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.

WHAT GOES ON DURING HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI?

The Hari Raya is one of my most awaited events in Southeast Asia. I would go to my Muslim friends’ house and eat and eat as much as I can – uhm, did I just sound like a free-riding cheapskate there? LOL. Nah, kidding aside…the Hari Raya is a special day when Muslims celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan with their families.

Greeting me, greeting you. Hari Raya literally means... “Day of Celebration”. Aidilfitri is the Malay term of the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr. Muslims in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei use the greeting “Selamat Hari Raya” while Muslims in Indonesia use “Salam Aidilfitri”. This is also a time for reconciliations and the words...“Maaf zahir dan batin” are added which means “I seek forgiveness with all my being”. “Happy Eid” is acceptable to English speaking greeters.

New stuffs for the kids! Just like Christmas or Songkran, Hari Raya is also most awaited by children. This is the day they get new clothes, new shoes, new PlayStation *that’s for me!* and all sorts of presents. The adults are extra generous by giving small amounts of money they call “Duit raya”. *Ch-k-ching!*

Everybody is in a festive mood! People would be extra happy, extra friendly and seem like they are switched on to shopping mode as well! Big cities and towns would have sale, big promotions, discounts and the malls are playing Hari Raya songs non-stop! TV show extravaganzas and concerts rule the airwaves for the succeeding days.

1 light bulb, 2 light bulbs, 3 light bulbs…City streets transform into a Disney-like feel with all the thousands of light bulbs on just about anywhere they can stick in onto -- like stars descended from the heavens. More traditional families in towns use lamps to decorate their houses at night time.




Traditional costumes galore! It is customary for Malays to wear traditional Malay costumes on Hari Raya. Men would wear “baju” and women would wear “kurung” or “kebaya” – they will take pictures of themselves and post it on MySpace for the entire world to see! I really love it when they flaunt and proud of wearing their traditional costumes! Simply admirable.

Honk! Honk! Most people would hold traditions the best they can. There is “Balik Kampung” which means going back to one’s home town and celebrate Hari Raya with their relatives and childhood friends. You wouldn’t believe the nationwide traffic caused by this mass exodus! Traffic enforcers are on a 24-hour alert!



Come in! Come in! On the eve of the celebrations; mothers, grandmas and aunts are busy preparing food, cakes, sweets and the best dishes – Ketupat and Rendang are on top of the menu. Supermarkets would sell instant-versions of it for the city people. And the most beautiful of it all is the “open house” – where you can just show up to other people’s house and eat to your hearts’ desire.

Behind all this modern celebration of the Hari Raya is an earnest tradition of keeping close to their religion. Muslims would start the day with a prayer at the mosque, visit people who are close to their hearts and be compassionate with all sincerity.

The Hari Raya is truly a Southeast Asian tradition to behold.


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* Note: The Eid-ul-Fitr is also a national holiday in the Philippines.
THIS IS A REPOST.

PERFECT SPECIMEN: Deborah Priya Henry

More than just a pretty face.


Deborah Priya Henry is a famous model/product endorser in Malaysia. She was born in Dublin, Ireland on 07 July 1985 to a Malaysian-Indian mother and an Irish father.

She grew up in Kuala Lumpur and started modeling when she was 15 in London. After completing 2 degrees from the University of Queensland in Australia, she became Miss Malaysia-World 2007 and went on to become a semi-finalist in the Miss World 2007 contest. She was the first representative of Malaysia after a 9-year absence in the said contest.

Deborah is now active in modeling and founded “Open Doors” – a charity org helping people with sustainable development programs and assistance.


More of Deborah here...




(Click photo for larger view)



Eurasians are the most beautiful people on Earth.

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HTMS CHAKRI NARUEBET | จักรีนฤเบศร : Southeast Asia’s Only Aircraft Carrier

The Chakri Naruebet is an aircraft/helicopter carrier of the Royal Thai Navy. It is the one and only in Southeast Asia and the smallest serving aircraft carrier in the world. It holds the distinction of the most technologically advanced vessel in the region.

Though an aircraft carrier in an Armed Forces may depict offensive warfare, the Chakri Naruebet was purchased mainly to modernize the Royal Thai Navy and for surveillance for Thailand’s Exclusive Economic Zone. In fact, the anti-aircraft missile systems were never installed and the Chakri Naruebet is rarely put to sea. Starting up its engine alone costs US$4,000 already.

In time of war (which I don’t think will happen), the vessel is the Flagship of the Royal Thai Navy. It will be sent for air and surface defense missions and anti-submarine warfare. It can carry 6 Harriers and 4 Seahawks at the full speed of 26.2 knots.

This prestigious vessel was delivered brand new to Thailand in 1997 (at a cost of US$175 million) by Spanish shipbuilders Izar from Ferrol, Spain. The design was based on the Spanish carrier "Principe de Asturias".

The Chakri Naruebet’s size and power can withstand rough weather at sea. It was used for search and rescue when the tsunami hit Thailand in 2004 and other disaster reliefs. This is why the ship is numbered – “911”.

The name "Chakri Naruebet" means “The Protector of the Chakri Dynasty” given by His Majesty the King of Thailand. HTMS means “His Thai Majesty’s Ship” used for the Royal Thai Navy’s vessels only.

The HTMS Chakri Naruebet – Prestige of the Thai Kingdom.
Treasure of Southeast Asia.



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PHAM TUAN: Southeast Asia’s First Man in Space

The great Phạm Tuân deserves perennial recognition. And this is BISEAN’s contribution to continuously appreciate the Heroes of Our Region.

This amazing dude will be forever written in our history --
Vietnam’s pride, Southeast Asia’s honor and Asia’s first man in space.

Phạm Tuân was born in Quoc Tuan, Vietnam. He joined the Vietnam People's Air Force in 1965 and actually fought in live air-combat against America’s bests (?) in the Vietnam War till 1975. He also holds the distinction of “the only pilot in the World to ever shoot down a B-52 bomber.” *super cool!* -- although America diligently denied this. *Yeah, right. They even denied they lost the war! Haha!*

After he became a Major General and a research engineer for the USSR-Vietnam Space Program, he was selected (with another Soviet cosmonaut) to be sent on a space mission on board Soyuz37 on 23 July 1980 at Baikonur, USSR.

Our hero was in space for 7 days, 20 hours and 42 minutes and completed 142 orbits before going back to Earth on 31 July 1980. He did a lot of scientific experiments up there.

Looking at his photo (above) in his prime, Mr. Phạm is a very handsome fella indeed! And the photo (right) is, more or less, how he looks like today – still very handsome and dignified. *Mr. Phạm, you are my idol! I’m sure a lot of girls are running after you! Woohoo!”*

Mr. Phạm was married in 1975 and has 2 kids. He is now a Lieutenant General -- Head of the General Department of Defense Industry of the Ministry of Defense, and a member of the Vietnam National Assembly.

The Great Phạm Tuân of Vietnam – Hero of Southeast Asia.

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Related Article: Malaysia’s First Man in Space

*** Author’s trivia: Pisanu’s 3rd son was named “Marcus Pham Tuan” nicknamed “P.T.” in honor of Mr. Phạm.