The Intersection

Over 200 New Species Found in SE Asia

A psychedelic gecko and a monkey with an "Elvis" hairdo are among 208 new species described last year by scientists in the Mekong River region of Southeast Asia.

The region is home to some of the world's most endangered species, including tigers, Asian elephants, Mekong dolphins and Mekong giant catfish, the group said.

The Mekong flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

In October, WWF announced Vietnam has lost its last Javan rhinoceros, making the 40 to 60 Javan rhinos living in Indonesia the last remaining members of their species.

Some photos of the newly discovered species...

A new psychedelic gecko is seen in Vietnam. 

It was discovered in Hon Khoai island, Ca Mau province, in southern Vietnam.

A limestone leaf warbler (Phylloscopus Calciatilis), so-called because it breeds in limestone karsts in Laos and has a loud, unique call.

A vibrantly-spotted newt (Tylototriton notialis) discovered in Laos. 

A self-cloning lizard (Leiolepis ngovantrii).

A monkey with "Elvis" hairdo is seen. It was discovered in Myanmar.

[source]

10 BEST UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

The U.S. News World's Best Universities rankings, based on the QS World University Rankings, evaluated schools in countries such as China, India, Singapore, and more, and identified these to be the top universities in Asia.


This list was extracted from 100 Best Universities in Asia -- 


1. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE, Singapore (Rank in Asia: 3rd)


2. NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, Singapore (17)


3. MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY, Thailand (34)


4. UNIVERSITI MALAYA, Malaysia (39)


5. CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY, Thailand (47)


6. University of Indonesia, Indonesia (50)
7. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia (53)
8. Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia (57)
9. University of the Philippines, Philippines (62)
10. Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines (65)

[source]

WHY WE ARE THE BEST MOTO DRIVERS

BISEAN will feature a series of moto stunts done by cool riders accross Southeast Asia... this one's from Malaysia (I think). ***Erratum: This one is from Indonesia. Thanks!

OUR GIRLS IN THE MISS UNIVERSE 2010

Here are our FABULOUS delegates to the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Live telecast of the coronation will be on 23 August 2010, Monday.

Our 5 girls will compete against 78 other delegates from around the globe. I don't know why Vietnam failed to send one this year (Can anyone give an input?)

Qory Sandioriva, 18, Jakarta
Nadine Ann Thomas, 23, Kuala Lumpur
Venus Raj, 22, Bato Town
Tania Lim, 23, Singapore
Fonthip Watcharatrakul ฝนทิพย์ วัชรตระกูล, 20, Samut Prakan

Please note that none of our girls look anything like the day they left their countries for the pageant. Why do they have to alter their looks? Anyways...

Good luck, girls! Bring home the pearls. Ooops! I forgot, they changed the crown into a cheap-looking rhinestone tiara. Ok, bring home the rhinestones!!! Go, go, go!!


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Can you predict their chances?

Photos courtesy of MissUniverse.com

THE DIVAS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

A “diva”, according to Merriam-Webster English dictionary: 1. prima donna 2. Usually glamorous and successful female performer or personality. The word came from the Latin word “divus” which means goddess or a female deity.

The word came to the English language in 1883 and used for operatic prima donnas that time. The contemporary term “Diva” is believed to have started with Maria Callas – the Greek-American opera singer who earned worldwide fame in the 50s. Then there was Googoosh of Persia, Edith Piaf of France, Rocio Jurado of Spain and many others.


BISEAN will list and feature the divas of our great region.

How will we do it?

To lessen "subjectivity" like voice quality, singing style, fan-base, etc. -- We came up with the 5 most common criteria of a Diva. These will be the objective principles to be used in our pursuit to list the region’s ultimate divas:

1. Fame. Her name is known to at least 3 generations; a confirmation of her staying power.

2. Signature Song. A song that only her name is attributed to. No other singer dares to sing it without acknowledging her name.

3. Cultural contribution. Her music represents her nation’s identity and heritage; made an impact to the local music industry.

4. A goddess is never always available. She has no fan-base but commands respect from the public and fellow performers. Appearances are rare.

5. Real tragic drama. Her personal life is one big spectacle itself. The raw emotions of her real life resonate through her songs.

We need our reader’s involvement.

We have already prepared a short list, but we welcome contributions to list the Divas of Southeast Asia.


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OUR GIRLS IN THE MISS UNIVERSE 2009

Here are our gorgeous delegates to the Miss Universe Pageant this year in Nassau, Bahamas. Live telecast of the coronation will be on 23 August 2009, Sunday.



Zivanna Letisha Siregar, 20, 5'10", Jakarta
JoannaBelle Ng, 21,5'8", Kota Kinabalu
Pamela Manalo, 22, 5'10", Manila
Rachel Kum, 24, 5'7", Singapore
Chutima Durongdej, 23, 5'10", Bangkok
Võ Hoàng Yến, 20, 5'10, Ho Chi Minh City


Zivanna was Indonesia's Elite Model Look winner. Võ Hoàng is Vietnam's Supermodel 2008 winner. Chances? Too early to tell. But with the current trending on how they choose a Miss Universe -- these two will fit the ranks.

But if they are looking for a real beauty queen, it's Philippines' Bianca hands down.

Good luck, girls! Bring home the pearls.

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HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT DO THEY DO IN MACAU?

I’m sure you know at least one person, who is working in Macau at this very moment, don’t you?

If you are in the entertainment or modeling business chances are, you know quite a few of them.

I’m also quite sure you already asked what in the world are they doing there.

Let’s compare their answers; these are the ones I always get…

1. ramp modeling
2. commercial modeling
3. print ads modeling
4. in-house modeling
5. catalogue modelling

Sure. Whatever you say.

In the past decades, Southeast Asia has seen temporary/transitory migrations of our best looking citizens; Starlets, model-wannabes, what-have-you.

Japan in the 80s, Brunei in the 90s… 2000s? Go figure.

So, what do they really do there in Macau?

You wanna know the real score (as witnessed and documented) in Macau? Here is what they really do over there:

1. night club bikini dancers
2. escorts-for-pay (run by escort service companies)
3. massage-boys-with-extra-service
4. private club hostesses (and who knows what they do in there)
5. common sex traders


All of our countries are represented. No exceptions. As long as you look like a model (or a movie starlet)… you’re in!

Macau would also be a transient -- if they're lucky enough to get sponsors to China (a bigger sex trade/modeling market).


My take on this? Keep the dirty laundry within our own yard.

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THE 20 BEST VIEWS IN THE WORLD

Nope, this isn't BISEAN's list. But we'll come up with our own very soon.


This (as posted all over the net, thanks to Yahoo!) is from Andrew Harper, a veteran travel writer and foremost in travel & leisure (for over 30 years). He reveals the most spectacular vistas around the world. [source] Guess who made it...



1. The Grand Canyon from the South Rim

People come from all over the world to take in this vista, which at sunset resembles an impressionistic painting brought to life. Hopi Point, on the West Rim Drive, extends far out into the canyon and is an excellent vantage point among many. Try to visit during the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October, when the weather is milder and the park is less crowded.



2. Hong Kong Island from Kowloon

Hong Kong Island is clustered with dizzying neon-lit skyscrapers, and the view from the Kowloon Peninsula across Victoria Harbour is straight out of a science-fiction film. This dense urban scene is especially impressive every evening at 8, when it promptly erupts into a laser light show!


3. Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

This remarkable bay between the island of Phuket and the Thai mainland is dotted with hundreds of tall limestone formations that rise hundreds of feet from the sea. Ten thousand years ago, you could walk among these towers; now only their tops are visible, like the skyline of a sunken city.



4. Manhattan from the top of Rockefeller Plaza

5. Istanbul skyline from the Bosphorus strait, Turkey

6. The Ngorongoro Crater from North Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Tanzania

7. St. Paul’s from Waterloo Bridge, London

8. The Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands

9. Machu Picchu, Peru

10. The Yucatan Peninsula from the top of Chichen Itza, Mexico


11. Florence from the loggia of Villa San Michele, Italy
12. Paris from the Pont des Arts, France
13. The medina of Fes from the Palais Jamai, Morocco
14. Annapurna from Sarankot, Nepal
15. Sydney Harbour from Taronga Zoo, Australia
16. The Potala Palace from across the Lhasa River, Tibet
17. The Parthenon from Mount Lycabettus, Athens, Greece
18. The Lemaire Channel, Antarctica
19. The City Palace from the Lake Palace, Udaipur, India

20. The temples of Bagan, Burma

Dotted across a plain beside the Irrawaddy River in central Myanmar, the ruins of Bagan cover 16 square miles. Dozens of immense stupas and temples rise from the red, dusty soil, all that remains of a major city sacked by the Mongol Kublai Khan. The scene at sunrise is unforgettably romantic

INDONESIA IS STILL THE ONLY FREE COUNTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Freedom House, an independent non-profit organization advocating human rights around the world since 1941 recently released the 2008 Freedom of the World Scores. Indonesia retained its status as the only "free" country in our region. [ source]

BISEAN first featured these findings last year -- Freedom in Southeast Asia

Here's our Freedom Map of 2008

Thailand has been elevated from "Not Free" to "Partially Free" status together with Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Timor Leste this year.


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HOW TO SAY "Merry Christmas" IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Asia's 2 Christian-dominated nations is in our region (the Philippines and Timor Leste) are celebrating the Christmas today! Whether we admit it or not, the Christian holiday that falls on the 25th of December has evolved into something more "universal".

Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei cites it. We in Thailand never fails to surprise visitors that we, indeed, celebrate Christmas in our own way. So as the largely Buddhist Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

So, here it is...today is Christmas. The holiday that shed its 'religious' tone and considered as a day of peace and gift-giving around the world.


We say สุขสันต์วันคริสตร์มาส in Thailand. It's "Souksarn wan Christmas". It's "Krit-sa-mat" or loosely pronounced like that, ok? This is the most awaited event of the kids in International schools around the country! They also say "Souksan wan Christmas" in Laos.

The Filipinos say "Maligayang Pasko" for the Tagalogs. "Naragsak a Pascua" for the Ilocanos in the north. "Masayang Pasku keko ngan" in my second home Pampanga. "Masinadyahon nga Paskua" in Central Philippines. "Maugmang Capascuhan" in Bicol and many many other languages in this country.

The Timorese would say "Feliz natal" in Portuguese. How do you say it in Tetun?

And for our Chinese bros in Singapore and across the region: 圣诞快乐 "Sheng Dankuai Le" in Mandarin and "Sing Daan Faai Lok" in Cantonese.

It's "Christmas nay hma mue pyaw pa" in Burma. "Mừng Chúa Giáng Sinh" in Vietnam and "Soursdey Noel" in Cambodia.

"Selamat Hari Natal" is how they say it in Malaysia (Malay) and Brunei, and also acceptable in Indonesia but better "Selamat Natal" to be more accurate. "Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal" from our Tamil brothers.

สุขสันต์วันคริสตร์มาส et Joyeux Noel everybody!

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GRUMPECHT'S GREEN PIT VIPER: What a Beauty!

I don't know about you but this has got to be the most beautiful snake in the world! *appeals won't be entertained, thank you*

This beauty is one of the 1,068 NEW species discovered in the Greater Mekong River region (Laos, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia & Vietnam) in the past 10 years!

National Geographic has a featured article here -- read all about it. Quite interesting, really. We'll feature some of 'em on our "Our Flora & Fauna" Series.

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*Photo by the Greater Mekong Programme/WWF International

LONGEST TUNNELS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Road Tunnels are engineering marvels that never fails to amaze (and amuse!) me. I always make sure I am wide awake entering it, holding my breath while passing it and let a sigh of relief as soon as I get out of it. I’m sure you do too. The ultimate claustrobhobia-inducing nightmare for some =)

These are the 10 Longest (Navigable) Tunnels in Southeast Asia. The list includes all type of tunnels -- Sub-aqueous road tunnels, rock, shield and immersed tubes –but excludes the subway systems of Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.


1. Hai Van Pass Tunnel, Vietnam. At 6280 m (6.28 km) long it is the longest navigable tunnel in the whole of Southeast Asia. It was opened on 05 June 2005. The tunnel has a cross sectional area of 73 sq.m. and carries daily traffic from the Port City of Danang to Hue.

2. CTE II, 3.7 km (highway), Singapore

3. SMART Tunnel, 3.3 km (highway); 9.7km (floodway), Malaysia

4. CTE, 2.4 km (highway), Singapore

5. CTE I, 1.7 km (highway) , Singapore

6. Khun Tan Tunnel, 1.4 km, Thailand (rail tunnel in Lampang and Lamphun provinces)

7. Phra Phutthachai Tunnel, 1.2 km, Thailand (rail tunnel in Saraburi province)

8. Genting Sempah Tunnel, 900 m (highway), Malaysia

9. Menora Tunnel, 800 m (highway), Malaysia

10. Penchala Tunnel, 700 m (highway), Malaysia

If bridges are out of the question, dig tunnels.

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IT'S TIME TO PEG OUR CURRENCIES TO THE SINGAPORE DOLLAR

My father and I had a little discussion earlier on the phone about the future of our region's economy.

I was soooo grown up talking about world economics, Southeast Asian investment forecasts, which stocks to buy before 2009 and which ones to dispose before the end of this month. Our relationship pretty much revolve around these subjects before we meet in December (annually) and hand him his share of the loot, I mean...profits.

Our conversation ended abruptly while in the middle of brainstorming the possibility of pegging Southeast Asian currencies to the Singapore dollar.

Yeah, that's a good idea.


C'mon! Aren't we all so sick and tired of all the dramas in America?

Every time they got some sort of an economic dilemma [which NOBODY really know if it's true or not] and considering their major bloopers and blunders in the past decade...do we really have to shake, rattle and roll over helplessly?

Let's peg our currencies to the strongest moolah in the region.

It is NOT impossible. I'll back this up with hard stats on our coming posts.

What do you think, young citizens of AEC?

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FORBES' 10 NEXT GREAT CITIES OF THE WORLD

Here's something for global investors and Real Estate moonies like me...


Forbes Magazine compiled a list of the World's 10 Next Great Cities a few days ago. And guess who made it?

Pffft! Not a clue? --

This list won't make it to BISEAN if at least one of our SEA Cities aren't mentioned!

Ok, ok, let's spill it...

Kuala Lumpur is at No.4 and Bangkok is at No. 9.

There. Take that!

While traditional World cities are suffering from economic slowdown, these 10 cities are blossoming and fast becoming to be the World's most important cities.

Read the full story here or view Forbes' slideshow here.

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***Thanks to TAO for pointing this out =)

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.

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

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

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.

WORLD AIRLINE AWARDS 2008

The 2008 winners of the airline industry’s most coveted prize were announced last month in London. As usual, most of the top awards went to Asian airlines with the cherry on top – Singapore Airlines as the Airline of the Year! *the 3rd time in 10 years!*

The rigorous and meticulous survey for 2008 winners was done between Aug 2007 to Jun 2008 by Skytrax -- the world’s most trusted airline reviewers.

Here are the Top Awards: “Did your flag carrier made it?”



AIRLINE OF THE YEAR 2008

1. Singapore Airlines

2. Cathay Pacific
3. Qantas
4. Thai Airways
5. Asiana Airlines
6. Malaysia Airlines
7. Qatar Airways
8. Air New Zealand
9. Emirates
10. Etihad Airways


WORLD’S BEST CABIN STAFF 2008

1. Asiana
2. Malaysia Airlines
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Thai Airways
5. Air New Zealand


WORLD’S BEST REGIONAL AIRLINE: Asia

1. Bangkok Airways


BEST FIRST-CLASS Airline

1. Cathay Pacific
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Qatar
4. Jet Airways
5. Thai Airways

BEST BUSINESS-CLASS Airline

1. Singapore Airlines
2. Air New Zealand
3. British Airways
4. Cathay Pacific
5. Etihad

BEST ECONOMY-CLASS Airline

1. Asiana
2. Qatar
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Malaysia Airlines
5. Thai Airways

Congratulations to Singapore Airlines! We are proud of you.

And to Malaysia and Thai Airways… congratulations too! Well done!

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Here’s the complete list of winners.