B I S E A N

HOW DO YOU TELL A STORY WITHOUT WORDS?

2009-10-19T08:07:00.001-07:00

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THE DIVAS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

2009-08-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

A “diva”, according to Merriam-Webster English dictionary: 1. prima donna 2. Usually glamorous and successful female performer or personality. The word came from the Latin word “divus” which means goddess or a female deity.

The word came to the English language in 1883 and used for operatic prima donnas that time. The contemporary term “Diva” is believed to have started with Maria Callas – the Greek-American opera singer who earned worldwide fame in the 50s. Then there was Googoosh of Persia, Edith Piaf of France, Rocio Jurado of Spain and many others.

BISEAN will list and feature the divas of our great region.

How will we do it?

To lessen "subjectivity" like voice quality, singing style, fan-base, etc. -- We came up with the 5 most common criteria of a Diva. These will be the objective principles to be used in our pursuit to list the region’s ultimate divas:

1. Fame. Her name is known to at least 3 generations; a confirmation of her staying power.

2. Signature Song. A song that only her name is attributed to. No other singer dares to sing it without acknowledging her name.

3. Cultural contribution. Her music represents her nation’s identity and heritage; made an impact to the local music industry.

4. A goddess is never always available. She has no fan-base but commands respect from the public and fellow performers. Appearances are rare.

5. Real tragic drama. Her personal life is one big spectacle itself. The raw emotions of her real life resonate through her songs.

We need our reader’s involvement.

We have already prepared a short list, but we welcome contributions to list the Divas of Southeast Asia.

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MEET OUR NEW SONGBIRD: The Bare-Faced Bulbul

2009-08-11T06:54:00.000-07:00

Ha! Our good neighbor Laos has revealed yet another new specie of song birds -- this is the Bare-Faced Bulbul -- only found among the tower-like limestones of the jungles of Savannakhet Province. It is the only known "bald" song birds in Mainland Asia.

It was discovered by Aussie scientists in December 2008 and published in Forktail in July 2009. These birds were noisily foraging around the camp, obviously haven't seen humans before.

How can a very odd creature with distinct features evade humans for centuries? Amazing! Well, maybe because the BFB's habitat is legally protected in Laos and is mainly harsh and inhabitable.

The Bare-Faced Bulbul's official name is Pycnonotus hualon. It is the 138th addition of the world's 137 listed species of Bulbuls. Bulbul maybe derived from the Turkish word "bulbul" which means "nightingale". And no, the Filipino word for "pubic hair" is of a different spelling so don't go smart a** with me =). Ha!

Although our region is faced with seemingly hopeless, endless string of endangered species; BISEAN cheer and celebrate this new discovery!

Thank you, Laos.

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OUR GIRLS IN THE MISS UNIVERSE 2009

2009-08-10T06:41:00.001-07:00

Here are our gorgeous delegates to the Miss Universe Pageant this year in Nassau, Bahamas. Live telecast of the coronation will be on 23 August 2009, Sunday.

Zivanna Letisha Siregar, 20, 5'10", Jakarta
JoannaBelle Ng, 21,5'8", Kota Kinabalu
Pamela Manalo, 22, 5'10", Manila
Rachel Kum, 24, 5'7", Singapore
Chutima Durongdej, 23, 5'10", Bangkok
Võ Hoàng Yến, 20, 5'10, Ho Chi Minh City

Zivanna was Indonesia's Elite Model Look winner. Võ Hoàng is Vietnam's Supermodel 2008 winner. Chances? Too early to tell. But with the current trending on how they choose a Miss Universe -- these two will fit the ranks.

But if they are looking for a real beauty queen, it's Philippines' Bianca hands down.

Good luck, girls! Bring home the pearls.

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OUR ICONS: Corazon Aquino

2009-08-03T05:42:00.001-07:00

Anyone born before or after 1986 knows who Corazon Aquino is. The gentle, soft-spoken, simple housewife who became the 11th President of the Philippines that year and started a “wave” of People Power revolts across the globe.

She is the first female President in Southeast Asia and one of the firsts in the world. Her name is not restricted to the Philippines, "Cory" *her nick name* is a democracy icon in human’s modern history.

Needless to say, the whole world knows who she is. And the forgetful ones scruffled the Internet in the past 3 days trying to get a refresher *she is the top search on the Net right now*.

And I bet if the Martians and Plutonians are reading Time Magazine, they know her too.

Southeast Asia and the world lost one of our greatest icons – Cory passed away last Saturday (01 August 2009) after a long battle with cancer.

BISEAN arrived in Manila this morning to brave the sea of people who will try to get a last glimpse of her at the Manila Cathedral tonight. We want to be part of history. We want to see her for the last time.

See her full biography here.

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IN LOVING MEMORY...

2009-06-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

A beautiful soul, a brother, a son... a good friend says good bye...

MOR GANH NGUYEN HERITIER
01 July 1980 - 03 April 2009

Died doing what he loves best, surfing.
Bali, Indonesia.

We will miss you.

We hope to see you in our next life. We'll find you.

*BISEAN will resume blogging on Morgan's 28th Birthday. We will try.

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BISEAN TURNS 2!

2009-03-28T01:46:00.000-07:00

This is surreal. Posing the same old question: “Has it really been another year?”

Today is Saturday. Last year’s March 28 was a Friday. Weekend. Meaning, a lot of scrubs are going to come to our party. Pfft! Another chance to booze all day and all night non-stop till Monday morning (or perhaps till Tuesday, who knows).

Whew! 2,091,536 hits on our 2nd year? Not bad. Not bad at all.

Thanks to all of you. And as Jedi Master Yoda would put it: "Your continuous support BISEAN appreciates. Herh herh herh."

Ok…that’s it. What do you want from me? Get back to work!

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CREATURES SPOTTED IN THE GYM!

2009-03-25T01:12:00.000-07:00

BISEAN went on a gym safari and spotted these amazing creatures!

The Gym Bunnies - They come in every effin’ day in lycra leotards. They hop around the gym from one machine to another without ever finishing a routine. Hop, hop hop!

The Gym Gorillaz - Bulky, hairy, and cast a huuuuge shadow behind ‘em. Their color ranges from deep red to Kiwi dark-brown shoe polish.

The Meerkats - They stretch their necks and stick their heads out whenever a gorgeous guy comes in.

The Hyenas - They chat, chuckle, laugh, chat some more and chat, chat, chat to eternity. If hunting rifles are allowed, I’ll take them down first.

The Parrots - Same as the Hyenas but wears fantabulously outrageous gym outfits made in China.

The Gym Crocs - Creatures who never leave a machine and stay there all day as if they own it. They will be the next ones to go after the Hyenas, I tell you.

The Wet Dogs - They always leave the machine wet for the next user. I don’t understand how they sweat so much! Argh!

The Guard Dogs - They bark and woof on the last 3 reps. There’s also a hybrid of this mixed with Gorillaz.

The Giraffes - Tall, gorgeous, painfully beautiful creatures who are so into themselves. Usually found on the machines closest to the mirror wall.

The Hippos - Unbelievably huge creatures but rarely visible. They are found under the bubbles of the Jacuzzi with their noses just above the water.

The Gila Monsters - Huge, ferocious lizards usually found in the sauna all day. They never leave!

The Skunk - They come to the gym oozing with irritating AXE cologne sprayed all over. These creatures DON’t understand! Get away from me! G E T A W A Y !

The Chicken - A creature with massive chest and throbbing arms complete with toothpick legs.

The Kapibara - Fat, amphibious rats usually found “basking” in the area between the shower and the locker room.

The Hamsters - Creatures running all day on the threadmill and go straight to the snack bar afterwards.

Any gym creatures you spotted lately?

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT DO THEY DO IN MACAU?

2009-03-24T00:07:00.000-07:00

I’m sure you know at least one person, who is working in Macau at this very moment, don’t you?

If you are in the entertainment or modeling business chances are, you know quite a few of them.

I’m also quite sure you already asked what in the world are they doing there.

Let’s compare their answers; these are the ones I always get…

1. ramp modeling
2. commercial modeling
3. print ads modeling
4. in-house modeling
5. catalogue modelling

Sure. Whatever you say.

In the past decades, Southeast Asia has seen temporary/transitory migrations of our best looking citizens; Starlets, model-wannabes, what-have-you.

Japan in the 80s, Brunei in the 90s… 2000s? Go figure.

So, what do they really do there in Macau?

You wanna know the real score (as witnessed and documented) in Macau? Here is what they really do over there:

1. night club bikini dancers
2. escorts-for-pay (run by escort service companies)
3. massage-boys-with-extra-service
4. private club hostesses (and who knows what they do in there)
5. common sex traders

All of our countries are represented. No exceptions. As long as you look like a model (or a movie starlet)… you’re in!

Macau would also be a transient -- if they're lucky enough to get sponsors to China (a bigger sex trade/modeling market).

My take on this? Keep the dirty laundry within our own yard.

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A PREDICTION: 20 APRIL 2009

2009-03-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, there... I'm done securing my personal investments and family ventures. Converted half of the funds to gold, a quarter goes to Doha and Dubai and the other quarter is secured to real estate.

I can now make my prediction.

Without scaring myself in the process.

Am I scaring you? Don't be... Or maybe, yes.

I'm just an ordinary guy with an excellent instinct for equity trading, with a solid 14-year personal investment experience, exposed to just about every major market in the world and made a killing [most of the time]... *not to mention education in economics* So, don't take my word for it.

So, what's with the date? C'mon!

20 April 2009.

Well, it's not one of those inter-planetary event involving a fly-by. I can assure you that. No armaggedon yet. No. So, relax.

April 20 will fall on a Monday. A very crucial day in the equity, commodity & futures market. If "the" federal decision is made the week before it... sell everything and stock up!

Prediction --

It will be the day the U.S economy will totally collapse.

20 April 2009. I hope I'm wrong.

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THE 20 BEST VIEWS IN THE WORLD

2009-03-18T00:44:00.000-07:00

Nope, this isn't BISEAN's list. But we'll come up with our own very soon.

This (as posted all over the net, thanks to Yahoo!) is from Andrew Harper, a veteran travel writer and foremost in travel & leisure (for over 30 years). He reveals the most spectacular vistas around the world. [source] Guess who made it...

1. The Grand Canyon from the South Rim

People come from all over the world to take in this vista, which at sunset resembles an impressionistic painting brought to life. Hopi Point, on the West Rim Drive, extends far out into the canyon and is an excellent vantage point among many. Try to visit during the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October, when the weather is milder and the park is less crowded.

2. Hong Kong Island from Kowloon

Hong Kong Island is clustered with dizzying neon-lit skyscrapers, and the view from the Kowloon Peninsula across Victoria Harbour is straight out of a science-fiction film. This dense urban scene is especially impressive every evening at 8, when it promptly erupts into a laser light show!

3. Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

This remarkable bay between the island of Phuket and the Thai mainland is dotted with hundreds of tall limestone formations that rise hundreds of feet from the sea. Ten thousand years ago, you could walk among these towers; now only their tops are visible, like the skyline of a sunken city.

4. Manhattan from the top of Rockefeller Plaza

5. Istanbul skyline from the Bosphorus strait, Turkey

6. The Ngorongoro Crater from North Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania

7. St. Paul’s from Waterloo Bridge, London

8. The Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands

9. Machu Picchu, Peru

10. The Yucatan Peninsula from the top of Chichen Itza, Mexico

11. Florence from the loggia of Villa San Michele, Italy
12. Paris from the Pont des Arts, France
13. The medina of Fes from the Palais Jamai, Morocco
14. Annapurna from Sarankot, Nepal
15. Sydney Harbour from Taronga Zoo, Australia
16. The Potala Palace from across the Lhasa River, Tibet
17. The Parthenon from Mount Lycabettus, Athens, Greece
18. The Lemaire Channel, Antarctica
19. The City Palace from the Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

20. The temples of Bagan, Burma

Dotted across a plain beside the Irrawaddy River in central Myanmar, the ruins of Bagan cover 16 square miles. Dozens of immense stupas and temples rise from the red, dusty soil, all that remains of a major city sacked by the Mongol Kublai Khan. The scene at sunrise is unforgettably romantic

NO EXCUSE

2009-03-13T18:51:00.000-07:00

I know, I know…we haven’t been posting anything for the past few (waha!) days. And yeah, yeah, yeah...7 blog posts for February is unforgivable. There, I admit it already…so get off me! LOL

This blog post was titled "NO EXCUSE". Well, I lied... here they are;

As you already know the current global economic situation, I have been rounding up my investments in Singapore, Malaysia, China and in the U.S. I’m taking it all back home. I’m not trying to scare anyone here, but yeah, that’s what I’ve been doing for the past weeks. *busy! busy, busy bee*

And also, Morgan and Sofia are nowhere to be found (or be reached) to post at least once and contribute to the blog. I am OFFICIALLY firing them as co-authors. [There… I hope this would alert both useless friends to contact me soon. Haha!]

Another short trip to the Philippines and Cambodia last week to bring YOUR donations to the orphanages I talked about here. The money came from the “clicks” you made on the AdSense adverts found all over this blog.

That’s it. Those are my excuses. Take that!

RECORD BREAKING STINGRAY CAPTURED IN THAILAND

2009-02-25T08:55:00.000-08:00

A mega-stingray was caught in the Maeklong River here in Thailand!

This is part of a program to tag stingrays and check their population. Our hero this time is a Brit dude named Ian Welch -- a biologist and a champion angler. Thanks dude, for sharing your expertise. *wink wink*

The stingray weighs 771lbs and measures 7 feet by 7 feet plus its 10 foot long whip, I mean, tail. It took 13 men and 9 hours to finally land it. I so miss Steven Irwin right now *sigh*

And the kicker was...she is pregnant! You could just imagine how big her boyfriend is! Stingrays of her specie can weigh as much as 1,100lbs. The preggy mom was release a few hours later.

See full story here.

There are still a lot of hidden animals in our paradise. Ones that keeps on surprising us.

Speaking of which, have you heard of that news about a mega-mega-phyton striking fear among residents of a certain river in Borneo? The aerial photo (apparently discovered on Google Earth) is circulating the Internet. Uhm...but that's another story...

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THE TEMPLE OF A MILLION BOTTLES

2009-02-20T10:00:00.000-08:00

The Wat Phra Maha Chedi (more famously known as Wat Lan Kuad) in Thailand’s Sisaket Province is the latest addition to Southeast Asia’s official list of eco-friendly tours.

It is made of 1.5 million recycled beer bottles donated by just about everybody who knew what was going on since 1984. Monks of this monastery started using coloured beer bottles as decorations, but people started donating and the inflow went on for the next 25 years.

So... what's a monk to do? Use all donated bottles like there's no tomorrow!

Wat Lan Kuad literally means: “Temple of a Million Bottles” and already making news around the globe. The temple complex has 20 buildings all made of recycled bottles and the monks intend to build more!

Green Heineken *Thank you, Denmark!* and brown Chang Beer *Thank you, Chonburi!* bottles are used to make the walls and roofs. It is all spectacular!

There’s also a mosaic of the Buddha made of recycled beer tin-caps! Amazing, isn’t it? =)

Ok, let's sing together now...

1.5 million bottles of beer on the wall
1.5 million bottles of beer!
You take one down, and pass it around
1,499,999 bottles of beer on the wall!

1,499,999 bottles of beer on the wall
1,499,999 bottles of beer!
You take one down, and pass it around
1,499,998 bottles of beer on the wall!

1,499,998 bottles of beer on the wall
1,499,998 bottles of beer!
You take one down, and pass it around
1,499,997 bottles of beer on the wall!...

Geez! Goodluck!

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EVERYTHING IS SET...WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU

2009-02-12T21:20:00.000-08:00

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MISSING SOMEBODY BACK IN BANGKOK

2009-02-08T18:46:00.000-08:00

It’s an extended trip for me here. This is supposed to be a 7-day journey but I have to stretch it till the 15th – meaning, I will be spending Valentine’s outside Thailand. *sobs* Here’s an open letter to my baby…

Dear Teerak,

I’m terribly missing you. You know who you are. Look under your foot – I wrote my name on it to claim you as mine. =)

I’m sorry I won’t be home in time for Valentine’s. I really am.

But I’ll send you a hundred roses. And keep one for me. So, you’ll get 99 beautiful red roses.

It may not be enough to say how much you mean to me, but…

... it will say how much I miss you (and how I’ll think of you on Valentine’s while I’m away.)

คิดถึงเธอ,

Pisanu

*** If you miss somebody back in Thailand, surprise 'em with 99 roses this Valentine’s Day. Lots of freebies! Click here to send flowers to Thailand or through the banners on this blog.
Or you can do it for the kids .

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IT ALL STARTED IN MOUNT MAKILING

2009-02-07T17:13:00.000-08:00

Mount Makiling is one of Southeast Asia’s sacred/mystical mountains. It belongs to the league of Mt. Agung in Bali, Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, to name a few. It is located in the province of Laguna in the Philippines.

Legend has it that Maria Makiling was a goddess. FilipinaSoul better describes her here and who could tell the legend better than the great Rizal himself here.

Mount Makiling is a volcano – an inactive one, that is *whew! now I think y'know why I'm here*. Parts of the area are supplied with electricity produced from geothermal heat from this mountain. And it made Laguna the hot springs, mud springs, mineral baths centre and a very popular hiking treks of the country.

I would like to commend the efforts of those responsible for preserving the eco-system of this mountain -- UPLB. Lush forests, fresh air, ancient trees dotted the area and I can still hear the sounds of its’ abundant animals living in it. Considering Laguna is just an hour or so away from overly crowded Manila.

At the foot of Makiling is the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) – where the country’s future environmentalists, agro professionals and livestock moguls come from. The IRRI and Philippine Rice Research Institute are also nearby.

Mount Makiling isn’t just all these...

Mount Makiling is a heritage icon of the Tagalogs (the dominant ethnic group of the Philippines) – this mountain provided them legends and beliefs that made their distinct culture that eventually became the basis of all other cultures of the Philippines.

--Pisanu in Los Baños, Laguna
06 Feb 2009

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THE ENIGMATIC LAGUNA (A Prelude)

2009-02-05T17:14:00.000-08:00

Laguna is a mysterious place that holds unknown legends and unwritten history yet to be revealed. This province of the Philippines in Luzon Island has intrigued me for some time now –

An ancient volcanic caldera? Was this the area where a Spanish priest burned the written annals of pre-Spanish Philippines? Who was the culprit? Are there any records of him?

Is this, where legend says, lies a Muslim city that was annihilated and totally erased on the map and history? Was Rizal a Muslim royalty? – So many questions on my book, really.

This is how I see Laguna on Luzon Island. It has so many secrets the Filipinos do not know or choose not to know. This area is one of the Philippines' cradles of civilization and holds the secrets of the true history of the Filipinos.

I know that my readers are expecting a tongue-in-cheek travelogue and a couple of misadventures on this 7-day trip. After all, this is how Laguna is to most Filipinos – a tourist destination. Don’t worry; I’ll feature some of ‘em.

Here’s Pisanu, on a trip to the mysterious and enchanting place called Laguna.

--Pisanu in San Pablo City, Laguna
04 Feb 2009

PERFECT SPECIMEN: Michael Copon

2009-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Supreme Philippine

Michael Copon (born Michael Sowell Copon) is an American actor/model. He was born on 13 November 1982 in Chesapeake, Virginia to a Filipino father and a German-American mother.

Michael was cast by the Fox Kids Network as Blue Ranger Lucas less than a year after he graduated from Deep Creek High School (2001). He quickly advanced from high school senior and defensive end on Deep Creek’s football team in 2000 to print model in Los Angeles to Blue Ranger. He is well known for his role as Felix Taggaro in the hit telly series "One Tree Hill".

More of Michael here...

(Click photo to enlarge)

Eurasians are the hottest people on Earth.

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OUR CULINARY GEMS: Singapore Hainanese Chicken Rice

2009-01-29T09:41:00.000-08:00

One of Singapore’s contenders for the national dish. Chicken rice can be found in every street corner, coffee shops or restaurants in the Lion City.

This complete “entrée” recipe was brought by Hainanese immigrants from China and evolved into a distinct Singaporean dish.

Try it this weekend and impress your friends!

The recipe is here…

Cooking Time *forever*
Preparation Time Patience is a virtue.
Serves 5-7 really hungry people

Ingredients for the chicken

1 whole Chicken (to be boiled in a large pot of water by itself)
70 ml of Sesame Oil
60 ml of Light Soy Sauce
1 medium sized cucumber
1 sprig parsley
60 ml of Concentrated Chicken Stock (made from boiling chicken bones or from chicken stock concentrate e.g. Maggie chicken stock)

Ingredients for Chicken Stock (Optional)

300 to 500 gm of chicken feet or bones
2 liters of water

Ingredients for the rice

1 Clove Garlic
20 gm Ginger Bruised
4 cups of Thai Fragrant Rice
Cooking Oil
150 gm of chicken fat
Chicken Stock
1/2 teaspoon of salt

Water that was used to boil the chicken (some to be used for cooking the rice, the balance is to be used as a base stock for an accompanying soup)

Ingredients for the condiments

100 gm Ginger
20 gm Galangal (optional)
100 gm red peppers
1 teaspoon chicken oil
20 ml concentrated chicken stock
10 to 15 ml of dark soy sauce for each diner as dip
2 cloves Garlic

Ingredients for Soup to accompany the Chicken rice

Balance of water used to boil the chicken
250 gm of cabbage
20 gm peeled shallots
Spring onion for garnishing

Directions

1. Boil chicken feet or bones for about 2 hours and simmer. Let at least a liter of water evaporate in the process. This makes the stock more concentrated.

2. Clean the dressed chicken. Boil a large pot of water. Make sure to immerse the whole chicken. Boil for 20 minutes. Remove the chicken and let it cool down.

3. Prepare the rice. Fry the uncooked rice in a wok with some of the chicken oil obtained from the fat mixed with cooking oil. Keep on frying in a moderate fire until golden yellow.

Next pour the rice into a pot. Add some chicken stock, salt and the balance of the water required is obtained from the water used to boil the chicken. Add 1 clove crushed peeled garlic and a piece of about 20 gm bruised ginger to the pot. Cook the rice. Serve in a bowl or plate.

4. Back to the chicken. Brush the chicken with sesame oil. The sesame oil also gives a fragrance and flavoring the the chicken. No salt is to be added to the chicken. Debone and cut the white meat into bite size strips.

5. Prepare the condiments. Grind the ginger and galangal (optional) together. Add 5 to 10 ml of concentrated chicken stock, ground peppers and the peeled garlic. They are served separately.

6. Preparing the soup. The soup is then made re-boiling balance of the stock and add equal amount of water. Add the shredded cabbage and peeled shallots. Add salt to taste. Simmer for 15 minutes. Cut the spring onion and garnish the soup.

7. The chicken rice should be served as shown in the picture above. The condiments should used as a dip for the chicken.

Bon appetite!

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THE GREAT HORNBILL: Our Heritage Icon

2009-01-22T05:05:00.000-08:00

Here’s one heritage icon instantly associated to our beloved region – the Great Hornbill of the Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines. *other species found in Vietnam*

They are called แก้ไข นกกก in Thai, Kalaw in the Philippines and Burung Enggang in Malaysia and Indonesia and Kenyalang in Kalimantan. *what is it called in your language?*

I visited Jurong Bird Park in Singapore a few weeks back and this birdie does it all the time. When I walk in the aviary, they always land to get in the way. So, either I go back where I come from or I just make a run for it. What do they want from me?

Obviously, these great birds are fearless. That’s why they are the symbol of numerous tribes like the Iban people of Borneo, the Dayaks of Kalimantan, the Igorots of Ifugao -- Brave, fearless warriors of the land. Sarawak is known as the "Land of the Hornbills".

They can grow up to 4ft in height with a wingspan of 5ft! That’s why they are sovereigns of the rainforest. The Hornbill’s most distinct feature is that ginormous thingy on top of its’ already ginornous bill – it’s called a “casque” by those who want to have names for anything & everything. A casque – don’t forget.

It is said that Hornbills use their casques (only males has it) for aerial battle. Like what those deers and goats do – butt fight! Although nobody has actually seen Hornbills in actual aerial butt fight.. It’s just a legend perhaps.

The Great Hornbill is in the list of Threatened Species. We can’t afford to lose another one of our endemic icons.

Save the forest, protect the Great Hornbills –

heritage icons of Southeast Asia.

Buceros bicornis

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*Thanks to Mr Bauer for the photos

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AN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF ENERGY? HEAR THIS!

2009-01-17T22:09:00.000-08:00

Whether we admit it or not, our lives directly or indirectly revolve around electricity. Power from oil, coal, nuclear, underground heat that all converted to, you got it -- electricity.

All these sources are limited. C’mon! It’s a no brainer! And smart/ingenious/inventive/crazy people are kicking high and low searching for new energy source.

Here’s my say.

Fitness gyms.

Our cities are full of it! Bangkok alone has more than 500 registered fitness gyms. KL got heaps, Manila has tons, Jakarta got loads and just imagine in Hanoi, Saigon and all around the region.

What if – those gym equipments are fitted with energy conversion thingies? THAT WOULD BE INTENSE!

Imagine how much energy could be generated from gym bunnies and iron pumping aficionados!

Fitness gyms can be energy self-sufficient! That would be cool!

Let’s think BIG – governments can set up Public Mega Gyms to generate power for the city. Better yet, set it all up in prisons and let them exercise 24/7 as punishment. *lol*

It’s a win-win situation, really – clean energy for the country and fit & buff citizens. Just imagine how much human energy is wasted in fitness gyms.

Fitness gym equipments + energy conversion apparatus + free workouts + people = clean energy.

Whaddya think?

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INDONESIA IS STILL THE ONLY FREE COUNTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

2009-01-15T01:10:00.000-08:00

Freedom House, an independent non-profit organization advocating human rights around the world since 1941 recently released the 2008 Freedom of the World Scores. Indonesia retained its status as the only "free" country in our region. [ source]

BISEAN first featured these findings last year -- Freedom in Southeast Asia

Here's our Freedom Map of 2008

Thailand has been elevated from "Not Free" to "Partially Free" status together with Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Timor Leste this year.

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10 COOL FACTS ABOUT AYUTTHAYA อยุธยา

2009-01-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my hometown -- The abode of my family and the realm of my ancestors.

1. Ayutthaya was the capital of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, a Thai kingdom existed from 1350 to 1767 AD.

2. It was one the most powerful kingdom the world has ever seen. Its territory included a huge part of Burma, the Lanna Kingdom, the Yunnan & Shan Sri Provices of China, the whole of Laos, the whole of Cambodia, South Vietnam and all of Malaya.

3. The City of Ayutthaya’s population was well over a million people in the mid-17th century while London had barely half of it.

4. The ambassador of King Louis XIV of France compared the size and wealth of Ayutthaya to Paris in the 1600s. King Narai of Ayutthaya had close ties with the French king sending each other gifts regulary.

5. Its name was derived from Ayodhya in Northern India. The city of Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana.

6. The ancient city lies in an island where 3 rivers meet – the Chao Phraya, Lopburi and Passak Rivers. It can be reached from Bangkok through the great Chao Phraya River.

7. Ayutthaya is a World Heritage Site. So, it means the whole city is protected. Ancient ruins like the Royal Palace and a handful of majestic temples are all that is left but – it’s like a time capsule back in ancient Siam.

8. The ancient city is best explored on foot or a bicycle. It is quiet, it is relaxing and good exercise too. The northwest of the city is where most of the ruins are.

9. Ayutthaya is the only place in Thailand without standard written Romanticized form. You may find it written differently around Thailand – Ayuthaya, Ayodhya, etc. But no matter how it is spelled, it is pronounced as /Ah-yoo-tuh-yah/.

10. Ayutthaya is just an hour away from Bangkok. Take a cab or the bus at Morchit Station.

We are waiting for you.

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PULL THAT TEA! I SAID PULL THAT TEA!

2009-01-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

It doesn’t make sense, huh?

How can tea be pulled, you ask? Then shut up and I’ll tell you…

Teh Tarik is a creamy, sweet with a pleasant bitter aftertaste beverage served just about in every corner of Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei.

"Teh” means tea in Bahasa and “Tarik” means pulled. Get it?

This beverage is all about showmanship. It is prepared by mixing tea and condensed milk together and poured from a container held high to a container held low. That’s where the “pulling” comes in.

A properly made Teh Tarik must have thick foam on top like a cappuccino -- If it doesn’t…*whishk!* poor you. *LOL*

How is it iconic? Well, it is de facto the national drink of Malaysia. They even hold a national competition in preparing this drink…

Competitors showcase their “talents” (like cart-wheeling, leg-splits, can-can) while dragging a long stream of tea over their heads. Simply spectacular, baby. Ok, get off me.

Oh! Did I mention Teh Tarik is best served hot? -- Which means best for a cold rainy day. And to be more accurate; “served in just the right temperature” for immediate consumption *unlike coffees from McDonalds & 7-Eleven which you have to wait 600 years to cool down!* Although some prefer it over ice.

Go and try this heavenly brew on your next visit to Malaysia, Singapore or Brunei. You’re not gonna like it…you’re gonna LOVE it!

Teh Tarik – beverage icon of Southeast Asia.

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