2CENTS MAGAZINE Jun-Jul 2016 by 2CENTS MAGAZINE

JUN - JUL 2016 ISSUE 1 FREE COPY

INAUGURAL ISSUE TECHNO FIESTA

latest tech We review some of the Acer Aspire S equipment, including the isk iXpand flash 13, Onkyo E700M, SanD ell. drive, and Marshall Stockw

ON A BUDGET

Think thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no way to have a good lunch for less than RM10? Check out these amazing restaurants! Also, here are the cheapest ways to travel to KLIA 2.

EXPERT OPINIONS

See what industrial experts from the automotive, property and beauty industries have to say this month.

HERE ARE 8 FULL PAGES FILLED WITH TIPS AND ADVICE FROM , , , AND MORE ON HOW TO SAVE MORE NOW THAT THE COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASED IN MALAYSIA.

FREESTYLE

SAVINGS

CONTENTS

HIP & TRENDY

Here are some trendy summer wear!

14 14

BEAUTY

Check out some of the latest beauty products.

20 20

COVER STORY

Find out how to save, without having to sacrifice your lifestyle.

56 44 20 4

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DEEP SCAN

We review some of the latest gadgets and gizmos on the market.

HOBBY

There’s more to Yoga than just twisting and contorting your body.

40 40

FEATURE

Be well-fed, even while on a budget.

GADGETS GALORE

What’s new in the world of tech?

UNDER ONE ROOF

Here are some of the exciting properties around Malaysia

AUTOMOTIVE

Satiate your need for speed right here.

ON GOINGS

What’s happening in and around Malaysia?

JUN-JUL 2016 | 2CENTS.MY |

MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM

Hello dear reader! We’d like to firstly thank you for taking the time to read the very first issue of 2Cents! If you’re wondering what this magazine is all about, it’s basically a bimonthly magazine about Malaysia. We strive to feature everything that’s going on in and around Malaysia, making this magazine all about you. In this issue, we have a cover story that tackles the rising cost of living here in Malaysia. The article gives you ideas on how to save money, without having to change your lifestyle, at least not too much. 2Cents is also a magazine that features the thoughts of Malaysians about various issues, products and events, so look out, as we may drop by soon to get YOUR opinion! But if you’ve got an issue you’d like to talk about, don’t hesitate to drop us a message instead. You can reach us at editorial@brandzoom360.com.

If you have any queries pertaining what we do, you can contact us at marketing@brandzoom360.com instead. We hope you enjoy the content we’ve prepared in this issue, and hope that you’ll grab the next one!

OUR TEAM

Sincerely, The 2Cents Team

THE HEAD HONCHO

“I plan & manage the whole thing” Jaccqueln Lee jacc@brandzoom360.com

THE STRATEGIST

THE OPPORTUNIST

“I seek for opportunities to work together” Nicholas Ng nicholas@brandzoom360.com

THE WARRIOR

“I fight and win battles” Darren Teoh darren@brandzoom360.com

“I write and put in my ideas” Brendon Lee editorial@brandzoom360.com

THE TROOPS “We help our masters!” Creative Assistant: Lucas Chua

Contributors: Gary Cheok, Jessica Liew

THE IDEALOGIST

“I am creative and always visualise”

Zen C creative@brandzoom360.com

Published by BRANDZOOM360SOLUTION AS-7-56 @ AXIS ATRIUM Jalan Cempaka, 68000 Ampang, Selangor

DIST RIBUT ED BY: R OLA N D A SIA PA C IFIC

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A Casual Look: Lacelle Jewel Series (Crystal Gray) The Lacelle Jewel Series consists of seven different colours. These are monthly disposable lenses, each designed to add a whole new level of depth and sparkle to your eyes.

“I like the Lacelle Jewel Series Crystal

Gray because the color is so outstanding and yet easy for my OOTD

”

LACELLE

Two Looks

Pictured here is Crystal Gray, which gives a mysterious vibe whilst illuminating your eyes. If you’re looking for a contact lens that provides a good balance b etween a dramatic and lively look, this is the colour for you.

Lacelle Jewel Series (Crystal Gray) & Lacelle Diamond Series (Aqua Glacier)

Partygoer Look: Lacelle Diamond Series (Aqua Glacier) Lacelle’s Diamond series lets your eyes sparkle just like diamonds! Every set of contact lenses in this series are printed with an exquisite pattern that mimics the light-reflecting facets of a solitaire-cut diamond.

Pictured here is Aqua Glacier, which adds a mesmerizing colour of green to your eyes. For partygoers who are ready for a fun night out, this is definitely a look you’d want to go with. Refreshing and energetic, this look will let you charm all who look into your eyes!

“

My eyes are comfortable all day long. Sometimes I even forget that i’ve attached with Lacelle color lenses

”

Inez Yen, 24 Freelance M

odel

BEAUTY Skeyndor Power Hyaluronic Moisturising Booster After a long day at work, especially in an air-conditioned environment, your face is in dire need of moisture. The Skeyndor Power Hyaluronic Moisturising Booster is exactly what you’d need, as it’ll rejuvenate your skin’s moisture levels easily. Just massage a small quantity unto your face after you’ve cleaned it for best results.

Yululuka Head Therapy Spa The Yululuka Head Therapy Spa is a collection of products that feature cultivated botanical extracts and essential oils. You don’t have to use all the products featured in this collection, as each individual’s needs is different. Just find a few that suits your needs and you’re on your way to a healthier scalp!

Skeyndor Aquatherm Thermal Concentrate Water For those with sensitive facial skin, one of the best forms of treatment is so spray a fine mist over the face, to allow the skin to absorb moisture without any unnecessary rubbing. Using just any type of water isn’t going to cut it though. You’ll need the Skeyndor Aquatherm Thermal Concentrate to create a mist that’ll instantly soothe any discomfort.

ILGA by Number Three, Japan This range of products uses no preservatives, and no fragrance. It uses only safe and mild ingredients in order it to be used on sensitive and delicate skin. It can also be used on sensitive scalp or skin without any anxiety, as It uses sulfosuccinic acid, a very mild cleansing agent that is gentle to hair, skin and also to the environment. All of its ingredients are sourced naturally.

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BEAUTY

1. M.A.C MAKE UP REMOVER WIPES I 2. M.A.C MINERALIZE CHARGED WATER CLEANSER I 3. ORIGINS PLANTSCRIPTION ANTI-AGING TREATMENT LOTION 4. CLINIQUE TURNAROUND OVERNIGHT REVITALIZING MOISTURIZER I 5. SHU UEMURA DEEPSEA WATER I 6. GIVENCHY TEINT COUTURE CUSHION 7. SHU UEMURA EYEBROW PENCIL I 8. DIOR ADDICT ULTRA GLOSS

TANNED BEACH Look If you plan to go for a nice seaside drink or a nice seaside dinner, you can always add-on some cream earth-toned eye shadow (blend it with your fingers), pencil eye liner (lightly smudge for a more earthy look), and a water proof mascara to finish off your glamorous Beach look. Always remember not to use powder-based makeup products if you plan to go to the beach / a swim as it will smeared before you even know it.

Here’s how to get that sun-tanned look that’s all the craze these days! 1)

Mix your Sun Block with three shades of darker foundation (water resistance) by rubbing your hands and quickly blend all over your skin to achieve a well-tanned and bronze look. Once the application it done, your skin will be glowing now and there is no need for powder.

Use a peach / orange cream blush and buff it at the apples of your cheeks and work outwards. Blend an Illuminator / Highlights all over your cheekbones, forehead, chin, and your nose bridge as these are the areas where the sun hits on. It helps to achieve the gorgeous dewy skin look.

It is a must to use a gel eye brow / pencil eye brow product to fill in your brows. Avoid using powder as it will smear when it touches water. Coat them with clear eye brow gel and this will hold everything on.

Use a lip tint (close to your lip colour) instead of a lip stick, as we do not want an overly done makeup look as “beachy” look should stay neutral, dewy and bronzy.

Gary Cheok is an International Makeup Artistry Trainer that conducts makeup training sessions locally and internationally. He is no stranger to the Malaysian beauty industry, fashion industry, and even is recently involved in the entertainment industry. Gary is a favourite makeup “Guru” among local celebrities. He started off his career in Malaysia as a makeup artist in 2009 and in between 2011 – 2016, and he has represented Malaysia as a speaker and facilitator in many major conferences and public workshops.

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Can you introduce yourself? “ Hi, I’m Gary Cheok, an international makeup artist and artistry trainer. I also freelance as an MC and host for events and shows. I began in 2009, and between

FA-

2011 to 2014, I represented Malaysia as a Speaker and Facilitator in major conferences and public workshops. In 2013, I

GARY CHEOK SOON WERN

was recognised as a National Trainer from Malaysia for MAC cosmetics.”

SHION M E E T

You’re also in the entertainment industry. How did that happen?

T H E

learn more about the industry, and

M E N

role was in the local NTV 7 drama, ‘In

I N S T Y L E

“ Early in 2015, I started as an artiste manager. From there, I started to

once I accumulated more experience, I tried my hand at acting. My first

Terms of Endearment’. “

LIFE-

Can you share some of your achievements? It’s easier for me to just list them down chronologically: 2009 - MAKE UP ARTIST 2010 - MAKE UP ARTIST (ARTISTRY) 2011 - MAKE UP ARTIST (KEY ARTIST - MISS UNIVERSE MALAYSIA) 2011 - MAKE UP ARTIST (ADVANCE ARTISTRY) 2011 - MAKE UP ARTIST (SHU UEMURA) 2012 - MAKE UP ARTIST / RESIDENT TRAINER) (MAC COSMETICS) 2013 - MAKE UP TRAINER (TRAINER - MAC COSMETICS) 2013 - CELEBRITY MAKE UP ARTIST (FREELANCE) 2014 - MAKE UP TRAINER (NATIONAL TRAINER - MAC COSMETICS) 2015 - MAKE UP TRAINER (INTERNATIONAL FACILITATOR)

STYLE

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COVER STORY

16 WAYS TO

A V E

IN STYLE

INCREASED COST OF LIVING? OVERCOME IT WITH THESE THRIFTY TIPS, WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON THE GOOD LIFE.

or many Malaysians, the past year has proved to be a difficult one – the Ringgit’s value decreased against the U.S. dollar, which caused many imported items to increase in price. Toll prices also went up in several major highways, causing many motorists to feel even more burdened. The Leading to that, Malaysians scrambled to figure same went for a hike in public transport fare too. More out ways to spend less. We’re sure that by now, importantly though, everyone felt the burden of GST you’d have masterfully devised ways to cut back on spending, but here are existing deals of the year that on goods and services that amounted to 6 percent, an double as creative ways to save money on creature implementation that did not reflect in any nationwide comforts without compromising on style and salary increment. functionality. If you haven’t here are more!

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DRIVE A FUEL-SAVING CAR LIKE A HONDA CITY Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to entirely forgo getting a car, just because money is an issue! Let’s look at it from a long-term perspective. Throw in some smart planning for good measure, and the right, reliable car will come along. You’re looking at a fuel-saving, compact and low maintenance car that will last you through two generations, and you’ll find that in none other than the super stylish Honda City. The Honda City is a sturdy car that assures a life span good for two generations. It’s an excellent first investment for single students, and can accompany them well into married life, with plenty of leg space, head room, and ample general space enough for up to five family members. Fuel consumption is another aspect that makes this car economically friendly. With fuel consumption rated at 5.8L/100km, the Honda City is highly cost-efficient. This means you can save more while enjoying smooth rides with a lower impact on environmental pollution too.

Economical doesn’t mean sacrificing on style, either, as proven by the Honda City. A modern look is the hallmark of status, and the Honda City makes for a smart mode of transport thanks to its perfect aerodynamic design. This is also good news for millennials who emphasise on new and contemporary designs that will endure throughout the years. Another advantage of the Honda City comes with a five-year warranty on unlimited kilometers, and free labour charges for 1,000 km, 10,000 km, 30,000 km, 50,000 km, 70,000 km and 90,000 km intervals. Safety wise, the Honda City is equipped with six airbags and stability control. All these safety features go a long way in contributing to more savings, without a doubt!

Don’t mistake the Honda City for a “compact sedan”. You will love the City like I do. It is a great car with good fuel consumption. And I always buy Honda because of the good resale value.” chuah Mei Chin, 34 iso Consultant

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SHOP SMART ONLINE VIA SHOPBACK Coupons of today are easily forgotten or misplaced among piles of paper as people are increasingly in favour of digital coupons and apps. One exemplary paperless coupon system can is that of www.groupon.com, which allows you to purchase coupons at a greatly reduced price. Users are usually wary when purchasing Groupon deals - No doubt it offers great savings on products and services, users are putting their money on the line, paying for something they’ve not experienced yet. But here to dispel these concerns is a great site known as Shopback. If you’re an avid online shopper, you may have heard about this fabulous site that rewards you up to 30 percent of your purchase in cash form. Indeed with a tagline like “Shop Online, Get Your Cash Back”, expect to amass unlimited savings when you shop with them

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I do a lot of online shopping every month. Frankly speaking I am not aware that there is a cash back portal for online shopping. Emm... this is very interesting. I will definitely find out more asap.“ Jessi Lee, 28 Project Executive

through over 500 of their merchants like Taobao, Lazada, Zalora, Agoda, Booking. com, Expedia and more. Shopback’s passionate experts help customers search for the best discounts and promo codes online, earn a referral fee and share a portion with their users. Daily deals and steals are posted on their site Boone Ng, 39 business owner and newsletters so you won’t go a day shopping without discounts! To start shopping with ShopBack, simply register an account on shopback. my, select a site to shop at, and you’ll be redirected to the merchant’s site. Shop as usual and upon transaction, ShopBack will track your cashback and inform you the email you the amount within 48 hours. The Cashback will automatically sync to your ShopBack account, and once it is ‘Redeemable’, you can request for a payout by filling in your bank detail. Within seven to 14 working days, cash will be deposited into your bank account. It’s simple, fuss-free, and beneficial in the long run!

I do a lot of e-commerce business and this is the first time i’ve heard about shopback. It sounds interesting. I will check it out with my friends who always do online shopping. I will definitely give it a try.”

SAVE ON PRINTING WITH A PRINTER FROM EPSON’S L SERIES

Another aspect of saving that’s often neglected is when it comes to printers. The modern world may operate on a wide digital scale now but now and then, formalities require hard copy documents, such as self-print boarding passes, official documents to sign and work-related print-outs. As such, owning a printer is essential and the good news is you don’t need to spend a bomb on it with an Epson L series printer. The secret to saving more with this printer lies in quantity. Users can enjoy an ultra-high print yield of 6,500 pages in colour, and ink bottles cost just RM20 each, making it the printer with unbeatable cost savings. On top of that, Epson L Series offers the world’s first complete range of ink tank system printers brand with the most comprehensive range of features, including Duplex and A3 mode, with Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet connectivity. Plus, no more stoppage hassles or poor resolution volume printing with the reliable Micro Piezo printhead. It is the foundation of Epson ink tank system that promotes durability and fast printing. Maximum value for money is further defined in its two-year warranty period, which covers the printhead too! No more hassle when your printer experiences hiccups as issues will be taken care of, free of charge.

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My favourite part of it is that it can print borderless up to a3 in size, Allowing me to showcase my photos and artwork without cutting off the white borders. The good quality printing helps give good contrast to my images. On top of that, it’s easy to refill ink and very affordable too!” Glendon Choo, 30 media manager

I have been using the inktank L800 printer for more than two years and it’s still in perfect condition although I have printed more than 5,000 sheets at the highest printing quality setting. The printhead is super reliable. I buy original Epson ink because they are very economical. I strongly recommend Epson as compared to other printer brands.” Kelvin Choy, 32 engineer

PAY LESS FOR MORE SPACE WITH SANDISK’S IXPAND

The iPhone makes for a popular choice due to its exclusive iOS, secure operating system and over one million Apple apps, among others. However, typical problems posed by the newest iPhone 6 and 6s include a shorter battery span and restrictions from the limited storage options that are only 16GB, 64GB or 128GB. Instead of spending money upgrading to a larger storage iPhone, you can easily resolve this by investing in a SanDisk iXpand. This drive lets you easily add up to 128GB of external storage. On a 16GB iPhone, the SanDisk iXpand 32GB adds a total of 48GB for RM3,438. The phone is RM3,199, while the iXpand device costs RM239. Other storage capacities to choose from are 16GB at RM179, 64GB at RM339 and 128GB at RM529. For the price, the SanDisk iXpand doubles as a stylish gadget too, with multiple colours, a snug design and fit, and not to mention, an admirable super high-speed transfer of USB 3.0. If you misplace or lose your iXpand drive, its security function keeps your personal data safe with AES 128-bit encryption. Last but not least, the iXpand performs auto backup to all your files. This includes your photo gallery, videos, social media photos and videos, plus contacts, making these important records and

personal chronicles accessible from anywhere, with or without your iPhone. If you’re looking for a solution to solve your limited storage space on your iOS device, the SanDisk iXpand is The built in app is very useful. definitely a great option. My mom who owns an iphone It also lets you share your has no issues transfering out content easily, making it the photos out for instant photo printing at the digital great for meetings. It’s photo kiosk.” also highly compact, so Dennis tan, 51 it’s easy for you to pocket Managing Director while on the go.

Wow! it’s good news for me. I just bought my used iphone 6 16gb from my friend. With the sandisk ixpand 32gb, i will have a 48gb iphone! my friend will surely be jealous of me because of this value for money combo.” lee xin mei, 18 student

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Low budget hotels don’t usually mean dirty beds and basic amenities. There are plenty of boutique hotels available around Malaysia, those that are cozy, don’t cost a bomb, and are very clean. One hotel that we recommend for good value and comprehensive amenities is the Hotel Boutique Maison, which was recently awarded Best Boutique Hotel by Going Places magazine in 2015. The themed boutique hosts 42 rooms equipped with free Wi-Fi, minibars, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, coffee makers, free bottled water and hair dryers as part of its special rate price of RM168++ only. More importantly, this hotel is highly comfortable and offers clean bedsheets, and has received positive feedback from previous patrons. Not to mention, the hotel is strategically located on Jalan Baba, just off Jalan Changkat Thamby Dollah and within walking distance to the city’s Golden Triangle area where shopping malls are abound, notably the Berjaya Times Square, Sungei Wang Plaza and Pavilion. You know this hotel is a great deal based on its 8.1 out of 10 Agoda. com rating and 8.3 out of 10 score on Booking.com.

CHEAP STAY, GOOD REPUTATION I seldom go for budget hotel,UNless its reputation and the service of the hotel are good. I usually read the review and comments first before I book them.” Casey Gan, 34 Retail Business

LIVEN UP YOUR BUDGET HOLIDAYS Toy around with the idea of a budget holiday and allocate your money to do fun activities and educative experiences! Travel expenses adds up faster than you think, so it’s important to know your numbers. Use a budget calculator to tabulate the costs you’re likely to face on your next trip to estimate your spending. The special independenttraveler.com/travel-budget-calculator will be your new best friend. Next, get acquainted with the ringleaders of travel, such as Lonely Planet, TripAdvisor and Fodors who will provide budget tips from I often travel off-season for accommodation recommendations cheaper airfare, budget rooms, to itineraries, right down to practical shorter queues, and more information on various destinations. locals than tourists. I also love traveling with a partner Sites such as Budget Your Trip to share and save - we split and Saving For Travel are platforms the cost of accommodation, taxi that help figure out your budget for rides, and chores to save both transportation, lodging, food and time and money.” various expenses. Factor in your length Sherene Yong, 35 marketing manager of stay, and you’ll be able to work out your daily cost on room and meal expenditure. Understand the currency conversion for international travel, work out the average cost of things and strive to stay within the budget.

JUN-JUL 2016 | 2CENTS.MY |

TELCO PLANS TO THE RESCUE We spend most of our time on our phones THe plans from the various telfor work and leisure, thus it’s inevitable cos around malaysia is starting that our phone bills rake in high amounts to get better. You just need to spend some time to do research at the end of the month. There are ways to find the right one.” to bring down the figures though, if you Lim Chiat Huai, thoroughly study various telco plans. auditor So far, Celcom and DiGi are the top telco providers in Malaysia, helping Malaysians save on their monthly phone For your comprehensive needs, we sum up the three key telco charges without compromising on data offerings. Taking the lead is plans in Malaysia that maximise on savings: Celcom, which offers excellent data plans above RM100, thrown in with reliable LTE and 4G coverage. However, it can’t rival DiGi when it comes to savings, which offers good deals for below RM100. DiGi Smart Plan 98 Celcom First Gold Maxis One Plan 98 For that amount, users receive decent LTE and 4G coverage, and Price RM80/month RM80/month RM98/month under its recent postpaid plan revamps, customers enjoy much more Monthly 7GB (anytime) 5GB 5GB Internet through the simplest and most straightforward postpaid plans in Weekend 3GB (weekend) 5GB (1.25GB every Malaysia comprising the Smart Plan packages. One such plan is the Internet Saturday and Sunday) DiGi Smart Plan 80 that allows more calls and SMSes, including a 7GB Complimentary - 5GB WiFiPlus capacity for anytime use plus a 3GB weekend data plan. Users can WiFi also make unlimited calls for the RM80 monthly package! To top it Bonus Internet 2GB Internet Carry forward DataPool up to 10GB Roller internet for 2 lines (Up to 1 off, DiGi customers can enjoy a year of iFlix for free, providing extra share line + 5GB for every line at RM48/mth each) entertainment from the convenience of your mobile phone. Music Streaming Music Freedom

“The telco service has to be improved before they impose high charges on consumers. Telco like Maxis should roll out more reasonable charges, their rates are still the highest among all. Too many hidden charges, worst of all, their coverage is still weak in certain areas.” James Teoh, 39 business owner

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We strongly encourage you to keep a tab on warehouse sales and the like: There are plenty of companies that organise sales on a monthly basis. All you need is to know where to look. Besides following forums or warehouse sales announcements sites, nothing can beat shopping for goods, especially clothing and accessories, in person. A smart starting point for sales and branded items galore would be at Mitsui Outlet Park in Sepang. Once you’re there, it’s worth spending a whole day there, with its array of stores to browse at leisure, and amenities that ensure you’re

SHOP SAVVY AT MITSUI OUTLET PARK

I did not know I could get my favourite SUPER DRY shirt here at that price! it is even a genuine one at that.” Vince Lim, 40 Marketing Director

comfortable and well-fed in between. To get there, you can opt for the free shuttle bus that departs from KLIA and KLIA2 airports, which are easily accessible via shuttle bus from the city or by ERL. You could also fit in half a day for shopping right before your flight, too. Mitsui offers a minimum of 30 percent discount for all branded goods, namely Hackett, Ermenegildo Zegna, Nike, Aigner, Clarks, Superdry, Pepe Jeans and an FJ Benjamin outlet. When you need to break for a meal or snack, food and beverage outlets abound and are more varied than the choices at KLIA, from food court fare to coffee joints like Coffee Bean and Dome, and restaurants like Sushi King and Bari-Uma. If you’re about to leave on a flight though, remember that planes have baggage limits, so make sure you don’t overbuy!

DAILY TRICKS TO UP YOUR SAVINGS Now that we’ve covered the major decision-making aspects for saving better, here are some of the things you can do to contribute to bigger savings!

1. FOC MUSIC APP Listen to songs you love on free platforms like Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube instead of downloading them on iTunes, which costs USD $.99 to USD $1.29 per song.

2. CARPOOL If you’re in an office-bound job, carpool with colleagues. Take turns to drive or offer to chip in for fuel. Do Mother Nature a favour by cutting down on carbon emissions.

3. SUPPORT LOCAL PRODUCTS Malaysian-made products are better than you think, don’t disregard their quality. Not only that, on average they cost much less than their imported counterparts.

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CASHBACK WITH HSBC CREDIT CARD

You’d be surprised that credit cards do hide nuggets of benefits like cashbacks. Some cards offer additional discounts on online shopping, while other have partnered up with eateries to offer cashback promotions, or even points programs. Take for example the UOB ONE Card, which offers cash rebates of up to five percent for groceries, petrol, phone bills and much more. Even Citibank offers something similar with its Citi Cash Back Platinum Visa Card. But among them all, HSBC Credit Card offers the best saving features, by far making it worth your consideration. The HSBC Credit Card offers cash back for a list of purchases, one of it includes additional discounts on fuel as compared to when you pay with debit card or cash. Other major saving points include dining, shopping and utilities: How does saving more from shopping sound to you? Apart from that, HSBC has partnered up with over 500 merchants

I love the cash back program from credit card vendors. We have to be smart enough to save more money back into the pocket and fully utilise cash back card wisely.”

to bring tons of privilege to its credit card users to reward them with cash backs, campaign giveaways, and free gifts upon spending more than RM200 at chua Huey Bin, 28 select shopping malls. Logistic Manager HSBC takes emergencies into consideration, too. Should you be strapped for cash, you can easily obtain a cash advance anytime, anywhere through various channels like HSBC ATMs, online, HSBC banks and even other banks with just a phone call. When you apply for a HSBC Cash Instalment Plan, you’re entitled to a 6.88% interest rate per annum for a minimum sum of RM5,000 with 0% fees. This enables you to save more on interest when taking out a personal loan, with their monthly repayment program that starts from as low as RM112! Besides heaps of urban lifestyle privileges,the credit card also enables you to travel in style through free use of airport lounges. Besides living a comfortable life, you can also jetset in style without sacrificing on savings!

4. EAT HEALTHY AND EXERCISE! Prevention is better and cheaper than cure. Take care of your health by eating more fruits and vegetables, and they’re much cheaper than meat too. Forget the gym membership, exercise in parks or go on hikes!

5. PLAN TRIPS WITH WAZE OR GOOGLE MAPS Traffic navigation apps provide real-time traffic information, which allows you to cut down on fuel wastage. Utilise the time to catch up on work, catch extra winks, or boost productivity!

6. AIM LOWER Remember all those times you were told to aim for the stars? Yup, time to replace the high-end Kawasaki Ninja H2 with a Vespa LX 150. The Vespa is lighter, smaller, easier to handle, and it gets you from Point A to Point B (in the city) just as quick.

7. MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS It’s the age of the Internet - make full use of it by reading up reviews before buying something new. Plentiful sites provide priceless knowledge on every product under the sky so get informed to avoid making a costly investment.

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HEALTHY LIVING

PHILIPS

SONICARE FLEXCARE+ ENHANCING YOUR DENTAL HEALTH

In life, money can buy you many things, but health is not one of them, so why not prevent, instead of curing? In this section, you can read more about the latest in health news, from the products you can use to maintain a healthy lifestyle, to the latest medical procedures. We’ll also give you tips from medical experts on how to stay healthy! Dental health is just as important any other form of healthcare. With the Philips Sonicare FlexCare+, you’re guaranteed the best solution for your dental health at home. This single product offers five different types of brushing modes, and can improve your gum health after just two weeks of use! How exactly does it work? The FlexCare+ uses a unique dynamic action to propel liquid through your teeth when you’re brushing. This allows it to gently clean between your teeth and gums, without introducing too much stress. As mentioned, the FlexCare+ offers five different modes – Sensitive mode offers a gentle yet thorough cleaning of the gums, Refresh mode is for those times when you’re rushing, Massage mode is for when you want to give your gums a massage, and Gum Care mode helps to improve your gum health. Also bundled with the FlexCare+ are three brush heads, one ProResults standard brush head, and two ProResults compact brush heads. Additional brush heads are sold separately. • Sonicare FlexCare+ pricing: RM639 • ProResults standard and compact brush heads pricing: RM109 per pack of three brush heads • Warranty: two years • Contact: www.philips.com.my

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A POTENT

CURE

FINDING A CURE FROM AN UNLIKELY SOURCE

ealth is one of the most important thing to have in life. This saying is definitely one of the truest things that has ever been said. Many years ago, I contracted encephalitis, which caused me to be hospitalized twice. The first was when I was 26, but somehow, it wasn’t that serious. The second time, I wasn’t that lucky. The year was 2006 and I was 56. I went for a hike with a minor cold. During the hike, I had double vision and had a bad fever. According to my wife, I was rushed to University of Malaya’s ICU ward, where I gradually started sleeping more, before entering a coma for 18 days. On the 18th day, I was declared braindead when I had apparently stopped breathing for a good 15 minutes. Somehow, the medical staff managed to stabilise me, and kept me alive. They told my wife that the chances of me being in a vegetative state was high and that I was truly knocking on Death’s door. Out of options, she made a decision that saved my life. To better explain how she did that, let me first explain that when I married my wife, she decided to help out with the family business as well, which is all about traditional Chinese herbs. Somehow, she found out about the benefits of Porcupine Dates and decided to try it out. It worked. Just how were the Porcupine Dates fed to me? She had to pound it up into a very fine powder, and dissolve it into feeding tube. She then prayed hard for a miracle, and that was what she received. I managed to come out of the coma. It’s been several years since that incident, and ever since then, my family and I have been serious advocates of the benefits of Porcupine Dates. Thanks to this, I’m still able to enjoy calligraphy and more importantly, I’m still lucky enough to still be here with my family and friends.

Just what are Porcupine Dates though? It’s essentially a small “stone” found inside the stomach of porcupines. We call it stones because it’s actually pile of semi-digested herbs eaten by the porcupine when it was sick. These herbs accumulate over time, harden, and become shaped like stones. Today, Porcupine Dates are used as treatment for dengue, meningitis, herpes, various throat infections, pneumonia, and more.

THE STORY BEHIND SOON HING CHEONG Kenny Chen is a third-generation herbalist and current owner of Soon Hing Cheong (1956) Ginseng Sdn. Bhd. In addition to selling traditional Chinese herbs for more than 25 years, the shop is also well-known for its high-grade Chinese, Korean and American Ginseng, Indonesian bird’s nest, and high-grade cordyceps, among other things. His grandfather, Chen Tee Yong, was the one who started it all. To make ends meet, Chen Tee Yong would cycle from door-to-door to sell herbs. Often his cycling would take him from Malaysia to Singapore, and accompanying him would be Kenny Chen’s father, Chen Kok Poh. Chen Kok Poh was the one responsible for starting Soon Hing Cheong in 1956. Today, the very same strive for excellence continues. Kenny Chen continues to ensure that he sells the best products by personally visiting the sources of his products. For Chinese Ginseng, he often visits Changbaishan, China. As for bird’s nests, he would visit Pontianak, Indonesia. He also travels to Naqu in Tibet, which is where cordyceps are sourced from.

If you’d like to know more about how Porcupine Dates helped Kenny through his ordeal, you can contact him and visit him at Soon Hing Cheong.

SOON HING CHEONG (1956) GINSENG SDN BHD

(52576 V)

5 & 7, Leboh Pudu, 50050 Kuala Lumpur. T: +603 3032 5577 F: +603 3032 1397 W: www.soonhingcheong.com.my

E: shc_mktg@yahoo.com

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HOBBY

PASSIONATE

YOGA

ABOUT BEYOND THE FLEXIBLE BACKBENDS AND EYE-POPPING HANDSTANDS, YOGA IS A MIND-BODY ROUTINE THAT EMPHASISES SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING

Have a group of friends who love a good workout? Chances are that three out of five of them have practiced yoga or are keen on trying it. Unlike gyms and the great outdoors, yoga offers more than just an invigorating form of exercise - it is a great meditation tool known as a mind-body practice. Besides providing a world of health and fitness benefits, yoga poses, stretches and routines penetrates to a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core; treating stress, insomnia and tension.

BY JESSICA LIEW

Selected by freepik

HEMRAJ, SENIOR HATHA YOGA SPECIALIST AT TRUE FITNESS MALAYSIA

According to the American Yoga Association, the ancient Indian practice of yoga has been around for over 5,000 years. It was in the 1960s when yoga caught on and people started discovering the benefits that came with these dynamic routines combined with breathing techniques. Soon, hippies, rockstars and supermodels became avid practitioners, making it fashionable. Until today, this age-old spiritual exercise continues to empower the lives of people, proving it to be more than just a fitness fad. In fact, most fitness trends have borrowed some form of yoga into their routines! If you’ve yet to experience the goodness of yoga, there’s no better time than now to get acquainted with it. Yoga doesn’t discriminate age, fitness or gender - to begin with, yoga is not about force but rather, gentle, personal progress. We talk to yoga specialists and yogis on their experience and insight with yoga.

Yoga is an art of living life Senior Hatha yoga specialist at True Fitness Malaysia, Hemraj, has come a long way practising yoga for the past 15 years, making him the go-to for all yoga knowledge and advice. We sought his answers to some of our most curious questions. How did your yoga journey begin? I’m indebted to the spiritual masters, seekers, healers, sages, saints and monks for their divine grace in sparking my in yoga journey. Nationally and Internationally, I learned jivan yoga vigyan (life yoga science)

from ashramas (hermitage), pathshala (school), yogashala and university on Mount Everest, Nepal.

There are so many sports out there but why did you choose yoga?

Everybody has their own preferences and interest in choosing a suitable sport. From my point of view, yoga is not At age 42, I had high blood pressure a sport, it is a life of science. Initially, yoga and cholesterol. I was introduced attracted and impressed me physically, to yoga by a gym friend. Since mentally and psychologically, but later on, I practising, I feel my physical fitness realised it transcends to a vast knowledge. and well-being is very much better I found it as atma vigyan (soul science) and than 20 years ago.” sukshma vigyan (subtle science). I read TT, 62 remisier JUN-JUL 2016 | 2CENTS.MY |

HOBBY 35% INCREASE IN FLEXIBILITY AFTER 8 WEEKS stories and biographies about enlightened masters whom we call gods nowadays. Regardless whether one is poor or royalty, weak or healthy, student or teacher, even the likes of doctors, engineers, pilots, businessmen and politicians enjoy regular yoga practice. That is why yoga is my life path and pride.

What are the benefits of yoga? Yoga is the union of the physical and spiritual. The world looks glamorous, but the source and reflection of beauty and life stems from the inside. Yoga is the best medication for human beings; when practiced right, it is physically, mentally, psychologically and spiritually beneficial. It transcends normal life to an enlightened life. It is not only beneficial for present life, it’s believed to enhance the future and the next life. If you believe in yoga, it's not a logic of life but an art of living life.

IMPROVED LIBIDO!

IMPROVED POSTURE

EXPANDS YOUR LUNGS! INCREASE IN METABOLISM, BETTER DIGESTION

STABLE MIND, CLEARER FOCUS

12% INCREASE IN ARM STRENGTH AFTER 16 CLASSES

BETTER OXYGEN CIRCULATION TO BRAIN

STEADY BREATHING, STRESS MANAGEMENT

How many types of yoga are there? The paths of yoga described in the 5,000-year old Hindu holy bible, Bhagvad Gita are: Karma / Kriya yoga (path of action), Jnana / Sankhya Yyoga (path of knowledge), Bhakti / Raja yoga (path of Devotion to God Ishvara).

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PRACTICE YOGA…

People need to know what yoga is. Yoga in Sanskrit means ‘yug’, that means union. Yoga is a union of body, mind and soul. Yoga develops your concentration, improves your immune system, makes your body strong and flexible, physically and mentally. Every yoga practitioner gets new energy when they practice everyday. Enjoy your yoga practice and never compete with anyone. Be patient in achieving the yoga poses. Never give up." Master Samir

Two-time international level yoga medalist: Malaysian International Yoga Championship 2011 gold medal and Champion of Champion, World Yoga Sport Championship gold medal

Modern yoga is based on the path of action that is Hatha yoga or Karma yoga / Kriya yoga. In Hatha yoga there are 8.4 millions postures and today we practice different style of yogasanas (yoga postures) such as Ashtanga yoga, Vinyasa yoga, hot yoga, flow yoga, Yin yoga, basic yoga, intermediate yoga and advance yoga.

Is yoga suitable for everyone? Yoga is the perfect art of living sadhana (practice). It is very much suitable for everyone but everyone should practice under the guidance of a qualified yoga instructor.

In what condition should one not take up yoga? If you talk about yoga origin, it's a totally an unconditional practise. Unless you are talking about a particular part of yoga like asana (posture),

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pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dhyana (meditation), samadhi (contemplation) and mokshya (final liberation from the cycle of births and deaths), then we can say there are conditions and one can focus on the next level in practising yoga.

When is the best time of day to practice? The best time is at Brahm Muhurta, or a time period before sunrise, preferably 4am. This is also called the golden hour for yoga aspirants. If you practise yoga at this time, your ability to transcend limitations is better because your life pranas (energies) are in a state flux. Beside this golden time, we recommend sunrise, noon, evening, sunset and night. Practice well, live well. Finally, I would like to wish Lok h Samast h Sukhino Bhavantu: May everyone in this world be happy and prosperous.

Yoga is the proper combination of mind, soul and body. Via yoga, you can improve your internal, mental, physical, emotional, sexual and spiritual energies. So practice yoga and be the best of yourself in every level and part of your life." Master Deepak

Holds a yoga MPhil and Master in Yogic Science from Barkatullah University, Bhopal, and multi-award winning yoga specialist

FEATURE

STAR MEALS THAT PACK THE PUNCH WHILE GOING EASY ON THE WALLET (EXCEEDING NO MORE THAN RM7!)

SHOESTRING

TEXT & PHOTOS JESSICA LIEW

LUNCHES

| 2CENTS.MY HAKKA LUI CHA AT DHARMA REALM GUAN YIN SAGELY MONASTERY, RM5

Come noon, the question “what to have for lunch?” lands on everyone’s minds or lips. Unlike breakfast and dinner, the option of having lunch at home is almost out of the question. Most Malaysians prefer eating out for several reasons: to take a break from work, to socialise with their colleagues or to try different food. Eating out is undoubtedly a daily treat, but this can turn out to be quite costly at the end of the month. For this very reason, most people stick to a daily budget for lunch, which isn’t difficult at all considering the vast options of affordable food courts, coffee shops, hawker stalls and value lunch sets offered at restaurants. The most popular budget lunch options are of course hawkers stalls, with their variety of stalls dishing out no-frills local comforts that are delicious and cost as cheap as RM4.50! If you look hard enough, though, pocket-friendly and filling meals can be had at shopping malls or restaurants for just RM5, too! Whether your favourite dish is a flavourful banana leaf rice, hearty pasta, or warming kuey teow th’ng, here are some budget-friendly picks worth checking out. The best part? None of them go beyond RM7!

KUEY TEOW TH’NG

RM4.50

This dish commonly starts from RM5 onwards, but the version at this old food stall at Jalan Penchala, Petaling Jaya is at a steal of RM4.50. The stall is tucked away between rows of tin roof hawker centres and when you do eventually find it, the dish will make your mouth water at first sight. Silky noodles of your choice (kuey teow is recommended) tossed with crunchy bean sprouts and ladled with clear chicken broth, then generously topped with melt-in-your-mouth shredded steam chicken strips, sliced fish cake and springy fish balls. It’s comfort food at its best, when eaten piping hot. Even the sweltering midday heat will not deter you from devouring your noodles to the last drop of soup. You can even order a second bowl and still spend less than RM10! Address: Corner of Jalan Penchala and Jalan Othman, Petaling Jaya Tel: -

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No specific budget but I frequent mamak and Malay joints, spend under RM10 on most lunches. It contributes to my overall saving plan for holiday trips and of course, rainy days. I save 20% by budgeting” melissajane lee, 26 account manager

PASTA

RM5

Pasta for RM5? We’re talking about the special value ‘pasta of the day’! Their RM6 Bolognaise, Sausage Spinach Béchamel, Carbonara and Chicken Mushroom Mornay each take turns for the RM5 price tag four days a week, except for Friday when the Chicken Confit goes for RM15. It’s perfect for those days when you crave western food but are on a budget. To make it a complete meal, add on a pudding or brownie and a glass of ice lemon tea for just RM9.90. Refreshing drink and yummy dessert, too? We say this is one of the best gourmet lunch deals in town. Address: Express gourmet stalls located at LG 201A The Gardens Mall, LG 102A-103 One Utama, LG45 Da:Mén Subang Jaya, EV-G-K04 Evolve Concept Mall, LG 43 Tropicana City Mall Tel: 03-7887 1859

BANANA LEAF

RM5.50

Believe it or not, a toothsome and satisfying banana leaf rice set that only sets you back for RM5.50 is yours to enjoy. Sharing the same lane as the

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Deutsche Schule Kuala Lumpur and Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital is a cosy, airy and bright restaurant in the clubhouse of Australia New Zealand Graduates Association of Malaysia (ANZGAM). Patrons are served rice, four types of vegetables, dhal and curry, punchy dips and freshly fried papadum, that when mixed together, conjures a homey medley of spices and herbs. Rasam and yogurt comes with the set, too. There are also different meats as side orders that are priced separately, with the mutton stews, fish and duck curries as highly recommended. Address: Lot 3, Lorong Utara B, Petaling Jaya Tel: 03-7931 3380

DUCK RICE

RM6

Duck rice a rare and welcoming addition as part of the lunch scene. We spotted a stall selling not just duck rice, but the Teochew braised duck rice, a healthier alternative to the usual roast duck, cooked in a special concoction of Chinese spices. This braised duck rice from Paramount Garden had tender and savoury duck meat, and the rice was particularly tasty, having been flavoured with duck dripping and a splash of the gravy that’s made from duck broth, Chinese wine, soy sauces, Hoisin sauce, orange peel, and

A big bulk of my expenditure has been on food so I decided that I want to spend less on food when I can. Since then, I have extra cash to spareâ&#x20AC;? joshua lim, 28 event management

cinnamon, among other things The taste was nostalgic as it was gratifying, but the savoury duck gravy took the limelight. Address: 55, Jalan 21/1, Paramount Garden, 46300 Petaling Jaya Tel: -

WONTON NOODLES

RM6.50

Wonton mee is loved for morsels of meaty pork and prawn dumplings, crisp and chewy egg noodles, and rich seafood broth. Wontons typically contain pork, but thankfully, this coffee shop in Bangsar, offers a halal version with prawn dumplings, deep fried till the wonton skin is crispy and golden, served with a plate of dry, soy-tousled noodles, topped with handfuls of blanched greens and tender, shredded chicken, and the essential pickled green chili as dip. This dry version comes with a bowl of soup cooked in an anchovy-based stock that patrons rave about.

Address: 44, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur Tel: 016-292 5578

CHICKEN CHEESE NAAN

RM7

The Chicken Cheese Naan is unique to ChaCha Briyani at Seksyen 14 Petaling Jaya. Priced at RM7, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get a huge serving of freshly baked naan, stuffed lavishly with cheese and minced chicken. The regular pizza-sized naan is sliced into wide strips, and each bite stars a crispy, buttery naan bread, warm melted cheese and morsels of hearty mince. There are sides of dhal and curries as dips. For portion, flavour and heartiness, this dish is worth every single penny. Address: Jalan 14/24, Seksyen 14, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: 016-314 7160

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VALUE BUY

STUNNINGLY

SLIM ACER S 13 (NX.GCISM.002)

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ACERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ASPIRE S 13 IS THE DEFINITION OF A SLIM AND POWERFUL ULTRABOOK.

In this day of age, things need to be done, and they need to be done fast. To do that on the go, an Ultrabook is definitely one of the devices that you can use to be productive. An excellent example of a powerful Ultrabook is none other than Acer’s S 13.

DESIGN AND USAGE With a thickness of 14.6mm, the S 13 is definitely among one of the thinner options. There are three USB 3.0 ports as well, one of them being a Type-C. The hinge feels sturdy, and overall, build quality is absolutely great. In terms of usage, the S 13 is a breeze to use. It’s fast and responsive, thanks to the SSD and ample amount of RAM. Typing is also easy, because the keys are evenly spaced out, though the amount of travel could have been better. The only thing that could have been improved, is the directional keys – they should have been bigger!

PERFORMANCE As mentioned, we found the S 13 to be fast and responsive, so doing anything work-related with this Ultrabook is easy, unless you’re a graphics designer or need to use CAD programs. The Intel HD Graphics 520 is able to support graphics-intensive programs, though we’d recommend against using it as a main workhorse. Thankfully, it does support casual games like Plant vs. Zombies, or Stardew Valley. At the end of the day, the S 13 is not a gaming notebook. If you’re wondering about the display of the S 13, you don’t have to worry because the screen uses Acer’s ComfyView technology, and is an In-plane Switching (IPS) panel. What this means is that you’d be able to get a clear view of the screen, from a reasonably wide angle. Your coworkers won’t have to crowd around you when you need to show them something anymore! The screen is a Full HD screen, so things are pretty sharp as well. Speaking of a Full HD screen, watching movies on the S 13 is a great experience, not only because of the clear and sharp screen, but also because of the long-lasting battery. During our time with this Ultrabook, its battery managed to last approximately 9.5 hours, which is very impressive. Of course, we had to reduce screen brightness to achieve this, but even at a reduced brightness level, the screen is clearly visible.

Completing the package for this Ultrabook is an audio system that has been tuned by Dolby.

CONCLUSION Priced at RM3,399, the mid-range Acer Aspire S 13 is definitely one of the top options for an Ultrabook in this price range. We’re really happy with the battery life and overall build quality as well, making it easy for us to recommend this Ultrabook to any working executive looking for a simple, functional and great-looking device to keep them productive while on the go.

SPECIFICATIONS PROCESSOR: INTEL CORE I5-6200U, DUAL-CORE 2.3GHZ I BATTERY: 3-CELL, 4,030MAH BATTERY (UP TO 13 HOURS) I STORAGE: 256GB SSD I GRAPHICS: INTEL HD GRAPHICS 520 I RAM: 8GB LPDDR3 I CONNECTIVITY: 802.11AC, 2X USB 3.0, 1X USB 3.0 WITH USB TYPE-C INTERFACE I DISPLAY: 13.3-INCH FULL HD I WEIGHT: APPROX. 1.3KG CONTACT WWW.ACER.COM

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XPANDED

A BRILLIANT STORAGE SOLUTION THAT MAKES IT EASY TO ADD STORAGE TO IOS DEVICES.

DESIGN AND USAGE

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While it does look unique, the fact remains that both of its connectors are exposed, so you may want to take extra care to ensure that neither comes into contact with moisture and/or dust. To use it, you’ll firstly need to download and install the iXpand mobile app. Once that’s done, simply plug the Lightning connector into your iPhone or iPad and you’re good to go. You’ll have to use an app to transfer files, but one of the small drawbacks of this app is that it does not support audio codecs like DTS and AC3. It’s also important to note that the app only recognizes the iXpand drive if it’s in FAT32 format, limiting your file sizes to a maximum of 4GB per file. Fortunately, most Full HD movies don’t go above 4GB in size.

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POSSIBILITIES One of the main issues plaguing newer iPhone users is the fact that storage is often limited, thanks to an OS that takes up a huge amount of space and Live Photos that are 3.5MB in size on average. Previously, the only way to remedy this was to opt for a larger capacity iPhone, or constantly transfer pictures and videos to a PC/Mac. With the SanDisk iXpand flash drives, this has changed.

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PERFORMANCE We transferred a couple of files to and from the drive to see how fast the transfer speeds were, and we’re pretty happy with the results – it averaged about 48MB/s when writing, and a whopping 87MB/s when reading. Next, we plugged the iXpand into an iPhone to see if there was any lag with the interface and how fast it would take to transfer pictures from the phone to the drive.

CONCLUSION Small, light and with speedy transfer speeds, the iXpand flash drive is definitely a recommended storage solution for those with iPhones or iPads. However, we had to knock off some points for the lack of audio codec support. SPECIFICATION CAPACITY: 16GB / 32GB (TESTED) / 64GB / 128GB I DIMENSIONS: 13 X 17 X 59 MM WEIGHT: 5.4G I SUPPORTED VIDEO FORMATS: WMV, AVI, MP4, MOV CONTACT GADGET ACCESS SDN BHD

I 03 – 7732 2119

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STOCKED UP ON

GOOD AUDIO MARSHALL STOCKWELL

THE MARSHALL STOCKWELL BLUETOOTH SPEAKER NOT ONLY LOOKS GOOD, IT SOUNDS GREAT. Meet the Marshall Stockwell, a Bluetooth speaker that looks just like a mini guitar amplifier.

DESIGN AND USAGE You get a slim speaker system that’s only about 10mm thick, and 260mm in width. While this is big in terms of portable speaker dimensions, it’s still small enough to fit into most notebook bags. It will add a significant amount of heft to your bags. The Stockwell is primarily a Bluetooth speaker system, but it also has a 3.5mm input jack for you to connect devices that don’t have Bluetooth, like old-school MP3 players. It also has a USB port at the rear that is able to charge your smartphones or other devices. Unfortunately, it’s only an output port, so you won’t be able to play music from USB flash drives. In terms of usage, the Stockwell is pretty easy to use. All of its controls are located up top, and its volume, bass and treble buttons are actually retractable analog knobs, making it easier to fine tune both the volume and audio characteristics. There’s also a “Pair”, “Source” and “Phone” button, which are pretty self-explanatory. It’s also worth mentioning that the Stockwell has an integrated lithium-ion battery pack that would give you up to 25 hours of battery life. This allows you to use the Stockwell without the need to plug it in, making it a great speaker for small parties.

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PERFORMANCE The Stockwell is effectively the loudest speaker system in its class. For those who love more technical specifications, it has a frequency range of 50 to 20,000Hz and offers up to 27W of RMS. To test the Stockwell, we played a variety of music genres. In all the songs, the bass was natural and the mids and highs were excellent. However, it’s not recommended to push the Stockwell to its maximum volume, because the bass will distort. To counter this, you can reduce the bass, but this will result in the music sounding flatter.

CONCLUSION The Stockwell is a really impressive wireless speaker system. It sounds great, and looks just as great. Sadly, it is slightly pricey as well, with a price tag of RM1,599, it’s something not many will want to invest in. SPECIFICATION BATTERY: UP TO 25 HOURS I MAX OUTPUT: 27W RMS I FREQUENCY RANGE: 20KHZ I CONNECTIVITY: 1X 3.5MM INPUT, BLUETOOTH CONTACT ALCOM NETWORKS SDN BHD I 03 – 9286 2888

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REDEFINED ONKYO E700M

TOP-NOTCH HI-RES AUDIO PERFORMANCE.

Today, many are willing to spend a little more on audio products that are able to provide good audio quality. One such product is the Onkyo E700M.

DESIGN AND USAGE The E700M is a pair of in-ear earphones that supports Hi-Res audio. It comes with a unique-looking cable that makes it highly recognisable, even from a distance. Its housing is made out of aluminium, which minimizes unwanted vibrations, while giving it a sleek look. There’s also an in-line remote and microphone, to allow you to play and pause music easily, as well as answer calls without fumbling around for your phone. Bundled with the E700M are three pairs of differently-sized silicone caps, and one pair of Comply foam tips, making it comfortable to wear for almost anyone.

PERFORMANCE Featuring a semi-closed acoustic architecture, the E700M does leak a little, but it’s not loud enough to be a nuisance in a quiet environment. The 13.5mm drivers have been tuned very well, and they offer very good overall performance.

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We tested the E700M with some FLAC files, namely The Eagles’ Hotel California, and Miles Davis’ Someday My Prince Will Come. In Hotel California, the mids and highs were highly accurate, and the presence was incredible. Bass was slightly overwhelming, but this was easily overcome in the equaliser settings. As for Someday My Prince Will Come, the sound staging was excellent and the instruments, including those in the background, were clearly audible.

CONCLUSION The Onkyo E700M is not only fashionable, but offers plenty of audio performance as well. They sound great with all sort of music, though they excel with acoustic and vocals. The bass can be overwhelming, but if you have access to an equaliser, this won’t be an issue. SPECIFICATION DRIVER SIZE: 13.5MM I ACOUSTIC ARCHITECTURE: SEMI-CLOSED I FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 6HZ – 40KHZ I IMPEDANCE: 32OHMS I PRICE: RM649 CONTACT GIBSON INNOVATIONS MALAYSIA SDN BHD I WWW.GIBSONINNOVATIONS.COM

DIVING WITH

CONFIDENCE

SUUNTO EON STEEL

Diving is a very serious affair. There are many things to take into consideration during a dive, such as the amount of oxygen you have in your tank, your depth, and how much time you have left till oxygen runs out. If you’re focused on all these parameters, then you wouldn’t really be able to admire the beauty around you, would you? With the Suunto Eon Steel, this is easily solved.

FULLY CUSTOMISABLE Different divers prefer to monitor different parameters, and that’s why the Suunto Eon Steel can be customised to display the information that YOU need to see. It also comes with an intuitive interface, making it easy to interact with the device. The display is also incredibly bright and offers high contrast for clear visibility, regardless of the environment.

TOP-NOTCH DURABILITY The Suunto Eon Steel features a brushed stainless steel bezel and makes use of Xensation glass, a type of glass that’s extremely durable. Every Eon Steel is guaranteed to survive a dive up to 150m, as proven by real-world tests. Last but not least,

A&L ADVENTURE AND LEISURE No: 5-4, Jalan 14/22 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Tel: 603-7956 0908, 603-7954 6943 Fax: 603- 7956 8482 www.a-and-l.com

even its battery life is long – its battery is rated to last between 20 to 40 hours per dive with one charge.

FLEXIBLE At its core, the Suunto Eon Steel is a dive computer, and it can monitor plenty of parameters, including air, nitrox, and trimix. It also uses the Suunto Fused RGBM technology to maximise the amount of dive time you have. Most importantly, all these features can be easily updated in the future, via firmware updates.

GADGETS GALORE

Acer Switch Alpha 12

Acer Aspire F5

Acer Switch Alpha 12 Equipped with a 6th generation Intel Core processor, this 2-in1 device offers plenty of performance in either tablet or laptop mode. What’s great about the Switch Alpha 12 is that it makes use of Acer’s LiquidLoop cooling technology, which effectively cools the CPU without the need for fans. You’re getting silent and powerful performance, sans the noise.

Acer Aspire F5 SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick

Simple yet functional and powerful, the Aspire F5 is a great allrounder. It is equipped with either the NVIDIA GeForce 940MX or GeForce GTX 950M for great graphics performance, the latest 6th generation Intel Core processors, and offer storage in the form of a 1TB HDD and 128GB SSD.

SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick The SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick is best described as a portable NAS that has its own Wi-Fi hotspot. This storage device allows you to access its contents using a tablet, phone and of course computer. While connected wirelessly, it can even stream any stored movies and/or music to up to three connected devices simultaneously.

SanDisk Ultra USB Type-C Flash Drive

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With USB Type-C fast becoming the new standard for smartphones, PCs, and notebooks, flash drive manufacturer SanDisk is ready to meet the market demand with compatible storage solutions. The SanDisk Ultra USB Type-C Flash Drive is one such solution, offering read speeds up to 150MB/s and capacity up to 128GB.

GADGETS GALORE

Philips HTL7140B

JVC DLA-X9000

Philips HTL7140B This soundbar speaker system uses Philips latest Ambisound technology, which is able to deliver 5.1-channel sound from just one single soundbar. Other features include Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI 4K pass-through and Dolby Digital / DTS for enhanced sound quality.

JVC DLA-X9000 Aiyovi CC-01

Sometimes, even the largest of TVs just won’t cut it if you’re trying to create an authentic home cinema experience. This is where the JVC DLA-X9000 comes in. It’s a 4K projector that supports 3D and HDR content, has a maximum brightness of 1,900 lumens, and is even a display that has THX 3D display certification.

Aiyovi CC-01 The Aiyovi CC-01 is an in-car air purifier that doubles as a micro charger. This device helps to purify the air in your car by releasing negative ions that eliminate odours and kills most air contaminants. As for its micro-charging capabilities, it has two outputs, one with 1A, and the other 2A, so charging both smartphones and tablets, or smartphones with fast-charging capabilities isn’t an issue.

QQ Smartwatch

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The first smartwatch designed for children, the QQ Watch tells the time, and helps to keep your child/children safe. This device has a GPS system called U-BLOK, which is used by Ferrari to track their cars in case of theft. It also supports two-way communication.

SIBYL WORLD SDN BHD B-15-21, LOFT @ Zetapak, Setapak Central, Jalan Taman Ibu Kota, Danau Kota Setapak, 53300 Kuala Lumpur. T: 603 2713 6543 F: 603 9212 3383 enquiry@sibylworld.com

UNDER ONE ROOF

INDUSTRY EXPERT

PROPERTY ADVISOR Now is the best time to buy property, the price of property has somewhat stabilised, and they’ve become very reasonable. This is unlike a few years ago, when the price of property sky rocketed and owners were eager to get a high amount of profit from these assets. Now, many are looking to liquidise their assets for better cash flow.”

JACK HEH What is the property trend now? As mentioned, the market has somewhat stabilised, and many analysts believe that the prices won’t sky rocket in the near future, nor will it plunge down dramatically. Property prices is generally growing healthily at an estimated rate of four to five percent per annum. Landed property is in higher demand compared to high-rise units around the Klang Valley and Seremban, while in the city centre itself, a well-managed condominium is a more popular choice.

What is your advice when buying a piece of property? Location and infrastructure are two key things to take note of. You have to look for new developments that could come with better infrastructure in the future. These days, buyers look for places near to highways and LRT/MRT stations. If you’re looking for an affordable piece of property, there are options in areas like Kuala Selangor, Rawang, Kajang, and even Semenyih to consider.

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Are small units of property worth investing in? Yes, but this applies mostly for those in the KL city centre. There’s also the option to purchase property in the Mont Kiara and Bangsar area, where there are many expats. Buying a small unit that would appeal to an expat would be a wise choice.

Are there any tips about the market you can share with us? If you’re planning to invest, look for properties that meet a certain criteria. For residential properties, location, community and security are the important factors, followed by the condition of the house itself. For commercial property, location and accessibility are the primary factors. The location must be able to cater to the needs of the community nearby. The community spending activities in the commercial area will support property prices there and lift up the rental yield. Accessibility is equally important, as it helps to determine the amount of traffic going into the premises.

PROPERTY LISTING

HARBOUR CITY RESORT SUITES This project consists of 500 high-end sky-rise villas in Pulau Melaka, with 18 units specially designed to appeal to those who want to stand from the rest. These 18 units offer living space measuring from 470 square feet, to 2,200 square feet. Integrated to Harbour City, entertainment, shopping and leisure is just a few minutes away. Call to enquire for pricing. Hatten Group, Contact: 06-2821828

SUNWAY VELOCITY – V RESIDENCE SUITES

HARBOUR CITY RESORT SUITES

Located a stone’s throw from the KL city centre, Sunway Velocity is one of the most exciting developments in the area. The V Residence Suites are freehold suites that come with a three-tier security system and are available in one, one + one and two bedroom options. Naturally, there are plenty of facilities as well, like a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, gym and more. It’s also linked to two MRT stations, so transportation won’t be a problem. Priced at RM767,000 onwards. Sunway Property, Contact: 017-9640700

SUNWAY VELOCITY – V RESIDENCE SUITES

PAVILION SUITES

If you’ve made a name for yourself and enjoy lavishing yourself with nothing but the best, then you’ll likely find the Pavilion Suites to be a great home in the city. Located in the Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur City Centre, you’re right in the middle of it all. Each suite comes fully furnished, and there are four different suites available – two bedrooms (1,254 sq.ft.), one bedroom + one study (836 sq.ft.), one bedroom (747 sq.ft.) and one bedroom (718 sq.ft.). Call to enquire for pricing. 1Pavilion, Contact: 1 800 22 8088

AVENS RESIDENCE Part of Southville City, Avens Residence consists of freehold units in a gated and guarded location. There are two different types of homes to choose from – a two and a half storey link home, and a three storey link home. Both types of homes offer two master-suites, making them suitable for multi-generational living. When it comes to space, it ranges from 2,988 square feet to 3,438 square feet. Pricing starts from RM868,000. AVENS RESIDENCE

Mah Sing Group Berhad, Contact: 017-2738888 / 012-2351808 JUN-JUL 2016 | 2CENTS.MY |

AUTOMOTIVE

A Gathering of Several Thousand Horses Toyota Supra Owners’ Gathering

rare UK spec Supra

supra in line

OEM Supra spoiler

paul walker’s supra in fast & furious 1 & 7

top secret gold supra

ne of the most iconic sports cars in recent decades is none other the Toyota Supra. Produced from the year 1978 to 2002, the Supra owes much of its design to the Celica, but it’s both wider and longer. In terms of its engine, the first three generations of Supras used engine very similar to that used in the Toyota 2000GT. There are only four generations of Supras.

Supra generation

The most common Supra that we see on the roads today, is the fourth generation Supra, and is known as the A80. It was in production from 1993 to 2002 and initially featured two types of engines – a naturally aspirated Toyota 2JZ-GE that produces 220 hp and 280 Nm, as well as a twin turbo Toyota 2JZ-GTE, which produces 276 hp and 431 Nm of torque. If this car looks familiar, that’s because this was the car that was used by the late Paul Walker in the movie Fast and Furious. In September 1997, turbo engines 2JZ-VVT-I were introduced in Japan six-speed Getrag V161 transmission, which produced 280 hp and 460 Nm.

toyota supra jza-80 from malaysia

ast month, we had the chance to meet a group of A80 Supra owners in Malaysia, and spoke to them about Supra ownership in Malaysia. We were told that locally, there are approximately less than 60 known owners of this car. In the Klang Valley, there are a handful of owners who gather periodically to share their passion, trade tips and generally just have a fun time driving their cars.

cool looking supra

At the gathering, it was shared that all the Supras that were gathered there had at least 300 hp under the hood, and on average owners spend at least RM50,000 and above to maintain and modify their cars. The main issue however, is sourcing for parts for these cars. As mentioned, the A80 was only produced till 2002, which makes the newest A80 about 14 years old. Naturally, parts have to be sourced from overseas. Even though the upkeep is considerably high, the owners absolute love their cars because let’s face it, there aren’t that many Supras in Malaysia, so they’re a rare breed indeed. They’re also designed to reach speeds of 300km/h, making them a great alternative to owning super cars.

monster supra

AUTOMOTIVE

INDUSTRIAL EXPERT PROFESSIONAL CAR TUNER What is tuning? In every modern car, there’s something called the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which determines how the engine behaves. By default, the ECU is tuned to prolong the engine’s lifespan. We tune the ECU to burn a little leaner, to avoid fuel wastage and increase the horse power and torque of the car.

Can all cars be tuned, and what sort of cars do you mostly tune? Yes, all cars can be tuned. I mostly deal with Japanese Dosmetic Market (JDM) cars. It doesn’t matter if it’s naturally aspirated (NA), supercharged, or turbocharged.

Most cars are NA. How does tuning affect NA cars? NA cars won’t get huge power gains via tuning, but we usually can enhance the low-end torque, thus improving acceleration. Turbocharged cars are the ones who really get the most out of a tuning.

What are the different ways of tuning a car? There are several ways. We can re-flash the stock ECU, add on a piggyback ECU, or replace the ECU with an aftermarket one. The difference between these options is the desired end result. Those who desire more power will of course have to purchase an aftermarket ECU.

How are the improvements of a tuning session measured? We use a dyno machine. This machine shows us a chart that depicts the car’s torque and hp.

What are the risks of tuning a car? Tuning is actually a very safe affair. The owner and the tuner must communicate to agree on the expected results first. Once this is done, the tuner can work on the tuning. Of course, if the owner decides to blindly follow dyno results, there definitely will be a risk of engine failure.

torque up

Why would anyone want to tune their cars?

power up

The most obvious reason is to squeeze more power out of their cars. Also, tuning a car can also reduce fuel consumption.

Apart from tuning, what else can customers expect from Power House Racing? We also do regular car servicing, so we can change your car’s engine oil, and little repairs here and there. We also have a dyno machine here, for you to learn more about your car’s performance.

Power Racing House

Hon - 0163601236

15 years of automotive experience

FUZA BOUTIQUE 55, jalan cokmar 1, taman mutiara bukit raja, off jalan meru, 41050, klang, selangor. contact : BOONE(call) +60122530456 (whatsapp)+60179378668 in house car bodykit clearance extended until 30.9.16

FEATURE

HOW TO MAXIMISE YOUR RINGGIT WHILE TRAVELING TO KUALA LUMPUR’S

7 POCKET-FRIENDLY

WAYS TO KLIA2 If you, like me, take every opportunity to pack your bags whenever air fares go on promotion, then you would be familiar with the various transportation methods that takes you from Kuala Lumpur or anywhere in the Klang Valley to the KLIA2 low cost carrier airport. The advent of budget airlines has definitely brought upon a variety of airport transport, many of which are pocket-friendly to cater to middle-income travellers who value frequent and fuss-free services. So how do these new methods change the landscape of Malaysia’s public transport system? From Kuala Lumpur to KL Sentral, and throughout Klang Valley, we explore and break down seven ways to get to KLIA2.

BY JESSICA LIEW

travelandescape.ca

LOW-COST CARRIER TERMINAL.

globalairrail.com

Airport Express Rail (ERL) Duration: 39 minutes Who it’s for: Business people, commuting travelers, time-savers

klia2guide.blogspot.my

Direct coach Duration: Around one hour and 15 minutes Who it’s for: Students, backpackers, budget-conscious Taking the bus is a great way to save costs. You’ll find that buses are clean, air-conditioned, and extremely well-maintained. If you, like me, take every opportunity to pack your bags whenever air fares go on promotion, then you would be familiar with the various transportation methods that takes you to the KLIA2 low cost carrier airport. The advent of budget airlines has definitely brought upon a variety of airport transport, many of which are pocket-friendly to cater to middle-income travellers who value frequent and fuss-free services. We explore and break down seven ways to get to KLIA2. Busses depart from key locations throughout Kuala Lumpur and Selangor which are KL Sentral, Pudu Raya, 1Utama, Paradigm Mall and Klang Premiere Hotel. To adhere to budget, passengers are required to store their own luggage, so ensure your baggage is managable. Prices vary according to pick-up or drop-off location.

KL’s transport is good because of the direct, airport express train, as compared to Bangkok or Singapore which don’t have dedicated airport train lines”

The ERL is conveniently located in the central transportation hub of KL, so you’re easily connected no matter where you’re coming from, and if you’re within the areas Bandar Tasik Selatan, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, and Salak Tinggi, you simply need to catch the KLIA Transit trains that services both airports too! The trains are modern and comfortable with plush cushion seats, cleaned after every trip and even have toilets that certainly are an added bonus. Unfortunately, at a steep price of RM55 from KL Sentral, or RM38.40 one way from nearby Bandar Tasik Selatan, you might be better off traveling in a car should you be traveling in groups of two or more, which leads us to the next mode of transport.

kinibiz.com

hype.my

Cab companies Duration: Around 50 minutes (from Klang Valley) Who it’s for: Groups, business people, passengers with heavy luggage For those with money to spare or prize comfort and privacy over budget, taxis are the obvious option. Then there’s also the choice of budget or ‘limo’ taxis, depending on your comfort level or size requirement. There are of course some noteworthy disadvantages: Malaysian cabbies are notorious for marking up fares, especially during peak hours and for foreign passengers, so what could be a RM70 trip could get hiked up to nearly RM100! These cabbies may be registered, but airport trips are an opportunity to make a quick buck!

Uber Duration: Around 50 minutes (from Klang Valley) Who it’s for: Internet-savvy youngsters in groups, lone travellers, business people... anyone really digitalnewsasia.com

Although unregistered or ‘illegal’, Uber is preferred to cabs for many good reasons. Uber drivers are simply car owners who offer to drive people to their destination for a fee strictly calculated from RM0.65 per kilometer, which means no cheating or overcharging of passengers. Uber has become the smarter choice and conveniently booked through its mobile application. The company also thoroughly screens its drivers, who are also rated by passengers to uphold excellent customer service.

Gavin Young, 24 British JUN-JUL 2016 | 2CENTS.MY |

http://drivethenation.com/teach-your-teendriving-skills-and-responsibility

Grabcar

autofreaks.com

Duration: Around 50 minutes (from Klang Valley) Who it’s for: Internet-savvy youngsters in groups, single travellers, business people... anyone really

paultan.org

KLIA taxi limo Duration: Around 50 minutes (from Klang Valley) Who it’s for: Business travellers in groups, luxury-seekers, honeymooners This is for the traveller who couldn’t care less about comparing airport transfer fares, variety of airport-city connections or worrying whether their transport will be on time or not. The airport-dedicated taxi limo services incoming or outgoing passengers in the most comfortable, safest and efficient manner. Priding itself as the cheapest airport transfer rate of its kind in Peninsula Malaysia, the KLIA taxi limo services hotels, offices, Genting Highlands and residential areas. Another difference is that unlike metered-taxis, prices are fixed but available upon request or on its website. To make it more cost-effective though, travel with a buddy or two and split the bill, which will solve the woes of this transport method.

An offshoot of UBER, Grabcar shares similar characteristics in terms of its drivers, offerings and structure. In terms of pricing, fares are between RM65 to RM110, and start at RM1.30 per kilometer, making it much higher than UBER. Unlike UBER though, Grab started off with a cash payment option, making it the go-to option for non bank card holders. Besides being higher priced than UBER, Grabcar also shares the same disadvantages of being subject to violent taxi drivers.

Uber. No hassle of parking, petrol and toll. It’s affordable, comfortable and private without the additional cost - especially when traveling in a small group” Dr Arlena Philip Lee, 28 dentist

bankerinthesun.com

THE BUDGET GAME PLAN There are proactive ways to go about budget but comfortable airport transfers, with several other perks thrown in too. Let’s start with the private car - parking in KLIA is undoubtedly convenient, allowing you to get to the departure level in just a lift ride. However, parking fee here is the highest at RM46 a day - not the best option if you’re planning to travel for more than several days, but totally worth for a two-day parking. The second option requires a little more effort: Simply park at Sama Sama hotel just 2.8km away for a daily fee of RM30, then catch the airport shuttle bus that takes only two minutes one way. You could also go halfway by driving to Bandar Tasik Selatan, then board the bus for RM10 or pay RM38.40 for the ERL transit train to the airport Parking will only cost RM4. Last but not least, if you still insist on driving halfway, you could park at Putrajaya Sentral for RM5 then purchase the Airport Express Railway for just RM9.40. Consider your route and when you do choose the best one, you’ll be rewarding when you sit back in your seat and enjoying the view en route to the airport.

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Own private car Duration: Around 50 minutes (from Klang Valley) Who it’s for: Anyone who prefers the comfort and privacy of driving themselves It’s a battle of opinions when it comes to driving yourself to the airport. The pluses would be you get to chart your airport journey in comfort and utter privacy, without worrying about public transport delays, safety in a stranger’s car or inconvenience of traveling with big suitcases, children, and the elderly. The 50-minute-plus journey is a reasonable sacrifice for all these conveniences but on the other hand, the cost of petrol, tolls and worse, airport parking fees, can rake up a hefty bill. Even if you park outside of the airport, you’ll have to factor in the ERL transit fare that’s necessary to connect you to the airport! Although driving yourself is the ideal method, the same can’t be said for the price tag, unfortunately.

O R I G I N AT I N G F R O M J A PA N , Y U L U L U K A C O N S I S T S O F E S S E N T I A L O I L S M A D E F R O M N AT U R A L I N G R E D I E N T S T H AT H E L P T O R E PA I R A N D M A I N TA I N Y O U R H A I R A N D S C A L P. T H I S I S T R U LY N AT U R E â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S G I F T.

TRAVELOGUE

DISCOVERING

MALAYSIA

THROUGH ITS HOMESTAY PROGRAMMES

It’s easy to travel around Malaysia, but the best way to truly experience its diverse cultures and traditions, is to embark on a homestay journey. The Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia has a homestay programme for you to get to know Malaysia better by staying at homestays located around Malaysia. This month, we’re highlighting the Walai Tokou Homestay in Kundasang. For more information, visit www.go2homestay.com.

THE HILLS OF KUNDASANG Where: Ranau, Sabah Things of interest: Hiking, hot springs, fresh vegetables and fruits, Mt. Kinabalu

Kundasang makes for a great place to just relax, because you’re surrounded by mountains and plenty of greenery.”

Kundasang is a town that’s part of the Ranau district in Sabah. It’s roughly an hour’s drive from Kota Kinabalu, and is the best place to stay if you want to be close to Mount Kinabalu. Naturally, Kundasang is a mountainous district, and it experiences cool temperatures all year round. Thanks to this, Kundasang is famous for its shops that sell fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, there’s a market that’s open seven days a week! Located about 40 km to the northeast is Poring Hot Springs, where the hot sulphuric minerals can soothe your sores and aches. In addition to that, there is a butterfly farm nearby, as well as the Poring Orchid Conservation Centre, a tropical garden, and a Rafflesia flower site. In case you did not know, the Rafflesia has the largest single flower of any flowering plant. For those who would rather just sit back and soak in the atmosphere, Kundasang makes for a perfect place to just relax, because you’re surrounded by mountains and plenty of greenery.

THE WALAI TOKOU HOMESTAY

Located within Kundasang, the Walai Tokou homestay lets you easily visit the Kinabalu Park, which is a World Heritage Site and the starting point for climbing Mount Kinabalu. Visitors to the Walai Tokou homestay can opt for a two-days, one-night stay; or a three-days, two-nights stay there. During the stay, you can expect to experience activities like herbs processing, traditional dance performances, and of course, some traditional food. The 2D 1N stay is priced from RM120.00 per person, while the 3D IT’s back to basics in kundasang, which is great for those who 2N stay is priced from want to get away from it all. RM250.00 per person. Accommodation will be Michelle Ng, 38 Property Specialist at a foster family’s home. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is included.

”

JUN-JUL 2016 | 2CENTS.MY |

BY JESSICA LIEW

PHOTOS DEBBIE ENG, JESSICA LIEW

DROOLWORTHY

THERE’S NO BETTER TIME THAN RAYA TO BAKE SOME SIGNATURE

DROOLICIOUS

FESTIVE COOKIES THAT MAKE SWEET AND SINCERE FESTIVE GIFTS.

BAKES

T he Raya season, can be summed up in three words: family, festivities and feasting. Malaysians are one lot who eat to live, and love celebrating special occasions with an abundance of food and fellowship. During Raya, Muslims host open house parties serving a lavish spread of Malay delicacies that can be enjoyed throughout the day. One key highlight of these delicacies would undoubtedly be the baked Raya goodies; cookies and sweets that make an appearance once a year. Among the many food choices during Raya, the best loved Raya cookies would probably be pineapple tarts, cornflake cookies, butter, chocolate chip cookies, custard cookies, kuih bahalu and peanut cookies.

One thing you can’t deny though would be that the best Raya cookies are often the ones made with love, or made at home. For this reason, many Muslim families go on a baking spree, baking Raya cookies as gifts or to stock up as open house nibbles. Some families even have heirloom recipes passed down in the family. Regardless of whether you’ve been veteran baker or a newbie, baking is part and parcel of celebrating the Raya season and it’s highly recommended that you try it at least once. Here are two simple recipes of ‘droolicious’ Raya cookies to try your hand on!

HOMEMADE RECIPES CORNFLAKE COOKIES By Christine Leong, food blogger of Vermillion Roots

A writer by profession and a food enthusiast by passion. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Christine loves making Malaysian recipes using local, seasonal ingredients. She calls kuih bangkit her favourite festive cookie of all time, and her pantry staples include Malaysian ingredients like soy sauce, palm sugar and five-spice powder. She writes about her food adventures on VermilionRoots.com. “I love how easy and quick it is to make cornflake cookies. I’m a fan of breakfast and always stock up on cereals, which means I can make this anytime. Even for breakfast! The great thing about this recipe is you can use your favourite cereal flakes, nuts and dried fruit. Just make sure they are not too chunky so all the ingredients stay together in a cluster.” A twist on the popular festive cookie, this recipe includes almond flakes and raisins, and uses coconut oil and maple syrup instead of butter and honey to make them vegan. Yields about 2 dozen mini cups.

INGREDIENTS 150g margarine 80g icing sugar 50g cornflour 80g custard powder 120g plain flour 1 egg yolk Glazed cherries, chopped finely METHOD 1. Pre-heat oven to 150° C. 2. Dry fry cornflour, plain flour and custard powder in a wok over low fire. When it’s light and doesn’t stick to the sides of wok, leave aside to cool. 3. Beat margarine and sugar till creamy. 4. Add egg yolk and mix thoroughly. 5. Add flour and fold in till well combined. 6. Attach a star-shaped nozzle to a piping tube and press out your cookies. It should make about 70 cookies. 7. Top with chopped cherries, press down firmly. 8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden, checking halfway through to prevent from burning.

INGREDIENTS 2 heaping cups cornflakes 1/2 cup almond flakes 1/4 cup small raisins 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 2 tablespoons maple syrup METHOD 1. Preheat oven to 150° C. 2. In a large bowl, mix cornflakes, almond flakes and dried raisins. 3. In a small bowl, stir melted coconut oil and maple syrup together until combined. You may heat it up slightly in the microwave to help with the mixing. 4. Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and toss until the dry ingredients are fully coated. 5. Quickly divide and scoop mixture into mini baking cups, place them on a baking pan, and bake for 10 minutes. 6. Allow to cool completely before serving.

KUIH SEMPERIT By Shantila Lee, homebaker

The professional beauty editor and weekend baking queen cites her mum and YouTuber chef Cupcake Jemma as her baking inspirations. She calls Chinese peanut cookies her absolute festive favourite cookie because of its irresistible melt-in-your mouth texture. Come Christmas, Shantila will be baking up a storm making seasonal classics like fruit cake, mince pies, sticky date pudding and Jamaican ginger cake. “Bake often and religiously - it’s the only way you’ll learn. Invest in the right tools and equipment, be very anal about specifics and look for mentors like YouTubers or other chefs.” Kuih Semperit, also known as dahlia custard cookies, is a signature Raya tidbit that’s filled with comforting, flavours and nostalgia. Families bond over making this flower-shaped cookie dotted with a red cherry middle that’s loved for its creamy goodness.

JUN-JUL 2016 | 2CENTS.MY |

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O C O B ER

2016

SOMETHING BIG IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN!

SPOTIFY

A Family Affair Spotify Premium for Family Spotify is definitely one of the more recognized music streaming services available in the market today. While it can be enjoyed for free, there are annoying advertisements that come up ever so often, so if you’re not one for ads, then you’ll want to subscribe to Spotify’s Premium service, which not only takes away the ads, lets you stream higher quality music. The problem? It costs RM14.90 per month. Here’s the good news – there’s now the Spotify Premium for Family plan, which costs RM22.40. While the total sum is more expensive than a single Premium subscription, this plan will actually save you more money if you manage to fill up all the slots in your family subscription. There are an additional five slots – six, if you include yourself – to fill. Divide the total amount by six, and everyone pays about RM3.80 for a Premium account! Yes, all the individuals in your family list will get to enjoy unlimited high quality music streaming, with no ads! Even better is the fact that they’ll be able to enjoy their favourite music offline. That’s right, Premium subscribers can make their favourite songs available offline, so that the music doesn’t stop, even if the Internet connection does. To subscribe to the Premium for Family plan, just subscribe to the service via Spotify’s official website (www.spotify.com/my). Once that is done, fill up the remaining slots with friends or family, and you’re done!

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NOW Showing July - August 2016

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Classification: P13 Release Date: July 6, 2016 Once again, return to Wonderland with Alice, as she meets new characters and faces new challenges. Johnny Depp reprises his role as the Mad Hatter, while Sacha Baron Cohen plays Time, one of the new characters introduced in this movie.

The BFG

Classification: P13 Release Date: July 21, 2016 In this movie, a young orphaned girl named Sophie meets a giant whom she calls the BFG (Big Friendly Giant). As their friendship grows, they embark on an adventure to save the human world by stopping other less friendly and mostly evil giants.

Ghostbusters

Classification: P13 Release Date: July 14, 2016 The highly-acclaimed Ghostbusters franchise is being rebooted with this movie. In this re-imagining, an all-female cast takes the lead to fight an invasion of supernatural entities that have invaded Manhattan city.

Jason Bourne

Classification: NA Release Date: July 28, 2016 If you’re into action and espionage movies, one of the better-received franchise in recent years has been the Jason Bourne series. In this latest film, Matt Damon reprises his role as Jason Bourne, and once again gets mixed up with an agency that’s hell-bent on silencing him for good.

Kubo and the Two Strings

Classification: NA Release Date: August 25, 2016 Japan is a land that’s filled with myth and legends. This story follows the adventures of Kubo, as he goes in search for a magical suit of armour that his father once wore to battle evil. To do so, Kubo must gain allies and use powerful magic!

Star Trek Beyond

Classification: NA Release Date: July 21, 2016 Captain Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise and his crew return in this third movie, and as they explore some uncharted corners of space, they encounter an enemy that puts the entire Federation in danger. Will the crew survive this encounter? Find out when the movie comes out July 21!

ON GOINGS

MFR Capital Announces Strategic Partnership with Hatten GrouP • MFR Capital, an established investment and asset management company that have strong ties in the real estate and financial sector, announced a strategic partnership with the Hatten Group. The partnership would see more investment opportunities presented as MFR Capital seeks to expand their portfolio into more diverse areas. • This partnership signals MFR Capital’s continuous strive for excellence in investment quality and maintaining their expertise in the real estate market. Starting with Hatten’s latest project, Harbour City, which is located in Malacca, MFR Capital believes the city of heritage still has enormous potential left. • MFR Capital has also recently invested US$500,000 into a revolutionary real estate crowdfunding platform - Ezifund. The platform have since crowdfunded US$3 million for projects like The Surawong, The Venice, Holiday Inn Express and more. • Currently, global investments include the mining of Cubecoin and renting of rigs to service other Cubecoin miners with teams of experts and technical staff hailing from all over the world such as Australia, Finland, Singapore, United States, and Hong Kong.

Mercedes Benz C300 Coupe Preview Night • Earlier in May, Cycle and Carriage hosted a special preview night for invited guests to get an exclusive preview of the Mercedes Benz C300 Coupe. Held on May 27, 2016 at Hap Seng Star KL showroom, the event was indeed a night to remember. • The all-new Mercedes-Benz C300 Coupe is the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz Dream Cars Collection in Malaysia. Available in three variants – C200 Coupe, C250 Coupe and C300 Coupe – with prices ranging from RM308,888 to RM388,888 (excluding insurance), the C-Class coupe is the sportiest variant of the model line.

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Acer Updates its Product Lineup for 2016 • 2016 is set to be an exciting year for Acer, because they’ve updated their product lineup with several exciting producs, including the Switch Alpha 12, the industry’s first fanless 2-in-1 device to use 6th generation Intel Core processors. • The Switch Alpha 12 uses the Acer LiquidLoop technology, which is a liquid cooling system that allows the device to be cooled without any fans. In addition, the battery is rated to last for eight hours, giving you productivity, all day long. • Apart from the Switch Alpha 12, Acer also launched the Aspire S 13 – one of the thinnest Ultrabooks available in the market today. The S 13 is powered by 6th generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, has a Full HD display, MU-MIMO Wi-Fi technology and a USB 3.1 Type-C. • Last but not least, the Aspire R, E and F series were also updated, giving customers the freedom to choose what they need.

QQ Watch is a Smart Watch for Your Kids * The QQ Watch is the world’s first smart watch that’s designed for your kids. It was officially launched in Malaysia a few months ago, and is now available for purchase. It is available in three different colours – yellow, blue and pink, and features an OLED screen that offers a resolution of 128 x 128. * Among the features of this smart watch include an integrated Wi-Fi chip, a U-BLOK GPS system, which is used by Ferrari to track their vehicles, and a Local-based system that eliminates the problem of lost connections. * One of the more impressive features that this phone has, is a two-way communication system that lets you save up to 16 numbers. The QQ watch can also be used with the QQWatch app, which allows you to chat with your children easily.

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ON GOINGS

Honda Launches 10th Generation Civic • Honda Malaysia made waves in the local automotive industry early last month, particularly for the C-segment category, with the official launch of the highly anticipated 10th generation Civic. • In developing the all-new Civic, which represents one of the most comprehensive and ambitious new-model developments ever undertaken by Honda, the Company’s engineers set out to benchmark the Civic not only against the C-segment vehicles, but also European premium compact vehicles. As a result of these efforts, Honda is able to offer a Civic that will be the game-changer in the C-segment in terms of design, dynamic performance, fuel-efficiency, spaciousness, interior quality and safety features – all in a very attractive price package. • The All-New Civic is available in five colours, Dark Ruby Red Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, and two brand new colours, Lunar Silver Metallic and White Orchid Pearl. • The All-New Civic 1.5L VTEC Turbocharged variant is equipped with a smart monitoring system, giving peace of mind in maintaining the efficiency of the engine performance. This feature will indicate the timing of oil change and notify customers with an indication lamp on the speedometer on their service status. • The monthly sales target of the All-New Civic is 1,200 units and the prices of the 3 variants are: RM113,800 for 1.8S (On-the-road with insurance), RM127,800 for 1.5 Turbocharged (On-the-road with insurance), RM135,800 for 1.5 Turbocharged Premium (Onthe-road with insurance).

Lenovo TechWorld 2016 • During the recently held Lenovo TechWorld 2016, the company announced the PHAB2 Pro, the world’s first Tango-enabled smartphone to enable augmented reality experiences – plus the dual-camera PHAB2 Plus and full-sized PHAB2 smartphones. Powered by Tango technology – a set of sensors and software from Google that senses and maps its surroundings to make augmented reality (AR) experiences possible. • Apart from that, a new Motorola Moto Z family was introduced. The new Moto Z family is a combination of the new Moto Z – the world’s thinnest premium smartphone made from military aircraft-grade aluminium and stainless steel, and Moto Mods – the next era of mobile technology.

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Samsung Launches its 2016 SUHD TV Series • Early in June, Samsung Malaysia Electronics held an event in KL to officially introduce the latest series of SUHD TVs here in Malaysia. What’s new with these SUHD TVs is that they feature Quantum dot technology for better image quality. • Just what is Quantum dot technology? It’s basically the technology to offer true-to-life picture quality, as well as provide a completely immersive, cinematic experience at home. A display that’s equipped with Quantum dot technology is able to express 64 times more delicate colour expressions than conventional TVs, which in turn lets you see various shades of colours that cannot be seen on conventional TVs. • Also exciting is the fact that all Samsung SUHD TVs will support High Dynamic Range (HDR) content, with the industry’s maximum 1,000 nit HDR. What’s more, these SUHD TVs feature the 360-degree design language by Samsung, which means that they have absolutely no bezels! • Last but not least, the Samsung Smart Hub has been updated. Powered by Tizen OS, you can quickly and easily navigate through a myriad of content, including broadcasts, internet video services, and even video games.

SanDisk Upgrades its lineup of Mobile Storage Solutions • The one thing that plagues many smartphone users today is the lack of internal storage space and the ability to easily transfer files from one device to another. Those days are over, thanks to SanDisk’s new range of Mobile Memory Solutions (MMS). • Recently updated, the range consists of the redesigned iXpand flash drive, Connect Wireless Stick, Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-II card, Ultra Dual USB Drive 3.0, and Ultra USB Type-C flash drive. Naturally, all these products come with different capacities. • Of interest is the new 200GB SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick, a storage device that comes with its own Wi-Fi hotspot. When connected to this drive, you will be able to access the contents stored on this drive, as well as stream movies and music! A good way to describe this device is as a portable NAS.

JUN-JUL 2016 | 2CENTS.MY |

TOP PICKS 01

Spirit West Women’s Essential Vest One of the most important things to have in a country with freezing temperatures, is a vest that keeps you warm. The Spirit West Women’s Essential Vest is one such item. It features Ramtect Compression insulation technology and uses 30 uncoated denier calendered ripstop nylon. It’s also windproof and water-resistant.

outdoorspiritgroup.com

Aiyovi BT-05 The Aiyovi BT-05 is both a powerful power bank that comes with a 13,000mAh battery, as well as a Bluetooth headset system. As a power bank, it has a 3A output and has touch functionality. As a Bluetooth headset, it uses Bluetooth 4.0 technology for low-powered functionality and stable wireless performance.

aiyovi.com/technology

CHAMPION WRISTBAND A great and unique way to showcase your accomplishments is with a Champion Wrist Band. These bands can be customised with images, words and logos, so you can better explain your achievement(s). Best of all, they can be easily carried around!

nilaicrystal.com

JVC Bluetooth Elation XX (HA-SBT200x) These Bluetooth headphones offer plenty of explosive bass, as well as clear and crisp audio. The bass comes courtesy of a dual magnet design and unique ‘X-Damper’. There’s also an integrated microphone and remote control for more control over your music and calls.

jvc.net

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beyerdynamic Custom Street Listen to different types of music and for different types of purpose with the beyerdynamic Custom Street. It features the same Custom Sound Slider, which was featured on the Custom One Pro, for you to customize the characteristics of the bass. It also has a swappable cable and its design can be customied.

europe.beyerdynamic.com