OUR TREASURES: Our Colours! Can you name them all?

These are the colours of our region.

The proud and beautiful people of Southeast Asia.


TAKE THAT!


****

GIGGLES: Jokes from Singapore

One of the main reasons why in recent years the Singapore Government has always ensured that their Miss Universe pageant representative were of tertiary level education or higher was because of the following incident which happended not too long ago.

It is the final round of the Miss Universe Pageant and the 3 finalists, Miss USA, Miss Malaysia and Miss Singapore are being asked 3 simple questions:

MC: The first question is name me an electrical appliance starting with the letter “L”
Miss USA: Lamp
Miss Malaysia: Light bulb
Miss Singapore: LADIO
Judge: No. Radio does not start with the letter “L”

Then, they moved on to the second question.

MC: I am going to give you 3 more chances; Now, name me an animal starting with the letter “L”
Miss USA: Lion
Miss Malaysia: Leopard
Miss Singapore: LABBIT
Judge: No, no!

MC: Miss Singapore, please pay attention to this next question. Give me the name of a famous car that starts with “L”
Miss USA: Lexus
Miss Malaysia: Lamborghini
Miss Singapore: Lolls- Loyce
Judge: Oh my God!

MC: I am going to give you one last chance! Name me a fruit starting with the letter “L”
Miss USA: Lemon
Miss Malaysia: Lychee
Miss Singapore, with full of confidence, smiles and says: LIEWLIAN!!


This is not the end of the story, the Judge consulted the board of judges to determine if Miss Singapore should really be disqualified; and they decided that since Miss Singapore was having so many problems with the letter “L”, they decided to give her another chance.

Judge: OK, the final question is: Name me a human anatomy starting with the letter “L”
Miss USA: Lung (applause)
Miss Malaysia: Liver (even more applause)
Miss Singapore: LAN CIAU!! OMG, the Judges fainted instantly!

"YOU'RE REJECTED!"

Blogging about 11 countries in Southeast Asia is no easy task. I have to keep up with what's happening in all these countries. Everything worth mentioning. I've been a nomad for 12 years now. Living in each country for more than a year and if I really really like the place, I stay for more than 2 years.

I wanted to blog. Maybe somebody out there (with our 5 billion+ population) would wanna know about this paradise I optly called Southeast Asia. This brings me straight to a predicament. WHERE WOULD I LIST MY BLOG?

I made a couple of linkings to some blog listings in our region. Malaysian blog listings has been by far the most accomodating. Indonesia, with it's single blog listing, is still pending my application. Thai blog listings are annoyingly disorganized. No bloggers in Laos, Myanmar, Brunei and the rest. Two (2) Philippine listings nodded yes to me and I'm climbing the charts ever since.

Since I started blogging (it's my 3rd day today) 45% of my hits come from the Philippines. This is something I cannot explain. Maybe because they have more spare time in front of the computer? Nope, I don't think that's the case. Maybe they are more Internet savvy (?)...maybe.

Now I'm ranting about the first Philippine Gay Blog listing... I submitted my blog to the suggestion of one of my readers. I thought it's cool, so I did. WELL?...I just got an email from the webmaster rejecting my application. The guy was civil and polite though. But the main message is "you're rejected" although he didn't write those words. :-)

Why would a Philippine "gay" blog listing reject my blog when other Philippine "non-gay" blog listing let me in? Maybe I'm over reacting but hey! This is the same exact issue that we LGTB / PLU people have been fighting for for the last 3 decades. DISCRIMINATION. Is there discrimination among us?

Don't they wanna list BISEXUAL blogs or they don't wanna list non-Filipino? Well, it's obviously the latter. Shall I wish I'm a Filipino? -- So, case closed. Even though other "non-gay" Philippine blog listing listed me...their exclusively Filipino gay blog listing REFUSED to let me in.

Nevertheless, my main readers are in the Philippines and I'm very grateful to them. I rest my case.Thank you very much.

****

PERFECT SPECIMEN: Ase Wang

Is this Swedish invasion? Why is it that the most beautiful people MUST come from Sweden? What are they feeding their offsprings? They should share their 'secrets' huh!

Calling all fellow Thai-Belgians, modeling career anyone? Let's not let the Swedish dominate the "Perfect Specimen Series" shall we?

This is ASE WANG, a Singaporean-Swedish model currently managed by Calcarries HongKong. A perfect specimen of the human kind.

Anyway, gogeous ASE was born on November 26 and speaks English, Swedish and Mandarin. Take that!Voted the one of the Sexiest Woman in FHM Thailand, this girl will definitely make waves in the modeling world. Well, she already IS doing that. What about Hollywood, my dear babe? ***Notice that pic with her blue bikini on. (!!!!!)

HERE'S HER WEBSITE:

http://www.asewang.com/

****

Q&A: What is bisexuality anyway?

Bisexuality is a sexual orientation which refers to the aesthetic, romantic, or sexual attraction of individuals to other individuals of either gender or sex. A bisexual person is attracted to both men and women.

A bisexual may be more attracted to one sex than the other, attracted equally to both, or find people's sex unimportant. The strength of their attractions to men and women may vary over time. Bisexual people are not necessarily attracted equally to both genders.

Due to the nature of bisexuality as an often ambiguous position between homosexuality and heterosexuality, those who identify, or are identified, as bisexuals form a heterogenous group.

Some view that bisexuality is a distinct sexual orientation different from heterosexuality or homosexuality. This views bisexuality as something clearly distinct from these other two sexualities, with a clear attraction to both men and women required.

****

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisexuality

WHASSUP: Singapore Fashion Festival 2007

This came in late. I'm such an idiot for not checking my email for a couple of days because of my new hobby -- blogging. I got an invitation from my friend Eddie in Singapore. I guess I couldn't make it on time. But for those of you who can fly to Singapore, you still have 3 days to catch!

The venue is at The Tent at Ngee Ann City. It's located in the heart of the world famous shopping strip that is Orchard Road providing guests with easy access to the collections seen on the catwalk at the Festival.

Participants includes: Aigner, Francis Cheong, Levi's, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Marks&Spencer (huh?-*frowns), Topman and some others...hmmm...seems like it's not a "really" big event huh?! Oh Eddie, Eddie, Eddie...tsk, tsk, tsk! Anyway, here's the remaining sched:

AI TOMINAGA and ANNE WATANABE will grace the shows apparently. Do I need to tell you guys who they are? -- YES? -Where have you been? Jupiter? Huh!

I'm supposed to tell you how to book the tickets, yeah? Never mind. The fact that we're too late for the week-long event, plus I'm sure you already have prior committment this weekend AND no big names in there any way. Snob? LOL!

Let's look forward to the Singapore Fashion Week 2007 in November shall we?

****

SOUTHEAST ASIA'S TALLEST BUILDINGS

Southeast Asia is still the fastest growing economic bloc in the world. *harsh comments and violent reactions are welcome* We comprise of more than 10% of the world population; our GDP is $885 billion; and our purchasing power parity is $2.756 trillion. TAKE THAT!

Listed here are the tallest buildings in Southeast Asia and their corresponding ranks in the world. I was wondering…are really tall buildings a measure of progress? Does it mirror prosperity or it’s all just a big statement?

What about in other parts of the world? Skyscrapers in Europe cannot compete at all with our tall buildings but yet, they are among the richest in the world? Hmmm…

Call it “old school” but still, we can’t deny to ourselves that having tall buildings in our region is our way of saying: “We have arrived”.

Here are The Tallest Buildings in Southeast Asia...is your country included?...

1st. PETRONAS TOWER I (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
1st. PATRONAS TOWER II (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

These two towers share the distinction of the tallest buildings in SE Asia. They are both 1,483 ft. high and have 88 floors each. Both towers are connected by a suspended bridge between the 41st and the 42nd floor. Malaysia really surprised the world when they announced the total height back in1998. Both towers rank as the World's 2nd Tallest Buildings (ranked 2&3 slots) and the Tallest Twin Towers in the whole dang world! TAKE THAT!

3rd. MENARA TELEKOM (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

No, this not the 2nd Tallest because there are 2 Petronas Towers, remember? This architectural beauty on the other side of Kuala Lumpur is 1,017 ft tall (*why did they build it so far from the city center by the way?). It has only 55 floors (too few for a really tall building) and completed in 2001. I don’t know why it didn’t make any noise in Kuala Lumpur or feature it as one of the city’s landmark although it is the 27th Tallest Building in the World and the 3rd tallest in SE Asia. Not bad. Not bad at all.



4th.BAYOKE TOWER II(Bangkok, Thailand)

The 4th Tallest Building in SE Asia is arguably the tallest hotel in Asia as well (so I was told), but of course I know it’s not. The design is just so and so but it does dominate the Bangkok skyline. It is 997 ft with 85 floors completed in 1997. My uncles told me that the construction of this building was almost stopped and abandoned. It was found out halfway that they were building it slightly tilted to the side! Let's hope they corrected it already. But you can still feel the lifts brushing with the building's interior. Scary! It ranks 31st in the world.


5th. OUB CENTER (Singapore)

At 919 ft., this is one of Singapore’s most recognizable land marks. It ranks 50th in the world. But OUB Center only has 63 floors and completed in 1986. Hmmm...1986? This must be the tallest building in Southeast Asia that time, right? Interesting.

5th. UOB PLAZA (Singapore) No, it’s not a typo error. This is also the 5th and the next one below. This building shares the 5th ranking with 2 other Singaporean buildings. I so love the clean and crisp design of this beautiful building! It’s 919 ft tall and has 66 floors. Completed in 1992. World ranked as 50th as well.

5th. REPUBLIC PLAZA (Singapore)

This red graphite building is a real eye candy to me. Love the lines. Love the contour. Love the imposition. It also stands 919 ft tall and has 66 floors and world ranked at 50th as well.








8th. PBCom TOWER (Makati, Philippines)

The tallest building in the Philippines is a glass and steel masterpiece indeed. It’s situated in the country’s financial district, 848 ft tall with 52 floors, completed in 2000. Its simple and plain design makes it rather indistinguishable with other towers in the city, well, aside from it’s height. By the way, rumor has it that they are building the Tallest Building in Southeast Asia? Would they beat the Petronases? (*smiling mischievously). Hmmm…I’ll tell gather more info about it.

In the meantime, they must have to be satisfied as the 8th in SE Asia and 79th in the world. Take that!

9th. CAPITAL TOWER (Singapore)

This building reminds me of the kind of buildings in Gotham City. LOL. Y’know, those really tall towers with a pantheon on top! That’s cool! It’s 833 ft tall and has 52 floors. Ranked 93rd in the whole world.








10th. WISMA 46 (Jakarta, Indonesia)

Surprise, surprise! Jakarta made it to the list as the 10th tallest building in SE Asia. This nicely designed tower is one of Jakarta’s most recognizable land marks. It’s 820 ft tall with 48 floors and completed in 1996. It ranks 99th in the world! Barely made it to 100! Not bad. Not bad at all.






So there it is! The 10 Tallest Buildings in our region. The symbols of progress of our cities. If we would continue the list to 20, it would all be shared by Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore only. TAKE THAT!



****

Related article: New Batch of the 10 Tallest Buildings in 2-3 years.

PERFECT SPECIMEN: Season 1 Index

Perfect Specimens featured from 28 Mar - 11 Sept 2007:

Alex Yoong
Alexandra Bounxouei
Amanda Griffin
Ananda Everingham
Andrew Cronin
Andrew Wolff
Anne Curtis
Anthony Madden
Ari Wibowo
Ase Wang

Chin Indracusin
Christian Aguilar
Christopher Friel
Cindy Burbridge
Cindy Kurleto

Dennis O’Neil
Derek Ramsey

Fabio Ide

Jon Jonsson
Jonathan Mullaly
Joni Anwar

Kathaleeya McIntosh

Leah Dizon
Leandro Bulhoes (Okabe)

Maggie Q
Maria Renata
Mario Maurer
Mark Scoles
Marsha Wattanapanich
Martin Jickain
Max Loong
Mealeva Tam
Mike Lewis

Nadya Hutagalung
Nicholas Saputra
Nicole Scherzinger
Nipit Hange

Oliver Poupart

Patrick Ribbsaeter
Paula Taylor
Peter Corp Dyrendal

Rich Herrera

Sam Chotebundit
Shannyn Sossamon
Sonia Couling
Sophia Latjuba

Tera Patrick
Tila Nguyen

Utt Panichkul

Vanessa Minnillio

See this video of their ranking of the most visited

Perfect Specimen Season 1:

Click To Play

*** This is a progessing list. Please leave your nominations below. Thanks!

OUR HIDDEN TREASURES: Vientiane, Laos

I spent almost a year and a half living in Vientiane; the capital and the largest city of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Yes, it is still a communist country and yes, communism is still alive and kicking! Take that!

Around 4 years ago, I remember myself searching the Internet with all information I can get about Laos – the enigma of Southeast Asia. How many people have actually been to Laos? -- Not too many.

There wasn’t much info about it on the net around that time. All they say is it’s a commie country and what’s all on the Internet are some typical tourist-come-on articles.

So, I packed my bag with a couple of shirts and jeans. Bought a plane ticket to fly from Bangkok to Vientiane and I was on my way. That was one of the most memorable adventure I ever took...

I immediately fell in love with the city. The people are genuine, the smiles are real. The atmosphere is down-to-earth. There were European restaurants, wine shops, delis and everything a westernized visitor would ever need with the exception of McDonald’s, gigantic shopping malls and alike. Everything’s perfect!

The pace of life in Laos is veeeery slow. But I never got bored at all. The city itself doesn't have much touristy-places to offer but you know what is Laos' best to offer? -- the people. I have made a lot of friends and acquaintances. Some speaks French fluently!


This is the land that the world has turned it's back upon... The country that the world has forgotten (or chose to forget). The Americans dropped more bombs here than Vietnam itself during the Vietnam War. Because the Americans thought the insurgents have taken refuge there. This is the most bombed country on the face of the earth! Laos still bears the scars up to now. You can see it on some of their buildings.

This is getting a bit dramatic for me now. LOL. But I really felt for the Lao people...honestly.

And here's the kicker... I was a multi-millionaire in Vientiane!



This is how much "kip" (Lao money) you can get for your $100! More than 1 million kip! Take that! (with a really huge wallet)

The street signs are also written in French! Take that!



There were only 2 places in Vientiane I eat out in my almost 2 years stay there. One of them is STICKY FINGERS. That groovy little restobar along Francois Nginn Rd. (just across Tai Pan Hotel) that serves heavenly food. I always had that baked chicken-breast with basil leaves sauce. Oh yeah, I can still taste it now! *eyes closed, biting lips*

That tangy and tasty baked chicken breast....






...the Fish&Chips will give you an orgasm. Guaranteed!


Sticky Fingers is owned and managed by 2 super-friendly young Aussie babes (and they're both hot too! Wooohoo!), I have to have a regression course done on me by a psychologist to remember their names…I’m really bad in remembering names but I never forget a…uh…Wait!...memories kicking in! …it’s Angela and the other that rhymes with Barney…Marney!!! Take that! Ha! Lovely babes!

Anyway, the resto is really relaxing, dim light, cozy chairs and spacious tables. I remember them putting some 2 or 3 tables outside on Friday & Saturday nights. The feel of those outdoor dining…huh….really cool! Good spot to do dudes and babes watching. Sticky Fingers is just a few steps away from the river quay road.

If ever anyone of you is in Vientiane, try this cool little restaurant. One of Vientiane’s highlight in city dining…worthy to be mentioned as SE Asia’s little treasures.

Although Laos is called the 'Land of a Million Elephants' -- NOT ONCE in my entire stay there have I seen just even a fingertip of one single elephant! None! **smirk*

COME TO LAOS: The Enigma of Southeast Asia.
So you can impress your friends by going to places they can't.

****

http://www.visit-laos.com/

http://www.laoembassy.com/

****

PERFECT SPECIMEN: Sonia Couling

The first babe that made it to the Bi-Racial Perfect Specimen series.

This is "the" SONIA COULING (ซอนย่า คูลลิ่ง). She's Thai-English and she's a huge huge celebrity in Southeast Asia. Anybody who knows what an MTV is...they know who is VJ Sonia.

She's every dude's dream girlfriend. I bet she's great in bed too! (I'm totally losing it)... I wonder if she fancy a threesome with me and another guy? (**SHUT UP! Nothing wrong with dreaming! -- I totally lost it.). If I would be dating girls exclusively, Sonia would be number one on my list and I'll even marry her. Just look at those...uhmm...click the image for larger boobs...*gasp!*...I mean image! Whew!

What do you think of her? She is definitely a girlfriend material. I wonder if she has a boyfriend right now.... *biting lips*

****