The Baiduri Masters is back this weekend!! This is another packed weekend where I won’t be around. This will be the first time I will be missing the Baiduri Masters 2013 event. The event will be played on consecutive weekends 31st-2nd June and 7th to 9th June. I believe you still can register for this weekend or if you miss the cut, then you can go for the next weekend.

The Baiduri Masters 2013 also features hole-in-one prizes where participants can aim to win one of three luxurious cars worth B$400,000 in total or one of two cash prizes worth B$20,000 each. Porsche Panamera is offered as prize for hole No 5, while Mini Cooper S Countryman is offered as prize for hole No 14 and BMW 520 is offered as prize for hole No 2. Two cash prizes of B$20,000 each are offered for holes No 12 and No 16.

The upcoming golf tournament is divided into four divisions: Men, Ladies, Juniors and Professionals, the latest category to be introduced in the tournament. The Men’s division will be further divided into Men’s Open and Senior Golfers categories. The Junior Golfers category is open to golfers aged 13 to 18 years old.

For those who have yet to register, deadline for the first weekend’s tournament is May 29, while the second weekend’s tournament is June 5. Registration can be carried out at the RBA Golf Club, Berakas; Baiduri Finance, Beribi; or Baiduri Bank branch in Seria.

Registration fee for the Baiduri Masters 2013 is B$120 for adults and B$60 for juniors. The registration fee is inclusive of green fee, buggy, buffet breakfast and lunch.

Players may play more than once to improve their chances of winning. Adult players will enjoy a 10 per cent discount on the registration fee on their second and subsequent rounds. The best score of any round played will be taken.

The public can also log onto www.baiduri.com for full details, where they can download the registration form.

The previous green jacket winner Khairul Khamis (right) receiving the challenge trophy from YAM Pg Muda Abdul Mumin last year

The official t-shirts for the committee members (hot pink) and also for the participants of this year’s edition of Baiduri Masters 2013 Charity Golf Tournament. Image courtesy of Bahyiah Bakir of Borneo Bulletin.

 

Click image to enter website

In conjunction with the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), DST has introduced a driving safely app called “Safe Safar” as part of it’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to support road safety and reduce the accident rate. The “Safe Safar” app was launched yesterday by Yang Berhormat, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, Minister of Communications, during the WTISD event organised by AITI at the Rizqun International Hotel, Gadong.

Also present at the event was Awang Suhaimi bin Awang Haji Hussain, Acting Chief Executive Officer of DST, directors and senior officials from various government offices and private sectors, DST management and other distinguished guests.

Hjh Safrina Pehin Dato Hj Abdul Rahman, Manager Group Corporate Communications, DST, explained the benefits of using the Safe Safar app, “There are three main distractions that occur when a person uses their phone while driving. Visual Distraction, which is doing something that requires the driver to look away from the road, Manual Distraction, is doing something that requires the driver to take hands off the steering wheel and Mental Distraction, thinking hard about things and not concentrating on driving. By using the Safe Safar app, it will help a person to avoid these distractions.”

The functions of Safe Safar (Safar meaning journey in Arabic) app curbs the urge to call or text while driving by allowing the driver to temporarily limit the features of their mobile device to stay focus on the road. When the app is turned on, notification sounds for incoming phone calls are silenced and those who are calling or texting will receive an auto reply message letting them know that the person is driving and will get back to them later. Customised reply messages are also available as an option.

The Minister of Communications launched the Safar App at DST booth

Hjh Safrina explaining how the Safar app works

DST engaged young Bruneians to fully developed Safe Safar, supporting  it’s other CSR, The Future Fund technopreneurship development objectives, to develop young Bruneians to drive innovation and creativity in Brunei.

Awang Haji Hairol Mohd Daud, Assistant chief executive of Broadcasting Group in his capacity as Chairman of the WTISD event congratulated DST for the launch of the app. According to him, “The app is very simple and easy to use. It helps us to promote driver safety by disciplining ourselves not to use our mobile phone while driving”. He also urged the public, particularly drivers to be extra careful on the roads and not to use mobile phones while driving as it can distract your attention and may cause accidents and injuries.

On another note, Awang Hj Joharry bin Hj Abd Karim, Head of Road Safety Unit, Ministry of Communications commented, “As this is the first app for road safety it means that this effort is in line with Brunei Decade of Action for Road Safety which focuses on “Psycho-Techno” and Integrated Approach towards Road Safety Injury accident reduction on Brunei Roads. Brunei Road Safety Council welcomes DST initiative to bring forward efforts to enhance road safety awareness through this application. Don’t miss this opportunity, download it as it is free. Road Safety on your fingertips. Road Safety for All.”

DST invites all to download the app. Safe Safar is available on Google playstore and can also be downloaded via links from the DST website at www.dst-group.com and DST Facebook page. It will also be made available on Apple app store soon.

 

It’s happening this weekend!!

 

Zaman Hj Gapar, head of private school at the Ministry of Education with Aida Md Yassin, principal of Jolly Language School officiating the opening the new unit last Sunday

Finally I managed to visit the premises of Jolly Language School where it is a centre on teaching children on methods of reading by means of Jolly Phonics. The centre turned one year and in commemorating its one year anniversary, the centre has expanded its unit to cater for the growing demand of children.

The guest of honour was the head of private schools at the Ministry of Education, Zaman Hj Gapar and he was very happy that there are more students taking up these courses to improve their reading. According to Aida Md Yassin, the principal of Jolly Langauge School, the numbers increased by 8 folds ever since its establishment.

Zaman had a tour of the centre and he believes the centre will provide better education system for our children as they are our future.

So if you want to send your kids to this centre, you can head to Unit 34, First Floor, Hj Munchit & Hajah Dayang Rapiah Complex (white building), behind BT Hj Uthman Complex in front of the Times Square Shopping Centre. You can also call 2338499 or 7188499.

 

Lau Soon Hau of Hua Ho Department Store and Vincent Goh, Deputy Managing Director of Interhouse Company unveiling the EOS 100D and EOS 700D at the Hua Ho Manggis Mall recently. Image courtesy of Vincent Hong.

Interhouse Company, the sole distributor for Canon products in Brunei, unveiled the Canon EOS 100D and EOS 700D DSLR cameras recently, in a launch event held at Hua Ho Mall (lobby area) in Manggis.

Unveiling the two camera models were Deputy Managing Director of Interhouse Company Vincent Goh and Lau Soon Hau from Hua Ho Department Store.

The EOS 100D boasts improved features from its predecessor the EOS 1100D, such as an 18MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor with a DIGIC 5+ image processor, a higher ISO setting of up to 25,600, and the ability to shoot up to four frames per second. It can also shoot a full HD video (1920×1080 pixels).

Meanwhile, the EOS 700D is the predecessor of the EOS 650D, and boasts the most intuitive vari-angle touch-screen interface on the market.

The EOS 700D offers an incredible host of features for the ultimate imaging experience, including an 18MP APS-C sized CMOS sensor with a DIGIC 5+ image processor, a higher ISO setting of up to 25,600, and the ability to shoot up to five frames per second.

In addition to the two new DSLR cameras, Interhouse also showcased a number of new compact models: the PowerShot A2600 and A2500, as well as the IXUS 255, 140, 135 and 132 models. From what I heard, the Canon Powershot N should be in stock but only limited. That’s a very handy compact camera and it’s very ideal for “instagramers” like me 😀

The launch of the cameras was held in conjunction with Hua Ho Department Store’s Electrical Fair which was held at the same venue.

For more information on the new DSLRs or any other cameras, give Interhouse Company a call at 2653001 or drop by the fair at Hua Ho Mall in Manggis which is ongoing until June 9. Source: Zatty Joanda of The Brunei Times.

Now this is one small DSLR. Ideal for ladies.. It’s so light.

If you haven’t got the 650D, this is a good upgrade.

You can check out the lenses and other cameras at the counter

The new DSLR cameras will be on display at Hua Ho Manggis Mall. Do check it out!!

Interhouse Company hosted us lunch at Emperor’s Court 😀

We were talking about future photography competition for next year