FASHION
Trendy Back-To-Campus Sneakers WELLNESS
Eat Your Way To Lower Cancer Risk TRAVEL
Top Historical Places ToVisit In Malaysia GUYS STUFF
Start Your Journey With Smart Looking Shoes COVER STORY
Malaysia Day
Goes International PP 18375/03/2014(033823)
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CONTENTS
FEATURES
26
BEAUTY
COVER MODEL: ESKA SEA WANT TO SEE MORE OF HER? YOU CAN BY DOWNLOADING OUR FREE CAMPUS PLUS INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MAGAZINE AT THE APPLE APP STORE OR GOOGLE PLAY™ STORE
FRUITS & VEGETABLES YOUR SKIN SHOULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT
Turns out your mom’s constant nagging on eating your greens is good for your skin!
FASHION
Trendy Back-To-Campus Sneakers WELLNESS
30
FASHION TRENDY BACK-TO-CAMPUS SNEAKERS
Get a leg up on the fashion train when the new semester starts
Eat Your Way To Lower Cancer Risk TRAVEL
Top Historical Places ToVisit In Malaysia GUYS STUFF
Start Your Journey With Smart Looking Shoes COVER STORY
46
CAREER CHAT THE EMBODIMENT OF TALENT, ARTISTRY AND BRAWN
Music teacher, drama teacher and floorball hockey coach – Gilbert Wong does it all
50
ARTS & CULTURE A TASTE OF TRADITIONAL MALAYSIAN ARTS & CULTURE
Old school arts and culture – Malaysian style
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Malaysia Day
Goes International PP 18375/03/2014(033823)
COVER STORY MALAYSIA DAY GOES INTERNATIONAL
40
Embracing it as their home away from home, international students living in Malaysia join us local boys and girls in celebrating Malaysia Day
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CONTENTS
76
68
REGULARS
FEATURES NEWS ....................................... 08
55
GAMES
OFF THE SHELF ........................ 24
TIME TO EVOLVE
BEAUTY Q&A ........................... 28
Evolution yields some unspeakable monstrosity that needs to be neutralised
64
TRAVEL TOP HISTORICAL PLACES TO VISIT IN MALAYSIA
Part II of the not-to-be-missed places to check out in Malaysia
66
FOOD DIRECTORY THE FRIENDLIEST CREPE CAFÉ
This crepe-licious place will have you walking in as a stranger but leaving as a friend
76
DREAM CARS 2014 LAFERRARI
It’s THE Ferrari. Period
BEAUTY CASE ............................ 29 FASHION FEATURE .................... 32 RUNWAY REPORT ..................... 34 GUYS STUFF .............................. 36 GUYS STUFF FEATURE ............... 38 LIFE HACKS/DIY ........................ 48 CAMPUS TALK .......................... 52 EVENT LISTING .......................... 54 MUSIC ...................................... 56 K-POP ....................................... 58 MOVIES ..................................... 60 WELLNESS ................................ 63 BOOKSHELF .............................. 68 WIRED UP ................................. 69 CAMPUS LIFE THE COMIC ......... 78
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Happy 51st Birthday
Malaysia!
T
he month of September (on the 16th, to be precise) sees our country edge slightly past the golden jubilee mark as it celebrates Malaysia Day. And no, we’re not going to bore you with the facts about Malaysia Day; or with how Malaysia was formed and all that. Instead, we’re touching on why Malaysia has become a home away from home to all the foreign students here. That’s right; your fellow international university mates who are living and studying here have every reason to join us in our celebration of Malaysia’s anniversary. Find out why Malaysia Day goes international in our cover story on pages 40 - 43. Speaking of Malaysia, check out some of our local pre-internet games in the feature ‘A Taste of Traditional Malaysian Arts & Culture’ from page 50. Wouldn’t you have known, we actually do have a rich culture of traditional and still popular games that have withstood the ravages of time and progress. Then, for the foodies and Jamie Oliver- or Nigella Lawson-wannabes among you, try out our DIY mooncake recipes, found on pages 48 and 49. You won’t regret it, because the best things in life are homemade! Since we’re on the subject of food, do check out our review of Strangers At 47 (Food Directory, pages 66 and 67), a cosy eatery that serves up some delectable crepes, great service and an unforgettable gastronomic experience. And what is a celebration without some proper music? Get the lowdown on some funky, retro yet evergreen 70’s music that are enjoying a comeback with the success of Marvel’s latest movie, Guardians Of The Galaxy. All that’s on pages 44 and 45. So sit back, enjoy the magazine and celebrate with us on all things Malaysia!
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campusnews
THE LATEST FROM YOUR CAMPUS
SEPTEMBER 2014
SPOTLIGHT
KDU IT Alumna Wins Two Awards In Japan CHONG HWA INDEPENDENT HIGH SCHOOL’S WINNING TEAM HAPPILY RECEIVED A HP PRINTER EACH FROM MR PETER HOOENART, DEAN OF SCHOOL OF COMPUTING, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (SCET), APU (RIGHT)
APU’s First Ever
“QR Sch Invasion” Competition The Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) organised its first ever “QR Sch Invasion” Competition – a treasure hunt that was based on QR Codes. The competition took place on the 16th of August within the APU campus located in Technology Park Malaysia, Bukit Jalil. It was jointly organised by staffs from APU’s Student Services Department and lecturers from APU’s School of Computing & Technology. The competition saw participation of around 100 secondary school students from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. All participating students and teachers were given a uniquely-designed button badge, which contained a QR code that leads to APU’s official website. As the countdown timer started ticking, teams consisting of three students raced each other to every corner of the building, from classrooms to the auditorium, to search for the hidden QR Codes, which contained generic questions on the Computing & IT field. Chong Hwa Independent High School, KL, shocked the audience and participants as all three teams of students were announced as top three winners of the competition. The teams walked away with Canon printers, Touro external hard disks and Yoobao powerbanks respectively. Trophies were given to them as well, as tokens of achievement. “It is not all about winning or losing, it is all about teamwork and excitement”, said Mr Peter Hooenart, Dean of School of Computing, Engineering & Technology (SCET), APU, at the prize giving ceremony. The tired yet happy faces of the participants say it all - this competition was a wonderful and unforgettable experience for all of them.
Over 1,000 Students
To Enrol In Curtin Sarawak Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) has received over 1,000 applications from potential students interested to enrol in its August (second semester) intake for Foundation and undergraduate programmes. While classes for its undergraduate programmes have commenced and new enrolees in those programmes have completed their orientation, enrolment for its one-year (two semesters) Foundation programmes (Commerce & Arts and Engineering & Science streams) continues. For entry into the programmes, students must have five SPM credits, inclusive of English. For the Foundation Engineering & Science stream, students must have credits in mathematics and passes in additional mathematics, chemistry and physics. Curtin Sarawak’s Foundation programmes provide potential students an added pathway to move into higher education, as well as a solid foundation for students to adapt to university education at Curtin Sarawak more confidently, both in terms of level and style of education. They challenge students to become active learners who can acquire, interpret, communicate and apply knowledge within and across disciplines to cultivate the integrative thinking required. Strong academic support via advisory support programmes, additional teaching and learning workshops, tutorials and mentorship with lecturers are also provided for by the University. 8
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An alumna of KDU Penang, Jazz Tan Yee Mei, was honoured with two awards in the 2014 Asian Entrepreneurship Award (AEA) which took place in Japan, from 13 – 17 July 2014. An international business contest from Japan, the AEA serves as a platform to bring together the latest and innovative technologies and ideas from Asia through the participation of universities and researches. Jazz Tan, who obtained her degree in Computing Studies, with a major in Management at KDU Penang in 2012, has been actively involved in youth development since 2009. She has won several awards during her time at KDU, such as the prestigious Global Student Entrepreneur Award Malaysia and MSCMDEC Business Plan Competition. Post graduation, Jazz expanded her business with her IT expertise and management skills. She is currently the CEO of YouthToday.com – an online portal for brands and government agencies to connect with the youths. For the competition, Jazz teamed up with Annie Wong Thim Mei, the Business Development Manager of YouthToday.com to promote this online platform that is designed for youths to gather resources, funding and mentorship to help build their ideas. They won third placing; winning a cash prize of 500,000 Yen (approximately RM16,000), 30,000 flight miles on Japan Airlines, 2-year tenancy at Kashiwano-ha Open Innovation Lab (KOIL) and a HP laptop. Plus, a six-month tenancy in InnoSpace (Shanghai) for winning the Shui On Prize as the top-placing entrant which business deals with IT or IT-related clean technology. Truly grateful to her undergraduate days at KDU, Jazz stated that “My lecturers and staff at KDU prepared me well for the IT and business world by teaching me the necessary planning, organising and leadership skills.”
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campusnews
THE LATEST FROM YOUR CAMPUS
SEPTEMBER 2014
SPOTLIGHT
INTI Students Awarded Full Scholarship By
University Of Kansas Three students of INTI International College Penang, Matthew Ong Kai Jing, Khaw Yee Ming and Tessa Ng Pei Ying, have been awarded full scholarships by the University of Kansas (KU). Having completed two years of study under the American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) locally, they have achieved their dreams of completing their Bachelor’s Degree in the United States. Matthew follows the footsteps of his sister Alyssa – an INTI alumnus whom also went to KU after receiving a research award. “Seeing her success motivated me to study hard and also engage in extracurricular activities. Thus I can be like my sister who honed her leadership abilities through various activities during her time in INTI”, said Matthew, current president of the American University Program Student Council. Yee Ming, who will be majoring in General Psychology at KU commended the support he got from his lecturers and friends at INTI. He lauded the opportunities and resources made available for self-development, particularly with regards to his
MATTHEW ONG (LEFT) FINDS INSPIRATION IN HIS SISTER, ALYSSA, WHO RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
mastery of English. Tessa, who is excited and prepared for US agrees, “INTI provides many opportunities for us to learn and excel within and beyond the classroom.” INTI’s strong and long standing ties with US universities provide students, through the ADTP, a chance to experience seamless transition from INTI to over 300 universities in North America.
Taylor’s University Vice Chancellor & President Honoured Taylor’s University Vice-Chancellor & President Professor Dato’ Dr. Hassan Said is the first Southeast Asian and second person in Asia to be conferred the Award of the Honorary Doctorate by the University of Toulouse, France in a ceremony held in Toulouse recently. Through the conferment of this award, Professor Dato’ Dr. Hassan Said joins the ranks of high-ranking international personalities such as Mauno Henrik Koivito, the former President of The Republic of Finland and Václav Havel, the Former President of Czechoslovakia as recipients of this award. Since its inception in 1229, the University of Toulouse has only awarded this award to 35 recipients from across the world. All recipients have made contributions to three key areas; exceptional contributions to their field of expertise, transformative contributions to the leadership of a University and created significant impact to the landscape of higher education system. The Dean of the Toulouse School of Tourism, Hospitality Management and Food Studies, University of Toulouse, Professor Dr. Jean Pierre Poulain in reading the commendation during the ceremony, shared that the University of Toulouse recognises Professor Dato’ Dr. Hassan Said’s contribution in all three areas. “His contribution to the field of mathematics was through the introduction of a new class of blending functions, also known as Said’s Basis Function. He also assisted with reforming the Higher education system in Malaysia including the setting-up of Malaysia-France University Centre between the two countries, the setting up of the National Higher Education Research Institute (IPPTN) and the establishment of Research Universities in Malaysia during his tenure as the DirectorGeneral of the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. He has also been a vital force in transforming Taylor’s University towards becoming one of the most respected Malaysian universities on the international landscape TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY VICE-CHANCELLOR & today,” said Professor Dr. Poulain. In his acceptance speech, Professor PRESIDENT PROFESSOR Dato’ Dr. Hassan Said thanked the University of Toulouse for the honour DATO’ DR. HASSAN SAID IS THE SECOND EMINENT and expressed his gratitude for the recognition that the University has PERSONALITY FROM ASIA provided him. TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD 10
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The One Academy Promotes Outstanding Creative Excellence Through the Malaysia Top 10 Outstanding Young Artists Award 2014, potential talents were identified and selected to enrol in the various creative art and design courses provided by The One Academy, to master the essential artistry needed to attain worldclass achievements! To further inspire these young talents keen on embarking on a creative career, The One Academy also lined up 12 excellent graduates who have flourished in the global creative arena, with the presentation of the Malaysia Top 10 Outstanding Creative Youth Award. It serves as a testimonial that’s in line with the Masters Train Masters teaching philosophy utilising The One Academy’s cuttingedge creative art and design courses. The Top 10 Outstanding Young Artist Award has now entered its 17th year in Malaysia, and expanded to Indonesia and China. This on-going initiative aims to propel talented youths to emerge as world class experts through mastering essential techniques, and shine brightly in the world of art and design. This year’s competition saw the participation of over 6,000 teenagers from all over the country. Artworks were judged based on criteria such as originality, creativity, tidiness and the strength of storytelling, by leading academics from The One Academy and representatives from partner organisations. The Award Presentation Ceremony was graced by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Jamil Salleh.
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campusnews
THE LATEST FROM YOUR CAMPUS
SEPTEMBER 2014
Curtin Sarawak Wins Top Prize In Honeywell UniSim Design Challenge 2014
Talented UCSI Lass Wins Second Runner-up At
Astro Star Quest
SINGING SENSATIONS: THE ONLY TWO FEMALE CONTESTANTS IN THE TOP 5 OF THE ASTRO STAR QUEST, LEE ELAINE (LEFT) AND YUII CHAN (RIGHT); RISING STAR: LEE SHOWCASING HER VOCAL PROWESS AT A TOP 5 PUBLICITY TOUR AT HER ALMA MATER UCSI UNIVERSITY
Book author and UCSI University’s Institute of Music (UCSI IM) graduate Lee Elaine, 24, added another notch to her belt by cinching second-runner up in one of Malaysia’s biggest singing competitions, the Astro Star Quest. With a powerful voice that shifted effortlessly between the high and low notes, her rendition of Ye Kong Zhong Zui Liang De Xing (The Brightest Star in the Night Sky) by Escape Plan won praise from judges. Speaking in a surprisingly husky voice after the competition, the petite singer expressed her disbelief at her win. “I never imagined I could break into the Top 18 even, what more win as the second runner-up,” she said. Adding modestly that all the participants were outstanding, she credited her time at UCSI IM pursuing the BMus (Hons) Classical Music for giving her the background in proper singing techniques. “I chose UCSI IM because I feel the classical music programme is the best – both in terms of lecturers and syllabus,” she said. As part of its Praxis University approach that focuses on hands-on learning, the UCSI IM also organised weekly performances by its students. This, she emphasised, really made a difference in reducing her nervousness during the competition as the weekly performances gave her the experience of being on stage. Her positive experience at UCSI IM has further convinced her that education should be a priority for anyone who is interested in a musical career.
SPOTLIGHT
Four fourth-year chemical engineering students of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) emerged champions in the Honeywell UniSim Design Challenge 2014, a student competition organised by Honeywell and Student Competitions. The team comprised Kristy Nyagang, 23; Aw Ying Yin, 23; Chen Wai Mun, 23; and Chang Chung Min, 24. They were supervised by lecturer of chemical engineering Dr. Mesfin Getu Woldetensay. The Honeywell UniSim Design Challenge nurtures and promotes talent in the process manufacturing industry among students from higher learning institutions in Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. It requires students to utilise the Honeywell UniSim Design Suite software to design processes to solve critical plant business issues of their choice. Participants’ submissions must demonstrate creativity and innovation, as well as detail the benefits to be derived from their solutions. The software is used by industrial manufacturers worldwide to design, optimise and test manufacturing processes before they are implemented in a wide range of industrial facilities. The Curtin Sarawak team’s entry was entitled ‘Through UniSim design to improve the energy efficiency of a typical turbo-expander plant using enhanced natural gas liquid (NGL) recovery process.’ The prize-giving ceremony will be held during the regional Honeywell Users Group global conference in Queensland, Australia from 21 to 23 September 2014. Two of the students and their supervisor will be attending the conference and receiving the prize.
A LITTLE DANCER PERFORMING FOR A GOOD CAUSE: DARWINA WOWED THE AUDIENCE WITH HER CUTE ACT; YANG WEI T, THE MAGICIAN WHO SPELLBOUNDED AUDIENCE WITH HIS FINALE CLOSING ACT OF THE NIGHT
Charity Concert Puts Smiles On Children’s Faces Through music, dance and a great philanthropy spirit, a musical concert was successfully organised by the students of KDU Penang recently. This meaningful extravaganza was put together by the second year students under the Keele University Business Degree Programme and co-organised by the KDU Student Council. The event saw approximately 500 people having fun, singing and cheering along with the performers. Some 120 children from five charitable homes namely St. Joseph’s Home, Salvation Army, Children’s Protection Society, Ru Yi Home and Ramakrishna Ashrama were invited to spend a wonderful evening at KDU. The five homes were also the beneficiaries of this charity event and received RM1,500 each from the total funds raised. The night started off with 5-year-old Tiffany Ang dolled up as “Princess Elsa” singing the infamous Let It Go together with Darwina, 9 year old and their vocal teacher, Karen Chan from The Centre Penang. Their kick-off performance certainly warmed-up the atmosphere in the auditorium and The Centre Penang continued to bring on stage a remix of enchantment songs and kids dance. The magic show by Yang Wei T was the climax of the night when he “made it snow” with his magical touch and received rounds of applause. Cheryl, Jayden, Carina, Ma’Seekers and 5678 dance studio were among the entertainers showcasing their melodious talents. Daksha Shashikant, the KDU lecturer as well as advisor of the event was proud of her students’ accomplishment. Ginger Chin, organising chairperson, also expressed her gratitude towards KDU Penang for providing a platform for them to organise such a meaningful event. KDU Penang hopes that the passion for giving back will continue and reach out to more people in need. 12
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LEFT: CHAMPIONS – ELIZABETH LEE (LEFT) PRESENTING THE AWARD TO THE CHAMPIONS NG TZE DONN (2ND FROM RIGHT) AND TEH ZEE HOE (FAR RIGHT) WITH THEIR TEACHER; BELOW: GROUP PHOTO – THE WINNERS WITH THE SUNWAY MANAGEMENT TEAM AND SUNWAY COLLEGE A-LEVEL LECTURERS
Sunway College A-Level
Maths & Logic National Challenge In an intriguing competition which tested participants’ ability to think mathematically and laterally, Sunway College hopes to be a catalyst in helping to promote excellence in mathematics amongst secondary school students. Through two rounds of competition, Ng Tze Donn and Teh Zee Hoe from SMJK Katholik, Petaling Jaya worked their way to emerge as Champions of the Sunway A-Level Maths & Logic National Challenge. They beat five other teams in the second round of the competition and about 416 students overall from 90 participating schools from various states in Peninsular Malaysia to win themselves a full scholarship each to pursue the A-Level Programme at Sunway College, a trophy and a cash prize of RM800 for their school. Coming in first runner-up and second runner-up were two teams from Chong Hwa Independent High School, Kuala Lumpur. First runner-up winners, Goh Wei Ti and Ong Sui Chang won themselves a bursary of RM16,000 each to pursue the A-Level Programme at Sunway College and RM600 for their school, while Tan Song Khai and Hooi Cheng Leong who came in second runner-up, won RM12,000 bursary each to pursue the A-Level programme at Sunway College and a cash prize of RM500 for their school. This is the 8th year of the competition by Sunway, and the first year the competition was taken out and held at various towns in Peninsular Malaysia for the State Level Challenge.
Capturing The Crux Of Social
Stigma
A photography exhibition cum awareness campaign called ‘The Click Project – Who I Am?’ aimed towards battling social stigma was organised by students of IACT College on the 14th to 19th of July. The event, organised by 27 final year students, was held at The School by Jaya One and was open to the general public. The exhibition’s main aim was to educate the young generation about the severity of being socially stigmatised due to certain disabilities or conditions. Photographs of individuals displayed and laid bare two different sides to them. First, the ‘What I Be’ side showed the negative social interpretation that the person was living with. ‘Who I Am’ then revealed the inspiring truth behind their struggles. Members of the public were encouraged to accept these individuals as they are and take a stand against unkind prejudice by signing pledge cards. Over a period of three weeks, there were over 600 pledges showcased on the ‘Wall of Pledges’ at the exhibition. Other NGOs such as Save One’s Sight Mission (SOSM), Sutra Dance Theatre, Suria Society, 1stronghand and the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) also joined the rally and contributed to the production of the photography exhibit. The Click Project also organised workshops to encourage the art of photography among young Malaysian minds. High school students attended the workshop which was hosted by two of Malaysia’s upcoming photographers, Jeremy Choy and Bryan Alexander Lim. A second workshop, hosted by Roy Ajong of Instill Films was organised for children aged 7 to 12, and 15 underprivileged children from the Precious Home and Rumah Kasih were invited to attend as well. Participants learned the five basic elements of photography and with a camera in hand, were sent to explore the vicinity of The School by Jaya One; in the end capturing beautiful pictures with creative freedom and raw art direction.
TAR University College Redefines Academic Excellence With 3 Centres Of Excellence TAR University College have set up 3 Centres of Excellence in the first half of 2014. These are the Leonard Personality Centre of Excellence, the IBMFASC Entrepreneurial Support Centre and the Virtual Centre for Excellence in Professional Accountancy. Each of the centres has distinct functions and work to enhance ongoing programmes and equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the demands of their respective industries. The Leonard Personality Centre of Excellence was officiated on the 11th of April 2014, under the faculty of Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities. This centre aims to promote and encourage research in the field of psychology. It will involve academic staff as well as students and engage in areas such as personality development. It will also provide a platform to share research findings among TAR University College researchers. Partnered with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Virtual Centre for Excellence in Professional Accountancy was launched on 21st May 2014. Managed by the Faculty of Accountancy, Finance and Business via digital platform, the Centre will promote educational innovations, organise scholarly activities, conduct research in the areas of accountancy and finance and collaborate with professional bodies and overseas universities. The IBM-FASC Entrepreneurial Support Centre, housed in the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Computing, was set up on the 6th of June 2014. It also complements the already existing IBM Centre of Excellence. Like the others, the centre aims to nurture real world skills among students, particularly merging business and IT knowledge, to create IT specialists who also possess business acumen, in order to be the technopreneurs of tomorrow.
SEPT 2014 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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lifestylenews
THE LATEST FOR YOUR WORLD
SEPTEMBER 2014
SPOTLIGHT
Guess Store Opens In East Coast Mall Guess, the lifestyle brand famous for its unforgettable American campaigns, has opened its 17th store in Kuantan’s East Coast Mall, a signature shopping mall in the East Coast region. On a 2,156-square feet surface, the store brings special architecture and decorations similar to other Guess stores in Malaysia and in other countries. The Kuantan Guess store will house a complete assortment of Guess categories including denims, men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, timepieces, footwear and accessories. With the increasing number of trendy and fashion forward people, combined with the gutsy style and sense of humour of GUESS, make this the perfect opportunity to showcase the sexy, glamorous spirit of the brand. For its Fall 2014 collection, GUESS goes back to its roots, taking inspiration from the authentic American soul of Nashville. Join GUESS on the road and experience an adventurous journey filled with wonder, passion & freedom at Lot GF62-A, Ground Floor, in East Coast Mall. See you there!
Spritzer Celebrates
25 Years Of Achievement Started in 1989 inTaiping, the Spritzer group has since become the largest bottled water company in Malaysia. The company celebrated their 25th anniversary this year with a 5-day exhibition in Sunway Pyramid, from 20 to 24 August 2014 with the tag line “Who Drinks Spritzer?” The Spritzer group invited many leading Malaysian personalities, including Winnie Loo, Amber Chia, Key Ng, Carmen Ong and Sazzy Falak to grace the event. The personalities were showcased in a photo gallery along with their reasons and benefits of drinking Spritzer water. The exhibition also included a photo gallery and informative exhibits showing how Spritzer mineral water is extracted, processed and bottled, and also touched on the company’s various milestones and achievements over the past 25 years. Visitors to the exhibition also won prizes by playing board games and participating in lucky draws. Since 1989 Spritzer has set a new standard for bottled natural mineral water. Using completely automated processes and bottling technology, Spritzer offers a wide array of mineral and drinking water, sparkling water and non-carbonated flavoured drinks. The company’s efforts have been recognised and awarded with several certifications and awards including the ISO 9002 certification and the Aqua Award from the International Bottled Water Association. 16
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Roar And Pounce With The Exquisite Blue Tiger Tea
Cultural Exchange
With Canon Image Bridge Ninety students from three primary schools, Sekolah Kebangsaan Damansara Jaya (1), Sekolah Kebangsaan Sri Petaling and Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Yuk Chai recently took part in an intercultural photo exchange programme called Canon Image Bridge. This programme serves as a bridge that connects students of different cultures and languages to learn about the life and experiences of those from another country. Canon Image Bridge was carried out for the first time in Malaysia, making it a total of ten countries in Asia participating in the programme – China, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, India and Malaysia. Supported by Canon Marketing (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Canon), the regional programme is a public welfare project that focuses on education enlightenment and is an integral part of Canon’s CSR Through Imaging Technology strategy. “Through Canon Image Bridge, the students were given an opportunity to share their experiences, culture and life through photography with students from a different country and vice versa. These students will also identify themselves as ambassadors of their own country. This is in line with the programme’s slogan ‘Bridging Friendship through Photography,” said Ms Cheryl Lim, Executive Assistant to CEO and Senior Manager of Corporate Planning Division (CPD) of Canon. Participating students were equipped with essential photography skills in a class conducted by Canon product specialists before they proceeded to take photographs that reflected their life as a student in Malaysia. The best photos were then selected, captioned and exchanged with photos by students of the Chinese HOPE School in China. Established with the financial support of Canon Asia, the Chinese HOPE School caters to students in povertystricken areas in China so that they have the opportunity to receive an education.
ABOVE: STUDENTS CLICK THEIR WAY TO A CULTURAL EXCHANGE WITH CANON; BELOW: LEE TYEN CEE (12 YEARS) SHOWING A PHOTOGRAPH THAT SHE HAS TAKEN ON A COMPACT CAMERA DURING THE CANON IMAGE BRIDGE PHOTO CLASS AS KHOR WIN NIE (12 YEARS) LOOKS ON; CANON MARKETING (M) SDN. BHD.’S, MS CHERYL LIM
Set to tingle tea enthusiasts’ senses, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has introduced the Blue Tiger Tea – a limited edition rare blend variant into its line of exquisite tea products. Launched together with the Blue Tiger Blend is a children’s storybook titled Master Davey and The Magic Tea House: Legend of the Blue Tiger – both the tea and book were created by David De Candia, one of the world’s leading tea experts and Director of Tea, Buyer, Master Blender at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, with the sole purpose of raising awareness and support for lupus. In Malaysia, the proceeds raised will be contributed towards supporting the Malaysian Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Association (PSLEM). The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is excited to introduce this unique and limited edition Blue Tiger Tea blend into the Malaysian market as it is always looking to push the flavour boundaries to provide tea lovers a rewarding tea drinking experience. The Blue Tiger Tea is a unique blend that comprises lemon myrtle, malva flower and tea blossoms with a tinge of raspberry flavouring. In addition to the health benefits which can be found in lemon myrtle and malva flower, the Blue Tiger Tea is light bodied, fruity yet lemony – providing an invigorating and tantalising experience for your taste buds. Beyond the hallmark of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s philosophy of providing customers with the finest tea and highest quality of coffee, making a social contribution has always been at the core of their business. The company’s social consciousness is defined through their Caring Cup initiatives which strongly advocate giving back to the community. The main driving force behind this Caring Cup initiative is consumer awareness. The aim of the company’s collaboration with PSLEM is to help raise awareness and a better understanding of lupus as people know very little about this under-diagnosed disease. This is critical in making advances in the management, treatment and search for a cure. For now, it has no known cause, yet research on Lupus remains underfunded relative to its scope. SEPT 2014 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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lifestylenews
THE LATEST FOR YOUR WORLD
SEPTEMBER 2014
SPOTLIGHT
SISTERS APSHY & AISHY VIMAL
Charity Begins On The Dance Floor Dancesteps Studio and Friends to Mankind are organising DANCE4CHARITY, a weeklong dance celebration to raise funds for two children’s charities. Beginning with five days of Dance Workshops – from the 15th to 19th September – that features two professional dance instructors from the US, Jay T Jenkins (creator of Jazz Funk who has worked with various Hollywood artists) and Dawud Jackson from the Dance Department of Kean University. Next on the schedule is the Dance4Charity Gala Night, to be held on the 21st of September in The Gardens Theatre at Mid Valley City. This would be the venue where Malaysian audiences will be presented with an evening of enthralling dance performances from participants of the workshop, as well as by other prominent dancers. Dancesteps Studios, which is founded by Shirena Hamzah is organising this year’s DANCE4CHARITY event to raise funds for two children’s charities, following success from the previous Dance Effect Concert 2013. Sisters Apshy & Aishy Vimal, who are the Youth Ambassadors of Friends to Mankind and students of Dancesteps Studio since the tender age of 6 and 5 respectively, managed to raise RM101,000 for four children’s charities. They also managed to bring in Hollywood celebrity and actress Serinda Swan to Malaysia last year. For more information on the Dance Workshops and Dance4Charity Gala Night, kindly email to info.dance4charity@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/Dancesteps.Studio.Malaysia
Nyjah Huston Takes
It Again
Professional skate boarder Nyjah Huston has snagged another major win at Street League Skateboarding, Los Angeles. He had an 80% chance of not competing after a hard fall during practice, injuring his right hand. Borrowing a friend’s board after breaking his own, he tried his trick again, and the backside big flip followed by a kickflip to front side nose grind earned him a score of 9.9 for the win. Street League Skateboarding (SLS) is the first professional skateboarding league in the world. The league features 24 professional street skateboarders competing for the largest monetary prizes in the skateboarding scene. Nyjah Huston has been tearing up the skateboarding scene since his debut at the age of 9, and winning the Tampa Am event when he was 10, making him one of the youngest pro skateboarders in the history of the sport. At 11 he also became the youngest person to ever compete in the X-Games, with him being crowned champion at the 17th X Games, Street at the age of 16. He is sponsored by many major global brands, including DC Shoes, Monster Energy and the SLS itself. Now at only 19 years old, he is considered by many to be one of the most successful pro skateboarders in the scene. In 2014, he ranked #5 on Fox Weekly’s “Top 15 Most Influential Skateboarders of All-Time”. 18
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Maybank GO Ahead
Challenge 2014 Kicks Off! A total of 60 finalists from 14 countries participated in the International Grand Finals of the Maybank GO Ahead. Challenge. The event began on the 11th of August 2014 and lasted for five days. As usual, the Challenge lived up to its expectation of ‘expecting the unexpected’ and this time took place in two countries – namely the cities of Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, in Malaysia and Indonesia respectively. The Maybank GO Ahead. Challenge is Maybank’s unique talent recruitment scheme designed to find the brightest and best young minds from regions in which Maybank operates worldwide. This year’s Challenge saw a 100% hike in submissions from the previous year and the final 60 were chosen based on performance from a pool of 10,000 people who applied to join. Applications from recent graduates and those in their final year from Malaysia are encouraged to join. They will face stiff competition though, from participants from the other 13 countries in which Maybank operates. The top-placed team will win a grand prize of US$40,000. The second-placed team will receive US$20,000, while the third-placed team wins US$10,000. In addition, the overall best-performing individual finalist will be crowned the ‘Ultimate GO Ahead Challenger’, and stands to win a cash prize and an all-expenses paid trip to New York to work at Maybank’s New York office.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP : MAYBANK GO AHEAD CHALLENGE 2014 FLAG-OFF CEREMONY; MAYBANK’S GROUP CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER NORA ABD MANAF WITH THE TOP 60 FINALISTS OF THE MAYBANK GO AHEAD CHALLENGE 2014; MAYBANK’S GROUP CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER NORA ABD MANAF GIVING A SPEECH AT THE FLAG-OFF CEREMONY ON AUGUST 11, 2014 AT MENARA MAYBANK, KUALA LUMPUR
BOH Plantations And Malaysian Nature Society
Join Forces For Conservation Project In Cameron Highlands MNS’S HEAD OF CONSERVATION, BALU PERUMAL AND BOH’S HEAD OF MARKETING AND EXPORT, CHEN CHAW CHANG EXCHANGING PENNANTS TO SIGNIFY THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE TWO ORGANISATIONS
BOH Plantations Sdn Bhd (BOH) and Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) have formed a partnership to embark on a conservation project in Cameron Highlands. Cameron Highlands, home to BOH and its tea plantations, is known for its cool weather and scenic vistas among local and foreign tourists, and is also an important water catchment area for clean water supply. “The natural beauty and delicate ecosystem of the highlands is currently under threat. However, I am glad that the Malaysian Government has shown that they are taking the issues affecting Cameron Highlands seriously with the recent announcement of setting up a command centre to combat illegal land clearing in the highlands,” said MNS’ Head of Conservation, Balu Perumal. “However, the responsibility of protecting the environment should not fall in the hands of the government alone, but also the residents there. Which is why the project we are initiating together with BOH is aimed at reaching out to the school children of Cameron Highlands,” he added. Apart from training the children of all 27 schools in the Cameron Highlands District to enhance their appreciation and awareness on the importance of nature conservation, this project also aims to enable the schools in addressing their own ‘environmental management’ and solving local environmental problems. “As Malaysia’s leading tea growing company, BOH is especially dependent on the environment in Cameron Highlands where we grow our tea,” explained Chen Chaw Chang, Head of Marketing and Export for BOH Plantations. “To help fund this conservation project, BOH has organised a charity fun run to be held this coming September, right in the trails of the BOH Sungei Palas Plantation. We want families to come participate and appreciate the beauty of Cameron Highlands, and to realise the importance of preserving its environment.” All proceeds from the run will be channelled to the environmental conservation project in Cameron Highlands. For more information on the Highlands Fun Run, please visit BOH’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BohTea. SEPT 2014 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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entertainmentnews
THE LATEST FROM SHOWBUSINESS
SEPTEMBER 2014
SPOTLIGHT
Hollywood’s “Comedy King”, Robin Williams Found Dead Beloved Hollywood veteran, king of comedy, and Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams has died at the age of 63. The apparent cause of death was suicide by asphyxiation. According to his publicist, Mara Buxbaum, Williams had been battling severe depression of late and spent time in rehab as recently as July 2014. Police said that Williams was found unconscious around noon in his home in Tiburon, California. “This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they mourn and grieve during this very difficult time,” she added. The comedic actor had a brief stint in rehab this summer, spending time at the Hazelden Addiction Treatment Center in a continued sobriety program. Although Williams had problems with alcohol and cocaine in the 1980s, however he quit after his good friend, John Belushi, overdosed. He opened up about his struggles and addiction to alcohol as well as cocaine in a powerful interview with ‘The Guardian’ newspaper and “Good Morning America” radio talk show. Fellow actors took to Twitter to express deep sympathies and sorrows on the death of the renowned actor. “I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul,” said ROBIN WILLIAMS IN ONE OF HIS MOST RECENT PHOTOGRAPH Steve Martin. Former CNN host Larry King said he DEPICTING HIS FRAIL CONDITION AND ILL HEALTH would remember Williams as “a genuine caring guy. Not just a funny man, but a guy who cared about people.” Though Williams was most celebrated for his acting career, he is also remembered for his charitable endeavours. Williams spearheaded Comic Relief, which holds concerts and variety shows to raise money to help the homeless. In a press statement, President Obama said that, “Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most – from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets.” Robin Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois and studied acting at the Juilliard School in New York City. Widely recognised by many especially his fans and peers as a comedic genius, Robin Williams is also known to be a great improv artist, having done countless standup comedies and impromptu acts during his time. Williams was best known for his starring roles in classic comedies like Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, Patch Adams, Jumanji and Hook, as well as critically acclaimed dramas such as Dead Poets Society and One Hour Photo. Williams rose to fame while playing an alien in his first breakout role on the sitcom Mork & Mindy – a “Happy Days” spin-off. He landed an Academy Award nod for Good Morning, Vietnam in 1987. (FROM LEFT) THE LATE ROBIN WILLIAMS AND HIS CURRENT WIFE SUSAN SCHNEIDER IN HAPPIER TIMES AT AN UNNAMED EVENT; ROBIN WILLIAMS’ ONLY DAUGHTER, ZELDA WILLIAMS, A GIFTED ACTOR IN HER OWN RIGHT LIKE HER FATHER
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Kacy Catanzaro Is First Female American Ninja Warrior
When gymnast Kacy Catanzaro encounters an ambiguous or unfamiliar challenge, she closes her eyes and pictures herself conquering it. The 1.5m tall, 45kg powerhouse known as “Mighty Kacy” has wowed fans and TV audiences alike ever since she leapt, pulled, climbed and swung her way through the American Ninja Warrior television competition show’s obstacle course that has so far bedevilled many men. During the process, Catanzaro became the first woman to reach the finals and will join 89 other participants to compete in the Las Vegas finals in September. The 24-year-old New Jersey native credits her victory to mental focus and upper body strength. American Ninja Warrior, which is in its sixth season, is based on the long-running Japanese show Sasuke. Kacy prepared at Alpha Warrior, an obstacle-course gym in San Antonio, Texas, where she works with her boyfriend and fellow Ninja competitor Brent Steffensen. She embodies the principle of ‘specificity training’, which states that to be really successful, you must train in the way your body will perform. Kacy Catanzaro proved that her gender and the lack of height or weight are no obstacles to becoming an American Ninja Warrior. Gina Carano, of MMA fame and star of ‘Haywire’, would be so proud of her. Indeed, more so if she could go on to become the first female to win!
Sole Distributor KWS Distribution Sdn Bhd (986043-V) Careline: 1700-81-6992 • Email: info@kwsdis.com Website: www.kws.my • Follow us: kwsdistribution
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entertainmentnews
THE LATEST FROM SHOWBUSINESS
SEPTEMBER 2014
Sandra Bullock Is Hollywood’s Best-Paid Actress
The Fung Bros Spoofs
Malaysia-Singapore On YouTube! Comedy on YouTube has seen a new wave with the influx of new Asian artistes into the entertainment scene. This is particularly true of the emergence of K-pop (Korean pop) culture all over the world, all thanks to Psy of course! Of all the popular Asian-Americans who broke the culture stereotype about Asians performing comedy in America, one notable example would be The Fung Bros. The Los Angeles based Fung Brothers have recently come up with a tongue-in-cheek Guide to Singapore and Malaysia music video that has swiftly gone viral, with over 200,000 hits in merely six days. This two-part video, filmed in collaboration with local foodstuff company Ayam Brands, features classic Singlish phrases like Wah Lau and Kiasu, and instructs learners on the art of using “lah” to end their sentences. Pretty Manglish speak indeed! The first video focuses on talking about Singapore’s “fine” culture and the ban on chewing gum, while the second is filmed in a kitchen and centres upon the brothers’ love for chicken curry (made from Ayam Brand products naturally!). Throw in a few sexy and provocatively dressed “actresses” dancing K-pop style, a catchy pop tune, drool-worthy bowls of rendang and curry, as well as a prickly durian, and the Fung Brothers appear to have created a mixture that has gotten viewers laughing and tuning in. And all this is set to the rocking rhythm of Jason Derulo’s hit pop song Talk Dirty. The Fung Bros have over 400,000 subscribers on YouTube and have gained a large following for their hilarious takes on Asian culture all over the world - from Korean BBQ habits to how to properly consume Indonesian instant noodles and the cringe-worthy things Asian parents say. What do you think? Funny, or not? Follow the link below and judge for yourself! www.youtube. com/watch?v=54agDPxW3qs&feature=player_embedded 22
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Oscar-winning movie star Sandra Bullock was the best paid actress in Hollywood over the past year, according to Forbes magazine. Her total earnings in 2013 is estimated at some US$51 million. Bullock, 50, won an Academy Award in 2010 for her role in the football drama The Blind Side. Her big payday over the last twelve months is largely attributed to her work in the blockbuster film Gravity, which received rave reviews and also won her an Oscar nomination for best actress. The special effects-laden movie details an astronaut’s struggle to survive in orbit after the space shuttle she is travelling in was destroyed by space debris. The blockbuster movie earned seven Oscars and US$716 million. Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence was the second highest paid actress over the same year, with US$34 million. Third place went to Jennifer Aniston, with US$31 million, followed by Gwyneth Paltrow, who received US$19 million. Tied for fifth place were Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz, each of whom earned a sum of US$18 million dollars. The Forbes’ Hollywood salary statistics survey is calculated from June 2013 to June 2014.
SANDRA BULLOCK GRACING THE RED CARPET AT THE RECENT PALM SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS GALA 2014.
NEWS FROM THE SPORTING ARENA
SEPTEMBER 2014
sportsnews
LYDIA KO POSES FOR AN IMITATION SELFIE WITH HER TROPHY AFTER WINNING THE LPGA TOUR’S MARATHON CLASSIC.
Glasgow 2014 – A Merry Conclusion To The Commonwealth Games The 20th edition of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games was hailed as “the best ever” as the elevenday showpiece came to an emotional conclusion inside Hampden Park. An event long written-off as an anachronism in the modern, profit-driven era of international sport ended with England on top of the medals table for the first time since 1986. Just hours after the conclusion of the track & field events, the sporting centrepiece will bring the curtains down on the biggest cultural and sporting event Scotland has ever witnessed. “The Games have made us all very proud and truly brought our family together. Scotland, and Glasgow, you really have delivered in every aspect the best Games ever” quipped Tunku Imran, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). Prince Imran’s warm endorsement echoed similar praise earlier in the day from Mike Hooper, chief executive of the CGF, who described the event as “the stand-out Games in the history of the movement”. The closing ceremony featured pop superstar Kylie Minogue, joined by Scottish songbird Lulu, as well as the poetry of Rabbie Burns. With more than 4,700 athletes having competed for 261 gold medals on offer, the Commonwealth Games flag was then entrusted to officials of the 2018 Games to be hosted by Australia’s Gold Coast. England started the day already assured of top spot in the medals table for the first time since 1986, a first for England whilst dethroning favourites Australia. By the end of Sunday’s action, with just eleven more titles to be decided, England had captured 174 medals of which 58 were gold. Australia finished with a total of 137 medals of which 49 were gold. Malaysia finished in 12th position with a total medals tally of 19 – 6 golds, 7 silvers and 6 bronzes. During the opening ceremony ten days earlier, the Malaysian contingent paid tribute to the immediate families of the passengers who perished in the ill-fated Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, with the flag-bearers wearing the airline’s official uniforms. Incidentally, the number 17 brought back some eerie memories of the tragedy since the total number of games in the competition was also 17! Pure coincidence or destined precognition? Whatever it is, the success of the Games has brought Malaysians ever united and closer together. Malaysia Boleh! BELOW FROM LEFT: KYLIE MINOGUE PERFORMING DURING THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES XX IN GLASGOW, SCOTLAND; THE OFFICIAL MASCOT OF GLASGOW 2014 – ‘CLYDE’ WHICH WAS NAMED AFTER AN ICONIC RIVER FLOWING THROUGH THE CITY
LPGA’s Queen Of Selfies Turns Pro…Finally! Self-styled LPGA’s “Queen of Selfies” Lydia Ko has finally turned professional. After years of being in the amateur circuit of the LPGA, the 16-year-old teen golfing sensation from New Zealand has at long last made it to the big league. Born in Seoul, South Korea, she had been the top-ranked woman amateur golfer in the world for 130 weeks when she announced she was turning professional on 23 October 2013. The LPGA Tour waived the Tour’s requirement of its members being at least 18 years old by granting Ko’s request to join them. She became the youngest person ever to win a professional golf tour event and the youngest person ever to win an LPGA Tour event. In August 2013, she became the only amateur to win two LPGA Tour events. As an amateur, she had never missed a cut in 25 professional tournaments and by September 2013, she had risen to fifth in the Women’s World Golf Rankings in only 23 professional tournaments. She finished tied for 21st in her pro debut at the 2013 CME Group Titleholders. In April 2014, Ko was named as one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People”. Within the same month she became the No. 2 ranked female professional golfer in the world when she won the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic on American soil. She celebrated her 17th birthday in style during this tournament.
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SELECTION OF NEW PRODUCTS
offtheshelf
SEPTEMBER 2014
Kotex Luxe Ultrathin
The new revolutionary Kotex Luxe Ultrathin pad provides up to 3x faster absorption compared with the previous Kotex Luxe range based on laboratory tests. It offers effective absorption with a unique honeycombed centre for maximum dryness, softness and comfort plus attractive new designs that even the most fashionable modern woman will appreciate as it makes her feel fabulous even during period days. Available in three sizes of 24cm, 28cm and 32cm with prices from RM15.90 to RM28.60.
b.liv Kick Spots Out Intensive Treatment Mask
This exfoliating blemish treatment mask eliminates irritation-causing factors and clears up blemish-prone skin. Its active ingredients are safe and highly effective in controlling skin’s secretion of sebum, thus banishing unsightly oil shine and providing ample moisturisation from within. Price: N/A
Laneige’s Revolutionary Time Freeze 2014
Part of its Time Freeze range, the 2014 edition comes with Dynamic Collagen EX technology that rejuvenates your skin’s collagen to reveal younger and refreshingly firmer skin. Boasting the World’s First Certified Regeneration Technology, this antiageing cream is able to increase skin elasticity too. Available from September onwards at all Laneige beauty counters and retails for RM220 (50ml).
Vans x Liberty Art Fabrics Capsule FA14 Era in Gray Paisley 24
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Vans’ team up with renowned London design house, Liberty Art Fabrics yields this funky style that features uppers outfitted with Felix and Isabelle fabric print, and panels embellished with paisley and soft tones. Price: RM259
Hada Labo Mild & Sensitive Skin Face Wash
Formulated to care for the most sensitive and easily irritable skin, this skin wash uses natural ingredients such as extracts of licorice, calendula and gingko biloba leaves as well as hyaluronic acid. It’s free of fragrances, alcohol, colorant and mineral oil too! Priced at RM20.90 (100g) and available at all leading hypermarkets and pharmacies nationwide.
beauty
THE FRUITY WAY TO GREAT SKIN
SEPTEMBER 2014
Fruits&Vegetables YourSkin Shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tLiveWithout
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Your skin would love this fruity and veggie-based goodness
W
e all know that eating our fruits and vegetables is good for health, but did you know that putting them on your skin is equally good?
The natural fibres found in fruits act as a scrubber, the oils it contains can moisten skin and the abundance of antioxidants they hold help to neutralise free radicals from the outside.
Avocado This is nature’s miracle skincare fruit. Just mash an avocado and use it as a facial mask to sooth and smooth tired skin. It can also be used as a scalp treatment by just mixing equal parts mashed avocado with mayonnaise. Smooth the mixture over the hair, then wrap your head in plastic wrap and leave on for 30 minutes before rinsing off with shampoo.
Citrus Fruits
“Citrus fruits acts as a mild astringent and what’s more, it comes with a cleansing bleaching action that kills off bacteria on the skin”
Olives We’re talking about olives in the form of olive oil. Create your own natural body scrub by mixing equal parts olive oil with salt, and add a few drops of almond extract or peppermint extract. Plain olive oil can be applied on your scalp to alleviate dryness and itchiness. It can also be lightly dabbed on your eyelashes.
Oatmeal Technically, oatmeal is a form of grass seed, but can be classified as a vegetable. Oatmeal has soothing properties and stops itchiness. You can use it as a facial scrub by mixing it with water or oil and gently apply it over your face before rinsing it off with water.
Acts as a mild astringent and what’s more, it comes with a cleansing bleaching action that kills off bacteria on the skin. The juice from the fruits can be used as a tonic after cleansing your face. A natural facial scrub can be formed by blending the peel with a little oil. Essential oils that is citrus-based, such as orange, lime, grapefruit and tangerine act as a great energy booster too, while diluted lemon juice adds a lustrous shine as a hair rinse.
Cucumber Contains excellent cooling properties. Blend a cucumber and strain the pulp and the juice can then be applied as a toner or mask. You can also keep leftovers in the fridge for a few days, or keep cucumber slices in ice water. Place a slice of cucumber over your eyes to reduce puffiness, swelling and redness. SEPT 2014 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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GET FAIRER SKIN!
beautyq&a by ivy chin
SEPTEMBER 2014
that there is a risk of damaging your skin by overdosing an ingredient or some of the ingredients can’t be used together. Reputable whitening products are designed to be safe, thus you can use them with ease of mind. If a skin whitening product works for my friend, it will work for me too. Everyone’s skin tone is different and is influenced by many factors. Hence, you will need to find a product that suits your needs most. It may be effective for your friend, but not you. When my skin turns to the exact shade I want, I can stop using the whitening product. This is definitely not true. Skin whiteners work by restraining the production of melanin, not by changing your skin colour. Your body will never stop producing melanin, thus you will have to keep using it to maintain your fair skin.
Want A Lighter
Skin Tone? 5 Myths about Skin Whitening Using skin whitening products can harm your skin. It depends on the type of product you are using, which contains ingredients that can harm your skin. The key is to get the right information and understand its usage. Make sure you follow the instructions properly when you have decided on a product.
What is L’Oréal White Perfect Total 10 Day Cream Moisturizer? It’s a whitening cream that provides deep whitening and full protection against external aggressors such as the sun, dirt, dust and pollution that may cause UV-induced darkening as well as oil control against excess sebum. With Vitamin CX Technology that contains vitamin C, B3 and E and its Advanced Shield Complex SPF30 PA+++, it offers five complete brightening and five full protection benefits. It cuts down the fuss and time, but still delivers fair and beautiful skin. Get it at only RM39.90 for 50ml.
Results In one week
Regular use of whitening products will make your skin vulnerable to sunlight.
More than 85% of women feel their skin is less oily and looks less shiny.
Stay out of direct sunlight isn’t a myth. The sun’s rays stimulate the production of melanin in your body. Therefore, the more melanin you produce, the darker your skin will be. Try to stay indoors at least from 10 am to 4 pm. It will also protect you from photoaging. If you can’t avoid going outdoors, choose a product with high SPF.
In four weeks 92% of women agreed that their skin looks brighter, while 88% of them agreed that their spots are less visible. The results are outstanding. More than 91% of women feel that their skin is less oily and less shiny compared to the first week.
Natural, homemade skin whiteners are safer than commercially made products.
In eight weeks
Of course you can make your own skin whiteners at home by acquiring the ingredients that are easily available from any grocery shop or supermarket. However, bear in mind
Dark spots look less visible for 94% of women and the number of dark spots looks reduced for 82% of women. 80% of them feel that their skin look flawless.
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Of course you can make your own skin whiteners at home by acquiring the ingredients that are easily available from any grocery shop or supermarket. However, bear in mind that there is a risk of damaging your skin by overdosing an ingredient or some of the ingredients can’t be used together.
L’Oréal Paris Mat Magique AllIn-One Compact
SELECTED RANGE OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS
SEPTEMBER 2014
Pore-less looking skin with shine-free effect is what you need to achieve the Modern Matte look. L’Oréal’s Mat Magique allin-one compact provides you a wonderful Modern Matte look that lasts up to 12 hours, even in our hot and humid weather. It also helps to conceal blemishes and skin imperfections to make you look impeccably stunning. At SPF 34 PA+++, it shields your skin from harsh UV rays. Price: RM19.90 (refillable shades) RM39.90 (all-in-one compact)
L’Oréal Paris Men Expert BB Men Instant Skin Fixer
Dullness, spots, imperfections and visible pores are the men’s skin biggest enemy. However, this skin fixer powered by a Skin Colour Correction Technology will solve all these problems for you instantly. In a single application, it gives you a supreme brightening efficacy for your skin. Price: RM35.90
Garnier Light Complete Multi-Action Whitening Cream SPF20/PA+++
You don’t have to be upset over your pimple marks, dark spots, dull and uneven looking skin anymore. This whitening cream has them covered. With its new whitening active, Express White complex and Lemon Extract, it improves and protects your skin faster, deeper and stronger. Price: RM20.90
beautycase compiled by ivy chin
Maybelline Hypersharp Liner Laser Precision
At only 0.01mm, Hypersharp Liner Laser Precision allows you to draw your desired lines precisely. With precision in your hands, you can have different and beautifully stunning looks every time as you don’t have to line your eyes the same way again. This outstanding ultra-precise liner is waterproof and smudge-proof all day. It stays on once lines are drawn, yet is also easy to remove with its fuss-free removal feature. Three gorgeous shades are available at a recommended retail price of RM35.90.
L’Oréal Paris UV Perfect Aqua Essence SPF30 PA+++ Protect your skin from photo aging and premature aging with this UV Perfect Aqua Essence. It is a triple-action UV protector that helps your skin to stay visibly fair and younger day after day. Thanks to its ultra-light unique cream, you are no longer afraid of exposing yourself to heat and humidity. Its watery essence provides you with a sense comfort CAMPUS PLUS of | 29 and refreshing effect for your skin. Price: RM39.90
HIP SOLE-MATES
fashiontrends compiled by ivy chin
SEPTEMBER 2014
KEDS CHAMPION FLORAL IN WHITE > RM159
KEDS CHAMPION CORE IN WHITE > RM129
N PIO AM CH S D KE
> DY UN RG U B IN LID SO L A ON AS SE
9 15 RM
Trendy
S U P M A C O BACK-T Sneakers
What better way to start your new semester than with bright colours and bold prints? Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be bold with all over colours! Be it in vivid colours or earthy undertones, old world designs, rebellious grunge looks or sweet and young, they are all in trend. This season is all about being flexible; you can never go wrong with that.
KEDS CHAMPION SUEDE FLORAL IN CAMEL > RM239
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KEDS CHAMPION CORE IN WHITE > RM129
KEDS CHAMPION STARBUST IN KHAKI > RM159
KEDS CHAMPION CORE IN BLACK > RM129
KEDS CHAMPION TS FLORAL DOT IN YELLOW > RM199
KEDS CHAMPION TS WOOL IN HEATHER GREY > RM199
KEDS CHAMPION TS BLEACH DENIM IN BLUE > RM199
For more images, don’t forget to download our digital interactive magazine app via Google Play Store SEPT 2014 | CAMPUS PLUS | 31 or Apple App Store!
fashionfeature by ivy chin
LEVI’S GLOBAL CAMPAIGN
SEPTEMBER 2014
Link: <www.levi.com.my> <www.facebook.com/#!/Levis>
Live In Levi’s! Inspired by the millions of consumers’ stories about their real life Levi’s moments, Levi’s has launched a global campaign to engage with their consumers through real life and virtual events, as well as mobile and in-store experiences. At the heart of the campaign, it was the celebration of all real life Levi’s moments.
F
eaturing the new Fall 2014 collection, the campaign highlighted the Levi’s 511 Slim jeans for men and the Levi’s Revel jeans for women. It is a reimagining of its iconic products such as the 501® jeans, western shirts and Trucker jackets. The new line honours the spirit, attention to detail and craftsmanship of the much-loved original. On 10th September, the campaign will conclude with a “Live in Levi’s” celebration party at KLCC Concourse. The party will feature a collaborative effort between blogger Joyce Wong and photographer Vincent Paul Yong that aims to capture consumers’ stories with Levi’s. In addition, fashion designer Hatta Dolmat will be selling and customising the Levi’s Women’s Trucker Jacket with Swarovski crystals. The money received from sales of the self-customised jackets will be donated to the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM). On hand to liven things up will be illustrator Najib Art:Tech and tattoo artist Lynda Chean. Together, they will be designing four iron-on patches. Customers will be able to receive their self-customised iron-on patch for their purchase of any Levi’s items. Moreover, the art house Biji-Biji will join the party by using the sustainable goods that are sold for charity during the event to produce interior pieces. What’s more exhilarating is Dato’ Sheila Majid will be there to perform. All in all, the celebration party is not to be missed!
‘On hand to liven things up will be illustrator Najib Art:Tech and tattoo artist Lynda Chean. Together, they will be designing four iron-on patches. Customers will be able to receive their self-customised ironon patch for their purchase of any Levi’s items’ 32
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runwayreport
GUCCI’S MOD FASHION
SEPTEMBER 2014
RETRO BRITISH CHIC
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Don’t be surprised if you see Gucci’s collection with slick leather detailing and moto jackets appear in both deep black and Robin’s Egg blue. This is their modern rendition of 1960s London as well as their day and night series for young and urban clients. From dusty pink marine coat to mohair tuxedo with bold black zips, Gucci has got your winter wardrobe covered.
Gucci is being atypical with their Fall/Winter 2014 collection. Inspired by the portraiture art of artist Kris Knight, the most daring element of this collection is the chosen colour palette. Blush pinks, baby blues and chalky peach shades are used. Clean and simple silhouettes are glammed up with luxe embellishments including crystal adornments, leather finishes and fur coats. The silhouette embraces the 1960s Mod fashion with a modern twist.
THE MODERN
1960S
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guysstuff
STYLISH SHOES
SEPTEMBER 2014
DC NYJAH VULC ESU > RM269.00
DC NYJAH VULC WET > RM269.00
DC NYJAH VULC RDB > RM299.00
DC NYJAH VULC BLO > RM299.00
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START YOUR JOURNEY WITH SMART LOOKING SHOES VANS CLASSICS ERA DENIM MIX IN DRESS BLUES & TRUE WHITE > RM189.00
VANS CLASSICS SLIP ON DENIM MIX IN DRESS BLUES & TRUE WHITE > RM179.00
VANS CLASSICS ERA SUITING MIX IN BLACK & TRUE WHITE > RM189.00
VANS CLASSICS SLIP ON SUITING MIX IN BLACK & TRUE WHITE > RM179.00
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FOOTWEAR FOR HIM
guysstuff
by aaron pereira
SEPTEMBER 2014
SO SHOE ME While the stereotype is that women love shoes more than men, it’s not unusual to find men who own more than just a pair. In fact it is highly recommended to own the right shoe (and the left as well) for the occasion. We give you the lowdown on the types of footwear a man would need in his life.
SUIT UP
ON THE JOB
There will come a time in every man’s life when he will have to wear a suit – and we’re not talking track or birthday here. When this happens, he will need a good or at least a decent looking and clean pair of formal shoes. Lace up or slip-on, depending on your preference, and a shiny finish tends to add more formality.
This section may not include most men, but plumbers definitely don’t (and shouldn’t) wear leather, and construction workers (heaven forbid) shouldn’t go around with furry bedroom slippers!
LOAFER AROUND Casual but versatile shoes are a must have too. This is the pair that he overuses; the most comfy he feels in and probably matches most of his outfits. Sneakers, moccasins, sandals and slippers can fall under this category. Just remember to match footwear with your outfit and not commit a fashion faux pas like wearing socks with sandals.
TIME TO PLAY Wouldn’t it be weird to see Cristiano Ronaldo dribble the ball wearing cowboy boots? He definitely won’t be as skilful or agile, for sure. As such, no matter what your sport is, there is always the best footwear to go with, whether it be football or hiking boots, jogging or golf shoes or even flippers – for guys who deep dive, of course.
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coverstory
MALAYSIA HOME AWAY FROM HOME
SEPTEMBER 2014
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DAYGOES MALAYSIA
INTERNATIONAL BESIDES THE LOCALS, FOREIGN STUDENTS DOING THEIR STUDIES IN MALAYSIA ALSO CELEBRATE MALAYSIA DAY TOGETHER WITH THEIR LOCAL FRIENDS AND COURSE MATES. FIND OUT WHY THEY TOO CALL MALAYSIA HOME.
M
alaysia was formed on the 16th of September, exactly 51 years ago. That’s half a century of existence, and Malaysians from all walks of life remember and honour the occasion by observing Malaysia Day. But what about all the foreign students who are currently doing their studies here in Malaysia? They are miles away from their home country, and for many of them, if not all, it resembles the first time in their life that they’re staying in a foreign land, away from family, close friends and familiar surroundings.
CULTURE SHOCK OR CULTURE SYIOK? Just imagine the challenges faced. Tough is an understatement of the conditions and challenges that foreign students face. The transition and adjustment to college/university life is tough enough; imagine having to do that in a totally foreign country, and while we’re at it, a complex and diverse multicultural country to boot. You’re all alone and you’re expected to be able to adapt to the local environment and daily living conditions on top of being able to get a handle on your coursework and the sustained pressures of campus life. Unsurprisingly, some students (if not a big percentage of them) are unable to deal with the culture shock of a new country and a new way of life. For these students, it might take a long and agonising time to make the necessary adjustments before actually coming to terms with their new environment and the local culture, thereby moving on and excelling in their tertiary studies (which was
their original aim of studying overseas in the first place). However, there are cases where students have a hard time adjusting, if at all. These students end up having a miserable time through the entire duration of their stay in here. Of course, the university’s own International Student Representatives / counsellors play an important role towards helping foreign students in their transition and adjustment process. They help arrange for accommodations, provide counselling and advice and to help these students settle down and blend in with the local way of life. Apart from student services counsellors, the transition pains experienced by foreign students is greatly minimised and its duration somewhat shortened by the nature of their surroundings/host country’s environment. If the country where they’re studying at provides and meets all the students’ requisite needs and comforts, then naturally it would be much easier for them to adapt and get into the groove of things. When this happens, foreign students would (hopefully) face culture syiok (Bahasa Melayu slang for delight or pleasure) instead of culture shock!
FOOD – THE BEST OF HOME COMFORTS It’s one thing to have foreign students’ basic needs taken care of by the university, and quite another to have their other everyday needs and wants met. Other essential needs such as food, friends, fun and etc., when they are satisfied, would lessen international students’ feelings of being homesick and ultimately make their study life in Malaysia an enjoyable one. SEPT 2014 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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coverstory
MALAYSIA HOME AWAY FROM HOME
SEPTEMBER 2014
Food, and the love of it, is a universal unifying factor. It’s usually the first and quickest way to forge an appreciation of local culture. And Malaysian food is so rich and diverse (and tasty too!) that many foreign students instantly fall in love with it. You have your nasi lemak, char kuey teow, roti canai and numerous local gastronomic delicacies, but best of all foreign students are able to find many of the favourite foods from their home country (albeit localised versions in some cases). So, many foreign students are still able to enjoy a little slice of home here in Malaysia. What’s more, many eateries and food establishments open round the clock here, and many have mushroomed around university campuses, providing these international students with easy access to their home country foods, and by extension, much needed home comforts. Alternatively, they can also find many of the raw ingredients needed to make and cook their home dishes from the many wet markets and supermarkets in Malaysia. Malaysia is a food-loving nation, and Malaysians consider food as one of the ways to show their love to everyone. It’s a tie that bonds and unites families, friends and strangers alike. Heck, even locals regularly open their greetings to each other with the line, “Dah makan?” (Have you eaten?). Taylor’s University Bachelors in Accounting & Finance student, Kumail Mohamed Hassan Haji, who hails from Tanzania, agrees with this. “One thing I learnt here is that all Malaysians share the same love for food. Food here in Malaysia varies in different aspects, but Malaysians are ever-ready to bond during a meal at any occasion.”
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‘FRIENDS ARE THE FAMILIES YOU GET TO CHOOSE BY YOURSELF’
FRIENDS BECOME FAMILY
Gavriella Tjandra, a Bachelors of Journalism student of Taylor’s University who is from Jakarta, enthusiastically quips, “Friends are the families you get to choose by yourself.” How true! Meeting new people and making friends with Malaysians has indeed helped many international students quickly adapt to the local culture. There’s nothing like having the locals to teach and point out to you the ‘finer’ things and unwritten rules of everyday Malaysian life. Iranian student Ahoora Jenab Zadeh of Brickfields Asia College agrees. “You can make friends very easily here and it helps you in many ways – mentally, physically, financially, everything. They didn’t just help me out, they taught me the way of living in Malaysia.” Many of these Malaysian friends have become more than friends; the deep friendship bonds that they have established borders on the familial. They readily help each other out, go the extra mile to help out a ‘bro’ or buddy in need, and act like a dependable member of the family. No wonder many of these international students find the going good, as they have the support of their Malaysian ‘family members’ here! That’s another winning point towards calling Malaysia their home away from home.
So as you can see, Malaysians are not the only ones calling this great nation home. International students who have adapted to our local way of life, have come away with an overall positive and enriching experience, so much so that some of them have claimed that Malaysia might even take the place as their first home! A happy Malaysia Day to everyone then.
FUN UNDER THE SUN Yeah, it’s sunny and humid for most part of the year here, interspersed with heavy rainfall during the monsoon seasons. Despite that, many foreign students have developed a liking for our local attractions. As Kumail Mohamed notes, “Travelling and touring around Malaysia is splendid and tremendous. The exotic islands, the blue waters, the green and chilly hills are all astonishing. Add to that, Kuala Lumpur has something new to offer every day apart from the never-ending shopping sales!”
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feature by aaron pereira
GUARDIANS OF THE 70S GALAXY
SEPTEMBER 2014
THE RECENT SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER MOVIE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY HAS MADE RETRO MUSIC ROCKING COOL AGAIN!
Blast From The Past PANAVISON速
PRINTS BE DE LUXE速
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on Hollywood Records
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TECHNICOLOR速
M
usic has been around since the time of the cavemen. Obviously though, not being recorded or mass produced back then, we can’t enjoy the rock music from back then – which was perhaps even made by banging rocks together. What is clear is that music was made before, and will continue being made in the future. However, sometimes, inspiration needs be drawn from the past, in order to shape the future. We have seen instances in which artists borrow from previous melodies and reinvent, or remake songs of today. For instance, there is One Direction’s Best Song Ever, which may have been inspired by The Who’s Baba O’Reilly. Then there was Flo Rida whose song, Good Feeling sampled Avicii’s Levels which also has a vocal sample by Etta James’s 1962 single called Something’s Got a Hold on Me. Evidently, the list of songs inspired by older songs can go on and on. Another industry that works hand in hand with the music industry is the film industry. Movies need songs to be featured in them. Imagine falling in love without dreamy background music, or being chased by some evil creature without thrilling music. The movies would probably be a bit more boring without these additions.
Old
School Cool
Currently, there is much hype about the soundtrack featured in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy film. In the movie, the main character, Peter Quill was given what would now be considered an antique Walkman – something hipsters of today would covet. It was a gift from his mother, preloaded with her favourite ‘70s music; featuring all the oldies heard throughout the film. One could say the music is out of time and place in the movie, but then again, it jives well and the whole movie is in a way out of place, in space. The songs featured are mostly radio fodder, classic pop hits that have survived the test of time. Songs such as Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell would be something your parents would have listened to, back when they were your age or so. By the way, Robin Thicke also drew inspiration from Marvin Gaye for his song Blurred Lines.
THESE ARE THE TWELVE SONGS THAT ARE ON THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY SOUNDTRACK - ALL WERE FEATURED IN THE FILM, EXCEPT FOR SPIRIT IN THE SKY, WHICH WAS USED IN THE TRAILER ONLY. HOOKED ON A FEELING PERFORMED BY BLUE SWEDE GO ALL THE WAY PERFORMED BY RASPBERRIES SPIRIT IN THE SKY PERFORMED BY NORMAN GREENBAUM MOONAGE DAYDREAM PERFORMED BY DAVID BOWIE FOOLED AROUND AND FELL IN LOVE PERFORMED BY ELVIN BISHOP I’M NOT IN LOVE PERFORMED BY 10CC I WANT YOU BACK PERFORMED BY THE JACKSON 5 COME AND GET YOUR LOVE PERFORMED BY REDBONE CHERRY BOMB PERFORMED BY THE RUNAWAYS ESCAPE (THE PIÑA COLADA SONG) PERFORMED BY RUPERT HOLMES O-O-H CHILD PERFORMED BY FIVE STAIRSTEPS AIN’T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH PERFORMED BY MARVIN GAYE AND TAMMI TERRELL
Director James Gunn stated that the idea behind the usage of the Walkman and old tracks came to him first and became the centre of the story. “We’re bringing a bunch of people into this weird, strange, wonderful, beautiful, colourful place, but that can be a little off-putting,” said Gunn. “I felt like, for me, the music was a way to invite you in and make you feel a little more comfortable, because it’s something we’re familiar with in the face of all this oddness.” After all, in the movie, Quill holds on to the Walkman because it reminds him of his late mother and home. Peter Quill is also no ordinary human. He is an 80’s child and he has brought along his version of pop culture. He probably grew up watching Star Wars, and therefore seemed happy flying in his jet over crevices populated by space eels on a foreign planet. The music is soothing overall, it brings a human edge to a film that bounces from alien extremists to mining colonies to space prisons and never comes close to Earth again. Plus, if you listen carefully, you can also hear the voice of a young Michael Jackson singing.
Top
Spot
A separate soundtrack album titled Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) featuring the songs and artists seen on Peter Quill’s mixtape in the film, was also released, and has hit no.1 in the Billboard 200 chart. This meant that it is the first album in history, to only contain previously released songs and reach the top spot. It also managed to grab the no.1 spot in Canadian music charts. Thanks to the film, ‘70s pop music makers like Blue Swede, the Raspberries, Redbone and the Runaways are finding themselves at the top of the charts again. SEPT 2014 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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careerchat
PROLIFIC MUSIC, DRAMA AND HOCKEY COACH
SEPTEMBER 2014
THE EMBODIMENT OF TALEN
ARTISTRY BRAW
WE HAVE A CHAT WITH GILBERT WONG, A MULTITALENTED AND ARTISTIC SOUL WHO TEACHES MUSIC AND DRAMA AT HIS MUSIC CENTRE AKADEMI MUZIK SHAH ALAM. AND DID WE MENTION HE’S A FLOORBALL HOCKEY TRAINER AS WELL? 46
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Links: <Website: www.amsa.com.my> <Facebook: AMSA Floorball>
GILBERT WONG
IN MALAYSIA, FLOORBALL HOCKEY HAS BEEN HERE FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS WITH SELANGOR, KUALA LUMPUR, PULAU PINANG, JOHOR AND SABAH ACTIVELY PLAYING THE GAME. MY COMPANY, AMSA FLOORBALL, TOGETHER WITH VARIOUS STATE FLOORBALL ASSOCIATIONS IS CURRENTLY ON A PROMOTIONAL DRIVE TO GET MORE SCHOOLS TO PLAY THIS EXCITING GAME
NT, Y AND WN
C
AMPUS+: Hi, Gilbert. Many thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Please tell us a little bit more about yourself. GILBERT WONG: Hi. I’m currently 35 years old and I’m a music centre manager, music teacher and drama teacher at Akademi Muzik Shah Alam. I coach floorball hockey as well.
C+: Wow! What’s your background? How did you end up in your current career(s)? GW: I am very blessed to have my mother establish and run the music business since 1983. This means I practically grew up in the music centre! After earning the necessary paperwork, I started teaching music when I turned 18. By the time I was 27, I took over the management of the music school. When the drama syllabus was introduced in the centre, I realised that I had a passion for drama too, so I pursued the necessary qualifications towards becoming a drama teacher. Recently, I was introduced to the game of floorball, and took an instant liking to it. Then I introduced the game to my music and drama students and they too took an instant liking to it. I soon found myself coaching them. C+: Tell us more about the work that you do in a typical day or session. GW: For my music classes, they are divided into two sessions i.e. theory and practical. I teach and provide progressive theory work for my students according to their levels. Practical sessions involve technical work like teaching students of musical instruments how to play scales and arpeggios. I also teach them piano pieces and the sessions would also cover revision work of previously learned pieces. On top of that, there are aural sessions which help develop their hearing skills. On the other hand, for drama classes, I would warm up the class with drama games to loosen my students’ facial muscles. Then I would go through Tongue Twisters with my students to help them practise their pronunciation, conduct practical work through acting and pantomime sessions and also improve their memory work through the recital of poems or prose. C+: What does it take to become successful in your chosen field(s)? GW: To become a successful music teacher, naturally one will need to have the passion to teach music. The minimum requirement is a Grade 8 in both practical and theory in music. If you’re like me and teach children, then you’ve got to have lots of patience and good persuasion skills too, so that you’re able to develop the students to play music pieces in public by memory and also help them to obtain good results when they take their music exams conducted by external U.K. exam boards. The same goes for being a drama teacher. Patience and understanding is a vital trait to have in order to be able to
impart the necessary knowledge and life skills to students in a creative manner through drama. The minimum requirement is also a Grade 8 in Speech & Drama. C+: Are they rewarding careers? GW: Yes, it is financially rewarding but beyond that the satisfaction of seeing your students achieve excellent results in their respective instruments brings joy that money can’t buy. Time is quite flexible as the students start their classes from the afternoon. Students vary in age and as a music teacher, you’ll soon find that certain ways of delivering your teaching works best. Be creative and find out what works. C+: Wow, you’re a floorball trainer as well. What sport is that? Is it something new in Malaysia? GW: Floorball hockey is a fast-paced, safe and low-cost type of indoor hockey which was developed in the 1970s in Sweden. Players use specialised light-weight carbon fibre sticks and do not wear any protective gear. The goalkeeper does wear head to toe protective gear as he/she not only have a stick but uses their entire body to stop the ball from entering the goal. It is a 6 versus 6 game that’s played on a court measuring 20m x 40m, so that’s a lot of running involved. In Malaysia, floorball hockey has been here for the past 12 years with Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Johor and Sabah actively playing the game. My company, AMSA Floorball, together with various state floorball associations is currently on a promotional drive to get more schools to play this exciting game. We have many tournaments throughout the year for primary school students and right up to working adults. For primary and secondary school students we have the Junior AMSA Challenge Trophy (JACT) 3 vs 3 format and the Kejohanan Floorball Antara Sekolah (KFAS) 6 vs 6 format. For men and women above 18, there’s the Selangor league and the KL league. In the Klang Valley alone, there are more than 10 international schools/national schools/learning centres playing floorball hockey. Training sessions are flexible and our team of coaches can adapt to the required schedules accordingly. All we need is a smooth surfaced area like a basketball or volleyball court. If you are interested to try out the game, get in touch with us and we can arrange for a free demo. C+: Any parting words of wisdom for our readers who are keen to pursue a career in music/arts/teaching? GW: Start with where you are, use what you have, do what you can, then move on to the next level.
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HOMEY MOONCAKES YOU’D LOVE
lifehacks/diy by ivy chin
SEPTEMBER 2014
MID AUTUMN DELICACIES – DIY STYLE
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Also known as the Mooncake Festival, it’s the time to commemorate the fascinating legend of Chang-Er and Yu Tu, decorate your house with an assortment of colourful and delicate lanterns and of course, enjoy mooncakes!
R
ather than just enjoying the storebought, off the shelf variety, why not add a personal touch to the mooncake experience by making your own? Come on, go ahead and make some special mooncakes for your friends and family to savour!
Baileys Chocolate Snow Skin Mooncakes INGREDIENTS For the truffle • 140 grams dark chocolate, chopped • Pinch of salt 48
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• 1 and ½ tablespoons Baileys • 1 and ½ tablespoons heavy cream For the filling • 55 grams dark chocolate, chopped • 270 grams no-sugar white lotus paste • 1 tablespoon Baileys • 20 grams melon seeds, toasted For the skin • 90 grams cooked glutinous rice flour • 40 grams icing sugar • 5 grams cocoa powder • 40 grams cold butter/ shortening, chopped • 50 millilitre Baileys, chilled • 150 millilitre ice cream soda/ Sprite/ 7 Up, chilled
METHOD For the truffle • Melt the chocolate with microwave or a double boiler. • Whisk in the salt, followed by Baileys and lastly cream. • Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm for about 30 minutes to an hour. • Divide it into 10 grams pieces, roll into small balls and refrigerate them for about 30 minutes to an hour, until firm again. For the filling • Melt the chocolate with a double boiler or microwave and let it cool for five minutes.
• Mix the chocolate and lotus paste well and then add in Baileys, followed by melon seeds. • Divide it into 20 grams pieces and roll into balls. • Flatten the ball slightly, wrap a piece of truffle inside and then roll it into a ball again. • Repeat this step for the remaining balls. • Refrigerate them until firm for about 30 minutes to an hour. For the skin • Sift the cooked glutinous rice flour, icing sugar and cocoa powder into a large bowl. • Add in cold butter and rub it in with your fingertips until small lumps of butter remain. • Mix the cold butter with the Baileys and ice cream soda to form soft dough. • Knead the dough in the bowl until it becomes smooth. • Divide it into 20 grams pieces and cover them with a plastic wrap or tea towel when not in use. For moulding & storage • Dust your hand with cocoa powder. • Take a portion of the skin, flatten it and wrap the filling inside. • Dust your mould with more cocoa powder and place the mooncake inside. • Stamp it and push it out onto a tray. • Repeat these steps for the remaining skins. • Refrigerate the mooncakes for about 15 to 30 minutes. • Transfer the mooncakes into an airtight container. • Refrigerate them for at least 6 hours before serving.
Pandan Jelly Mooncake INGREDIENTS For jelly egg yolk • 100 grams pumpkin, chopped to small pieces • 320 grams water • 35 grams sugar • 1 and ½ teaspoons agar-agar powder For the gula melaka filling • 100 grams gula melaka, chopped to pieces • 300 grams water • 2 pandan leaves, knotted • 1 and ½ teaspoons agar-agar powder For the skin • 320 grams water • 3 pandan leaves, knotted • 100 grams sugar • 1 and ½ teaspoons agar-agar powder • 2 tablespoons fresh milk • ¼ teaspoons pandan paste METHOD • Pour 150 grams water into a pot and boil it with the sugar and chopped pumpkin until the pumpkin becomes soft. • Filter the pumpkin liquid and pour 170 grams of water with agar-agar powder into the pot. • Boil and stir mixture well.
• Pour the mixture into the ball-shaped mould and cover it. • Chill the mixture and refrigerate it for 15 minutes. • Remove the jelly egg yolk from the mould and set aside. • Mix 300 grams water, gula melaka, agar-agar powder and pandan leaves into a pot. • Boil and stir them continuously until the gula melaka dissolves. • Discard the pandan leaves, pour the liquid into muffin cups and place the jelly egg yolk in the centre. • Pour the remaining liquid into five muffin cups evenly. • Refrigerate them for 15 minutes. • Remove the jelly from the muffin cup and set aside. • Mix 320 grams water, sugar, pandan leaves and agar-agar powder in a pot and boil it. • Discard the pandan leaves, stir for another minute and add 2 tablespoons of fresh milk into it. • Add pandan paste and stir it well again. • Pour the pandan liquid into the mooncake mould at about ½ centimetres high. • Place the gula melaka jelly filling into it and pour the remaining liquid over it. • Refrigerate the mooncake until it is ready to be served.
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arts&culture
by simon loh
MALAYSIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S OWN PRE-INTERNET ERA GAMES
SEPTEMBER 2014
A Taste of Traditional Malaysian Arts & Culture With the advent of high-tech sports in the age of the internet, traditional games are gradually neglected.
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S
ince the dawn of the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in 1896, games have naturally evolved into more competitive sports than mere pastimes or hobbies. As civilisation and society progresses, so too the sports they participate in. Modern sports are born out of competition and developed into profitable businesses. For the sake of saving our national heritage and local culture, traditional based cultural and sporting activities must be kept alive and be maintained in order to preserve them. As such, numerous events, road shows and promotions have been organised by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism of Malaysia regarding the fast fading local traditional arts and culture. The goal is to instil an interest in Malaysians to take up traditional culture and sports in order to maintain their love for the past. Another good way to foster the passion for traditional arts and culture is to visit the villages in the rural areas of Malaysia and to watch and participate with them in their traditional activities.
Wau
(FROM TOP): WAYANG KULIT (SHADOW PUPPETS) FROM CENTRAL JAVA, A SCENE FROM ‘IRAWAN’S WEDDING’; THE CLOSE-UP FAST-SPINNING ACTION OF A ‘GASING’; A CLASSIC ARRANGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL GAMES, I.E. CONGKAK BOARD WITH MARBLES (BOTTOM), SEPAK-RAGA BALL (LEFT) & SEPAK BULU AYAM SHUTTLE-COCK (RIGHT); TWO TEENAGE GIRLS ENJOYING AN AMICABLE GAME OF CLASSICAL CONGKAK USING MARBLES AS THEIR PLAY TOKENS; (BELOW) THE COMPLETE WAU OR KITE FAMILY FOUND IN MALAYSIA
The traditional Malaysian kite is called the ‘wau’ because the shape of its wing is similar to an Arabic letter (pronounced “wow”). Kite flying can be seen throughout the country though it is more popular in the East Coast of Malaysia. The most popular shape of the wau is the crescent moon (wau bulan) though other shapes are also found, and they resemble abstract versions of animals such as cats, peacocks, hawks and fishes. With vibrant colours and patterns based upon local flora and fauna, these traditional kites are truly splendid sights to behold. The tail of a wau is decorated with tassels while a bow is often attached across its neck. When it is flown, the bow produces a high-pitched humming noise. The bow is simply a strip of ribbon stretched over a strip of bamboo. The wau is made of bamboo strips and foil paper, and its artwork is usually formalised by tradition. For instance, a required element in traditional design is to have a large central flower or “ibu” in the centre of the kite; furthermore, vines must emanate from the base of the kite and connect logically. Over the years, wau festivals have encouraged creativity in wau-making and on top of helping to preserve the tradition. That being said, the traditional Kelantanese wau bulan (moon kite) still remains as popular today as it was years ago.
Wayang Kulit
Wayang kulit, or shadow puppetry, is a traditional theatrical art form that brings together the playfulness of a puppet show, and the elusive quality and charming simplicity of a shadow play. The flat two-dimensional puppets are intricately carved, then painted by hand out of cow or buffalo hide. Each puppet, a stylised exaggeration of the human shape, is given a distinctive appearance not unlike its string puppet cousins, except with jointed arms. Conducted by a singular master storyteller called the Tok Dalang, wayang kulit usually dramatises ancient Indian epics. ‘Kulit’ means skin, and refers to the leather construction of the puppets that are carefully chiselled with very fine tools and supported with carefully shaped buffalo horn handles and control rods. The high tales or tall stories are often drawn from the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Gasing
Gasing or top spinning draws excited commotion from both spectators and players alike. Skill, strength and physical dexterity are needed to launch a top, which is as big as a dinner plate or a Frisbee and weighs as much as five kilos each. The giant tops normally consist of two popular designs – the heart-shaped ‘gasing jantung’ and the flattened ‘gasing uri’. Made from merbau and Afzelia wood, top-making requires great skill. Top-spinning competitions are often organised on a state, national and international level. They are an annual affair in the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia, especially Kelantan and Terengganu and it is traditionally played prior to the rice harvest season. The top is set spinning by unfurling a rope that has been wound around it. Then it is scooped off the ground, whilst still spinning, using a wooden bat with a centre slit and transferred onto a low post with a metal receptacle. If expertly hurled, it can spin for up to two hours or more.
Congkak
Congkak is a traditional game of brain and wit played by womenfolk in villages of ancient times. What were required then were just tamarind seeds and holes in the ground. It has been in existence since the dawn of the Melaka Sultanate in the 15th century. Today, this classical game has been refined to become an entertaining board game. Consisting of a wooden board with two rows of five, seven, or nine holes and two large holes at both ends called “home”, congkak is played by two persons using shells, pebbles, rubber seeds, tamarind seeds or marbles. Each player’s “home” is the large hole on their left and the holes are filled with any one of the above mentioned objects. The player’s aim is to move the seeds in a clockwise direction through the holes to his “home” while observing specific rules of the game. The player who obtains the most seeds in the “home” hole wins.
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YOUR VIEW ON CURRENT ISSUES
campustalk
SEPTEMBER 2014
Patriotism To The
Homeland In conjunction with Malaysia Day this month, we asked how you would show your patriotism to the country. These are the answers.
A simple way to do it is by wearing the patriotic colours of blue, red, white or something like that. Just to show that we are all coming together as one.
We stand united together. It doesn’t matter if you are Malay, Chinese or Indian. The most important thing is to always love your country and remember that we are Malaysian and will always be Malaysian.
EVELINE MICHELLE SPYKERMAN
AHMAD SAFWAN BIN WARNO
TAR UC BACHELOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION PROGRAMME
I can show my patriotism by respecting each other even though we come from different race and religion. Teamwork is important and through it we can show our patriotism.
I’ll actually drive all the way to the Taman Merdeka and I’ll enjoy the celebrations there.
IZAA SYAZWANI BINTI AHMAD
DANIEL TONG WEE YONG
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION PROGRAMME
TAR UC BACHELOR IN PUBLIC RELATIONS
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COMPLIMENTARY SCREENING AT GSC
SEPTEMBER 2014
movies
FREE MOVIE SCREENING A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES
DATE:
17 SEPTEMBER 2014 (WED)
VENUE: GSC PARADIGM MALL TIME: 9.00 PM HALL: 5 SEATS: 101
LIMITED MOVIE TICKETS!
To get your movie tickets, log on to facebook.com/campusplus and take part to win. Movie tickets are limited.
Based on Lawrence Block’s bestselling series of mystery novels, A Walk among the Tombstones stars Liam Neeson as Matt Scudder, an ex-NYPD cop who now works as an unlicensed private investigator operating just outside the law. When Scudder reluctantly agrees to help a heroin trafficker (Dan Stevens) hunt down the men who kidnapped and then brutally murdered his wife, the PI learns that this is not the first time these men have committed this sort of twisted crime…nor will it be the last. Blurring the lines between right and wrong, Scudder races to track the deviants through the backstreets of New York City before they kill again.
Written and directed by Scott Frank (The Lookout), A Walk among the Tombstones is produced by Jersey Films’ Danny DeVito, Double Feature Films’ Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher, Exclusive Media’s Tobin Armbrust and Cross Creek Pictures’ Brian Oliver. Universal will distribute the film in North America.
For more information, visit www.awalkamongthetombstones.net SEPT 2014 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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eventlisting
OUT & ABOUT TOWN
SEPTEMBER 2014
of memorable music for you to groove to. On this day as well, Mambo Jambo hits the big 10, having brought good music to partygoers for 10 years already! So, head on over with friends to celebrate the happening anniversary and enjoy the music. For reservations, call 03-21711997 (12pm - 6pm) or 016-3323191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my TIME: N/A VENUE: Velvet, Zouk Kuala Lumpur TICKETING: RM30/men (1 drink included), RM311 per Bottle (admits 5-pax)
MON - SUN / SEPT 8 – 21 SUPERMOKH SEBUAH MUSIKAL RESTAGING
FRI / SEPT 19 FLAVA PRESENTS SEOUL ADDICTION
K-Poppers are in for a tasty treat by FLAVA, as they kick off their weekend with a dose of the best in K-Pop music. The DJs will take you right into the heart of Seoul, spinning tracks from some of the biggest names in the Korean music industry – 2NE1, BIGBANG, PSY and much more! Those who are above 21 and into K-Pop should not miss this opportunity to experience a K-Pop night like no other, which happens only once every month. For reservations, call 0321711997 (12pm - 6pm) or 016-3323191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my TIME: N/A VENUE: Phuture, Zouk Kuala Lumpur TICKETING: RM38/ ladies & RM48/men (1 drink included), RM373 per Bottle (admits 4-pax) – before 11p.m.
WED / SEPT 24 MAMBO JAMBO PRESENTS FLASHBACK
For all the old souls who enjoy the great music of the 80’s and 90’s, Wednesday nights would be the best night to head out to party. DJs will deliver a whole host 54
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under the non-profit organisation We Are Malaysian Made (WAMM). A variety of local favourite musicians will add to the festival ambiance with Penang-born nightingale Bihzhu, songstress Froya, and musician Nick Davis gracing the Pentas 2 stage. TIME: N/A. VENUE: Pentas 2, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). TICKETING: For more information, please visit the website www.klpac.org/ysdartsfest or login to www.facebook.com/ysdartsfest.
SAT - SUN / SEPT 13 – 14 YAYASAN SIME DARBY ARTS FESTIVAL – YSDAF 2014
Over 200 events spread over 48 hours for free? Yes, never before has there ever been an arts festival of this scale. Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival, taglined “A Malaysian Community Project” is produced in collaboration with The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). Specially tailored festival activities for all age groups have been held since the launch of the festival in May 2014 leading up to the twoday finale which will take place on the 13th and 14th of September. The finale will culminate with over 200 events consisting of workshops, performances and an array of contemporary and cultural activities happening at the city’s arts hub. During the twoday finale, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) will present a festival programme celebrating some of the most compelling dance and theatre voices from all over the country. One of the key highlights include unique traditional presentations from each of Malaysia’s 14 states; such as the Kuda Kepang from Johor, Wayang Kulit from Kelantan and Sumazau from Sabah, curated by PUSAKA, the Centre for Culture, Tradition and Ideas. Fans of the late Yasmin Ahmad will be able to reminisce with the screening of a selection of her most beloved work, while film producer Michael Chen will screen some of the best local independent films
Back by popular demand, Supermokh Sebuah Musikal Restaging will be showcasing its second season at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur come 8 September – 21 September 2014. Although the World Cup campaign has just recently concluded, it is hoped that this musical could cash in on the popularity of soccer and promote our legendary footballing heroes, notably the iconic Mokhtar Dahari, affectionately known as ‘Supermokh’. Jointly directed by local comedy actors Hans Isaac and Harith Iskander, it stars Awie, Maya Karin, Rashidi Ishak, Douglas Lim, Dina Nadzir, Radhi Khalid, Chi Ho, Oliver Kuhanan and Clarence Kuna. Musical direction is led by the talented Michael Veerapen and lyrics provided by theatrical actor Adlin Aman Ramli. This popular musical is sponsored by CIMB under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor. Matinee shows will begin at 3 o’clock in the afternoon whilst evening shows will start at 8.30 pm. For further information, please refer to the details as shown below. TIME: 8.30 pm, 3.00 pm. VENUE: Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur. TICKETING: Matinee Show (3pm): RM38, RM78, RM86, RM102, RM134, RM190, RM246 / Evening Show (8.30pm): RM46, RM96, RM106, RM126, RM166, RM236, RM306. For more info, visit our official ticketing website www.ticket2u.biz or call our hotline: +603-4147 8600
PREVIEW OF EVOLVE
SEPTEMBER 2014
If you have been hoping for a Left 4 Dead 3, sadly there won’t be one. However, you will not be disappointed when you hear about this new and exciting game
T
his game is on GamesRadar.com’s 100 most anticipated games for 2014, and it landed 6th place on that list. This game is called Evolve. Early this year, the creators of Left 4 Dead, 2K and Turtle Rock Studios announced their latest game Evolve. This new multiplayer
shooter experience blends cooperative and competitive gameplay, as a team of four hunters will go against a single player monster. One unique aspect of Evolve is the ability to play the hunters in first-person perspective and the monster in third-person. It will be a fast-paced 4 versus 1 match set in an alien planet, with a
Evolve’s co-op vs. lone wolf formula has created some of the most intense multiplayer matches we’ve ever experienced
games by jeyna lim
gameplay to increase its strength and power. One does not have the ability to choose a class or level up their zombies in Left 4 Dead, and whichever side you’re on requires you to work in a team. Teamwork is tough work, so Evolve gives gamers a chance to choose between working in a team or going at it solo. The concept of Evolve itself is uncommon. It is one game experience that has not hit the market, and it’s no surprise that it has been receiving a lot of attention. Chris Ashton, cofounder at Turtle Rock Studios, said “Evolve’s co-op vs. lone wolf formula has created some of the most intense multiplayer matches we’ve ever experienced.” It’s hard to argue with Mr Ashton, seeing how the game works. However, there is no news on whether there will be a campaign for Evolve. Since Evolve focuses on the multiplayer aspect of gaming, it won’t be surprising if there is no campaign at all. It will surely be a bonus if there is one though, and it will definitely not be short of action. With Evolve, one can be sure of having a gaming experience unlike any other. If you are a fan of Left 4 Dead, then Evolve will top it off for you with more fun and action. Even though you won’t be able to take down zombies with your trusty rifle and menacing machete, you will instead have the chance to face off against some insane, inhuman monstrosity. Evolve will be available on the Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC from 31st December 2014. Some countries were given the opportunity to pre-order the game, but unfortunately Malaysia is not one of them. I guess we simply have to wait!
jungle-like landscape that’s infested with other alien creatures as well. Aside from the adrenaline pumping experience this game has to offer, the other interesting feature of this game is the ability to choose a side. This is no stranger to Left 4 Dead gamers as Left 4 Dead allows you to face off your friends by being one of the special infected zombies. However, there is a huge difference between Left 4 Dead and Evolve. Unlike Left 4 Dead, the hunters come in four classes, Trapper, Support, Assault, and Medic, while the monster has the ability to level up during the CAMPUS PLUS |
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music
ALBUM RELEASES AND REVIEWS
SEPTEMBER 2014
REVIEWS
YES! JASON MRAZ
After the international success of I’m Yours, Jason Mraz returns with his fifth studio album and his first
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS VARIOUS ARTISTS
It’s almost certain that if you haven’t watched the movie, the soundtrack wouldn’t move you as much as it should. However, this is an album that
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ever acoustic album. With Mraz’s enthralling tenor voice and folk-rock band Raining Jane as backup combined with traditional instruments, the entire album creates the highs and lows of love in bright folk-pop style. It embraces the acoustic soul and celebrates positivity with songs that see hope even in loss. YES! tells of a lifetime love story and an optimistic view of life; from the initial intoxication to the inevitable goodbye. Put on your headphones and enjoy this matured interpretation of the message of love and friendship. You will find enjoyment in Mraz’s musical journey that brings you to walk over the ups and downs of the world. Give yourself a chance to exclaim “Yes!” for YES! now.
tells you a love story through beautiful melodies. It brings us to a long, hard, painful, but enjoyable journey. Ed Sheeran and Birdy deserve to take the prize for the most heartbreaking ballads. All Of The Stars, Tee Shirt and Not About Angels are our favourites. They captivated our heart with stunning lyrics and heart-wrenching ballads. We can’t help but have these hauntingly beautiful songs stuck in our heads. Boom Clap by Charli XCX jumped in with a fun and light summer song that awakens us from the sadness. It is an upbeat song that makes you want to dance along. The entire album offers some absolutely entrancing ballads, so we would suggest you watch the movie before listening to the soundtrack. But be warned, arm yourself with tissues, you’ll need them.
X(MULTIPLY) ED SHEERAN
X, (stylised from multiply) is the second studio album released by Ed Sheeran, who has exploded in popularity in recent months. With a whopping 17 tracks in the Deluxe
TRIGGA TREY SONGZ
Being cocky and hypersexual has become Trey Songz’s trademark. With his sixth album Trigga, he displays the consistency of his work by presenting
physical edition, the amount of content packed here is astonishing! The lead single Sing was released in April and has become a top hit globally, and has received critical acclaim; it is an interesting combination of R & B and Pop, and sets a catchy beat. Don’t is a song about a girl who cheated on the artist with a close friend, and has a very good chant as a major part of the tune. Also, Sheeran’s rapid delivery of the lyrics and story is well worth the listen. The large amount of tracks, with the signature vocals of Ed Sheeran makes this one well worth your interest.
us bedroom R&B, which proclaims that there is no girl who can escape from his charm and bedroom skills. The first track of the album, Cake is fairly representative of the entire album. It is slow, soothing yet modern and centred around a thinly conceived sexual metaphor. Sex, relationship woes and infidelity are the highlights of the album. If you are looking for easily digestible pop music, this album is for you because the songs are catchy and easy to listen to. Undeniably, Songz has a unique and perfectly soulful voice for the R&B music field.
JASON GETS UP CLOSE & PERSONAL
SEPTEMBER 2014
music
Jason Mraz
Says Yes!
Find out what he has to say about his latest album from Mr Feel Good himself, Jason Mraz.
H
ow do you feel about the success of your track “I’m Yours” providing a “greater awareness” which appealed to diverse audiences? I love it! That was probably the song that really opened my eyes and ears to it. That was the moment when I started to be more conscious of how and what I was writing - creating songs that are full of affirmations, celebrations and optimistic views.” Can any human get on board with this? Can anyone, from any nation, can they as a human being feel the humanity in this song? I try not to make it about me specifically and keep in mind that it really is about what we as humans are feeling and going through. Your lead single “Love Someone” in Yes! has been used as soundtrack for a few marriage proposals, what are your thoughts? Anytime someone uses one of my songs for anything – a ceremony or a sacred moment – that to me is a high honour. I’m proud of the song at that point because I’m trying to write something for humans – whichever humans want to get on board and put this in their soundtrack to their soul’s development or spiritual lives. You collaborated with Raining Jane to produce your latest album? We’ve been working together for about seven years now and every year we get together for what we call ‘ladies’ weekend’ where we do anywhere from five to seven days of writing and recording – with no agenda – and we each emerge with songs to use in our own projects.
But about a year ago we said, ‘Let’s just focus on our songs for a second and see if there’s a record here.’ So we did, and when we presented it, both our management and our label said yes within 24 hours – that’s kind of how we came up with the title of the album, Yes! We feel that saying yes was the key to unlocking creativity and getting sh*t done, because if you say no to an improvisation, the scene is over. It’s also been a theme that led us to this point. Had these girls not said yes when I introduced myself to them eight years ago at a gig and asked if they would be interested in coming over and just jamming, we wouldn’t have created this album. One of your best friends came out to you during your senior year of high school, did this affect your views on civil rights? When he came out to me it blew my mind. I thought that was so courageous because of the potential for abuse and the potential for violence – it was something that I worried about for him. But I also thought it was the coolest thing anyone could do, and from then on I knew I wanted to support him and anyone else who was courageous enough to just be themselves. How did this influence your growth as an artist? Steven, my friend who came out to me in my senior year, was a huge Madonna fan. So I may know all the words to Bedtime Stories, Erotica, and a few more of her albums – and we may have watched Truth or Dare a thousand times. I thank him so much for turning me on to all of that, because it may have influenced me big time in who I’ve become now that I’m onstage,
and since here I am now, with a bit of platform and a microphone, it’s a no-brainer. I should be speaking up for some of my best friends, my management team, my employees, and many of my colleagues. We’re all in this together. I’ve recently had this feeling that because we’re this really unique generation that has harnessed the power of the Internet, we have this ability to transform the world during our lifetime so that the next generation can thrive and has a head start. That means tearing down these walls, while at the same time being equally powerful and responsible in sustaining the fragility of our environment which sustains us. What are your hopes for the future? By the time my children are born, I know it’s possible that they can grow up in a world where they don’t understand that there were ever any dividers between people and why we have the issues we do today. That’s my goal in this life. To just clean it all up so that by the time my kids are born and they’re adults they’ll only read about it in history books. (Interview courtesy of Warner Music Malaysia)
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k-pop
THE LATEST IN KOREAN POP MUSIC
SEPTEMBER 2014
To Open
MTV Sessions MTV recently announced that sixmember Korean boy band B.A.P (which stands for Best, Absolute, Perfect), will be the first K-pop act to be featured in its music series MTV Sessions.
M
TV Sessions is an up close and personal experience of the artists and their work, with fan Q&A, behind-the-scenes and interview footage in between the artist’s performances. It is filmed live in front of a studio audience, and showcases the work and lives of today’s artists and a rare in depth look into the latest and upcoming acts. The live recording is set to take
place on Thursday, 11 September 2014 at 8pm at Resorts World Sentosa’s Waterfront Studio, and will be the group’s fourth visit to Singapore. B.A.P’s members include Bang Yong Guk, Zelo, Him Chan, Dae Hyun, Young Jae, and Jong Up and they have been described as a very versatile group with a heavy hip-hop theme. Yong Guk and Zelo have cited 50 Cent, P. Diddy, Pharrell and other rappers as their musical influences.
JUST US
ME?
JYJ
HA:TFELT (YENNY)
Just Us is the third studio album from JYJ after a long three year wait. With more than 120,000 copies preordered before its July 29th official release, the album has also been doing well and ranking high on the music charts, with their title song Back Seat placing first on Melon, MNet, Genie and various other music charts just an hour after the album’s release. Back Seat is a slow and smooth R&B track, the track is enjoyable though the English intro could use some work. Another one of the tracks to note, Dad, You There? is about the relationship between one of the members, Yoochun and his father. Its silky smooth delivery and its heart rending lyrics makes this one something special. Overall, this album gave a lot of mixed emotions and messages; but in this case it is done well. With their date of enlistment to the military coming ever closer, fans of JYJ will need to make this one last.
Me? Is the debut mini album by Yenny from Wonder Girls under the pseudonym HA:TFELT. HA:TFELT is a compound word mode up of “Hot” and “Heartfelt”, and fans “can pronounce it comfortably as Heartfelt”. Containing 7 tracks, it starts off with Iron Girl featuring her fellow Wonder Girls band member Lim. The track is a mix of folk and rap which works surprisingly well with their vocals. The title song Ain’t Nobody seems like a slight jab at the Wonder Girls’ all-time hit Nobody. With a jarring combination of drums, electronica and guitar it is a very attention grabbing track. Another track worth mentioning is Peter Pan which is a simple indie folk track, yet packs some surprises. The soft acoustic guitar combined with the artist’s smooth vocals makes this a very soothing and relaxing track. Overall, this is an interesting mini album from a very prominent member of the industry, and we look forward to more.
REVIEWS
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THE LATEST IN KOREAN POP MUSIC
k-pop
SEPTEMBER 2014
K-POP CHART
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EMPTY
2
HER
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‘The live recording is set to take place on Thursday, 11 September 2014 at 8pm at Resorts World Sentosa’s Waterfront Studio’ They also stand out from the usual K-pop crowd with distinctive group choreography, lyrics and rap. Debuting in 2012, they have released 3 single albums, 2 extended plays, 1 repackage and 1 full studio album. The group’s notable tracks include Warrior, Power and Coffee Shop. The B.A.P has also received multiple awards and nominations including the prestigious Golden Disk Award for New Rising Star (Digital) in 2012.
B.A.P airs on MTV Asia on Thursday, 25 September at 7pm (WIB), 8pm (SG) and 9pm (MAL)
WINNER | 2014 S/S
BLOCK B | JACKPOT
BEAUTIFUL (FEAT. ZICO OF BLOCK B) PARK BORAM| BEAUTIFUL
4
TOUCH MY BODY
5
I’M IN LOVE
6
RED
7
HAPPINESS
8
KISS KISS
9
AIN’T NOBODY
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SISTAR | TOUCH & MOVE
SECRET | SECRET SUMMER
HYUNA | A TALK
RED VELVET | THE 1ST SINGLE ‘HAPPINESS’
LADIES’ CODE | KISS KISS
YEEUN (HA:TFELT) | ME?
LOVE AGAIN SON SEUNGYEON | SONNET BLOOMS
WEEK OF AUGUST 17
A TALK
TOUCH N MOVE
HYUNA
SISTAR
A Talk is the third solo mini album from the 4Minute and previously Wonder Girls member HyunA. The mini album includes 5 tracks with the lead single Red. The track supposedly references a Korean nursery rhyme, completed with bold lyrics and a somewhat catchy tune. Worth mentioning too is the music video for Red as it is rife with symbolism and bombards you with constant flashy visuals. From Where to Where features B2ST’s Yoseob, and is a straight up ballad. The falsetto of Yoseob complements the sultry vocals of HyunA well in this track. Blacklist is another track of note as it is a heavy rap track which suits her vocals. She is helped out by EXID’s main rapper LE, which makes the rap even catchier. Overall, the mini album might be too short for some listeners as again, it only contains 5 tracks, but fans of HyunA will be happy with her latest bold, bright and powerful comeback.
Touch N Move is the third mini album by SISTAR. The intro Wow is a short and smooth track that sets up the other tracks very well with its relaxing drum beats and guitar. The featured lead single Touch My Body suits the vocals and theme of the mini album very well; it is a fun and upbeat little track that can be played while dancing or just lying down and enjoying the hot summer sun. The music video is worth mentioning as well as it is a very happy summer MV, with bright colours and outfits; the dancing could use a bit of work though as there are some questionable moves. The final track Sunshine is candy for the ears – it’s a very happy and upbeat tune about the love a girl has for her boy. The tune is catchy and matches the lyrics and vocals of the group very well. Overall, it is a very pleasant album to listen to and SISTAR has done a very good job with this one.
SOURCE: MNET.COM
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movies
THE LATEST CINEMA FLICKS
SEPTEMBER 2014
PREVIEWS
THE MAZE RUNNER STARRING: DYLAN O’BRIEN KAYA SCODELARIO THOMAS SANGSTER WILL POULTER AML AMEEN KI HONG LEE BLAKE COOPER DEXTER DARDEN ALEX FLORES CHRIS SHEFFIELD JACOB LATIMORE RELEASE: 18TH SEPTEMBER 2014
THE BOXTROLLS
STARRING: ISAAC HEMPSTEAD-WRIGHT BEN KINGSLEY ELLE FANNING TONI COLLETTE JARED HARRIS SIMON PEGG NICK FROST RICHARD AYOADE TRACY MORGAN RELEASE: 25TH SEPTEMBER 2014
When Thomas (O’Brien) wakes up trapped in a massive maze with a group of other boys, he has no memory of the outside world other than strange dreams about a mysterious organization known as W.C.K.D. Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his true purpose and a way to escape.
A young orphaned boy named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) who was raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors called the Boxtrolls, tries to save his family from an evil exterminator. Based on the children’s novel ‘Here Be Monsters’ by Alan Snow.
THE GREEN INFERNO
NO GOOD DEED
STARRING: LORENZA IZZO ARIEL LEVY DARYL SABARA
STARRING: IDRIS ELBA TARAJI P. HENSON KATE DEL CASTILLO MARK SMITH HENRY SIMMONS WILBUR FITZGERALD RELEASE: 16TH OCTOBER 2014
RELEASE: 2ND OCTOBER 2014
A group of student activists travel from New York City to the Amazon rainforest to save a dying tribe but instead are taken hostage by the very natives they were out to protect.
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Terri (Henson), a devoted wife and mother of two, lives an ideal life that takes a dramatic turn when her home and children are threatened by Colin (Elba), a charming but dangerous escaped convict who smooth-talks his way into her house, claiming car trouble. The unexpected invitation leaves her and her family terrorised and fighting for survival.
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CANCER-FIGHTING FOODS
SEPTEMBER 2014
wellness
CARROTS Aside from being good for the eyes, carrots are also packed with diseasefighting nutrients. The easy-to-love vegetable contains beta-carotene; an antioxidant scientists believe may protect cell membranes from toxin damage and slow the growth of cancer cells. At the same time, carrots deliver other vitamins and phytochemicals that might guard a g a i n s t cancers of the mouth, oesophagus, and stomach. Ha! We bet no bunny (get it, get it?) has ever told you that.
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Eat Your Way
To Lower Cancer Risk You know how your mom used to tell you to finish the broccoli on your plate because it’s good for you? Well, it turns out that your mom was right all along. In fact, studies have shown that broccoli can reduce your risk of cancer. On top of that, we’ve also discovered a whole host of other foods that have cancer-fighting properties! Hey, if you’re going to eat them, you might as well eat your way to life sans cancer, right?
GARLIC The same sulphur compounds causing that post-garlic consumption odour may also stop cancer-causing substances from forming in your body, speed DNA repair and kill cancer cells. It also battles bacteria, including H. pylori (the one connected to some ulcers and stomach cancer) and it reduces the risk of colon cancer. The trick is to eat the actual cloves and not the processed dietary supplement. So you see, garlic does more than just keep vampires at bay!
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BROCCOLI Broccoli and its cousins offer the best protection against cancers of the mouth, oesophagus and stomach. Who are its cousins? Allow us to introduce. Its cousins are other cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, kale and cauliflower. They all contain phytochemicals called glucosinolates, which produce protective enzymes that are released when you chew the raw veggie and its cell walls are ruptured. Sure, that sounds brutal but in essence, it helps detoxify harmful substances such as cigarette smoke and other environmental pollutants from the body.
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TOMATOES Believe it or not, a juicy, ripe tomato is a powerful weapon against prostate cancer! This is because the red hue in tomatoes contains a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Not only is a lycopene-rich diet connected to a reduced risk of prostate cancer, it has also stopped other types of cancer cells from growing, including breast, lung and endometrial (in the lining of the uterus). You know what this means, right? Now we have a good excuse to eat pizzas since pizza sauces are mostly tomato-based. Bring it! SPINACH According to the experts, spinach is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which are carotenoids that remove unstable molecules called free radicals from your body before they damage it. A study of more than 490,000 people found that those who ate more spinach were less likely to develop oesophageal cancer. Some studies suggest the carotenoids in spinach reduce the risk of ovarian, endometrial, lung and colorectal cancer too. But we don’t need the experts to tell us that, do we? Just take a look at Popeye!
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travel
REDISCOVERING MALAYSIA THROUGH REMINISCING HER PAST
by simon loh
SEPTEMBER 2014
Top Historical Places
To Visit In Malaysia We continue the second part of our story on the top historicallyrich spots to check out in Malaysia. TERENGGANU Another much-fancied travel destination in Malaysia is the east coast state of Terengganu. Famed for its annual turtle landings along the lengthy Rantau Abang beach, this monsoon state is indeed a treasure trove of the east coast. Apart from its famous kerepok lekor (a type of fish-based snack) and wau bulan (an indigenous, intricately made kite), Terengganu also has several noteworthy historical sites. They include Bukit Puteri, Istana Maziah and Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah. Bukit Puteri is a 200 metre high historical hill situated next to Istana Maziah. It was used as a fortress between the years of 1831 to 1876 to defend the state from enemy attacks. Since 64
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it is the highest point in Kuala Terengganu (which by the way is the state’s capital), visitors standing atop Bukit Puteri can witness the magnificent view of its surroundings. On the foothills stands the majestic Istana Maziah, which was built in 1897 to replace the Istana Hijau which was burnt down during World War II. The palace is the venue for royal birthdays, weddings, conferment of titles and receptions for local and foreign dignitaries alike. A product of the blend between splendid modern and traditional architecture, it is well-known as one of Malaysia’s cultural attractions. Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah is no ordinary mosque but reputed to be a unique, one-of-akind in Malaysia. Dubbed the ‘floating mosque’, it combines elements of modern and traditional
architectural designs, creating an illusion as if the entire structure is floating on water. SARAWAK The land of the hornbills – where else but Sarawak. It’s the state where you can find the famous Gua Niah, the world’s largest natural cavern or cave system. Sarawak is also a popular tourist destination in East Malaysia, situated across the South China Sea. Aside from Gua Niah, some of the more popular historical places found here are Fort Margherita and The Brooke Memorial. Completed in 1879, Fort Margherita commands a breath taking and strategic position along the Sarawak River, with a location chosen to overlook the long stretch of river approaching Kuching. Named after the second Rajah, Charles Brooke’s wife, Ranee Margaret, it was built in the defensive edifice or castle style of the late English renaissance. Fort Margherita has since been converted into a police museum. The Brooke Memorial is located at the front of the Sarawak Court House. The
6-metre high granite obelisk was commissioned in 1924 to honour Charles Brooke. At the corner of the obelisk is a bronze panel of four figures representing the Sarawakian community, namely the Malay, Chinese, Dayak and Kayan. The colonial baroque Clock Tower behind the memorial was added in 1883. PULAU LANGKAWI Deemed the hottest tropical paradise in Malaysia, Pulau Langkawi or Langkawi Island, is currently rated as one of the top-notch destinations in Malaysia. Consistently ranked in the top ten for best island resorts in Malaysia, Langkawi boasts of unmatched sun, sand and sea experience for beach lovers. Langkawi is also home to the annual LIMA (Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace) defence exhibition. Some of the historical sites found in Langkawi are Makam Mahsuri and Telaga Tujuh. With its fabled and historical past, Langkawi is a godsend for visitors. Makam Mahsuri or Mahsuri’s Mausoleum is a shine erected in honour of Mahsuri, a beautiful maiden who
‘Telaga Tujuh is so named because its cascading waters are broken by a series of seven natural pools. Legend has it that fairies used to come down to the waterfall to bathe and frolic’
OPPOSITE PAGE: THE MASJID TENGKU TENGAH ZAHARAH “FLOATING MOSQUE” BACKDROP AGAINST THE KUALA IBAI LAGOON THIS PAGE | (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH FORT MARGHERITA…WHAT A GORGEOUS LOOKING CASTLE! PICTURES ANYONE?; A BRITISH CANNON AT THE SITE OF THE HILL OF BUKIT PUTERI; THE BROOKE MEMORIAL MONUMENT SITTING IN FRONT OF THE SARAWAK COURT HOUSE COURTYARD; THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF THE ENIGMATIC HEROINE OF LANGKAWI – THE EVERGREEN AND EFFERVESCENT MAKAM MAHSURI OR MAHSURI’S TOMB/MAUSOLEUM; TELAGA TUJUH OR THE SEVEN WELLS OF LANGKAWI BELOW: ISTANA MAZIAH – THE SULTANATE HOME OF THE TERENGGANU RULER AND ROYALTY IN ITS MOST REGAL BEAUTY
was unjustly accused of adultery. According to legend, she bled white blood at her execution as a sign of her innocence. In her dying breath, she laid a curse on the island that it would remain barren for seven generations. Located in the north-western corner of Pulau Langkawi, Telaga Tujuh or Seven Wells is a geological marvel. The waterfall is so named because its cascading waters are broken by a series of seven natural pools. The lush green forest that surrounds the waterfall adds a mystical touch to the natural splendour. Legend has it that fairies used to come down to the waterfall to bathe and frolic. For the ideal holiday, the choice is obvious, it has to be Malaysia. As the ministry of tourism’s motto suggests, “To know Malaysia is to love Malaysia.” Malaysia Boleh! SEPT 2014 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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fooddirectory
FROM STRANGERS TO FRIENDS
SEPTEMBER 2014
THE FRIENDLIEST
CREPE CAFÉ
W
Crepes, Matcha Latte and New Found Friends
ander along any hip street and you’re likely to stumble across a coffee and cake joint that’s home-grown, artisanal or just plain hipster-level cool. Cafes are mushrooming all over the city, each striving to be quirky with its own unique décor and delectable cake selections. While many have pulled off top notch grades, they tend to borrow trends, styles and menu items from each other. This August, I stumbled across one in particular that stands out for being unique in almost every sense. Strangers at 47 recently nestled itself amongst various home-grown restaurants and cafes in Section 17 and has appeared to be truly one of its kind. Owned by a dynamic trio of youngsters – Sean, Vincent and Sing Yee – Strangers at 47 is a brand new ‘creperie’ hangout that specialises in a range of sweet and savoury crepes. They live by their tagline that says ‘there are no strangers, only friends we haven’t met’, and true enough, the café is run by the friendliest group of young and enthusiastic staff. Step right in and you will be greeted by bubbly personalities and warm smiles followed by enthusiastic chirps of hellos. During a quick interview, Sean and Sing Yee spoke of how in times of today, everything can be copied; from menus and recipes to style and decor. The only thing that can truly be yours is service. Following that, you can trust that a visit to this little café won’t disappoint as these chaps have the true charm, personality and positive attitude that make service with a smile an understatement. The café offers a warm and cosy feel with a mix of tables and chairs spread across the café, enhanced with soft, yellow lights cascading in from overhead lamps.
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THE [DELICIOUS] FOOD
‘The café offers a warm and cosy feel with a mix of tables and chairs spread across the café, enhanced with soft, yellow lights cascading in from overhead lamps’
The crepes, oh the crepes, they are delicious! Nothing close to those of the French, these crepes are unique and original, cleverly put together by coowners Sean and Vincent with a big helping hand from Sean’s mother, Susan. The recipes are made to satisfy the Asian palate while adding a fusion touch to create flavours and tastes that are guaranteed to satisfy. In the spirit of fun, the menu offers quirky and creatively named dishes such as ‘A Hen’s Crush’ (RM17), which is a beautifully made chili flaked crepe filled with pan seared chicken, sweet capsicums, a cucumber and onion salad and a perfected golden hash brown, served with a sweet and tangy house sauce that creates a burst of flavours in the mouth. If it’s not the chicks you’re after then fret not as there are plenty of fish in the sea. Seafood lovers will find ‘Shore to Please’ (RM21.50) pleasingly delightful as it’s stuffed with a generous serving of Cajun tiger prawns and battered squid, balanced out with spinach, caramelised onions, and roasted cherry tomatoes, topped with salted egg yolk. Other selections on the menu includes the vegetarian option starring various mushrooms and a perfectly poached egg and a breakfast special dubbed the ‘BBC’ that tucks your favourite breakfast items into a soft wholemeal crepe blanket. Ah, but the goodness doesn’t end there. Susan produced clever flavour ideas for the sweet crepes menu, inspired by her love of baking. Vincent then uses his finely honed skills to improvise on these recipes to create the lip-smacking items now available on the menu. Being a slight maniac when it comes to chocolate, my personal favourite (and bestseller) is the ‘Dark Side’ (RM10). What is it, you ask? The ‘Dark
Side’ is a sinfully delicious chocolate crepe that oozes with a special dark chocolate spread, enhanced with white chocolate curls, orange caramel and folded over before being topped off with a single serve of vanilla ice-cream. The balance of flavours and the excellent use of dark chocolate make it wickedly luscious without being overwhelming. For something quintessentially Malaysian, there’s ‘It’s Kelapa’ (RM9) with its unique orange crepe that’s rich in flavour with fillings of pandan custard, toasted c o c o n u t shavings, almond flakes and a delicate o r a n g e caramel. We also see great initiative with uncommon ingredients like the ones used in ‘Purple Rage’ (RM9). This one made me a little sceptical at first with its sweet potato crepe consisting of Japanese sweet potato and coconut sago followed by hints of screw pine infused Gula Melaka. But one bite and I was in love. The rich purple hue in contrast with the soft sugar drizzle makes this pick a beauty with its soft, delicate flavour that swirls on your tongue, teasing your taste buds to no end. While filling up on crepes, wash down the goodness with your favourite caffeine brew, an indulgent cup of hot chocolate or cool off with one of their fresh juices by Smooshie. Another musttry is Sing Yee’s mean Matcha Latte, guaranteed to knock your socks off! So pop by lot 47 for some crepes and please, don’t be a creep, come as a stranger and leave as a friend.
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bookshelf
READS AND RELEASES
SEPTEMBER 2014
SHOW YOUR WORK!
THE BEAUTY MYTH
AUTHOR: AUSTIN KLEON
AUTHOR: NAOMI WOLF
In his New York Times bestseller Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon showed readers how to unlock their creativity by “stealing” from the community of other movers and shakers. Now, in an even more forwardthinking and necessary book, he shows how to take that critical next step on a creative journey - getting known. Show Your Work! is about why generosity trumps genius. It is about getting findable, about using the network instead of wasting time “networking.” It’s not self-promotion, it is self-discovery - let others into your process, then let them steal from you. Filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples, Show Your Work! offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave and productive. Kleon creates a user’s manual for embracing the communal nature of creativity - what he calls the “ecology of talent.” From broader life lessons about work to the etiquette of sharing and the dangers of oversharing to the practicalities of Internet life, it is an inspiring manifesto for succeeding as any kind of artist or entrepreneur in the digital age.
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THE FAULT IN OUR STARS AUTHOR: JOHN GREEN Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten. Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning-author John Green’s most ambitious and heart breaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love. In this book, John Green has created a soulful novel that tackles big subjects like life, death and love, with the perfect blend of levity and heart-swelling emotion. Hazel is sixteen, with terminal cancer, when she meets Augustus at her kids-with-cancer support group. The two are kindred spirits, sharing an irreverent sense of humour and immense charm, and watching them fall in love even as they face universal questions of the human condition, i.e. how will I be remembered? Does my life or death have meaning? A raw honesty that is deeply moving.
In today’s world, women have more power, legal recognition, and professional success than ever before. Alongside the evident progress of the women’s movement, however, writer and journalist Naomi Wolf is troubled by a different kind of social control, which, she argues, may prove just as restrictive as the traditional image of homemaker and wife. It’s the beauty myth, an obsession with physical perfection that traps the modern woman in an endless spiral of hope, self-consciousness, and self-hatred as she tries to fulfil society’s impossible definition of “the flawless beauty.” This is the bestselling classic that redefined our view of the relationship between beauty and female identity.
Plug Into the Future of Tech
SEPTEMBER 2014
The Bat Strikes Back PROLINK EGREGIUS Named after a big, red bat, Prolink’s Egregrius (PKGM-9301) is an illuminated multimedia gaming keyboard that’s set to ‘light up’ your gaming experience. The Egregrius is the bigger and heavyweight older brother of Prolink’s other illuminated multimedia gaming keyboard, the Velifer. Sporting a more menacing looking design, the Egregrius also comes in a larger
Keep A Leash On It! PHILIPS INRANGE BLUETOOTH SMART LEASH For the forgetful bunch amongst you, locate your misplaced valuables easily with Philips’ cool Bluetooth Smart Leash. The AEA1000 uses advanced Bluetooth low energy technology with long battery life and comes in a small and thin body to easily fit into wallets and pockets. It can also be safely attached to keys or bags, making it an indispensable accessory. Via a Visit www.philips.com.my Philips InRange app downloadable to your iPhone 4S/5 or new iPad from Apple’s App Store, all you have to do is add the items you want to protect and set the alarm range. Then, just attach the Philips InRange device to the abovementioned items and voila, you’d get alerts on your iPhone whenever your items are out of range. You can even do the reverse and locate your iPhone by pressing the button on the InRange. Additionally, there’s an option for you to set times when you don’t want the InRange to alert you.
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sturdier frame that weighs in at a solid 980 grams. With a mind-blowing 7 different backlight colours to choose from, gamers can now customise their keyboard colours to match their game characters and their prevailing moods or personalities. The concave keys are ergonomically designed so as to allow gamers to endure long hours of intense virtual battles. Key press lifespan is a tough 10 million times and there are 19 anti-ghosting keys as well as a Windows Lock key for uninterrupted gaming. Gamers would also like its switchable WASD and arrow keys, as well as the provision of 8 multimedia hotkeys and a further 11 multimedia shortcuts with the Fn key. What’s more, the USB connector is plated in gold to maximise response time.
Visit www.prolink2u.com or www.facebook.com/global.prolink
Fashionable Colours LOGITECH M235 MOUSE, X100 MOBILE SPEAKERS, FOLIO PROTECTIVE CASE Every new season heralds a change in fashion style, be it your wardrobe or with your everyday tech accessories. Logitech understands this and has taken a fashion forward approach for its 2014 collection of M235 mice, X100 Mobile Speakers and Folio Protective Case for the iPad Air by merging these gadgets and accessories with the “in” colours of the season. Inspired by the colours of the four different seasons in a year, these Logitech products instantly become fashionable and reflect the user’s personality and mood. You can choose from the Greens of Spring which symbolises new life and freshness, to Sizzling Hot Summer colours of yellow, red or orange to show off your bold and daring streak. As the season turns colder, it’s time to go elegant and to get Lost in Deep Autumn, and keep it cool with deep purple hues. Or go with the Frozen Blues of Winter to give off a silent, calm and peaceful vibe.
Visit www.logitech.com
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wiredup
PLUG INTO THE FUTURE OF TECH
SEPTEMBER 2014
Convenient Prints Versatile Laptop
CANON SELPHY CP910
LENOVO G40-70 Meet every challenge in style with Lenovo’s versatile and affordable G40-70 laptop. The slim design and sleek lines houses a comprehensive feature set that includes a Blu-ray Disc or DVD drive, plus cutting-edge performance specs. It comes in a choice of Intel Core i3-4010U or Intel Core i5-4200U processor. However, the icing comes from the powerful graphics card, the AMD Radeon R5 M230 2GB 3D. Combined with stereo speakers that are enhanced with Dolby Advanced Audio, users can be assured of stunning, stutter-free visuals and immersive sound for a full and satisfying entertainment and gaming experience. The 14” HD WLED display delivers bright, crisp visuals, in a cinematic 16:9 ratio. Resolution is maximised at 1366 x 768. Typing and tapping buttons on the laptop is fluid, spacious and comfortable too, due to the AccuType keyboard which houses island-style, ergonomic keys. Then there’s the multi-touch touchpad which is optimised for Windows 8.1 features and lets you toggle
Ace Your Budget
charms and apps, switch between apps, rotate, zoom, and use various other functions with easy swipe gestures. There’s also an integrated webcam built-in, and with its 1TB HDD, there’s ample storage available so that you no longer have to fret over where to put all your data, videos, music or photos. Price starts from RM1,699.
Visit www.lenovo.com.my Visit www.canon.com.my
Visit www.acer.com/my
ACER ICONIA ONE 7 With the Acer Iconia One 7 tablet, you can have a pretty decent tablet without breaking the bank. The 7-inch tablet is powered by an Intel Atom processor with Hyper Threading (1.6GHz). Viewing stuff on the screen is superb as it boasts of an excellent 1280 x 800 resolution with IPS technology, HD wide viewing angles and high brightness. The battery life is also 40% longer lasting than its predecessor, the Acer Iconia B1-720. It runs on the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but that’s upgradeable to Android 4.4 KitKat. It also comes with dual cameras. All these power-packed features are packaged into an incredibly portable and slim design that comes in a variety of vibrant colours. At RM399, it’s the ideal companion for anyone on a budget. 70
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How cool is it to print images or your pictures directly from your mobile devices? The cute and handy Canon Selphy CP910 printer lets you do just that. Printing is no longer a chore as this printer has Wi-Fi connectivity to all Wi-Fi enabled devices such as cameras, smartphones, tablets and computers, all without the need for an external router. iOS users are not left out either, as the printer comes with an Apple AirPrint support which allows images stored on iPhones and iPads to be printed without the need for additional printer drivers. Enjoy classleading printing features, such as its ability to print in 43 different types of photo ID sizes, or play with your desired print finish by choosing either standard glossy prints or a toned down textured effect. What’s more, it’s the first printer in its range to make effective use of Canon’s new RP series of ink cartridges, which helps you save costs by letting you print up to 54 sheets without needing to change cartridges.
Gem Of The East XIAOMI MI3 So you want a high-end Android smartphone for less than half the price of premium sets from other established players? Then this little gem from Xiaomi Tech of China fits the bill perfectly. The Xiaomi Mi3 has been around since September 2013 but has only reached our shores recently. It is a slim, sleek and commendably well-designed smartphone that boasts of some impressive specs. The display screen is a generous 5-inch display that’s sourced from LG and it’s a 1080p IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with retina display and anti-glare coating to boot. Blazingly fast speeds and a smooth smartphone experience are enhanced with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.3GHz processor
and 2GB of RAM. Battery endurance is superb with 500 hours of standby time and this little pocket dragon is made perfect with a 13MP rear camera that captures amazing images with a super-large Exmor sensor and an f/2.2 aperture.
Charge And Defend
Visit www.mi.com/my/mi3/
Level Up The Sound
OTTERBOX RESURGENCE POWER CASE
SAMSUNG LEVEL BOX
With Otterbox’s Resurgence line of phone cases, your fragile smartphones get military-spec protection and a juice top-up too! Available for the iPhone 5/5S, the protective case boasts of a 2000mAh battery built into its casing so you don’t need to lug around an external power pack anymore. Another key feature is the innovative auto-stop charge technology which automatically stops charging once your phone’s battery reaches 100%. So in effect, with Otterbox’s Resurgence Power Case, your iPhone gets superior protection whilst packing two times the battery power, so you can keep going with peace of mind. The military-rated drop protection ensures your phone is safe from drops and fumbles, enabling you to handle all of life’s adventures (and misadventures!). What’s more, the casing is relatively slim and light, and comes in four attractive colours.
Revel in high quality sound with Samsung’s Level Box, a premium and compact Bluetooth speaker. Housed within a lustrous, solid metal casing that’s completed with a full metal grill is a large 56mm stereo speaker and a passive radiator. The dedicated hardware design provides for excellent noise reduction and echo cancellation, bringing to you powerful, crisp and well-balanced audio. There’s also a built-in microphone, so the speaker is ideal for phone calls and conference calls too. The Level Box is NFC- and Bluetooth-enabled; so all you have to do is touch an NFCenabled smartphone to the speaker for a quick and easy connection to operate the speaker, from playing or stopping a song, volume adjustments to accepting or rejecting calls. Enjoy up to 15 hours of continuous playback through the speaker’s rechargeable battery.
Visit www.otterbox.asia/symmetry/ or www.facebook.com/OtterboxAPAC
Visit www.facebook.com samsungmobilemalaysia
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wiredup
PLUG INTO THE FUTURE OF TECH
SEPTEMBER 2014
A Berry Good Touch! Versatile Laptop 2
BLACKBERRY Z3
LENOVO G50-70 The G50-70 is another newly launched, versatile laptop from Lenovo that packs performance into a sleek, slim-line design. It is slightly bigger than its cousin, the G40-70, by having a 15.6” HD WLED display, and that translates to it being slightly heavier as well at 2.5kg. The exterior and finishing looks similar as well, and it shares many of the same functions and features of its cousin, amongst which is the same processor options of either the 4th Generation Intel Core i3-4010U or the Intel Core i5-4200U. You can enjoy the same full and satisfying entertainment and gaming experience with this laptop as it also comes with the powerful AMD Radeon R5-M230 2GB graphics card. Battery is standard 4-cell type, and can last for up to 4 hours of usage. Besides the bigger dimensions and bulk of this
machine, the other differentiating feature is the smaller storage space of up to 500GB only. Hence, its lower retail price, which starts from RM1,499.
Visit www.lenovo.com.my
Activate Shields!
Blackberry’s latest smartphone, the Z3, promises much potential for diehard fans of the brand by offering what it claims to be the best typing experience on a touchscreen. The company built its brand and popularity based on its range of QWERTY touchpad phones a few years back, right before the explosion of touchscreen smartphones. Since then, it has been floundering to catch up, but the brand still commands a loyal band of users. For the Z3, Blackberry loyalists would surely be delighted with its Blackberry Keyboard, an intelligent feature that learns the words you use and how you use them, and then offers them up to you so that you can type faster and more accurately. It offers the best Bahasa Malaysia typing experience on a touchscreen, and comes complete with multi-language support that allows you to type in up to three different languages at the same time! Another smart feature is the improved file sharing capability of the phone. The Z3 learns how you share and who you share it with, greatly reducing the steps and time needed to get your files or photos to where they need to go. Another highlight is that the 5-inch touchscreen phone is housed in a classy, sleek and minimalist packaging.
Visit www.blackberry.com/blackberryz3
Visit www.otterbox.asia/symmetry/ or www.facebook.com/OtterboxAPAC
OTTERBOX DEFENDER PHONE CASE Enjoy military-spec ruggedness and protection for your fragile smartphones the Otterbox way! The Defender series of phone cases offers one of the highest protections imaginable; 3-layer protection, to be precise. From the impact resistant exterior layer, to the built-in screen protector and cushioning foam on the polycarbonate inner layer, the Defender offers amazing peace-of-mind against drops, bumps and shocks. The outer layer is made from durable silicone which helps to absorb impacts, and the screen protector helps to prevent scratches to your phone’s screen. Its port covers help to conceal any gaps and keeps out unwanted dust and debris. A holster-style swivelling belt clip is included, and the Defender series is available for iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 as well as a number of Samsung devices. 72
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SMALL SIZE, BIG SOUND
advertorial
SEPTEMBER 2014
BRING THE PARTY WITH YOU EXPERIENCE BIG SOUND IN A SMALL SIZE - ONLY WITH THE PHILLIPS BT100 BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
Amazing audio quality meets awesome portability with the Phillips BT100 Bluetooth Speaker. Compact yet powerful, the BT100 is the perfect portable audio companion as it allows you to wirelessly connect to your smartphone, notebook or tablet to listen to music. With a built-in battery that lasts for up to eight hours, the BT100 is always ready for action. Use it to listen to your fave tunes, add some extra audio power when you’re watching movies or even lend your games a thrilling aural punch. That’s not all, the BT100 is also able to act as a wireless speakerphone, allowing you to take calls off your smartphone with the press of a button.
SUPER SOUND With a high quality built-in 1.75” speaker driver with 2W of output power, the BT100 is ready to rock whenever you are. A built-in anti-clipping function ensures music played on the BT100 is loud and distortion free while retaining excellent quality.
EASY CONNECTIVITY
The BT100b comes with built-in Bluetooth connectivity so you can effortlessly pair it with any smartphone, tablet or notebook that’s Bluetooth-ready. The end result? Awesome audio straight from your phone without annoying cables getting in the way.
ULTRA LIGHT MEETS SUPER PORTABILITY Even with its impressive audio performance, the BT100 manages to weigh in at a light 180g, slightly more than a can of soda while having similar dimensions. It’s so small and light that you can toss it in your bag and bring it out to get the party started when you want it to!
CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE The BT100 may be lightweight but it’s a virtual heavyweight when it comes to endurance. On a full charge, the BT100 can last a whopping 8 hours of playback time – that’s over 8 CDs or two whole parties’ worth of music! When you run out of power you can simply plug it into any USB port to charge it, allowing you to charge it anywhere you go.
The BT100 is available in a variety of exciting colours at all good retailers nationwide. To find out more, please logon to www.philips.com.my
WOOX Innovations Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. Level 8, Menara Axis, 2 Jalan 51A/223, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan
(03) 7956 7558
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wiredup
PHILIPS SHB9150RD
SEPTEMBER 2014
PHILIPS SHB9150RD
PRETTY IN RED
Bedecked in a startlingly deep shade of glossy metallic red, Philip’s SHB9150 Bluetooth headphones certainly look like quite a fashion statement but do they really turn heads and treat your ears to some sweet aural sax?
T
he latest addition to their midrange array of on-ear cans, Philips SHB9150 Bluetooth headphones, as you’d likely surmise from the name, allow you to wirelessly pipe tunes straight to your ears. It also has the added bonus of allowing you to take calls from a paired smartphone akin to a handsfree set, albeit with a tad more style rather than the usual single-ear sets so beloved by the suit-and-tie crowd. The whole affair comes in a startlingly deep shade of glossy crimson red broken up only by the black faux leather padding on the cans along with the underside of the headpiece. The combined effect looks quite fetching though up close it does look somewhat plasticky. This feeling is dismissed when you grasp it in your hands though. The whole affair feels surprisingly solid with just enough of a heft to know you’re holding a piece of competently made kit rather than a toy. Instead of being a solid one-piece device like cheaper cans, the SHB9150 has a small pivot on each earphone so they can wiggle
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back and forth for a better fit on your ears along with an adjustable slider on the headphones to tweak the amount of clamping pressure on your bonce. On a test fit on numerous subjects, it fit well on both the head a winsome 20-something year old lass as well as the head of a far larger sized adult male. There’s just enough pressure, when well adjusted that is, for a modicum of passive noise suppression and comfort without being overly tight and the additional padding on the underside of the headpiece, something frequently omitted on cheaper cans ensured exceptional comfort even with extended use. Up close, the SHB9150 comes with 40mm neodymium drivers in each can. The left can allows for NFC pairing with any similarly enabled kit though you can opt for Bluetooth or use the provided 3.5mm audio cable and the port to hook up older kit. The right can comes with most of the hardware - a combo play/ pause button, a volume control toggle along with a 3.5mm audio jack and micro USB port for charging with a full charge lasting you a generous 9 hours or so of playtime.
The SHB9150 handled most genres well with a dab hand though, of course, quality will vary based on the audio source. The Eagles’ titular track, Hotel California was well executed with a distinct, beautiful soundscape that gave room for the haunting vocals. Bear McCreary’s Prelude to War is a track replete with heavy use of taiko drums and other percussion instruments for a strong bass line that alternates with a bevy of exotic instruments and a subtle flute line that puts quite a workout on headphones and the SHB9150 handled it surprisingly well though at maximum volume there was a minor amount of distortion though you really oughtn’t be maxing it out at that level. Calls taken were decent with good clarity on both sides and the cans lasted close to the indicated 9 hours of playback time with a combination of music and calls. If you’re on the hunt for a decent pair of cans on a budget, this is well worth a look.
Visit www.philips.com.my
Specifications • Frequency range 18 – 21,000Hz • Sensitivity 103dB • Impedance 32 Ohm • Maximum power input 50 mW • Speaker drivers 40mm neodymium drivers
HTC DESIRE 610
wiredup
SEPTEMBER 2014
HTC DESIRE 610
DESIGNED TO PLEASE Like its bigger brother, the Desire 816, HTC’s new Desire 610 is another smartphone aimed towards dominating the middle segment market. Read on to see how it fairs. OTHER FEATURES & CONCLUSIONS DESIGN The Desire 610 offers very generous dimensions for a phone of its class. Though the display is just 4.7-inches in size, the length of the phone is comparable to that of HTC’s flagship One (M8) which is 5.0-inches in size. This is due to the BoomSound speakers above and below the screen. Unlike the all-metal One (M8), the Desire 610 is all-plastic with a gloss-finished nonremovable back plate and matte trims at the sides. The glossy backplate is nicely finished and feels solid enough, but is a magnet for fingerprints and requires constant buffing and wiping to stay shiny and clean. The matte side trims provide for good, comfy grip though, and the phone is nifty enough for one-handed operation. Also, the Desire 610’s power button is on the top right, the volume rocker is on the right edge, and its nanoSIM and microSD card slot positions are on the left edge, hidden behind a plastic flap. The camera and flash are placed in a vertical line over the top middle of the back, giving it a neat, symmetrical look.
DISPLAY & AUDIO At a resolution of 960 x 540, the screen is just okay for the average user. Images appear a bit grainy, text a little fuzzy and the display, unsurprisingly, isn’t very crisp. Watching videos and playing games on the screen is passable, though it’s not a very bright screen either, even on the highest setting. Audiowise there’s better quality on offer here with the dual BoomSound stereo speakers that produces admirably crisp and engaging sound.
PERFORMANCE Under the hood, a quad-core, 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chip powers proceedings, and aided with 1GB of RAM, makes for a pretty slick ride. Games only slowed down marginally during the most intense of action. Most of the apps that we ran on the phone did so without a hitch. Apps are quick to open, and the processor whizzes through the menus smoothly. It might not be as lightning fast as pricier phones, but for most everyday users it’s more than adequate. Like the Desire 816, the Desire 610 also runs the latest Android KitKat with HTC’s Sense 6 UI over the top. We find its bloat-free style and easy-on-the-eyes visual consistency is really user-friendly and a joy to use. It also has the BlinkFeed live home screen to keep you up-todate with the latest social media happenings.
The 8MP main camera does a fair job for a midrange offering, and yields some pretty decent quality images, with accurate colours and plenty of detail. We liked its convenient selfie mode, manually adjustable ISO settings and a variety of nice filters. How about the battery? We can say that it’s pretty fair. It got through a day of normal use, but if you are a keen gamer and spend a lot of time web browsing, watching videos or listening to songs, it would be handy to have a power bank on standby for a juice boost during the day. There’s only a measly 8GB of built-in storage available, and once the Android KitKat, HTC Sense 6 and all the other requisite nuts and bolts are in place, there’s not much internal storage left for you. Thankfully, this is where the microSD card slot comes in handy. All in all, the HTC Desire 610 is a commendable mid-range smartphone. For a plastic phone, it’s pretty solidly put together, has a big screen and is sufficiently fast enough for most tasks. It is also NFC enabled and best of all, affordable.
Visit www.facebook.com/HTCMalaysia
We liked: Great dual front-facing speakers The main camera Practical and user-friendly UI Good value for money We disliked: Its low resolution display Non-removable battery
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dreamcars
EXTRAORDINARY AUTOMOBILES
SEPTEMBER 2014
TO LA LA LAND
AND BEYOND A ridiculous sounding name can’t hide the fact that Ferrari has just unleashed perhaps their most extreme masterpiece yet.
C
onceived as the successor for the venerable Ferrari Enzo, the LaFerrari not only tops that legendary beast, but improves on a whole lot of stuff. What stuff? Oh, just little stuff like looks, performance and driveability. As a hybrid hypercar, LaFerrari packs some serious firepower under its sleek and sexy exterior. The monstrous 6.3-litre V12 spews out fire in the form of 950bhp and produces over 663lb-feet of torque. With a wet weight of about 1345kg, this translates into stratospheric performance levels. It does the 0-100 sprint in 2.9 seconds, and can go up to in excess of 218mph. Arguably the greatest V12 Maranello has ever produced in its history, as the 12 cylinders are capable of revving to an astounding 9250rpm redline,
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all the while howling in that unmistakable trademark Ferrari roar that’s music to the ears. But that’s not all, this being 2014 sees the Italian stable throw in some F1/green tech into the mix for good measure. There’s a Hy-Kers system that pumps out 161bhp (of the total 950bhp) of power through the electric motor mounted to the back of its gearbox. Unlike McLaren’s P1 or the Porsche 918, the e-motor is not there as a means to cruise silently in all-electric mode. Nay, it’s there to add punch to the petrol engine. The Hy-Kers fills out the bottom end of the torque curve quite nicely, providing a constant, incredible surge of power throughout the entire rev range. The transmission is also the key to great power delivery in LaFerrari. Gone is the Enzo’s clunky mechanised manual; in
its place is a modified version of the F12’s Getrag dual-clutch transmission box. All this only goes to make the LaFerrari a surprisingly easy to drive hypercar. By common wisdom, a hypercar shouldn’t be easy to drive. But this beauty is. That’s the charm and genius of LaFerrari, as it takes the concept of driver aids to heighten the experience and propels it to a whole new level. The seating position, visibility and dimensions of the car allows for easy driving on normal roads. Added to that is the high-def steering feedback that doesn’t turn hyperactive, and a well-tuned suppleness to its suspension system. As for the looks, well, we’ll just let you be the judge of that. We’re still speechless from the countless hours of ogling. Like its namesake suggests, LaFerrari really is The Ferrari.
A GREAT ‘N CHEWY TIME
events
SEPTEMBER 2014
LOTTE XYLITOL ROADSHOW The fun started on the 18th of August, and will continue till mid September. Stopping over at Lincoln UC, UTAR Sg Long, Nilai University, the German Malaysia Institute, Taylor’s Lakeside, APU, MONASH and UCSI thus far, students enjoyed free Xylitol samples while competing on Xylitol’s Tablet Games to win 10 Limited Edition Xylitol thumb drives. A Xylitol Selfie Contest also got students excited, and what’s more it’s open to all university students in Malaysia. To join the contest, go to www. facebook.com/XylitolMY
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r u o y e l ood d , d a e Go ah y!!! a w a boredom
HUMOUR
Q: What happened to the guy who was addicted to soap? A: He’s clean now. Q: What word in the English Language is always spelled incorrectly? A: Incorrectly.
A student’s note to his teacher: “Dear Teacher, I’m sorry I didn’t do my homework last night. I will never do it again.”
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Valerie (Asian Pop Collective)