10th Pusat Ehsan Charity Golf Tournament 2012

PWM Lunar New Year Gala Dinner 2012

Organizing Committee

L-R: Ellin C, Simon G, GOH & James L

 Stuart Lee & Mei Ting, emcees for the evening

"Low Sang"

Our guests (dressed in black) from Astro

 Mr. James Lee, Organizing Chairman

 Presentation of Academic Excellence Awards

The GOH, Ms. Haznah Md Hashim

 "The 24 Drums" performance by Chung Hwa School

"Chai Sen Yeh" distributing "ang pows"

 With Lee Sheng Zong & Choo Ya Chan, artistes from Astro

Persatuan Warganegara Malaysia (PWM) held a Lunar New Year Gala Dinner at the Planetary Hall, International Conventional Centre (ICC) last night. The main objective of this event was to reward and recognize Malaysian students residing in Brunei Darussalam who have achieve academic excellence in their respective academic year. More than 300 students achieve the criteria set by PWM and walked away with certificates of achievement and "ang pows". The guest of honour was the Minister Counsellor at the Malaysian High Commission, Ms. Haznah Md Hashim, who was representing the High Commissioner of Malaysia. A big "Thank You" to the more than 1000 guests (this function would not have been possible without you!) for their support; taking into consideration that there were several other events going on at the same time! And I love this year's theme "Celebrating Unity, Peace & Prosperity", all thanks to our designer, Mr. Azlan Ahmad!

Brunei's 28th National Day

 PWM participants

Persatuan Masyarakat Indonesia

Persatuan Warganegara Malaysia

 Rehearsal on 21-02-12

 Rehearsal on 21-02-12

Today is Brunei Darussalam's 28th National Day and this is the second year that I'm participating in the National Day Parade! Forteen of us from PWM assembled at Seri Complex (where there is ample parking spaces), had breakfast at a restaurant there before taking the 15 minutes' walk to Yayasan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to meet up with other members of PWM. There were about 50 of us, headed by our President, Mr. Simon Gelan. We only had a rehearsal two days ago and during that rehearsal, there was a slight drizzle and the weather was much cooler. This morning's weather was quite warm  and as we were the 119th group (second last! The Persatuan Masyarakat Indonesia was last), we waited for more than 3 hours before it was our turn to march past His Majesty the Sultan at Taman Omar Ali Saifuddien around 10.30am. Congratulations to His Majesty on Brunei's 28th National Day! 

DPMM FC Annual Gala 2012

 Group photo of DPMM FC

 Mr & Mrs James Lee of Tele Directories

 Presentation of momentos to sponsors

 MC & singers from Indonesia

Last night I attended the Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club's (DPMM FC) Annual Gala 2012 which was being held at the Empire Theatre. DPMM FC also celebrated it's Chairman, His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince's 38th birthday which falls on 17 February. Throughout the evening, the guests, including His Majesty the Sultan, other royal family members and VVIPs were entertained by two popular male singers from Indonesia. DPMM FC also donated $11,900 (proceeds from a friendly match between DPMM FC and Thailand's Chiangrai United FC) towards the Humanitarian Fund for flood victims of Thailand and Cambodia. Good luck to DPMM FC in their S-League campaign and Happy Birthday, Your Royal Highness! Click here for more photos.

Food Tasting @ Seri Kemayan Restaurant

Last night, we had a food tasting (or was it food testing?) session at the Seri Kemayan Restaurant which is located on the first floor of the Utama Bowling Centre. Seri Kemayan is contracted to cater for the "Classic" tables of PWM's Chinese New Year Dinner (cum Students' Academic Achievement Awards Night) to be held on 25th of this month at the International Convention Centre. There was another food tasting session by Royal Brunei Catering on 2 February 2012 (catering for the "Platinum, Gold and Silver" tables) which unfortunately I wasn't able to attend as it clashed with another function. Please do support PWM on this meaningful event. By the way, Happy Valentine's Day! 

Carlmelo's Birthday @ Serasa Beach

 The birthday boy, Carlmelo

 "Licence to Grill" team

 Flea market (only on Sundays)

This morning, I attended a colleague's birthday which was being held at the Serasa Beach, a good half an hour's drive from Bandar Seri Begawan. I haven't been to Serasa Beach for many years and the place has been spruced up with pavilions and B-B-Q pits for the convenience of the public. As it was a Sunday, be prepared to go early to "book" the pavilion as many Bruneian families tend to go to the beach for family days. There's even a "flea market" where you can buy inexpensive and used products (clothes, CDs, shoes, pets, hammocks, food, drinks, etc) from tents pitched along the stretch of road running along the beach. I think they do not require a licence to do business here!