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US Embassy hosted invited guests to the screening of Man of Steel

It’s good news that Brunei Darussalam was removed from the “Special 301 Watchlist” as previously the Sultante had many issues concerning with IP protection when piracy was at its highest. Gone are the days of piracy especially in DVD and blu-ray format for movies though I can still see a few vendors selling them discretely.

Yesterday’s invitation by the U.S. Embassy to Brunei (to catch the premier of Man of Steel) is a great reminder to us on the importance of intellectual property (IP). We tend to take things for granted most of the time because of its accessibility as well as it was a grown culture that piracy was normal in Brunei until enforcement came to place.

US Ambassador to Brunei His Excellency Daniel Shields gave some encouragement on Brunei’s progress in this field and this is important as IP is moving towards a region-wide free trade pact. So this could mean twitching a bit on the legal side of things so every country can come to the same or similar alignment of IP. Brunei Darussalam is also part of the free trade agreement under the Trans Pacific Partnershio (TPP). So the good news so far is Brunei being taken off the “watchlist”.

His Excellency also praised Brunei for taking steps in improving the IP issues. Do you know that we have an IP office in Brunei? It’s under the Brunei Economic Development Board’s flagship.

The US Embassy also invited local artistes and the creative talents such as Wu Chun, Zul Faden, Regalblue Production and a few others. In appreciating their talents, we are indirectly appreciating the IP rights on their creativity. A good example would be watching Saving General Yang (starring Wu Chun) on the big screeen rather than watching a pirated copy on DVD. Otherwise, our talents won’t be rewarded for their contributions and efforts.

It was good to see the US Embassy inviting students as well to catch “Man of Steel” and from there, they will become aware the importance of IP and they can also help spread to their friends and families. I believe Brunei is on the right path and I can see the shift of mentality on appreciating original products.

Guests signing in before catching Man of Steel at Times Cineplex

US Embassador His Excellency Daniel Shields interviewed by Quratul-Ain Bandial of The Brunei Times

Farina Yusof, Motion Picture Association-International’s Commercial Executive for Asia-Pacific, Wu Chun and His Excellency Daniel Shields at the screening of Man of Steel

Matthew Stannard of the US Embassy set the tone for the afternoon

His Excellency Daniel Shields hopes for the progress of IP in Brunei and it’s heading the right direction

The beautiful Farina Yusof saying a few words on IP

Great turn out for the screening of Man of Steel

This was me a few years ago.. Say no to piracy 😀

Concepts Computer is also against piracy

 

A beautiful crown cake by the pastry chef of The Empire Hotel to commemorate the Queen’s birthday and her 60th anniversary as Queen

The British High Commission held a reception at The Empire Hotel & Country Club to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday and 60th anniversary on the throne.

The guest of honour was Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister’s Office Yang Berhormat PehinOrang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Rahman Hj Ibrahim, who was accompanied by his wifeDatin Hjh Sapiah Hj Sabtu. They were welcomed by British High Commissioner Rob Fenn, who took the opportunity to praise the Sultanate’s peacekeeping role since assuming the ASEAN chairmanship.

“Your work to deliver practical benefits to the citizens of ASEAN is storing up goodwill within and between the countries of this region; and with your partners in trade and investment all round the world,” he said.

Fenn also commented on the close links between the United Kingdom and the Sultanate, especially in the areas of education, science, innovation and the creative industries.

Guests were then told about a short film produced by UK-based education resource management supplier CfBT, in close association with the Ministry of Education, titled “English as an ASEAN Language: The Brunei Story”. DVDs of the film were later handed out to guests at the celebration.

The Minister of Finance II with the British High Commissioner to Brunei and their spouses

The ISB choir singing the national anthems for Brunei Darussalam and the UK

It’s great to hear traditional music from the UK

British High Commissioner gave a few welcoming remarks and he also announced that his term will end by July. All the best 😀

One of the winners for the crown making efforts

Another winner for the crown making competition

Ijjojjo Nordin won the Digital Scrapbook short film competition

Cake cutting ceremony to commemorate the Queen’s birthday and 60th year as Queen

“The Minister of Education Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj AbuBakar Hj Apong provided the impetus for the project, by sharing with me his insights into the significance of English as a medium of learning, alongside Malay,” Fenn said.

Fenn, who will be returning to the United Kingdom later this year, described Brunei as a place of “strong traditions and values with education at its core”. He said the UK “is with you every step of the way”.

Meanwhile, Ijjojji Nordin was named the winner of the Digital Scrapbook short film competition aboutBruneian students’ experiences of studying in the United Kingdom.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation, hundreds of crowns, made by schoolchildren all over Brunei, decorated the event’s hall. Siti Amal Rabbiyatul Farah Haninah from SMS International School and Yeong Yi Jing from Panaga School won awards for their crown-making efforts. Text courtesy of Aaron Alwines of The Brunei Times.

The Russian Ambassador enjoying the settings on that night

The previous Chevning scholars

Some of the invited guests that night

Caught up with Roger about the bird watching experience in Brunei and Sabah

Some of the invited guests that night

Great to see you again SY

Her team filmed and edited a 15 minute documentary of former students studying in the UK

Guests watching the video

Congratulations 😀

The design for this year’s British High Commission car

Lovely decos during the event

60 years is such a milestone