2CENTS MAGAZINE MAR - APR 2021 by 2CENTS MAGAZINE

2cents.my 2cents.my 2cents.my 2cents_my

ISSUE 28 MAR-APR 21

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#ICYMI: The 78th Golden Globe Awards 2021’s winners & nominees

From t-shirts to tote bags, IKEA will be launching its first-ever merchandising collection in M’sia

- The new Hada Labo Hydrating Cream is the secret to smooth and moist skin - The secret to a brighter and more flawless skin

5 monitors that can level up your gaming experience

Enjoy the peace and serenity at these 5 relaxing hidden gems

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- From chicken jerky to salmon patties: Treats Pawpin is the answer to living a healthy lifestyle — for your furkids - What’s it like being in quarantine with Ismail Izzani - Get to know these incredible Malaysian women who have made a difference in the lives of others

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5 monitors that can level up your gaming experience

- Our resident spicy eater tried to challenge herself with these popular spicy creations

HEALTH Feeling nauseous? Try eating these foods to help relieve the symptoms

Interview: Alfie Templeman talks latest single ‘Shady’, having over 500+ songs to release, and more

WORK & MONEY Support local brands by shopping on Poptron

NEWTRENDS - DJ Snake is now PUMA’s brand ambassador for the new Mirage Sneaker franchise - Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill to open at Sunway Resort in June 2021 - K-pop sensation, Blackpink are now Pepsi’s newest brand ambassador - OldTown White Coffee plans to open new outlets in Sabah and Sarawak

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM

2C ENTS FAMILY

Dear readers, Welcome back to another issue! It’s terrifying to think that we’re already in the third month of 2021 as I sit here, ticking off the days on my digital calendar. Didn’t we just turn the page to a new year? No doubt, it has been a difficult time for all of us. But I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has given us kindness and support throughout this whole time. Plus on a much brighter note, since we are in March — ladies, it’s the month where we get to celebrate International Women’s Day. With that said, we at 2CENTS would like to wish all of you lovely, powerful, and intelligent women out there, Happy International Women’s Day! Let us continue to strive to be the best versions of ourselves, and here’s to a happier year. In accordance with International Women’s Day, we have a story on p.60 about five incredible Malaysian women who have made — and continue to make — a difference in the lives of others. We also featured a small local business that makes healthy pet treats for both dogs and cats which is run by a 25-year-old out of love for her dog. It’s exciting to see how people can transform their inspiration into a reality, which is everyone’s ultimate dream. It’s exciting to see another young entrepreneur on the rise. It is also nice to be able to witness the growth of another young entrepreneur in the industry. Love and peace to all and do stay safe.

JACCQUELN LEE

NICHOLAS NG

jacc@ brandzoom360.com

nicholas@ brandzoom360.com

MARKETING DIRECTOR

VINCENT KEK

SALES DIRECTOR

LUCAS CHUA

MARKETING MANAGER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

vincent@ brandzoom360.com

lucas@ brandzoom360.com

NIKI SIK

JERRY

ADVERTISING SPECIALIST

MARKETING EXECUTIVE

niki@ brandzoom360.com

jerry@ brandzoom360.com

Sincerely,

Grace Sundram SENIOR WRITER PUBLISHED BY : BRANDZOOM360SOLUTION 18 Jalan SS1/6, 47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

GRACE SUNDRAM

ANSON GOH

SENIOR WRITER

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

grace@ brandzoom360.com

anson@ brandzoom360.com

The 78TH GOLDEN GLOBE Awards 2021’s winners & nominees The prestigious award show that we all have been waiting for has finally happened and for the first time in history, it was presented virtually in a livestream. All of the nominees were tuned in to the show safely from their own homes but of course, attending the show glamourously by serving diva-licious looks. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted the virtual ceremony from the Rainbow Room in New York City and The Beverly Hilton in California, respectively. With that in mind, if you have missed out on the 78th Golden Globe Awards 2021, here’s a quick recap of each winner and nominees from each category.

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Best Motion Picture – Drama

WINNER: “Nomadland” “The Father” “Mank” “Promising Young Woman” “The Trial of the Chicago 7”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy

WINNER: “Schitt’s Creek” “Emily in Paris” “The Flight Attendant” “The Great” “Ted Lasso”

WINNER: Josh O’Connor, “The Crown” Jason Bateman, “Ozark” Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul” Al Pacino, “Hunters” Matthew Rhys, “Perry Mason”

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Best Performance by an Actress, Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

WINNER: Anya Taylor-Joy, “The Queen’s Gambit“ Cate Blanchett, “Mrs. America” Daisy Edgar-Jones, “Normal People” Shira Haas, “Unorthodox” Nicole Kidman, “The Undoing”

Best Director, Motion Picture WINNER: Chloe Zhao, “Nomadland” Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman” David Fincher, “Mank” Regina King, “One Night in Miami” Aaron Sorkin, “The Trial of the Chicago 7”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

WINNER: Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal” Anthony Hopkins, “The Father” Gary Oldman, “Mank” Tahar Rahim, “The Mauritanian”

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WINNER: Rosamund Pike, “I Care a Lot” Maria Bakalova, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” Kate Hudson, “Music” Michelle Pfeiffer, “French Exit” Anya Taylor-Joy, “Emma”

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Best Television Series – Drama WINNER: “The Crown” “Lovecraft Country” “The Mandalorian” “Ozark” “Ratched”

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Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy WINNER: Sacha Baron Cohen, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” James Corden, “The Prom” Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Hamilton” Dev Patel, “Personal History of David Copperfield” Andy Samberg, “Palm Springs”

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Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

WINNER: Emma Corrin, “The Crown” Olivia Colman, “The Crown” Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve” Laura Linney, “Ozark” Sarah Paulson, “Ratched”

WINNER: Andra Day, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday” Viola Davis, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” Vanessa Kirby, “Pieces of a Woman” Frances McDormand, “Nomadland” Carey Mulligan, “Promising Young Woman”

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Best Performance by an Actor, Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television WINNER: Mark Ruffalo, “I Know This Much Is True” Bryan Cranston, “Your Honor” Jeff Daniels, “The Comey Rule” Hugh Grant, “The Undoing” Ethan Hawke, “The Good Lord Bird” Jane Levy, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”

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13 14 15 16 Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture

WINNER: Daniel Kaluuya, “Judas and the Black Messiah” Sacha Baron Cohen, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” Jared Leto, “The Little Things” Bill Murray, “On the Rocks” Leslie Odom Jr., “One Night in Miami”

Best Actress in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy

Best Original Score –Motion Picture

WINNER: “Soul” “Mank” “The Midnight Sky” “News of the World” “Tenet”

WINNER: Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek” Lily Collins, “Emily in Paris” Kaley Cuoco, “The Flight Attendant” Elle Fanning, “The Great” Jane Levy, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”

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Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television WINNER: “The Queen’s Gambit” “Normal People” “Small Axe” “The Undoing” “Unorthodox”

17 18 19 20 Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy WINNER: “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” “Hamilton” “Music” “Palm Springs” “The Prom”

Best Actor in a TV Series – Musical or Comedy

Best Supporting Actress – Television

WINNER: Gillian Anderson, “The Crown” Helena Bonham Carter, “The Crown” Julia Garner, “Ozark” Annie Murphy, “Schitt’s Creek” Cynthia Nixon, “Ratched”

WINNER: Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso” Don Cheadle, “Black Monday” Nicholas Hoult, “The Great” Eugene Levy, “Schitt’s Creek” Ramy Youssef, “Ramy”

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Best Original Song – Motion Picture

WINNER: “Io Sì (Seen)” from “The Life Ahead” “Fight for You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah” “Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7” “Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami” “Tigress & Tweed” from “The United States vs. Billie Holliday”

Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture WINNER: Jodie Foster, “The Mauritanian” Glenn Close, “Hillbilly Elegy” Olivia Colman, “The Father” Amanda Seyfried, “Mank” Helena Zengel, “News of the World”

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Best Screenplay – Motion Picture WINNER: “Minari” “Another Round” “La Llorona” “The Life Ahead” “Two of Us”

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Best Motion Picture – Foreign Language

WINNER: Aaron Sorkin, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman” Jack Fincher, “Mank” Florian Zeller and Christopher Hampton, “The Father” Chloe Zhao, “Nomadland”

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Best Motion Picture – Animated

WINNER: “Soul” “The Croods: A New Age” “Onward” “Over the Moon” “Wolfwalkers”

GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

best-dressed celebrities

The ceremony was held via a virtual livestream but that doesn't stop these A-list stars to dress up for the occasion in their most diva-licious outfits.

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Elle Fanning Cynthia Erivo Angela Bassett Kate Hudson Gal Gadot Amanda Seyfried Anya Taylor-Joy Margot Robbie Regina King Lily Collins Viola Davis Kaley Cuoco Rosamund Pike Satchel and Jackson Lee Joaquin Phoenix Kevin Bacon Justin Theroux Laura Dern Amy Poehler Tina Fey Nicole Kidman Salma Hayek Gillian Anderson Jared Leto

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FASHION

FROM T-SHIRTS TO TOTE BAGS, IKEA WILL BE LAUNCHING ITS FIRSTEVER MERCHANDISING COLLECTION IN M'SIA Pictures by IKEA MALAYSIA

First, IKEA introduced us to amazing food and furniture and now — apparels? Woohoo. The EFTERTRÄDA collection features t-shirts to hoodies, bath towels to tote bags and water bottles is the first-ever merchandising collection from IKEA. Inspired by their signature minimalistic style, the limited merchandising collection is certainly catered for all. Each of these products would have the IKEA logo stamped on to full-on represent the brand.

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FASHION

Malaysians can now show off their IKEA purchases by making it a fashion statement no matter where they are. Go for IKEA's stylish t-shirt during the sunny day unless the weather seems to be a little gloomy, make sure to grab the hoodie instead. These pieces are all made from 100% cotton and will give such an effortless look.

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FASHION

Then there’s the indoor stylish comfort featuring IKEA’s soft and absorbent bath towels. If your home is already furnished with the best IKEA furniture, then why don’t make the little pieces count as well. Towels are an essential item for everybody and the ones from this collection will indeed add some personal style to your bathroom.

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FASHION

Aside from that, saving the earth can not be more stylish than using the EFTERTRÄDA tote bag. Featuring inner pockets that would make your life easier when you're trying to search for small things. On top of that, the bag doesn't have to be used just for grocery. You can pair it up with any of your going outlooks and it will just level up your #OOTD game. Apart from the bag, the collection also comes with a handy water bottle that is available in two colours — white and yellow. This screw lid bottle can be filled with water, a refreshing smoothie, freshly squeezed juice and even a favourite drink to get you through the hot Malaysian weather.

Treat yourself with EFTERTRÄDA X IKEA Food Special You can even dine in style as IKEA will also be launching a new menu item, Laksa Lobster Spaghetti. It is available at the IKEA Restaurant for a limited time only, from 4 March until 30 March 2021. This new menu item will also be available for takeaway and delivery via Bungkusit and GoGet.

Limited collection giveaway for IKEA Family members The first 800 IKEA Family members will get to redeem one (1) iconic barcode design face mask and one (1) tattoo sticker with purchase of any EFTERTRÄDA range*. Redemption starts in-store on 4 March 2021 (10 AM), for the first 800 IKEA Family members (per store). The EFTERTRÄDA limited collection* for adults, including the water bottle and bag will be available at all IKEA Malaysia stores beginning 4 March 2021, to be followed by IKEA.my/EFTERTRADA from 11 March 2021. As for the kids' range of the EFTERTRÄDA collection, it will be coming soon to Malaysia! Details on the availability will be shared on IKEA.my. For in-store and online purchases, the collection is limited to 2-pieces per article, per customer.

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women_s health

THE SECRET TO A BRIGHTER AND MORE FLAWLESS SKIN

There are a lot of skincare products out there that might work to help brighten up your complexion and get rid of those fine lines. However, with vitamin C, this powerful antioxidant is already naturally existing in fruits as well as vegetables that fight free radicals and more. It is able to protect the skin against environmental stressors, diminish the appearance of wrinkles, evens out skin tone as well as lighten pimple marks. With Melano CC, not only is it suitable for all forms of skin, but you will get the perfect-looking skin in time. In case you didn’t know, the company has its own line of skincare products, so if you have yet to begin on a skincare regimen, Melano CC is the solution. Cleanse First things first, you would need to wash your face with the Melano CC Enzyme Mousse Foaming Wash that contains both vitamin C and E derivatives. It works to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out for bright and supple skin. Apart from that, it also has lemon and grapefruit extracts that can moisturise deeply for smooth skin. Tone Next step is to prime your skin with the Melano CC Brightening Lotion. Easy to be absorbed into the skin, the lotion will work wonders as it is able to control the production of melanin as well as to fade dark spots and acne scars. Containing Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate and Alpinia White, you can certainly see the visible difference as it’s said to reduce redness and irritation of the skin.

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BEAUTY

Treat The Melano CC Essence also has vitamin E in it so it could help improve blood circulation. On top of that, it works the same as the others like keeping the skin hydrated, brightening the complexion and so on. Note: It is used exactly like a serum. Moisturise With Deep Penetration Technology, the Melano CC Brightening Gel is able to sit well on the skin without making your makeup look cakey. Key ingredients such as Alpinia Seed Extract, Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract and Lemon Extract, the moisturiser can help give you much softer and suppler skin. What’s great about it is its lightweight texture despite being called a ‘gel’ which is quite surprising in a good way. Pamper On days that you would like to skip on moisturising, you can switch it up with the Melano CC Brightening Mask instead. It is a great way to help revitalise your skin and replenishing moisture especially after a long day under the sun. If you’re someone who has stubborn marks after spots that are difficult to get rid off, the mask will certainly do its job. With all that said and done, you should follow the routine for at least a month plus if you are planning to observe the differences. All of these Melano CC products are available for purchase at all major pharmacies nationwide.

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BEAUTY

The new Hada Labo,

HYDRATING CREAM is the secret tosmooth and moist skin Pictures by We Love Hada Labo, Hada Labo There are many types of moisturizing creams in the market, but do you really know how to choose the right cream for you? Hada Labo has a variety of different series of creams with different textures, suitable for all kinds of skins, and they are all free of preservatives, fragrances, and mineral oils. If you feel like your skin is super dehydrated, we reckon you to check out the new Hada Labo Hydrating Cream. It is packed with 4 types of hyaluronic acid and rice bran oil to provide you with a glowy, hydrated and bouncy skin that you deserve. The new and improved formula for the whole Hydrating Cream range is now infused with flower extracts and botanical oils and can keep the deeper layers of skin hydrated. With three variants, find your hydrating match. The Hydrating Cream is suitable for normal and dry skin, the Hydrating Light Cream is made for normal and combination skin whereas the Hydrating Snow Dew can be used for those with oily and combination skin. These moisturizers promise to satisfy your thirsty skin. Not only is it rich in all things good for your skin, but it is also light in texture, making sure it doesn’t make your skin feel heavy even after application. You can now get these Hydrating Cream range at all major pharmacies for only RM73.20.

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BEAUTY

There are many types of moisturizing creams in the market, but do you really know how to choose the right cream for you? Hada Labo has a variety of different series of creams with different textures, suitable for all kinds of skins, and they are all free of preservatives, fragrances, and mineral oils. If you feel like your skin is super dehydrated, we reckon you to check out the new Hada Labo Hydrating Cream. It is packed with 4 types of hyaluronic acid and rice bran oil to provide you with a glowy, hydrated and bouncy skin that you deserve. The new and improved formula for the whole Hydrating Cream range is now infused with flower extracts and botanical oils and can keep the deeper layers of skin hydrated. With three variants, find your hydrating match. The Hydrating Cream is suitable for normal and dry skin, the Hydrating Light Cream is made for normal and combination skin whereas the Hydrating Snow Dew can be used for those with oily and combination skin.

These moisturizers promise to satisfy your thirsty skin. Not only is it rich in all things good for your skin, but it is also light in texture, making sure it doesn’t make your skin feel heavy even after application. You can now get these Hydrating Cream range at all major pharmacies for only RM73.20.

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5 GAMING MONITORS THAT CAN

LEVEL UP YOUR GAMING EXPERIENCE Stepping into the new year doesn’t seem as exciting as it used to be. Plus working from home no longer seems “new” to us and that’s quite a bore. Now that you can’t really go out anywhere, maybe you’ve actually taken up gaming as a new hobby or fallen back into old habits, and now you just can’t stop. Well, the only way to make your gaming experience the best of the best is to have a decent monitor that is suitable to be used for both work and games. Mostly games, but yes, whatever. Here are 5 monitors (that can also be used for work) that we think you should get in order to up your gaming experience.

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ASUS ROG SWIFT PG27UQ It is slightly smaller than the VX76 however these 27-inch IPS display with quantum-dot technology comes with NVIDIA G-SYNC™ HDR technology, ASUS Aura Sync as well as the new ROG Light Signal on the back of the monitor. Perfect for gaming at night and working during the day. The ROG Swift PG27UQ is the very first monitor to run 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) content at a 144Hz refresh rate, providing gamers with detailed ultra-high definition visuals at extremely smooth frame rates and a 4ms response time.

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VIEWSONIC VX2718-PC-MHD Featuring a blue-light filter and flicker-free technology, users won’t have to worry about straining their eyes anymore. ViewSonic’s 27-inch monitor has a 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time to help elevate your visual gaming experience. That said, it also comes with a 1500R screen curvature and 1080p resolution.

Jura Greyling

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BENQ XL2546K BENQ recently announced the new XL-K generation models which the XL2546K turns out to be one of it. This monitor enhances the player’s comfort during gaming with its refresh rate of 240Hz and 0.5ms grey to grey response time. To make things more exciting, the 24-inch monitor comes with the DyAc+ technology, Black eQualizer, Color Vibrance and all the other popular features from BenQ ZOWIE.

Rtings

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Acer Predator X34 Just like its name, the Predator’s 34-inch ambient-lit curved display comes with two silver-hued aluminium arms extended from the base of the monitor to find the perfect positioning. Gamers can take in the full view with the panoramic 1900R* view and the UltraWide QHD, (or 3440 x 1440) resolution.

Game Create

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FEATURE STORY

ViewSonic VX3276-2K-MHD Not only does it attract users attention with its stylish design but this 32-inch monitor has an IPS-type panel technology that is able to produce graphics in rich and vivid details with over one billion colours. Besides, it also features the Flicker-Free technology and Blue Light Filter, it provides much more comfortable viewing for its users. The ViewSonic VX3276-2K-MHD has a refresh rate of 60Hz and a large WQHD (2560 x 1440) resolution screen.

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SAMSUNG GALAXY S21+5G

THUMBS UP

FANTASTICALLY PUT TOGETHER — THE NEW SAMSUNG GALAXY S21+ 5G COMES WITH A BETTER CAMERA, BETTER PROCESSOR AND BETTER DISPLAY

Features 4

I like the dual-tone look of the camera bump and the body. Galaxy S21+ 5G comes with a triple-lens rear camera array with a 12MP Ultra-wide lens, a 12MP Dual-Pixel Auto Focus Wide-Angle lens, and a 64MP phase detection telephoto lens that boasts 3x hybrid optic zoom and a 30x digital Space Zoom. This phone can undoubtedly capture really stunning images and videos with its high-quality sensors.

With an elegant design and lower price, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is pretty badass. Samsung’s long-awaited Galaxy S21 line-up announcement is finally here; 2CENTS is honoured to be handed a unit of the latest Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G to review. Following the same template as last year, Samsung has released three Galaxy S21 models, with the Galaxy S21+ 5G handset, sitting in the middle of the range. The Galaxy S21+ 5G isn’t the star of Samsung’s S series in 2021, but it’s a solid smartphone choice with an impressive camera, powerful internals and great battery life. If you want the best of the best, look to the Galaxy S21 Ultra; but if you want a handset that’s cheaper with a whole load of premium features and a large display, the Galaxy S21+ 5G is a delight to use, and will do you proud.

Samsung added a fun all-new video feature called Director’s View; which lets you see and switch between all four lenses during recording – handy for making short movie clips.

Performance 5

The S21+ 5G have opted for a lower resolution display, 2400 x 1080 compared to last year’s 3200 x 1440. But it’s worth mentioning, the resolution isn’t everything. The new display still boasts last year’s tidy Full HD Dynamic AMOLED Infinity-O display, though this year’s version has opted for a variable refresh rate (48 – 120Hz), rather than a locked 120Hz, meaning the display will boost as high as 120Hz when the situation calls for it. It still works wonders for responsiveness and smooth motion performance.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Galaxy S21+ 5G.

For everyday comfort and usability, Galaxy S21+ 5G is indeed a great phone to use. The device is one without compromise when it comes to speed and everyday snappy performance. Using the phone is fantastically fluid and responsive.

Design 4.5

Right out of the box, the first thing I noticed during unboxing is the missing wall charger and headphones, the phone doesn’t have a microSD card slot for expanded storage too, which is pretty disappointing. However, this is the first time the entire S21 line-up has lacked in this certain feature since the Galaxy S6 debut.

You have got three colour choices: Phantom Violet, Phantom Black, and Phantom Silver (the shade you see pictured throughout this review). The device supports wireless charging as well as Wireless PowerShare. S21+ 5G is available in 256GB. However, most notably, the Galaxy S21+ 5G has removed the MicroSD slot, effectively canning expandable storage. Expandable storage was one thing I have always been able to depend on, and its removal is going to limit me from storing more pictures and documents on the phone.

The new Galaxy S21+ has the same 6.7-inch sized screen as last year model. It has an upgraded triple-lens camera array, the camera software has improved over recent models, improvements to AI-powered photo processing hardware, a full-metal build, more durable glass, an upgraded display with a variable refresh rate (48-120Hz),

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and the battery life is strong, giving you a solid day of use from a full charge. Galaxy S21+ 5G now supports 5G too, which is a welcome change.

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DEEP SCAN

Value 4.5

The Galaxy S21+ 5G is selling at RM4,299 for a version with 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM.

Verdict 4.5

Galaxy S21+ 5G is a pleasure to use; it is indeed a highly capable handset. Samsung indeed successfully made a few tweaks to its winning formula.

PROS Has a fantastic, versatile camera Sleek, premium and beautiful design Excellent dynamic 120Hz display Bigger 4,800mAh battery

CONS Screen resolution lower than last year’s model No microSD support No audio jack

SPECIFICATIONS: DIMENSIONS: 161.5 X 75.6 X 7.8 MM (6.36 X 2.98 X 0.31 IN) DISPLAY TYPE: DYNAMIC AMOLED 2X, 120HZ, HDR10+, 1300 NITS (PEAK) SIZE: 6.7 INCHES, 107.8 CM2 (~88.3% SCREEN-TO-BODY RATIO) RESOLUTION: 1080 X 2400 PIXELS, 20:9 RATIO (~394 PPI DENSITY) PROTECTION: CORNING GORILLA GLASS VICTUS OS: ANDROID 11, ONE UI 3.1 BATTERY TYPE: LI-ION 4800 MAH, NON-REMOVABLE CHARGING: FAST CHARGING 25W CONTACT: SAMSUNG STORE, LOT F29A , FIRST FLOOR, EMPIRE SHOPPING GALLERY, JALAN SS 16/1, 47500 SUBANG JAYA, SELANGOR, 016-333 7688

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DEEP SCAN

S I M P L E WAY A U TO F OA M I N G H A N D WA S H D I S P E N S E R K I T

THUMBS UP

MAKE EVERY WASH, A CLEAN WASH Growing up, we’ve all been told to stay clean and to wash our hands. However, we are now in the middle of a global pandemic and it seems like washing hands is a frequent activity that we all do every minute of the day. With that in mind, are our hands really clean, though?

As for the refills, it comes in two different types of soap: Antibacterial (blue and green) and Amino Acid (yellow and pink).

Features

Well, a solution to leaving no smudges on the dispenser and the perfect way to prevent cross-infection with germs is the one and only Simpleway Auto Foaming Hand Wash Dispenser Kit.

So, the 300ml flask should be good for about 440 times of use or about 55 days of use for an average family. Delivering the soap in the form of air-to-liquid in the ratio of 12:1, it is more than enough for one wash. The soap foam comes with an antibacterial rate of 99.9% and uses a skin-friendly amino acid surfactant that will leave the skin feeling smooth and moisturised.

Design 4

The Simpleway Auto Foaming Hand Wash Dispenser Kit comes in a minimalistic design with the dispenser’s top unit and the flask of liquid soap on the bottom. It is super compact and measures at 73 mm in width and 173 mm in length. On the surface of the dispenser’s top unit, it integrates a power button with LED.

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Bonus point: It smells divine. Since the dispenser comes with three batteries, it will last for up to eight months before the next battery change. Absolutely convenient.

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DEEP SCAN

Performance 4

Equipped with a highly responsive built-in infrared sensor, the dispenser provides users with a contactless hand washing system. It operates easily as it automatically senses the movement of the hand and takes about 0.4 seconds for the foam to form.

Value 4

The Simpleway Auto Foaming Hand Wash is priced at RM50.00 on Shopee and comes with a year warranty. SPECIFICATIONS: PRODUCT NET WEIGHT: 540G MATERIAL: PP BATTERY TYPE: AA IPX4: WATERPROOF

CONTACT:

PURCHASE ONLINE VIA SHOPEE OR LAZADA

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OPPO Reno5

Price: RM1,899.00 Website: www.oppo.com/my The OPPO Reno5, with a 64MP Quad Camera setup, and one-of-a-kind finishing on the phone that gives it a trendy design, is suitable for any occasion. Not only that, it is the perfect device to celebrate friendship and couples, as it allows them to always picture a life together via the dual-view function.

Xiaomi Mi 11

Price: RM2,799.00 Website: www.mi.com/my With remarkable new features for photography and videography, Mi 11 boasts the world’s highest resolution 108MP wide-angle camera sensor for its primary shooter, a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera and 5MP telemacro.

Samsung Galaxy M62

Price: RM1,599.00 Website: www.samsung.com/my A smartphone that showcases an all-new, trendy look with vivid colours and; metallic gradation pattern with a large infinity display, a lasting performance, a larger battery, the upgraded camera that takes your photography to new depths; all at an accessible price. ISSUE 28

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GADGET GALORE

Xiaomi Mi Watch

Price: RM469.00 Website: lazada.com.my As a brand new addition to Xiaomi’s wearable product lineup, Mi Watch is made to empower active lifestyles of all kinds. Featuring a 1.39’’ bright AMOLED panel and a dedicated sports button on the side, Mi Watch provides users instant access to a smorgasbord of 117 exercise modes.

HONOR VIEW20 Price: Starts from RM1,999 Website: Ground Floor of Highstreet @ One Utama Shopping Centre. HONOR View20’s rear camera is the first to be powered by the SONY IMX586 48MP sensor, with a 1/2-inch large CMOS, and equivalent 1.6μm pixels in Quad Bayer array. The sensor, boosted by the Kirin 980 chipset, supports new 48MP AI Ultra Clarity mode to produce photos with unmatched detail and clarity. The Kirin 980’s dual-NPU processes the photo using an advanced AI algorithm – the quality of the photo is assessed, details in dark areas are optimized, and colors are adjusted to appear more vivid.

LG QNED Mini LED TV

Website: www.lg.com/my The tv sets a new standard for the LCD TV category, enabling users to enjoy excellent HDR image quality and a far more immersive viewing experience, thanks to the combined power of the new NanoCell Plus technology and quantum dot to deliver improved red and green while the blue wavelength is emitted from the LED.

JBL CHARGE 3

Acer ASPIRE E 15

Price: RM899 Website: Lazada

Price: RM2,659 Website: Acer outlets or authorized dealers

This full-featured waterproof portable speaker with high-capacity Aspire E Series laptops are great choices for everyday users, with lots battery to charge your devices goes a long way. Wirelessly connect of appealing options and an attractive design that exceed expectations. up to 3 smartphones or tablets to the speaker and take turns With many enhanced components, color choices, and a textured metallic playing powerful stereo sound. It even has a built-in rechargeable finish, the Aspire E makes everyday better. With added enhancements, Li-ion battery supports up to 20 hours of playtime and charges you get an even richer media experience. Acer TrueHarmony™ delivers smartphones and tablets via USB. Plus, no more worrying about rain richer, more lifelike audio, while Acer ExaColor™ produces consistent Price: From RM8,399.00 Website: www.sony.com.my or spills; you can even submerge in water. colour accuracy and Skype-certified components provide uninterrupted audio and video. Sony has the Alpha 7C full-frame compact camera that can turn the work of a casual amateur photographer into

Sony Alpha 7C Compact Full-Frame Camera

beautiful professional-grade photographs and the ZV-1 digital camera which can help a casual video shooter create inspiring high-quality videos of themselves and their pets. ISSUE 28

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Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i

Price: RM6,629.00 Website: www.lenovo.com/my The attractive 14-inch Yoga Slim 9i is one of the most premium, thinnest and lightest laptops at just 13.9mm (0.54 inches) and weighing only 1.29kg (2.84 lbs). Offering the super-fast responsiveness of the 11th-gen Intel® Core™ processors combined with graphics based on the Intel Xe architecture, the Yoga Slim 9i’s performance and entertainment capabilities are truly among the best in its class.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker

Price: RM209.00 Website: www.lazada.com.my Featuring a compact design, Mi Smart Speaker fits into any environment. Together with a classy metal finish and a minimalist design, it also features a simple touch panel and a ring of LED lights on the top. When performing tasks with built-in Google Assistant™, the LED ring will indicate by pulsing in different colour combinations.

AOC AG273FXR Agon Monitor

Price: RM2,399.00 Website:www.shopee.com.my While a full spec gaming monitor, the striking AG273FXR ‘Pink-Power’ range Agon monitor boasts a light, airy aesthetic better suited to the decor, accessories and furnishings of the female gamer. The mainly white casing, for example, is trimmed with a rose-pink bottom bezel.

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Garmin Lily

Price: From RM920.00 Website: www.shopee.com.my Available in duo variants, Classic and Sport, the Garmin Lily features a 34mm watch case, T-bar lug style, subtly patterned lens, and elegant colour options ideal for those who seek a fashion-forward alternative to what is currently available on the smartwatch market.

HONOR VIEW20

Price: Starts from RM1,999 Website: Ground Floor of Highstreet @ One Utama Shopping Centre. HONOR View20’s rear camera is the first to be powered by the SONY IMX586 48MP sensor, with a 1/2-inch large CMOS, and equivalent 1.6μm pixels in Quad Bayer array. The sensor, boosted by the Kirin 980 chipset, supports new 48MP AI Ultra Clarity mode to produce photos with unmatched detail and clarity. The Kirin 980’s dual-NPU processes the photo using an advanced AI algorithm – the quality of the photo is assessed, details in dark areas are optimized, and colors are adjusted to appear more vivid.

Canon Powershot ZOOM

Website: www.my.canon This pocket-sized digital monocular camera designed for those who want to get closer to activities such as sports, live performances or wildlife watching. With its light and compact design, it is useful in a wide variety of situations, while its ability to capture photos and videos ensures you get to keep memories of all the sights you come across in your day out.

JBL CHARGE 3

Acer ASPIRE E 15

Price: RM899 Website: Lazada

Price: RM2,659 Website: Acer outlets or authorized dealers

This full-featured waterproof portable speaker with high-capacity Aspire E Series laptops are great choices for everyday users, with lots battery to charge your devices goes a long way. Wirelessly connect of appealing options and an attractive design that exceed expectations. up to 3 smartphones or tablets to the speaker and take turns With many enhanced components, color choices, and a textured metallic playing powerful stereo sound. It even has a built-in rechargeable finish, the Aspire E makes everyday better. With added enhancements, Li-ion battery supports up to 20 hours of playtime and charges you get an even richer media experience. Acer TrueHarmony™ delivers smartphones and tablets via USB. Plus, no more worrying about rain richer, more lifelike audio, while Acer ExaColor™ produces consistent or spills; you can even submerge in water. colour accuracy and Skype-certified components provide uninterrupted Price: From RM599.00 Website: www.lazada.com.my audio and video. Redmi 9T is a photography powerhouse with its 48MP AI quad rear-camera. The device’s 8MP ultra-wide-angle

Xiaomi Redmi 9T

camera accommodates large group photos and wide landscape shots without cropping, while its 2MP macro lens and 2MP depth sensor enable stunning close-up shots with professional-level bokeh.

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ENJOY THE PEACE AND SERENITY AT THESE

5 RELAXING HIDDEN GEMS Pictures by Farizal2u, Rafiq Syaharom, The Sticks & Bao Sheng

The new year is here but that doesn’t mean that we could go on a vacation anytime we want. Cases in Selangor has been rising like crazy recently but with that said, it’s no harm to keep your options open just in case, it’s safe to travel again. Besides going for a beach vacation or hotel staycation, what about going for a quiet getaway for a change? Yeow Chet Here are 5 nature getaways that we think you should check out soon.

RUMAH KEBUN In the lush forests of Hulu Langat, this ‘Garden House’ is a bungalow that is perfect for a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. Rumah Kebun has 4 bedrooms with 11 beds, 4 bathrooms and a fully-functional kitchen to cook your meals. Among the activities provided is the plunge pool fed by natural spring water, enjoy your meals alfresco style, read a book or take a nap on the hammock and just relax to the sound of nature. The rate per night starts at RM1,500.

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THE RUBBER ESCAPE MELAKA Located in Alor Gajah, this peaceful mini-retreat that’s in a lush rubber estate features a 50-feet infinity pool with 12 luxurious rooms to accommodate guests. Besides having a sunny alfresco dining area and a spacious courtyard to host awesome barbecue nights, the highlight of The Rubber Escape is the surrounding. Explore the sprawling estate with the bikes provided on the premise and indulge in nature’s breeze. The rate per night starts at RM502, depending on your dates.

THE STICKS This off-grid glamping retreat is situated in a lush jungle, perfect for those who are planning a back-to-nature staycation. The Sticks accommodates guests with its 12 unique houses that are all well-furnished with snug beds, plush duvets and hot spring water heaters. From stargazing to jungle trekking, there are loads of fun activities to do. The rate per night starts at RM407, depending on your dates.

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BAO SHENG DURIAN FARM Known as one of the oldest durian farms in Penang, this local farm stay offers its guests more than just the king of fruits. Featuring five different rooms, get the chance of waking up in the morning and experiencing what it’s like to be living on a durian farm. The packages include breakfast and a stunning mountain-sea view from your room. The rate per night starts at RM180, depending on your dates and choice of room.

RIMBA HANG KASTURI Converted from a very old shophouse to a villa residence with a large green courtyard and private pool, the Rimba Hang Kasturi is located at the prime area of Melaka — the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jonker Street. The villa is able to accommodate a total of 14 guests featuring 4 different types of bedroom. It is certainly the perfect place to host parties or a short getaway. That said, we are still in the middle of a global pandemic so even though we might have a chance to travel in the near future. It’ll be best to always adhere to the SOPs and be responsible for your health as well as your loved ones.

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From chicken jerky to salmon patties: Treats Pawpin is the answer to living a healthy lifestyle — for your furkids Words by Grace Sundram Long gone were the days when pet treats were plain ol’ cookies with no flavour. Since last year, local entrepreneurs have seemed to take a leap in the pet treats industry by creating something delicious and nutritious for our little furkids. With Mia’s wellbeing in mind, she tried recipes after recipes to make sure it would be suitable for her furkid. Samantha works in her home kitchen carefully creating these treats from scratch and around her, you’d discover containers loaded up with the freshest ingredients. In time, she eventually perfected the recipe and wanted to share her creations with everyone that could be in a similar situation as her. What sets her homemade treats different than the rest is that not only does it have nutritional advantages, but it also help prevent all sorts of infections. So whether you have a cat or a dog, we’re glad to share that these tasty treats are suitable for both pets. Her first product, the Chicky Munchies are made from fresh chicken breast, marinated with basil herbs and a tinge of turmeric. It is similar to regular jerkies but with extra health benefits for your furkids such as easing arthritis pain, able to help irritable bowel diseases, boosts the immune system and it is also anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. In terms of shelf life, the treats usually last between 2-3 weeks as long as it’s refrigerated to ensure that it’s crispy. To add more flavour, she also made some peanut butter dip that pet lovers can use to dip the jerkies in. Her very own Pets Go Nuts comes with no sugar and salt or any of those artificial, preservatives nonsense. Safe to say, this is probably the healthiest peanut butter there is out there for your pets and it is known to be a great source of protein with heart-healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin and vitamin E.

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To add more flavour, she also made some peanut butter dip that pet lovers can use to dip the jerkies in. Her very own Pets Go Nuts comes with no sugar and salt or any of those artificial, preservatives nonsense. Safe to say, this is probably the healthiest peanut butter there is out there for your pets and it is known to be a great source of protein with heart-healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin and vitamin E. All of Treats Pawpin’s products are freshly made at Samantha’s home using ingredients that you would only put in your own mouth. And like every fur-parents, her main focus is to reward the furkids with tasty treats whilst ensuring that they’re safe and healthy.

Since opening up in June, Samantha has produced at least three products within a short span of time with the Salmon Patty as the newest product that was launched on December 12. These patties are made with the best of best flavours of fresh salmon and coated with some herbs and breadcrumbs. Now that we know a little bit about the business, let’s get to know the founder of Treats Pawpin where she shares what it’s like to have supportive parents, why we should stop feeding our furkids kibbles and her vision for the brand.

Get to know Samantha How did your parents influence you to be the person that you are today and what lessons and values can you share with us? My parents are the two most influential people in my life, they teach me every day by leading by example. I have seen my parents sacrifice so much of themselves just as other parents do for their children. One thing that they have always taught my siblings and I is to chase our passions and not just for the sake of money. When I initially wanted to pursue my Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE), I had received several critics from people commenting on how they think it’s just about teaching children ABCs so why to take up a whole course to study for it and so on. It was demotivating and frustrating at times, but my parents always reassured me that when we work and do what we love, it doesn’t become a depressing job but rather something to look forward to every day. Another thing that my parents always taught us was to put our talents to good use. If it wasn’t for my parents, I wouldn’t be an entrepreneur with Treats Pawpin. They pushed me to start up this business knowing that it would be out of my comfort zone doing so, but it will allow me to thrive.

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How much do the treats cost? The treats right now are catered to cats and dogs, it costs RM16.00 for a packet of 50gs and RM30.00 for 100gs. Pet owners get to decide if they would prefer small or big bites for their furkids. The treats right now are catered to cats and dogs, it costs RM16.00 for a packet of 50gs and RM30.00 for 100gs. Pet owners get to decide if they would prefer small or big bites for their furkids. Are there any pain point(s) that your brand has addressed for new customers? What were the main concerns usually? The main concern is to dispatch our treats to customers from other states. During the pandemic season, several delivery companies hiked up the prices of delivery massively which affected and limited my sales and distribution. It was difficult to convince customers to pay the same amount of delivery at times for the item itself. How do you cope with rejection? Both professionally and personally. Involved in a voluntary organization, I am exposed to National Training Camps, hiking, survival camps and so on which was a test to my physical and mental strength, it came in handy during this whole pandemic season. Moreover, rejection is something that I hold so close to my heart because of the few months when I had received several rejected job offers. However, I knew that rather than simply tolerating the pain that came along with rejection, I could turn it into an opportunity for self-growth. With each rejection that I had received, I grew stronger and was not afraid to try and work even harder, which led to the whole Treats Pawpin business. Share with us something that you’re working on improving about yourself and the business. How will that help with your goals? One of the things that I am constantly trying to work on is to be able to maintain a healthy and happy work-life balance. Being a 24-year-old girl, pursuing her Masters, maintaining a pet treats business all by myself while having a day-to-day job, I realize that my goals must be realistic and achievable. My Master’s program which is blended learning, meaning classes online and physically which honestly requires a lot of discipline and commitment. Setting the right goals that are beyond my capability, I realize that I will have more potential than I think. My saying is always, ‘dream of building a rocket first, and when that works, set the next goal’. Break down your final goal into a set of smaller goals.

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monthly basis. Some of the most unforgettable memories were to watch my own dog come out of her skin conditions and heal with these natural pet treats. The heartwarming feedback that I have received from customers which have seen tremendous changes in their dog’s hair fall, hair growth and in terms of improving their pet’s appetite by including these treats into their meals has been amazing.

Should pet owners feed their pets a fresh diet instead of kibbles? Why? When Mia was gifted to me years ago, I had to do a lot of research and studies to ensure the best for Mia’s wellbeing. And one of my main concerns was her food intake. I personally have tried feeding Mia kibbles for about a year or two, and that caused massive hair fall and bald spots on her skin. It was after a year that I decided to opt for a fresh diet for her, and it gave her more energy, healthier skin and a shiny coat of fur. Also, since Mia is an indoor dog, whenever she consumes kibbles, she tends to pass motion very often and her stools are big. This fresh diet, however, though it requires more work, it has definitely improved her digestive system as well. Can you share with us how you market your small side business? One of the things that I did less than a month back was collaborating with a brownies online business. With this, we did a giveaway that was a treat for both the pet as well as the owner. The giveaway really helped hike up the number of followers and sales for a 3-month-old business. What are the most unforgettable memories and unspeakable challenges that you have faced so far? One of the many unspeakable challenges that I have faced over the years repetitively, was how I used to go around to several pet stores, purchase high-end treats yet having to rush Mia to the 24-hour pet hospital at Kuala Lumpur due to the breakouts on her skin. Her skin would be in such terrible conditions that Mia would hardly even eat or move around. I can still recall the fear and scenarios of what could happen to Mia, that would be playing in mind on the way to the hospital. On top of that, I would have to fork out a huge portion of my part-time tuition job for her medical bills. That was a challenge that would constantly take place on a

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In the long run, what is the vision for Treats Pawpin? Treats Pawpin is not just a business, it resulted from love and passion. It’s a start-up business that resulted in a dog owner’s love and passion in ensuring that my pet and other pet owners facing the same issues do not go through the same struggles, challenges and tears that I had been through for years. After all, “dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole” and we want the best for our pets. Lastly, how do you stay true to yourself and what’s your definition of success? The one thing that I have held onto for a while now is, ‘Choose your attitude in adversity’. In just a snap of a finger, we can all become different with just a change of attitude. When I take control of my attitude, I will be able to better understand and comprehend what is around me, which will allow me to move forward and grow myself. In times of despair especially during the MCO period, I could have either let it break me and been down for the whole period, or let it push me to create something out of the ordinary which was Treats Pawpin. If I could define success in a few words it would be, achieving the goals that I have set for myself. One of my favourite definitions I’ve heard is by Earl Nightingale who said, ‘Success is really nothing more than the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. This means that any person who knows what they are doing and where they are going is a success. Any person with a goal towards which they are working is a successful person.’

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What’s it like being in quarantine with Ismail Izzani Words by Grace Sundram The saddest thing about this global pandemic is that we are compelled to be away from our loved ones, even though it’s the time that we should be encouraged to be together. For the local singer-songwriter, Ismail Izzani, he had to be quarantined for 14 days to keep his loved ones safe from the virus. The positive news, though, is that he was screened negative, but the thought of being alone just sounds pretty unsettling. With that said, I had the opportunity to speak to Ismail virtually where he shared a look into his journey during the COVID-19 period and how he is able to stay connected while exploring new ways to spend time with his loved ones safely. Hi Ismail, hope you’re well. How did you react when you found out that you had to get tested for COVID-19? Honestly, I was quite nervous. The realisation that there could be a possibility of contracting the virus made me anxious. I’m grateful the results were negative but this whole quarantine process has been hard. It was a rough couple of weeks.

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Really glad to know that you tested negative. But then you still need to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine. How are you planning to get through this strange time? I live on my own so having to isolate for 14 days has really taken a mental toll on me. The worst part of the quarantine was that I wasn’t able to see or meet my loved ones physically – it has not been easy. Social media as well as messaging apps such as Snapchat has helped me a lot. It has allowed me to keep in contact with my friends and allowed me to still experience certain activities with them although I’m not physically able to join them. It’s only been a few days in quarantine, do you miss having contact with people? What’s it like to be alone during this COVID-19 period? Do you get in touch with your friends and family every day or? Yeah, being alone was tough, and I was honestly feeling quite down. I’m just thankful that there are so many ways I could stay in touch with my family and friends. While my priority was to take care of my physical health, such as drinking Vitamin C every day and practising good hygiene, I made sure that my mental health was okay, too. I do that by keeping regular contact with my family and friends. Because I can’t meet them face-to-face, instead of just normal texting which I often did in the past, I’ve started to rely more on video calls and communications instead, such as sending them Snaps of myself, my meals, or what I’m doing in general – and they do the same as well. That helps me feel closer to them because I get to express myself and interact with them visually. It’s the next best thing after meeting in person, really. What about your food? How do you manage to prepare meals for yourself? Managing my meals was quite easy. There are a lot of apps that I could use to order food, so it is not that hard. I can cook, too.

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Can you share with us how to stay connected when its safe again for live performances to start. with our loved ones if we ever have to be away from them? How has music helped you cope during this trying time? These days, technology has made it so much easier for us to stay connected with one another. There are It has helped in a way, and I do have my own studio at many applications you can use to help maintain a strong home. But honestly, I’ve still been really demotivated, and relationship with your friends and family. While I’m on a it has been challenging to make new music and be creative lot of social media apps, when I want to communicate with during this time. just a close group of friends, I would use Snapchat. It’s not a public account – I just use it for fun, sending silly Snaps, Have you been working on any new music of videos, and even playing some multiplayer games with my your own? friends when we’re all free at the same time. Yeah, I did a few while being quarantined last week. I Getting to stay in touch with my loved ones virtually has posted one of the songs on my Instagram account actually. really been a lifeline for me during the quarantine. I feel like If you’re interested to hear it, do check it out on my profile! since the physical aspect has been taken away, I’ve really appreciated the visual communication with my friends Do tell us what’s your daily schedule, now that more, which is why Snapchat has been great during this you’re unable to go out. time. I also feel it has allowed me to really express my emotions especially when I’m feeling down. I guess you I’ve not been in a very productive mood in all honesty. can say this time has allowed me to have more honest Being on my own, isolated from my friends and family has conversations with my close ones. It really does feel like not been easy for me and my motivation has been really my conversations with friends were much deeper during low. Generally, my daily schedule during the quarantine period was: I wake up, play some video games, and watch this time. some shows. In between all that, I try to catch up with my Deep down, what’s the one thing that you really friends and family, as well as do my best to engage with my miss from the outside world? supporter by giving them some updates on how quarantine has been going. As a singer, I’ve really missed performing live. The energy and feeling I get is the best. I think performing live are the As part of the entertainment industry, what have best memories I have in life so far. It has not been easy you been turning to in terms of creative channels adjusting to the new normal but I’m looking forward to or ways to communicate with your fans?

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Right now, everything is like hujung jari – you can just post anything, do your own content, your own contest. That’s how I connect myself with my supporters. I don’t like to call them fans because they are my family too. So, I guess it’s not that hard, for now.

From your point of view, why do you think it is important to help boost the media and entertainment industries during this tough time? And what can we do to help?

COVID-19 has made life even harder than before. Now What kind of effect does the COVID-19 pandemic more than ever, we need art, music, and entertainment to have on musicians? continue bringing comfort and smiles to people, which is why it’s important for everyone to continue supporting the A lot – in terms of motivation, ideas, mood. But really, media and entertainment industries in whatever way they COVID-19 has affected everyone, not just musicians. I do can. We can’t put on live performances for large audiences believe that everyone is facing their own challenge right now, but people can still show their support in many ways now, especially people who are searching for jobs. It’s a like the ones I mentioned above. Watch your favourite very hard time for us, all of us. I hope everyone out there artistes on TV, stream their music, request for plays on the continues to stay strong as we fight this pandemic together. radio, and show them some love on social media so they have the motivation to keep going. How can Malaysians support our local artists without concerts and all that? Besides talking about being quarantined, I’d just like to ask you this. What really inspired you to One way that Malaysians can support their favourite artists venture into the industry? is by tuning in to their performances on TV. However, it’s not just limited to that. They can also show their support Since I’ve joined the industry at the age of 16, it has been and appreciation by streaming their music on different an amazing ride filled with great experiences, no matter online platforms or requesting their songs on the radio. what the challenges were at the time. Every part of my journey, including the hard times and the ups and downs, I asked a few of my friends who are also musicians about have been very exciting for me. It has taught me many life how they felt about what’s happening within our industry. lessons, and I do believe that learning won’t stop anytime They told me that we should take it as a positive thing – to soon. The experiences I have gained made me want to keep take this as a time for local artistes to rest, and to allow trying to be an even better version of myself every day. them to focus on their art and create new things to share with their supporters. You’ve got a head start in your career, and that’s quite an inspiration to a lot of people, particularly those who are making their way to be part of the industry. How would you advise them? All I can say is: Do believe in yourself – always! And remember that nobody is perfect, but practice makes perfect. If you try to be better day by day, maybe you will be a better person than you were before. So, hard work is everything. Keep motivating yourself and stay positive, spread the love instead of hate out there, and you’ll be fine. Lastly, how do you stay true to yourself even when you’re under the limelight and what’s your definition of success? I always try to think about others and put myself in their shoes, because we never know the kind of challenges that everyone is going through. I guess that is how I stay true to myself, by caring for people and also by loving myself. Because if you love yourself, then you’ll be stronger and you’ll try to be better day by day. My definition of success is not about being rich or whatsoever, it’s actually about achieving balance in life. Instead of chasing for perfection, I would rather strive for balance – and that comes with the mentality of believing that everything happens for a reason and not getting too hung up if things don’t go my way.

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Get to know these incredible Malaysian women who have made a difference in the lives of others Pictures by Cxpturing Souls Kate Spade New York is a lifestyle brand that celebrates interesting women around the globe living unique lives of empowerment, self-expression and joy. This year, in honour of International Women’s Day on March 8, the brand recognizes the achievements of five amazing Malaysian women who have made — and continue to make — a difference in the lives of others: • Dato’ Shyamala Alagendra, International Lawyer • Heidy Quah, Human Rights Advocate and founder of Refuge for The Refugees • Dr. Jezamine Lim, Co-founder /CEO of Cell Biopeutics Resources • Nor ‘Phoenix’ Diana, Professional Hijabi Wrestler • Dr Anjhula Mya Singh Bais, International Trauma Psychologist These women are challenging inequality and adversity on a daily basis. And as a brand that champions strong female leaders, Kate Spade New York is sharing the amazing voices of these primary agents of change. “International Women’s Day is a global moment for both men and women to reflect on how our actions and our decisions have moved us closer to a more equal society for all genders, and away from discrimination,” says Dato’ Shyamala Alagendra. This powerful lawyer is presently the Gender and Child Rights Adviser to the United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), after having previously served as the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions of Fiji. “When we see injustice and inequality, we should seek to stop it, speak up against it, and applaud and join those who choose to challenge such injustice by word and deed.”

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For Heidi Quah, founder of Refuge For The Refugees, International Women’s Day celebrates women who have helped rewrite history. “This day is a strong marker of the strength of womanhood, a day in the year to reflect on all that women have survived, changed, and will continue to change. I celebrate the refugee women and victims of trafficking that I work with closely—their strength and resilience inspires me to keep being bold and courageous in speaking up against injustice. Their grit and grace in navigating adversaries inspire me to continue to #choosetochallenge systems and structures that silence, oppress, and exploit vulnerable communities.”

“When I started my journey in the BioTech field, I realized that there were—and still are—very few women that are involved in this industry. I think it is important for myself and other women in this field to challenge this status quo!” says Dr. Jezamine Lim, who was the first woman to attain a PhD in Stem Cell and Tissue engineering in UKM. Dr Lim Is also the Co-founder /CEO of Cell Biopeutics Resources, which aims to produce world-class stem cellderived cosmetic products and therapeutic treatments for unmet medical diseases. “We need to help break the perception that this is a ‘man’s game’ and prove that gender has nothing to do with a person’s ability to excel in this, or any, field.”

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“One of the biggest barriers for me is society’s expectation of me. They don’t want to see someone like me in pro wrestling. How do I overcome this adversity? I do this by continuing to pursue my dreams of becoming a wrestler,” says the world’s first hijabwearing Pro Wrestler, Nor ‘Phoenix’ Diana. Known all over the world when it comes to wrestling, this shy and reserved woman is much more confident and bold when she is in the ring as her stage character, Phoenix. “I think it is important to celebrate the achievements of women from all around the world. I love to see the accomplishments of other great women around me to keep me motivated and driven.” As a perfect example of a great woman who inspires other women, Dr. Anjhula Mya Singh Bais wears multiple hats as a human rights advocate, an Amnesty Director, an international trauma Psychologist - who was one of the six psychologists in the entire history of the young global leader program of the world economic forum - and a model. “Many people are conflictavoidant, especially women, who by traditional standards are socialized to be nice, polite, and kind. They are taught that these traits triumph over all else. I consciously, but respectfully, challenge what there is to challenge, otherwise how else will change come? From board rooms to bedrooms, women need to think about what they have been spoon-fed and conditioned to think, and usually it is some variant of ‘I am not enough.” Kate Spade New York has partnered with these women to highlight the role that self-love plays in the empowerment journey of women and treated all five to a fashionable photo session where they were decked in Kate Spade’s latest Spring 2021 collection. Malaysian photographer and founder of Cxpturing Souls Studios, Amanda Tan, shared, “It was a treat to be shooting and interacting with an all-female team that demonstrates the strength and know-how of women.”

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New music and artists to

watch in 2021 While live music is put on halt, there’s no stopping us lisztomaniacs to not enjoy some truly great music from our favourite artists. We have entered a new decade, a new year — so together, let’s discover new talents and songs that deserve to be recognised. Here are some of the artists you should be checking out.

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FEATURE STORY

LAUV – 2021 | SINGLE | AWAL [31-DEC-20] After an inspiring debut record with ‘how i’m feeling’ in 2020, Lauv wasn’t exactly done with the year as he dropped a surprise new song called “2021”. The sweet and slow autotuned track looks forward to a future that’s brighter and more hopeful than the difficult year most people have had in 2020. “2021 we could have some fun, maybe we could run,” he sings. “I could be the one. It’s time to go hard for you.” In a tweet about the new track, Lauv wishes his fans a safe and happy new year.

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Grimes – Miss Anthropocene (Rave Edition) | Album | 4AD [1Jan-21] Grimes’ new remix album ‘Miss Anthropocene (Rave Edition)’ landed on streaming services just days after the musician announced it. The hypercharged record arrived on the first day of 2021 and comprises reworkings of tracks from the original version of ‘Miss Anthropocene’, which the alt-pop artist released in February last year. It features contributions from BloodPop, Channel Tres, Julien Bracht, Richie Hawtin, Modeselektor, ANNA and more, as well as two remixes that Grimes premiered in a recent DJ set for Apple Music.

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䴀夀匀伀匀倀䠀伀吀伀䈀伀伀吀䠀

DAÐI FREYR – FEEL THE LOVE | SINGLE+VIDEO | AWAL “Feel the Love” is a brand new living room-dancefloor banger from Daði Freyr, released on the first day of the New Year as a statement of intent to the world that 2021 will be Daði’s year. The song was produced and recorded in Daði’s home studio in collaboration with fellow Icelander, ÁSDÍS, who was originally featured on Daði’s 2019 Icelandic album “& Co.”. “Feel The Love” now marks the first full collaboration between the pair of now Berlin-based artists. Regarding the song message, ÁSDÍS noted, “It’s a constant struggle trying to fit into the mould that other people make for you and ‘Feel the Love’ is a reminder to anyone that feels misunderstood that there is no point in making others happy before you give happiness to yourself. It is everything I had always wanted to say to myself and in the way I wanted to say it — super fast and to a four-on-the-floor.”

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PUMA BLUE – SILK PRINT | SINGLE | BLUE FLOWERS [25-DEC-20] Puma Blue is set to build upon his growing underground acclaim by releasing his long-awaited debut album ‘In Praise of Shadows’ on February 5th via Blue Flowers. About the track, Jacob shares: “This was a song I wrote in 2014 about getting let down by someone I had feelings for. I played it just once at an open mic night in South London when I was living there to my two friends that came to watch me and never played it again or recorded it. I don’t know why but something made me revisit it last year, I found the lyrics in an old notebook and I started playing it at shows. Even though I’ve been in a happy relationship for a while, singing this song again I could still feel that young pain, and it gives me this strange catharsis to relate to myself back then from a better place in the present, sort of embracing those feelings from an older perspective and then let them go again. The recording on the album was my first attempt at playing it since I wrote it, and I wanted to leave it that way to capture that vulnerability.”

DARKSIDE – LIBERTY BELL | SINGLE | MATADOR RECORDS [21-DEC-20] DARKSIDE is the collaborative duo of Dave Harrington and Nicolas Jaar. Dormant since the close of touring for their debut full-length ‘Psychic’, the group quietly reconvened in 2018 to begin writing new music. Following more than a year of work, Harrington and Jaar completed Spiral, the second DARKSIDE album, in December of 2019, which has been mixed by Rashad Becker, mastered by Heba Kadry, and will be released this spring via Matador Records. Now, you can listen to the first single “Liberty Bell”.

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Goat Girl – The Crack (Live from Nunhead Alhambr) | Single | Rough Trade Records [6-Jan-21] The new single by Goat Girl, “The Crack” (Live from The Nunhead Alhambra), is now out via Rough Trade Records. Goat Girl says of the track, “The Crack” emerged from an imagined post-apocalyptic world whereby people flee into space for a new life on an unruined planet, as the result of the pillaging of Planet Earth. To celebrate the release of ‘On All Fours’, the band will be performing new songs from the album live at Rough Trade on January 27th.

Martin Gore – Howler | Single | Mute [07-Jan-21] Martin Gore, songwriter and founding member of Depeche Mode released the haunting “Howler” today on Mute. It’s taken from the forthcoming five-track instrumental EP, ‘The Third Chimpanzee’ EP, out on January 29th. “‘Howler’ was the first track I recorded for ‘The Third Chimpanzee’ EP,” Martin says. “I resynthesized some vocals that almost sounded human, but not quite. That’s why I decided to name the track after a monkey. I thought that would be a good theme to carry on with the rest of the tracks.”

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OUR RESIDENT SPICY EATER TRIED TO CHALLENGE HERSELF WITH THESE POPULAR SPICY CREATIONS and I absolutely loved it Words by Grace Sundram Pictures by Mini Me Insights, KFry, Our Food Log & Anais Almeida As a self-proclaimed spice connoisseur, I’ve eaten my fair share of these spicy meals over the years. Well, what can I say, growing up in a strong Indian household and a grandma that cooks really delicious spicy dishes, you’ve just got to get used to it. What is chilli? It’s nothing. So when it comes to these hyped spicy dishes like the Spicy Korean Fried Chicken and Ramen, the first impression I had was bring it on. But turns out that I have found a strong contender which made me want to wave the white flag. So without further ado, let’s find out which trendy spicy food and drinks I enjoyed the most. WARNING: Not for the faint-hearted. Anais Almeida

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DROOL WORTHY

K’FRY SPICY YANGYNEOM CHICKS Looking at the hype of all these Korean Fried Chicken, I knew I’ve got to try. Few friends of mine advised me to try the best-selling dish which was the K’razy Spicy Cheese Fried Chicken Bumbuk, only because they claimed it to be “spiciest” on the menu. But after trying it, I would beg to differ. It wasn’t as spicy as the Spicy Yangyneom Wings at all. Went in with the Extra Spicy level and all it took was three wings then there I was with my sweaty forehead. The spice hits you in a different way where the sensation travels from the lips and slowly moves to your insides — the mouth and gosh, the throat. It just keeps burning but you really want to keep going back for more. K’Fry certainly wasn’t kidding when they said their sweet and spicy Korean sauce would be addictive. 5/5 would recommend and would try again and again. P.S. Till this day, K’Fry’s spicy wings are my favourite. Spicy Level: 3/5

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DROOL WORTHY

SAMYANG 2X SPICY HOT CHICKEN FLAVOR RAMEN Moving on to the spiciest ramen I’ve ever eaten — the Samyang 2X Spicy Hot Chicken Flavor Ramen. Apparently, this Samyang flavour became a viral internet challenge and not just because it’s super spicy but also because of how flavourful it actually is. So if you’re planning to burn some calories quickly, I reckon you to try this one out. Since it has a high chance of making you sweat right that instant. With a Scornville rating of 8000 units, the level of spiciness is equivalent to eating one whole jalapeño so you can imagine the torture. I had to practically take breaks in between until I could wipe the bowl clean. My verdict? It was spicy, sure but it was so worth the burn. Spicy Level: 3/5

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Our Food Log

KOTAK Looking at the hype of all these Korean Fried Chicken, I knew I’ve got to try. Few friends of mine advised me to try the best-selling dish which was the K’razy Spicy Cheese Fried Chicken Bumbuk, only because they claimed it to be “spiciest” on the menu. But after trying it, I would beg to differ. It wasn’t as spicy as the Spicy Yangyneom Wings at all. Went in with the Extra Spicy level and all it took was three wings then there I was with my sweaty forehead. The spice hits you in a different way where the sensation travels from the lips and slowly moves to your insides — the mouth and gosh, the throat. It just keeps burning but you really want to keep going back for more. K’Fry certainly wasn’t kidding when they said their sweet and spicy Korean sauce would be addictive. 5/5 would recommend and would try again and again. P.S. Till this day, K’Fry’s spicy wings are my favourite. Spicy Level: 3/5

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DROOL WORTHY

MISTER POTATO X DAEBAK GHOST PEPPER CRISPS Packed in a small canister, these black crips taste as scary as it looks. One whiff and I can assure you that your nose would start tingling. This is the ultimate test to challenge your spice tolerance and I can tell you that this is not for me. One small bite and it got my tongue burning. On the can it challenges you to eat these crazy spicy crisps within the time limit of ten minutes. Anything more than that you’re just MEH. But come on, you got to be real here for a second. These crips are crazy spicy and surely you’ll be blessing the throne right after that. Spicy level: 5/5

Mini Me Insights

MAGGI PEDAS GILER TOM YUMMZ Similar to the Samyang, this is catered more to the Malaysian palate with its Ayam Bakar and Tom Yam flavours. For me personally, I feel like Tom Yam is a little spicier than Ayam Bakar. Perhaps because of the sweet and spicy stuff that’s going on there. If we equate this to the Samyang, I would say that most Malaysians are able to eat it without a doubt. The level of spice is pretty tolerable and it doesn’t really burn your tongue as much. “My mouth can tahan spicy but my lubang cant….LOL,” said IccyAsd. Spicy Level: 2/5

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Mini Me Insights

GHOST PEPPER COLA Last but not least, the scary Ghost Pepper Cola. I don’t really have to go too far into this, because I couldn’t take a proper gulp. Just a sip and I could feel my throat on fire. Honestly, at that point I asked myself, “Why are you torturing yourself?” and stopped. Honest to God, I rather go with the crisps any day. Spicy Level: 5/5

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HEALTH

MOVING TOGETHER FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN THE DIGITAL AGE Pictures by Energe Pic Com, Remote Working, Eye Q India, Shini Lola & Blog Mental health remains one of the most neglected areas of public health globally. According to the World Health Organization, close to 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder yet countries on average spend a mere 2% of their health budgets on mental health, leaving many without access to quality mental health services. In Malaysia, the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS 2019) indicated that an estimated half a million people suffer from mental health problems, with children being a prime contributor to that figure. World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year and provides an opportunity for the world to come together to address the challenges around mental health. This year, World Health Organization (WHO), the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) and United for Global Mental Health (United GMH) have joined forces to spark conversations on how the global community can work together through the Move for mental health: let’s invest campaign. The campaign highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications, including social distancing measures and economic downturns are fueling fear and anxiety that have further impacted people’s mental health. Another implication is the surge in the number of hours people spend online for work, entertainment and staying updated while remaining at home. The excessive time spent online has led to a new set of challenges, such as screen-time addiction and cyberbullying that has made it more important than ever to ensure a positive and balanced online environment. Along with the government and individuals, digital platforms play a big part to help users forge mental and digital resilience.

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HEALTH

HOW DIGITAL PLATFORMS CAN BE HARNESSED TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH From sharing mental health tips to personal struggles, digital platforms can play a critical role in raising awareness and educating users about mental health. TikTok, for instance, launched the #thinkb4youdo challenge to encourage users in Malaysia and across the world to take a moment and consider, before partaking in negative behaviour or even dangerous acts online - from cyberbullying to self-harm. Such campaigns are becoming a call to action for the online community to play their part in creating a safe and positive environment for everyone. With the time we spend online today, more people are becoming aware that maintaining digital wellness is important and they are leveraging digital platforms to raise such awareness. Case in point, Zee Avi, an established artist and avid TikTok creator who championed for affordable mental healthcare through a TikTok video. However, digital platforms have a role that goes beyond just facilitating content sharing. There is also a need to ensure that a safe place is created on the platform for people to discover, create and connect. TikTok has rolled out more robust features over the years, such as Screen Time Management and Restricted Mode, and users are empowered to take more control over how much time they want to spend on TikTok and limit the appearance of content that may not be appropriate for them.

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HEALTH

MAKE A PERSONAL COMMITMENT FOR A BETTER MENTAL HEALTH Bringing up mental health challenges is a unique journey for everyone, but people should feel empowered to lead by example and share their battles with others to encourage them to get help. With digital platforms, we have seen a rise in people sharing their stories as a way to empower others. Each of us is responsible for our own mental wellbeing and there are practical ways that we as individuals can take to look after our mental health in the digital age, including: Reduce time online - We can take a proactive approach to limit the time we spend online by turning off our digital devices at certain times of the day such as when you are sleeping or spending time with our loved ones. We can also disable unnecessary notifications as often it is hard to resist looking at the constant buzzing of new messages even when we are about to go to sleep. There are various measures in place today that help us to control how much time we spend online, and we should be making use of these measures actively. Change your focus- Many of us turn to devices like our phone purely as a force of habit to mindlessly kill time. But are you escaping into the digital world as a substitute for real life? Turning to apps like social media and forums may be easy and convenient, but there are often healthier, more effective ways to pass time. If you are feeling bored, consider exercising or taking up a new hobby. The takeaway is striking a balance between online and offline interactions and recognizing that we do not have to be glued to our screens 24/7. Take time for reflection away from the screen - It is very important to have introspective time away from our digital devices and to practice mindfulness. Try journaling or meditating. Keep track of all the great memories and positives — and practice gratitude for all the people and things you have in your life. While the above is by no means an exhaustive list, the key here is to make a commitment to prioritize our mental health. It is about taking the first step to understand what we can do as individuals and to act on it so that it is not just something that we talk about.

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HEALTH

IT TAKES A COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH Raising mental health awareness and eradicating the stigma around the topic requires a whole-of-society approach. While each one of us can take concrete actions in maintaining our own mental health, we can also play a role in supporting friends and family who are struggling. Employers, for example, can take active steps to create employee wellness programs that can help to build a nurturing environment for their organizations. Governments are increasingly committing to improving mental health services and making them accessible for all. They can also collaborate more closely with the private sectors and communities to understand the current needs and build relevant solutions to address current gaps. The private and public sectors will need to collaborate more closely than ever before to raise awareness on this crucial issue. This digital day and age have certainly brought about many new challenges, and it is absolutely crucial that digital platforms do their part to help users forge mental and digital resilience. However, the responsibility of promoting mental health does not fall on one person, party or organization. It requires a united approach, and everyone can do their part to improve mental health and help others suffering from mental illnesses to expunge the stigma of mental health.

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INTERVIEW: ALFIE TEMPLEMAN TALKS LATEST SINGLE ‘SHADY’, HAVING OVER 500+ SONGS TO RELEASE, AND MORE For an 18-year-old, this British singer-songwriter certainly has accomplished a lot of things in his life. Alfie Templeman learned how to play the drums at the age of seven and eventually self-taught himself how to play the guitar and the bass. And then when he was only fifteen, he released his debut single 'Like An Animal' and has been on a roll ever since. His latest single 'Shady' was released last year and it's such a bop. I had the chance to speak to Templeman about the new track, working with Tom McFarland and how he has been able to release new songs back to back. So to begin, 2020 has been a totally unpredictable year for all of us. How are you coping with the pandemic? What have you been doing to keep yourself busy? It’s been a weird one for sure. I’ve just kept making music and tried to think of happier memories to get through it. Your latest single, Shady is a fantastic song that certainly gets me grooving. What’s the inspiration behind this alternative track? Thank you! I just wanted to make something that sounded ‘shady’ and low-key. The lyrics aren’t really about anything, in particular, more just trying to make sense of the world at the moment.

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MUSIC

Do you think you can tell us about Shady and how it reflects where you’re at in your life right now? I guess it correlates with what’s going on at the moment as I’m often confused by this whole pandemic! It’s almost like I’m trying to find an answer through the singing. I would love to know what your work style is. Can you take us through your songwriting process? I don’t really have a particular way of making things, but I tend to store ideas on voice notes whenever I think of something whether it’s at 4 AM or at lunch. I’ll just rush to my phone, think of it and hum it out. Later I’ll record the melody and add chords and rhythmic ideas around it until it sounds like a song. You worked on the track with Jungle’s Tom McFarland, what’s the experience like to work with him? Did you gain any new knowledge, lessons etc? It was great working with Tom. I took a lot of Inso from him in terms of synths and plug-ins and just ways of producing that I hadn’t tried before. I still use a lot of his techniques to this day. Being busy in general, how did you manage to get Tom McFarland to collaborate with you on Shady? I have no clue really, I guess it’s cause Jungle were once on the same label as me- Chess Club. So he must’ve heard me and liked what I was doing.

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MUSIC While you have just launched the new track, it wasn’t too long ago when Forever Isn’t Long Enough came out as well. It seems like you’re always moving forward with new songs at a quick pace. So at the moment, are you working on a new song or anything of the sort? I’ve got 500+ songs in the bank, I just tend to move on from them quickly and end up putting more and more out there! But actually, I listened back to a lot of my work and I’m proud of all of it, so I’m sure there’ll be old and new songs of mine released in the next few years. Are you planning to shoot a music video for Shady? If so, do you have a direction or any kind of vision for it? Nah, no music video for that one. But I do have a lot of music video ideas panned for future songs. You’ll have to wait and see though! Amongst your other songs, what makes Shady different? I guess I haven’t made a song so low-key, apart from My Best Friend. It’s got tons in it so it doesn’t feel overproduced. I like songs that have less in them because you can pay more attention to each part and get more creative with each thing you lay down. Hopefully, once the pandemic is over, you could do a show here in Malaysia for your local fans. Nevertheless, can you share with us what is it like to be at an Alfie Templeman concert and what can fans expect from your set? I would love to! We just have fun at the shows, it’s all about making the audience go nuts and really enjoy themselves. Lots of funny covers in there too.

You got a real headstart on your music career which is quite an inspiration for the young, talented singers out there. How would you advise these singers to follow their dreams? Definitely just do your own thing. It’s hard to stand out but not when you let your ideas flow. The stuff you find cringe is normally the stuff that’s actually really unique and cool. What does music mean to you? Music is my life and without it, I would be very bored. I’m lucky to have it, it makes me extremely happy. What set you on this path of becoming an indie/alternative pop singer? I don’t think I really am now, especially in these next releases. I’d rather just be genreless and make all kinds of different music. I never set out to be indie, its just my indie songs that kick started my career, but I’m ready for a change now.

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Which song of yours resonates to you most on a personal level? Probably ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough’ as it’s about who I am today and how my past got me there. Finally, how are the preparations for your spring 2021 debut headline tour coming along? Especially with the whole pandemic situation. Honestly, we’re just hoping things will get better soon, fingers are crossed and we’re excited to tour in general as soon as it’s safe to do so.

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WORK & MONEY

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SUPPORT LOCAL BRANDS BY SHOPPING ON POPTRON

In case you didn’t know, Poptron was launched in September 2020 that features a curated list of local microbrands, all of which were carefully selected by the Poptron team. No longer will it be a hassle in terms of shopping for unique artisanal gifts for your loved ones. Because with this new shift, the team are bringing a traversing row of stalls at the local art bazaars to your fingertips. Before the pandemic, pop-up bazaars used to be the weekend highlight for many, frequented by people from all walks of life, looking for high-quality local products offered from the many local micros and emerging brands. The Movement Control Order (MCO) however has put this fun weekend activity to a halt. But with a list of 100 different micro and emerging brands and over 1,000 products ranging from personal care, fashion items, arts and crafts, to pets necessities and home & living, Poptron allows lovers and collectors of high-quality lifestyle and artisanal products to browse through all of their uniquely crafted offerings in one platform with a highly intuitive interface. These may not be brands that you’re familiar with however it’s always great to know that you can support local brands when you can along with being assured that these products do come in the highest quality. Poptron has recently gone live with their latest update that features an elevated on-the-go shopping experience providing a clean, intuitive layout. The platform also provides free essential e-commerce tools for microbrands to manage the order to fulfilment process and can look forward to a slew of new tools and integrations that will enable them to grow their business regionally. So now, local microbrands are able to reach audiences and boost their business potential from all over the world. ISSUE 28

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WORK & MONEY

HERE’S A LIST OF BRANDS THAT CAN BE FOUND ON POPTRON: CINDERTOELLA Based in Kuala Lumpur, the minimalism statement-making jewellery brand was established by two entrepreneurial women a couple of years ago. Being part of the jewellery industry, the team wanted to capture their passion and inspiration from the places they have visited and share it through these beautiful pieces. The beautiful ideas in the form of pieces of jewellery are now made into intricate, unique, and modern pieces by Cindertoella’s for today’s women. KAPAS LIVING The team at Kapas understands the importance of an individual’s good night’s sleep. And with that in mind, they have come up with sheets that are made luxuriously and feel absolutely soft to the touch. They assure us that their products are made from the finest materials that aren’t priced at a premium. PANTUN There’s nothing more truly Malaysian than our local delicacies. Over at Pantun, the brand celebrates our culture by crafting an array of limited edition enamel pins. MANDI This locally premium made brand specialises in personal care and hygiene. Featuring shower gels that are formulated with fragrances from Fragrance House, Switzerland, Mandi also is popular for their fluoride-free toothpaste consisting of various flavours. THE TWO PINEAPPLES A homegrown brand that was founded by two sisters who has a background in the food and healthcare industry. They realised that it’s important to get their children to eat healthily when they are still young. To break out of the unhealthy cycle, The Two Pineapples promote good healthy habits by making all-natural fruit snacks that do not contain sugar, chemicals, preservatives and colouring.

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NEWTRENDS

K-pop sensation, Blackpink are now Pepsi’s newest brand ambassador Blackpink in your area! To kick off the new year, popular K-pop superstars Blackpink has teamed up with Pepsi for an exciting collaboration of the all-new limited edition Pepsi Black. Members, Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa will be representing the Asia-Pacific region as the brand’s newest ambassadors as well as the “Go All In For What You Love” campaign.

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NEWTRENDS

The campaign aims to encourage the younger generation to be bold and to focus on pursuing their passion and dreams in life. “BLACKPINK perpetuates a uniquely youthful attitude and zest for life that perfectly embodies the Pepsi brand,” says Salman Butt – Senior Marketing Director, APAC of Pepsico. What makes the girls the perfect pick for the campaign is their grit, tenacity and resilience over the years to follow their dreams. And those admirable traits are what made them successful superstars today. Going forward with the campaign, Pepsi has released an ad film that features the Blackpink girls’ bold and incisive record of their work and life. Blinks can now get their hands on the limited edition Pepsi x BLACKPINK products in all participating 7-11 outlets in Malaysia and Singapore. Jennifer Lee, Beverage Marketing Lead of PepsiCo added that the four BLACKPINK personalities will be significantly featured on the collaboration products, with a distinct visual language expressing a daring and bold attitude. “On top of that, we will also be launching a 360-degree marketing campaign to raise brand awareness through various media platforms.” Stay tuned on the brand’s social media pages for more surprises from mid-January 2021 onwards.

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Want your products or services FEATURED and REVIEWED? We provide only honest feedbacks from real people. Contact us at marketing@brandzoom360.com now!

NEWTRENDS

GORDON RAMSAY BAR & GRILL TO OPEN AT SUNWAY RESORT IN JUNE 2021 pssst...we want the Idiot Sandwich! Popular British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has plans to open his first restaurant in Malaysia this coming June and it’s set to be at Sunway Resort. This all-day dining restaurant will be the first location outside of Mayfair, London that will be serving everything from snacks and light bites to savoury main courses. Just like you’ve seen it on television, Malaysians will finally have the chance to try the chef’s famous signature dishes especially his Beef Wellington and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Planned to be located at the lobby level of Sunway Resort, the restaurant will feature iconic contemporary interiors with ﬂoor-toceiling windows frame views of the lagoon. Without a doubt, this would make culinary history in Malaysia and will make every occasion truly extraordinary for all Gordon Ramsay fans. Some fans have already voiced out their enthusiasm and hinting if they would get to witness his fiery temper as shown on cooking shows. “Do we get to see him yell at the cooks?” said Jik Kam Yong. “I’m not even interested in the food, I just wanna go there and get yelled by him AHAHAHAH,” Shuet Yee squealed excitedly.

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As for our resident foodie, she would love to try Gordon Ramsay’s Idiot Sandwich. That’ll be epic. Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill is set to be opened in June 2021 and it has already started to accept reservations.

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NEWTRENDS

DJ SNAKE is now PUMA’s brand ambassador for the new Mirage Sneaker franchise

Sports company PUMA has partnered with famed French DJ and record producer, William Sami Étienne Grigahcine, better known by his stage name DJ Snake. DJ Snake, who is known for pushing the boundaries of music and style, will be the global ambassador for PUMA’s newest sneaker franchise, the Mirage. The Mirage has been brought back from the PUMA archive and revamped with a new perspective on street style, using inspiration from the world of DJs and electronic dance music (EDM). “I am a fan of fashion and sneaker culture, being able to join the PUMA family is an exceptional achievement, and I know my closet will have some great new additions,” said DJ Snake. “As a sneakerhead I’ve always followed what PUMA releases, featuring some of them in my videos and performances. With this new partnership, I will be supporting the Mirage franchise, bringing a new perspective to one of my favourites silhouettes.” The Mirage OG was first introduced over half a century ago, it was originally released as a lightweight track and field shoe and reissued as a jogging shoe in the ’90s. “DJ Snake is a great addition to our PUMA family, we are delighted to welcome him,” said Heiko Desens, PUMA’s Global Director of Design and Innovation. “When we decided to bring Mirage back from the archive, it was important we gave it a fresh perspective for today. Connecting it to the world of DJ culture felt natural, as, like the Mirage, DJ culture gained significant popularity in the 1970s. Sneakers and music have always been vehicles for youth culture, so who better to be the face of Mirage than DJ Snake?” PUMA’s Mirage Tech is part of PUMA’s growing selection of Futro styles, a mashup of retro sneakers with futuristic inspiration. This revamped style features trippy colours, eye-catching materials, and futuristic elements taking inspiration from the lights, energy, and atmosphere of EDM shows. The beat just dropped, so did Mirage Tech. Available starting 10th March 2021 in PUMA Stores, PUMA.com, and select retailers worldwide with a retail price of RM 469. Be on the lookout for additional colourways and new Mirage designs which will release throughout 2021.

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NEWTRENDS

“DJ Snake is a great addition to our PUMA family, we are delighted to welcome him,” said Heiko Desens, PUMA’s Global Director of Design and Innovation. “When we decided to bring Mirage back from the archive, it was important we gave it a fresh perspective for today. Connecting it to the world of DJ culture felt natural, as, like the Mirage, DJ culture gained significant popularity in the 1970s. Sneakers and music have always been vehicles for youth culture, so who better to be the face of Mirage than DJ Snake?” PUMA’s Mirage Tech is part of PUMA’s growing selection of Futro styles, a mashup of retro sneakers with futuristic inspiration. This revamped style features trippy colours, eye-catching materials, and futuristic elements taking inspiration from the lights, energy, and atmosphere of EDM shows. The beat just dropped, so did Mirage Tech. Available starting 10th March 2021 in PUMA Stores, PUMA.com, and select retailers worldwide with a retail price of RM 469. Be on the lookout for additional colourways and new Mirage designs which will release throughout 2021.

ISSUE 28

2CENTS.MY

BOTANICAL REPAIR INTENSIVE STRENGTHENING MASQUE - LIGHT Intensive treatment targeting 3 layers of hair that strengthens and multiplies bonds for deep repair. Instantly transforms hair leaving it visibly healthier, softer and shinier after just 1 use. 98% naturally derived. Price: RM190.00 Website: www.sephora.my

FENTY BEAUTY BODY SAUCE BODY LUMINIZING TINT Introducing Body Sauce – your secret sauce for when it’s time to show a little skin. This lightweight body tint provides skin-enhancing coverage with a subtle shimmer for a healthy looking glow. Price: RM189.00 Website: www.sephora.my

NESPRESSO WORLD EXPLORATIONS Nespresso has recently launched its lineup of the new World Explorations range with three types of renewed existing Lungo coffee alongside three new added flavours: Shanghai Lungo, Buenos Aires Lungo, Cape Town Envivo Lungo, Stockholm Fortissio Lungo, Tokyo Vivalto Lungo and Vienna Linizio Lungo. Price: RM23.00, per sleeve Website: www.nespresso.com/my

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SAMSUNG GALAXY A02 The Galaxy A02 delivers the performance needed for the way we live our day-to-day. With a versatile camera, an uninterrupted infinity display and long-lasting battery life, this new device includes essential features that matter the most; all at an affordable price. Price: RM399.00 Website: www.samsung.com/my

IKEA EFTERTRÄDA MERCHANDISING COLLECTION - HOODIE This is the first-ever merchandising collection from IKEA is inspired and catered for all those looking for a simple yet stylish identity. Price: RM79.00 Website: www.ikea.com/my

INNISFREE 2021 JEJU COLOR PICKER CAMELLIA EYE PALETTE Create camellia-inspired eye makeup with this eye palette, featuring 9 different shades and textures inspired by the blooming camellia flower petals. Its shades range from a subtle, cozy matte to eye-catching, shimmer and glitter shadows for an extra dramatic effect, perfect for both daily use or a glamorous eye makeup look. Price: RM112.00 Website: www.innisfree.com/my

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FX3 FULL-FRAME CINEMA LINE CAMERA The FX3 flaunts Sony’s industry-leading image sensor technology to achieve high processing speeds and outstanding image quality. The full-frame, back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor full-frame 10.2 megapixel (approx. effective) count for movie recording (and 12.1 effective megapixels for stills) and the BIONZ XR image processing engine team up to ensure high sensitivity with low noise. Website: www.sony.com.my

FENTY SKIN FLASH NAP INSTANT REVIVAL EYE GEL-CREAM One of Rihanna’s “top secret weapons” when it comes to skincare, Flash Nap “instantly cools and soothes as soon as you apply it.” Like the rest of the Fenty Skin products, Rihanna designed this product to be simple to use- to apply, “just tap with your fingers around your eyes.” Price: RM140.00 Website: www.sephora.my

ECOTANK L6550 The EcoTank L6550 is suitable for users who require basic A4 colour multifunction printers, while the EcoTank L6580, with its print speed of 25ipm for both mono and colour and fast print out time of 5.5 seconds, is more suitable for users who require faster colour speed and support for printing applications with its PCL and PostScript capability. Website: www.epson.com.my

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PUMA X PEANUTS RALPH SAMPSON TRAINERS Inspired by and designed after four-time All-Star, NBA Rookie of the Year, Houston Rockets alumni and Hall-of-Famer, Ralph Sampson, these clean, classic, court-ready high tops combine sport style with modern urban fashion. Price: RM423.20 Website: www.my.puma.com/my

SAMSUNG GALAXY BUDS PRO Galaxy Buds Pro feature some of the most advanced audio capabilities of any true wireless earbuds. Their intelligent ANC is able to distinguish between your voice and ambient sound, removing background noise when you are looking to immerse yourself and lowering the volume of your audio when you’re engaging in a conversation. Price: RM799.00 Website: www.samsung.com/my

SONY BRAVIA XR MASTER SERIES Z9J The TV features a Cognitive Processor XR that understands how humans see and hear, providing a revolutionary experience that completely immerses viewers in their favourite content. Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2 and HomeKit™ 6 7 and works with Google Assistant. Website: www.sony.com.my

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