Iron Man 3 to be released end of the month

Wanna win tickets? Click image to enter facebook.com/Audibrunei and post on their wall a slogan containing "Iron Man" and "Audi". Contest runs until 19th April

 

Sabrina Mahmud was at the Healthy Lifestyle Campaign held yesterday at Dermaga Diraja in conjuction with World Health Day 2013

My first coverage of the Amateur Radio Direction Finding competition organised by AITI. More on that later.

It was a pleasure to have met Sharon O'Dea, Senior Manager of Online Communications of Standard Chartered Bank last Friday. She's enjoying her trip to Borneo and I hope you get to see the Orang Utans in Kuching :)

The launch of the new area of Fitness Zone and also celebrating its 10 years anniversary

Nazeer Kazimi, CEO of Brudirect receiving a token of appreciation from Hj Mohammad bin Hj Jaya, Plant Manager of Brunei LNG during last weekend appreciation dinner for the media hosted by Brunei LNG

Check out my summary review of The Host on my Instagram. Full review soon.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair (L) receiving a token of appreciation from Pusat Ehsan Senior Trustee Dato Paduka Mohd Alimin Abd Wahab (R) during the launch of The Run at Orchid Garden Hotel last Saturday. More on that later.

The Mini Cooper Paceman launched last weekend

Oblivion was a much better outing than The Host. Check out summary review on my instagram

Thank you ladies for showing up on my mother's birthday bash last Monday. More pictures to come this week :D And thanks to Hanisham Studio for the wonderful pictures. My mom loves them.

I'm super impressed with the creativity from the final year students from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science. Check out their artwork and installation at "Spectacle: Art & Design Graduation Show 2013" at the art gallery at UBD Chancellor Hall. The installation aboveis by Fizah Rahman and it's called Victim of Commercialization. The showcase ends on 27th April. Highly recommended.

Guess who's on instagram now?? Do follow @redbullbn for more exciting updates and this is a teaser advert from Red Bull (Brunei)

 

BAKAT ARTS Productions together with BEDB will be giving Brunei’s budding Creative Arts. Industry a booster shot in the arm in its effort to gain global recognition. By utilizing The ASEAN Summit as a launch pad, Brunei’s creative minds will form a welcome wagon of originality to greet the mob of delegates.

With Brunei chairing the ASEAN Summit, what better way to welcome the delegates than to…. ‘Give Them A Sofa’!

An original concept dreamed up by BAKAT ARTS Productions, the ‘Give Them A Sofa’ Art Expo at the Brunei International Airport, like a sofa, has two distinctive components namely the Backrest and the Seat.

Backrest
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure - An age old adage that serves an important purpose. Brunei’s creative minds will lead several teams of individuals, students, schools in transforming the newly refurbished Arrival Hall into a walk-through Art gallery of recycled materials.Comprising 10 galleries, the exhibit will feature never-before-seen original Bruneain art created by up-and-coming visionary artists.

Seat
The second component of the sofa, which is the most basic of needs, is the Seat because, what good is a backrest if you can’t sit down to lean into it, correct? The idea is that each ASEAN member country will give a sofa that best represents their nation and together form a huge ASEAN living room at the Brunei International Airport.

‘Give Them A Sofa’
Why a Sofa?
Obviously one needs to rest after coming off from a long flight, so why not? Stop for a minute at Brunei’s ASEAN living room where you can calmly and comfortably enjoy the Brunei hospitality among the company of friends.

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Let Your Body Drive Dance Competition 2013 brought to you by Peugeot Brunei. Click image to enter Facebook page to find out more.

 

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Are you ready for another major run? Click image to enter Facebook Page

 

Tonight and tomorrow night is the final day of Arabian Nights promotion at Seasons Restaurant. Buffet price for adults is $29.90 and children is $17. RBC Dining Privilege Card members will enjoy 10 per cent discount. For reservation and enquiries, please call 2422291 or 2422292.

The promotional poster of Arabian Nights

One of the popular dishes for the Arabian Nights promotion

Deep fried chicken with tomato salsa

The shawarma stall

Beef Stew

The dessert area

Baklava

Seng Yee was my guest last week :)

 

As part of the Charity Movie Night, some fans who flew in with RB's Royal Brunei Holiday package as well as lucky Facebook fans were given the chance to meet Wu Chun for a photo session. You can click here for more pictures at Royal Brunei Airlines Facebook page. By the way, tomorrow Wu Chun will be officially launching the facelift of Fitness Zone Kiulap at 2pm.

Wu Chun with the local fans at Portview Restaurant

Some of the fans who flew in with RB's Royal Brunei Holiday Package

 

Eric Pui, owner of Muffins & Co

I'm not much of a muffin person but then again, it's always my past time whenever I dropped by CBTL to order muffins. Now my friend Eric Pui of Mr. Bakersbakeshop has introduced a new food outlet, selling purely muffins under the name of Muffins & Co.

There was so much hype built up for the opening of Muffins & Co and finally they opened its door on the 1st of April 2013. It is located at The Souq, Airport Mall on the 1st floor behind Matadoe Cafe.

According to Eric Pui, it was his dream to have a corner shop and finally he managed to secure one. He said that Muffins & Co are offering 10 healthy flavours - ow GI; Pistachio Granola; Swiss Style Muesli; Chocolate Raisin Muesli; Cinnamon Cranberry and Walnuts; Apple and Oatmeal; Banana Almond; Almond and Sour Cream; Apple Cinnamon; and Chocolate Coconut Almond and Sour Cream.

On the first day, it was sold out in a matter of hours after a special promotion of $5 for 2 muffins. Now the muffins are priced at $3.50 each and I highly recommend you. Muffins & Co is open seven days a week from 10am to 10pm, except on Fridays, where they close from12pm to 2pm for Friday prayers.

Congratulations Eric on your new adventure with Muffins & Co. I believe this is not just a business but your passion in bringing more healthy food to our locals. Keep it up!!

Try out their muffins

Try out their muffins

It's a small place at the corner of The Souq

I kinda like the area of The Souq at The Airport Mall

 

Great dishes from the Amazing ASEAN Food Festival at the Airport Restaurant. However, the promotion is only on weekends (Friday to Sunday) and only available for dinner 6:30pm to 10pm until the 28th of April 2013.

Do try their popular dishes from 10 ASEAN countries - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mynamar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The menu will be cycled on different days of the weekend. There's also the ambuyat stall which will be served throughout the whole weekend.

The price of the dinner buffet is BND 29.90 for adult and BND 15 for children. There will be a 10% discount if you use the RBC Privilege Card. For reservation, do call 233 1853 and yeah, you can also park at the new parking area of the Brunei International Airport. It's humungous!!!

The two chefs behind the ASEAN dishes

The Vietnamese Lamb Stew

Laos Glass Noodle

Burmese Curry Chicken

Cambodian Amok Fish

Not sure what the label of the chicken is for this

You should try the chicken with the satay sauce

Ice kacang for dessert

You can request the chef to cook the veges to your liking

The noodle stall

You can now park at the new parking area at The Brunei International Airport

 

Andrew Young, Deputy General Manager Operations of Baiduri Bank, presented an iPad Mini to one of the children from Yayasan Kanak-Kanak Kanser (YASKA)

At a small intimate event at the Ward 3, where the Paediatric Haemoto-Oncology Ward is in RIPAS Hospital, Baiduri Bank recently donated 4 units of iPad Minis, 2 units of recliner wheelchairs and 1 unit of ripple mattress to a couple of excited children from Yayasan Kanak-Kanak Kanser (YASKA) for the use of the children undergoing treatment in the ward.

Present at the event was Andrew Young, DGM Operations, Baiduri Bank, Zubaidah Hj Dahlan, Assistant Director of Finance in RIPAS Hospital, Dr Hjh Norehan Hj Johari, Pediatric Oncologist, and Tsaranawwarah Abdullah Chen, Senior Occupational Therapist.

The Paediatric Haemoto-Oncology Ward was established to attend to children with blood disorders and those diagnosed with cancer. It consists of four rooms and the ward bay can accommodate five or six patients at a time. With the average length of treatment for childhood cancer, from initial diagnosis to cure or remission being one to two years, Baiduri hopes that with the donation made it can make the patients' stay at the ward whilst undergoing treatment more bearable.

To date, 100 children have been diagnosed with cancer in Brunei since 2002.

Baiduri Bank has worked closely with the RIPAS Hospital throughout the years. Besides being a major sponsor of the annual World Blood Donor Day, the Bank has helped finance the development of other areas within the RIPAS Hospital such as the Child Development Centre.

Since 2008, the bank has made significant donations to the Child Development Centre, RIPAS Hospital that enabled the setting up of the sensory integration, audio visual rooms, books, equipment and most recently to fund the Early Bird programme designated for parents whose three to five-year-old children were suffering from autism.

The Bank also made donations to help cover the cost of educational aid at the Paediatric Occupational Therapy In-Patient Service Unit. Press release by Baiduri Bank.

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HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chairman of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings with the ASEAN Ministers yesterday at the International Convention Centre

This is still an ongoing saga. It is also a sensitive issue to cover as well. For those who are not aware, there are territorial disputes in South China Sea. This issue was escalated for the past few years and there haven't been any conclusion to it just yet. China has claimed the entire body of South China Sea as theirs and the claims overlap with almost all respective countries in ASEAN - Indonesia, The Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore and lastly Taiwan.

Hence yesterday's meeting was another indication where the ASEAN countries will want to carry the momentum to have a dialogue with China on the code of conduct (CoC) on the South China Sea. For your knowledge, some of the territories are beneficial in terms of fishing and even oil and gas discovery.

ASEAN Chair Brunei has issued a statement after the conclusion of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, there is an urge for a peaceful resolution to territorial disputes between several Southeas Asian nations and China, in accordance with international law.

The final day of the preparatory meetings at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas yesterday was chaired by HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chairman of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings. Also present was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-large.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Mary Natalegawa expressed that it is important that something needs to be worked out since it's the 20th year of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership. He also advised that any parties to refrain from taking any action as it would complicate situation further.

Only time will tell when Code of Conduct will be concluded.

Other discussions were the progress made since 21st ASEAN summit last year including political and security cooperation; the widening acceptance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia; ongoing work to the publication of the ASEAN Security Outlook.

ASEAN also also taken a united stance on North Korea's aggression and their aim is to have peace and stability in the Korean peninsula. Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario hopes for a six-party talks involving North Korea, South Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

The Ministers' Meeting concluded yesterday as its prime objective was to prepare for the April 24-25 summit of ASEAN countries and I believe the CoC issue will be brought up again. I just hope all of this can be resolved without any further tension.

HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chairman of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings (center) with Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-large and Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Yang Amat Mulia Pg Anak Mansurah Izzul Bolkiah from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also present

The final session took place hosted by Brunei

The final session took place hosted by Brunei

The Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr Mary Natalegawa speaking to the media. Image courtesy of INFOFOTO.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Brunei Darussalam HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah (R) and Indonesia's Foreign Minister His Excellency Dr Marty Natalegawa (L) exchange documents after signing the Agreed Minutes of the Third Meeting of the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between Brunei and Indonesia at Muzakarah Hall, International Convention Centre in Berakas. Image courtesy of INFOFOTO.

HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah leading the delegations for the ASEAN Foreign Minister's Retreat. Image courtesy of INFOFOTO.

The ASEAN Foreign Minister's Retreat at ICC. Image courtesy of INFOFOTO.

The South China Sea dispute that has been ongoing

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 RB latest promotion


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His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah with the ASEAN Ministers last night at ICC. Image courtesy of INFOFOTO.

For your info, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers are here in Brunei and their agenda is to prepare for the 22nd ASEAN Summit which will be hosted by Brunei Darussalam. The ministerial meetings have been taken place since 10th April and today is the final day. Last night His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chairman of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings hosted dinner for the ASEAN ministers from 9 countries. The dinner took place at the new facelift of International Convention Centre.

His Royal Highness, during the dinner, briefed colleagues and the new ASEAN Secretary-General, Le Luong Minh, on preparations for the 22nd ASEAN Summit due to be held in Bandar Seri Begawan April 24 and 25, 2013.

The report of the two-day meetings will be presented to the ASEAN Leaders during the Summit itself.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah upon arrival at ICC. Image courtesy of INFOFOTO.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah talking to ASEAN Secretary-General, Le Luong Minh. Image courtesy of INFOFOTO.

 

He was the star of the moment. Too bad his co-star Ekin Cheng wasn't able to make for the Saving General Yang Charity Movie Night. Wu Chun, one of the stars of Saving General Yang, brought cheers to the crowd. The Charity Movie night raised $14,000 for SMARTER Brunei and Pusat Ehsan. The event was held at Times Cineplex, Times Square Shopping Mall.

The Guest of Honour was Datin Paduka Hjh Adina binti Othman, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. Also present was Sheikh Jamaluddin, the former CEO of Brunei Tourism Board.

Datin Hjh Adina was very pleased to have Wu Chun as a Brunei icon who has not only excel in Brunei but outside the country. Shiekh Jamaluddin validated how Wu Chun is the ambassador for Brunei Darussalam as he was able to bring awareness about Brunei from his overseas' fans.

Four companies booked each cinemas for their customers and employees to enjoy the latest blockbuster movie. HSBC Brunei booked two cinemas for Pusat Ehsan and SMARTER Brunei while QQestore, Royal Brunei Airlines and GHK Sdn Bhd booked one cinema. These are the companies that raised the funds for the said charities.

Wu Chun was overwhelmed by the contribution of the companies that raised the funds and he conveyed his appreciation to the contributors. Did you know that he has been traveling to 12 cities to promote his latest movie? Brunei was his last pitstop and he will be preparing for his grand opening of the new facelift of Fitness Zone this Sunday.

According to Wu Chun, Saving General Yang was his biggest movie to date. It was also one of the most expensive movies were made (US 26 million). He shared that his toughest part of the movie was the horse riding scene where he had to carry another person. He had a month or so to practice horse riding and he had no experience on horse riding before.

He wants Bruneians to come and support the movie as it is based on a true story and he wants the audience to appreciate the family values that the director portrayed in the movie.

For your info, Saving General Yang is only showing at Times Cineplex. So far, it's the second highest box office this week after G.I.Joe: Retaliation.

Datin Paduka Hjh Adina with Wu Chun and guests last night at the Charity Event

Datin Paduka Hjh Adina wants Bruneians to follow Wu Chun as a role model

Wu Chun answering some questions from the emcee

Behind the scene

Presenting the mock from HSBC and GHK Motors to SMART Brunei

Presenting the mock from QQeStore and Royal Brunei Airlines to SMART Brunei

Benny of Times Cineplex receiving a momento

A momento for the guest of honour

Group photo with the guest of honour, sponsors and NGOS

These are Wu Chuns for Brunei and abroad

Wu Chun having a moment with the press

It was pretty crowded at the corridor

Mr and Mrs. Pao also came for the event

You can tell who are the fanatics

Wu Chun visited each cinema for some Q&A session. His first pitstop was at GHK Motors audience.

Wu Chun and his aunt who came to support him

Wu Chun with his relatives

Wu Chun made another pitstop for QQeStore audience

Keeran Janin asked a question on when Wu Chun will make a movie in Brunei

Wu Chun and Nicky of QQeStore

Wu Chun at another pitstop where SMART Brunei is watching

Wu Chun with Pusat Ehsan attendees


The final pitstop was Royal Brunei audience


The group photo before the screening of Saving General Yang


My sister with her colleagues also went to watch the movie


Nadia Halim of RB gave a thumbs up


Ahhh them again.. Did you know that they kept following Wu Chun on every cinema pitstops? *lol*


Wu Chun with his overseas' fans


Wu Chun with the management of Times Square


Wu Chun with the staff of Times Cineplex


Wu Chun signing on the poster


Wu Chun with the organisers Trinity Event Management


Despite being distracted, he was able to say goodbye to me *lol*


Fans of Wu Chun screamed when the figure fell down


Wendy and Devon of Trinity

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Group photo with the ASEAN Ministers

Yesterday the ASEAN Ministers highlighted their plans to integrate the region which will be in time for completion by 2015, a deadline set by the member of states. Under the chairmanship of Brunei Darussalam, this goal can be achieved and they are in progress as we speak.

Hatta Rajasa, the coordinating minister for Economic Affairs from Indonesia had an audience with the reporters after the 9th AEC Council Meeting held at ICC yesterday. Some of the challenges highlighted were the people to people, institutional and infrastructure connectivities.

The session was chaired by Brunei's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng.

To read more of the report, click here. Source: Debbie Too of The Brunei Times.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng chaired the session

His Excellency MR. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister of Trade and Industry, Singapore

Pehin Lim Jock Seng with Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

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His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah at the launch of “Association” yesterday at the Balai Penghadapan, Bukit Kayangan. Their Royal Highnesses are accompanied by QAF CEO, Albert Lau (R) and Brunei Press Deputy General Manager, Hazizah Osman (L)

THE latest book authored by His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, titled ‘Association’ has been described as a film in the form of a book.

Association records the history of the Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) from the tentative meeting of its founding fathers in 1967 to its modern role under the Asean Charter of 2008, through His Royal Highness’ experience as the longest serving minister in the AMM and the only remaining minister who had worked directly with the Asean founding fathers.

The book also reflects on His Royal Highness’ personal memories and observations about the AMM, its role in Asean and His Royal Highness’ personal role in its development.

HRH noted that Association is not a traditional book. In many ways, it is a film in the form of a book with a director, a script writer, a cameraman, leading actors and a supporting cast of over six hundred million. That’s why there is so much visual content.

“The story is the AMM. The location is Southeast Asia and the setting is time… not the symbolic ‘t’ of scientific study but a short period of less than 50 years in real time.”

On His Royal Highness’ feelings about the publication of the book, His Royal Highness stated, “Great appreciation to my Asean ministerial colleagues down the years … to all my friends, colleagues and staff who have given me their personal and professional support. And, also to many of our own people who have contributed, especially some very talented young people.”

His Royal Highness has published several books before Association, namely, ‘Time and the River – a memoir,’ ‘Remember, Remember….the 8th of December,’ and ‘A Southeast Asian Community – more than a matter of Geography.’ All four books focus on two central themes, which is the universal and eternal meaning of ‘time’ and the specific moments that give time its reality for ordinary people; and the relationship between ordinary people and those who govern them.

HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah officiating the launch of "Association"

The book upholds that the Asean Ministerial Meeting is far more than a matter of slogans, abstractions and symbols. Events, places and even time itself are real and measured in terms of human action, human friendship and cooperation and human understanding.

The title stresses the importance of the meaning of ‘association’ as opposed to ‘organisation,’ proposing that ‘association’ is the essence of Asean policy to build a “Regional Community”. The theme of the book is inspired by the ‘Games’ or “shared fellowship” which binds Southeast Asians in groups and societies which form a “community” of nations.

The narrative is structured around six Southeast Asian games symbolising the classic values of Southeast Asian societies played across the region and the inspirations they offer to the people who form the community of Southeast Asia.

These portrayal of symbolism in each game is as follows: teamwork in Tarik Kalat; the daring leap of Lumpat Gatah; the skill that spins the Gasing; the knowledge and strategy of Congkak; the perseverance of Sepak Takraw Bulatan; and the beauty, vision and excellence of Seni Silat.

“Association” is published by Brunei Press Sdn Bhd follows the launch of HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah’s second book “Remember, Remember… The 8th of December” in 2007.

The book will be available at bookstores nationwide starting April 9, 2013. It retails at $68 for hard cover copies and $48 for soft cover copies. Those who wish to purchase a copy can contact 8777656 or 8160055. Source: Nazirul Hakeem and Hakim Hayat. Images by Azrol Azmi and Bahiyah Bakir of Borneo Bulletin.

Association now goes on sale at bookstores

 

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What will happen today? hmmmm

 

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This was taken a few days ago that spread on social media

It was a case of a chicken hung out to dry on a mop that alerted local authorities to temporarily shut down a local Chinese restaurant in Kg Kiulap for a blatant violation of hygiene practices.

The picture of the hanging chicken circulated in no time via WhatsApp and other social media platforms, prompting the Law Enforcement Unit of BSB Municipal Board to close down the restaurant yesterday.

The cook had explained that the chicken would be crispier if it is hung out to dry in the open and that it was not meant for customers, but rather the restaurant staff.

An investigation found that the restaurant had failed in a hygiene test, obtaining only 46 per cent. It will only be allowed to reopen once it has scored a certain percentage in terms of hygiene.

The Law Enforcement Unit wished to convey its appreciation to the public for highlighting the matter, and welcomed their input on unhygienic restaurants.

Restaurant owners are urged to maintain the cleanliness of their premises, especially when handling food. Meanwhile, enforcement personnel will continue to conduct inspections under the jurisdiction of the BSB Municipal Board. Text by James Kon of Borneo Bulletin.

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An illustration drawn, taken from CK's FB

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