Famous trio to help promote peace and harmony

Malaysia’s first Angkasawan, Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Malaysian Idols Jaclyn Victor and Daniel Lee have been appointed ambassadors for the upcoming Global Peace Festival 2008.

The three-day festival is to promote a vision of world peace and through service to others, inter-religious harmony and healthy families.

The pop stars will present the theme song of the festival entitled Where Peace Begins at the main celebration while Sheikh Muszaphar will share his experience in space through a talk entitled “Standing in the Eye of the World” at the Global Family Carnival of the festival.

Sheikh Muszaphar said the appointment is an honour to him as he has always been interested in making a change in the world.

“Ever since I came back from space, I found myself uninterested in small, petty things, so when the opportunity came for me to get involved in the Global Peace Festival, I was delighted,” he said at a press conference at The Gardens Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

For Jaclyn, what is important is the awareness that star presence, like herself, generate in such campaigns.

“We take little things for granted, like love and respect for each other.

“That’s why I think this is an important movement, to instill love and respect thus creating peace,” she said.

Festival chairman Tan Sri Zaleha Ismail said that the festival was “not a one-time event” but a continuous effort to promote peace and harmony in the world.

“The ambassadors are examples to society (with their achievements and merits). With them as the face of the festival and our hard work, this is our chance to help the society to become one Malaysian family or even one global family,” she said.

Later, a project of the festival - “Power of 10 Sen’’ - organised by Universal Peace Federation and United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) was launched in conjunction with the International Day for The Eradication of Poverty on Oct 17.

The project aims to collect funds from school children and corporate bodies to be channelled to Unicef, International Friendship Foundation and Yayasan Amal Malaysia.

The event also saw the launch of the festival logo by the ambassadors.

Festival patron Tan Sri Dr Saleha Mohd Ali, festival director Dr Teh Su Thye, Department of National Unity and National Integration of the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry director Datuk Azman Hassan and Unicef representative Youssouf Oomar were also present.

More than 20,000 people are expected to gather at the Bukit Jalil Stadium from Oct 17 to 19.

The festival is jointly organised by the Universal Peace Federation Malaysia, the United Nation Association of Malaysia and Pure Love & True Family Malaysia for World Peace in collaboration with the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

Idol Daniel and Jacklyn thinks photography is good enough to sing about

Petaling Jaya: Malaysian Idol 2005 Daniel Lee loves to take pictures, a hobby he credits his photographer father.

His father owns a photo studio in his hometown Changlun near Alor Star in Kedah.

Daniel will never fail to snap away at any images that capture his attention. He usually takes along a camera wherever he goes.

“I love taking natural and colourful pictures. Landscape is my favourite subject. I was brought up in a rural area where the padi fields were my beautiful playground.

“I also like taking close-ups of objects and people,” said Daniel while viewing some of the pictures at The Star’s Changing Malaysia photo exhibition at 1-Utama shopping mall.

Daniel commended The Star for initiating the exhibition as it promotes love for the environment and nature.

“It also shows how we live in a peaceful multi-ethnic and culturally-rich country,” he added.

Jaclyn Victor, the 2004 Malaysian Idol, concurred with Daniel saying the photographs had captured the beauty in everyday situations.

“They turn out to be so wonderful when captured on lens,” she said, referring to the picture of KL Tower, majestic under a cloud with the backdrop of old buildings.

Jointly organised with Petronas in conjunction with the 51st National Day celebration, the exhibition will end today.

Jaclyn Victor on Songs of hope for Sichuan quake victims

Artistes from Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan come together to raise funds for Sichuan earthquake victims.

In response to the crisis unfolding in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake, the biggest to hit China in more than 30 years, a group of like-minded people have set up a charitable body called i-Trust to provide aid to the 15 million displaced and 5.47 million made homeless by the disaster.

Hong Kong actress Ewong Yung Hung started the ball rolling as founder of i-Trust when she made a call to her Malaysian partner Alan Chan, who became the chairman of i-Trust, working tirelessly behind the scenes. Miss Malaysia/Universe 2007 Deborah Henry came on board as i-Trust ambassador.

The celebrities who were at the press conference in Kuala Lumpur with Yung and Deborah included Datin Maylene Yong, who is active in charity work, veteran Hong Kong actor Tao Ping, singer Athena Beh, Project Superstar season one male and female champions John Wee and Desiree Tan and the newly-formed local pop duo MJH (Man Jiang Hong) of Frankie and Heng.

Beijing-born Yung also sang the theme song she had recorded for the Sichuan relief concert music video titled Tian Si De Wei Xiao (Smile of an Angel).

“It took three attempts before I could get the song properly recorded as I couldn’t help but break down each time the visuals of the child victims came on,” said Yung, 39, who has a 10-month-old daughter.

She expressed excitement at her own child’s development, in particular, standing up and walking for the very first time.

“My heart went out to the children who were affected by the Sichuan earthquake. They are like angels who have lost their smiles. I felt that I had to do something for them.

“Charity work makes me very happy. It has been a journey of self-discovery. When we help others, they help us back. People want to know why we are only now starting our charity efforts. But, I believe charity only has a beginning but no ending.

“We shall endeavour to gather our collective efforts to organise a charity event like this every year,” she said, adding that they would concentrate their efforts on providing relief to children and the elderly.

“Apart from child care centres, we’d like to make available daycare centres for seniors to help keep old folk safe,” said Yung.

The board of trustees of i-Trust hope to raise funds together with charity partners such as Tzu Chi Foundation via a gala dinner followed by a charity concert in October. Both promise to be star-studded events with the celebrity support of more than 20 artistes from Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

From Hong Kong are Andy Hui Chi On, Dicky Cheung Wai Kin, Lee Heung Kam, Tam Peng Mun and Tao Ping. From Taiwan are artistes Van Fan Yi Chen and JJ Jen-Show Jen.

Malaysian artistes include Ah Niu (Tan Kheng Siong), Ning Baizura, Jaclyn Victor, Juwita Suwito, Andrew Tan, John Wee, Christy Tan, Desiree Tan, Athena Beh and MJH.

Organised by i-Trust, both events are endorsed by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia with radio support from local Chinese radio station 988 FM, which is operated by The Star.

Jaclyn Victor in Talentime

Renowned film-maker Yasmin Ahmad is back in her directing shoes for her new feature film called Talentime. Currently shooting in Ipoh, the movie is about a inter-school talent competition among schoolchildren.

"But more importantly, the movie concentrates on human behaviour and emotions," said Yasmin in an interview. "The idea behind my movie is that as humans, we have to go through a lot of pain and some measure of suffering before we can reach greater heights. "But more accurately, the idea really comes from my own observations that some of the best moments in my life were those moments where you failed and how that shapes you as an individual.

"So here is a simple story about the struggles the kids go through for this competition and with it is a love story about a Malay-Eurasian girl called Melor played by Pamela Chong, falling for a deaf and dumb Indian guy played by newcomer Mahesh Jugal Kishore."

Other stars include Mohd Syafie Naswip, who made his debut performance in Mukhsin, Jaclyn Victor, Ida Nerina, Adibah Noor, Harith Iskandar and Azean Irdawaty.

Talentime will feature a lovely soundtrack O Re Piya, from Bollywood's acclaimed love story last year, Aaja Nachle.

Jacklyn Victor on Merdeka Eve Celebrations

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - A smaller allocation this year by the government for the 51st Merdeka Day (Independence Day) celebrations and a drizzle did not dampen the patriotic spirit of Malaysians to come out and celebrate the eve of the occasion at several locations in the federal capital Saturday night.

Gracing the celebration at Dataran Merdeka was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah who arrived at 11.45pm and were welcomed by Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and his wife Datin Seri Shuryani Shuaib. Mohd Shafie is the chairman of the Merdeka Day celebrations committee.

Also present were Cabinet ministers, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan and foreign missions' representatives. The highlight of the celebration to mark Malaysia's independence day on August 31 were the seven shouts of 'Merdeka' by Abdullah followed by the raising of the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) by National Service trainees to the strains of the national anthem sung by the 30,000-odd crowd present. This was followed by a 10-minute fireworks show that lit up the skies of the city as those present sang this year's theme song "Unity The Pillar of Success".

The celebrations began at 8pm with a stage show of the arts and culture of the various races and included entertainment by artistes like Datuk M Daud Kilau, Dayang Nurfaezah, Raihan and Meet Uncle Hussein. Besides at Dataran Merdeka, various other programmes also took place around the city including at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and Jalan Bukit Bintang. At KLCC more than 10,000 people started gathering at 8pm to wait till midnight, a tradition there now. The event at KLCC saw the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

There was entertainment by popular singers Faizal Tahir, Aisyah, Sheila Majid, Reshmonu, Jacklyn Victor and the Rabbani and Butterfingers groups.

At Jalan Bukit Bintang, the celebrations saw the presence of many foreign visitors who swelled the crowd at the popular tourist spot.

Singles, Music Videos, Conerts and of Jaclyn Victor

Singles

• In a Dream (2002, released only in independent music circles)
• Gemilang (2004)
• Di Bawah Pohon Asmara (2005)
• Tiada Lagi Indah (2005)
• Cuma Setia (2005)
• Wajah (2005, theme song for "Bersamamu" TV3)
• Getaran Rinduku (2005)
• Cepat Cepat (2006)
• Ceritera Cinta (2006, duet with Rio Febrian)
• Without You (2006, duet with Same Same)
• Jealous (2007)
• Satu Harapan (2007, theme song for Malaysian version of Telenovela Mi Gorda Bella, Manjalara)
• Cinta Tiada Akhirnya (2007)
• Kau Muzik di hatiku (2007, duet with Vince Chong) (OST of High School Musical 2 - Asian Edition)
• You're the Music in Me (2007, duet with Vince Chong) (OST of High School Musical 2 - Asian Edition)
• Dambaran Cinta (2008, theme song for Apa Kata Hati)

Music videos

• Gemilang
• Wajah
• Cinta (duet with Misha Omar)
• Without You (duet with Same Same)
• Cepat-Cepat
• Ceritera Cinta (duet with Rio Febrian)
• Ipoh Mali (as featuring artiste)
• Satu Harapan
• You're the Music in Me (2007, duet with Vince Chong)
• Awards
• Hitz. FM Best Newcomer Award - 12 March 2005
• Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian - Most Popular New Female Artist - 13 April 2005
• Malaysia's Global Chinese Recommended Golden Arts Award (Music Category) - 16 July 2005
• XIII Shanghai Asian Music Festival Golden Prize - 28 October 2005
• RTM Hits 1 - 21 January 2006

o Best Song Award - Gemilang
o Best Performance Award

• TV3 Anugerah Juara Lagu - 5 February 2006

o Juara Lagu Best Ballad Award - Gemilang
o Song Of The Year Award - Gemilang

• Anugerah Planet Muzik (Singapore) - 24 March 2006 - Best Female Artist
  
• 13th Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) Malaysia - 29 April 2006

o Best New Artist
o Best Arrangement in a Song
o Best Pop Album
o Album of the Year

• URS Magazine Award - Non-malay glamour artist
• 14th Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) Malaysia - 28 April 2007 - Best Female Vocal Performance in an Album
• IKON MALAYSIA - Winner of Ikon Malaysia - Solo
• Anugerah Era 2007 - Chosen Local English Artiste - Ipoh Mali/Point Blanc
• Anugerah Juara Lagu 27 January 2008 - Best Vocal Performance Ceritera Cinta (duet with Lah, from VE)
  

Concerts

o Zoom in with Jaclyn Victor (2005)
o Konsert Fenomena Jaclyn Victor & Misha Omar (2005)
o Sunday Nite Live at Planet Hollywood (2006)
o Zoom in with Jaclyn Victor (2006)
o Konsert Fenomena Jaclyn Victor & Dayang Nurfaizah (2006)
o Down Memory Lane with Jaclyn Victor (2007)
o Malam Gemilang Ekslusif bersama Jaclyn Victor @ Planet Hollywood (2007)

Cute swing-about also features Jaclyn Victor

A cute, nifty, handbag-friendly new book has hit the market in time for our 51st Merdeka. Smartly called 50+1.Malaysia, the book is an ode to the nation.

Just when we thought the dust had settled after our lavish coming-of-age party last year commemorating a half-century of independence, the year 2008 brings a tiny but charming tome exalting our beloved land.

The size of a large wallet, the feel-good 50+1.Malaysia is the brainchild of Quachee, who at 26, was just one year old when Malaysia was a quarter-century old.

The sometimes model and self-described “dreamer entrepreneur” describes the book as an “entertainment-travel guidebook”. But it is less Time Out Malaysia and more of a condensed and instant dose of Malaysiana.

The book is perfect as a present for foreign friends or Malaysian students who have stayed away too long.

Of course, it includes the inevitable, like Food, Places to Visit, Things to Do and Festivals, etc. These are rather run-of-the-mill but the saving grace is in the first and last two chapters.

The chapter Truly Malaysian deals with Malaysian English and explains the nuances of such words from the vernacular as lah, one, aiyoh, chin chai, yam seng, syiok, ta pao, belanja and alamak. Quachee, like Kit Leee, calls it “Manglish”, which gives it the impression of being mangled English, which it is in a sense.

There is also a discourse on Malaysian fabrics and fashion. This is not surprising, considering the fact that Quachee’s first publication was the lavish coffee-table book Batik Inspirations.

The opening gambit succeeds in grabbing our attention as it delves on all things Malaysian, from the way we speak, to the Malaysian car, to hibiscus, MyKad, gamelan and a mishmash of familiar and little-heard-of stuff.

Every chapter features exactly 51 items (now why are we not surprised?), which makes the book easy to read and refer to. One suspect, though, that occasionally Quachee had to stretch or shorten each description to accommodate the holy grail of 51.

Invariably, some of these overlap, like cave exploration, which is found in both Places to Visit and Things to Do.

Most entries deal with the things that any free tourist brochure will include, from satay to laksa, yong tau fu to buah keluak, Jonker Street in Malacca to Suria KLCC, all the major state museums, cultural villages, temples, caves, islands, forest reserves, beaches and you get the drift.

More interesting is the line-up of notable Malaysians. Badminton silver medallist Lee Chong Wei’s triumph at the recent Olympics came too late for him to be included in the list, but Lee is described as “one of Malaysia’s most promising badminton players”.

This shows Quachee to have his pulse on the who’s who of the sporting and entertainment world. More examples: he lists Maya Karin and Rosyam Nor,both of whom recently won Best Actress and Best Actor nods at the 21st Malaysian Film Festival.

The drawback is the lack of photos in the book. Not all of those honoured in 50+1.Malaysia have their mugshots included.

Of the 51 Malaysians, only 30 come with their photos attached, and these tend to be among the most photographed personalities, like angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, Chef Wan, Erra Fazira, Mawi, Maya Karin, Jaclyn Victor, Fish Leong, Datuk Michelle Yeoh and Amber Chia.

Not that many know or have heard of Fasha Sandha, who limps in with a mere five sentences, Jazeman Jaafar, Penny Tai, Rynn Lim and Saiful Apek. Quachee also has a penchant for songwriters.

The last chapter, 50+1 Love Expressions, is postcard-perfect with tributes and pretty pictures by ordinary Malaysians showing, among other things, cascades of the Malaysian flags. The websites of contributors are listed should you get the urge to download what you see.

Still, the book is readable, fun and surprisingly enlightening. And it’s reasonably priced at RM19.90.