Rip Curl: Sun, Sand, Beach and Shades

by Daniel Chiam

Olla people, updating live from Terengganu! If you've been snooping around here long enough then you'll know that I will be at Batu Burok, Terrenganu for the weekend to cover for the Rip Curl Pro's Malaysia first ever 6-Star Asian Surfing Championship! It's happening from 30th November till 2nd December. So if you are nearby, do drop by for this happening event!

Just for this this event, I have raided the Rip Curl's fitting room just to find something nice from them to wear on the beach, enjoying the sun, listening to the ocean's wave and checking out girls in bikinis :D

It's blardy red mate!

I really like the fabric of Rip Curl's t-shirt. It's soft, thin and very comfortable as a beach wear. Especially with the sun trying to burn you up, a normal cotton t-shirt just makes it even warmer and you'll easily sweat but that's not the case with Rip Curl's t-shirt.

Checkout the awkward smile mate

You can even feel it when the breezing wind is blowing at you because of the thin fabric. It is just an awesome and soothing feeling; a full body experience with nature. I'm also checking out their shorts and was hoping that I can buy one for my future island or beach trip, haha. They have a lot of good looking pants but I like this particular one. 

Hmm should I buy the pants or not....

Just to let you know, Rip Curl is an Australian brand and their sizes are one or two size bigger for Asian. I was trying out size XS and S for all the shirts here, that's why you can see my tummy and how I tried my best to suck it in to make it less obvious, haha.

Freakin' awesome pants

Anyway, I am very much looking forward for the event later in the morning. I'll try my best to update it at night and letting you in on what's going on in Malaysia first ever 6-Star Asian Surfing Championship. All the best especially to our Malaysian surfers - Brenda, Semmy and Bryan Ng.

All the hair, beard and mustache for #Movember

Shades are crucial to protect the eyes from the sun, to look cool and to steal a few glimpses of the people around you, hahaha. I am so ready for the beach and also to surf the wave (if I got the chance)!

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

| room8five @ Google+ | Facebook | NuffnangX | Twitter | 

Men, Make-up & Concealer

by Max Law from MaxMayo.com

Photo source

Please don’t squirm after reading the title of this post. :)

Men cosmetics is becoming a commodity nowadays. If you’re not working in the showbiz or the fashion industry, the idea of men wearing make-up in daily life might still be very alien to you. For Malaysian men, it might be even more so.

“Should men wear make-up?”. Well, that’s a subjective question.


Why Men Make-up?

“Make-up” means applying substance onto one’s face in order to enhance or to alter one’s appearance. In a generation where physical look is important and physical attractiveness is highly valued, it’s natural that men are putting more and more effort into maintaining themselves.

From my experience of browsing resumes and searching for interview candidates, I can honestly tell you that everybody always prefers the “shinier” looking ones, albeit the rest of the candidates display the same qualification & skills. #TrueStory

In reality, not many men gets 8 hours of sleep everyday. Unless you’re genetically gifted, you can’t run away from under eye dark cycles, puffy eyes, acne and dull skin.

But, how does one still look great with all the crazy schedule and timeline? (Yes, now think of male celebrities). And it’s true that we really expect you to look fresh and all during the job interview. :)

Men’s cosmetics were invented to address this new need of men. Technically speaking, they “fix” the imperfection of reality.

Before and after. Photo source

Male celebrities or actors are supposed to look perfect on-screen. So for normal guys, the question remains: how far would you go?

How Far is Too Far?

The common cosmetics for men to enhance their look includes foundation, concealer, bronzer and eyebrow fillers.

As a working adult man who’s not a make-up artist, I think a concealer is generally considered acceptable. It is very useful, and it’s that little trick that you can do to appear more lively and awake within a few minutes.

Well if you think even applying concealer is threatening your manhood, let me tell you what somebody once taught me: real men don’t need other people to tell them they’re men. :P #Quote

The Concealer for Men

The ultimate goal of concealer is to conceal your zits, dark eye circles, redness and sometimes acne scars.

You’re not going to apply concealer all over the face, and you just need a concealer that can do the job, so any brand of concealer is sufficient. You can even ask your girlfriend to choose and buy for you.

Here’s a useful guide about choosing the right concealer and how to use it:

So, are you ready to get your concealer? Haha!

Hope this post is helpful. Good luck :)

Checkout Max at MaxMayo.com and follow him on twitter @maxmayo for more updates and fashion tips! 
Max Law is also Nuffnang's Blogger of the month for September 2013!

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

| room8five @ Google+ | Facebook | NuffnangX | Twitter | Instagram

Vivy Yusof Won the Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Flavour Election Campaign!

by Daniel Chiam

Vivy Yusof who won the Baskin Robbins ice cream campaign. Photo courtesy of Jess 

BURP! Excuse me. Ice cream overloaded. I was at the The Square, Publika for the finale of Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Flavour Election Promotion Campaign. As you all know by now, Vivi Yusof (proudduck.com) with her Pralines n' Cream flavour ice cream has won the campaign by you votes and you can find Vivi's flavour ice cream in the Baskin Robbins' menu for a year (till 23rd November 2013) and also free upsize with any Double Junior Scoop on weekdays from 10am - 3pm for a whole year starting Monday!!! Congratulation to Vivi =)

I won!!!!! Yayyy the whole of Malaysia will get a Free Upsize at Baskin Robbins in the whole of 2013. Thanks instagr.am/p/SX_l1yR6ur/
— Vivy Yusof (@vivyyusof) November 23, 2012

It was down to 5 bloggers with 5 flavours, 5 promises and only one winner. The other bloggers who were also campaigning are Hanis Zalikha with her World Class Chocolate and free toppings when you purchase double scoops ice cream, Kinky Blue Fairy with her Jamoca Almond Fudge and mini waffle sundae @ RM9.90+, KY Speaks and his Very Berry Strawberry and 31% off waffle berry sundaes, Sixth Seal with his Cookies n' Cream and buy 1 blast, 50% off the 2nd blast. Which is your vote?

Mynn from Red FM and Liang performing.

I managed to tried all of the ice cream flavours cause Baskin Robbins was kind enough to gave a free flow of ice cream to everyone who attended the finale that night. I do have to admit that I favor the taste of Pralines n' Cream, its really delicious! Can't really remember when was the last time I was so stuffed with that many awesome ice creams.

Anuar and Fareed eating like mad!

Talking about stuffed yourself with ice cream, there were also ice creams eating competition to determine who can finished up the most ice creams in the given time or finishes the amount of ice creams provided before the given time.

Our friend Fareed and Atika won the competition in two separate round and both are walking away with Baskin Robbins vouchers to be use for a year! Its a lot of vouchers! They were kind enough to gave us some of it, wooohooo! Thanks again guys!

Atika, Fareed, Anuar and me. Photo courtesy of Anuar.

It was really fun to meet some of the familiar blogger friends during the event. I kept seeing them queuing for ice creams, haha. All fun and ice creams - it really doesn't get better than this to kick-start the awesome weekend!

Group photo! Photo courtesy of Jess.

Baskin Robbins Malaysia Official Facebook Page.

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

| room8five @ Google+ | Facebook | NuffnangX | Twitter | Instagram

Behind The Lens with Gregory Cheong

by Daniel Chiam

Yesterday I have the privilege to attend the 8th edition of Behind The Lens (BTL) at Ecoba Restaurant & Bar at Damansara Perdana. It was my first time attending it and its an event inspired by the similar concept of Inside The Actors Studio, where for BTL, it is a series of live interview with professional photographers and their award winning images. BTL is independently produced and hosted by Peter Tan, whose works is very well known in the industry as well. 

That night, instead of photography, we have the privilege to learn something new from the perspective of a videographer and also their works. The guest speaker for the night is non other than Gregory Cheong the creative director of Gregs Video Sdn. Bhd. Ever since I did my very first wedding video, I always have the desire to want to learn more about videography than just learning from my own observation. What better chance do I have but to listen and digest from one of the best in the industry. 

Yours truly and Gregs. Photo by Tian Chad.

I know very few about the man himself, but Gregs and his team did a lot of Indian weddings and apparently has been going all over Asia for their work. Gregs also showcases some of his production to all of us that night, and I was in awe with all of his wedding videos. It was beautifully done and definitely are love stories worth watching. 

To produce wedding videos from different cultural background, a lot of homework and research had to be done before hand, in order not to missed out on any important moment. Of course the demand and wants of the customers had to be taken into consideration also. Preparation is crucial.

The old age problem of photographer being in a videographer's frame and vice versa was also being brought up. Gregs suggested that both just had to communicate before the event started, tho sometimes it may work but often it just doesn't worked out as planned. So the best solution is, you just needed to be great in taking videos and be very good in editing it afterwards. 

Everyone who attended that night.

I've learnt a lot from Gregs and was just too many to share it out here. It was indeed a resourceful night and a night that filled with laughter too. A few giveaway from the sponsors was also being given out through lucky draw that night. I wanted the tripod so bad but my name was never being called, haha. Perhaps I'll have better chance in the next meeting. Yes, the next Thursday meeting will be on December 6 and it will be featuring Zung ThePhotoz. You can checkout the Facebook event created HERE.

Zung with yours truly. Photo by Tian Chad

I'm starting to like this BTL event, and all thanks to Tian Chad (TC) for bringing me along with him. It's really an eye opening event and it helps to boils up my interest in photography and videography as well. Hopefully TC will be able to be TBL's guest speaker one day and hopefully I will too, haha. There is still so much to learn and for now, I'm just enjoying that process of learning.

Me and the awesome Tian Chad.

On an additional notes, Gregs had officially launched Gregs Academy that night and is open to anyone who is interested in learning the arts of videography with him personally and also his team. You will be able to be apart of the team for 3 month to learn, to study and also to participate in their actual wedding shoot as your field work. The fee is roughly around RM7000+ for 3 month of life changing and experience filled  course with one of the most awesome production team in Malaysia. For more details do checkout the links provided below:

Gregs Official Website | Facebook Page | Twitter | Youtube | Vimeo

BTL Official Facebook Page | Twitter | Youtube

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

| room8five @ Google+ | Facebook | NuffnangX | Twitter | Instagram

[Movie Review] Rise of the Guardians (2012)

by Daniel Chiam 

Fun to watch ★★ ★★ ☆☆☆☆☆☆ 4/10

Jack Frost (Chris Pine) was recruited as the member of the Guardians along side Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman) and the Sandman to fight against Pitch (Jude Law); the Boogeyman, who begins his plan to engulf the world in darkness. Jack agrees to help the Guardians despite being reluctant at first in order to seek the memory of his past life.

A very unique combination of heroes I must say. You have the Russian-mob-like-Santa, an Aussie Bunny and a Sandman that look like Teller from Penn & Teller, fan girls fairy and Jack who? Story line was very much predictable. Nothing is too heavy to digest and its pretty much for young children to enjoy.

I guess Rise of the Guardians is one of those light entertainment by DreamWorks. Not much of a build up to the story line and it carries very little emotional attachment to the story and to the characters. The great thing about it is that it's colorful and it has all the characters that kids were brought up listening to some of their stories.

Overall, the movie is very enjoyable to watch, especially for young children who really believes in Santa, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, The Sandman, Boogeyman and Jack who? It really is a light movie to watch and to pass the time with some laughter. Other than that, it really is nothing much for us to remember about. At least for us adult I guess, but assuredly kids will love it!

*Do not leave the cinema when the credits start rolling. Wait for another short scene after that.

Thank you United International Pictures and Nuffnang for the invites!

View the Trailer | Official Website

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

| room8five @ Google+ | Facebook | NuffnangX | Twitter | Instagram

[Movie Review] Pitch Perfect (2012)

by Daniel Chiam

Entertainingly fun to watch ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10

Beca (Anna Kendrick) who just enrolled to Barden College decided to joined the all-girl a capella group - Bellas after being asked by her dad to try and experience the college life. The Bellas has been struggling all this while to be the champion with their never changing performances, and with the new recruit into their team, things still pretty much stays the same under the leadership of Aubrey (Anna Camp) - Bellas' senior. 

Everyone was expecting another Glee rip off with a predictable story line from Pitch Perfect and I say, you all are getting what you've asked for but only better and with a bigger bang! Turns out the movie was awesomely entertaining with great humor and of course great tunes.

Rebel Wilson who plays Fat Amy is really a comedic star on a rise. There's a lot of LOL moment during her appearance in the movie and it was completely fun to watch. It's really hard to fun a dull moment in the movie and please do not expect an impromptu musical session to sing about what's going on at the moment, no, because this is not Glee.

The songs selection was great as most of it was not yet overly used in film/series of such genre. It was anything but that-same-song-again-with-different-cover-version. The music arrangement was creatively done and really gets the audience grooving to it. I love the riff off scene.

Aside from Anna Kendrick, Alexis Knapp is really a hottie in the movie and oh my gosh isn't she tall! I didn't know she can sing (or she didn't?). She's always appear in movie as the pretty face, same goes for this one but at least she has more attitude and character to show off.

Overall the movie was all fun and entertaining to watch. I really had a great time laughing in the cinema and I love the soundtrack for the movie. I would watch it again with no second thought. The best musical comedy film in 2012 so far.

Thank you ChurpChurp and United International Pictures for the invitation.

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

| room8five @ Google+ | Facebook | NuffnangX | Twitter | 

[Movie Review] Soar Into The Sun (2012)

by Daniel Chiam

I wish can soar even higher ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ 4/10

Soar Into The Sun, also known as Return to Base (R2B) is a remake of the movie Red Scarf (1964). The Korean action film starring Rain (Jung Ji-Hoon) and Shin Se-Kyung as the main leads, tells the story of fighter jet pilots in the mist of facing crisis that might compromise the safety of their nation.

The movie was overall fun and entertaining to watch. Typical Korean funny moments and romance. Sadly the  plots didn't manage to soar high enough to really wow the audience with its action scenes or a remarkable story line. The movie in general was just moderate only.

I believe Rain still has the charm to lure all his fans to the cinema and watch the movie. Specially when this is Rain's last movie before he join the military service for at least 2 years! Not bad for a farewell gift to the fans.

Anyway, judging from the screenshot that I saw in their official Facebook page, I assume that there were a few scenes being deleted in the movie, no thanks to Malaysia censorship. Here are some scenes that wasn't shown in the cinema:

Tho Soar Into The Sun wasn't the best actions film made by the Korean, but with eye-candy like Rain and Shin Se-Kyung in the movie, you can't hardly wish the movie to end sooner but only for it to be better. The supporting cast was also impressive but yet I felt that they were undermined by the lack of build up for their characters.

Rain

Shin Se-Kyung

Thank you ChurpChurp and United International Pictures for the invitation.

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

| room8five @ Google+ | Facebook | NuffnangX | Twitter | 

Dumb Down for Love

by Aemy Nadira 

"No Malaysian men wants to date or marry someone who's smarter than them."

- Anonymous, 2012

Wow, seriously? Is it really a case of beauty over brains when it comes to love? Oh no. Blame it on Hollywood and what it does to men and women nowadays. With stars like Brooklyn Decker and Scarlett Johansson becoming a huge sensation in the media for their attractiveness, women are led to believe in order to attract men, it won't do them any good to quote Shakespeare's. So these women got the idea to hide their intelligence and play with their hair and giggle like a schoolgirl instead.

I've asked a male friend whether he prefers a girlfriend who is smarter or one who is a bimbo. He said he wants more than just a pretty girlfriend. A bimbo would suffice for a short-term thing only. But for a long-term relationship, he'd want someone who's smarter than him in some aspects. I couldn't agree more. 

Sadly, women are easily influenced by movies where the dumb blonde cheerleader gets all attentions while the Math genius gets none at all. They fear that the more they accomplished, the more they may have to sacrifice. So better dumb than lonely, huh? Maybe it's a case of low self-esteem, or a case of not wanting to be an outcast of marriage story. Whatever it is, many women are willing to drop their standards and date someone who doesn't value intelligence. 

In a way, being too intelligent could be a buster though. I myself find it tough dealing with a friend who's smarter at everything. I have to shut her up by saying "that's what I meant" whenever she points out my mistakes. Correcting me is good but in a way, it's annoying when a simple thing becomes complicated. And she's still single.

Still, playing dumb is not the key for a relationship. There's no chance of you playing the dumb game for a long time. Yeah there are guys who need hot chic to just stand by them, which serves no purpose. Trust me, there are also guys that are really looking for a life partner, not a Barbie doll. 

At the end of the day, it's all about being yourself. You deserve someone who appreciates your intelligence and loves you for who you really are. Honesty and sincerity go a long way. :)

Photo source: 1, 2

Checkout Aemy at emynadira.com for more of her updates!



"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

| room8five @ Google+ | Facebook | NuffnangX | Twitter |