Somewhere In China, Westin Kuala Lumpur

I'm usually attending my meetings on Thursdays but I couldn't pass up on an invitation to attend a photo and film workshop sponsored by National Geographic and Astro. Thanks YY for the invite! Along with Teckiee, we headed to The Westin Kuala Lumpur last Thursday where the workshop was held. After registering, we helped ourselves to the some finger food and desserts. The workshop then started at around 8.30 with speeches from the Marketing Director of National Geographic Channel Asia, Basil Chua and Astro's Communications Director too.

Now about the Hutchens Brothers; taken from National Geographic website : -

About Peter and Jeff Hutchens

Peter Hutchens has shot and produced numerous programmes for National Geographic Channel. He was the youngest and only first-time filmmaker to produce a programme for the acclaimed Wide Angle series. Other NGC shows he has worked on are Inside, Hunter & Hunted, Is It Real?, and Lockdown series for which he has won several awards. He brings a creative eye, a passion for storytelling and an instinctive ability to relate cross-culturally.

Internationally awarded photographer Jeff Hutchens has shot professionally on six continents, where he's faced grizzly bears, lava floes, Komodo Dragons, and all manner of corrupt officials. From work on the surreality of life in China, to underground epidemics in the jungles of central Africa, to polar bears in the Arctic Circle, he captures images which convey a transcendent mood and subtle beauty. Jeff has won multiple awards in the World Press Photo Competition, National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Best Of Photojournalism competition, Pictures Of The Year (POYi) and the White House News Photographers (WHNPA) Eyes Of History competition.

They took to the stage together and proceeded to show us snippets of each episodes; touching briefly on the scenes. We then had a 6 minute slideshow of Jeff's photos. They went on to tell us some of the techniques they used in filming and photo shooting. It was an interesting point of the workshop as they showed scenes which are pretty unusual in China, giving us an rare insight of China. After that, there was a Q&A session before the workshop ended around 9.30pm. Their approach towards documenting "Somewhere In China" is invigorating from what I saw; informative, entertaining and even funny at the same time. The camaraderie between the brothers is great and I guess that is a plus factor in making the show even more appealing.

There are 6 episodes in all, with the first shown on Oct 12. It's on every Sunday at 7 pm on National Geographic Channel 553. I'm gonna make sure I'll watch the remaining 5 episodes, Episode 2 is on today!

Happy Sunday everyone!

What A Friday It Was!

At around 8.50 am on Friday, I had missed a call. When I checked the number, it was an unfamiliar 016 Digi number. However, a lady left a voicemail in Bahasa Malaysia asking me to return call as it was regarding the Star Movies Fan Fest.


I had entered a contest that Astro had in conjunction with the Star Movies Fan Fest that ended on Aug 31 and at that point, I really wanted to win something. But I had forgotten about this contest till Friday. Calling back the 016 Digi number twice and being unable to get someone to pick up a phone, I was beginning to wonder if it was a legit call or maybe someone who got hold of my data and was trying to pull a fast one on me. It was at this point that I decided to get in touch with an Astro contact of mine, YY, a very helpful person (whom I had briefly met once). I told her about the strange call I had and wanted to know if Astro would ever have any outsiders representing them and calling from a 016 Digi number. She wasn't too sure herself but told me that it was indeed a third party who handles the Star Movies Contest and that she will make some calls and find out for me.

5 hours passed and I didn't get a call from either 016 or YY. I was a bit restless and wanted to solve the mystery, trying to ascertain whether it was a genuine call rather than being excited that I have won something. I decided to call the 016 Digi number again and someone answered the call this time.

Me : "Tadi saya ada panggilan dari nombor ini. Ini tempat mana???"
(I had a call from this number. Where is this place???)

She : "Ini ................., Cik siapa?"
(This is.........., who are you, Miss?)

Me : "Saya W....M....W, tadi saya dengar voicemail, Cik kata Star Movies"
(I'm W... M... W..., I heard the voicemail just now and you mentioned Star Movies)

She : "Oh, awak Cik W... M... W...., bila awak nak datang ambik hadiah?"
(Oh, you're Miss W... M... W..., when are you coming to pick up your prize?)

Me : "Huh? Apa hadiah tu?"
(Huh? What prize is that?) - At this point I must say, I was just probably expecting to win a consolation prize as the whole matter was dealt in such a light manner by her.

She : "Ohh...hadiah Grand Prizeeeeee..."
(Oh....it's the Grand Prizeeee....)

Me : "Huh? Grand Prize???????" - Now, I heard it but it wasn't registering at that time.

She : "Ya, Grand Prize. Cik tak percaya?"
(Yes, Grand Prize. You don't believe?)

Me : "Saya tak percaya ni. Betul ke?"
(I don't believe it. It's it true?)

She : Ya cik. Cik menang ....
(Yes miss. You won....)

(Illustrated and detailed below for the benefit of those reading. She of course didn't say it in so many words)









Sony 40” HD Ready LCD TV with HDMI Cable (KLV-40V300A) (RM 5,499.00)

See that look of disbelief on Captain Jack Sparrow's face? I had that same look as I listened to her and she continued on...









Sony Home DVD Theatre System (DAV-DZ850KW) (RM 2,999.00)


and lastly some exclusive Star Movies merchandise

At this time, I was still skeptical but listened on as she told me to make arrangements to collect my prizes. I hung up, sitting down and staring at my phone in disbelief. I decided to call YY. When I did get her on the line, I started to tell her my conversation with the Malay lady and as I was almost reaching the part about her telling me that I won the Grand Prize, YY excitedly told me that I had indeed won the Grand Prize. There was a second or two of silence and I must say, YY was more happy and excited than I was at that time! I thank her for her help and after I got off the line, I was still sitting down and staring at my phone in my hand. I was dumbstruck.....and I'm still pretty dumbstruck. Well now, I'm happy and dumbstruck. Thank goodness I can type it all out. Hahaha....

Well, I've certainly won a few contest from Astro during my 5 years of being an Astro subscriber and I probably got back quite a fair share of my subscription fees ;o), This is my biggest win from any competition so far from Astro or from all the contests that I've participated here and there. A few exciting things that I've won from Astro so far (not including merchandise) :-

Trip to Hong Kong for 2 with front row seats tickets to watch Santana "Live" at the Hong Kong Harbour Fest

Il Divo concert tickets - 2 tickets worth RM1000 each with one night stay at Mandarin Oriental Hotel plus Spa Treatment for 2.

Ipod Shuffle 1G

Dinner with some of the Hong Kong cast of Heart Of Greed at Noble Banquet

and now this.....
The Grand Prize of the Star Movies Fan Fest Contest.

Yes, I'm really happy now :o). I really got to thank Astro for giving me a great weekend and most importantly God for his blessings!




HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY EVERYONE!