimed at raising funds for various charities and organizations in the Belait District and to increase awareness for them.

‘We Run KB’ will take place in conjunction with KB Ku Ceria on 27th August 2017 in KB Town. The registration fee is at $20 for the 3km Fun Run, $25 for the 5km run and $30 for the 10km run. All participants of the run will receive a shirt, a bib, a finisher’s medal and a T4 drink voucher.

The categories are divided into male and female. The top three winners for both male and female of the 10km run will receive varying cash prizes at $500 for first place, $300 for the second place and $150 for the third place. On the other hand, the winners for both male and female of the 5 km run will receive $200, $100 and $50 for first, second and third place respectively.

Additionally, the flag off time for 10km, 5km and 3km are at 7am, 7:15am and 7:20am respectively. Participants are encouraged to drop off their bags at our bag storage service which opens at 6am in the morning on the event day.

Individuals who wish to register online can do so by visiting the company’s Instagram @RYSEntertainment, its Facebook at ‘RYS Entertainment’ or the company’s website at http://www.rys-group.com/we-run-kb.html.

As for those who wish to register via hard copy or make payment for the run, you can visit the RYS Entertainment office at Unit A3 & A4, First Floor, Block 1, Spg 114-22, Jln Setia Diraja, Light Industry Area, Kuala Belait from Monday to Saturday at any time from 8am to 5pm.

The closing date for registration and payment will be on 19th August 2017 and any registrations submitted after this date will not be accepted. For further enquiries and updates, call 7290700 or visit the company’s social media sites.

I love the simplicity of the t-shirts 😀 I can’t wait to get one

There’s also a registration for corporate ones and cheaper too

The route for 3KM

The route for 5KM

The route for 10KM

St Andrew’s School will be celebrating her 60th Anniversary at ICC on Friday, 4 August 2017 from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm.

Dinner tickets @$60 per head are on sale in the school. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet/reunite with friends and ex-classmates and I will definitely be attending this event with a few of my old class mates. It will be a good time to bring back old memories and have a mini reunion with ex-mates and teachers.

For enquiries, please contact : Tel : 8326032, 2222099 & 2226032. Fax : 2234708. Email: sasadmin@saintandrew.edu.bn

I can’t remember when this was but it’s definitely in the late 80s.. Yes, I’m still that young now 😀

A shot taken last year at St. Andrew’s School where former students have become parents and continuing the legacy by sending their children to St. Andrew’s School

Fitness Zone Managing Director Wu Chun led his team to give back to the community in celebration of Mother’s Day. Read more below for the full story.

Once a year, Fitness Zone Managing Director Wu Chun, embarks on a charity project specifically in commemoration of Mother’s Day, and as a great tribute and gift to his mother on mother’s day.

This year Wu Chun with his Fitness Zone team, turned an agent of change for a family of a single mother and Nurhidayat Jafardam, her 13 years old child, who is suffering from Spina Bifida, a permanently disabling birth defect. This medical condition occurs when a baby is in the womb and the spina column does not close all the way so the child has to be on wheelchair since birth.

The Team will spend 3 days fixing the very run down one bedroom house situated near Kuala Lurah. Problems such as leaking roofs, broken windows and doors and defective plumbing are all fixed within these 3 days. On top of that, Wu Chun also ensure the single mother and her 2 children aged 16 and 13 can live more comfortable so sufficient lighting throughout the house was added, and also to repaint the whole house with their children favorite colors and also an additional air conditioned bedroom was created for his 16 years old son who has been staying with her mother and sister in a small bedroom since birth. With this, Wu Chun wishes that this family will have a more comfortable place to live with, and a happier Hari Raya in the upcoming month.

After the 3 days changeover, Fitness Zone team also celebrate Mother’s day with the single mother. According to Nurhidayat Jafardam’s mother, “ Wu Chun was sweating all over to make sure everything was taken care of. He painted the house, clean the floors and keep asking me what I needed to make sure we can live comfortably and safely. This is the best mother’s day gift for me and we are truly grateful for this arrangement that really helps change our life.”

Fitness Zone Managing Director Wu Chun led his team to give back to the community in celebration of Mother’s Day. Read more below for the full story.

Fitness Zone Managing Director Wu Chun led his team to give back to the community in celebration of Mother’s Day. Read more below for the full story.

Doing charity works, and reaching out to those who need help, is one way of giving flesh to Fitness Zone vision and mission, and that is to give back to the community, to give care and compassion to those who need it. Fitness Zone, who won the APEA Corporate Social Responsibility award is constantly encouraging its staffs and members to care for our communities.

It is through these social and charitable activities, that we are able to fundamentally grow and be better physically and spiritually and learn, value, and cherish life. In addition, Wu Chun said, “It is my intention to raise awareness so the public, who is keen to help out those who are in need will reach out to institutions such as JAPEM, Yaska, and others, to support to those who greatly need the assistance. A small act or gesture of goodwill can really create a big impact on lives of those that is really in need.”

In closing, Wu Chun imparted “ Since young, my mother always involved me in charitable project. Caring and changing people’s life is always a great part in my life, and i hope that with a little act of kindness, we can all make this world a better place.

My mother being hugged by her sister last night

Hello Mom 😀 I hope you feel the love from all of us last night and more to come. Happy birthday. Hugs

There are many times that I’ve really wanted to post something more on a personal level. Sometimes I wonder what is stopping me. Ever since I’ve been focusing too much on my sponsored editorials, I’ve lost touch on my personal touch on my actual blog. My feelings and thoughts are kept locked inside me but ironically I do pen them down on my journal. But hardly on my blog. Maybe because it has been way too long that I’ve not expressed how I really feel on my blog and day by day, month by month, year by year, it slowly gets tougher.

Today I will dedicated this post to my mother whom have brought me to this world since I was a cutey boy. [My fingers are already perspiring because I’m getting out of my comfort zone. Getting out of that zone to speak how I really feel that I’ve kept to myself. Sometimes it’s difficult to express to my friends and I don’t judge them if I’m unable to express them].

Well, I remembered having this dream that I was taken away when I was a baby. All I had was a tiny aeroplane toy to keep sane and from crying. The scene was some sort of a cafe. It looked like one of those “kopitiams”. I remembered two faces in that dream and one of them was Mui Lan *spelling* I call her auntie by the way. So this particular scene that I could recall only lasted 5 seconds. The aeroplane toy. Me being carried while crying. And Auntie Mui Lan. I thought to myself, was this turning point of my life when I was brought to my future world? Was this the turning point that I was actually being adopted to another family in Brunei? Was that scene I remembered took place in Singapore? Was that scene actually a true one or just a dream? All these questions pondered for quite some time. I never really want to ask these questions for closure and to me and the rest of my siblings, this is more of a taboo topic to talk about to begin with.

It was pretty obvious where I stood. My passport said I was born in Singapore. I’m still a Permanent Resident, upgraded from Green IC (after I have turned 20 years old). I even accidentally stumbled upon my birth certificate when I was only 12 years old and that cemented that idea that I am adopted plus being terrified as a timid teenager. I had mixed feelings then.

Regardless of what I felt then, I was (and still am) obedient son to my mother to this very day. She always praised that I never troubled her in my living years. Yeah, maybe I have bent some rules here and there but I’m always very particular in taking care of my family’s name, furthermore my mother, being in the position she is.

My best years with my mother was during my teenage years. Why? Because that was the best family bonding I’ve ever experienced with her. It was the time before I flew off to Australia for my high school. I would keep her company for most of the time and even slept in her bedroom. She was very sweet and caring. She would have an extra TV in her room so I could watch live football to keep me entertained. She would constantly ask me if football is on. There were times that spare TV didn’t have good signal and she offered to use her main TV to my football episodes while sacrificing her TV time. To me that’s the sweetest thing I will always remember from my mother *weeps*

The hardest part was me leaving Brunei back in 1992 for my future studies. I was constantly crying while hugging my mom. It was that point that I felt the motherly love that I was missing from my childhood years. My mom was so caring that she made sure I was really taken care of while boarding in Geelong Grammar School. I would use the payphone to make reverse charge call to Brunei so I could listen to my mother’s voice, feeling safe and sound. That was the last time I was very close to my mother.

Now fast forward to the present moment (20 plus odd years later), though situations are not the same as before, I have never love my mother less and I know deep inside my mother still loves me and her children more than she knows.

Last night was my first real hug to my mom when we all greeted her happy birthday at midnight. The previous one when I was still a teenager. I don’t know the feeling but I always wanted to hug my mother. To express my care and love and most of all, gratitude, for being a superwoman and a super mother and including me to your world.

Mom, I know you have been surviving, emotionally, mentally and also physically, and I want you to know that we (siblings and I) are your pillars in your life and we will always standby you in any given situation. Never discount that and you have gelled our siblings once more 🙂 I know I haven’t been spending my time with you but I rather spend time to know you better and deeper. I know we will have that chance.

And how do I feel right now? Definitely not mixed. I feel lighter, liberated and loved.

I’m truly, truly grateful to be your son and I have always love you unconditionally. Sorry for being open here but I really want to address my feelings and this is my courageous first step. Have a blasting birthday celebration tonight. Thank you, Mom. I love you xxx.

Multiple cakes

Mom hugging my siblings