Deadpool banned. Ah, I was already looking forward to Marvel’s first movie of 2016. I had a feeling it will be on a borderline case and I was hoping it would be. However, judging for the trailers alone especially the R-rated version, censorship will have a hard time to pass such movie in Brunei. Well, I could say it’s a good move too as many parents are being irresponsible for exposing such themes to their young children.

Deadpool was slated for Tuesday’s release, a unique date release though as the conventional Thursday opening. The closest for Bruneians to catch Deadpool is across the border at Golden Screen Cinemas at Bintang Megamall, Miri. Then again, there is a dozen of cuts under Malaysia censorship board. My other option is to catch it in Singapore on IMAX. This is one sad news to know it won’t be released in Brunei and I’m already getting plenty of comments of disappointments especially those looking forward to Deadpool.

Mind you, this is a Marvel movie and this is quite rare for Marvel to produce a violent movie with the elements of blood. One thing for sure if the producers were to change the already-violent character of Deadpool, it won’t do his character justice at all.

Let’s not be too sad about it and let this pass. Yes, I was initially sad of the expected news. There’s always Miri next door if you are so eager to catch it and won’t mind the dozen of cuts. As for now, the chances of Deadpool being in Brunei is dead.

Guess who’s in town…

At least 5 boxes to pack this beast

Hulk buster. Remember this iconic character in Avengers: Age of Ultron? Well, I bumped into multiple wooden boxes with the word Hulkbuster printed on it and a few hours later, I saw parts of it being assembled last night.

Today the whole thing has been fully assembled and you can take pictures with it now at Times Cineplex at Times Square Shopping Centre. But I guess this is not redeeming enough after Deadpool has been banned from showing in Brunei.

 

Listen to the podcast on our countdown to the Top 10 movies of 2015 (Rano and Del’s) and also the disappointments and our horribles section.

 

My week stay at Sheraton Pranburi Villa at Hua Hin, Thailand. Truly love this place and the greenery.

This week has been amazing on many levels. The journey of learning, discovering and recovering have never felt compelling to the extent that I felt lighter, confused and amazed, all at once. It’s something that I couldn’t verbalize and I’m thankful to my friends who felt my expression. I am happy that I made this trip to the beautiful Hua Hin and thumbs up to Sheraon Pranburi Villa for their awesome hospitality since day one.

This is the second city I’ve visited this year and there are more to come (Vietnam, KL, KK and Taipei) in the coming two months for work and toastmasters. Despite the traveling, I’m slowly beginning to feel the pinch in terms of the Brunei economy. If SMEs are not doing well, then it will have downstream effect and even my revenue stream will have some impact, be it big or small. Now it’s the ideal time to plan for the year which I hardly do or just not my habit to do so. This is a reality and it’s something I have to be mindful on the decisions I make especially when it comes to time and money.

I haven’t been updating on a regular basis since my days in Hua Hin were quite packed and I chose the spare time to catch up with my buddies or just spend some alone time on my own. It feels great once again to type out my thoughts while enjoying the breeze by the poolside at Sheraton Pranburi Villa. How I wish I can blog in this kinda of environment, feeling peaceful and yes, my mind feels freer as compared to when I blog in the comfort of my room (the irony).

I kinda miss what’s going in Brunei after MIA for the past week. Usually I will be craving for local stories in the morning to see what’s interesting or what not. Now… mmmm… not so much. I choose to be in the moment and that is making the most of my time while in Hua Hin. Today’s news though caught my interest as it was on my IG feed where His Majesty the Sultan paid a visit to International School of Brunei early today. It was also the first visit by our monarch to the relocated ISB.

Now I tell you what I’m looking forward being back – tennis and The Revenant. Oh yea, I can’t believe the Oscar nominated film is showing in Brunei cinemas. Woohooo… I couldn’t manage to catch it while abroad but blessed it’s now showing in Brunei. Del Goh rated this movie as one one of his honourable mentions in his Top 10 movies of 2015. Who knows The Revenant could be in one of my Top 10 in 2016. And tennis, I just miss whacking the ball and I can feel that I’m out of shape especially in the fitness department.

Congratulations goes to Jaz Hayat on his new single which also available on iTunes. He has been MIA for quite some time and now he’s back with a bang, a new released single called “Dari Mata”. Just like Aziz Harun and Eia, he’s also another star in the making. We need more artistes and talents in Brunei. All the best, Jaz, and truly like the countdown on social media as a teaser to your single. Do check his single out and download on iTunes.

That’s it for me today and let me just enjoy the breeze and the music by the poolside. Life is just awesome 😀

 

His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office handed out medals to the winners at DPMM FC Football Fanfare 2016 at Jerudong Mini Stadium last Sunday.

His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, graced the DPMM FC Singapore League (S-League) Football Fanfare 2016 at the Jerudong Mini Stadium last Sunday.

Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim took part in the fanfare playing under team International School Brunei (ISB) Sharks in the competition.
DPMM FC vice-chairman YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pg Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj was also present at yesterday’s event.

Academy Kilanas B emerged the winner of the tournament after defeating Savilla Junior 2-0 in the final.

Among the teams that took part were AAG Junior, Academy Kilanas A, Brunei Sports School Soccer Academy (BSSSA) A, BSSSA B, BSSSA C, BSSSA D, ISB Baycats, ISB Thunder, ISB Quoka’s, Perda FC Junior, Setia Bakti, Super Junior Zaidana and SMS Jangsak.

Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim (right) played for the ISB Sharks

Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim in action

DPMM FC vice-chairman YAM Pg Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad Pg Anak Haji Abdul Rahim Pg Indera Mahkota Pg Anak (Dr) Kemaludin Al-Haj (center) with the committee of S•League and DPMM FC management and sponsors

DPMM FC head coach Steve Kean saw the fanfare as an aspiration for the young talents in the country.

“Today’s event was great. We had it last year. It gives the young players a taste of what it is like to come to Jerudong where we train every day,” said Kean.

“It gives them a little taste and hopefully gives them the enthusiasm and the application to push hard through their age groups and get into their final team.

The head coach also added that the club are close to bringing in three new young players to fill up the rest of the slots in the squad.

“It has not been finalised yet but we are getting close… we have brought in some players who are from the club’s Under-19 team, a goalkeeper, a centre midfielder and an attacking player who are going to push hard to try to get into the final squad,” continued the Scot. “I always think that if you’re old enough to push to the end of the squad, it doesn’t matter if you are young (17, 18 or 19)… if I think they are good enough, they will play.

“They are not just here to make up the numbers, they are here to get to the start of it,” he added.

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Zainuddin Nordin was on hand to give a speech prior to the matches yesterday.

“It is great to see so many eager boys and girls at this annual Brunei DPMM FC S-league fanfare and this is indeed a special kickoff to the S-League season,” said Zainuddin in his speech.

“It is super special because Brunei DPMM FC are the reigning champions of the S-League as we go into the 21st season of the S-League. On behalf of the Football Association of Singapore and the S-league, I would like to extend my greatest and heartiest congratulations to Brunei DPMM FC for winning the 20th edition and in doing so, the club has won the distinction of being only the second foreign team to have won the S-league in the 20 year history of Singapore professional football league.

“It is indeed a highly commendable achievement for Brunei DPMM FC and one that it thoroughly deserves,” he added.

The DPMM FC S-League Football Fanfare is the club’s annual programme held before they start off their S-League season. The country’s only professional club claimed their first S-League title last year after finishing second best in 2014 and 2012. They will face Singapore Cup holder Albirex Niigata FC (S) in the community shield on February 13 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore. Text courtesy of Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh of The Brunei Times and images courtesy of Khairil Hassan.

Steve Kean being interviewed by the media

DPMM FC players at the Fanfare 2016

 

Progresif Chairman Hj Abu Bakar Hj Ibrahim (C); Progresif Chief Sales Officer Bob Gill (L); and the Managing Director of Times Square Shopping Complex, Tan Kah Boon (R) cutting off the ribbon during the opening of Progresif’s fifth flagship store cutting off the ribbon during the opening of Progresif’s fifth flagship store. Image courtesy of Progresif Celluar Facebook Page.

Progresif have been gaining traction especially last year where they have increase number of new customers. The free sim card and the delivery have been a good marketing gimmick. Also the Progesif customers at one stage get 100% bonus credit when they top up last November. So there are many interesting promotions along the way.

This time, they have a new promotion that I believe will drive more new clients is the “Handset Plan Promotion”. Now you can pay as low as BND 9 to enjoy a new phone such as the VIVO Xshot or the Huawei P7 and pick and Postpaid Plan from BND 25, BND 40 or BND 60. You can check out the Handset Plans here.

A few days ago, Progresif also relaunched their flagship store at Times Square Shopping Centre. Present were Progresif Chairman Hj Abu Bakar Hj Ibrahim, Progresif Chief Sales Officer Bob Gill and the Managing Director of Times Square Shopping Complex, Tan Kah Boon. Congratulations Progresif on the relaunch.

Group photo with the Progresif associates. Image courtesy of Progresif Facebook Page.

Now you get a VIVO Xshot for BND 9

Check out their in-house Progresif magazine