BunyiGitar X:PO 2014

Photographed by Daniel Chiam

Showcasing uniquely made guitars

Shun Ng from Singapore

Jaya Sapetar from Sarawak

Balawan Iwayan from Bali

Sabah Art Gallery

I really enjoyed my time in the first ever BunyiGitar X:PO 2014. The joy of meeting talented musician up close and personal, being able to watch them unleashing their passion on stage and to humbly share the knowledge that they possess. It was an experience that many can only dream of. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jaya Sapetar for inviting me to this wonderful event and also to RAM Studio and Sabah Art Gallery who made the first ever BunyiGitar X:PO possible.

[More photos]

10 Startups to Lookout for in Malaysia

by Daniel Chiam

Each and everyday, something new bound to popup in the world wide web. Either it's for the good of humanity or something as annoying as the new Facebook layout that require all its user to familiarize with it again. Anyway, here I have listed 10 of the new startups to lookout for in Malaysia. Hopefully you'll find something that could be useful on your behalf!

1. iMoney

Banks, yes banks; with an "S". Can you imagine yourself going to each of those bank to get a comparison for whatever  financial reason that you need to do your financial planning? iMoney is created to help individual with the latest bank rates and news with terms and jargon that can be easily understand by all. Need some help with your financial planning? Checkout iMoney HERE.

2. FoodSocial Malaysia

FoodSocial Malaysia is the latest to jump on the Malaysian foodie bandwagon. The recent launched of their latest app has become another valuable all-rounded tool to help food seeker and foodie alike to hunt for good food around. Talk about being social, FoodSocial Malaysia is everywhere on the social media. You can find them on their Website | Facebook Page | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest and most importantly, get their app to make your food hunt easier NOW!

3. MyTeksi

I need a taxi and I need to make sure that I get to my destination safely. My Teksi is an app that provide such services for you to be able to get a taxi and to ensure that you arrive to your destination safely. Checkout MyTeksi app HERE.

4. CatchThatBus

Oh how I hate it when they ran out of bus ticket when I desperately needed one. Catch That Bus is an app that enables you to search and purchase your bus ticket online. Never again to not being able to get a bus ticket to your destination; gotta catch that bus! Catch the app HERE!

5. PiktoChart

Ever wonder how they create those cool looking chart and make it viral on social media? Well for starter you can checkout PiktoChart with their variety of themes to choose from and easy ways to edit in order to achieve the chart that you wanted. Start getting creative HERE.

6. TaxiMonger

You know how all the taxi have the sign of "no haggling" stick at the side of their doors and it takes away your rights to get a fair price because most of the time they do not use the meter to determine the taxi fare that they are going to charge you. Fret not! Taxi Monger is an app that helps you to book a taxi with a fix price that you can either agree or not but at least you don't have to argue with some old uncle about how expensive they are charging you. Tryout the app HERE!

7. Watch Over Me

Just in case anything happens to you, Watch Over Me is an app that can help to instantly notify your emergency contact about your last whereabouts and what were you doing. Also broadcast any video or audio that was uploaded during the emergency. Overall, its an app to help watch over you, and get you help when bad things happened to you. Find out more about them HERE.  

8. Uber KL

Ever wanted to know what it feels like to have someone drive you to your destination while you sit at the back of the vehicle and just chill? You know, like all the rich and famous people do. Checkout Uber and the services that they provide to make you feel like a boss! Get the app HERE!

9. TextbookAsia

Need to buy school textbook for yourself or your children and at the same time wish that you can find ways to somehow take good care of it without having to pile up the space in your house? Visit TextbookAsia for they are Malaysia's first online textbook buyback service, guaranteed! Check what they are all about HERE!

10. Sketch Post Studio

Bored of the same old same old ways to present your idea to your crowd? Why not get some professional help to turn your ideas and transform your words into hand-drawn visuals that brighten up presentations, brainstorms and events. There's a reason why mind mapping is such a hit and Sketch Post Studio could provide the same effect for your ideas to your crowd. Find out how they can help you improve HERE!

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

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Sabah's West Coast Road Trip

by Daniel Chiam

Batu 16, Keningau

Batu Punggul, Nabawan

Mahua Waterfall, Tambunan

Luanti, Ranau

Kundasang, Ranau

Tindakon Dazang, Kudat

From the greenish jungles to the blueish sea, it was a great experience driving around Sabah and exploring what mother nature has to offer in the Land Below the Wind. I've been away for too long from my mother land and I really needed this trip to re-connect with the cultures and the people again.

Anyway, it is Visit Malaysia Year 2014, so make a date with your family and friends and bring them to Cuti-cuti Malaysia! There are tons of beautiful places and hidden gems within Malaysia; waiting for you to discover. If you are planning to visit Sabah, the month of May is probably one of the best timing yet because it is the Harvest Festival and it's like celebrating Christmas throughout the month May for the Sabahan people!

Here's more post from my Sabah road trip 2014!

01) Batu Punggul, Nabawan
02) Mahua Waterfall, Tambunan
03) Sabah Tea Plantation, Ranau
04) Luanti Fish Spa, Ranau

Learning Portrait with Selfie

by Daniel Chiam

My Sound and Lighting Channel, the current company that I work part time with.

My brand new Behringer HPX2000 headphone for video and sound editing.

Coffee can reduce 30% the risk of having cancer. Saw that in one of the Korean variety show - Vitamin.

I really think one of the best way to practice taking portrait pictures are by doing you own selfies. In the process of taking my own photos, I've learned a lot about lighting, posing, expression and for the first photo that was taken with a long exposure, I've manage to take my own photo and added the light trail effect myself, all in one shot. It does help to get the creative juice going, and a great excuse to be vain once in awhile, haha.

The Art of Biàn Liān 变脸 (Face-Changing)

by Daniel Chiam

I was fascinated by the ancient art of Biàn Liān or literally mean face-changing, when I first saw the movie “The King of Masks (1996)” many years ago. I was dumbfounded by how fast the skillful master of Biàn Liān can changes its masks in just split seconds, and I was wondering where he kept all his masks. To me back then, that was pure magic that’s way better than Siegfried and Roy with all their big props and white lion (and white tigers). We don’t have internet back then nor we knew what YouTube is and as the time goes by, my interest in finding out more about the art of Biàn Liān slowly faded. 

Photo Source

I was extremely excited when I heard that Biàn Liān will be perform during the SM Ken Hwa’s Chap Goh Meh celebration (which I have the privilege to cover for the event) and my expectation sky rocketed cause I finally get to see this art of “magic” from the east to be perform right in front of my eyes. My brains quickly travel back to the moment when I first watched the movie and how mesmerized I was when I first saw it back then. 

The ancient art of Biàn Liān which originated from China, was like a family’s most valuable treasure. A skills and techniques that its secrets can only be known by the sons in the family and never to be told nor to be pass down to others outside of the family. Of course with time passes, human’s flaw and what’s not, the art of Biàn Liān has finally been leaked out and learned not only by the other people from the oriental world but also by the people from the west.

It was really a privilege for me to be able to witness a local magician and performer, Mr. Kevin Lee, performing the ancient art of Biàn Liān that is a great pride of the Sichuan opera from China. I really hope that I could do a story on this amazing art with Mr. Kevin in the future, and hopefully do my part to spread the art to the younger generation, especially to the Sabahan community, and to make sure that it would not be forgotten as the times goes by.

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

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