KINO Kuching In & Out Magazine Issue #10

N0 10 / NOV - DEC 2014

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6 issues a year

aN INDEPENDENT lifEstyle print & digital magazine WWW.KUCHINGINANDOUT.COM

On this cover

"Song of the Forest" Painting by Raphael Scott Ahbeng

SPECIAL 2014

7 Lives

7 stories on

LOVE, HOPE & GRATITUDE

CALENDAR l MAPS l HISTORICAL STREETS l NIGHT SPOTS l LISTINGS

All we need is Love... and Courage The proverbial expression "it's the thought that counts" isn't always enough to make a difference. Sometimes an effort is not an extra step but the only step to take.

I'm like a bull in a china shop when it comes to keeping new year resolutions. I love taking on all sorts of courageous undertakings but come the end of December, the good intentions are not sufficient and what I so earnestly wished to change is completely forgotten.

But these are simple wishful thinking desires, nothing life-changing like what is lined up for articles in this end-of-the-year issue!

This issue's theme of Love, Hope & Gratitude is dedicated to the resilience, courage and sheer willpower of the human spirit. It is also about admirable achievements and the unrelenting desire to express the joys, sorrows, and mysteries of life.

And with this, I would like to wish a good and meaningful 2015 to all our readers!

MARIAN CHIN Editor-in-Chief

At the finishing line, Mr John M. Chin, my father of 94 years (in his wheelchair), is being congratulated by the assistant Minister of Tourism, Datuk Haji Talib bin Zulpilip on the day of the Guinness World Record Attempt. Mr. Chin retro walked the last fifteen steps showing a true example of courage..

Contributing editors to this special issue:

Hope against Hope

by Capt Dr Thiru Jr

Song of Gratitude

Bedan-Birthgiver

by Vivien Ng

by Karen Shepherd

Peace of mind, body & soul

by Alexander Ang

Blessings behind the wheel

And the greatest of all is Love

by Christina Thomas-Mamora

by Justin Yntig Bersales Jr

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 3

Behind the canvas

by Raphael Scott Ahbeng

l8 WHAT'S UP 15 I b KUCHING l 17 By The Way l 19 22 25 28

N0 10 / NOV - DEC 2014

In this issue...

I’m

FREE

6 IssuEs a yEaR

aN INDEPENDENT lIfEsTylE PrINT & DIgITal magazINE WWW.KUCHINGINANDOUT.COM

Events in and out of Kuching EXCAT: from Amsterdam Dance on air

On this cover

"Song of the Forest" Painting by Raphael Scott Ahbeng

SPECIAL 2014

KINO Hope against hope The ex-prisoner and society

KINO Song of gratitude Breast cancer survivor

KINOBedan - Birthgiver Tebari Anak Landoh

KINO Peace of mind, body & soul The fight against substance abuse

7 Lives

7 stories on

LoVe, HoPe & GrAtitUDe

CALENDAR l MAPS l HISTORICAL STREETS l NIGHT SPOTS l LISTINGS

KINO COVER PHOTO: JONG SAW KANG

KINO Digital magazine is INside and OUTside of the printed magazine. Log onto www.kuchinginandout.com to read the latest copy online. Join us on the KINO facebook page – it is your platform to tell a story, share your thoughts, memories, talk about a recipe, see and post videos, and join us for competitions, events and more.

Like and subscribe TO OUR notifications on FACEBOOK:

www.facebook.com/kinomagazine

31

KINO Blessings behind the wheel

34

KINO And the greatest of all is Love

36

KINO behind the canvas

Kuching's first Malay woman driving instructor

Commemorating the victims of Typhoon Haiyan

RSA, his story

Exceptionally, History & Mystery by Anthony Sebastian (4th of 4 tales) will continue in the January-February 2015 issue

40 NIGHT SPOTS l 42 CAT CITY WALK l 44 «NEXT STOP» l 46 CLASSIFIED

l 48 KINO EVENT l

Where and how to celebrate Old Court House & Carpenter Street BUS ROUTES MAP, first steps...

editorial MARIAN CHIN Editor-in-Chief Copy Editing AGNES BALAN JO WILLIAMS ART / WEB / photography JEAN VOON 013 813 2995 COREINFONET JONG SAW KANG CONTRIBUTORS RAPHAEL SCOTT AHBENG, ALEXANDER ANG, JUSTIN YNTIG BERSALES JR, STELLA CHIN, JOYCE KHOO, CHRISTINA THOMAS-MAMORA, VIVIEN NG, KAREN SHEPHERD, CAPT DR THIRU JR ADVERTISING MARIAN CHIN 019 857 957 6 marian.chin@kuchinginandout.com ADMINISTRATION info@kuchinginandout.com PUBLISHER WHATMATTERS SDN BHD (518203 D) Published bi-monthly by WHATMATTERS SDN BHD (518203 D)

Next issue of KINO: JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2015 All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner in whole or part may

Listings

be allowed prior to written permission. The publisher is not liable for statements made and opinions expressed in the publication.

KINO has 10’000 circulation for every issue.

A Royal Icing Affair

KINO has over 100 drop-off points in Kuching City.

Printed by Infografik Press SDN. BHD. Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

l l l l5 Growing Up in Malaysia

by Boey

When I was a Kid...

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 5

Iamboey.com

KINO congratulates KUCHING CITY on a New Guinness World Record!

Breaking Record COUNT: 1866 Kuching awaits the official certificate from Guinness world record to be received in due time.

NOVDECJANWHAT’S UP-IN-OUT & ARO 1 NOV Ambal Collection Guided walk to learn about bamboo clams of Buntal HOW MUCH: Free, registration required WHERE: KUCHING – Buntal Village WHO: Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) CONTACT: Vincent Wong 013-802 0005 or Lim Sin Yin 014-990 3335 or mns.santubong@gmail.com

1 Pesta Limau Bintangor 2014 This is an event to promote the agricultural sector produced by Bintangor local entrepreneurs. Other activities includes Trade Fair, Agricultural Exhibition and Sport Events. The highlight for this event is the Decorative Float, Fireworks and also City Cleanliness Contest.

WHERE: MARADONG – Bintangor Baazar (location near Riverfront Rajang, Bintangor) WHO: Maradong District Office CONTACT: 084-693 245 or http://www.sarikei. sarawak.gov.my/modules/web/page.php?id=202

1-2 DBKU Mountain Bike Challenge This is an annual event that attracts riders from around the region. The technically challenging race course is laid out around the hill where the Commission of Kuching North Building (DBKU) sits.

The event has four main categories, namely: 1. Downhill (Men’s Open and Men’s Veteran (30 years and above) 2. MTB XC Time Trial (Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s Junior (18 and below), Men’s Veteran (40 and above) 3. MTB Cross Country XC (Men Open, Women Open, Men’s Junior (18 and below), Men’s Veteran (40 and above) 4. The Team Relay – Mayor’s Challenge Trophy consists of

four riders (Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s Junior, Men’s Veteran) HOW MUCH: From RM40 WHERE: KUCHING – Bukit Siol, Jalan Semariang WHO: Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (DBKU) CONTACT: 082-446 688 or http://www.dbku.gov.my/

3-24 'Meeting' Art Exhibition Showcasing the work of three Turkish and two Sarawakian artists.

HOW MUCH: Free WHERE: KUCHING – Galleria at Wesberly House, Rubber Road West CONTACT: 082-246 197

7-9 Sematan Festival 2014 This is a community-based event on traditional sports, food and arts, held at this seaside bazaar of Sematan. A fine tradition of the area is the ‘Gendang Melayu’- drum orchestra that is accompanied by lyrics sung on the go and the ‘joget’ (dance). There will be performances by the Sambas Cultural troupe to reflect the close proximity of Sematan to Kalimantan Indonesia.

Sematan is about an hour and a half (120 km) drive from Kuching. Well-known for its long stretch of secluded beaches, Sematan is the most western town of Sarawak.

It is the gateway to Tanjung Datu National Park as well as the homestay experience of Telok Melano village and Kampung Pueh longhouse. The former depicts the Sarawak Malay culture and the latter, the Bidayuh Selako culture.

WHERE: SEMATAN – Lundu WHO: Sematan District Office CONTACT: 082-711 101 or http://facebook.com/ SematanSarawak

8 Joint Pet Neutering Campaign Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) joint pet neutering campaign with Santubong Nature Festival, DBKU and Damai Beach Resort. For residents of Santubong Peninsula. 9am to 3pm.

HOW MUCH: Call for details WHERE: KUCHING – Permai Rainforest Resort, Santubong WHO: SSPCA, Santubong Nature Festival, DBKU & Damai Beach Resort CONTACT: Dona Wee 017-886 6811

8-9 Santubong Nature Festival Do you want to know more about the rich flora, fauna and heritage of Santubong from the experts… for free!?

There are dolphin watching, nature, archaeology and historical walks/talks, children’s rainforest walk and even astronomy observation. And if you are up for a healthy challenge, join the survivor race!

Only 35 minutes drive from Kuching, the Santubong area has a great deal to offer the visitor. It has some superb natural attractions centred on the rainforested slopes of Mount Santubong (a national park), its mangrove forests, rivers, near shore waters and mudflats. These different habitats are home to variety of wildlife making Santubong one of the best sites in Sarawak to see a range of wildlife in a natural setting.

The Santubong area is one of the best places in Sarawak to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphin, which inhabits rivers, estuaries and shallow coastal areas.

On rare occasions finless porpoises and Indo-pacific humpback dolphins are sighted in the waters off

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 8

OUND KUCHINGNOVDECJAN Santubong. There are a few interesting coastal villages (kampungs) in the Santubong Peninsula.

The most accessible from Damai is Kampung Santubong, a well-kept Malay village at the foot of Mount Santubong.

WHERE: KUCHING – Permai Rainforest Resort, Santubong HOW MUCH: Most activities are free, registration required WHO: The Malaysian Nature Society Kuching Branch (MNSKB) CONTACT: Vincent Wong 013-802 0005 or Lim Sin Yin 014-990 3335 or santubongnaturefestival@gmail.com

8-9 Silat Group Competition Silat competition for silat groups, ages 15 and above.

Besides the silat competition there will be exhibitions by government sectors, a flea market and a telematch.

HOW MUCH: Free admission WHERE: KUCHING – Damai Central WHO: Perguruan Seni Silat Hailam Laut Sarawak CONTACT: Abang Mustapha 019-856 5530

13 Sarawak Business Summit 2014 The summit will examine some of the key drivers that will drive Sarawak towards massive economic development in order to achieve its goal to be a high-income economy by 2030. It will bring together stakeholders such as policy makers, economists, corporate leaders and state leaders to share their views and observations on key issues in the development of Sarawak.WHERE: KUCHING – Imperial Hotel WHO: The Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI) and MRS Management S/B

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 9

CONTACT: 082-588 999 http://www.imperialhotelkuching.com.my/

14

Hungry?

HOP right in!

NEW Flinders Station offers awesome pizzas, burgers, steaks and more...

Monthly Recycling Campaign MBKS monthly buy back recycling campaign.

WHERE: KUCHING – Hijau Food Centre (Formerly BDC Golf Driving Ranch WHO: MBKS CONTACT: http://www.mbks.sarawak.gov.my

15 Baram Sape Master Main Activities: Traditional Sape Music Competition - BSM2014 Sape Music Performance Special Performance by SAPE LUTANG Telang Usan Musical Drama “Asal-Usul Muzik Tradisional Sape” Orang Ulu Traditional Dance Performance Seminar & Workshop on Music Tradisional Sape Music Showcase and Selling of Craft and Sape Pentas Hiburan Rakyat Other acitivties and Performances WHERE: MIRI – Long Lama, Baram WHO: Pejabat Daerah Marudi , Pejabat Residen & Daerah Miri, Pejabat Daerah Kecil Long Lama & Beluru CONTACT: SAO Jeffrey Jalong 011-157 38916 En. Lucas Saging Kehing 019-875 9799 Encik Gurong Wan 019-485 3170 Encik Jok Eng Jok 013-830 5962

Sun - Fri: 11am - 11pm Sat: NOW open till 3am!

Reservations/enquiries: 082 455 997 denisphan68@gmail.com whatsapp: 019 889 6807

15 Music Workshop & Showcase The first session will focus on vocal techniques and techniques for playing the keyboard, guitar, bass guitar and drums. The second session is a performance by professional musicians and singers.

For all ages.

Song Plaza, Jalan Song Kuching

Christmas is coming!

Whether for couples, families or groups, our Christmas SET DINNER will be photo spectacular!

NOVDECJANWHAT’S UP-IN-OUT & ARO WHERE: KUCHING – Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka WHO: DBKU CONTACT: http://www.dbku.sarawak.gov.my

15 Serapi Charity Walk Come and join us on a leisure walk with mentally challenged children, followed by a small picnic by the foot of the mountain. This walk is organised by Special Olympics Kuching Chapter to engage mentally challenged children in sports activities for the purpose of keeping healthy and learning to interact with each other.

HOW MUCH: Fee of RM100 per person includes sponsorship of a child for the walk WHERE: KUCHING – Gunung Serapi entrance WHO: Special Olympics Kuching Chapter

CONTACT: To register, contact Regina 019-587 615

16 Christmas at the Races Fundraising for Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and Hearts Treasures.

Get your creative hats on and design hats and clothing etc. to wear on the day! There will be items for sale, a silent auction and a prize for best costume and or hat. Finger food and 1st glass of wine or beer included in the ticket price.

HOW MUCH: RM50 per ticket WHERE: KUCHING – Sarawak Turf Club WHO: SSPCA CONTACT: Dona Wee 017-886 6811

18-22

The International Conference on Advances in Plant Sciences (ICAPS) 2014 The main objective of the International Conference on Advances in Plant Sciences (ICAPS) is to showcase advances in botanical research and conservation of plants across the globe.

WHERE: KUCHING – Hotel Four Points by Sheraton WHO: V Sivaram Research Foundation CONTACT: +91(080)-284 84729 or info@plants2014.com or http://www.plants2014.com

21 International Drum Festival 2014 Music is a symbol of world unification. Come and listen to the many types of ethnic music from the drums of various ethnic groups from around the world.

WHERE: KUCHING

Your New in town !

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Tel: 082 571 471 Email address: solemate@fstrading.shoes Business hours: 11am to 7.30pm (closed on Mondays) Therapeutical shoes

Foot pressure scan

3D foot mapping

computerised foot casting

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 10

OUND KUCHINGNOVDECJAN WHO: Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara CONTACT: 082-446 688

28 Malam Titian Muhibah 2014 To showcase cultural presentations from two neighbouring countries, Malaysia and Indonesia.

WHERE: SERIAN – Serian/Tebedu Community Hall, Serian, Kota Samarahan WHO: Tebedu Sub-District Office CONTACT: Mr. Bai 019-826 5234 or Mr. John Ilus 082-875 441

28-30 3rd Traditional Tattoo Expo WHERE: KUCHING – Le' Park, Civic Centre WHO: Monkey Tattoo Studio CONTACT: bungaterung@hotmail.com or www. facebook.com/monkeytattoostudio

28-30 Character Building Camp 2014 All children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities are welcomed to register for this camp.

WHERE: KUCHING – Gunung Gading National WHO: Dyslexia Association of Sarawak CONTACT: Ms Nur Atikahmalina Mahtar Secretary of Character Building Camp 2014 082-242 900

29-30 Telaga Air Nature Challenge The objectives of the festival are to promote Telaga Air as a tourism spot, as well as to hold activities for locals there, and to bring people of all walks of life together. The Telaga Air Nature Challenge has three routes, namely Route A which is a 10.8-km cycling event encompassing Telaga Ai and Kampung

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 11

Trombol; Route B is a 3.5-km group running from Kampung Trombol to Kampung Tanjung Tamakol; and Route C is a 2-km kayaking from Tanjung Tamakol back to Telaga Ai. Respective prizes for first to fourth placing will be RM2,000, RM1,500, RM1,000 and RM500, while those finishing fifth to tenth will receive consolation prizes.

The second highlight of the festival will be a fishing competition on Nov 30, running from 8am to 2pm.

Other activities during the festival include karaoke, cooking and children’s colouring competitions, tug-of-war as well as sepak takraw and futsal matches.

HOW MUCH: RM80 including insurance, limited to 50 entries only WHERE: PADAWAN – Telaga Air WHO: Majlis Perbandaran Padawan CONTACT: http://www.mpp.sarawak.gov.my

29-30 Borneo Talent Awards A competition to identify the most talented performer from the various disciplines of the show.

It is open to both Malaysians and foreigners of all ages. The talent competition will showcase singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, acrobatics, pantomime, mimicry or performing arts.

Borneo Talent Awards is an annual event that has been organised by Sibu Municipal Council in collaboration with local corporations since 2011.

WHERE: SIBU – Sibu Town Square WHO: Sibu Municipal Council CONTACT: Cr Wong Hei Ping 084-333 411 or smc@ smc.gov.my or http://www.smc.gov.my/ or https:// www.facebook.com/pages/Borneo-TalentAwards/286952264780655

28-1 DEC

International Conference on Major Incident & Disaster Management This is a conference that will deliberate on major incident management which includes natural and man-made disasters, psychological support, CBRNe incidents and many others. An international major incident response exercise competition (iMIREX) will see teams compete with each other to showcase their search and rescue as well as medical response skills.

HOW MUCH: Admission fee from RM150 WHERE: KUCHING – OneHotel Santubong Resort WHO: Malaysian Society for Traumatology & Emergency Medicine CONTACT: http://www.i-mirex.com/

1-4 DEC International Symposium on Intelligent Signal Processing and Communication Systems –ISPACS WHERE: To be confirmed WHO: University of Malaya - UM CONTACT: Dr. Wong Kok Sheik 03-796 76417, koksheik@um.edu.my

6 Miri City Christmas Parade 2014 A combined effort of all churches in Miri and Miri City Council to celebrate this jovial, festive occasion with the aim of promoting it as one of the signature events in Miri. The parade in year 2014 will be the seventh in a series of successful and crowd puller events. The parade starts at Miri City Fan, Jalan Kipas, Miri. The route of the parade covers the main streets in Miri City Centre.

WHERE: MIRI – Miri City Fan, Jalan Kipas WHO: Miri City Council CONTACT: 082-424 111 or mirimc@miricouncil.gov.my

NOVDECJANWHAT’S UP-IN-OUT & ARO 7 SSPCA Christmas Charity Bazaar The SSPCA Christmas Charity Bazaar is an annual event featuring a variety of food and craft stalls, live band music, dance and choir performances. From 10am to 4pm.

WHERE: KUCHING – Association of Churches Hall, Ecumenical Center, Jalan Stampin WHO: Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) CONTACT: Brenda Png 019-886 3118

8-10 The IEEE Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (IECBES 2014) The 2014 IEEE Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Sciences is the flagship conference of the IEEE

Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Malaysia Chapter. These meetings have been highly successful in inculcating exchanges of knowledge in the field of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences.

This conference will provide an excellent platform for knowledge exchange between researchers, scientists, academicians and engineers working in the areas of biomedical engineering, and sciences.

This event calls for local and international participation.

WHERE: MIRI – Meritz Hotel WHO: Medical Informatics and Biological Micro-electromechanical Systems (MIMEMS) Specialized Lab, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya CONTACT: Prof Fatimah 03-7967 6878, iecbes@gmail.com, http://iecbes2014.myembs.org/

14 Harbour View Christmas Charity Fundraiser Doors open at 8am, ends at 2pm. Activities available: bake sale, food junction, sweepstake/raffle, bring & buy, informing/supporting/connecting WHERE: KUCHING – Harbour View Hotel WHO: Harbour View Hotel CONTACT: 082-274 666

31 Countdown 2015 Year End Countdown is one of the yearly events which is organised by Sibu Municipal Council to celebrate the New Year. It symbolises the end of a successful year. The activities feature a variety of entertaining performances comprising of a blend of both oldies and modern performances by local

Arts & Crafts

Visit to Tabuan Jaya Fire Station

UPCOMING EVENTS

November/December School Holiday Program Highlights:

Baking Class

Science Experiment

• Excursion to Air Force Base • Christmas Party • Kid's Fashion Styling Workshop • Dance Workshop • Public Speaking • Drama and Story Telling Kiidz Clubhouse will be collaborating with KINO on the upcoming children's cupcake decorating workshop

Story Telling

Kiidz Clubhouse – Activity & Play Centre for Young Explorers Level 4, Plaza Merdeka Mall, info@kiidzclubhouse.com, 082-425 988 www.Kiidzclubhouse.kuching.cc

Cooking Classes

Drama Class

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 12

Themed Parties

OUND KUCHINGNOVDECJAN talents.

WHERE: SIBU – Sibu Town Square WHO: Sibu Municipal Council CONTACT: Ms. Teng 084-333411 or smc@smc.gov.my or www.smc.gov.my

18 JAN Momentum 2.0 Series 1: 8km Run Let's RUN 2015!

Momentum Run 2.0 is now open for registration!

There will be 4 Series altogether...and we will kick it off with a BANG starting from 8KM-Series 1 on the 18th January 2015. Grab your forms at RevRun Padungan/Green Heights Mall/CJC Night Run. Run Categories: A. Short Distance Category for those aiming for Half Marathon (8KM, 12KM, 16KM, 21KM) B. Long Distance Category for those aiming for Full Marathon (8KM, 20KM, 25KM, 30KM) Early Bird Package Sign up ALL 4 Series before 15th December and you are entitled to a Free Brooks Sling Bag and Shoe Discount Voucher.

HOW MUCH: RM40 which includes a Brooks T and Medal WHERE: KUCHING – MBKS WHO: City Jogger's Club, supported by Revolution Run Co. and GSK CONTACT: 082-459397 (Brooks GHM), 016-5892233 (Albert), 014-3955194 (Agu), 012-8870436 (Kee)

18-21 Wilton Method Courses 1 & 2, Wilton Shape-NAmaze Masterclass and workshop for children Wilton Method Instructor and figurine artist Chef Jackie Tay from Singapore will be conducting Wilton Method Courses 1 & 2 and Wilton Shape-N-Amaze

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 13

Masterclass. There will also be a cupcake and little cupcake topper workshop for children in collaboration with Kiidz Clubhouse. This event is part of a series in Borneo Cake Exploration and Feast of Borneo 2015 by KINO Events which includes workshops, demonstrations, classes, competitions and a gala dinner.

HOW MUCH: Call for details WHERE: KUCHING - venue to be confirmed WHO: KINO Events CONTACT: 013-813 2995 or eventskino@gmail.com

27-29 The International Energy Week 2015 (IEW’15) Over 5,000 delegates and trade professionals will attend the business-packed International Energy Week 2015 which incorporates the ElectroPowerAsia 2015 Exhibtion, the Petroleum Asia 2015 Exhibition, the Asia Infrastructure 2015, the IEW Conference, as well as Technology Symposiums and Business Meetings. They will be there to network and benefit from the huge opportunities as demand of energy continues to grow across Asia.

The event will also focus on the multi-billion dollar Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) initiatives which will spearhead the development of the energy and petroleum industry in Sarawak. It will provide the platform for producers, oil & gas producers, technology suppliers, regulators, consultants and investors to update on new technologies, develop partnerships, enhance cooperation and explore investment opportunities.

WHERE: KUCHING – Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) WHO: AMB Exhibitions Sdn. Bhd. CONTACT: Ms. Fatia 03-4041 9889 fatia@ambexpo.com http://www.iew.my/index.html ...fits in all types of footwear!

082-454655

15 I b KUCHING llll

by Joyce Khoo Mun Ling

ExCat: “Teh C Peng EXTRA Special” If you are really lucky on a weekend, you might get a table in The Hardware Société (Melbourne’s top brunch café) under half an hour.

Otherwise the queuing time can stretch up to a maximum of three hours, but despite the insane wait the place is constantly packed.

This is Melbourne!

The breeding ground for cafés and restaurants, a foodie’s heaven. You can have up to five different cuisines within a 200m walk along Swanston Street, which is the main stretch of road in the city’s centre. A majority of the international students succumb to the temptations of the delicacies and eventually we all become little food critics, rating and commenting on the restaurants we like or wouldnever-frequent-again. The word “Urbanspoon” surfaces in our conversations at least once a day.

Melbournians take pride in their food and café culture, they even have an app for it – Urbanspoon. We will not go anywhere that is rated less than 80%! #firstworldproblems I’ve been studying in Melbourne for three years.

“It’s a dream!”

Everyone said it would be and they are right. There are immense amounts of luxuries and privileges living in ‘The World’s Most Livable City’. University (RMIT) continually inspires, despite being occasionally frustrating and people here are friendly (at least most of the time).

However, I occasionally forget to pay bills and sometimes I burn my food…

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 15

Joyce (third from right) amidst the cafe culture. or explode an egg in my oven (once).

It was the untold struggles that made me grow up.

I was the “ang-mo kuan” (westernised) girl when I was growing up. I watched American television and that shaped my thinking and the way I identified myself. I took pride in the recognition I got for resembling any medium that was considered “international” or “foreign”. Until I came to Melbourne, and I discovered a new sense of security in my own identity – I am Malaysian, totally, fully and wonderfully Malaysian.

You know what.

I like dropping the ‘lah’ word here and there and mixing multiple dialects and languages into a single conversation. I love the fact that we take off our shoes before entering houses and we have no need for past or present tense when we converse.

Wise words from my tutor: “Why try so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out.”

The truth about studying overseas is this: Students come from all corners of the world and no, we don’t embark on a series of wild parties every single night or ‘shop till we drop’ every waking hour of the day.

We are broke.

We live on tight budgets and honestly, we would rather gather at a friend's place and eat $2 ice cream. We try our best to create the comfort of home.

I enjoy Melbourne so much because I found my little ‘Kuching’ in the midst of a bustling city.

The thing about us Kuchingites…

You can take the person out of Kuching, but you can never take the KINO ‘Kuching” out of the person.

Joyce is an RMIT Media graduate who loves writing, music and all the other things that 21-year olds love. She moved to Melbourne to study but is continually on a journey of learning and experiencing new things in life.

G ua n h o l e o n g o p t i c a l g r o u p

Your VISION - Our MISSION Over 40 years of dedication in Eyecare

FUN EYE FACTS *

Did you know...

It is impossible to sneeze with the eyes open.

If you wear glasses that flip images upside down, your brain corrects your vision.

Even though you’d see things upside down, your brain will eventually adapt and you will begin to function as though you are seeing things right side up (even though you’re really not).

3 The eye’s lens is quicker than any camera’s.

Your eye’s lens changes focus instantly without your being aware of it. A camera’s lens takes a few seconds to focus.

4 Taller humans have longer eyeballs.

5 Newborns don’t produce tears In spite of their crying sounds; babies' tears don’t begin to flow until they’re around 4 to 13 weeks old.

1

2

* References: http://www.factslides.com/s-Eyes# http://list25.com/25-crazy-facts-about-your-eyes/?view=all https://www.vsp.com/eyes.html https://www.pinterest.com/eyerecommend/interesting-eye-facts/

OUR OUTLETS Guan Ho Leong (BDC) No. 985 Taman BDC, Jln Stampin (behind Everise) Tel: 082-463007

Guan Ho Leong EYECARE Sdn Bhd 10th Mile, Kuching - Serian Road (next to Klinik Sia) Tel: 082-616007

SIBURAN OPTICAL Sdn Bhd No. 4 Eastern Comm. Centre 17th Miles (opposite RHB Bank) Tel: 082-863007

17 By The Way llll

by Stella Chin

Dance on air...

O joy!

If we play word association, the first thing that pops into my head when I think of dance is JOY. Something magical happens when you combine music and movement. The rhythm and beat are like the strings on a puppet pulling and drawing the limbs as the body sways in time. It is almost trance like. As a child, dancing transported me to another realm.

Now at my age, it has the dual benefit of rejuvenation and enjoyable exercise.

So it isn’t surprising that my daughter and son are both enthusiastic dancers.

The boy break dances and the girl does ballet and contemporary dance. It’s definitely in the genes.

When he says I need to dance, I understand. When she says I miss dance, I understand. I revel in the fact that my children and I have a common interest. There’s a connection there which, although largely unspoken, expresses itself in a quiet inner joy, for me at any rate. The youngest one… well, she gamely put on the pink leotard and tutus for a few months in Primary One before she balked at the pointy toe exercises. It’s not for everyone I guess. She embraced sports thereafter. I am equally thrilled that she found her ‘thing’.

There are days, (especially when the knees scream, crunch and crack) when I wish that I had started dance 20 years earlier and not left it so late. The 20 interim years were spent ferrying the children back and forth to music, dance, sports and tuition classes.

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 17

Those were the days of helping them discover their ‘thing’ while I kept mine smouldering on the back burner. I watched them twirl, pirouette and run as they stretched their wings while I did mental somersaults, foot tapping to the music on the sidelines. All the while I was assailed by images of daughter’s tottering baby steps superimposed with the elegant tiptoed poise of a Bolshoi ballerina.

The joy then was of a different kind. It was tinged with pure parental pride.

These days while the limbs are still fairly cooperative, the mind thinks I am more able than my poor besieged body can feasibly (and visibly) achieve. In place of pride, there is a sense of throwing caution to the wind. There is enough self-confidence not to care what others think of a 52 year old (there I said it!) doing the fandangos or shimmying...on stage in full regalia. There is a

sense of urgency too, if not now, then when? In any event, this is my ‘thing’ in full blaze, bubbling over, no longer simmering on the back burner. O joy!

I don’t expect the kids either to enjoy or not be embarrassed by watching their mother strut and undulate on or off stage, but at least I hope they will be proud of me.

There is the shared passion that transcends the generational divide, and besides, it doesn’t harm the parent-child relationship for the grown child to see another side of their aging mother – a side that they too will encounter one day and discover that as the years roll on and steps falter, they will continue to dance to KINO the beat of their own drum.

Stella Chin is a lawyer and a happy wife and mother of 3 children who enjoys writing, while dancing keeps her on her toes.

19 KINO LOVE, HOPE & GRATITUDE

by Capt Dr Thiru Jr

Hope against Hope Tan Ah Meng signifies one who understood the pointlessness of remorse without restitution. The old tale of woe of bad company and bad decisions seemed to have relegated him permanently to a life of painful regret.

In the prison tearjerker The Shawshank Redemption we hear of Morgan Freeman’s character, Ellis Boyd Redding, encouraging a fellow inmate, Andy Dufrene (Tim Robbins), with a simple yet profound phrase: “Hope is a good thing.

And no good thing ever dies”.

That exhortation proved to be prophetic for Andy who justifiably escaped as he was incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit. He ended up in an idyllic beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean, building a boat to spend his remaining days on an emerald sea.

Real life prison stories are, however, less than tranquil. The vast majority of men and handful of women who find themselves incarcerated often learn that the painful consequences of wrongdoing manifest even more severely upon their release.

Society has little tolerance or compassion for people who made mistakes. Such is the fate of Tan Ah Meng, who witnessed close to five years of his life from the confines of a prison cell.

In an emotional burst of fury he had committed arson against his own family, burning down the family home after a failed marriage, his third. Initially sentenced to seven years, he was deemed fit for release for good conduct after 4 years and 8 months.

Since his release in March he has sought employment as a security guard, trying hard to make ends meet. Home is in the form of a shack, providing comfort without solace.

The solitude of prison life was largely the result of a stroke which left him with impeded speech and the inability to use his left limbs. Comfort of human companionship was in the form of a church pastor who visited him during his confinement.

Ah Meng signifies one who understood the pointlessness of remorse without restitution. The old tale of woe of bad company and bad decisions seemed to have relegated him permanently to a life of painful regret.

Tears flow freely each time he describes the anguish of family separation, with his

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 19

20 KINO Hope against Hope (continued)

youngest daughter holding a special place in his heart. He constantly hangs his head in shame whilst trying to make amends, giving all of his meagre wages to his favourite daughter till this day.

If there is a silver lining in the tragic life of Tan Ah Meng, it is the simple fact that he has regained ambition; the will to do better, not just to survive. Incarceration and family separation have birthed in him a simple resolve to make good, and eventually find a home for his daughter and granddaughter.

So has society forgiven him?

He says he doesn’t think much about it, albeit with a distant look.

Looking at the sorry sight of a reformed ex-convict suggests little else but the harsh reality of rejection and societal abandonment. This is natural perhaps, as people are unlikely to give an emotional response to people who suffered the consequences of their own mistakes.

But identifying with another is an essential process of being human. The very nature of suffering is in its loneliness, which deceptively masks the deep personal anguish felt in persons like Tan Ah Meng.

Most of us are able to feel deep sympathy for any form of misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

But sympathy alone is not enough.

People like him need an expression of societal acceptance, devoid of judgment.

In short, all they need is compassion.

Engaging with him on a personal level helped me gain clarity for my own personal growth. I saw how he periodically created suffering through his own beliefs, the habitual episodes he replayed and the emotional reactions that came from those replays.

I was eager to help by pointing out his own mistake in alienating his own family, the numerous opportunities to restore his broken relationships with family members and the need to obtain a self-sustaining life.

What I failed to realise was that I was in essence, the archetype of societal attitudes towards ex-prisoners, which is perhaps responsible for so many failures in post-prison rehabilitation.

I wasn’t aware that I was merely serving my own conceptual idea of what he should be, instead of allowing him to discover the good that’s still left in him.

By my own conscientious demands of what he should be doing now, I was now among the army of people with good intentions who were instead reinforcing his sense of personal rejection.

True help would entail a different kind of compassion - the kind that requires us to be simply present with our attention focused on the manner in which people like Ah Meng perceive their own anguish; to remain silent and simply listen.

I learnt that this actually sends a powerful message of acceptance. It challenged me to dissolve my own core beliefs about how people should be, what they should do and how they need to change. I needed to let go of

my own artificial sense of success and behavioural standards that formed the basis for my own negative judgments towards people like him.

Most of us are unable to respond to the suffering of others in this world without feeling some degree of sadness. Our humanity doesn’t allow us to wear our own masks of emotional denial, disassociate ourselves from our emotions and say “No, it doesn’t bother me!”

To be compassionate, we must each be willing to give up our own personal beliefs about being right or being justified.

There is little difference between compassion and forgiveness, as both imply unconditional acceptance without judgment or expectation.

Our reward is manifested in letting go of the superficiality of our own moral standards and what constitutes the rights and wrongs of others.

In the end, the success or failure of any penitentiary system depends on our personal expression of love and compassion towards those who ask only for a second chance. And that is something that cannot be contained even in the strongest of steel bars surrounding a 6x8 prison cell.

Hope is a good thing. And no good KINO thing ever dies...

Capt Dr Thiru Jr is an amateur writer and musician outside his day job flying for a leading airline. A regular Joe from Penang, he currently lives in Kuching with his family, and two demanding dogs.

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 20

True help would entail a different kind of compassion - the kind that requires us to be simply present with our attention focused on the manner in which people like Ah Meng perceive their own anguish; to remain silent and simply listen.

22 KINO LOVE, HOPE & GRATITUDE by Vivien Ng

Song of Gratitude Fear gripped my heart but hope cleared my mind. It was the early detection of breast cancer that gave me a very good chance of fighting it. There was nothing I or anyone could do to change it and I was not ready to look death in the eye yet.

”

Not getting older, but losing my hair to chemotherapy, soon I’ll be as shiny as a billiard ball, but saving on shampoo, hairsprays and all……….

In July of 2006, I was told that I had breast cancer. The two most dreaded words hit me like a rogue wave without warning, leaving me floundering in tears and deep despair. Despite sixteen years of yearly mammograms and six-monthly ultra-sound scans, I was not spared. The first person I thought of was my mother. I remembered our conversation when she told me she had breast cancer twenty five years ago. I asked her, “What are you going to do, Mum?” She replied, “I am glad you asked what I am going to do, and not what I want you to do for me.”

I knew then I had to take control and not play the damsel in distress card. I consulted my doctor on my options and accepted the fact that the barrage of tests and scans, surgery and chemotherapy and everything that came with it was only the beginning. Fear gripped my heart but hope cleared my mind. It was the early detection of breast cancer that gave me a very good chance of fighting it. There was nothing I or anyone could do to change it and I was not ready to look death in the eye yet.

This is my life and I’m calling the shots, deciding what to do, I’ll stand up and fight for each day I have, with faith I can be brave………

KINO PHOTOS: JONG SAW KANG

“

(Sung to the tune of "When I'm 64" by The Beatles)

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 22

Vivien Ng, strumming the guitar in her garden to her version of "When I'm 64".

Song of GRATITUDE 24 KINO (continued)

Finding myself in a place I didn’t want to be with thoughts I didn’t want to think, I refused to give in to self-pity and take the aggrieved party stance. Not asking too many questions and not considering too many options helped. I did what I had to do. Like Mum. I started my treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital six weeks after surgery and after the first of eight cycles of chemotherapy, I was even telling myself it was not as bad as I expected. In fact the first two lines of the song I wrote to the tune of “When I’m 64” were written in the evening after chemo number one, waiting for nausea to start but nothing happened. The staff at the Radio Therapy Unit were excellent – caring, efficient and very friendly. As each session of chemotherapy approached, I told myself, “I want to get well. I will beat this and I will live my life.”

You can help me too, and if you will stay by me, I will see this through……..

I was blessed to be able to go through the treatment without

much discomfort or many sideeffects. My sense of humour, positive attitude and an undeniably stubborn streak were my strongest allies. Good friends and neighbours were very generous with offers of help, ranging from transport to concoctions of soups reputed to ensure a healthy blood count just before the next chemotherapy. I continued teaching, kept up with all my emceeing at weddings and charity events and I did not put anything on the back burner.

My wicked sense of humour sometimes left people very confused. An acquaintance once asked me which hairdresser I went to and how much I paid to have my lovely head of curls done. She did not know I had completed chemotherapy and my hair grew out in beautiful tight curls.

I told her nonchalantly, “Oh I got it for free! At SGH,” and she was speechless.

I’ll be a better person you see, because I take control, not to let uncertainties and hurt and fear, stop me living right now and here. I’m

not denying things may be tough, one day at a time, I’ll stand up and fight for each day I have, with faith I can be brave…..

Life is not over until it is over, and I see things differently now that I have been given a second chance. Breast cancer is not a taboo subject to be kept behind closed doors. I survived it and when I talk about it, I come away feeling good. I survived the storm that forever changed my life for the better.

I look forward to a family Christmas this year when Mum comes for a visit from Melbourne. She will be one month shy of her eighty-fifth KINO birthday.

Vivien Ng is an English Language teacher and has been for 37 years.

She is passionate about teaching and her indomitable wit and sense of humour keeps her students’ attention.

Vivien is also a freelance emcee and presenter for weddings, corporate functions and charity events. Her leisure hours are spent reading and strumming her guitar in her garden. Her cat and a dog who “adopted” her last year are her constant companions.

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 24

25 KINO LOVE, HOPE & GRATITUDE

by Karen Shepherd

Bedan - BirthGiver She has delivered over 30 children, including 10 of her own grandchildren, and provided massage to countless others as Bidan to family, friends and members of her extended community. Her mother was her Bidan.

Her massage is powerful; her hands are wrinkled with age but still strong.

Starting at the base of your belly, just above the pelvic bone, she digs them into your softest spot. She lifts and rearranges, pushing your organs back into place, smoothing everything into the centre and upwards, undoing the work of gravity, poor posture, hard living and, in some cases, the rigours of birth itself.

There are a couple of spots of excruciating pain. ‘Kembai urat,’ she states – swollen veins – and works even harder until the pain eases. Afterwards, there is a lightness there. This massage is the cornerstone of the Bidan’s work. For the expectant mother, it prepares the baby for delivery, putting it into the right position and easing the pain of labour. For those post-partum, it returns everything to its original state. For those yet to conceive, it is a fertility treatment. The midwife is a common figure around the world, gradually supplanted by modern hospitals and ob-gyns, though now making a comeback in many cultures. In Sarawak, the position of the Bidan has been constant, especially for this massage.

Tebari Anak Landoh is 71 years old. She has borne 5 children of her own – two boys and three girls – the oldest when she was 18 and the youngest in her early thirties. She has also delivered over 30 children, including 10 of her own grandchildren, and provided massage to countless others as Bidan to family, friends and members of her extended community. Her mother was her Bidan.

So effective was her massage that Tebari claims she felt no pain in any of her deliveries. In fact, her oldest and her second youngest were apparently born while she slept, while her oldest daughter popped out in the toilet, narrowly escaping an ignominious dunking, and her second son made his appearance in the belly of a boat, halfway to the nearest clinic. All those women who have huffed and puffed through their deliveries with epidurals may be feeling more than a twinge of envy at this point. She also claims that, in her 30 deliveries, she has never had to perform an episiotomy. If you know what that is, again the envy, if not, maybe it’s one of those secrets of womanhood best left unexplored!

So, Tebari learned the skill from her mother, who learned from her mother and now, she is passing the knowledge on to one of her own daughters. Her motivation is very simple. “I had many daughters, nieces and female relatives and I wanted to help them,” she says. “I didn’t want to ask anyone else.” It is not a profession, it is a calling. Payment is always traditionally pengeras (in kind) – a knife, a piece of cloth, perhaps RM5 or even a plate – a small payment for (continued)

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26 KINO Bedan - BirthGIVER (continued)

what can be days of work. For the Iban, the Bidan is a position of stature, up there with Lemambang (funeral crier) and Manang (shaman).

But while the latter two can be male or female, the position of Bidan is the preserve of women. Rarely will the bidan start young. Tebari began her own education in the art in her fifties, once it was certain that she would have no more children of her own.

KINO PHOTOS: JONG SAW KANG

A traditional delivery starts with a massage, usually in the cool of the early morning, using minyak lala, coconut oil infused with buah kepayang and kunyit (turmeric). This will put the baby into position. In fact, she has on several occasions seen women scheduled for a C-section because the baby is out of position.

Generally, she can reposition the baby and avoid a painful surgery for her charge. Once the baby is in place, she will mouth a puchau (incantation), kept secret from all but the initiated. She will help the woman push, if required, deliver the baby and then cut the umbilical cord with a knife. If the bleeding will not stop, there is another puchau, but Tebari claims this is very rare and she has never encountered a problem that she could not solve. Finally, at the risk of getting too medical and, frankly, gross, she will mix the afterbirth with ash and bury it under a banana tree to avert bad omens.

Her clientele is varied. She has massaged women of every race.

Nowadays, the majority of women head for the hospital for the actual due date, which Tebari thinks is wise, but most still come for the massage – belly, body and feet - both pre- and post-partum, ‘to return the

circulation and release the bad blood.’ Normally they will start to look for her 3 days after the birth, picking her up and taking her to the house for up to 3 days or even a week – all for the sake of a plate!

Occasionally, she will even get advance bookings. During this time, she will bind their belly with cloth wrapped around ginger and turmeric pieces and advise them on what to eat – plenty of ginger and salai ikan (smoked fish), go easy on crab, prawn and ikan sembilang. Of course, this is much easier than the old days when the new mother was required to berkindu and bertangas – sit beside the fire and steam for 25 days with her belly wrapped with kulit kayu (tree bark)!

After 21 years of service to the women of her community, Tebari’s overwhelming feeling is one of pride that she has brought so many children into the world and eased the pain for so many other mothers. She says that ‘they are very kind to her because they are healthy;’ a statement that speaks volumes in its understatement. She is regularly asked to attend ‘makan selamat’ on the child’s birthday. As she puts it: “they remember me and their parents talk about me.” After all, she has been present for the most momentous occasion of so many people’s lives. Bidan is certainly a KINO name to be proud of.

Karen Shepherd is 40 and has no children (well, not yet at least), though she treats her dogs like her children! As a staunch feminist, she has always been interested in female role models and their status in society.

Tebari is regularly asked to attend ‘makan selamat’ on the child’s birthday.

As she puts it: “they remember me and their parents talk about me.”

28 KINO LOVE, HOPE & GRATITUDE

by Alexander Ang Sze Chay

Peace of mind, body & soul with cigarettes and alcohol. Too young for clubs or bars filled with stuckup yuppies, I got my kicks getting smashed on cheap liquor with the kids in the ghettos.

”

At 13, I started with cigarettes and alcohol. Too young for clubs or bars filled with stuck-up yuppies, I got my kicks getting smashed on cheap liquor with the kids in the ghettos. I learnt then that getting wasted was a good substitute for having to contend with the dull and gruelling realities of life. So when asked to swallow 6 purple pills, I knocked them back without a thought. 20 minutes later I was lying on the ceiling. Not long after, I started smoking marijuana while getting smacked out on street pharmaceuticals every day for almost 2 years after high school. I had no interest in any kind of life or future that the world had to offer and I’d rather have been damned than have anything to do with responsibility.

In spite of my world view, my grades were good enough to get me into college and for reasons I can’t explain, I did surprisingly well. I figured as long as I stayed in school, I would still get pocket money for drugs and other things.

After a couple of years, I dropped out due to sheer lack of interest; much to the dismay of my estranged parents. But as fate would have it, I played well enough to get myself into a music school. Since it was one thing I could do well without too much effort, I became serious enough to slow down on the drugs enough to excel at it. Three years later, I graduated with a music degree, got married, had a kid and decided to take a shot at making a life for myself.

So there I was in KL, establishing myself in the music scene; teaching, performing and making enough to pay rent and put food on the table. I always kept a stash of weed to smoke at home. My past experiences led me to believe that I could handle any drug that came through the door. When weed was in short supply, I got into crystal meth-amphetamine, which I had tried briefly once or twice before. Unlike other drugs which put me in a drowsy state of (continued) euphoria, it got me cranked. Meth made everything I did seem

KINO PHOTOS: JONG SAW KANG

“

At 13, I started

A friend of mine once told me “Everybody fights a battle that no one else knows”. In that, the greatest struggle, is the one we fight within ourselves. I could think of countless reasons why I chose the path I took, growing up a lonely child in a broken but well-to-do upper middle-class family; but none of that truly matters now. Sure I felt different from the other kids who were into sports, football, cars, girls and all the regular stuff. I had much going for me but I felt like I was scraping the bottom of the barrel in some bored and listless postal code with none of the opportunities I wanted. It doesn’t change the fact that I chose to get high on drugs .

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 28

"I have reclaimed the life I lost and so much more; I’m playing music again, better than ever".

Alex Ang

30 KINO PEACE of mind, body & soul (continued)

intensely fun, super smart and spot on. The more I took, the more I liked it. I thought it was amazing until one day I collapsed from lack of sleep after an extended run. I thought this too would pass like it always did, but after 4 days in bed and staggering around, I realised the hook was in.

For the first time in 16 years of recreational drug use, I felt the pain of withdrawals. I could no longer think or even walk straight without it. I needed it constantly just to feel normal. Eventually I let everything go downhill; I quit my jobs, my wife left with the kids, I gradually lost everything until there was nothing left but me and the drug. Within months I became a recluse, living alone while my mind spiralled down into the bottomless chasm of druginduced paranoia. I started hearing voices and had delusions of people trying to break into my apartment.

Without any means to carry on, I left KL and returned home to Kuching where I thought I could gradually kick this affliction on my own. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

In a bid to be gradually weaned off of my withdrawal symptoms, I thought I could manage my usage to gradually reduce my dosage. This never transpired as my tolerance grew to the point where I started injecting.

For the most part, I kept my addiction hidden from all but a few people, including my estranged family who exhausted their resources in trying to help me. I started getting violent, smashing things in my home to discourage anyone against trying to intervene. Fighting a losing battle, I became convinced I was going to die an addict. One day my wife came and

"One day my wife came and asked me to consider seeking treatment. By some miracle of fate,

much to convince me; the evidence was sitting right in front of me. Here were people once caught in the grip of addiction who were now clean and well. With the same willingness that led me to my first drug, I turned cold turkey and underwent treatment for the next 5 months. Through their guidance and wisdom, I learned more about myself than I had searched for through my years of using.

asked me to consider seeking treatment. By some miracle of fate, I was ready to surrender after 8 years of chronic meth use. I was finally sick and tired of being sick and tired.

With my sanity restored, I reflected on the life I had been taking for granted and realized how much I had to be grateful for, and yet I had spent most of my life in self-pity grovelling over things I didn’t have. At that moment, I realised that everything I went through had served its purpose. My suffering was finally over and I could start living my life. I made my peace with God and came to the conclusion that if life was fair, I should be dead. Yet, here I am, grateful to be alive; I have reconciled with my wife and family; I have people in my life who love and care for me; I have reclaimed the life I lost and so much more; I’m playing music again, better than ever. Most of all I wake up each day with no compulsion to use any drug. I’ve a new found hope and gratitude that life is truly a journey worth living.

KINO

On March 2014, I checked into the Solace in KK Sabah, a private rehab with a 12-step recovery program, led by a dream team of counsellors and addiction experts, most of whom were ex-addicts in recovery. On my first day, they shared with me their story of how addiction took them to the same hell hole I was all too familiar with. They showed me how the program helped them to regain their sanity. This time it didn’t take

Alexander Ang Sze Chay is Kuching born and 35 years of age.

Profession: Drummer/Musician/ Band Leader of Sumthn' Like Dat Passions: Music, Herpetology, Herptoculture, Toxicology, Evolutionary Biology Hobbies/Interest: Collector of Snakes, Reptiles, Scorpions, Tarantulas and Arachnids

I was ready to surrender after 8 years of chronic meth use. I was finally sick and tired of being sick and tired."

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 30

31 KINO LOVE, HOPE & GRATITUDE

by Christina Thomas-Mamora

Blessings behind the wheel “

As long as I can still walk, I can’t imagine myself depending on others to drive me every time I want to go somewhere, meet friends or run errands.

”

It has been decades since she left her profession as a driving instructor but Hajah Baidah Hj. Salleh has not changed much. At 78, she is still bubbly, friendly and easy going. Dressed in her typical baggy baju kurung and pale coloured head covering and looking fit, she seems to be basking in her sunset years and she drives like a woman half her age. She loves the freedom and is grateful for the blessing of health in her life. “As long as I can still walk, I can’t imagine myself depending on others to drive me every time I want to go somewhere, meet friends or run errands,” she quips.

She recalls with pride the days when she was a driving instructor and how she was the first Malay woman to take up the job along with a couple of Chinese ladies. It was her younger brother who encouraged her to apply for the post, seeing that she had ‘such extraordinary courage’ whenever she was behind the wheel. She was a fast driver who used to scare her driving instructor out of his wits for speeding up at certain places when she was still a learner. She remembered him exclaiming, “Just drop me here…. no need to go for the test!”

She passed the driving test without much difficulty.

According to Baidah it was not easy for her to qualify as a driving instructor considering she only studied up to primary two at a local Malay school. Apart from limited vacancies, the applicant had to pass the theory and practical tests.

Having passed the tests in 1976, she became the first Malay woman to be a driving instructor. To help her start the ball rolling, her brother bought her a car, which was a second hand white Datsun for the driving lessons.

The tomboy in her stood her well in facing the tough nature of the job. She remembers having tattooed Chinese men as her students and these men, according to her, were gangsters because “they liked to fight.” Despite their outward appearance, Baidah was unafraid and took them in. “But they were nice to me,” she recalls. “Men were easier to teach than the ladies. Most lady learners were so nervous about driving that some of them had to repeat the test up to three times.” she says. As a result, she had to find ways to help them relax.

She would play catchy tunes on the cassette player or bring them to quiet roads where there were not many cars.

One of her students, Hapaline Lonsa who was an Immigration officer then, and now a television producer, still has vivid memories of her driving instructor.

“She really had to put up with me because I was such a lousy driver especially

(continued)

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32 KINO BLESSINGS behind the wheel (continued)

KINO PHOTO: CHRISTINA THOMAS-MAMORA

when it came to ‘L’ parking,” she recalls. Determined to see her pass her first test, Baidah gave her extra classes without extra cost. Despite all the efforts, Hapaline did not show any improvement to such an extent that it behoved Baidah to use a cane on her! “It was just a very slight stroke,” says Hapaline.

Seemingly, the cane did not work.

There was one incident where she was almost knocked by her student.

“It was close to my test,” Hapaline continues, “and I couldn’t do the ‘L’ parking after trying many times. I believed she was getting a bit annoyed because she shouted at me.

I panicked and instead of pressing the clutch and the brake gently, I pressed the accelerator so hard that she jumped to the side for safety! On the day of the test, she came early to pick me up.

Bringing a bottle of water with her, she asked me to drink it. She told me that it would help to calm me down.”

As Baidah looks back to those memorable years, she feels as if they only happened yesterday. She had wished she could bend back and touch those happy times. However, one thing is certain – you can be rest assured of a safe journey when she is KINO behind the wheel!

Christina Thomas-Mamora is an award winning writer who has written numerous articles on women in the local media and more recently a book entitled 'Women who Inspire.'

Having passed the theory and practical tests in 1976, Baidah became the first Malay woman to be a driving instructor.

34 KINO LOVE, HOPE & GRATITUDE

And the greatest of all is The damaged houses, lost livelihoods and the communities in tatters were beyond comprehension.

by Justin Yntig Bersales Jr

Love

The aftermath of the super typhoon Haiyan that struck the central part of the Philippines on the 8th of November 2013 has left a gruesome image of desolation and unimaginable devastation. What were once symbols of life have become graveyards of sorrow and pain, made lifeless in just a matter of hours by nature’s fury.

Words of gratitude are etched in the hearts and minds of the Filipino People towards the city of Kuching for their kindness and generosity during our time of tragedy.

Early on the morning of the 9th of November 2013 a mass was hastily arranged for the Filipino Community at the Jesuit Fathers House. A special intercession was offered for the victims of the typhoon. Praying was our only comfort while we waited anxiously for messages from our loved ones back home who were totally cut-off from the rest of the world.

After an agonizing wait of over 24 hours news updates finally filtered through from different media outlets. We were glued to the news in disbelief at the sheer magnitude of the devastation along the path of the typhoon. More horrifying stories started to come in and the eyes of the world were fixed on the Philippines.

My anxious wait for days was finally over after receiving a message from Mama telling me that everyone at home was safe and sound. My thoughts then focused on Filipino friends whose families were within the typhoon’s path.

Evelyn took the earliest trip she could, to go back to her hometown in Biliran province. She was greeted by welcome tears of joy. Everyone in her family was safe and her relief cannot be expressed in mere words. The damaged houses, lost livelihoods and the communities in tatters were beyond comprehension.

Virgilio called me up in desperation to say that the community where his family home once stood was totally wiped out and he had not been able to contact any of his family members for a week. Listening to fears of a father who was anxiously waiting for the unknown was heart-wrenching. His daughter eventually managed to get through and told him that the family had managed to take shelter before the typhoon made landfall. While the families of Filipino friends in Kuching were lucky to have been spared, our hearts sympathised with www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 34

Nearly a year after Haiyan pounded Tacloban and Visayas, these areas are still struggling to put their lives back together. Portions of the population in Tacloban are still living in tents, while residential homes still lie in ruins. Ships that were tossed on shore are still there blocking streets and a burden to the people.

Photo and caption by Jude Bautista http://judebautista.wordpress.com

those whose loved ones perished.

As the news of the actual situation on the ground started to unravel, calls started coming in from friends as far as Kuala Lumpur asking for proper channels for donations in cash or in kind or how to volunteer for relief operations. I was busy coordinating with the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur for updates and organising donation drives amongst our Filipino Community in Kuching. Schools, churches and various civic organizations, individuals, media outlets and private companies initiated action plans to raise funds for the victims. The entire KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 35

community became united and one in spirit of generosity and compassion.

A year on, the lives of millions of Filipinos directly affected by super typhoon Haiyan continue despite the enormous challenges ahead.

Although many are left with nothing, they are resilient and determined to rebuild their lives for their children and remaining loved ones. The emotional scars of the survivors continue to linger on. We remain united with them in thoughts and prayers, and as one nation we will always remember a caring society, the generous Malaysians who in one

way or another gave our Kababayans the hope to stand up and live again.

On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend my deepest gratitude to all for their kind thoughts, prayers and generous donations to the victims of KINO typhoon Haiyan.

Justin Yntig Bersales Jr is from Brgy. Minapasuk, Calatrava, Philippines. His direct involvement as Chairman of the Kuching Filipino Community over Haiyan was in the organising of donations.

Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He is married with 2 children and lives in Kuching.

36 KINO LOVE, HOPE & GRATITUDE

bybyRaphael RaphaelScott ScottAhbeng Ahbeng

Behind the canvas “

The desire to show that I can produce the best possible image is what drives me.

It is the thin line dividing skill and madness that matters.

KINO PHOTOS: JONG SAW KANG

” Born in Singai, Bau District, Sarawak in 1939, Raphael Scott Ahbeng was educated in Bath Academy of Arts, United Kingdom.

He has been a teacher of the Arts and English language, a cartoonist and even a radio producer. As a painter for over 60 years, RSA is recognised as the most renowned abstract artist from Malaysia Borneo. (continued)

I have always been fascinated by the little world around me… which I believe is just as well. When I first started painting so very long ago… my real intention was somewhat selfish.

I did not want people to look at what I was trying to do.

Those stealing glances made me mad when in fact people were simply trying to give me praise.

Art I considered then should be absolutely private and confidential.

After many years of this strange feeling I began to open up… and even tried to do drawings in front of my classmates.

That was really the beginning of the art that was to influence my life and lifestyle.

I began to nurture this somewhat awkward influence in the year 1954… when I had a proper breakfast, lunch and dinner. I never ate well before that because I had to do all the cooking for myself when I attended primary school. Life in a mission school just after the war was all guesswork. The teachers were sadistic and uncompromising. I was beaten constantly just because my main interest was sketching and drawing.

The Lord was kind when I entered Batu Lintang government primary school in 1954.

It was like a pick-me-up… from then on there was no stopping me from becoming the boy who was able to tell jokes through art.

Do I think art has been good to me all these years ? I do!

The desire to show that I can produce the best possible image is what drives me. It is the thin line dividing skill and madness that matters..

An anecdote for all my friends and relatives who have had faith in me: “ One king is enough for any kingdom. One good and lasting job is enough for sanity’s sake… art says it all” I have never had it so good. You could be me.

KINO

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 36

(continued)

Behind the Canvasve (continued)

SONG OF THE FOREST is just one example of the recognised and vibrant mark of RSA's depictions of the Sarawak rainforests. His high spirited attitude is apparent in his figures or even caricatures. The landscapes Raphael is recognised for are painted in a style uniquely his own – multifaceted, bold, extremely vivid, larger than life and characterised by pronounced linear strokes instantly recognisable as his hand. His style can be said to have a particularly strong, individualist persona.

His paintings are in many collections around the world with success in auctions such as with Christie's, Singapore among many others.

To contact Raphael Scott Ahbeng: ahbeng1939@gmail.com

VERY SUNNY (above) 5"8ft Acrylic on canvas

LIMESTONE FOREST (top left) 2"5ft Acrylic on canvas

SONG OF THE FOREST 6"4ft Acrylic on canvas

40 NIGHT SPOTS New Year here, New Year there, llll

So-called ‘Western’ New Year is the poor relative in Kuching, eclipsed as it is by its louder, brighter, bigger brother, Chinese New Year. But still, most feel the need to mark the ticking over from December to another January with at least some kind of celebration. After all, the next day is a public holiday! And therein lies the problem – feeling the ‘need’ to have a good time is generally the one thing guaranteed to stop you from having one. In fact, a lot of people feel nothing but depression when faced with the question: what are you doing for New Year’s? Some of you may even be tempted to flee the state to see in the year with a group of strangers. But fear not! For those who choose to stay, here are a few choice options for the last (if not the best) party of the year.

Of course, this being Kuching, almost no one and no place have finalised their plans at the time of writing. But look forward to this New Year with recollections of last the New Year from a few Kuching faces.

Homeboy – Have a barbecue in the back yard with your buddies A straw poll reveals that this may actually be the preferred option for most Kuching residents. Actually, truth be told, the majority of people surveyed couldn’t even remember what they did last year except with a little prompting and a long hard think. But generally, the answer ended up being: eat at home, lah! Our featured group of old school friends take it in turns to meet up at somebody’s house. Sometimes it’s pot luck, sometimes a barbecue in the backyard and sometimes even both. As for entertainment, water bombs have made an appearance in the past as have the occasional firework, though Mah-jong is strictly for the Chinese version.

Overall the end of the calendar year for this lot is all about sharing food, sharing drinks and sharing an evening of chit chat with old friends. On the stroke of midnight, they just raise a glass, even the countdown is counted out. After all, in the comfort of your own home, you’re free to behave as you choose – you get to be with your nearest and dearest, with no need to share the space with a bunch of strangers. Sadly, though, you’ll have to do the washing up yourself, but force your guests to pull their weight and all’s well that ends well.

Five star Susie – Dinner and dancing Think New Year, think black tie, think ball gown, think five star event. That’s what they are always doing in the movies.

Kuching’s closest affair is dinner and dancing at one of the five star hotels. Almost all have a big buffet on offer: Merdeka Palace, for example, is featuring an international all-you-caneat. Then, if you have any room in your belly, you can teeter a short hop across to the bar for fun and frolics. The Rajang bar at Grand Margherita have their resident Philipino band and are planning a special function there to countdown the year end, likewise the Victoria Arms at the Merdeka Palace.

If you really want to make a full night (and a day!) of it, Grand Margherita are even offering an overnight special book a room for New Year’s Eve and you’ll get a celebration breakfast thrown in to chase away those potential hangover blues! Of course, all these shenanigans are likely to hike up your budget but convenience often doesn’t come cheap and there’s something to be said for having all the entertainment on offer under one roof.

www.kuchinginandout.com KINO 40

New Year, New Year everywhere Pumped up kids – Party at Damai Central Last year, Damai Central was the out of town venue for the townies' end of year blast (arrangements for a rerun to be confirmed!). This was a full-fledged party at the beach and packed, by all accounts, with 5,000 dedicated revellers.

RM60 got you in with a party pack to see a line-up of DJs and live bands, both local and international, pumping out a mixture of house, reggae and electronica until 2am.

Midnight saw fireworks and much celebrating as the old year was counted down. According to our featured party goer, this was a chance to have fun with people of all races, backgrounds and beliefs – a good way to start a New Year.

Just remember, it’s a long, long drive home!

Crawl into the New Year – Barhopping If you want to feel the fellowship of strangers on the first night of the year but can’t face going all out, then barhopping may be your choice. It’s like every other weekend with a plus. New Year’s is a big crowd for Kuching drinking holes and they pull out all the stops trying to pull in the punters – 7 piece bands, special shows, lucky draws, the works. It is very rare to find a bar with a cover charge in Kuching, so the good news is that you could hop from bar to bar or stay the whole night in one place with no pressure. Though be warned, drink prices tend to creep up about 10%, so you may find yourself paying more for just your usual night out. Our featured habitual hopper has a tried and tested strategy. His recommendation: dinner with friends, somewhere like The Junk, followed by probably two venues of increasing volume in the golden triangle or Carpenter Street – there are plenty to choose from as featured in past issues of KINO! Once again, the key idea is an evening out with friends, a last chance to connect and a way to start the New Year as you mean to go on.

Dancing queen – Clubbing Clubbing, of course, can be done in conjunction with or instead of the aforementioned barhopping, though it suggests a more dedicated party goer. Drink prices are likely to be even higher here and you are likely to encounter a cover charge, so most would want to get their money’s worth. The special events sound familiar – guest DJs, lucky draw – but a dance floor is the added attraction. Travilion is the established favourite for clubbing, though our featured clubber has a top tip for this year – Lido Star on Jalan Sekama where everything is big and bright from the signage to the entertainment on offer. Why is this a good way to spend your New Year? People, party, pounding music though you can probably kiss your public holiday goodbye. But if you want to really shake off the old year, shaking your stuff is a good choice!

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 41

42 Illustrated MAP llll CAT City Walk - Old Courthouse

Corner of the OLD QUARTER

(2) INDIA/GAMBIER STREET (3) WAYANG/ MACDOUGAL

(4) MUSEUM GROUNDS / RESEVOIR PARK

(5) KENYALANG

(6) ANG CHENG HO/ SEKAMA

Taking a i CAT City Walk around town is the best way to see historical streets, their architectural monuments, heritage and shops.

See what's selling, what's cooking and what's up, in and out!

Next issue: India/Gambier Street ...and more.

and Carpenter street

by Peggy Wong, a member of our Urban Sketchers Kuching

St. Joseph Cathedral

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44 «NEXT STOP» llll

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PRINT AND DIGITAL MAGAZINE LAUNCHED 1 ST ISSUE WITH THE J. Petan ak 1 ST KUCHING BUS ROUTES MAP ON THE 22 ND OF MARCH, 2013

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EMERGENCY Emergency Line / 082-365030 Civil Defense / 991 Fire / 994 Jalan S atok Ban Hock From Jalan Jalmobile to phone /112 n a l n PAmbulance Ja Police aand adungan/ 999 Police emergency service /999 HOSPITALS ur Borneo Medical Centre / 016 889 8302 Tim l a Kuching Specialist Hospital KG / 082-365384 nt r St. Joseph e C Multimedia Specialist & Maternity Centre / 082-428885 n Cathedral a Normah Medical Specialist Centre / 082-440055 Jal Sarawak General Hospital / 082-276666 J. Badru d di n a J. T Sarawak Medical J. T ri Centre / 082-442088 a m a n B u d ay i u H e e K Tan / 082-232259 g n an S ri O Da Timberland Emergency Medical mService a i l t l u PHARMACIES k i JalGuardian / 082-613259W an Watson’s Ell Personal Care Store / 082-239091 Legend Bus Routes via Bus Numbers is STATIONS k POLICE an h s District Police HQ - Kuching, Royal Malaysian Police, k 3A, K3 Hospital oo Main Bus Terminal Jln Simpang Tiga / 082-241133 Bampfylde Cr l K8 Heights n Central Station. Jln Khoo Hun Yeang / 082-241222 Ja a al J Satok Station. Jln Nagor / 082-245522 Kuching 8G Hospital Bus Stop Gita Station. Jln Matang / 082- 254417 General Hospital K11 Santubong Station / 082-846222 Padungan Statio. Jln Kemajuan / 082-335930 K1, K2 Pondok Taxi Stand Summons Beratok Station. Jln Kuching-Serian / 082- 864235 From Jalan Masjid Huts Sekama Station. Jln Sekama / 082-332522 Sg. Maong Station. Jln Tun Hj. Mohd. Adruce / 082-256800 Kota Padawan (Batu 10) Station. Kota Padawan 16 Km, Jln. g n Kuching-Serian / 082- 612222 nta i with associated bus numbers L Siburan Station. Km 27, Jln. Kuching-Serian / 082-864121 at u B n a Tapah Station. 082-867236 All Buses Lead To and From Jalan Masjid Jal Wisma Saberkas Station. Wisma Saberkas / 082-253535 BDC: K8, 8G Police Station Tabuan Jaya / 082-360999 Boulevard Shopping Mall: 2, K3, K6, K10, K13, 3A, 6 Police Patrol (24Hrs) / 082-244444 Wisma Cat Museum: K5, K5C, K15 TOURIST INFORMATION Green Heights Commercial Center: 8G Saberkas Tourist Police Unit (Kuching Waterfront) / 082-250522 Hilton Hotel: K2, K2, K16 The TouristSpring Information Centre / 082-246575 Jalan Hospital Umum: 1F/1FA, 2, 3A, 6, 1C,K6, K8, K10, K13, K18, K17, 8G Airport-Kuching K5, K5C, K15 Mall International Airport / 082-454242 BJalan atu Astana: LintaK12 Jalan Green: Immigration Department / 082-245661 ng K18 Jalan Hj Taha: K12, TAXI Jalan Matang: K7 ABC Taxi / 082-341818 Jalan Satok: K7, K5, K5C, K15 Kuching City Taxi Radio Call Enterprises / 082-348898 Jalan Stutong: 8G, K8 Taxi (Red and Yellow colour) / 082-882466 Premier 101: 8G Executive Taxi / 082-480000 Jalan Masjid (Bus Station yellow and green buses departs-final station are from here) Simpang Jln. Kwon Lee Bank: K2,K1, K16 CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES Tiga Jln. Padungan: K2, K1, K11, K16 Roundabout Australian Honorary Consul / 082-23350 Jln. Pending: K2, K1, K16 Brunei Consulate / 082-312681 Jln. Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce: K12, Chinese Consulate / 082-233816 Konsulat Indonesia: 8G, K8 Consulate of the United Kingdom / 082-207272 Kuching Sentral Station: K3, K6, K10, K13 French Honorary Consul / 082-415588 Kuching Specialist Centre: K8 New Stutong Market: K8 Indonesia Consulate / 082-460734 Regional Bus Terminal: 1FA, 2, 3A, K3, K6, K10, K13, 6 Immigration Office / 082-245661 Sarawak Plaza: K2, K1, K11, K16 Sarawak Government Office / 082-222222 Semenggok Wildlife: K6, 6, HOME SERVICES St. Joseph/St. Teresa: K18, K8 The Commission of The City of Kuching North / 082-234654 Sungai Apong (fishing village): K2 Council of the City of Kuching South / 082-354200 Tabuan Jaya: K8 The Spring Mall: K8, K11, 8G Post Office-Pos Malaysia-Kuching / 082-347677 Timberland: 1C, 1F/1FA, 2, K3, K6, K10, K13, K18, K17, 3A, 6 SESCO-Electricity Service / 1 300 - 88 3111 Waterfront (Main Bazaar): K2 , K1, K11, K16 Astro / 1 300 - 82 3838 Wisma Saberkas: 3A , 2, 6, 1C K3, K8, K10, K13, K17, 8G TM / Fax No : 082-239 257

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WINDOW FILMS

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM DENGUE

TooNsoun Enterprise SDN. BHD. MOSQUITO SCREENS FOR DOORS & WINDOWS

Maxtrack

reduce the risk of smash & grab theft & injuries

well. With a wide variety of modern blinds, we can accommodate all design tastes. Automated or manual, we have the solution for both residential and commercial needs. 082-231677

by installing security film for your vehicle windows. The film prevents the smashed window from shattering so your valuables are less accessible and there is less risk of injury from flying glass shards. Call 013-815 5601 or 082230 199 to protect your loved ones and investments with V KOOL Safety & Security films.

FIRE SAFETY PRODUCTS

AIR CONDITIONERS

CONSTRUCTION

DO YOU want to protect your family and premises from fire hazards? Are you prepared if your house is on fire?

LEADING SAFETY PRODUCTS can provide you with basic fire protection such as fire extinguishers and fire blanket at affordable prices. We also supply personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety boots etc.

Tel: 082-369 692/366 028 H/p: 019-885 3913 Fax: 082-366029 Email:lspsb99@yahoo.com

LOSING YOUR COOL, CALL THE BEAR! The professional choice for air cond service, installation and advice.

Here at GLAC, we guarantee that you will be satisfied with our products and service offerings.

T: +6082 - 237 988 HP: +6017 - 818 4522 www.GreatLittleACServices.com www.facebook.com/GreatLittleAC

Granite, marble, cultural stone, pebbles, tombstone, etc. Dimentional Architectural and landscape stonework.

Renovation.

Adam Lee: 019-857 0716 coveringsmy@gmail.com facebook.com/Coverings.com.my

Protect your family by installing mosquito screens in your home. We specialise in glass and aluminium including windows, doors, glass & stainless steel fittings and shower hinges. We also supply other hardware, fittings and power tools.

Alex Ung 017-877 2770 toonsounenterprise@gmail.com

KINO www.kuchinginandout.com 47

WINDOW DRESSING is what we do so

Natural

stone

supplier

AND

INSTALLER:

A Royal Icing Affair David MacCarfrae (UK) Master Cake Artist, Judge on Canadian TV series "CakeWalk" & creator of the royal wedding cake of His Royal Highness Prince Edward

Royal Icing Masterclasses 1. Elite Royal Icing – RM2,000 2 Day Masterclass: March 2015, date TBC 2. Victorian Rose Cascade – RM2,000 2 Day Masterclass: March 2015, date TBC 3. Royal Icing Inspiration – RM1,000

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1 Day Masterclass: March 2015, Date TBC

Chef Jackie Tay (Singapore) WMI Instructor & Figurine Artist Wilton Course 1 & 2, Shape-N-Amaze & Children's Workshop* 1. Wilton Course 1 & 2 – RM1,300 4 Day Foundation Class: 18-21 January 2015 2. Wilton Shape-N-Amaze – Tools: RM350 4 Hour Part 1: RM250, 18-19 January 2015 4 Hour Part 2: RM350, 20-21 January 2015 *in collaboration with Kiidz Clubhouse, details TBC

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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

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William Tan (Malaysia) Innovator of Runway Doll Fondant Masterclasses 1. Gold Runway Doll – RM850 6 Hour Masterclass: March 2015, date TBC 2. Silver Runway Doll – RM850 6 Hour Masterclass: March 2015, date TBC 3. Longevity Man – RM350

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Feast of Borneo

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3 Hour Masterclass: March 2015, date TBC

Join us for a culinary adventure as 3 chefs prepare a feast from 15 lesser known ingredients from our Borneo jungle in March 2015.

To register & for more info contact: Jean 013 813 2995 eventskino@gmail.com

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BORNEOCAKEEXPLORATION

BCE Cake Decorating Competition 2015 Theme: Flora & Fauna Royal icing and fondant cakes, traditional and modern categories.

Open to the public, RM50 entry fee.

Special pricing for Masterclass students. Register by 7 March 2015.

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