PERFECT SPECIMEN: Cassie

Hot. Hot. Hot.

Cassie is a famous model, R&B pop singer and rose to fame with her hit single “Me & U” which was one of the most famous single of 2006.

She was born Casandra Ventura on 26 August 1986 in New London, Connecticut. Cassie was born to a Filipino father and an African-American mother.

Here’s Cassie’s official website and official MySpace profile.

BiRacials are the hottest people on Earth.

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A VIETNAMESE GUY: With the World's Longest Hair?

Could it be? Check this out!


What do you think?

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NATIONAL SPORTS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

The 11 villages in Southeast Asia have their own national sports. Some are official as recognized by the government and some are not. Other villages pick their national sport by cultural tradition and others opt with popularity.


Silat is the official national sport of Brunei. It is traditional martial arts form that uses blades and stuff but mainly bare hand. This sport spans the whole Malay Archipelago.

The official national sport of Burma is Chinlone. It requires a ball that’s kicked around with your team mates. There is no opposing team meaning, this is a non-competitive game. The object of the game is how beautiful and skillfully pass the ball to your team mate. I have seen this once and I could strongly say; it is one of the world’s most beautiful games.


Cambodia’s Sey dates back to the 11th century. It is the official national sport of the Khmer Kingdom. It is played with a special kind of ball thingy that’s kicked back and forth like volleyball. Here’s the kicker – historians believe that ancient Sey of Cambodia is where the Sipa (Philippines) and Sepak Takraw (Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei) came from.

Indonesia seems not to have an official national sport although their Cultural Attaché in Bangkok told us that Pencak Silat is considered for cultural and traditional importance. Pencak Silat is the collective term of the countrywide game called Silat. I asked around and all I got is – Badminton and Football. Obviously noted by popularity.

Here’s a surprise: the official national sport of Laos is *drumroll* Rugby. The game was recently recognized by the Lao government as their national sport although Laos is a football playing nation. Go figure.

Sepak Takraw is one of the most popular sports in the whole of Southeast Asia and it is considered as the national sport of Malaysia although it is not official. It is called Kick Volleyball in English and played by opposing teams making sure the ball doesn’t hit the ground on their side.

The Philippines’ official national sport is Sipa which means kick in Filipino. It is played with a special shuttlecock-like ball (street) or rattan ball (court) and played like the Cambodian Sey and the Malaysian Sepak Takraw.

While writing this, I was with a Singaporean friend and asked her the country’s national sport. Guess what I got? – Shopping! Then it occurred to me why I asked a lady. I turned to a dude and he said Online Gaming like Killing Orc and others. Whoah! Hi-techie-techie!

Football is the national sport of Timor Leste and Vietnam, although it’s not officially recognized by both countries. The Timorese attaché in Bangkok didn’t have any idea and my Vietnamese friends say it’s football (but I seriously doubt it).

The official national sport of Thailand is Muay Thai. “Muay" means boxing and “Thai” means... isn't it obvious? It is our version of Muay Boran (ancient boxing). It is amorously called “The Art of 8 Limbs” and considered one of the deadliest martial arts in the world.

Our National Sports -- Our icons.

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*If this post needs correction, it is always welcome.

BISEAN ACCEPTS ADVERTISERS IN BEHALF OF THE KIDS

First and foremost, I’ll take this chance to apologize to companies and business people who expressed interest in advertising on BISEAN. I know this has been long over due and we just came up with an idea a few hours ago.


BISEAN is accepting advertisers (for the first time ever) for the benefit of 3 charitable institutions in the region;

1. Phaya Thai Babies’ Home in Bangkok, Thailand

2. Holy Child Orphanage in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

3. Rumah Charis in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

All profits from our blog advertisers (from 20 Oct 2008- 19 Oct 2009) will be equally divided to the 3 orphanages mentioned above. The advertiser may also choose which of the 3 institutions they wish to be the sole beneficiary of their payment. Our group also visit foreign prisoners in Pattaya and Bangkok to give out personal letters and stuffs.

Our statistics. BISEAN gets 6,000-7,000 unique hits a week. That’s 40K+ hits a month. We are also listed in numerous blog listings in Asia, America and Latin America and mainly reach young professionals.

Our principle. To unite the youths and internet savvy bloggers and blog readers in Southeast Asia in collective appreciation of our region. Visit as many towns and cities as possible to better understand our differences and to seek and celebrate our similarities. Promote the region as “paradise of good people”.

What we do. Our group travels 10-15 days a month around the region. We do not work for any company. We promote our blog by personal encounters and planning to promote it in full force in the coming months. We do reviews, rants and commentaries on just about anything interesting around the region.

What we can do for your company if you wish to advertise here. Aside from your own banner (125x125), BISEAN will post at least 1 blog entry per week leading to your website (for 1-2 mos bond). We would also link it up to any blog post that requires your services. BISEAN would refuse other advertisers with similar business as yours.

Our Rates. BISEAN charges;

US$10 / week for 1 month bond
US$8 / week for 2 months bond
US$6 / week for 3 months bond
US$5 / week for 6 months bond

All proceeds will be marked as: “Contribution of BISEAN and [your company name]” upon donating the funds (or stuffs).

Thank you all in advance.

All inquiries to grant.waine [at] gmail [dot] com – BISEAN Editor.

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SOUTHEAST ASIAN STANDINGS AT FIFA WORLD RANKINGS 2008

Football is the world’s most famous sport. Those who don’t agree either don’t have TV or just plain dumb. This is one sport I would be willing to give my life to *cough cough* and pretty much the indirect reason why I am divorced thrice. Ha!

FIFA, the world’s governing body of this beautiful sport has updated the World Ranking last September. Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil and the Netherlands are the Top 5. And for those who HAS TO know; England is at the 14th spot.


Let’s get on with it: Here’s the current Southeast Asian placings in the 200-nation ranking.

SE Asian Ranking / Village (Country) / World Ranking

1. Thailand shares the 112th ranking with Jordan.

2. Singapore at 132nd.

3. Indonesia at 139th.

4. Burma at 157th.

5. Malaysia at 160th.

6. Vietnam and the Philippines at 165th, shared with Sri Lanka.

7. Cambodia shares the 182nd ranking with Afghanistan.

8. Brunei at 184th with Andorra.

9. Laos at 190th.

10. Timor Leste at the 200th place (last) and shares with 7 other nations including Papua New Guinea.

World Cup 2010 -- here we come!

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Source: FIFA

WHEN WILL IT END?

We talk about it. We see it on telly all the time.

We emphatize, we feel for them and sometimes get teary eyed.

We wonder. We ask questions. We try to find solutions.



Fast facts and figures about world poverty and hunger.
Really disturbing =(


Poverty is a worldwide problem that seems to be without solution.

But if we keep reminding ourselves...maybe...

...just maybe one day, we'll have the heart
to do something about it to let it end.


Southeast Asia is next to Sub-Saharan Region of Africa
with the number of impoverished people.


The glimmering skyscapers, the gigantic malls,
the impressive structures that we build
strikes a grim irony to the people just down the corner.


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OUR ENTRIES TO THE 81st OSCAR Best Foreign Language Film

The Oscars has invited 96 countries to submit entries (films) to their Best Foreign Language Film category. This award has been given out since 1956 and so far, Vietnam is the only country in our region to achieve an Honorary Award (a nomination) in 1993.

Singapore’s entry this year is "My Magic" -- a film about a single parent’s attempt to win his sons love and respect; the former magician made a painful choice that lead to the two souls coming in terms with each other. Dialogues in Tamil and directed by Eric Khoo. [FilmAsia’s review]

Thailand’s entry is the much publicized and highly controversial film -- Love of Siam (รักแห่งสยาม). A film about a gay romance of two teenage boys and discusses sexuality with “groundbreaking” frankness. The film made US$1.3 million in 3 weeks and almost swept all the local film awards. Dialogues in Thai and directed by Chookiat Sakveerakul. [WiseKwai’s review]

The Philippines’ entry is the picturesque film "Ploning"; about a man’s search for the enigmatic woman who has deeply wounded him in the past (not literally, heartbroken is the right word). Dialogues in Cuyonon/Filipino and directed by Dante Nico Garcia. [Rianne Soriano’s review]

Vietnam, the only Southeast Asian country to ever nominated, did not send any entry this year. The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture received only 1 entry (Black Forest) to represent the country but the film wasn’t commercially released [read as: disqualified]

Indonesia, the only other more successful SE Asian country in the Oscar’s Best Foreign Language film with more than 5 films accepted to the competition did not make it to the 01 Oct deadline.

Malaysia, Cambodia and Burma did not send entries this year; while Laos, Brunei and Timor Leste do not have local movie industry.

BISEAN wishes the best of luck to “My Magic”, “Love of Siam” and “Ploning”. Make us proud!

Nominations (Honorary Awards) will be announced on 22 January 2009, and the winner will be announced on 22 February 2009 at the 81st Oscars.

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Related post: Our Oscars So Far

OUR CULINARY GEMS: Chicken Kurma

This dish is the Malaysian-ized recipe of the famous North Indian dish “Korma”. It actually means “cooked vewy slooooowly”. So if you’re planning to have this dish at dinner tonight, have a sandwich ready.

In Malaysia it is called “Kurma Ayam” (Ayam means chicken) and mostly available everywhere; mamak stalls, food courts and just about any restaurant in Malaysia.

Chicken Kurma is a very mild, creamy dish with a heavy sauce but you can make it as hot as you please.

Try something new at the table tonight and invite your friends – try this wonderful dish from Malaysia.

Here’s the recipe…

Preparation Time 15 mins
Cooking Time 30 mins
Serves 4

Ingredients

Group 1
3 tbsps cooking oil
1 medium sized onion, finely sliced
1 thumb fresh ginger, finely chopped
2 inch cinnamon
4 cloves garlic
2 cardamon

Group 2
1/2 kg chicken, cut into serving pieces
1 large potato, peeled and cut into wedges
2 cups water

1 cup evaporated milk
Juice from one lime
¼ cup roasted cashew nuts
Salt to taste

Group 3
2 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp anis seed
1 tbsp cummin seeds
1 tsp white peppercorn
6 white poppy seeds

Directions

1. Blend Group 3 together in an blender with a little water to make a paste. Set Aside.

2. Sautee Group 1 together cooking the onion first and add the rest when it’s translucent.

3. Add the Group 3 paste and keep stirring until it is fragrant and aromatic. Add salt to taste.

4. Add the chicken, water and potato from Group 2 and cook till meat is tender.

5. Pour in the evaporated milk and allow it to simmer over low heat until the gravy is thick. Add lime juice and salt to taste.

Garnish with roasted cashew nuts on top and mint leaves on the side.

Bon appetite!

MEET THEOS: Southeast Asia's Newest Satellite in Orbit

While most of Southeast Asia was celebrating the Eid-ul-Fitr; Thailand was launching its first natural imaging satellite in Yasny, Russia.

The first and only imaging satellite in Southeast Asia was launched in 01 October 2008 (Wednesday) around 6:37pm by a Russian Dnepr rocket. It was successfully placed in parking orbit and for the first time [in 03 Oct] – orbited across the sky above the kingdom and took photos of the Big Mango! (Bangkok)

*I am eagerly awaiting the released photos! Argh! I can’t wait!*

Its name is THEOS -- a 715-kg satellite built by EADS for Thailand. It stands for THailand Earth Observation System.

And anytime now, will transmit images of world-wide geo-reference photos for environmental & coastal monitoring, forestry & flood risk management and track illicit drug plantation and trafficking. THEOS will provide access to any part of Thailand in less than 48 hours.

THEOS is fully owned, controlled and maintained by Thailand. Its control station is in Sri Racha manned by the Thai Space Agency GISTDA.

The Space Technology race in the region is in full swing! –

Bring it on, Indonesia! =)

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Related Post: Southeast Asian Satellites

HARI RAYA KIDS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

Our compilation of Muslim kids on Hari Raya. Guaranteed to make you smile. =)

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***Thanks to all the photo owners in the spirit of sharing.