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Kota Kinabalu: Denmark’s biggest television network, TV2, will showcase Sabah’s green image and exotic culture to millions of Danes next February.

The means to kick off this mass awareness to Scandinavians is a brand new eight-episode documentary series entitled “Girls Off The Beaten Track”, shot in Telupid’s primeval Tawau jungle and its spectacular waterfalls, Semporna’s basic but happy Sea Gypsy lifestyle and our iconic orang-utan conservation programme in Sepilok.

A 13-member film crew from Copenhagen-based Eyeworks Denmark, led by Producer and Director, Jesper Aeroe Vinther, and military instructor, Lothar Friis, and a dozen-strong production crew, spent more than two weeks on location shoot in Gomboron, Bohaydulang island, Semporna and Sandakan.

The series stars seven vivacious 18-year-old fresh high school girl graduates who were tested to their limits through a hard jungle survival experience, living with the luxury-deprived Sea Gypsies, planting new palms and working with the orang-utan in Sepilok.

Most of the girls come from wealthy Danish families and are therefore considered “spoiled”, metaphorically speaking.

“Girls Off The Beaten Track” is a factual entertainment series about taking the step into adulthood and stand on their own feet, about becoming mature, independent, learning about other cultures, nature and order to raise understanding of themselves and their own culture,” said Jesper.

“This is done by plunging a cream of seven specially selected fresh Danish high school girls into a challenge of their life time – an expedition to Sabah Borneo, having to do without the mobile phone, laptop and the parent safety net,” he said.

Read more @ http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=74211

THIS year, the Hungry Ghosts Festival is from Aug 10 to Sept 7. During this one-month period, the Chinese would generally not stay out so late.

This is to ensure there are no unnecessary and unwanted encounters with those that had just been released from hell to search for food, and apparently in some cases, to seek revenge.

To appease these ghosts and ghouls, delicious food is offered and interesting shows or concerts featuring scantily-clad women are staged all over the country. This is to satiate the hunger of the hungry ghosts, as well as to keep them preoccupied. VIP treatment indeed for these citizens of the netherworld.
Those who pay a visit to the make-shift tents set up to provide entertainment for the spirits will notice that the front row is always empty. Well, these are reserved for the spirits. Sitting on these seats will invite very bad luck. One will have all kinds of problems for at least one year if one were foolhardy enough to do so. Some contend that the bad luck will last a lifetime. Tough.

How do we know, however, that the ghosts like the food and entertainment offered? There was a debate recently over whether the ghosts would be angered by the show of flesh by dancers during the concerts. This discussion is ongoing. Who can they ask for a definitive answer, after all?

But really, entertainment aside, what kind of food do ghosts like? According to myth and folklore, ghosts or vampires in particular, prefer human blood. Why then do we serve them fruits and kuih?
Why is it that so much is known about the likes and dislikes of ghosts when most of us have not seen them before? Even if someone claims they have seen a spook, would we believe him? There is no way to verify whether that person is telling the truth or a possible candidate for the loony bin.

Everything we purportedly know about ghosts is based on hearsay, speculation and wild imagination. For instance, it is said that ghosts are the souls of human beings who had died.

There are also those who claim that ghostly sightings are due to energy fields, or are imprints of something that happened in the past. And then there are theories that spirits are actually beings from another dimension.
It is also said that those who died a violent and tragic death would become a fierce ghost. In Chinese movies, women who died while wearing a red dress will return as a vengeful ghost.

What we know about ghosts are primarily from the movies and comic books. We are scared of them because ghosts are often portrayed as hideous, cackling or croaking beings thanks to skillful make-up artists. Where did these make-up artists get their inspiration from? I doubt they have personally seen a ghost. Chances are the make-up is not authorised by the netherworld and is done based on their own imagination and creativity.

Do ghosts really have long hair, a pale face and sharp incisors? Are they really as fierce or scary as they have been made out to be? Do they even exist?

by Sim Bak Heng.

Read more @ http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/22sim2205/Article/

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia will once again represented by Sabahan beauties in the Miss Tourism Queen International 2010, which will be held in Guangzhou China in October.

TALENTED BEAUTIES: Elaine (left) and Julylen with Cassandra.

The pageant will see Miss Malaysia Tourism Queen International Julylen Liew Ei Ling and Miss Borneo Tourism Queen International 2010 Elaine Audrey Lee following in the footsteps of the very persons who helped them win their national and Borneo crowns, Cassandra Patrick and Stella Matilda.

Julylen, a 20-year-old Sino Kadazan who also has Filipino and Spanish blood, attributed her great shape and radiant looks to her active involvement in extra-curricular activities in school.

“I love singing, dancing and jogging. I am a happy go lucky person and I like to help people whenever and however I can,” she said.

“I won a great number of medals in athletics and I was also active in modern and traditional dance events during my school days. After I completed my studies, I pursued a career in modeling and joined several competitions.

“I have won a few titles and the recent title that I won was the Miss Malaysia Tourism Queen International together with subsidiary tittle Miss Palace Charming Beauty. Besides, I’ve participated in the Grand Final of Mystarz LG2 Talent Show 2008,” said Julylen, who is better known among friends and family as Gzell.

According to Julylen, the hardest thing to do in the competition is for the participants to challenge themselves to be the best among all in anything they do and to show how outstanding and different they are.

“The best part of this competition is that I got to know a lot of friends from many places and you can learn many things and of course the precious experience which is really important,” she said.

by Gordon H. Chin.

Read more @ http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=59135

KUALA LUMPUR: At least 200 people in the city have been conned of nearly RM10mil since early last year by Africans who entered the country on student visas, but never once stepped into a classroom.

Although these so-called “students” are enrolled in top colleges under fake scholarships, they are more often spotted cruising in flashy cars and frequenting nightspots.

These Africans are believed to be conmen who plied their shady trade overseas before dumping their ill-gotten gains in local banks and “settling down” here.

However, once here, they continue their activities by duping Malaysians of their life savings, using bank accounts of locals to cheat their victims, who are mostly single successful women, either divorced or widowed.

Among the most common scams are tricking Malaysians into paying for non-existent gifts, buying coloured water as “vaccines” to keep cattle healthy and disease-free, and “black money” cases.

City Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief Asst Comm Izany Abdul Ghany, who revealed this, said it was alarming that despite numerous warnings, Malay­sians continued to fall into the conmen’s trap.

He said scams operated by Africans topped the list of commercial crime cases in the city, reeling in the largest amount of ill-gotten money.

“The numbers are rising. Between January last year and June, locals in the city alone were cheated of nearly RM10mil, and the figure could be higher because some victims are still unaware that they are being conned. “The scams are committed throughout the country but the exchange of money usually takes place in the city,” ACP Izany said, adding that over 100 women and 80 men were conned since early last year.

by Andrew Sagayam.

Read more @ http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/16/nation/6863387&sec=nation

BODEK is a word in the Malay language that really has no literal translation in English, much like gatal or gedik. Loosely translated, it means to fawn over, flatter or curry favour with.

It is what people generally do, whether consciously or not, when in the presence of someone in a position of power or authority. It is what many resort to when they want something but are loath to work too hard for it — that appointment with the celebrity hairdresser, a prefect’s post for their child or that job promotion.

It is particularly prevalent among those in certain fields of work, as their livelihoods and status are dependent on it. Some women bodek by being gedik or gatal, but these tactics are not recommended for those of the opposite gender for fear of repercussions, whether legal or otherwise.

Even children know how to do it to get their parents to accede to their wishes. Want the latest transforming toy that costs as much as an iPad? Just tell your mother she looks 10 years younger than that 20-year-old aunt.

On Teachers’ Day, get Cikgu an expensive box of imported chocolates and a bouquet of flowers. Help her carry her books to her car every day. That may guarantee an A or A+ in a few subjects when the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah and Penilaian Menengah Rendah are scrapped and exams become school-based. Or at least that’s what some educationists fear — “bribery” by students and favouritism by teachers.
It is not a criminal offence to fawn over or flatter someone to get something you want. Unless, of course, money or expensive gifts are involved for those in public or private service. But is it right, or even acceptable, in accordance with societal norms? Is it part of human nature?

Has it become necessary to get something done? Or to get anywhere? Are we only ever nice to those who can do something for us? Do we, as a result, shun “nobodies” the way we once shunned lepers?

This question came to the fore recently during a meeting with a former VIP. Now no longer as important, he recalled how he was perpetually surrounded by “friends” and an entourage when he was somebody.
All the hangers-on and opportunists dissipated into thin air as soon as his VIP status was downgraded.

“The ‘friends’, except for very few, disappeared. Some even ran off when they saw me coming, they did not want to be seen or associated with me.”

One positive aspect, of course, is that one gets to find out who one’s real friends are. That former Very Important Person now knows exactly who he can trust and depend on through good times and bad.

by Chok Suat Ling.

Read more @ http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/17suat1108/Article/

Elaine (left) and Julylen at the press conference yesterday.

KOTA KINABALU: For two years in a row, Sabah will have the distinction of representing the country in one of the most prestigious pageants this year.

Sabahan duo Elaine Audrey Lee, 18, and Julylen Liew, 20, will compete in the world finals of the Miss Tourism Queen International 2010 in Guangzhou, China slated for Sept 3 – 27.

Elaine was crowned as Miss Borneo Tourism Queen International 2010 in the final on Friday while Julylen is this year’s Miss Malaysia Tourism Queen International 2010 winner.

Last year, Malaysia was represented by Sabahan beauties Stella Matilda and Cassandra Patrick represented Malaysia in the Miss Tourism World pageant.

“I am so happy that I won the title. I still cannot believe it but yes, I did it.

“I learn a lot of things during the three weeks’ run-up to the pageant here and I will do my best at the international competition,” said the elated Elaine during a press conference at Hyatt Regency Hotel yesterday.

Elaine who is supposed to continue her studies in Architecture this September will postpone her plans to next year since she is so excited to represent Malaysia in the World Miss Tourism Queen International 2010.

As both Elaine and Julylen are under Foxy Production, they will be trained by its CEOs, Stella Matilda and Cassandra Patrick who were also the former winners in both pageants.

“After we have both represented Malaysia in this world pageant, we will start grooming them (Elaine and Julylen) in terms of talent, physical, public speaking, table manners and other things because we only have one month to make sure that they are ready to be there, among the 100 contenders.

“Both of them are very new in beauty pageant. This is our main challenge because we have very limited time to train them,” Cassandra said yesterday.

by Mariah Doksil.

Read more @ http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=56236

KOTA KINABALU: It has been barely two weeks since Appey Rowenna Januin won the coveted Miss Malaysia Earth 2010 crown, but she is already working round the clock to prepare for the international pageant in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Appey to represent Malaysia in Miss Earth International in Nha Trang, Vietnam in November.

The 19-year-old beauty told The Borneo Post yesterday she was excited about participating in the Miss Earth pageant, the second Sabahan after Mandy Nandu to compete in the event, which will take place in November.

“This is an opportunity to show Sabahan faces in the international beauty pageant and bring our culture to the world by parading our traditional costumes during the competition,” she said.

“At the moment I am still attending my classes but there are many things that I should do to prepare myself for the international beauty pageant while at the same time striving to perform well in my study,” said Appey, who is currently taking a course at Asian Tourism Institute (ATI) College.

Apart from reading a lot about current world issues such as the climate change, Appey is also working on her public speaking skills to raise her confidence level with the help of Mandy.

She said the pageant interview is one of the most important parts of the competition. She believed more discussions about environmental issues will help her to perform better.

Read more @ http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=54035

FASHION and style are such subjective issues. Between the two there is a clear difference. Fashion is seasonal and subject to the whims and moods of the current time, generation and thinking. Therefore, it’s easy to pin-point and reference an outfit or look to a certain time frame.

Style however, rests solely on an person’s taste and is individualistic enough to mark the arbiter of it as something wholly personal.

The only thing that makes fashion and style similar is that both can be copied, (rather badly) but the difference, as Yves Saint Laurent said in the oft-mentioned quote, is that “fashions fade, style is eternal”.

A lot of people think they know what fashion is all about. In fact, everyone thinks they know what is fashion to the point that the current fashion is that anyone can be a designer, be it of clothes, shoes, bags or accessories.

What is so difficult about fashion? You look at what the current trends are, what people would most likely want to wear or buy, get a familiar face like whoever the darling of the masses is to wear or carry it, and there you go, you’re in fashion.

Now, if only it were that simple, everyone be the next big thing just like that.

No one wants to talk or think about the reality of the fashion industry – creativity, hard work, passion and commitment. Selling fashion on the Internet is something anyone can do, opening a boutique and stocking it with cheap and fast fashion from our neighbouring countries is child’s play.

Getting your best friend, the style icon to wear it and be photographed is no big deal, especially when you’re friends with people who are in the industry. But what does it take really to make it in the world of fashion? I love this quote from Karl Lagerfeld: “Ask yourself, are you sure this world is for you? And are you sure you are the right person to survive this world – the fashion world, a world with no rules, no laws?” – it puts everything in perspective.

by Dzireena Mahadzir.

Read more @ http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?col=senseofstyle&file=/2010/7/25/columnists/senseofstyle/6711264&sec=Sense%20Of%20Style

PAPAR: Most unemployed youths, including graduates, in the state are found to be only keen on working for the Government, according to Assistant Minister of Human Resource and Information Technology Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid.

Instead of remaining jobless, they should change their mindset by not being too choosy, as not all people can secure their dream jobs, Jainah said after launching the Youth Entrepreneurship and Excellence Seminar at National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) here yesterday.

She said they should open their mind and avail themselves of the ample employment opportunities in tourism, hospitality and plantation sectors.

“At the same time, the employers in these industries should at least offer a higher salary to local employees than foreign workers,” she said.

Jainab pointed out that if the total cost of hiring foreign workers, including levy and accommodation, is calculated, it would be much higher than the basic pay.

As such, there is no reason why the employers cannot offer a higher salary to local workers, as they would not have to pay levy and even accommodation for many, she said

Jainab urged jobless local youths to register with the Sabah Job Centre to avoid being cheated by irresponsible recruitment agents.

“If the unemployed youths register with Sabah Job Centre or Malaysia Job Centre, at least our ministry could help them to identify which companies offer the right jobs,” she said.

by Suraidah Roslan.

Read more @ http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=53751