Of remembrance and gunfire breakfast...

ANZAC DAY (Melbourne April 25, 2010)

Woke up at 430 a.m. just to go for the Dawn Service at the Shrine of Remembrance which starts at 6 a.m. Talk about patriotism, I don't even wake up for the Merdeka Parade in Kuala Lumpur. So met up with Bryan and went to the Shrine first. Lydia was slightly late so she met up with us there. The morning was cold and the shrine was clouded with solemness. There were so many people there and as a Malaysian Chinese a.k.a. "Asian", I felt like I didn't belong there at all (yea, because the event had nothing to with me at all.). The ratio of Asians being there with the Caucasians is 2000 to 1. Seriously!

The event was very meaningful, everyone was serious for an hour and a half listening to speakers followed by the 21 gunshot salute as a symbolism in remembrance of those who died fighting in the war.

After the service, the three of us decided to walk around and snap some photos of the scene. We managed to witness the beautiful sunrise. I guess none of us have ever woken up so early since we touched down in Melbourne.

Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne in the Sunrise.

Security Guards of the Shrine Posing for cameras.

And even the "Two" year old girl managed to get a picture with one of the Guard. (Ask her for the inside joke)

Shadow play.

Posing for the Cameras.

Oh yea... I did find one reason why I need to celebrate ANZAC Day....

Yes... Because they fought for the state I was born in and also the country of my citizenship.

MALAYA (Later changed to Malaysia after 1963 when Sarawak and Sabah joined Peninsula Malaysia)

So many people were crowding into the Shrine to pay their respects to those soldiers who fallen in Battle. Me, Bryan and Lydia didn't bother to line up because there were just too many people.


By the eternal flame, you will see visitors throwing coins, trying to get it into the flame.  But it falls out anyway because there is a hole to allow nothing to get stuck inside.

Another Unique thing about this day was the breakfast that you can head to and try.  Its nothing special really.  Baked beans, a piece of bread, 2 sausages and scrambled eggs.  But from what I know, its the army food.  Before the parade started, the three of us head out to the gunfire breakfast tent to grab a bite to eat, its free, but they asked for donations, so you give what you feel is right.  

Try to imagine being the only few Asians in line.

The meal. Not too bad I have to say.

After breakfast, we head out to the streets to watch the parade of veterans and soldiers of Melbourne.  Here are the pictures of the day event... Not much to talk about.

Vintage soldier gas masks.  Look so frightful.

Medics in the past did not have ambulances, they had horses and carriages.

Army's photographer. Weapon: 2 DSLR cameras Brand: UNKNOWN...



We even manage to get a shot with one of the band players. SO COOL!

So ends my ANZAC Day experience.... It was so interesting.  As Lydia put it "I feel more Australian.".  We clearly would not find this kind of memorabilia or remembrance in Malaysia.  Even the "Pahlawan" remembrance is to remember only those Malay heroes.. What about the other races who fought for the Independence of Malaysia?  Was it only one race of heroes who gave freedom?  For a country who pride on multi-racial cooperation, we have one of the most racist attitude you can ever find.  That is why I admire the Australians.  They remember all their soldiers who fought in the war, no matter their race, their religion or where they were or their ancestors were from.  Sigh.. Need to pray for a better Government..... Ok... Hope you enjoy the post..

All the way from Melbourne.... Happy Reading!

SABD SPOoKFEST, 26/10/2009

Congratulations to the SABD Society for successfully planing and heading the SABD SPOOKFEST on the 26th October 2009! The event was (after three years in the Course) the largest and the loudest event ever organised by the SABD Society. It all started last year *click to read* when the board decided to come up with such events to give life to the faculty and it continued this year with many more participants and many more activities to see who dressed the "worst" for Halloween. Too bad today was our studio's interim and not many dressed up for the event due to stress. But I tried my best but ended up distributing sweets from a skull with bloody hands.

This is what sleep deprivation can lead too.

Armed with nothing but my camera phone [My camera died on me :( ], here are some of the scenes from the event today. Not many photos but please, enjoy.....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!

Borneo Cultural Festival 2009

The annual Borneo Cultural Festival, this year themed "Beauty in Ethnic Diversity" in conjunction with Najib's One Malaysia (I think) ended yesterday with many dance performance from every race, culture, religion, singing from local artists and also a special performance by artists from Semenanjung Malaysia and also from the New Zealand visitors whom will also be performing at the Rainforest Concert soon. Its a great cultural event which also educates others of the local and ethnic cultures on the Island of Borneo and also to bring in tourism to the state of Sarawak.

No offence but in my opinion, Sarawak was and still is one of the states in Malaysia who truly practices racial equality and freedom of religion and all the virtues which makes Malaysia, Malaysia. Like seriously, there are no news of tearing down of churches and temples in Sarawak but enough about that. Back to the festival.

Well, its the same every year. Food Bazzaar, make shift "Fun-Fair", exhibitions and also the cultural performance. What is different this year is the performances. The rest... Well, its the same as usual.

Colourful drinks.. Anyone wants a glass?


Ermm.. its not going fast, its photography trickery. HAHA... No la. Dark environment and blinking lights created this effect.

Well, I won't say my pictures are any good because I am still learning about night photography and some how most of the pictures turned out blur or like the one below because the artists moves alot. I seriously need a better camera and a flash to go with it. Anyone wants to sponsor?

Well, this performer was moving too much and thus the effect.



There were Chinese Dancers...



Hiphop dancers... Okay, there were not that good but the pictures captured them looking good.. But to me, the picture is still too blur.. But what to do?


There were ethnic singers meaning, Bidayuh singers, Iban singers, Melanau and etc.


And there was this guy who loved Sibu so much, he remixed some of the tradisional songs and changed the lyrics to incorporate how the Foo Chows love their Kampua and Kompia. Quite funny and entertaining.


And lets not forget the wonderful performance (including the band music) by Sarawak's ground forces who fused the Native warrior dance, the "Ngajat", Silat (the Malay Martial arts), and army moved into their routine.


At the end of the show, a soldier suddenly ran up and held a rifle and pointing into the air while others got into formation.


To protect and serve our native lands.

Being a "Loyal" citizen, I walked off and decided to take pictures of the scenes and noises around the Bazaar when our "dearly beloved" politicians gave their "interesting" speeches... And guess what... It lasted a good hour.....

There were seas of people that it made it hard to walk around and stop to take photos. Hawkers were so happy because business was so good that its so hard to even order food from them.

An hour later.......

I was back stage side snapping pictures....

Thanks to the local authorities and RELA, they allowed me to move from the crowd and in front of the barriers to take photos of the performances. Thanks to the outlooks of my Fuji S9500. HAHA... Yes yes.. My big beauty is back to help me snap photos but because night shots and no flash or tripod available and the shows were full of movement... The photos didn't turn out to be what I wanted.. But at least some turned out okay...






The many ethnic dances and performances really gathered the crowd. An hour after the shows restarted, the M.C. announced that according to the authorities, there were an estimated of 50000 people turning up for the finale. Thats like almost half of the town. I am not sure if it is true, but that was what was announced. So, not bad of a turn out for BCF 2009. Congratulations to the local Municipal Counsil, though in some ways, I still think you suck.


The scene behind me... 50000 people....


We had the Iban dancers ...



Chinese Ribbon dance....


A Malay Singer frm Semenanjung Malaysia...


A Band playing Wonderful Native American type of Music...


Then Bidayuh...


Then a Fusion between Malay and Hip Hop Routine...

Besides the local performers, we had New Zealand guest performers telling us about thier native lands and their culture. Here are some shots of the guests.

They even invited 3 people to perform with them.


And besides their Fierce Maori faces, they can sing very well.


Here is a short video of the performance they did.. First one is Hawaii, second is somewhere. I forgotten the name and the dance is called Killing Mosquitoes... Last one is Maori of New Zealand.

Oh yea, there were fireworks but I decided to go home before everyone does to stay away from the jam. HAHA.

Well, thats all from me. If you are interested to visit Sarawak, July is the best time because there is the Borneo Cultural Festival in Sibu, Rainforent Concert in Kuching and the Jazz festival in Miri. Well, that all from me, a chinese in the Borneo Island who loves his state very much...