Malaysian Journal

12th European Union Film Festival in Malaysia

2011-10-22T11:20:00.000+08:00

The European Union Film Festival 2011 is an annual event which showcases a collection of films from renowned European film makers - drawing on their rich, raw and diverse talents. The festival, now proudly in its twelwth year in Malaysia, features a kaleidoscope of captivating and entertaining films from all over the Europe. It showcases the cultural heritage of European films, which boasts a wealth of history and persona and at the same time, it promotes Europe's thriving film industry. The European Union has always played a vital part in promoting the arts, and has various exisiting programmes which support and positively contribute towards the development of high quality European productions. The Festival this year will showcase films from European countries, with generes ranging from drama, comedy and action to even adventure films. The Festival will also feature several award winning European films which have made their mark in the continent's film industry.

For European Film lovers, watch out here for more info and promo. Featured movies include Venice, Luxembourg, The Escape, Sophie Scholl, Tandoori Love, Kooki, Sweet Troubles, Europolis, A Perfect Match, A Breath of Heaven, Buddy, Niko and The Way to the Stars, Winter in Wartime, An Ordinary Execution, Cell 211 will be screened at GSC Cinema Mid Valley, 1 Utama, Pavillion KL in Kuala Lumpur andGSC Gurney Plaza in Penang this November. Marching News Entertainment via NewsKaki.com is proud to be the promotion and advertising partner for the Festival.

Facebook Page : 12th European Union Film Festival Fanspage Facebook
Website : http://www.euff.com.my/
Movie Ticketing : http://www.gsc.com.my
Online promotion and advertising partner : http://www.newskaki.com

MORE INFO VISIT GROUP PAGE: http://www.newskaki.com/european-union-film-festival

Thai Food Market at Siamese Temple, Jalan Pantai, Petaling Jaya

2010-07-07T15:00:00.004+08:00

Thai Food Market, Jalan Pantai, Petaling Jaya
July 6, 2010 at 7:45 PM

This Thai food market happens every Sunday along Jalan Pantai in front of the Siamese Temple. Along the entrance of the market is a short stretch of stalls are all operated by Thais, so you know for sure, that the food here is authentically Thai.

The waft of the food coming from these stalls are irresistible. You can smell the pork satay and chicken wings grilling on the grills, bowls of colourful dessert on the tables, packed Thai food that I've never seen before. You can also get fresh Thai produce from these stalls ranging from Thai instant noodles all the way to Thai sauces, and freshThai vegetables and preserved fruit.

So, now to the food. We bought some Thai Mango Salad, Thai Laksa and Mango Rice Dessert for our lunch. We had to pack it back home since there was no where to sit, unless you brought a rattan mat, you can actually sit on the grass patch running along side the temple. But in the afternoon heat, no thank you.
This is our Thai Mango Salad. DELICIOUS!! But I must warn you, this is very very spicy. I foresee a stomachache tomorrow from all the spicy-ness. It has shredded green mango, long beans, tomatoes, shredded cucumber, garlic, dried shrimp, lots of lime, fish sauce and one chilli padi. ( She wanted to put two chilli padies but because I specifically told her less spicy she decided on one). The result, sour, sweet, spicy goodness. I can still taste it. Yum!

The Thai laksa here is one of my favourites. Its a thick santan based curry laksa with lots of vegetables (long beans,bean sprout, salted vege, cucumbers, onions and some preserved vege). Its not as spicy as it looks, and has a slightly sour kick to it. But be prepared for a long nap after this meal cause all the santan will just put you to sleep.

Lastly was our Mango Sticky Rice Dessert. They use a whole Mango for this dessert. So a whole Mango on top of sticky rice with santan. Yum Yum. But remember to eat it on the same day or else it won't be good.
All the dishes we bought were RM5 and you the stall operators there all speak either canto, mandarin or bahasa so it's easy for you to make your order.
So if you ever crave authentic Thai food. You know where to get it
Thai Food Market
Jalan Pantai 9/7
Petaling Jaya
Non Halal

Star-space: Malaysia Property Events

2009-07-18T16:29:00.000+08:00

Star Property Fair, Penang

Date : 11 Sep 2009 - 13 Sep 2009
Venue :G Hotel and Gurney Plaza, Gurney Drive, Penang
Organised by: Star Publications (M) Bhd
Tel:6-04-6473388 ext. 3418

With the theme, Modern Tropical Living, this fair attracts all the major developers on the island as well as from Seberang Prai on the mainland and as far north as Kedah and as far south as Perak. For an overall view on current property prices in Penang and the surrounding areas, this fair is a must for buyers and investors.

Bon Odori Festival 2009 - Penang

2009-07-18T16:19:00.010+08:00

Bon Odori Festival 2009 - Penang

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Event: Bon Odori Festival 2009
Venue: Esplanade, Penang
Date: 18th July 2009
Organizer: The Consulate of Japan
Contact: 04-2263030

Bon Odori Festival is a Japanese Buddhist observance honouring the spirits of ancestors, who return once a year to visit their families. Traditional dance is performed to entertain the spirits of the ancestors. Bon Odori 2008 attracted around 50,000 locals and tourists.

Schedule:
6:00pm ~ Opening Ceremony
6:05pm ~ VIP Arrival
6:10pm ~ Speech by Mr Hoshi, Consul - General of Japan
6:15pm ~ Speech by YB Danny Law, Tourism Development and Culture
6:20pm ~ Speech by Chief Minister
6:35pm ~ Drum Performance by PJS
7:00pm ~ Bon - Odori by PJA - MJS
7:30pm ~ Dance by Nihon - Minyokenkyukai
8:00pm ~ Performance by Malaysian Students
8:10pm ~ Bon - Odori by PJA - MJS
8:40pm ~ Yosakoi Dance by Pink Hibiscus
9:00pm ~ Performance by Malaysian Students
9:10pm ~ Dance by Nihon - Minyokenkyukai
9:40pm ~ Bon - Odori by PJA - MJS
10:10pm ~ Firework

Penang Bon Odori Japanese Festival 2008

2008-07-13T15:38:00.009+08:00

Date : 19th July 2008 (Saturday)
Time : Begins about after 5:00pm-6:00pm, Ends around 11:00pm
Venue : Esplanade
Admission : Free!

Bon Odori Festival, a festival that Japanese people worship their beloved ancestors is the most popular cultural event in Penang. People in Japan entertain the spirits of their ancestors by dancing Bon Odori, and in Penang, the ladies from the women's club of Penang Japanese Association dance on the stage together with thousands of Malaysians dancing in the field. This year's Bon Odori Festival programs included Japanese drum performance by Miyabi Daikob and Penang Japanese School students, Yosakoi Soran by Malaysian Japanese Society and Children's Protection Society. Besides all these interesting programs, there were food stalls that sold Japanese food as well as local food, souvenirs, traditional games and so on.

Well, in previous years there were fireworks display at the end of the event except for last year 2007 which was held at Padang Brown but this year it is back to Esplanade so, expect fireworks at the end of the event (hopefully)

Features of Bon Odori Festival in Penang

- Organized by the Japanese Expatriate & Immigrant's Society in Malaysia, Bon Odori Festival in Penang, however is observed in a smaller dimension as compared to that in Japan.
- Interestingly enough, this festival today reflects more Japanese culture than the inherent principles of Buddhism.
- You will be able to enjoy hordes of Japanese food, drinks, art and dance in this festival.
- This festival is the Japanese counterpart of the Chinese's Hungry Ghost Festival..

(Source : http://danlow.multiply.com/journal/item/36/Penang_Bon_Odori_Japanese_Festival_2008 )

About Bon Odori

Bon Odori (盆踊り, meaning simply Bon dance) is an event held during Obon. It is celebrated as a reminder of the gratefulness one should feel toward one's ancestors.

Originally a Nenbutsu folk dance to express the effusive welcome for the spirits of the dead, the style of celebration varies in many aspects from region to region. Each region has a respective local Bon dance, as well as different music accompanying the dance. The music can be songs specifically pertinent to the spiritual message of Obon, or local min'yo folk songs. Consequently, the Bon dance will look and sound different from region to region. Hokkaidō, or northern Japan, is known for a folk-song known as "Soran Bushi." The song "Tokyo Ondo" takes its namesake from the capital of Japan. "Goshu Ondo" is a folk song from Shiga prefecture. Residents of the Kansai area will recognize the famous "Kawachi ondo." Tokushima in Shikoku is very famous for its "Awa Odori," or "fool's dance," and in the far south, one can hear the "Ohara Bushi" of Kagoshima, Kyūshū.

The way in which the dance is performed is also different in each region, though the typical Bon dance involves people lining up in a circle around a high wooden scaffold made especially for the festival called a 'yagura'. The yagura is usually also the bandstand for the musicians and singers of the Obon music. Some dances proceed clockwise, and some dances proceed counter-clockwise around the yagura. Some dances reverse during the dance, though most do not. At times, people face the yagura and move towards and away from it. Still some dances, such as the Kagoshima Ohara dance, and the Tokushima Awa Odori, simply proceed in a straight line through the streets of the town.

The dance of a region can depict the area's history and specialization. For example, the movements of the dance of the Tankō Bushi (the "coal mining song") of old Miike Mine in Kyūshū show the movements of miners, i.e. digging, cart pushing, lantern hanging, etc. All dancers perform the same dance sequence in unison.

There are other ways in which a regional Bon dance can vary. Some dances involve the use of different kinds of fans, others involve the use of small towels called tenugui which may have colorful designs. Some require the use of small wooden clappers, or "kachi-kachi" during the dance. The "Hanagasa Odori" of Yamagata is preformed with a straw hat that has been decorated with flowers.

The music that is played during the Bon dance is not limited to Obon music and min'yo; some modern enka hits and kids' tunes written to the beat of the "ondo" are also used to dance to during Obon season. Particularly famous is "Pokemon Ondo", which was used as one of the ending theme songs for the Pocket Monsters anime series in Japan.

The Bon dance tradition is said to have started in the later years of the Muromachi period as a public entertainment. In the course of time, the original religious meaning has faded, and the dance has become associated with summer.

To celebrate O-Bon in Okinawa, the eisa drum dance is performed instead.

(Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon_Festival#Bon_Odori)

Welcome To iFOODex 2008!

2008-06-25T23:06:00.003+08:00

iFOODex will return again as Malaysia’s Largest Consumer Food Exhibition. Organized since 1999, iFOODex has consistently grown its exhibitors and visitors, surpassing the 60,000 number mark last year. The event, organized by Intrenasionale and supported by Tourism Penang and Chefs Association of Malaysia (Penang Chapter), attracts locals as well as international visitors, looking for a chance to sample our cuisine and to pick up food items at below factory prices. Among the exhibitors are Ayamas, Pacific West, Yeo's, Jati and many more. So, come and share with us, our passion, our lives, our food. Held concurrently with the iFOODex 2008 will be the 3rd Penang Chef Challenge where 32 teams of international chefs are expected to compete in a “Iron-Chef” styled competition. Definitely an event that cannot be missed in Malaysia!

Venue: Penang International Sports Arena (PISA), Penang, Malaysia
Date: June 27-29, 2008
Opening Hours: 11 am – 9 pm

Together with the iFOODex and Penang Chef Challenge, PISA will also host one of Penang’s most exciting Property and Home Show in its arena level.

Guinness 9 ball tour challenge, Genting GICC, 31 May 08

2008-06-22T01:48:00.002+08:00

Contestant from Taipei aiming for his shot while playing against another player from China. Various countries participated in this 3day challenge (30,31May & 1June) including Thailand, Philipines, Singapore and many more. This 9 ball tour challenge was organized by Genting, Guinness and brought live by ASTRO ESPN.

EURO CUP FEVER opening party at Genting, Genting International Showroom, 7 June 08

2008-06-22T01:42:00.003+08:00

The EURO CUP FEVER opening party was held recently at Genting International Showroom on 7 June 08. Guests were entertained with Live performances by Carlsberg cheerleading team, Ella, our M'sia rock queen with her hits 'Standing in the eyes of the world' and live telecast of opening match between Switzerland and Chezh Republic. Complimentary Carlsberg beer was given out to quench the thirst of the football fans.

Penang, 21 June 08: Live Broadcast with YAB Lim Guan Eng (CM of Penang) by 988 Radio Station

2008-06-22T00:15:00.004+08:00

A special Live broadcast was organised by the 988 Radio Station to have a public open discussion by YAB Lim Guan Eng with the citizens of Penang. The event was held at the Komtar Pedestrian Mall, Penang to allow a large audience and the public to attend and discuss on issues pertaining to the new government, Penang socio-economy and other major issues. The event started at around 12.30pm. Among the topic of discussions was how the new government could help the Penangites and the future plan for Penang. Asked to comment in Hokkien, YAB Lim Guan Eng was refering the rakyat as the 'boss' and the government is there to serve the rakyat. He also requested the rakyat to give feedback to the Penang government on any wrongdoings or mistakes as the government is willing to correct them. YAB Lim Guan Eng also commented briefly on his personal life after taking over as the new CM.

(Picture courtesy of Journalist of www.tuahadamedia.blogspot.com)