Breeze # 157 - The Coffee Issue

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EDITOR’S NOTE

EDITORIAL TEAM Hello Breeze readers,

Happy New Year! Hope all of you had a good start of the year. We kick off 2022 with Nelson, Jackson, Sophie, Edison, Kevin and Winnie as our Cover & Personality. These are the people behind OLDTOWN White Coffee in East Malaysia. Read about these men and women who will take OLDTOWN White Coffee to greater heights in East Malaysia. We also have the story of OLDTOWN White Coffee in East Malaysia at Feature. Check out our other interesting pages too. Read about the lovely bed & breakfast spot called Ukkay in Destination. Discover why Ukkay is one of the best places to relax and spend quality time with friends or loved ones. In Music, we have local singer Aldean who is finally releasing his new single JALAN YANG DULU. If you love Chinese food, try dining at Ding Ji, a new Chinese Restaurant that serves delicious menu items and specialises in Szechuan style food. So many more other interesting pages to read in this jam packed issue. Don’t forget to pull out our free 2022 Breeze Calendar at our centre spread. Once again, Happy New Year and have a great 2022!

Editor in Chief – Dinoza Mahruf Assistant Editor – Noel Jinguli Writer – Geraldine Yong Writer – Thanis Lim Writer – Eilvane Chieng Writer – Andro A. Sandor Writer – Devyne Koh Writer – Adelina Adna Writer – Hanis Batrisyia Writer – Iffah Hazirah Copy writer – Iliana A.

CREATIVE TEAM

Director – Dinoza Mahruf Graphic Designer – Farah Ain Fashion – Glam Squad Photographer – Jofanna Bridal Studio Photographer – Aznan Johary Photographer – Vance Tan Photographer – Alex Fell Photographer – Srap

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Managing Partner – Sonny Ali Finance Director – Zainaba S Administrator & Finance – Florence Masri Events & Promotions Director – Shana K IT Head – Eddie Bee Public & Gov. Relations Director – Noor F. Z. Advisor – James S.E. Quek

SALES & MARKETING TEAM

Marketing Director – Mohammad Iskandar Shah Assistant Marketing Director – Alina Joanna L. Marketing (Labuan) – Leonie Peter Marketing (Labuan) – PRO LVY Ent Marketing (KL) – Kahan Singh Gill Marketing (KL) – Mimie Khan Magazine Sales – Robert Tham

CONTACT INFO

Editorial/Marketing 088-268 180 Administration: 088-316 926 Fax Number: 088-316 936 Email: breeze@breezeborneo.com (General) sales.marketing@breezeborneo.com (Sales) admin@breezeborneo.com (Admin) Marketing (KL): +60 19-336 2211 (Kahan) Marketing (Sabah): +60 18-662 0134 (Alina) Marketing (Labuan): +60 19-897 1238 (Leonie) Marketing (Labuan): +60 19-583 9100 (Eugene)

Scan to read online copy

Photography by Radzie Rahman

Breeze Mag

Venue OLDTOWN White Coffee Likas

Printing by JC Printer SDN. BHD (Co. No. 75764-p) No. 11, Lorong Dewan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. P.O. Box 11984 88821 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Tel: 088-230749, 242378 Fax: 088-235806 Email: jc.printer@yahoo.com

The views and opinions expressed in Breeze are those of authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of MB Managers & Consultants (45857 T), its directors or editorial staff. While every reasonable care is taken in compiling the magazine, the publisher shall not be held responsible for any omission, error, or inaccuracy. Please notify the publisher in writing of any such omission, error or inaccuracy. Editorial contributions are welcome but unsolicited materials are submitted on sender’s risk. The publisher cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage. ® All rights reserved by MB Managers & Consultants (45857 T). No part of this publication can be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s permission in writing. KDN PPH 308/10/2013 (033079)


content coffee issue #157 06 FLASH december 2021 hapennings

07 REPORT

16 TECH

28 FITNESS nutrition comes first

OPPO’s first folding flagship

38 BEAUTY gold & glitter

18

40 FASHION

19 AUTOMOTIVE 30 wellness

42 FOOD

GRAND LAUNCHING OF VESPA DESTINATION KOTA KINABALU SHOWROOM AND HIGHEST ELEVATED Ukkay kudat GRAFFITI ARTWORK HELIUM BALLOON IN MALAYSIA

THE XC60, SMARTER THAN EVER BEFORE

hustletics

How much coffee is enough?

crispy curry puffs / uncle jon’s beef noodles and laksa

31 AESTHETIC

RESTORE YOUR INTIMATE INSTINCTS.

10 FEATURE

OLDTOWN White Coffee

12 MOVIE

CIty Cineplex january 2022 movies

14 MUSIC

Aldean’s new way

20 ECO NEWS Sabah Renewable energy rural electrification roadmap

22 personality aroma of success

32 DENTAL

Kids and brushing teeth

34

RANTS & RAVES

Dairy or non-dairy?

36 POP CULTURE The Influence of Starbucks on Pop Culture

44 RESTAURANT REVIEW Ding Ji: A Taste Of Szechuan For All

46 Nightlife

Light in the city 2.0 / ALL NEW JOJO GASTROBAR


FLASH

december 2021

SABAHANS SOEN TAN AND ANGELINA KA SECURED TOP 2 SPOTS FOR MISS PETITE GLOBAL MALAYSIA Kuching, 5 December 2021 - Soen Tan made Sabah proud after winning the title of Miss Petite Global Malaysia 2021. Fellow Sabahan Angelina Ka clinched 1st runner-up, which means Team Sabah won top 2 spots. The result was announced during the grand final which was held at Kuching, Sarawak. Previously, Soen Tan was also the winner of Miss Petite Universe International Sabah 2020. For more information, go to web.facebook.com/missandmisterpetiteglobalmalaysia VIVID RASA LIGHTING CEREMONY Kota Kinabalu, 15 December 2021 - As the holiday season kicks off in Kota Kinabalu, Rasa Ria decorated its gardens in a unique and extravagant light display that illuminates the resort. The display is part of Vivid Rasa, which was launched on this day and featured a festive atmosphere coupled with a dazzling light show and gorgeous tunnel of lights. The launch was officiated byAssistant Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and the Rasa Ria’s General Manager Fiona Hagan. The light display is complimentary for In-House and Dine-In Guests. For Walk-In and Outside Guests, tickets would be available from RM50 nett and RM100 nett during Festive dates. The show will be available daily 3 times a day, at a scheduled time. The Vivid Rasa lights will remain in place until the 15th of February 2022. Please call 088 797 888, visit www.dinerasaria.com or WhatsApp 019 884 6929 for more information and to prebook tickets. BOSCH REXROTH CYBER PHYSICAL TRAINING SYSTEM I4.0 Kota Kinabalu, 21 December 2021 - OSCH Rexroth Cyber Physical System I4.0 was officially launched today at Sabah Skills & Technology Centre. Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin Madingkir was present and officiated the launch on behalf of YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor. In the year 2020, in line with the advancement of technology and the government’s belief in the importance of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 to various economic sectors in Malaysia, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Sabah has invested in the BOSCH Rexroth Cyber Physical System I4.0 which is also known as the Modular Mechatronic Training System (Mms 4.0). This machine is the 3rd unit in Malaysia and is located in Sabah Skills & Technology Centre (SSTC) and is the 4th unit in the whole ASEAN region. It is a simulation of a Smart Factory that is closely related to the 9 main pillars of the Industrial Revolution 4 0. Programmes offered are IR 4.0 Foundation, Bosch Sensor & IOT Technology, Introduction to Modular Mechatronics System (Mms I4.0), PLC Application Specialist I4.0 platform, Cyber Security, Cloud Platform, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, whereby the trainees will do case studies using Mms 4.0. During the launch, there was also a presentation of certificates for students that have completed the Skills for Prosperity Malaysia programme. Skills for Prosperity is a global programme funded by the United Kingdom Government. The programme is led by the International Labour Organization (ILO) of South-East Asia, which includes Malaysia, and consists of various programmes in Sabah. Sabah Skills & Technology Centre (SSTC) is the project delivery partner for the Enhancement of Local TVET/Skills Eco-System in Sabah under the programme.

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GRAND LAUNCHING OF VESPA KOTA KINABALU SHOWROOM AND HIGHEST ELEVATED GRAFFITI ARTWORK HELIUM BALLOON IN MALAYSIA

Report

L

ocated at Stunning Bike, Vespa Kota Kinabalu Showroom was finally launched on 11 December 2021 in a grand ceremony filled with fun activities. The launch was done to showcase that the Vespa brand is here to stay and proud to be in Sabah; much to the delight of local Vespa lovers. Before the launch, 40 riders from the local Vespa community did a city tour from OLDTOWN White Coffee (Likas branch) to Stunning Bike, where the Vespa Kota Kinabalu Showroom is located. The launch was officiated by Managing Director of Stunning Bike Jordan Chan and General Manager of Vespa Malaysia Juan Chow Wee. As part of the launch, a big Vespa Kota Kinabalu balloon with local graffiti artwork floated up to 199 feet in the air; setting a new Malaysian Book of Records for the highest elevated graffiti artwork helium balloon in Malaysia. The graffiti artwork was done by talented local artist Phey. Founded in Italy at 1946, Vespa burst onto the scene in a nation that was in a post-war rebuilding phase and brimming with ideas, creativity and hope, Vespa has represented a zest for

life and a desire to embrace the future. It has become an icon of freedom and emancipation for young people the world over, combining effortless, distinctive Made in Italy style with cuttingedge technology. Visit the Vespa Kota Kinabalu Showroom now at Stunning Bike! @stunningbike

@stunningbikeos

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Feature

OLDTOWN White Coffee

OLDTOWN White Coffee Likas Outlet

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nown for its charm of a traditional Ipoh white coffee, OLDTOWN White Coffee has grown tremendously since it was first established in 1999. From the first opening of its White Cafe in Ipoh, Perak and manufacturing its own instant white coffee mix in 1999 to having over 230 cafe outlets throughout Malaysia and internationally today including Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Singapore, OLDTOWN White Coffee has been awarded Malaysia’s largest halal-certified Kopitiam restaurant chain in the Malaysia Book of Records 2007. Ipoh White Coffee is known for its rich history. The origin of white coffee dates back to the late 19th and early 20th century in Ipoh’s Old Town area. It was said that the iconic white coffee was first introduced by the Chinese, specifically the Hainanese that migrated to Ipoh, Perak, a northern city in Malaya which was known as the centre for tin mining back then. Fun fact, White Coffee was invented as an alternative beverage to the bitter tasting acidic western coffee for the Hainanese to drink when socializing and doing business with the westerners. By slowroasting coffee beans in margarine, white coffee was formulated to suit the Asian palate. Just like its rich history, patrons that visit OLDTOWN White Coffee are spoiled by the abundant choices off its food and beverage menu. OLDTOWN White Coffee serves a variety of halal-certified Malaysian delicacies that are rich in flavor, texture and aroma, from its white coffee to its toast breads, rice and noodles, and even its 3-in-1 instant beverage mixes, which have all undergone diligent R&D and years of experience to satisfy your every need!

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Step inside and be greeted by the fragrance of coffee made from freshly-ground caramelised coffee beans, complemented by a menu of familiar home favourites. OLDTOWN White Coffee menu is versatile enough to cater for around-the-clock dining covering Breakfast, Lunch, Tea, Dinner and Supper. The enticing aroma of brewed coffee and flavourful local delights infuse the vibrancy of life into every store, bringing people together to share in the nostalgic taste of a bygone era. In case you didn’t know, OLDTOWN White Coffee recently opened its first signature 3rd Generation outlet and it is located in Likas, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah! It is the first OLDTOWN White Coffee outlet with a new corporate image. Compared to other outlets, the Likas branch has many differences in terms of concept, renovation, furniture and down to the colour theme. When you first step onto the entrance of OLDTOWN White Coffee Likas branch, you will see a vintage Vespa scooter on display and will be welcomed by friendly faces that will brighten up your day. Moreover, championing inclusivity, the Likas branch


has service crew that are able to converse in sign language and cater to persons with disabilities. Customers can recognise them by the badges they wear. The OLDTOWN White Coffee Likas branch is massive and customers can choose to sit anywhere they like. Customers can opt to dine-in at the open space area or at the indoor airconditioned area. For any business meetings or for big groups that want some privacy, there is also a VIP Meeting area which can seat up to 20 people at a time. As you walk further, you will notice a convenience store located at the end of the hallway called 66 Marketplace, where customers can shop for groceries or even purchase OLDTOWN White

Coffee products. Other interesting features of the Likas branch is that it has an in-house Product Development Department, a training room, a Jewellery store and even an aesthetic medicine centre which are currently in their development phase. Besides that, a surau and a baby care room are also available for the convenience of customers that visit the OLDTOWN White Coffee Likas branch. According to the General Manager of OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia), Jackson Phan, the next 3rd generation outlet for OLDTOWN White Coffee will open at Kota Marudu soon, most likely after Chinese New Year. Furthermore, there are future plans for OLDTOWN White Coffee to expand its operations to more townships in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan. OLDTOWN White Coffee is wholly acquired by the world’s largest pureplay coffee and tea company, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) Peet’s since early 2018. In addition to its many outlets in Peninsular Malaysia, OLDTOWN White Coffee outlets are also available in East Malaysia. With its vision of being the lead white coffee brand in Asia Pacific, OLDTOWN White Coffee is determined to provide high quality products to its customers globally. Head on over to the Personality section to get to know more about the team behind OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia). @oldtownwhitecoffee OLDTOWN White Coffee Malaysia

by Hanis Batrisyia 11


movies

CIty Cineplex january 2022 movies

RESIDENT EVIL: WELCOME TO RACCOON CITY

THE 355

Release Date: 6 January 2022 Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi Director: Johannes Roberts Cast: Kaya Scodelario, Robbie Amell, Hannah JohnKamen

Release Date: 13 January 2022 Genre: Action, Thriller Director: Simon Kinberg Cast: Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Bingbing Fan

Set in 1998, this origin story explores the secrets of the mysterious Spencer Mansion and the ill-fated Raccoon City.

When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, a wild card CIA agent joins forces with other international agents on a lethal mission to retrieve it.

SCREAM

MORBIUS

Release Date: 20 January 2022 Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller Director: Matt BettinelliOlpin, Tyler Gillett Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette

Release Date: 27 January 2022 Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Director: Daniel Espinosa Cast: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona

Twenty-five years after the original series of murders in Woodsboro, a new Ghostface emerges, and Sidney Prescott must return to uncover the truth.

Biochemist Michael Morbius tries to cure himself of a rare blood disease, but he inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism instead.

CITY MALL SHOPPING CENTRE | WWW.CITYCINEPLEX.COM



MUSIC

Aldean’s new way Apart from music, Aldean is also talented in hosting. As he enjoys being on stage, Aldean has been actively hosting more than 50 events in Sabah since 2012. He grew up having to love watching TV hosts present themselves to audiences, especially in how they handle things with such finesse and wittiness. Fast forward to the year 2022, Aldean is currently living his dream. He is releasing his long-awaited first single called JALAN YANG DULU, produced by the well-known Malaysian composer and sifu, Julfekar. Besides that, there is much in store from Aldean. After the release of his first single, staying connected to his Filipino roots, he plans to release a Tagalog song called Lilim At Dilim, as well as a Tausug song called Kawin In Tungbas. Being the storyteller that he is, Aldean describes JALAN YANG DULU as a song that speaks about the struggles of one’s past, may it be about relationships, achieving your dreams, or overcoming your worst nightmares. He hopes the message of this ballad is relatable for each and every soul that is looking for a way out into becoming a better version of themselves.

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usic has always been the dream for the young aspiring singer-songwriter, Aldean, 30, a proud Murut-Sino Kadazan with Filipino roots, who grew up in Kota Kinabalu. He describes himself as a storyteller, and loves to express his feelings, memories, and emotions through music. He remembered listening to his mother playing tunes of Celine Dion and Whitney Houston when he was a little kid and was mesmerized by their vocals. But what piqued his interest in singing was when he heard his Aunt singing along to Mariah Carey on their karaoke set. He then channeled that interest into joining singing competitions at a young age. Mentored by his aunt, he competed and performed on many stages, in front of a live audience. The adrenaline and energy of being on stage made him feel belonged for the first time. Growing up, Aldean was always exposed to music. One of his most memorable past-time was gathering in front of the TV with his parents, watching singing reality TV shows, and so often he would say to himself, “That’s what I want to be, a performer, to express my feelings through music.”.

by Hanis Batrisyia Image | EJ’s Picture & Level 4 Studio 14

Personally, for Aldean, JALAN YANG DULU represents the current him, who is finally one step closer to achieving his dreams in which he hopes will be the stepping stone for his career as a singer. This piece relates to his past experiences, ups and downs, and journey in following his dreams, which he admits has not been an easy road. He recalls a time where he almost gave up on becoming a singer and performer due to the hardships and challenges that life had thrown at him. Nevertheless, he did not stop trying and continues to reach his goals even today. His advice to everyone out there is to not give up, dare to dream and be bold in pursuing your passion even if it means taking years for you to reach your goals, as he himself took a long journey to be the singer and performer he dreamt of being. Being deeply passionate in music, Aldean hopes to have his own record label one day as he believes Sabah is rich with talented individuals who struggle with having no means to showcase their talents to the public. Hence, he hopes to help Sabahan talents to progress in life, and to contribute to the growth of the Sabahan music industry. JALAN YANG DULU is now available and open for request on all radio stations. The official music video for JALAN YANG DULU, directed by Mimiey James and Tutty James, is currently in the process of finalizing and will be released in the very near future. However, you can check out the official music video teaser which has been released on YouTube. @JulfekarMusic



TECH

OPPO’s first folding flagship

F

olding phones, or folding screens, have been part of our lives in the past few years. Of course, the clamshell phones have existed for the 20 or so years now, but screens that fold have only begun to show their potential in the smartphone market. Samsung was the first to successfully introduce their Galaxy Fold and Flip lines to mass consumers, with Huawei not far behind. However, enter a new player, OPPO with their Find N.

The Find N features 3 main cameras being the 50 MP (megapixel) main, 13 MP telephoto, and 16 MP ultrawide shooters. The main and telephoto shooters feature phase detection auto-focus, while only the main lens has optical image stabilisation. However, both the second and third lens have gyro-EIS (electronic image stabilisation) for more stable 4K and 1080p videos. The 32 MP selfie shooter also features the gyro-EIS.

The Find N is OPPO’s first foldable flagship smartphone. At the time of writing, there isn’t any other foldable to compare it with besides Samsung’s Fold, so forgive me for that. You might be asking, what’s different between these two? For starters, the Find N’s form factor looks way more familiar to most smartphone users. The 5.49in cover display makes it much easier to navigate compared to the longer form factor of the Fold.

Personally, I like this foldable more compared to the Galaxy Fold. What attracts me is the form factor which seems way easier to handle and has smaller footprint for pocketability. The specs are very close, if not the same, as the Fold. However, as the time of writing, no release date has been mentioned for Malaysia as of yet. It’s currently only available in China after its release in December 2021. You can get it from third parties but fingers crossed, we’ll see them in Malaysian retailers soon.

When you fold the Find N open, you’ll see a 7.1in screen with a punch hole camera in the top corner. Both the LTPO AMOLED inner and AMOLED cover screens have vibrant colours and deep blacks for your viewing pleasure. It’s powered by the powerful Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, which is currently the best one to date. Powering everything is a 4500mAh battery with fast charging capabilities. So even if 4500mAh isn’t enough for you, you’ll be off the plug in no time.

by Noel Jinguli Image | OPPO

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destination

Ukkay kudat is important to take a breather, rest our minds, and appreciate our surroundings. Ukkay hopes to be the place that offers a short respite to those who wish to reset and rejuvenate, and just be in the moment. Fall asleep to the soothing symphony of crickets and wake up to the chirping sounds of birds singing, Ukkay provides four bedrooms that accommodates 2 persons each, two modern bathrooms with hot showers, and a fully equipped kitchen to cook up a feast. Moreover, with 2 acres of open green space guests are able to fully enjoy the fresh air and the luscious green surroundings that nature has to offer. Watching trees dancing to the music of the wind, time just somehow flows by without you realising. For indoor activities, there are board games and plenty of books available to keep you entertained in the evening or in case of a rainy day.

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bout 14 minutes drive into the outskirts of Kudat Town, is a lovely Bed & Breakfast home with rustic simplicity paired with a dash of modern comfort called Ukkay. Ukkay, pronounced “ohk-kei”, is translated from Cantonese language which carries the meaning of ‘home’. Aspiring to be the home for those who wish to experience the kampung life, Ukkay offers guests a minimalist space to relax and rejuvenate, away from the noise and busy-ness of the city life, a home away from home. Ukkay opened its doors to guests in August 2019. The house was initially built in a typical Hakka design that dates back to the 1920s. Formerly an old former plantation home in the 1940s, it was converted from an uninhabitable dilapidated house to a comfortable home. Ukkay looks beautiful in its own way. With its blue painted walls and white coloured windows, the exterior of Ukkay has a charming resemblance to the sky, making one feel calm and serene. Going into the house, you will be surrounded by white walls as well as a minimalistic interior. With no frills, no clutter, cozy and airy, you will fall in love with the rustic simplicity of Ukkay. Inspired by the laid-back and slow-living lifestyle of Airbnbs and workaway hosts during her trip in Europe, Sam, the owner of Ukkay, wanted to incorporate that concept back home. Hence, with that experience as well as the encouragement from a good friend, Ukkay was born. In a fast-paced world that we live in, it

by Hanis Batrisyia Image | Ukkay Kudat 18

It is recommended for guests to have their own transport to get around in Kudat. Some noteworthy places you can visit such as Bak Bak Beach, The Tip of Borneo, and the Sikuati market are all within driving distance from Ukkay. Ukkay can be reached for bookings or on Airbnb airbnb.com/p/ ukkaykudat @ukkaykudat

012-829 9121


THE XC60, SMARTER THAN EVER BEFORE

AUtomotive

The new Volvo XC60 features a rich Scandinavian design with refined enhancements to the exterior. The changes include a new grille, new front bumpers, and a new exterior colour. For the Recharge T8, the new Volvo XC60 will come with a new 19” 6-multispoke black diamond-cut alloy wheel design and a Bowers and Wilkins sound system for the interior. The New Smarter Volvo XC60 also presents a range of drive modes, tailored to the driver’s preferences, from Pure Electric mode with zero tailpipe emissions for the environmentally conscious to Power mode for the driving enthusiast. The Volvo XC60 comes with a 4-cylinder 2.0L twin engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission with Geartronic. The engine is assisted by a supercharger as well as a turbocharger, producing 407hp with 640Nm of torque, with 87hp and 240Nm from the battery. The new Volvo XC60 does the century sprint (0-100) in 5.3 seconds, as well as a fuel efficiency of 2.2 litres per 100km.

Kota Kinabalu, 11 December 2021 – Volvo Car Malaysia takes another step towards full electrification as it officially unveiled its latest model to East Malaysia at a launching ceremony held at Sabah International Convention Centre. Dubbed “the New Smarter XC60”, this refreshed model comes with added safety features, a fresh exterior look and state-of-the-art technological integration with Google Services. Charles Frump, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia, shared: “We are excited to introduce the New Smarter XC60 to the shores of East Malaysia. Sebangga Mitsinbo is a valued dealership partner for Volvo Car Malaysia, and it is through their support that we can deliver our most personal vehicle to date and reiterate our commitment to providing the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable, and safe way to our customers in Sabah.”

True to its safety-first history, the new Volvo XC60 is equipped with Volvo’s latest-and-greatest active safety system, the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), with collision avoidance, lane-keeping aid, run-off road mitigation, crosstraffic alert with auto braking, Blind Spot Information System, and a surround-view camera. Another highlight is the Volvo Car App and Connected Services, which is an app that connects you with your Volvo, enabling convenient remote control of several car functions. By simply using your mobile device or voice control, you can remotely preclimatise your parked car, check car status, lock or unlock the doors and much more. Priced from RM317,506.58, the New Smarter XC60 will be available for viewing at Sebangga Mitsinbo, Kota Kinabalu, which is the sole dealer for Volvo vehicles in Sabah. Online bookings can also be made through Volvo Car Malaysia’s website.

The new Volvo XC60 is a culmination of the partnership between Volvo Cars and Google to provide a first-of-its-kind built-in infotainment system, complete with a host of Google Services. This enhanced model will feature a new Digital Services Package consisting of an integrated voice-controlled Google Assistant which enables control of many in-car applications including Google Maps, allowing more to be done without glancing away from the road ahead, therefore eliminating the need to take your hands off the steering wheel. Dato’ Arif Ambrose Ng, the Chairman of Sebangga Group added: “We welcome the latest addition, the New Smarter XC60, to our Volvo fleet here in Sabah. Built with technology and innovation in mind, this vehicle delivers the most intuitive infotainment experience in the automotive industry, making it Volvo Car Malaysia’s most sophisticated mid-sized SUV to date.”

Image | Volvo Car Malaysia 19


ECO NEWS

Sabah Renewable energy rural electrification roadmap remote Sabah were asked about the needs and electrification status of each of the villages. Teams of local researchers, community organisers and field engineers meanwhile crisscrossed Sabah meeting communities and sharing the vision of off-grid energy supplies in places often reachable only by boat or on foot, or with a tough 4x4.

What SabahRE2 found in these remote areas were thousands of single household solar panels, and inefficient little generators running on expensive polluting diesel with most families making do on a few hours of power a day, and too weak to run things like refrigeration that could transform livelihoods. They also found beautiful villages, strong cultures, rich resources, abundant lectricity supply has been irregular over the past year for sunshine, and fast clean forest streams capable of generating Sabah’s urbanites. However, despite all the hard work and enough power for mini-grids without the need of dams. progress, there remains a clear disparity in energy access between those in the city and people in remote regions where we estimate In the first year of the project 400 villages were mapped, 206 120,000 people live beyond the state’s electricity grid. profiled, and feasibility studies for 57 undertaken on a proposed 35 mini-grids. Using TONIBUNG, Green Empowerment and This is where the Sabah Renewable Energy Rural Electrification PACOS Trust’s experience of 20 years of establishing village Roadmap (SabahRE2) is stepping up to find collaborative renewable energy systems in Malaysian Borneo, SabahRE2 is solutions to the issues of unmet energy demand, working now preparing to roll out a pilot cohort of renewable energy alongside Sabah’s Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), the Ministry mini-grids. These will be financed through blending a variety of Rural Development (KPLB), and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd of local and international funding streams and supporting (SESB). communities to build the skills and the enterprises to develop, maintain and pay for their own power. SabahRE2 is a consortium comprising four collaborating organisations: Forever Sabah, TONIBUNG, PACOS Trust This is the cutting edge of how tackling climate change and and Green Empowerment. The idea is to consult with un- improving life in Sabah can be practically connected; please visit electrified communities and deploy renewable energy generation www.sabahre2roadmap.org to share with us these maps, stories technologies to design a way to navigate towards a future of and hopes. energy equity, right livelihoods, and wellbeing for rural Sabahans. As home to 72% of un-electrified rural Malaysians, and in this era of climate change, Sabah has the opening to pivot towards renewables as a viable solution for energy access for communities distant from the state grid who can pioneer a low-carbon future. The vision to address half of Sabah’s rural energy demand by 2030 through mini-grid systems. The initiative launched in 2021 with the award of a British Government grant from the Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) Programme.

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To work out how to get electric power deep into the mangroves, mountains and forests of Sabah, SabahRE2 teams started both from the sky and from the ground. Using satellite images, all the villages, roads, streams, electricity distribution lines were mapped, often for the first time. Simultaneously community networks, local government officials, and anyone else with knowledge of

by Noel Jinguli Image | SabahRE2

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We support the Department of Environment

Let’s Stop Open Burning For A Better Future


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Personality

aroma of success

n August 2020, OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) entered into a new Territorial License Agreement with OTK Eatery Sdn Bhd. On top of managing OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia), the group also manages GTEA Malaysia and 66 Marketplace Malaysia. With a diverse mix of entrepreneurs from different age groups, here is a look at the leaders behind the new success of OLDTOWN White Coffee in East Malaysia.

Nelson Yen

CEO of OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia)

Nelson Yen, from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, was a banker by profession for 15 years before he ventured into business. Since taking over OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) in August 2020, his role in the company is as one of the directors and the major shareholder of the group business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nelson realised that there was a big potential in the F&B business. Coincidentally, at that time, OLDTOWN White Coffee was looking for a new license agreement for its East Malaysia branch. Thus, Nelson and his team decided to take over and gave OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) a new direction. According to Nelson, it was not an easy task as they were faced with many challenges, such as financial support, logistics, new F&B SOPs, and etc. However, they somehow successfully made it through and survived the hard times. Nelson feels proud to represent OLDTOWN White Coffee, a Malaysian brand known by many that serves high quality products that are made affordable for the people. The high selling point of OLDTOWN White Coffee for him is the uniqueness, service and ambience it offers. Fun fact, Nelson Yen is a tea person. Despite having a stronger preference to tea compared to coffee, he believes OLDTOWN White Coffee is unique enough to cater to different types of customers. The availability of varieties of delicious halalcertified Malaysian cuisines and different types of beverages to choose from at any time, makes Nelson believe that the OLDTOWN White Coffee brand is unique and has a high potential to grow even more in the international market. Nelson Yen is a simple man. Personally he has no daily routine and just goes with the flow. However, in work matters, he is quite the hardworking man. On the weekends, Nelson likes to go for a drive to relax his mind. He is quite the passionate man on fast automobiles. He collects modern and vintage sports cars, but is particularly more keen on two-door sports cars. Occasionally, he also likes riding his Harley Davidson to enjoy the pleasant wind breeze. However, he always makes sure to spend time with his family when he is not working. Coming from a humble upbringing into the successful businessman that he is now, Nelson’s main motivation in life is to put food on the table for his family. He wishes to provide the best for his 8 year old son and wants his son to grow up in a comfortable environment as well as receive the best education possible.

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Jackson Phan

General Manager of OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia)

Praised and well-respected by many, Jackson Phan, from Kota Kinabalu, currently in his mid-40s, has had the opportunity to achieve so much success in many different professions. Before taking over OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) in August 2020, he was a well-experienced senior banker for 20 years, who previously worked with Hong Leong Bank, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia, Government owned financial institution and Kuwait Finance House Malaysia. In addition, currently he practises as a chartered company secretary under the professional body known as MAICSA and he runs his company secretarial firm with his team members for the past 10 years. Moreover, he is also currently a part-time lecturer for Business and Finance courses at TAR UC (Sabah) and Jesselton University College. With so many responsibilities on his shoulders, Jackson Phan is a busy man. However, he is very disciplined and has exceptional time management skills. In the morning, he would wake up early to help his wife with their children, have breakfast and start his day. As the general manager of OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia), Jackson has a lot of meetings to attend. He usually meets up with at least 3 people a day, with suppliers, staff, customers, etc. On days where he has classes to teach, he would schedule them strategically on his trusty planner to avoid any event clashes. At night, he would finish up some office work at home or would sometimes attend to a series of paperwork such as teaching materials, tests and assignment marking. However, amidst his busy lifestyle, he would always have time for his family. During his free time, as a loving father, Jackson enjoys spending time with his three little princesses, aged 7, 5 and 4 respectively. He loves it when his wife and daughters visit him at work. Sometimes they would visit him at the OLDTOWN Likas branch to have a meal together, and other times his daughters would come over just to see him at work. After a long day of work, Jackson would relax in front of the TV and watch an hour of Hong Kong series or Hollywood movies before going to sleep. Jackson also enjoys going for a drive in some of his classic car collections on the weekends. He owns several British and European-made classic cars and Italian Vespa bikes, and is quite known in the local car social clubs. He says being in car clubs provide him many opportunities to do some networking, which he believes is essential in his profession as a businessman. Investing in his passion brings him joy and what better way to spread the joy by sharing it with the people around him! Customers that visit the OLDTOWN White Coffee Likas branch might get to see a glimpse of his impressive classic car collections on display as he is planning to showcase different automobiles every month. When asked about his motivation in life, Jackson believes that motivation is closely tied to satisfaction. He claims, “When you are satisfied, it is also a form of motivation to achieve more in life”. As a Sabahan, one of his goals in life is to improve the living standard of the people of Sabah. Having been in the industry for so long, he has seen the unfair treatments of the less fortunate, and wants to create a more sustainable life for all. He believes that by expanding more outlets of OLDTOWN White Coffee in more townships of East Malaysia, there would be more opportunities for the locals to secure jobs and have a stable income for them to put food on the tables for their families. 23


Sophie Phan

Food Development and Procurement Manager for OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia)

Sophie Phan, from Kota Kinabalu, aged 42, began her career in Sales & Marketing at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort. Throughout her working life, she has always been skilled at bringing people together and working toward common goals. Her experience in successfully leading teams and management skills was what led her to consider working in the F&B industry for 15 years now. Currently, in OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia), Sophie is responsible for developing new food products and improving existing offerings as demanded by the market and trends. Some of her roles as a Food Development and Procurement Manager are developing purchasing strategies, maintaining positive relationships with suppliers, coordinating with internal teams regarding their supply needs, and overseeing the purchasing team in their daily activities. Sophie is a hard worker. Picking up the habit from her mother who always encouraged consistent work and the importance of doing things the right way, she believes that there is no shortcut to success. A good work ethic is what’s most important to her and is something that she takes pride in. Every day, Sophie would show up with the same effort and mindset to deliver consistent results to the team and be someone they can count on. Her journey to where she is now has been eventful. Two years ago, she was invited to join for a Food Development & Procurement position at OTK Eatery and is now part of the OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) team. She confessed that previously she didn’t know what product management was. She was quite overwhelmed in the first few months as she not only had to get used to a new team and job tasks, but was suddenly inundated with a whole slew of projects and assignments—and sometimes, with little to no training or guidance. However, when put in a difficult situation, she does not take things personally and certainly does not back down from a challenge. Sophie remains calm and collective and will develop a plan to cope with it. She believes that learning is a fundamental part of succeeding in a new position. Asking for help can be a sign of strength and courage. Sophie does not shy away to look for help in a variety of ways to help her cope with a tough situation in life. In her free time, Sophie likes to travel. For her, travelling is not just for fun, but also to see and experience new places, cultures and foods. She believes that it is a fantastic way to expand the mind and to recharge from burnout. Being the coffee lover that she is, she views having coffee as a kind of daily ritual that is done with friends and family. Because coffee is so inviting, it is natural for her to feel comforted and at ease by sipping a cup of coffee. As she is currently back in her second home in Hobart, Tasmania, she wishes that someday she would be able to let Tasmanians enjoy every sip of the authentic Malaysian Ipoh White Coffee, anytime, anywhere. 24






Edison Ho

Marketing Manager for OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) Venturing into the business world at a young age was not an easy task for the 28 year old Edison Ho, as it involved taking big risks and bold steps. When the opportunity to work with OLDTOWN White Coffee came at his doorstep, he did not hesitate to take the chance and is now the Assistant Marketing Manager for OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia). Among his roles as the assistant marketing manager are liaising with corporate people and the head office on matters related to marketing, product costing, menus, designs and many more. For Edison, the concept of a modernised kopitiam is what sets OLDTOWN White Coffee aside from other kopitiams. Apart from the delicious food that it offers, it also gives a different feeling, a different ambience, and a better environment for all. Edison works tirelessly on a daily basis as he enjoys doing what he does. Being with OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) provides him the flexibility and freedom to showcase his own talent, as well as the opportunity to work on his strengths and weaknesses. He admits that he sometimes makes mistakes along the way, however, he would always learn from it and strive to be better. He sees them as challenges and a necessary step for growth. Starting a sustainable business requires passion to stay consistently motivated as business is not a one day thing, but rather a whole process of ups and downs. Fortunately, Edison has very supportive people around him that keeps him going every day. He owes much of his success to his encouraging parents as well as his mentor, Jackson. Being the hardworking man that he is, Edison works diligently and stays productive everyday as he aspires to become a successful businessman with valuable experiences in the future.

Outside of work, Edison likes to spend time playing sports. He enjoys doing various outdoor sports such as basketball, badminton, swimming, jogging, and etc. Having an active lifestyle is important to him as it allows him to stay focused. He believes staying productive is the key to having a successful life. Being in his 20s himself, Edison encourages more youths to take the bold step in improving their standard and quality of living. He recognises that youngsters nowadays have a lot of talent and ideas that could help the community. The most important thing to remember when starting out is to trust the process and keep the momentum going.

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Kevin Goh

Operations and Training Manager for OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) Born to a Sabahan father and a Perakian mother, Kevin Goh, 28, admits that he has a special connection with OLDTOWN White Coffee. Growing up, Kevin was raised in Beaufort, Sabah but often visits his mother’s hometown, Ipoh, during the holidays. Hence, he has known the OLDTOWN brand from a very young age. Currently representing OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) as an assistant operations and training manager, he feels proud to support a brand that initially started in his mother’s hometown. Every day, Kevin would wake up at 7.30am, check his emails for any urgent matters, have breakfast and go to work. He enjoys his work as it allows him to meet new people, exchange knowledge and experiences from all walks of life. After joining OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) in August 2020, he admits that his growth space has grown tremendously, which he thinks is a huge opportunity for him as an entrepreneur.

A way to describe Kevin Goh is that he is a great problem solver. In his mind, there is always a plan A to Z. For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the sales and operations were largely affected. There were no food delivery riders available, and customers were not allowed to dine in due to the SOPs for F&B industries at the time. To overcome this, Kevin had to think of a solution fast on how to sustain the business and to make sure his staff could keep their jobs. So, what they did to survive the pandemic was to create a delivery channel for their customers and had some of their staff do the deliveries. This way, no one would lose their incomes and at the same time customers were able to get the comfort food that they craved for. Moreover, Kevin and his team also initiated the idea of doing Facebook Lives, to promote and sell OLDTOWN White Coffee products online. Through this, they were able to generate a massive brand engagement and keep the OLDTOWN White Coffee brand relevant within the community. Respected and loved by his staff, they would always approach Kevin when faced with any difficulties, and Kevin would involuntarily sit with them to work things out together. One of Kevin’s motivations to keep going is that he wishes to improve lives and grow together with his team. He wants to consistently improve and be a better person for himself and for the people around him. He believes that he is stronger now due to the support of those close to him.

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Winnie Boo

Head of Social Media and Product Design for OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) Hailing from Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Winnie often ate at OLDTOWN White Coffee outlets with her family. The delicious taste of Hor Fun and Pan Mee noodles were among her comfort foods from a young age. Thus, when the opportunity to work with OLDTOWN White Coffee came knocking, she was ecstatic. For Winnie, the OLDTOWN White Coffee brand provides her the sense of familiarity and nostalgia. Currently based in Sabah for almost 3 years, being able to get food that tastes like home at OLDTOWN White Coffee is one of the things that she is grateful for. The end of 2019 was the start of a new life for Winnie Boo, who boldly took the risk of moving from Penang to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Currently at the age of 25, being the Head of Social Media and Product Design for 3 brands under OTK Eatery; GTEA Malaysia, 66 Marketplace Malaysia and especially OLDTOWN White Coffee, a familiar brand that she grew up with, makes her feel proud. A few years back, she would never have expected to be where she is now. Having no formal educational background in design, she took it upon herself to learn the skill of designing by attending online courses to add value to her work. Apart from that, she often does her research online prior to producing any form of promotional displays for inspiration. Paired with her individual style and unique creativity, she is constantly looking to improve her work in any way that she can. When asked about her goals in life, Winnie plans to learn about videography and video editing next. Winnie is very dedicated and passionate in the things she does. According to her, social media work is not the same as a 9 to 5 office job, as it requires her to work on flexible schedules. She says that she sometimes works till late night or even works from anywhere, depending on the urgency. But being the positive person that she is, she does not view her job as work but views it as part of her daily life.

However, when work gets overwhelming, Winnie would take a breather and relax her mind as she believes good quality of work comes from a healthy mind. Winnie finds balance in life by doing exercises at home or enjoying a cup of hot white coffee in a peaceful and quiet environment. In her free time, Winnie also enjoys online shopping. Winnie feels rewarded when she receives good feedback on her work. Looking back at her old designs, she admits that her work has improved a lot since she first started. After working with OLDTOWN White Coffee (East Malaysia) for almost two years, she realizes that success is sweeter when shared. Thus, she is planning to build her own team and hopes to strengthen her leadership skills in the near future. 27


fitness

nutrition comes first

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oming into a new year, we’re all about resolutions and getting and keeping healthy is as popular as it is important. As vital as it is to stay active and keep moving, it’s just as key to make good choices with the food we eat. You don’t have to be an athlete or a fitness buff to make better nutritional choices! Making sure you have your nutrition in check will reward you in various ways both physically and mentally. Eating well doesn’t just make sure we are fueling our bodies the right way, it also influences every thing the body does, including how energetic we feel throughout the day, but even how we sleep and how good a mood we’re in! Countless studies have also shown that having a complete diet keeps our immune system ready to protect against diseases and viruses. Now that we know what eating well does for us, how exactly do you do that? What exactly is good nutrition? First of all, it is important for your eating approach to be accessible and sustainable. The yogurt and apples diet may not work for everyone! Find something that works for you without being so restrictive that you won’t even be able to last more than a week. Start small, like cutting down your daily snacking to once or twice a week. Order or cook your chicken roasted instead of deep fried, or grab a few more stalks of vegetable than usual. Tiny steps like these slowly build up to become a well-balanced, accessible diet.

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Always remember: the best diet is the one you stick to. There’s no need to over-complicate things in order to be healthy, just start with the basics, experiment from there, and stick to whatever works! Be healthier at your own pace and DM us on Instagram if you think we can help you get kickstarted! Nutrition coaching services available at Hustle Fitness along with personal training and group workouts!



wellness

How much coffee is enough?

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hether you’re on your way to work, pulling an all-nighter, or a coffee aficionado, it is hard to imagine life without coffee. There’s just something about sipping that hot steamy cup of bliss that warms the soul. We love it ‘a-latte’! But the big question is, how much coffee is enough? Coffee contains caffeine, a natural psychoactive substance that boosts your energy levels, body metabolism, productivity, and alertness. Coffee is rich in antioxidants that may reduce the risk of several diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. However, much like everything else, the health benefits of coffee can only be reaped with low-to-moderate consumption. Excessive intake of caffeinated coffee may lead to dangerous side effects. A 240 ml cup of coffee contains approximately 100 mg of caffeine. According to the FDA, for healthy adults, the safe amount of caffeine consumption is about 400 mg per day – which is equivalent to 4 cups of coffee. Although caffeine overdose from coffee is rare, consuming too much caffeinated coffee may lead to insomnia, an upset stomach, nausea, heart palpitations, dehydration, anxiousness, headaches and more. To enjoy the benefits of coffee while still avoiding the unpleasant side effects that come with it, here’s how you can drink coffee responsibly:

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• • • • • • •

Limit the amount of cream and sugar in your coffee, Avoid coffee consumption before dinner, Practice portion control, Plan your coffee intake, Occasionally switching to decaf, Consider drinking coffee with plant-based milk, Avoid drinking coffee on an empty stomach.

For pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers, you may want to discuss with your doctor before including caffeine into your diet. Studies have shown that high caffeine intake during pregnancy may increase risks of lower birth weight, miscarriage, premature delivery and stillbirth. To be absolutely safe, it’s best to avoid it completely during pregnancy. The bottom line is that coffee is good for your health when consumed moderately but may be harmful to the body when consumed in excessive amounts. So every once in a while, visit your local kopitiams, cafés, or brew your own coffee at home, and savour the simple pleasure that it brings. Just remember to drink it responsibly!


RESTORE YOUR INTIMATE INSTINCTS.

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AESTHETIC

any women today are willing to spend a large sum of money to get the best and maximum facial treatments. They are willing to do all this just to get a healthier, more radiant face and reach as far as possible from effects of aging. However, what about their vaginal condition, don’t you think that their ‘miss V’ also requires similar treatment? Did you know that just like the skin on the rest of a Woman’s body, the vagina will also experience the aging process in line with that person’s increasing age? The aging process of the vaginal area begins when women are in their 20s. Frequent changes are like fat reduction in the labia majora (outer labia), and subsequently followed by changes within the vagina. When the pre-menopause process starts, the surface of the wall in the miss V area will become thinner; the muscles in the pelvis will weaken and relax. Around the same time, women tend to lament from their husbands being unsatisfied in the bedroom, thus causing some women to start feeling less confident or ashamed to engage in sexual activity with their spouse, which might cause the collapse of the household. Realizing this fact, vaginal rejuvenation trends using lasers (more often called laser vaginal rejuvenation/ laser vaginal tightening) are now known to many women. In the past, many women were ashamed and afraid to see the doctor for procedures as such because previous procedures required surgery (vaginoplasty/ hymenoplasty), postoperative pain, and had a longer ‘downtime’ but now, with advanced technology, the laser procedure can be performed without the need for surgery; it does not require aesthetic, it’s painless, fast and easy, and does not have any downtime. Treatment time is about 15 minutes. Women can go back to work or to their everyday activities as usual after the treatment. The treatment required is 1-3 visits depending on the condition of the woman (e.g. age, number of children, birthing & surgical history, bladder problems, etc.). After-effects of laser treatments are usually faster and more effective and for some individuals the effects are almost immediate.

TREATMENT RESULTS Vagina • Tightens and thickens the vaginal wall • Reduces dehydration (hypo-secretion) and pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia). • Repairs the vaginal mucosa wall by stimulating the formation of collagen (collagen remodelling of vaginal tissue) thus enabling the tightening of the vagina. • Anti-inflammation is particularly helpful in treating frequent vaginal discharge (recurrent thrush) and elevating immunity. • Helps to cope with ‘urinary incontinence’ problems or better known as urinary incontinence where this condition occurs in women who have had many children, elder women or women who have ever had surgery to deliver children in which the bladder muscle becomes traumatic and weak. Most women complain of “leakage” when they laugh, sneeze or cough. Labia • Whiten the labia surface • Eliminate fine lines and the effects of aging on the labia • Firms up the surface of the labia.

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Dental

Kids and brushing teeth

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rushing our teeth is an important part of our daily activities. Its importance is something we need to teach children as there are some kids who just don’t like brushing their teeth. Together with Dr. Sylvia Lim of Phi Dental, let’s get to know the best and safest way for kids to start brushing their teeth. First of all, it is important for children to brush or clean their teeth as soon as the teeth start growing. Obviously, parents need to help their kids and babies by using a soft cloth or child’s toothbrush to just clean the teeth until they can do it themselves. Dr. Sylvia believes that kids need help to brush their teeth at most until their 7 0r 8 years old. Regarding toothpaste, make sure to apply a pea-sized amount of flouridated toothpaste when your child is at least 3 years old. This is because our waters lack fluoride, which is important to help prevent tooth decay. But before that, you could just use a damp cloth to rub your baby’s gums. Dr. Sylvia doesn’t recommend the use of any mouthwash for children under the age of 6. Even so, you still need to supervise them. Apart from that, flossing isn’t recommended until at least 2 teeth are touching each other.

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In terms of how to persuade your kids, getting them to start from an early age is key. It teaches them to start a healthy habit from an early age. You should also encourage them with a special toothbrush, brushing your teeth as a family, or even rewarding them afterwards. Parents should continue to guide kids with brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash until they’re 12. Whatever you try, make sure to take your kids to regular dentist visits. This helps reassure to them that there is nothing to be afraid of when visiting the dentists. At the end of the day, having a positive perception towards oral health is important, and teaching kids this early on in their life is crucial for them to implement healthy oral practices.



Rants & Raves

Dairy or non-dairy?

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rowing up, I never really noticed I had any dietary restrictions or allergies except that I tend to feel bloated and uncomfortable whenever I drink milk. As a clueless child, I didn’t give much thought to it and shrugged it off until I learned about lactose intolerance. As we didn’t have many milk options on the market 10 years ago, I just endured the pain and hoped for the best every time I drank lattés until I was introduced to nondairy milk. Since then, I have always opted for dairy alternatives whenever it was available. In recent years, there seems to be a growing interest in dairy alternatives. More people are switching to plant-based milk, whether it is for the taste, health, environmental or ethical reasons. Some may have the luxury of being able to drink any type of milk without experiencing digestive issues but there is a large portion of individuals who don’t. The growing demand for plant-based milk has led to many coffee shops providing dairy alternatives on their menu. However, due to the higher cost of production in the plant-based industry as compared to dairy milk, most coffee shops impose surcharges for it. Non-dairy milk options such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk can cost about an additional of RM1.50 to RM3. So, every time I go to a coffee shop, I either have to pay extra or pray my body does not punish me for when I order a latté with regular milk. Whole milk makes coffee taste delicious, rich and creamy. If I could, I would get lattés with whole milk every time and enjoy the fact that I don’t have to spend extra money on milk. Dairy

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milk has the perfect composition of fats and gives the perfect balance of bitterness, sweetness and acidity in coffee. It is also rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K. Plus, with dairy milk being a complete protein, it contains a full mix of the essential amino acids that our bodies require, which is lacking in most plantbased milks. However, as consumer habits and demands have altered the landscape of the milk industry, I do personally hope that surcharges for non-dairy milk will cease one day. But with so many milk options on the market today, it all comes down to what works best for your tastebuds and lifestyle!



Pop Culture

The Influence of Starbucks on Pop Culture

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un fact - Starbucks got its name from the classic literature, Moby-Dick! Its name was inspired by Captain Ahab’s first mate on the Pequod – Starbuck. However, when we hear the word ‘Starbucks’, it is somewhat interchangeable with the word coffee. Founded in Seattle in 1971, Starbucks is the world’s largest coffee-chain with over 29,000 locations worldwide, serving 100 million coffee lovers daily. For some, Starbucks means more than just a coffee shop where they can satisfy their caffeine needs. It also sells experience and culture. It has changed the way we drink coffee, where and when we drink them, as well as the way we socialize. With the convenience of having many Starbucks outlets globally, it gives people the sense of familiarity in terms of taste and environment. Tapping into pop culture, Starbucks made it trendy and cool to meet up for coffee. Starbucks is well known for its brand image in the mind of its consumers. The white paper cup with its ubiquitous green and white mermaid logo is just iconic. We see our favorite celebrities pictured with it, we see people posting pictures of their Starbucks coffee on social media, and even featured in movies with pop culture references like The Devil Wears Prada – which somehow gives the feeling of luxury to many. Despite being priced slightly on the higher side, the premium Starbucks coffee appeals to almost everyone as it presents itself as a form of luxury that is affordable to almost everyone.

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Over the last 20 years, Starbucks has managed to sustain its brand dominance by adapting to consumer needs. With the convenience of having multiple charging ports and unlimited wifi, mobile apps and loyalty programmes, Starbucks has grown to complement the urban lifestyle. Another factor to why Starbucks continues to gain popularity today is due to its wide variety of beverages, especially its Frappuccino, which is very customisable to suit anyone’s needs. Having gone far beyond espresso, Starbucks also serves non-coffee drinkers with its wide selection of teas, juices, and smoothies. Furthermore, in the age of TikTok and social media, customized drinks, or ‘Starbucks Secret Menus’ have gained much popularity among teenagers and young adults who tend to experiment with new tastes. Whether it’s for the coffee, a place to work, or a meeting point to chat with friends and relax, words cannot ‘espresso’ how much love we have for Starbucks!


Chinese New Year Special Promotion RM15 ONLY

RM8 ONLY

RM8 ONLY

Fill your baskets with joy and donuts! Available for outlets in Kota Kinabalu,Kota Belud, and Lahad Datu uncletdonuts . Bakery

TEL: 010-9306731 (KK) | 014-866 2173 (KB)


BEAUTY

GOLD & Make Up and Hair Adelina Adna (@adelinamua) Photography Aznan Johary (@ajohary) Model Angel (@ayn_juhl) Venue Jumpa (@findjumpa)


Glitter Make Up and Hair Adelina Adna (@adelinamua) Photography Aznan Johary (@ajohary) Model Mazzy (@_mmats) Venue Jumpa (@findjumpa)


FASHION

EST 2018


Aspire Collection

@hustleticsapparel


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estled in Damai Plaza, Luyang is Uncle Jon’s Beef Noodle and Laksa. Founded and operated by Marcus Hwong, the name Uncle Jon came to be from his uncle who loves to cook and always passionate about hometown and down to earth good food. Among Uncle Jon’s signature dishes are the Laksa Special and Aussie Striploin Beef Noodle Soup. The Laksa Special comes from an original homemade Sarawak Laksa recipe that is packed with a generous amount of noodles, prawns, chicken and egg. The flavourful laksa broth itself tastes really good. The broth is boiled for hours for maximum taste. It is made from big prawns heads & shell and chicken stock produced the old fashion way from boiling chicken bones. The name says it all as how often can we find a place that serves Aussie striploin with beef noodle soup? Eating the Aussie Striploin Beef Noodle Soup is simply a pleasure you have to experience. The soup is refreshing and healthy; so you wont feel really thirsty after finishing your bowl. So stop by Uncle Jon’s for a laksa or beef noodle soup goodness.

Kedai kupi of the month

Uncle Jon’s Beef Noodle and Laksa

@jons_recipes Uncle Jon’s Beef Noodles and Laksa 011-1664 0202


mytapau: SABAH’S VERY OWN FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE and conditions applied. The fun doesn’t end there as MyTapau also does daily prize giveaways but fret not, their promotions are 100% platform promotions, which means that it won’t deduct anything from their sellers or riders. ‘Find Good Food, Senang Bah!’ is what you will see on the loading screen of the MyTapau app. Staying true to its tagline, the MyTapau mobile app is simple and user-friendly. The red and white interface is designed to be attractive yet easy to navigate. The app also allows their muslim consumers to filter halal restaurants by tapping on the green icon on top of the screen or turn on the Muslim Friendly Menu toggle at the Edit My Profile page. Furthermore, currently with over 100 local restaurant vendors on its list, you will be spoiled with a wide variety of food menus that are on the MyTapau app. All you have to do is sign up, top-up your prepaid wallet, find the food you want and place the order.

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ith the booming developments of today’s technology, it has greatly changed the way we live our daily lives. The demand for online food delivery services continues to rise and it has opened many doors for small businesses and restaurant owners to thrive, especially in the post-COVID-19 era. Now, with just a few simple taps on our smartphones, we are able to conveniently have food from restaurants of our choice delivered to our doorsteps in no time. MyTapau, a newly launched local food delivery service based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah has decided to join in on the rapid growth of the food delivery market. MyTapau officially started operating in November 2021, offering self pick-ups and food delivery services in areas as far as North such as Inanam, and South to Putatan.

Being a local company, the addition of personal touch is what makes MyTapau unique from other online food delivery platforms. As MyTapau takes much emphasis on its customer service, sellers and users can reach out to MyTapau and will always get a human voice at the other end, not a machine or a bot. Apart from expanding their list of vendors, MyTapau will also be adding pre-order services for seasonal food products and homebased chefs, and a separate express delivery service for food and grocery in the near future. For more information, visit MyTapau on Facebook or download the app now!

Dinosaur

Striving to be the best local delivery platform in terms of quality of service and food, MyTapau enables sellers to gain exposure as well as enables traditional home-based chefs to transition to an online platform quick and easy. MyTapau app is available for download on Google PlayStore, Apple AppStore, Huawei App Gallery. MyTapau uses a prepaid wallet system that allows users to top-up from RM30 up to RM500. The e-Wallet system allows MyTapau to run wallet promotions from time to time. Currently, for every top-up of RM50, you will be given a top-up bonus of RM15 and a bonus of RM40 for every top-up of RM100. Now that’s generous! On top of that, upon signing up, users will also be awarded with a welcome bonus of RM5. Moreover, when you refer a friend, you will be entitled to a referral bonus, with terms 43


restaurant review

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here are times we crave for something hot and spicy, while other times we may want something savoury and flavourful. You might be pleasantly surprised to know that Ding Ji, a Chinese restaurant located on Gaya Street, offers the best of both worlds with its Szechuan-style food. Buckle up, because you’re in for a treat. Many of you may already be familiar with Szechuan food and for some, it might be your favourite cuisine. But for the uninformed, here are a few quick facts about the most popular cuisine in China. The dishes of Szechuan cuisine are known for their rich, spicy and bold flavours. It has a certain kind of spiciness that comes from the unique Szechuan pepper that gives it its signature “numbingly-spicy” flavour. Intrigued? Let’s dive right in. As you enter through the doors of Ding Ji, you will be greeted by a bright and cosy atmosphere. It has a modern design with splashes of intricate traditional Chinese-inspired motifs on the walls and lamps hanging from the ceiling that remind you of paper lanterns. The upper floor is more of the same, however the fusion of traditional and modern design with the exposed roof ceiling is a nice touch. 44

Ding Ji: A Taste Of Szechuan For All

We sat down at a table for four during one quiet late afternoon, so we had plenty of time to digest and savour everything that was served to us. We had a number of dishes that gave us an overview of what Ding Ji has to offer. First up was their Szechuan Style Stir-Fried Prawn. The prawns were fresh, peeled and wellcooked in a nice, light and crispy batter. They’re served together with a variety of vegetables including onions, red chilli and green pepper. I would recommend eating these as soon as they are served so you can enjoy that lovely crunch from the first bite.


Claypot Beancurd with Seafood

Szechuan Style Stir-Fried Prawn

Chilled Spicy Chicken

Tang Yuan

Next up is a classic Szechuan dish - and one of my personal favourites - Chilled Spicy Chicken in chilli oil. This is a vibrant dish packed with many layers of flavour! As soon as the chicken is cooked, it is chilled in a bowl of ice or cold water before it is doused in the hot, aromatic chilli oil. It is garlicky, umami, sweet, spicy and nutty all packed into one and it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser. Its name in Mandarin literally means “Saliva Chicken” which is definitely not the most appealing term, but one that perfectly describes the appeal of this dish - it leaves you salivating for more. Perhaps the better term would be “Mouthwatering Chicken”. On to one of the best dishes we had: Szechuan Style Crispy Chicken with Dried Flower Chilli. If this is your first time trying this dish, you might be intimidated by its red, daunting, and deadly spicy look. We’re pleased to say that it tastes as dramatic as it looks. The chicken itself is crispy and very flavourful, and you’ll want to keep going for more. That’s when the spice kicks in. However, despite the large amounts of chilli peppers, this dish was not explosively spicy but rather nicely spiced with just enough of a kick for you to break into a sweat. Finally, we had their Claypot Beancurd with Seafood - a dish so familiar to all of us. There’s nothing much to shout out about this dish, other than it’s a welcome break from all the spice we had from the previous dishes. If however, you find yourself in need of a cold drink or a dessert, Ding Ji offers a variety of refreshing juices, herbal drinks and tang yuan (glutinous rice balls) with ginger soup.

Szechuan Style Crispy Chicken with Dried Flower Chilli

Now, if you’re someone who can’t handle the heat, you might be thinking to yourself that all this sounds a bit too much for your liking. I, for one, consider myself to be right down the middle of the spicy-meter, and I don’t think the dishes served here are too spicy at all. In fact, I think spicy food connoisseurs will feel that it leans slightly towards the milder side. So what does this say for you? If you’ve never tried Szechuan food and you’re adventurous enough, then this will be the perfect gateway into a whole new world of flavour. You’ll still get a taste of that familiar spicy Szechuan flavour without the numbing sensation that is usually associated with this cuisine. 010-824 4822 9.30am to 3pm | 5pm to 9.30pm [Daily] 109, Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah @dingji.kk SERVES PORK

by Jeremy Tan Image | Vance Tan

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nightlife LIGHT IN THE CITY 2.0 Scenes during Light In The City 2.0 on 11 & 12 December 2021 at Happy Place Restaurant & Bar. The show celebrates the lively and resilient spirit of our people and communities, hoping to spark a glimmer of hope for the new season and for new beginnings. Featuring a collection of Sabahan artists and musicians perform captivating renditions of all-time favourite Christmas songs.

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nightlife ALL NEW JOJO GASTROBAR As you walk up the impressively constructed spiral staircase of LUMA Hotel, you immediately step foot into JOJO Gastrobar, undoubtedly one of the hottest new spot in town. JOJO is an amalgamation of the core team’s different expertise in modern-dining, cocktails and various inspirations from predominantly Japanese and Asian ingredients. Embracing the gastropub concept, JOJO serves mostly tapas-style food which ranges from a very addictive Belgian truffle parmesan chips to a good selection of chargrilled Wagyu steaks for them steak lovers. As such, JOJO’s food are also designed in mind to harmoniously pair with their innovative cocktail offerings. It was very refreshing to see classic cocktails such as Moscow Mule being transformed into their Japanese cousin - Kyoto Mule, which is bound to be a crowd pleaser! JOJO is also that popular kid in class that everyone wants to hang out with (or ‘at’ in this context). The environment at JOJO consist of maroon red ceilings, rustic wall finishes to honeycomb floor tiles. Coupled with floral-shirt bartenders who are skilful yet hospitable, a night out of cocktails and steaks with your date or friends would surely not be a mistake.

by Eugene Chiu Image | Radzie Rahman

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