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Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) reveals its new livery and logo on 30th October 2012 at an event held at Hangar 1, Brunei International Airport. The new livery and logo was revealed on an Airbus A320, which was painted by RB’s own in-house engineering team.

Attending the event was the Minister of Communications, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar as Guest of Honour, as well as RB’s Chairman and Board of Directors, staff and other invited guests.

Included in the guest list were some of the country’s national icons: Two of Brunei’s Olympians, Maziah Mahusin, Brunei’s first female Olympian who represented Brunei at the London Summer Olympics in the 400m run, Ak Hafiy Tajuddin Pg Rositi who represented Brunei at the London Summer Olympics in the 400m run, the Under-21 football team who were the champions of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in March 2012, and the Kilimanjaro team an all female team who raised the Brunei Flag at the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2001.

Prior to the reveal, Royal Brunei Airlines has been releasing teasers of its redefinition of travel to in the local market, both via print and online adverts and the “Smile Squad”; who has been sparking public curiosity over the past two weeks. The Smiles Squad has been spotted in different parts of the country, spreading genuine smiles and good cheer to the public.

Mr. Dermot Mannion, Deputy Chairman of RB, said “Over the next year, we will be redefining the Royal Brunei Airlines flying experience, starting with our classic styled new livery and logo. This redefinition is not merely an ad campaign, but rather a long term commitment to our passengers to create a family-like, peaceful and tranquil atmosphere with high class customer service.

The new livery and logo is the first step on RB’s rebranding journey. Over the next year, the national carrier will be rolling out a new website experience (including new social media experience), new uniforms and new lounge and ticket office environments. The completion of the rebranding process will be timed to coincide with the entry into service of 787 Boeing Dreamliners 1st September 2013, making RB the first airline in South-East Asia to take delivery of this ultra modern aircraft.

Happy-ness is one of the values that Royal Brunei wants to bring to the airline

Mr. Dermot Mannion, Deputy Chairman of RB, hinted of new uniform

The current uniform will be replaced. But it’s not known when just yet.

Waiting for the new livery at RB Hangar

It was also my first time at the hangar. Man, it was pretty humid inside

The audience were also itching to take tons of photos

One of the pilots for RB

The icons of Brunei

The VIPs and the icons taking a quick picture for the media

Handing over of souvenir

Some of Dermot Mannion’s quotes during his remarks – “Tonight we are here to celebrate the launch of our first Airbus aircraft bearing the new livery and logo of Royal Brunei. This is the first step on a rebranding journey, which will extend from now until the end of next year and beyond. In that period, our remaining Airbus aircraft will complete the repainting process by March 2013. Subsequently, we expect to complete the implementation of new signage and livery at all of our customer touch points in time for the entry into service of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in September 2013.

During this period, we will also be progressively rolling out a number of new customer experiences. Here are a few of the initiatives already under preparation:
• newly designed crockery,
• a whole new web site experience,
• a redesign for our much loved Muhibah inflight magazine,
• more social media interaction.
• and of very keen interest to all of our staff, new uniforms for all those in customer facing roles.

Distinguished guests and Ladies and Gentlemen, our existing livery and logo have served this company well for over 25 years but the time is right for change. In the two years, it has been my privilege to serve here in Brunei I have come to know and appreciate the distinguishing characteristics and qualities of this country and of the Bruneian people. Qualities such as graciousness, style, understated elegance, peace, tranquility, hospitality and harmony with nature.

In a fast moving and ever changing world these timeless values become ever more important to the travelling public who more and more are looking for their time on aircraft to represent an oasis of peace ‘far from the madding crowd’. Royal Brunei Airlines and the people of Brunei have the tools to deliver this kind of travel experience.

The rebranding journey, which we embark upon tonight presents us with a unique opportunity to present these key attributes to our customers in a lively, interesting and contemporary way. Royal Brunei’s new brand story will be one of authenticity, optimism, timeless values, simple pleasures and golden touches, which are aimed to surprise and delight.

To make all of this work we recognize that we need the buy in of every single member of staff especially those in the customer facing departments Already we have increased our investment in staff training and empowerment with much more to come. This is already paying dividends with Royal Brunei award as ‘Best Foreign Airline 2001 State of Sabah and more recently we have been shortlisted in the distinguished company of Emirates and Qatar Airways by Business Destinations magazine for the award of ‘Best Economy Class’ to the Middle East.” Text speech by Dermot Mannion.

The Kilimanjaro ladies

Asif Poshori and the jazz band

Azlan of Mixmediaworx with the guys behind the rebranding journey, Christina Chen and Julian Barrans, Managing Director of Interbrand

Fancy the new logo?

Haji Khairuddin bin Haji Abd Hamid the guest of honour presented the meat to a DST employee

More than 400 boxes of Korban and Aqiqah meat were distributed recently in the spirit of Aidil Adha celebrations.

A Korban and Aqiqah ceremony was held at DST Headquarters, Tungku Link, where boxes of meat from eight buffaloes, four cows and 20 goats were handed out to Korban and Aqiqah participants, fakir miskin (poor and destitute) households as well as members of personnel involved in the ritual slaughter ceremony.

Present to handout the meat was Yang Mulia, Awang Haji Khairuddin bin Haji Abd Hamid, a member of DST Board of Directors, who was the guest of honour for the Korban and Aqiqah ceremony. Also present at the event was Awang Junaidi bin Haji Masri and Awang Abdul Latiff bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Md Yusuf, members of DST of Board of Directors, Mr. Idris T. Vasi, Chief Executive Officer, DST, DST Management and staff.

The ceremony began with the recitation of the Takbir followed by welcoming remarks of the DST Korban and Aqiqah chairman of the working commitee, Pengiran Marali bin Pengiran Haji Razali. In his speech he highlighted that Korban and Aqiqah ceremony has been annually held and volunteered by DST staff. Among the objectives of the event were to commerate Prophet Ibrahim’s (Alaihi Assalaam) willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah (SWT) to distribute the sacrificial meat to the poor and destitute. This year, there are some 120 volunteers who have inculcated teamwork in voluntary and charitable work among the staff. In collaboration with the Human Resource Department, it is rewarding to have this initiative as it further strengthen the relationship among the staff.

The Korban and Aqiqah meat will be distributed to a wider community, the less fortunate families and orphans at Brunei Muara Districts.

Pengiran Marali bin Pengiran Haji Razali, Chairman of DST Korban and Aqiqah working committee

Click image to enter The Future Fund website

Last year, the MoU among DST, AITI and BEDB was signed for the The Future Fund initiative by DST. As Idris Vasi, CEO of DST said that the Future Fund is designed to create business opportunities for ICT companies in Brunei especially to promising entrepreneurs which will also help to accelerate the ICT growth in the Sultanate. I remember a decade ago, the community will always bring up issue of fundings.. Then came in BEBD and AITI who offer grants for entrepreneurs in the past two years and now DST has joined the bandwagon to give more access to entrepreneurs. iCentre will also be playing part providing mentorship for successful applicants.

It was recently launched during the THiNK Big Innovate Forum 2012 and Hajah Safrina binti Pehin Dato Abd Rahman, Manager, Group Corporate Communications, DST and a member of The Future Fund Marketing Team said “The Future Fund is created to invest in up and coming Bruneian ICT companies, giving priorty to technology developed in Brunei and to generate business opportunities. The Future Fund is to assist entrepreneurs who have great ideas but little funding. Successful entrepreneurs will not only benefit from the funding, but also from the opportunity to link to a network of local industry players and international ICT entrepreneurs.”

On Monday, Melina Jaini of DST also shared DST’s Future Fund to the participants of the Google Development Group DevFest 2012 at DST HQ. With The Future Fund, a promising start-up can receive an investment of up to BND$50,000 for the first tranche and up to a maximum total investment of BND$150,000 per investee.

The fund is open to the public, with the criteria requiring the company to be at least 50 per cent owned by Bruneians, or for anyone who has a great idea. For interested applicants, visit The Future Fund website,thefuturefund.com.bn for more information about the fund and how to apply. Application forms together with business plans are to be submitted to the iCentre. If an applicant do not have in depth knowledge of how to make a business plan, not to worry as The Future Fund can be contacted for assistance.

For more information, contact +673 7191199 or via email at info@thefuturefund.com.bn

Melina Jaini of DST briefing on DST’s Future Fund last Monday

RA says I’m pretty excited this because loads of things are happening and I will be off for 9 day trip to Bali for the first time starting Sunday. I’ve never been there and it was one of the destinations that I’ve longed for decades and soon that will become a reality as I will be traveling with my close buddies. Too bad WC won’t be able to join us for this upcoming trip.

Tonight I’m invited to a special event and it will be the first time that I will be in a hangar (Sakai mode on again). So I’m not sure what’s up but I have a gut feeling that something big is gonna happen. If its a new plane, even “awesomer”. Let’s see what’s in store for tonight’s event and be sure to catch me on instagram for live updates. I will probably spare two to three posts as I don’t want to flood my instagram.

DPMM FC potential S•League Champions. What a match this is billed to be… Who would have thought DPMM FC finishing top two in the S•League as the coach’s mission was more of a Top 5 finish in the competitive league. Now they have a 50/50 chance of being champions in the S•League as they are only one point away from table leaders Tampines Rovers.

Here’s the scenario on how DPMM FC can win the championship 1) If DPMM FC win and Balestier draw or loss 2) If DPMM FC draw and Tampines Rovers lose. However, if Tampines Rovers win their final match against Harimau Muda, then regardless of DPMM FC’s outcome, Tampines will lift the S•League title. Despite the chances, DPMM FC’s head coach Simunic was more than happy that DPMM FC have finished Top 2.

The only setback for Simunic is the availability of Pg Sallehuddin who is suspended for the final match after collecting yellow cards. He has been a pillar in DPMM FC’s back line ever since Santos was ruled for the season in the final quarter of the season. However, Simunic is confident of any first 11 players he field this Friday. He lauded that it’s a collective team effort on DPMM FC’s success to be in the Top two. He even expressed that the replacement players are hungry for football action and they have performed well whenever they are on the field. I shall be giving away two pairs of DPMM FC tickets on my social network and do follow me on Twitter and Instagram @ranoadidas for the competition.

All the best guys and you have done your best for the last 95%.. Let’s complete the final 5% 😀

So peeps, another great reason to come and watch DPMM FC this Friday 2nd November is because you will stand a chance to win an iPhone 5 and the management are giving away two of those *Awesome* Other great prizes are a Macbook Air, a huge flat screen TV, PS3 console, Samsung Galaxy III and other cool gadgets.. Now aren’t these awesome incentives for you to come and watch DPMM FC play their final game at home grown and furthermore, even a great chance of lifting the S•League title? I’m not sure how the mechanism of the lucky draw will be like though. I shall update you on that. There’s also a sponsor who will be giving away 200 DPMM t-shirts as part of the lucky draw. By the way, the tickets are only on sale this Friday.

These are the top 3 prizes and they will be giving out 2 iPhone 5 by the way. Awesome!!1

The consolation prizes to be won as well

McDonald’s reopens. Another great news is the re-opening of McDonald’s at Gadong today. After a few weeks of renovation, finally McDonald’s have a new look, a new feel and it’s totally different from the old original look. This is perhaps one of the exciting things to look forward to in Brunei considering that McDonald’s look have not changed for many, many years. So today is the day that McDonald’s open its door to the public and I expect a huge crowd today and in many weeks to come.

New things to expect are the new counters where they have a better system for Point-of-Sale which will make ordering faster and more efficient and they have allocated four counters to the usual two or three. The kitchen equipment are totally new and this also helps to make delivery of the fast food more efficient. The outlet is wifi-ready and they even have their own music collection to give a different ambience to the customers.

The big question I asked was the Breakfast menu which I crave for – Egg McMuffin *nom nom* Dk Kemariah, General Manager of McDonald’s Brunei, said that the breakfast menu will be introduced as early as the first quarter of 2013. Woohoo!!! Now that I can’t wait. For now, just enjoy the look of McDonald’s and the current menu they have. Thank you, Kem, for bringing a new energy to the outlet and thumbs up to the team involved as well.

Look at the new look of McDonald’s at Gadong outlet

Look at the new look of McDonald’s at Gadong outlet

The menu of McDonald’s

The queue taken today as of lunch at McDonald’s. Image courtesy of Sabrina Mahmud.

The queue taken today as of lunch at McDonald’s. Image courtesy of Sabrina Mahmud.

The BIG SALE from AirAsia. It is happening right now for AirAsia and who knows you will be traveling to other parts of the region say Cambodia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and many more. Too bad I’ve already booked my flight through AirAsia heading to Bali this weekend. Well, I booked it ages ago so I just missed out on the BIG SALE this week. Then again, the travel period is from 1st May to 30 Sept 2013. So book now through AirAsia and grab the awesome deals.

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b•mobile new HQ. For your info, b•mobile will be having a celebration on the grand opening of their new Head Quarters this Sunday. The event is taking place at their new venue – Block C, Simpang 493, Kg Beribi, Jalan Gadong and there will be shuttle buses provided at Land Transport Department car park area. So the public is advised to park there and the shuttle buses will bring you to the event. Check out the poster for details.