Tag - Culture

TAMPARULI: Sabah Tourism Board (STB) is already looking ahead in making the next edition of Bamboo Arts Festival bigger and better, said STB Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. He said the festival can be developed into a main tourism product not only in Sabah but also in the country. "This festival is unique and this is something that we want to showcase. When we talk about attracting foreign tourists, we want to display a unique tourism product which is not found in other places. "We are aiming to do more promotion (on the festival) not only domestically but also overseas so that tourists will know about this festival," Bangkuai said when met after Bambusia Gala Nite, the highlight of the festival, at Tun Hamdan Hall, here. He added, promotions will be done through existing channels, like websites and overseas tourism offices as "we want tourists to come to Sabah and be fascinated with our culture." "STB will continue its effort in providing support and encouragement so that the festival can be expanded into something bigger and well-known not only in Sabah but also outside the country." While there are current efforts in promoting bamboo music, Bangkuai said, there is still room to promote it further. "Even when we were sitting at our table just now, we discussed what should be done next year…we are already looking ahead. "I believe with the inputs from our partners, including the organiser, Ombak and also local leaders like Datuk Jahid Jahim (Tamparuli Community Development Leader) and also the sub-district office, I'm sure we will come up with a strategy to ensure next year's festival will be bigger and more visitors will come to experience its uniqueness," he said. The Bamboo Arts Festival ran for two days starting Tuesday and ended with Bambusia Gala Nite. On Tuesday, six bamboo orchestras from different schools, namely SMK Tamparuli, SK Lingga Baru, SMK Tenghilan, SJK(C) St Philip, SK Koporingan and SMK Kota Marudu performed in pocket shows at various locations around here, Tuaran and Tenghilan. Telematches were held on Wednesday morning with activities like bamboo-stilt walking and blowpipe contest, followed by a Tamu as well as agricultural, handicraft and cultural exhibitions. The performances on Bambusia Gala Nite featured 18 musicians and two singers from Orchestra Music Bamboo Kinabalu (Ombak) with special appearances by bamboo saxophone maestro, Philipus Jani, veteran singer Mary Intiang and Reynaldo Pagie and Marlleynney. The show opened with Philipus strutting his expertise in playing the bamboo saxophone with a rendition of the late P. Ramlee's evergreen number, 'Getaran Jiwa'. He was then accompanied by the bamboo orchestra and Art Collection dancers. A singer from Ombak then took centre stage with an upbeat song, 'Mesang-Mesang Kadi', followed by Mary with a Kadazandusun song, 'Susugali' and 'Unchained Melody' by Reynaldo. Mary once again performed on stage with an evergreen Dusun song, 'Sonsomido', inciting the audience to sing-along with her. A rendition of Christie's 'Yellow River' by Ombak's singer followed Mary's performance. Reynaldo then sang another famous song, 'Sumandak Tamparuli', accompanying 2015 Tamparuli Unduk Ngadau Edna Malanjang who made a brief special appearance in the gala night. The second last part of the evening featured songs like 'Jambatan Tamparuli', 'Saving All My Love For You', sang by Marlleynney, a Kitaro song and 'Kurik Kundi', also by Marlleynney. The night ended with the audience dancing with the dancers to the singing by all singers Marlleynney with 'Ampuk-Ampuk Bulan', 'Tanak Kampung' (Mary) and 'Sayang Kinabalu' (Reynaldo). Source: Daily Express

Kuala Lumpur: The charity concert dubbed Panggilan Kinabalu-Tribute to the Heroes of Mount Kinabalu and held in June this year raised RM306,800.33, exceeding the targeted figure of RM250,000 in aid of the mountain guides and porters. The concert was jointly organised by the Rotary Club Bukit Bintang and Rotary Club of Bandar Utama at the Galaxy Banquet Hall, here. Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, who graced the occasion, announced the good news and commended the organisers and contributors at a press conference held at the HGH Convention Centre, here, Friday. "The initiative by the two Rotary Clubs in raising funds in times of crisis is exemplary and should be emulated by other organisations. I would encourage corporations and other corporate organisations to have a heart for fellow Malaysians who are going through difficulties such as those experienced by the Malims and porters of Mount Kinabalu who were adversely affected by the earthquake that took place on the 5th of June this year," she said. Yap, who is Member of Parliament for Tawau, received a mock cheque for the sum of RM306,000.00 (from the clubs) on behalf of the mountain guides and porters of Mount Kinabalu. On hand to make the presentation were President of the Rotary Club of Bukit Bintang, Johnny Sui, and Concert Co-Organising Chairmen Yap Fatt Lam (Past President of Rotary Club of Bukit Bintang) and Ong Hock Siew (President of Rotary Club of Bandar Utama). She also disclosed that the first distribution ceremony will be held in Kota Kinabalu on October 30 at the Office of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment. The Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun will officiate at the event will be officiated by Yang Berbahagia Datuk Panglima Masidi Manjun. At the press conference, Fatt Lam recounted how so many generous Malaysians contributed to the cause of bringing relief to those in dire need of help while Ong explained the mode of distribution of the proceeds to the affected Malims and porters, and outlined the training programme for the participants. "I laud the two Rotary clubs for their innovative way of distributing the proceeds to the beneficiaries. The added objective of training the affected Malims and porters is a very good avenue to bringing education and mind set change to them. "The focus on financial planning, skills training and micro-entrepreneurship programmes has the longer term aim of effecting lifestyle change," Yap commented. On the element of transparency in handling funds raised, she said it was a fine example for other organisations to follow. "The properly audited accounts as well as the rule that all personal and travel expenses are to be borne by the office-bearers themselves are best practices, and reflects the high standards of integrity adopted by the Rotary Clubs." Praising the trainers who have volunteered their services, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education said their voluntarism was a reflection of the caring Malaysian mentality. "Indeed, this is the true Malaysian spirit where the rich should help the poor and the capable assisting the less able." Yap, meanwhile, commended Tan Sri Azman Hashim for his magnanimity in raising a significant portion of the proceeds and for singing at the concert. "(Tan Sri) Azman's suggestion of building a rest centre for the Malims and porters of Mount Kinabalu is also a noteworthy gesture," she said. Other well-known singers featured at the concert included veteran entertainer Dato' Khatijah Ibrahim, Azharina Azhar, Summers Singers A Cappella Band and Glitterama Ladies Charity Group. Also present were Immediate Past District Governor of Rotary International District 3300, Kirenjit Kaur who represented the District Governor and Chairman of HGH Convention Centre, Eddie Heng who provided the concert venue for free. Source: Daily Express