Tuesday, June 26, 2012

LEND A HAND


Time to be a do-gooder folks! 
Hospis Malaysia is having a Charity Bazaar to raise funds, to fund its charitable efforts that offer professional palliative care to patients who are suffering from life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, organ failure etc.
The poster says it all...so show up and lend your support for every ringgit means a lot and helps to sustain its noble existence.
Many see life as a great challenge, but death is another big challenge by itself. Oblivious to many, terminally ill patients are suffering a great deal emotionally and physically. The pain of battling with worsening health condition and hovering death can never, be understood by us healthy ones and we are only doing what we can to help them out in their last leg of journey on earth.
It is an endless advocacy, but not a thankless one. In order for this non-profit organization to survive, Hospis Malaysia needs funds to pay the bills, every year at least RM3 million to sustain the cost of operation, with over 1600 patients under their care. Services are provided at no cost to patients.  
So help spread the word, show up for the event and donate to the cause. Your money will help to save lives!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

iGO FORWARD

Star Power at the iGO Launch...Ian Ong (SuperModel), Issac Ong (Movie Actor), Alan Yun (SuperModel/Actor), Josiah Mizukami (Emcee/TV host), Peter Davis (Actor/Supermodel)

Clueless when it comes to looking for directions when you're driving? Wanna hunt down the newest, hottest eateries in town but dunno how to get there? 

Never fear, iGO primo app SEA edition is no here! Available at a promotional price of USD$9.99 for a limited time only, the navigation app is popular among iPhone and iPad users for its reliable route planning, intuitive interface and impressive 3D visualization. Download of community maps is FREE and users can also extend their navigation experience by purchasing speed camera databases and other  services. The community mapping portal and forum is open to public, ensuring its extensive maps are continuously updated and self-verified by MFM and NavNET contributing members, providing reliable navigation to the app users.
(Left to right) Handy app...Imre Dózsa, Head of Marketing Communications, NNG LLC, Lester Neil Francis, Group COO and Executive Director for M3 Group of Companies, Roger Huang, Vice President of Asia, NNG LLC

Other plus points include a wide range of advanced and mobile-optimized features such as Google local search, calling of POIs (Points of Interest) from within the app, Realistic Junction Views and 3D landmarks for easier orientation.

“South East Asia attracts millions of travelers every year, although the local traffic can be a challenge for first-time visitors. By launching the iGO primo app Southeast Asia edition with community-based maps on-board, we are offering quick help in one hand for the most popular holiday destinations such as Singapore and Malaysia,” says Roger Huang, Vice President of Asia at NNG LLC.
NNG’s wireless navigation solution for Southeast Asia is also available to network providers and smartphone manufacturers on Google Android and Microsoft WinCE operating system.
Ian Ong (SuperModel), Issac Ong (Movie Actor),  Roger Huang (Vice  President of Asia, NNG LLC),Imre Dózsa, Head of Marketing Communications, NNG LLC, Nadia Heng (Miss World Malaysia 2010/11), Alan Yun (SuperModel/Actor), Josiah Mizukami (Emcee/TV host), Peter Davis (Actor/Supermodel)

Thursday, June 14, 2012

GUERLAIN MAKE-UP MY DAY

Guerlain hosted an exclusive Bloggers Get-Together with its international make-up artist from Paris, Maxime Poulin recently at Alexis, The Gardens one sunny morning.

Maxime, who works and trains directly under Guerlain’s Creative Director, Olivier Echaudemaison showed attendees the art of make-up using the brand's sizzling summer collection, Terra Azzurra.

Karen Tan welcoming Maxime to the Guerlain event
After showing how to gently massage and apply acupressure to our delicate peepers' area, he proceeded to explain in length about each Guerlain products, highlighting their key benefits such as the inclusion of natural ingredients, water-based primer that reflects light but gives a matte finish and Guerlain's meteorites highlighting powder that makes skin look flawless under all lighting conditions.

Maxime also regaled us with the creative collaboration between Guerlain and Emilio Pucci's daughter for the Terra Azzurra range. Apparently, the dazzling colour palette was drawn from Mother Nature especially the brilliant blues of the sun and sea, and vibrant corals and pink hues in Portofino, Italy.

Emilion Pucci's famous print design is featured on the packaging
Polished walnut case with magnetic lid and Emilio Pucci's print pouch complete this sleek blush powder case
Maxime touting the exquisite eye shadow shades from the current range
Guerlain's ingenious mascara case comes with a tiny pop-up mirror!

As Maxime took us through each of the products used, we were given first-hand feel of their textures. We were also taken by surprise by the sheer ingenuity of certain packaging like in the case of Guerlain's mascara and lipstick casings.

After plying us with drinks and finger food, every attendee trotted happily home with little gift bags containing a Guerlain eyeshadow set and lipstick in each.

Friday, June 08, 2012

AN INSPIRING EDVENTURE

Edward Kwon strikes a pose in front of his promotional poster for LITV

I still remember the hallyu or Korean wave that swept the TV world by storm with its tear-jerking drama serials like Winter Sonata and Jewel In The Palace. Then came the K-pop phenomenon where pretty boys and girls-singing and dancing troupes such as Super Junior and Wonder Girls invaded the music scene.

Now brace yourself for yet another hallyu...this time in the culinary world where dishy Korean chefs like Edward Kwon are set to reign. The recent press launch of Life Inspired (LITV) Channel's EdVentures in Asia drew such a huge phalanx of media and bloggers that you'd think it was Lady Gaga who was in town rather a new, upcoming TV celebrity chef.

Edward Kwon, host of EdVentures In Asia (centre) flanked by 
Anne Chan, LITV Asia Sdn Bhd General Manager (right) and
Lim Hong Tat, Deputy President and Head Community Financial Services of Maybank
Kwon recounting to the media and invited guests on his past culinary experiences
If you haven't heard of Edward Kwon, the South Korean chef was formerly the executive chef of the Burj Al Arab, arguably one of the world's most luxurious hotels. Not surprisingly, he has cooked for a coterie of Hollywood stars and influential figures.

Madonna apparently enthused that his food was better than sex while Barbara Streisand wanted him to be her personal chef! Former US President George W Bush actually went into the kitchen to shook his hand after savouring his creations. Kwon also scored big time with Tiger Woods too.

I had expected Edward Kwon to be tall and well-built and was completely taken by surprise by his slight frame when the chef finally appeared to rapturous applause. With his easy demenour and boyish charm, Kwon soon had everyone practically eating out of his hands - and he hasn't even started cooking yet!

Edward Kwon invited the day's VIPs to join him in the kitchen

Despite the two VIP attendees' meek protestations, Kwon roped them in to fire up the grill so to speak by preparing Galbi Jjim, a dish of braised Wagyu short rib with soy sauce. 

Kwon's modern approach to his native cuisine is evident as we sat down to sample his culinary handiwork. The traditional SamGye Tang was transformed into succulent discs of chicken roulade speckled with black sesame seeds and puffy rice grains, accompanied by a frothy mass of delicate ginseng-flavoured espuma (foam).


Hot on the heels of that impressive starter was Foie Gras & Doeun Jang, an unlikely soup concocted from foie gras (gooseliver) and Korean bean paste with chervil. We were amazed that the unctuous broth was so luxuriantly rich on the palate without being overly cloying. The secret according to Kwon was to add some chopped white kim chi (Korean preserved vegetable) to balance and temper the full-bodied richness.
 
For the main, we sampled the Galbi Jjim, another Korean favourite of short rib. Instead of barbecuing it, Kwon opted to braise the Wagyu short rib in soy until its meltingly tender. Side salads of refreshing apple chilli salad and root vegetable made it a wholesome, complete meal.

Only the dessert was slightly disappointing...While we love the subtle tanginess of the Yuza & Yoghurt Mousse, the White Chocolate Crispy Rice had turned soft and chewy. Although the Bokbunja (Korean black raspberries) Sorbet and Vanilla Plum Wine Fluid Gel tasted reminiscent of dark plums, it paled in comparison to Kwon's earlier dishes which were much more outstanding.

After this sampling session, I look forward to see more of Edward Kwon in his EdVenture in Asia series every Sunday night at 9 pm on Astro Byond's LITV channel.

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