Night Market

Wira, Videographer

A Teaser

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

Brunei joins the world with 'All You Need is Love'

LOCAL artists last night joined other performers from around the world as part of a global choir performing The Beatles' classic All You Need is Love live online at the same time as part of a massive charitable effort to aid The Global Fund in its fight against HIV/Aids in Africa.

Joining spirited voices at precisely 1.30pm GMT (9.30pm Brunei time) were local artists Hans Anwar, Fakhrul Razi and Putri Norizah of Phuturephase Production, Feez Madea and Juju of Projectunes Records, Fau P2F and A Band Once in an event that united individuals, communities and cultures through the universal language of music.

The artists, along with local production crew Megabond Productions, volunteered for the (RED) Love Project, set up three years ago by U2 singer Bono and Bobby Shriver.

Under the project, companies dedicated large portions of profits from particular (RED)-branded products to go towards The Global Fund.

The simultaneous global live-stream performance last night was organised by Starbucks, which in just one year has generated enough money through the project to buy more than seven million days of medicine to help those living with HIV in Africa.

The performance in Brunei was held at the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Shopping Complex with Brunei's famous Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque as the backdrop.

The performance lasted five minutes, as the song was sung once, coinciding with performers around the world.

Billed as a historic technological breakthrough, the event received enormous worldwide media coverage and is expected to be written into the Guinness World Records.


Live feeds from the event were streamed to a central location where people in 200 countries were able to view the performance simultaneously.

"This first-ever global event will leverage state-of-the-art technology to stream the live feed of this performance on www.StarbucksLoveProject.com," said Sharifudin Hj Zainuddin, Megabond Productions' assistant producer.

"Anyone with access to a computer and video camera will have the opportunity to submit their own version of All You Need Is Love for the world to see and hear," he said.

"We need to educate the youngsters to connect globally, and not just locally, when doing something for a good cause such as this," said local artist Fakhrul Razi Ibrahim.

"Although we are a small country, we do make a huge impact. I believe that small things can actually make a great impact, especially when we do it in a community rather than just personally."

For every video submitted to the website, Starbucks will make a donation to the Global Fund.

Big in 2010

Good response to Shahbandar run

SOME 350 people took part in the 6th Bukit Shahbandar Challenge at Bukit Shahbandar Forest Reserve yesterday, an event aimed at raising public awareness on the importance of "urban forestry" amid the global agenda on climate change.

The challenge was jointly organised by the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) and the Brunei Sawmillers Association (BSA) in conjunction with the World Forestry Day 2009.

"Forests play a vital role in sustaining life in the country, reducing and stabilising the global temperature as well as providing the urban community with a healthier environment. It is therefore our role and responsibility to protect and look after it," said one of the working committee members, Ahmazey Ahmad, Head of Promotions Unit at the Forestry Department.

"This is one of the public-approach campaigns that will continue to be organised to attract more people of all ages to support the national forest conservation policy in achieving our goal to remind Bruneians of the importance of forests to the ecosystem," he added.

The event was intentionally held at Bukit Shahbandar in order to further promote the recreational park as one of the most popular ecotourism sites in the country, due to its beautiful and scenic view of the beach, heath and pine forests blended with the rugged terrains which are suitable for physical endurance activities such as jogging, jungle trekking and hiking.

A total of seven categories were competed, namely Category A (Male Open) designated for male runners; Category A (Amateur) for males aged between 15 and 35; Category B for males aged between 36 and 49; male veterans aged 50 years and above came under Category C while Category D was for female participants aged between 15 and 34 and Category E for females 35 years and above.

The final category is a new one called the Fun Run Category for children aged 14 and below.

"The Fun Run Category is a new addition to the challenge as we've had kids interested to participate in the previous challenges held early this year but we were unable to place them in a suitable category then," said Ahmazey.

"Due to public requests, we are proposing to include a category for senior citizens in future events, which is still under discussion," he added.

"We have seen a larger turn up of participants this time as we are also getting in interested foreigners from neighbouring countries such as Miri and Limbang," said Ahmazey.

Present as the guest of honour was the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar who also participated in the challenge under Category B.

Kick-starting the run was MIPR's Deputy Minister Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah Hj Abd Wahab. Also seen participating in the run was the Philippines Ambassador to Brunei, Alexander B Yano.

Brunei, Thai relations withstand test of time

Minister of Development Pehin Dato Hj Abdullah (2nd L) and Thai Ambassador to Brunei Phithak Phrombubpha (2nd R) cutting the cake to commemorate King of Thailand's 82nd birthday, while their respective spouses, Datin Hjh Hasiah (L) and Prapassorn Phrombubpha (R), look on.
SINCE the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1983, Brunei and Thailand have enjoyed close and cordial relations, which have continued to be intensified over the years. These bonds of affinities have been strengthened and have so well withstood the test of time.

This was said by Phithak Phrombubpha, Ambassador of Thailand to Brunei, during a reception to mark His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand's 82nd birthday anniversary.

The celebration held at the Grand Ballroom of The Empire Hotel & Country Club last night, was an annual activity hosted by the Thailand Embassy since its establishment in the Sultanate in 1983.

The ambassador expresses hopes that Brunei Darussalam and Thailand will continue on the decades of diplomatic relationship between the two nations.

"Thailand stands firm in cooperation with Brunei in all areas for the mutual benefits of our two countries and people, as well as the peace, prosperity and security of our two region as a whole," said Phithak.

He went on to say that, with the support from the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, he looked forward to continue working to further strengthen the cordial bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation between the two nations in the years to come.

He also took the opportunity to convey his sincere best wishes for the continuing good health and happiness of His Majesty The Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Members of the Royal Family and the people of Brunei.

The Thai Ambassador expressed his sincere gratitude and deep appreciation for all who attended the gracious occasion to honour the Thai King, which also marked as the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand.

"For the past 64 years on the throne, millions of Thais from all walks of life have witnessed and can attest to His Majesty the King's dedication to his people through all sorts of activities and initiatives that has endeared His Majesty to the hearts of Thais as a highly esteemed and caring monarch who tirelessly works for the continued well-being of his people," he said adding that the Thai monarch has provided leadership, inspiration, comfort and wisdom to all his people, reaching out to the poorest and the most vulnerable in Thailand, listening to their problems and finding practical solutions for them.

He went to say that King Bhumibol Adulyadej is he "Soul of the Nation" and always in the hearts and minds of the Thai people.

Present as guest of honour at the event was Minister of Development Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdullah Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar, who was accompanied by his wife, Datin Hjh Hasiah Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Dato Paduka Hj Hashim. They were welcomed by the ambassador and his wife Prapassorn Phrombubpha.

Among those who attended the reception were selected members of various government agencies and foreign dignitaries.

Thailand and Brunei have enjoyed cordial relations which have progressed steadily at bilateral, regional, and international levels.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties on January 1, 1983, the two nations have cooperated in various areas such as in trade, education, air services, labour, defence and broadcasting.

BIBD Booth at The Mall

I'm Lost

Finding our way in Seoul was pretty tough, the map didn't really help.

Strawberries