COVER STORY
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OCT2013
campusplus.com.my
CONTENTS
FEATURES
24
BEAUTY INDIE COSMETICS 101
Tell real from fake indie cosmetics and discover the little gems of these beauty brands
28
FASHION CHIC OR TREAT
Be your very own master of disguise with some of our easy Halloween know-hows
35
FEATURE RINGGIT SAVVY MADE SUPER SIMPLE
Start saving for a rainy day right now with these super simple tips
42
CAREER CHAT THE TEE IN TRENDY
Get up close and personal with Creative Director Hugh Koh of Pestle & Mortar
44
FEATURE USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO LAND YOUR FIRST GRADUATE JOB
Harness the potential of using the power of social media to land a graduate job
FIVE INCREDIBLE WAYS!
CAMPUS PLUS presents...
While students today are hooked on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking tools, not many realise the potential of using the power of social media to land a graduate job.
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COVER STORY THE UNORTHODOX DANCER
36
Norbaizura Abdul Ghani takes us through the steps of her passion for traditional Indian dance
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OCT2013
campusplus.com.my
CONTENTS
74 FEATURES
46
76
REGULARS NEWS ....................................... 08
ARTS & CULTURE
OFF THE SHELF ........................ 22
GLASS ACT
BEAUTY Q&A ........................... 26
Artist extraordinaire Raja Azhar Idris introduces the intricate media of glass making
48
HIP HOP NATION DON’T GET THE WRONG IDEA
DJ Biggie of Kartel Records reveals the misconceptions of hip hop in Malaysia
57
UNPLUGGED
BEAUTY CASE ............................ 27
68
FOREST FEAST
Delectable cuisines of sorts at reasonable prices in a unique rainforest setting
FASHION TRENDS ..................... 28 RUNWAY REPORT ..................... 30 GUYS STUFF .............................. 32 HIP HOP NATION: HOW TO ....... 50
DREAM CARS
MUSIC ...................................... 58
LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO MALAYSIA LIMITED EDITION
K-POP ....................................... 60
Introducing the result of a year’s collaboration between Lamborghini KL and Automibili Lamborghini SpA
CAMPUS TALK .......................... 64
74
MUSIC FOR EARTH
Singer-songwriter Jes talks about spreading environmental messages through music
FOOD DIRECTORY
MOVIES ..................................... 62 WELLNESS ................................ 65
66
TRAVEL AMMO FOR BACKPACKING
Getting away on a budget made easy with our top tips for the backpacking noob
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76
CLUB SCENE
GAMES ...................................... 71
VERTIGO CLUB KUALA LUMPUR
WIRED UP ................................. 72
Defining the glitz and clam of club life on the rooftop of The Gardens at Mid Valley City
CAMPUS LIFE THE COMIC ......... 78 EVENT LISTING ......................... 80
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SIGHTS & INSIGHTS FROM THE EDITOR
takenote
FROM THE EDITOR
EDITORIAL
THE TEAM Mac Sivanesan
Publisher
MAC@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
Lainey Loh
Editor
LAINEY@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
JQ Lee
Writers
JQ@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
Contributors
Subashini Selvaratnam Nikki Nair, Shah
General
Editorial
CREATIVE
NEWSDESK@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
Art Director
Graphic Designer
Mustafa Khalil
Suzanne Chuah
Visual & DI
Kamil Haziq
STUDIO2@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
ZANNE@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
CORPORATE
Kabul Zam STUDIO@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
HAZIQ@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
Cartoonist
Ivan Wong
Events
Nancy P
NANCY@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
Aravin R
ARAVIN@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
Marketing
Jolene Tan JOLENE@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
Online Community Shahril Bahrom SHAHRIL@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
Steven Teng
Sales
Follow us on: <Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/campusplus> <Twitter: http:// twitter.com/campusplustweet > <Instagram: http://instagram.com/campusplus>
OCTOBER 2013
Putting The “Life”
In “Lifestyle”
I
t’s October and you know what that means – Halloween is just around the corner! What’s that? You haven’t decided who or what you’re going to go as this year? Then, have we got great news for you! In this issue, we’ve included easy Halloween costume ideas for the masters of disguise. Doll up as Audrey Hepburn, get your swag on as the Ringmaster, all that and more in “Chic or Treat” on page 28. We’ll leave it up to you to get creative. You know what else is creative? Glass art. We recently interviewed glass artist extraordinaire Raja Azhar Idris, who has made glass-making his way of life. Although most of his techniques are self-taught through experimentation with glass, his skills have brought him far and wide, as far as the Sultan of Terengganu’s dining table! What are we on about? Find out in our “Arts & Culture” section on pages 46 and 47. But our appreciation for unorthodox forms of art doesn’t stop there. We also spoke to 27-year-old Norbaizura Abdul Ghani, the principal dancer and director of the Aswara Dance Company who dances like a dream. Except that her dance of choice is the classical Indian dance – a form of art that’s very challenging in terms of technique, feel, tempo, and stamina. So why did she pick Indian traditional dance over contemporary dance? What are the setbacks? Is there a future in the Malaysian dance industry? Let Norbaizura take you through the steps on pages 35 to 38. Of course, we haven’t forgotten our contemporary dance fans. And by “contemporary”, we mean more hip-hop “How To’s”. On pages 50 and 51, Jeff Chang busts a few basic moves from his dance know-how. Who would’ve thought that hip-hop dance could be this easy? It’s definitely going to leave you poppin’! Finally, we’ll leave you with a sneak peek into our “Frat Party”, which was held in celebration of our 7th anniversary and magazine revamp. In our centrespread (pages 40 and 41), we’ve included exclusive pictures from a night to remember for all of us – a reminder of good times and even greater times to come for Campus Plus.
STEVEN@CAMPUSPLUS.COM.MY
SPONSORS
After all, we are Malaysia’s first lifestyle campuszine. For sponsorships, please send proposals to events@campusplus.com.my
Published by: N2 Publishing Sdn Bhd (631519-D) for
Yours in cheerful unweirdness,
Lainey
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campusnews
THE LATEST FROM YOUR CAMPUS
OCTOBER 2013
Sunway University’s DAD Student Sujithra’s Winning Design
evaluated based on vision and ideas for effective use of space, conduciveness, comfort, sustainability and represented a strong cultural identity to Sunway University.
Sunway University’s Department of Art and Design (DAD) students were recently presented with an opportunity to design the New University Building concourse area as a requirement for their academic project. The “Think to Make a Difference” competition was designed to provide students with a platform to exercise their skills and knowledge through their designs and implement them into a real life setting that will give them added confidence and an enriching work experience. The designs were
At the unveiling of the “Think to Make a Difference” project, Sujithra a/p Kunasakaran emerged winner with her design and walked away with RM 3,000 cash. Sujithra’s design included an ultra-modern ceiling design that is inspired from the word “S” which is repeated throughout the design. It also works as a seating area for students and a piece of art on its own. Sujithra decided to incorporate seating areas with the space allocated in the middle for students to work in.
Taylor’s Raises RM15,000 For Orang Asli Education Centre
The 2nd year Digital Animation students from The One Academy won 8TV’s “Best Music Video” award and a RM2, 000 cash prize recently. They were among eight finalists in the recently held “The Ultimate Song” competition, a TV reality show that encourages local talents to showcase their creative capability. King Yaw, Yii Ting Fui, Yew Chin Wai, and Sam Wai Kit formed a team to participate in the competition for the very first time. From pre-production, conceptualisation and presentation, to location search and post production, it took them than two months to produce the MV. These students are clearly in line with The One Academy’s “Masters Train Masters” philosophy of inspiring students to realise their inner creative potential by constantly motivating them to stand strong and stay positive amid challenges.
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The One Academy Bags “Best Music Video” Award
Taylor’s College celebrated the right to education for all by organising the Night for SEMOA annual dinner recently. The charity dinner raised RM15,000 in support of the Strategic Education Methods and Ongoing Advancement (SEMOA) Charity Home under the Orang Asli Education Centre (OAEC), focused on enhancing life opportunities of Orang Asli children. About 280 guests comprising Taylor’s College students, parents, and 25 Orang Asli children accompanied by four adults from the SEMOA Charity Home, attended the event. Night for SEMOA is the club’s first of three initiatives planned for the year to raise RM50,000. All proceeds will go towards providing educational support for SEMOA. Club members are also organising visits to the OAEC for fun and games as well as to conduct free tuition sessions for the Orang Asli children.
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campusnews
THE LATEST FROM YOUR CAMPUS
OCTOBER 2013
UCSI’s Fun Organ UTAR, ACCA Renew Pact Donation Drive
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) and ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) signed a memorandum of understanding at the UTAR Petaling Jaya Campus, renewing a pact that was first made by both parties in 2006. Under this latest MoU, UTAR will continue to ensure that the syllabi of its four-year Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) programme as well as its three-year Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Accounting - offered at its Bandar Sungai Campus and Perak Campus respectively - are aligned with the requirements of the ACCA Qualification. With this, accountancy students will be granted conditional exemption by ACCA for nine papers in the Fundamental Level of ACCA examinations, which enable them to pursue the ACCA Qualification in their fourth year of study concurrently with their degree. This exemption of nine papers is also granted to graduates of UTAR’s Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) Accounting programme, so they can register directly for the Professional Level papers of the ACCA Qualification.
UCSI University’s Medical Students’ Association recently held a two-day MAPCU Organ Donation Drive campaign at The Curve Shopping Mall. The event aimed to encourage the public to sign up as organ donors and ease fears surrounding organ donation. They also organised free health screenings, a blood donation section and fun activities like colouring competitions, body painting, and sand art. The MAPCU Organ Donation Drive was carried out under the leadership of the Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (MAPCU) in collaboration with the National Transplant Resource Centre of the Health Ministry. UCSI University collected 420 organ donation pledges and the health screening treated 500 people.
FTMS Mini Marathon A Success! Recently, FTMS College organised a FTMS Mini Marathon at Technology Park Malaysia to encourage students and staff to adopt a healthy lifestyle, to foster closer relationships among students and staff of the college. Spearheaded by the Student Services Department and Student Council Members, the mini marathon kicked off at 9:30am and ended at 10:30am, before closing with a lucky draw session and the prize-giving ceremony at 11am. A total of 22 lucky draw prizes were given out as well as medals, prizes, and certificates to the Top 10 winners for each mini marathon category.
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campusnews
THE LATEST FROM YOUR CAMPUS
OCTOBER 2013
UCSI Students Fall Short In Harmonica Fundraiser
Taiwanese Minister, Universities Call On UTAR It was a convivial day at UTAR Perak Campus as 12 Taiwanese universities led by the Minister of Education, Republic of China (Taiwan), Dr Chiang Wei-ling, made an unprecedented visit to the award-winning campus. Dr Chiang shared that Taiwan has 162 higher learning institutions and that there are plenty of room for collaborations between Malaysia and the republic. The Q&A session that followed enabled both parties to bilaterally discuss views and enquiries. It has helped to foster ties which would certainly augur well for future cooperative opportunities. The session was topped off with a souvenir presentation ceremony where mementos were exchanged between UTAR Council Chairman Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Dr Chiang, and between UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik and the rest of the delegation members. The visit ended with a campus tour which allowed the distinguished guests a better appreciation of UTAR Perak Campus’ picturesque natural landscape and remarkable ultra-modern architecture.
Taylor’s College Holds Inaugural TEDx Talk Taylor’s College recently organised its first TEDx Talk at the Taylor’s College Subang Jaya campus. The talk was a student-organised event that was conducted by six influential personalities from various backgrounds and attended by 80 participants. Themed, “Challenge the System, Let Passion Determine Your Profession”, the motivational talk addressed the issue of societal pressures faced by youths today. Apart from advice on dealing with challenges faced by youths, the speakers shared personal experiences of pursuing their respective passions in life. Among the topics covered during the talk are “Igniting Passion Through Education”, “The Value of Laughter”, and “Fire in Your Belly”.
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Students of UCSI University’s School of Music recently held a harmonica concert themed, “Towards the Glorious Path”. The concert aimed to raise funds for the student performers to take part in the prestigious World Harmonica Festival 2013. With its repertoire of songs ranging from classical pieces such as The Barber of Seville to modern pop songs by singers such as Jay Chou and Bruno Mars, the concert was a hit with the audience, with more than 600 tickets sold. The students raised RM17, 000 from the sales of the concert tickets. Including other sponsorships, they have raised RM60, 000 out of the RM 85,000 they would need for the eight of them to enter the World Harmonica Festival 2013 to be held in Trossingen, Germany in October.
NEWS FROM THE SPORTING ARENA
OCTOBER 2013
sportsnews
Malaysian Merdeka Endurance Race (MMER) The Malaysian Merdeka Endurance Race (MMER), which successfully organised its 14th edition at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) recently, attracted 34 cars. These included top teams like the famous AF Course Ferrari Team, Lago Racing, Absolute Racing, LKM Racing and the regulars like Clearwater Racing, which took the coveted crown through the partnership of Australian Craig Baird, Japan’s Hiroshi Hamaguchi and Mok Weng Sun from Singapore. Champion in 2008, Singaporean Mok Weng Sun added his second MMER crown when he steered his Clearwater Racing Team to victory after a gruelling 12-hour battle at Sepang International Circuit; ending a two-year domination of the Petronas Syntium Team (PST) in the iconic event. Commenting on his victory, Mok said, “Sincerely, I must say that I am very surprised. After qualifying yesterday, we knew that we were up against
steady pace and kept that steady pace throughout the finish.” Mok is a three-time Malaysian Super Series champion and a master of the Sepang track.
very, very top rivals and that it would be very difficult. Hence, the mission was for a podium finish. Anything else will be a bonus. I guess our winning formula was that we went for long, long stints to cut down on our pit stops. We went on a
Truly Memorable Experience
First held at the turn of the millennium in 2000 and originally known as the Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race, the event is organised by SIC to celebrate the National Independence while creating an international class racing event for locals to compete against top international teams and drivers.
There were thrills, there were spills, and there were plenty of contented smiles on the faces of the first-ever participants to complete the Viper Challenge, Asia’s biggest obstacle course event held at the Sepang International Circuit on 17th and 18th August. But it wasn’t just the participants who endured obstacles, as the organisers themselves faced a number of early minor setbacks on Saturday. However, the feedback from participants was immediately acted upon and everything ran smoothly by Sunday. Over 8,000 participants took part in the unique inaugural challenge that pushed contestants to their physical and endurance limits as they went up against 20 man-made obstacles set over a 20km course. The fastest time clocked to complete the course was a staggering two hours, while most contestants took four to five hours to accomplish the arena. The presence of alternating hot sun and heavy rain over the two days made the challenge an even more demanding prospect for participants. A number of local celebrities also participated in the Viper Challenge, including former Channel [V] VJ and current NTV7 TV host Jonathan Putra, along with top Kuala Lumpur comedians Kavin Jay and Papi Zak.
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lifestylenews
THE LATEST FOR YOUR WORLD
OCTOBER 2013
PruBSN Drive4Life Contest Engages Youths Prudential BSN Takaful Berhad (PruBSN), announced its Drive4Life Contest that’s out to enhance engagement with the Malaysian youths through social media. The Drive4Life Contest, which was held from 30thJuly 2013 to 12th August 2013 on www.facebook.com/prubsn, required participants to answer several questions regarding the company and its products. The top 10 winners of the Facebook contest were given the opportunity to race against Nabil Jeffri, Malaysia’s leading Formula 3 driver, driving a go-kart. Nabil his career in his teens. At the age of 16, he was the youngest driver to test-drive the Formula 1 car with Team Lotus in 2010. In October 2012, he was appointed PruBSN’s Brand Ambassador.
Toast Box Opens New Outlet At Johor Jaya The neighbourhood of Johor Jaya was greeted by the charm of Traditional Nanyang Coffee (Kopi in colloquial terms), and Kaya Toast in a modern rustic setting with the opening of the new Toast Box store at Johor Jaya. To date, Toast Box has 57outlets in Singapore and 34 outlets in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, The Philippines, and Thailand. Sharing the charm of Traditional Nanyang Kopi and Toast culture with customers, Toast Box strives to deliver the best kopi and toast, making every visit a delicious stroll down memory lane. Toast Box also features the local favourites prepared in just the way our grandmothers and mothers used to, such as their range of Asian Delights, as for example, Laksa Mee Tai Mak, Curry Chicken Rice, and Homemade Nasi Lemak. For further information about Toast Box, visit www.toastbox.com.sg.
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THE LATEST FOR YOUR WORLD
OCTOBER 2013
lifestylenews
DiGi Pioneers Malaysia’s First MyAndroid Concept DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (DiGi) became the first telco to introduce the MyAndroid concept in Malaysia, with the unveiling of its pilot MyAndroid Hub retail space at the DiGi Store in Sunway Pyramid recently. The MyAndroid Hub in Sunway Pyramid offers customers a total Android retail and learning experience within the DiGi Store. It enables an interactive hands-on discovery of Android apps, services and devices, and DiGi plans available for the latest Android devices. Customers will also benefit from the Geek Squad, in-store experts that provide before and after-sales support for Android devices, such as helping customers choose the right device, setup accounts, customise devices, and recommend Android apps that best suit them. DiGi expects to introduce MyAndroid Hub to more DiGi Stores nationwide by the first quarter of 2014.
This MyAndroid experience is also available online at www.digi.com.my/myandroid, a fun and easy way for Android lovers to stay updated and research the latest developments. It also serves as a virtual retail support system for customers.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® Now At SS15 Fans of coffee and tea, hold on to your hats as the internationally renowned “Californian born and brewed” specialty coffee and tea retailer, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® brings you another cosy place for food & beverage indulgence at Subang Jaya SS15!
Located near the colleges, the new introductory menu is expected to accommodate its neighbourhood’s needs for a chill ambience to gather and hangout. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® pledges to constantly inject a twist to the menu by adding exciting varieties along the way.
Visit Malaysia’s first MyAndroid Hub at the DiGi Store in Sunway Pyramid or surf to www.digi.com.my/myandroid for more information on MyAndroid, promotions and contests.
In addition to the current delectable offerings, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® introduces extra food items that are only available at the SS15 outlet, such as “Rise & Shine” All-Day Breakfast Set (hash brown, sausages, scrambled eggs and baked beans), Grand Slam (fries with ground beef and parmesan cheese), Bullseye (fries with ground beef, cheese sauce and a dash of paprika), French Fries, crispy Chicken Nuggets (6pcs and 12pcs), and Nachos with Cheese or Salsa Sauce. All these items come with a complimentary beverage, some with its latest Ready-To-Drink Iced Teas (Sparkling & Non-sparkling) while others with choice of Coffee (Hot/Iced) or Tea (Hot/Iced). Check out the new store at No 6, Jalan SS15/8, Subang Jaya. Operation hours are from 7:30am-midnight. For more information, visit www.coffeebean.com.my.
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lifestylenews
THE LATEST FOR YOUR WORLD
OCTOBER 2013
A Call For Malaysian Women Stories Each woman has a story to tell, hear the soul and spirit of her words. WOMEN:girls; a platform aimed at inspiring and empowering Malaysian women, is calling for submissions of stories for Ikal Mayang 2014 which will be developed into a two minute short film. Themed “Unspoken Truths: Biar Pecah Di Perut, Jangan Pecah Di Mulut”, it explores taboo issues which often happen in our lives, though that cat’s never let out of the bag. It’s giving Malaysian women (ages
WeChat’s Major Upgrades As WeChat continues to grow on the international stage with its recent announcement that it passed 70 million registered user accounts, the platform continues to innovate and bring new features to meet customer needs. With WeChat 5.0 comes the introduction of the “Sticker Shop” which allows users to download and pay for stickers via the platform. Also new is “Hold Together”, a locationbased service that allows users to further find and connect friends who are close to each other. WeChat 5.0 also makes it easier to add friends with its upgraded “Adding Contacts” function, while communicating gets simpler with a refined “Quick Entry” for the group chat function. WeChat 5.0 for iOS is now available for download. WeChat 5.0 for Android will be available at a later date. For more information, visit www.wechat.com.
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14 and above) a voice to do so. The project is currently in early pre-production and production for selected stories will commence from September - December 2013. The short films are scheduled to be released on the 8th March 2014 in conjunction with International Women’s Day; the two-minuters will be launched alongside six other short films with the same theme from six different countries. The venue will be confirmed at a later date. For enquiries, email ikalmayang@ womengirls.org.
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entertainmentnews
THE LATEST FROM SHOWBUSINESS
OCTOBER 2013
Lindsay Lohan Confesses To Oprah In one of the most anticipated one-on-one interviews of the year, Lindsay Lohan sat down with one of the world’s greatest talk show hosts, Oprah Winfrey for “Next Chapter”. Lindsay Lohan is no stranger to perpetually being under the media’s scrutiny, and this is coming after many, many years of being in and out of the courtroom, jail, and several rehab stints. On 18th August 2013, she tearfully shared what really happened to her over the years. “Alcohol, in the past, was a gateway to other things. I never abused, but I tried cocaine with alcohol. I really haven’t done it more than 10 to 15 times. No, it never felt good the next day. It
allowed me to drink more. It went hand-in-hand with drinking. It was a comfortable chaos. What was chaotic to other people looking in, to me was normal. There’s something to be said about me learning to just be OK”, she explained on the show. And of her road to recovery, Lindsay said, “I feel whole again. I have such a desire to want to keep this feeling and want to stay this way. I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I really want to be on set again, that’s what feeds me!” Good on you, Lindsay! Here’s to new beginnings and better days ahead.
2013
INFINITE 1st World Tour – ONE GREAT STEP In Kuala Lumpur
On 9th and 10th August, K-Pop idol boy group INFINITE kicked off their “ONE GREAT STEP” concert in Seoul. When the Seoul concert ticket sales opened online, fans immediately flocked to the site, causing the server to crash. An hour later, the ticketing server was up and running again but the concert tickets quickly sold out within just a mere few minutes. And now, organisers IME Productions have announced that they’re bringing INFINITE to our shores. Come 19th October, the boys will be performing for their Malaysians fans at Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur. For more details on INFINITE’s “2013 INFINITE 1st WORLD TOUR – ONE GREAT STEP IN KUALA LUMPUR”, visit www.facebook.com/ifnt7 or www.facebook.com/imepmy.
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THE LATEST FROM SHOWBUSINESS
OCTOBER 2013
entertainmentnews performance. Apart from “Wolf”, the preppylooking boys also sang “History”, “365”, and “Growl”, much to the delight of their young fans. MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013 is EXO’s first performance in Malaysia as a full-member group and on MTV.
All-Time High For MTV World Stage Live In Malaysia 2013
of five songs, which included a collaboration with SonaOne and Altimet on “Havoc”. This was followed by 12-member K-Pop idol boy group EXO who set the audience into a frenzy when they glided, danced and howled through throngs of fans during the show-stopping
The annual fever for MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2013 has hit Surf Beach at Sunway Lagoon, but this year’s heat hits an all-time temperature high with a stellar line-up of all-male performers who ignited the stage with a collective explosion of R&B, hip-hop and K-Pop performances. Even the rain could not dampen the fervour, as VJ Hanli shouted out, “Malaysia, boleh!” to a live audience of about 15,000 fans. Joe Flizzow opened the night with an energetic performance
MARIGOLD UHT Fruit Drink
Anywhere Fun Goes, It Follows!
Far East Movement (FM) accelerated the energy level with a 12-song medley that kept the audience pumping non-stop (“Ain’t Coming Down X Wild Things”, “Like A G6”, “Illest”, “So What”, “If I Was You”, “Jello”, “Change Your Life”, “Rocket”, “Get Up (Rattle)”, “Rocketeer”, “Live My Life”). They climaxed their performance with a crowd favourite, “Turn Up the Love”. Fans went wild when Far East Movement threw a largerthan-life inflatable duck into the crowd. The biggest hit was when Prohgress threw himself into a crowd-surf too. Closing the show, against the backdrop of Sunway Lagoon, was the man of the moment, Robin Thicke, who was accompanied by three female vocalists. He delivered a sexy and fun performance of nine songs, including “Give It To You”, “Take It Easy on Me”, “Feel Good”, “Oh Shooter”, “Lost Without U”, “Shaking It For Daddy”, and “Blurred Lines”.
MARIGOLD UHT
advertorial MARIGOLD UHT Fruit Drink is a light, high quality refreshing fruit drink enriched with the goodness of VITAMIN C and NO PRESERVATIVES. It comes in six delectable fruity flavours including Apple, Orange, Mango, Grape, Mixed Kiwi Apple and Mixed Peach Lemon. Igniting fun and liveliness, these refreshing fruit drinks are ideal for Malaysians, who are constantly looking for simple and refreshing beverages to supplement their hectic lifestyle. A drink that is mainly consumed for its fruity taste.
Storage Requirements Once opened, keep refrigerated. Best served chilled. Pack Size 250ml & 1L for Apple, Orange and Mango.
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offtheshelf
SELECTION OF NEW PRODUCTS
OCTOBER 2013
L’oreal’s Kick-Start For Men
PIXY Radiant Finish Lightening Cream Spotcare Beauty
Specially engineered for men’s skin, this moisturiser is the kick-start wake-up call a guy is looking for every morning. It’s the first gel moisturiser enriched with Taurine and Vitamin C to maintain skin hydration, energise the skin and provide a refreshing cooling effect to the skin. It is available nationwide for a recommended retail price of RM39.90.
Get visibly brighter and flawless skin in an instant with this 3-in-1 cream to moisturize, lighten, and use as pre-base make-up. It contains Botanpi, a natural active ingredient (plant extract) from Japan that helps diminish spots and blemishes on skin. Protect your skin from UV rays with Pixy Radiant Finish Lightening Cream Spotcare Beauty’s SPF 15. Get it at the suggested retail price of RM16.90.
Origins’ Treatment For Asian Skin The latest essential step in reversing ongoing dehydration, this uniquely-textured gelcream is particularly suited for delicate, dehydration-prone Asian skin. Fortified with Origins breakthrough complex of Lychee and Watermelon Extracts in addition to Rhodocrosite, this ultra-light, oil-free formulation deeply penetrates to help repair the natural moisture deficiency in thirsty, damaged skin. Retails at a suggested price of RM190 for 50ml.
Cool Rhino Cooling Water A refreshing beverage that combines deionised water with natural minerals Gypsum Fibrosum and Calcitum to help balance the amount of heat in our body and restore harmony to our system. This is a new age version with contemporary label and an elegant plastic bottle design. Available at RM2.50 for Cool Rhino Original and RM2.80 for Cool Rhino O2.
Skechers introduces the new Relaxed Fit collection built with Memory Foam insole that is designed for a roomier fit. It now comes in cool sporty to classic casual styles. Drift along looking smart and relaxed to work or play with these spacious-feeling shoes. Comes in 20 unique designs at a retail price of RM299.
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Skechers Men’s Relaxed Fit Shoe
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beauty
by jq lee
INDIE COSMETICS 101
OCTOBER 2013
INDIE
COSMETICS
101 The major players in makeup always find their way into our hearts which makes us overlook
on the little gems of indie beauty brands. You may not find them in stores but they do have a cult-like following that could probably rival some of the cosmetic brands in our makeup bags today.
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BE CAUTIOUS Some ingredients used in eye shadows cannot be used on the lips. Large cosmetics glitter particles can scratch and damage the eye. Many companies use a smaller type of glitter made from calcium aluminium borosilicate – it’s mineral based, finer, and smoother to the touch. Some ingredients can be irritating on sensitive skin but not everyone is allergic to it. So don’t overreact. Most ingredients will harm you if you inhale large quantities continuously for a long period of time, which is very unlikely for general consumers. Parabens are a type of preservative used in cosmetics and can be synthetically produced or naturally produced by extracting it from some plants. They’re said to play a role in the development of breast cancer but there’s no direct evidence to support this claim so far.
What’s that? If you’re a virgin to indie cosmetics, these small companies are usually run by just one or two people. All of their products are handmade and not re-labelled stock. Most indie companies can only be found online, though a few may have small displays in little shops or occasionally have stands at bazaars or flea markets. Why buy indie? The products are much more unique than those found in mainstream and are also said to be of a higher quality, longer lasting and far superior with regard to pigmentation. Indie companies are mostly animal cruelty-free, vegan or state clearly that they contain animal ingredients such as beeswax or carmine. Controversy? Google and you can find some drama on safety issues with a few indie beauty brands having long histories of making products under unsanitary conditions, and facing American FDA (Food and Drug Administration) investigations, among other issues. There’ve also been cases where some indie companies are providing bad customer service, filtering their comments on social media and not living up to the claims of their products. With all these issues being exposed on the World Wide Web, it would probably be wise for us to learn about spotting legit indie cosmetics companies, should we find ourselves drooling over the beautiful pigments produced by the indie industry.
immediately, take some time to check the labels. Peel them off if they are loose and check for labels underneath. If there are labels underneath and they are not legible, send the cosmetics back. Read the ingredients stated in the website and on the product labels, as it is compulsory for companies to provide the full ingredients list on either places. Any ingredients that are doubtful or don’t support the company claims should raise a red flag. The search engine is your BFF when you aren’t completely sure. Search for reviews or complaints and don’t just settle with page 1 results; go through at least four to five pages of the search results before reaching a conclusion. Should you have any queries, email or FB message the company and be honest but polite in writing. They should get back to you without too much of a wait but keep an eye on answers with any “PR speak” that seems to be avoiding the question. You should feel your concerns have been fully addressed or else, don’t buy from them.
Research, check & everything else! Every girl gets excited when their shipment comes in but hold your horses. Instead of trying them OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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beautyq&a
FEATURING THE BODY SHOP
OCTOBER 2013
SOAP RM13.90
}
Take a dip into nature’s exquisite honey moisture with Honeymania range. The Body Shop new collection of ultraindulgent Bath & Body treats is enriched with wild honey goodness for skin that feels as nourished and fragrant as if it had been dipped in honey itself. To tell us more about the Honeymania range, Mark Davis, International Community Fair Trade director, gives us a heads-up on what to expect from the new Body Shop collection. What is the benefit of using honey in skincare? When it comes to beauty, honey as an ingredient goes a long way back. It’s a natural humectant – it helps keep our skin moist, smooth and soft, and is a great ingredient for a moisturiser. What are the types of honey that The Body Shop uses in the new Honeymania range and why? The scent of honey, flavour and other properties depend on the origins. Our single-flower honey is organically harvested by our Community Fair Trade supplier in Ethiopia. The white floral honey comes from a flower called Getame Tree flower that only blooms in the forest canopy in the months of March and April. The bees concentrate the nectar from 8,000 flowers in just one HoneymaniaTM body butter. From a first order of five tonnes, now we buy over 40 tonnes of honey. As part of The Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade programme, the trade has helped to support the lives of over 280 beekeepers in Ethiopia. Beekeeping in Ethiopia is a culture, and our trade helps strengthen that
BODY BUTTER RM59.90
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BUBBLE BATH MELT RM63.00
BODY SCRUB RM63.00
Bee-eautiful
Honey
culture as well as preserve the Sheka rainforest. The income from this trade allows the beekeepers to build homes, send their children to school and empowers women. A prime example is the first female beekeeper named Tenaye who is now able to clothe, feed and send her four children to school. Recently, she was awarded the title of ‘The Best Woman Beekeeper in Ethiopia’ by its government. What are the must-try products in the Honeymania range? Our Honeymania Body Butter that delivers 24 hours of hydration is our hero. Massage in, to leave skin lightly scented and feeling sensationally soft and smooth all over. Each pot contains honey made from the nectar of thousands of flowers. To make the scent last longer, spritz Honeymania Eau de Toilette onto multiple pulse points and complete the dip with Honeymania Lip Balm that immediately melts upon application for kissable, moisturised lips.
LIP BALM RM26.00
EAU DE TOILETTE RM99.90
SHOWER GEL RM29.90
MARK DAVIS
SELECTED RANGE OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS
OCTOBER 2013
beautycase
JOHNSON’S BODY CARE OXYGEN FRESH GEL LOTION
L’OREAL REVITALIFT LASER X3 CREAM Inspired by Intense Pulsed
Light (I.P.L), this new anti-aging skincare is a concentrate with 3% Pro-Xylane combined with Adenosine and LHA to help treat age spots, refine skin texture and regain skin elasticity. This light textured cream leaves an ultra-velvety finish and a lingering, soft floral fragrance on the skin.
Oxygen Fresh is a light gel lotion that is enriched with ocean minerals and infused with coralline extract to help skin cells better absorb oxygen. It contains aqua moisture essence for long-lasting hydration, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth all day long. This non-sticky lotion comes in 3 sizes of 100ml, 200ml and 400ml.
RETAIL PRICE RANGE: RM7.10 - RM17.90
RM69.90
YADAH ANGEL BB CREAM SPF 20 PA++ This 100% hypo-allergenic
multifunctional blemish balm acts as a moisturiser, sun block, anti-wrinkle, concealer, make-up primer, skin brightener and oil control. The texture is fresh and light, suitable for all skin types with 2 shades to choose from -- (#1) Beige and (#2) Natural.
RM49.00 (40ML)
EUCERIN DERMOPURIFYER COVER STICK This handy tool is ideal for covering annoying blemishes and blackheads as it contains salicylic acid and bisabolol which are proven to reduce acne pimples and soothe skin irritation. The oil-free cover stick has a neutral skin tone, and is compatible with all make-up.
RM48.90 (2.8G)
SCHWARZKOPF EXTRA CARE ULTIMATE REPAIR TREATMENT MASK Schwarzkopf Extra Care Ultimate
Repair Anti-Damage Mask includes liquid hair technology with liquid keratin to fill the gaps in the hair cuticles repairing the hair from the inside to the surface using identical particles. The formula places a coat over the hair to give it a healthy appearance.
RM18.90 (150ML)
CAMPUS PLUS |
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fashiontrends
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THIS SEASON’S CHOICE SELECTION
OCTOBER 2013
THE LATEST FROM SHOWBUSINESS
OCTOBER 2013
XAVIER
Q: A: Q: A: Q: A:
Q: A:
ALFRED
What is the inspiration behind XALF? XALF is very much inspired by cosmopolitan fashion with New York’s bohemian touch combining vintage and highsociety aesthetics. It’s about celebrating the energy and the empowerment of women. Think the ladies from Sex and the City. Why is it so important for women to wear custom-fitted footwear? A good pair shoes should be able to keep you walking comfortably for more than 2 hours without any sores or pain, and quality handmade shoes last longer. Most of us are not born with feet of exact size and that 0.5 makes a difference. So, one side of your shoe will either be bigger or smaller for your poor foot which ultimately will cause discomfort. As Marilyn Monroe once said, “Give a girl the right pair of shoes and she can conquer the world!” How many collections do you have so far? We have launched 3 collections since December 2012. We kick started with XALF Xpressions fully inspired by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & the City. It’s edgy, girly, bold and unique. It’s all about attention-seeking shoes that shout your personality. Then we tone it down with XALF Xpression Basic where comfort meets office appropriate shoes with a touch of elegance. Finally, we take it up a notch by celebrating the transformation of a girl to a woman with XALF Metamorphosis. There’s something about maturity that seems to galvanise the soul and body.
fashionfeature
XA LF blazing digital fashion
Xavier Mah and Alfred Hor, the men behind the eponymous line of XALF, have distilled their passion for fashion in an online label catering to bespoke footwear that boast intricate details and meticulous workmanship. A local brand with a luxurious twist. Let’s see what these good-looking men have to say about XALF.
Q: A:
the luxury of owning a pair of shoes that is specially made for them. It’s not just about the price; it’s also about the workmanship and educating Malaysians on the art of the shoes we make. What are your future plans with XALF?
Why is your footwear so luxurious?
We want to bring XALF to a bigger market, targeting distribution channels and collaboration opportunities overseas. We would like to have more international celebrities walk in our shoes. From the design department, we’re playing with different shapes and moulds for heels. Also, we are working on the ready-to-wear collection for the young – fashionable, affordable yet comfy.
XALF is a home-grown brand with international aspirations. We focus on bespoke trend, giving people
Website: www.xalfdesign.com FB: www.facebook.com/XalfDesign CAMPUS PLUS |
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runwayreport
or
THE LATEST LOOK IN HAUTE COUTURE
OCTOBER 2013
ALL NOTHING
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Whether it’s on or off the runway, models will either go bold or nude on their faces. It’s time to go full-fledged - pairing thick liners with dark lipstick and then flaunting it with a pair of fierce falsies. Otherwise, strip it all off for defined brows and a contoured, structured face.
Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hairstyle trends evolve slowly from hairstyles that were once highly popular in the past. This season, men are rocking the runway with forward swept hair inspired by British indie boy bands, extreme rockability hairstyle with an attitude, vintage quiff, and deliberately growing out long, textured hair.
THE NEW
PAST
OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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WITH S USPEN DERS RM 369 .00
DENIM RM369.00 H CONNECTION PARKSON FRENC
PARK SON V ERSA CE BA ROCK PRINT ED R M1340 .00
PARKS ON DE SIGUA L DENIM
PHILO SOPH Y STU DDED JEAN RM23 8.00
guysstuff JEANS FOR MEN THE PERFECT CASUALS
OCTOBER 2013
JEANS FOR MEN
The Perfect
NNY RM189.00 VANS EXTREME SKI
BERSHKA SUPER SKINNY RM99.00
LOIS SUPER FIT RM169.00
ZALORA ATYPICAL PREMIUM SLIM FIT COLOURED RM99.00
Casuals
SEPT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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guysstuff
JEAN-OLOGY THE HISTORY OF DENIM
OCTOBER 2013
The 1800s Miner’s Uniform
A man named Loeb Strauss decided to make tough and long-lasting pants for labourers to wear as these miners started complaining about the easily torn cotton trousers and pockets. May 20, 1873 was celebrated as the official birthday of “blue jeans” and the brand “Levi Strauss & Co” was created.
1940s
Globalization
World War II broke out and soldiers wore jeans when they were off-duty gained popularity in Japan and Europe.
1960s
Hello Hippies
Jeans became the virtual uniform of the antiwar movement and were modified to suit the fashion of the decade such as psychedelic colours, embroidery, sewing patches and cut-offs, all became the fresh innovation of denim. This was also the era where denim shirts became popular by androgynous dress sense of models in photo shoots.
1980s
The Power of Blue
Fashion designers and rock stars could no longer ignore denim. This is where Calvin Klein first launched their designer Jean brand and showcased advertising campaigns with its irresistible suggestion of sexiness. It started off with the concept of clean, minimalistic and effortless styling with element of edginess but ends the 80s with pink, white and acid washed jeans.
2000s
Ripped and Distressed
Take out those cheese grater and start grating you jeans to create that ripped, holes and tears. This is the era popular with distressed, worn-out look. Not only stores were selling them but many DIY with their old pair of denim at the comfort of their home.
1930s Chaps
Jeans found favour in popular culture as they appeared in many western films of the decade. This is when the young and middle-aged men started demanding jeans to imitate that casual, rugged cowboy-ish look. Jeans gained cult status through their association with pop idols.
1950s
A Symbol of Rebellion
The youth embraced jeans as a symbol of their generation till some schools in the US banned students from wearing denims. Tapered jeans also became a trend when big stars such as Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe were seen in slim fitting denim.
1970s
Flares, Jackets and Skirts
Bell-bottom and stone-washed styles are rocking the retro clubbing nights in the 70s alongside with punk denim jackets accessorised with safety pins and badges, and denim skirts regardless of length.
1990s
Big and Stretchy
Designers started blending jeans with other fabrics and hip hop style emerged in the mid-90s. Lycra, stretch jeans, baggy jeans in red, green and indigo shades were popular. Gradually, jeans evolved into being the symbol of comfort, leisure, and youthfulness for all ages.
Now
Easy and Affordable
Denims are here to stay with new offers including jumpsuits, waistcoats, jeggings and denim accessories. Often called casual-formal, denims are perfect for our modern-day culture, wherein wearing relaxed attire and looking comfortably dressed even at work is defined as being fashionably progressive.
FEATURE BY LAINEY
OCTOBER 2013
studenttips
Ringgit Savvy Made Super Simple! So, you’re about to graduate. Or you could be a “freshie” who’s barely into your first year in college. Either way, remember how (when growing up), your parents would – time and time again – impose the age ol’ practice of “saving for a rainy day”?
Well, your parents were right all along. And just in case you don’t know when or where to start, the answer is... right here and right now. Here are some ways you can stay ringgit savvy – whether you’re doing your foundation or just about to put on your gown and hood:
1. STICK TO A BUDGET
5. WORK IF/WHEN YOU CAN
You know what they say – spending less is easier than earning more. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t start earning money before you graduate. We’re not asking you to earn big, fat pay cheques immediately. You could always start small, say, maybe at the campus café or a bookstore within the vicinity. If you’re exceptionally good at something like art or design, we don’t see why you can’t freelance if or when you have the time or sell your work.
This is especially easy if you’re still receiving weekly allowances from your parents. Be sure to include expenses such as travel, food, and other basic necessities. If you need to spend money, keep the receipts. It’s good to know where your cash went at the end of the day. Also, here’s a tip: don’t run off to the ATM frequently just because you can.
2. STANDARD EQUALS COST
Some of us are lucky enough to have our parents pay through our college and university years, on top of our living expenses. Because of that, you might tend to have a higher standard of living compared to other students. But once you start earning your own money and paying your own way, your standard of living will begin to burden you financially. So, you should make that adjustment now – rent a cheaper place, cook more often, shop less, the works. A lower standard of living equals a lower cost of living.
4. PIGGYBANK IT
No, you don’t need to rush out immediately to buy a physical piggy bank. But you should start an emergency fund. Cut back to save. For example, put aside RM50 from your weekly allowance. Then start by saving enough to cover your living expenses for a week. After which, you can aim to save enough to cover your living expenses for a month, then two months, and maybe three. With the gradual increase, slowly but surely, you’d be able to save towards an amount that could sustain you for a year of unemployment (touch wood!).
3. HAVE INSURANCE
Invest your savings but do it the smart way. By smart, we don’t mean risky investments like the stock market, real estate, etc. Insurance tend to be called, “forced savings” and we don’t agree any less with the term. Besides, it’s good to have some financial planning (especially for future healthcare needs) ahead of time because trust us, your EPF is not quite going to cut it. So yes, insurance is important in more ways than just one.
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coverstory
UP CLOSE WITH NORBAIZURA
OCTOBER 2013
“FAILURE IS A LESSON TO
BECOMING A SUCCESS,
AS LONG AS YOU
DON’T GIVE UP”
INDIAN
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CLASSICAL DANCER
L
NORBAIZURA STYLE OF HER OWN
“I WAS ATTRACTED TO
THE CHALLENGE AND
UNIQUENESS OF THIS
N
A BOUNCE IN HER STEP: NORBAIZURA ABDUL GHANI IS CURRENTLY A LECTURER AT ASWARA’S FACULTY OF DANCE AND THE PRINCIPAL DANCER-DIRECTOR OF ASWARA DANCE COMPANY.
DANCE”
orbaizura Abdul Ghani is a 27-year-old Malay woman who practices traditional Indian dancing. She graduated from Aswara and specialised in bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance, as her final-year degree valuation. Norbaizura has performed at various events, both local and international. She is currently a lecturer at Aswara’s Faculty of Dance, and the principal dancer-director of Aswara Dance Company. C+: Tell us a little about your background. NB: On the 2nd of March 2011, I did my graduation (arangetram) and I am perhaps the first and only Malay woman who did this. I’ve been actively involved in performing abroad including the Asian Arts Festival Asia in China (2007), Bangkok Fringe Festival in Thailand (2008), Dramatari ‘Legend’ The Journey Begins at Esplanade in Singapore (2009), Swan Festival of Lights in Perth, Australia (2010), and Dance Teen’s Festival in Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Korea (2011-2013). As for performances in the country, I’ve performed at shows like Tunku The Musical, Muzikal Ibu Zain, Gempak Selebriti (Astro), Mentor, World Harvest Festival in Sarawak, Malaysia Dance Festival, Short + Sweet, and more. C+: What did you major in and why did you choose to study this major? NB: I majored in the Indian classical dance of bharatanatyam because it appears to be a dance that’s very challenging in terms of technique, feel, tempo, and stamina. As a Malay, I found it difficult to understand because of the language and that is why I took up this major because I was attracted to the challenge and uniqueness of this dance. I also had great support and encouragement from my family and faculty dean Dr Joseph Gonzalez who happens to be the artistic director of Aswara Dance Company. C+: Can you give us a brief description of your job and what it entails? NB: I am a lecturer at Fakulti Tari (Dance Faculty) in Aswara and I teach diploma and degree-level students in classic Indian dance as well as other traditional dances such as Tari Rakyat. I also have other duties like management in terms of teamwork in case there’s an on-going performance that requires a work force in choreography and cooperation to plan a show OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
37
coverstory
UP CLOSE WITH NORBAIZURA
OCTOBER 2013
or managing a theatre. In Aswara Dance Company, I’m the principal dancer-director who also handles the management division with my team of 20 Aswara Dance Company members. C+: What is the best part about your job? NB: I find the most exciting part about my job is the discovery of new skills and knowledge. Other than teaching and dancing, I’ve learned about management in various professional aspects such as structuring, planning, and running a performance. I’ve also had opportunities to meet other professionals in the industry who, together, are working to advance and expand the dance arts industry in Malaysia and participate in collaborations in international performances to create awareness for Malaysia’s dance industry to the international level. C+: What are the setbacks? NB: The main obstacle we are forced to face is the lack of appreciation for dance among Malaysian people. For example, traditional or classical dance performance shows have a difficult time getting enough people to come and watch unless the show is performed by those already well known in the industry. If this situation persists, then the dance industry will have a hard time going further. There are also those who are not open to dancing as a professional career and are very narrow-minded about it. C+: How would you describe the Malaysian dance industry? NB: In my honest opinion, the dance industry in Malaysia is progressing very slowly because a majority of society appreciates commercial dances rather than traditional ones. There aren’t many out there who are willing to actively develop traditional dances that are original and contemporary. Some companies do put their efforts into expanding and developing the world of dance art professionally. Among those companies are Aswara Dance Company, Temple Of Fine Arts, Sutra Dance Theatre, Dua Space, and more. Some other companies, however, only focus on one traditional dance of one race or ethnicity and this causes the scene to not expand widely. Despite all that, I do believe the industry is growing, if a little slowly. C+: Does the fact that you are a classical dancer make it harder compared to contemporary dancers? Please describe. NB: To me, it’s not so hard being a traditional dancer compared to being a contemporary dancer because aside from learning traditional dance, I also make contemporary dance a routine in my career. Techniques from contemporary dancing have helped me improve my traditional dancing techniques and mastering both makes one better if not the best. 38
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C+: What skill/attitude is necessary when starting out in this career? NB: You need discipline and lots of it, especially if you’re planning to do it professionally. Besides being punctual, discipline is extremely important to make one successful in the industry for a long period. Connections and networking are also just as important, whether it’s with locals or international people in the industry. Hard work and determination are key in this line of work. C+: The demands of the working world are vastly different than campus. What can a fresh graduate do to adapt? NB: They should learn new things by reading, questioning, and observing to adapt to new careers after their studies. And they should also make the most of their knowledge from campus to increase creativity and communication to be more confident and knowledgeable. C+: How much sensitive resistance did you face when you decided to learn Indian classical dance? NB: I’d say it was an issue in religion, since I’m a Muslim and it’s evident that in traditional Indian dance, there are songs and forms of gestures with Hindu influences. But in all honesty, this is not a big issue to me since I only learn its form and techniques while the stories behind the dances are solely for my understanding of the art. I did not actually practice any rituals of the Hindu religion during my studies. C+: How likely, when starting out in this job, are graduates likely to encounter failure? NB: Occasionally graduates will experience failure in a job they pursue but that doesn’t make it an obstacle to success because failure will teach them to handle issues based on experiences and thus make them much more successful. C+: What should students be aware of in the first 5 years of their career? NB: The high amount of competition in the working world. This means they’ll have to work harder to strive because competition in any industry will increase in the future. C+: If you can give someone advice to be successful as you, what would it be? NB: You need to maintain a modest attitude because if you don’t, it could make you forget your place and eventually you will meet failure. Giving up at the first sign of failure is also a no-no. Failure is a lesson to becoming a success, as long as you don’t give up. Learn from mistakes and use that knowledge to be the best at what you do. Discipline is also a key attitude. And last but not least, be patient when faced with issues because success is not easily achieved.
“THE MAIN OBSTACLE WE ARE FORCED
TO FACE IS THE LACK OF APPRECIATION
DANCE
FOR AMONG MALAYSIAN PEOPLE”
NORBAIZURA ABDUL GHANI OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
39
Plus s u p m Ca
The 23rd of August 2013 marked a memora picked up a copy of our September issue, you overall look and feel of our magazine. Yes, w inside out and it was an occasion that called Campus Plus magazine has officially turned just any party â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it was a frat party that was p business partners in mind. Held at Black Bo Plus Frat Party was graced by the presenc of these friends and business partners, th mob dance performance before local s the stage to leave us in stitches. The fo band from Akademi Seni Budaya dan guests with their stellar renditions both English and Bahasa Melayu. Campus Plus Frat Party were t celebratory food and drinks they would say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eat, drin
And we s
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s Celeb rat es
able day for us here at Campus Plus! If you wouldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve noticed a refreshing change to the we have completely revamped our magazine for a celebration, on top of the fact that the d seven years old. So, we threw a party. Not planned with our closest friends and fellow ox in Publika, Solaris Dutamas, our Campus ce of over 120 attendees. In the company he night kicked off first with an epic flash stand-up comedian Andrew Netto took ollowing act, Spell S (a local university Warisan Kebangsaan) serenaded our and covers of popular radio hits in After which, all attendees of our treated to an endless flow of before calling it a night. As nk, and be merry!â&#x20AC;?
sure did.
SEPT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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careerchat
P
PESTLE & MORTAR CREATIVE DIRECTOR HUGH KOH BY LAINEY
rior to the inception of Pestle & Mortar, Hugh was in Australia finishing his degree which, as you would guess, had nothing to do with fashion. In 2010, Hugh returned to Kuala Lumpur for his summer holidays. At that time, his best friend, Arnold, was working with 8TV and Arnold’s younger brother, Arthur, was studying and working at the same time. Hugh and Arnold have always played with the idea of starting a fashion label since they were in high school but they never really got around to actually doing it because, well, they knew nothing about fashion and more importantly, they had no money.
“When I was back for that summer though, we met every night over ‘yumcha’ sessions at an Old Town White Coffee outlet where we talked about what our brand would be like, what would set us apart, why and how we should do it, and even right down to the naming process. Then Arnold mentioned that Arthur was also quite keen on it – three heads are better than two, anyway. So we were like, okay, let’s do it,” Hugh said. Once Hugh, Arnold, and Arthur decided that they were finally on the same page came the next challenge – to ensure that it materialised. “For us, it has been a real learning curve throughout the years. Sometimes, I can’t believe that it has been three years already but I have to say that we’ve been really fortunate. Although T-shirts are easy to produce, they still require some knowledge behind it. We had a friend whose mum used to run a manufacturing business in the same line so we had a lot of help from her. I remember her saying, it’s a tough industry... are you sure you want to do this? But we just said, yes, we do! She was very kind and she connected us to people,” he explained. Along came statement pieces that Malaysians know by heart such as T-shirts with images of the “telurmata” to portray our mamak culture, as well as the controversial yet iconic Lorong Haji Taibroad signage (flipped upside down). These T-shirts made their official debut under the Pestle & Mortar brand at Urbanscapes 2010, which was a great
Just remember that you can seriously do wonders if you wanted to. And it doesn’t even really have to be fashion - you can make a business out of anything and everything these days so get out of that bubble and explore!
the
tee in
trendy He was a boy with a dream, but his dream was nowhere near “starting up a street wear brand”. Who would’ve thought that just a few years ago, a simple and small idea could bring Hugh Koh and his friends to where they are today, right smack in the centre of Malaysia’s street wear industry?
platform for Hugh and his friends to show keen youths what they had to offer. “Luckily enough, we actually did very well. We started off with 500 pieces but we sold about 80% of our stuff. It kept us going like, okay maybe this can work! But Pestle & Mortar only really started growing when I quit my job at an architectural firm to do this full time. “At that point, we knew nothing about management or accounts so it was that time that we created some sort of a structure. My brother, Mark, also came on board to take charge of the accounts. We also had people coming in to do their internships with us so Pestle & Mortar was expanding fast,” he said. And when we asked him to leave young and aspiring fashion label owners with a few wise words, he advised: “There will always be a time when you’ll fail or you’ll get upset because even until today, people still delay on us or things don’t come out as planned. Time management is very important when it comes to a business like ours. “Despite Pestle & Mortar being a local brand, we always try to keep ourselves on an international level which means a lot of research and a lot of trying to go beyond the current trend. Just remember that you can seriously do wonders if you wanted to. And it doesn’t even really have to be fashion - you can make a business out of anything and everything these days so get out of that bubble and explore!” For more information on Pestle & Mortar, visit www.pestlemortarclothing.com or www.facebook.com/pestlenmortar.
OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
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feature
HOW TO CREATE YOUR RESUME ONLINE ILLUSTRATIONS BY KABUL ZAM
FIVE INCREDIBLE WAYS! CAMPUS PLUS presents...
While students today are hooked on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking tools, not many realise the potential of using the power of social media to land a graduate job.
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1
The Right Privacy Settings
The Power Of LinkedIn Employers now are actively looking for fresh talent on this social network. Set up your LinkedIn account and update it with projects you are working on, your current education status and so on. Include your internship details as well and try to get your employer to post a recommendation for you!
From Resume To Visume
2
Try to be creative with your resume. Employers get hundreds of CVs and it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out. Try creating a video resume and upload it to YouTube! This can give you an edge when sending out your CVs. Perhaps you can even create an infographic resume like Michael Anderson (theportfolio.ofmichaelanderson. com) who got to the front page of Digg and received almost 200,000 hits on Flickr just for his extremely creative infographic resume.
5
3
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to separate our work and personal lives online as part of trying to create a professional image. Mix the two only if you want disastrous results. There was an employee who once asked to leave the office early with the excuse of not feeling well. After he got permission from his superior, he posted a status online exclaiming he was on leave and could now attend a party. He forgot that his superior was a friend of his on the same social network!
Be Careful Of What You Post Online
4
What you post online usually remains online in some nook or corner even if you decide to delete it. Some photos which you may have accidentally posted could have been saved by someone else and posted elsewhere by the time you delete it. The same goes for status updates and tweets. Be very careful about what you are posting online as this could have serious repercussions in the future. If you feel you have to post or comment on controversial topics, ensure your privacy settings are up to date.
Search Jobs via Social Networks Most fresh graduates sign up on job seeker websites and apply for almost every single job available there. Just remember: there are hundreds of thousands applying for the same openings. Try something different like looking up jobs on Google, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Many companies post ads on LinkedIn and Twitter about new job openings and being the first to spot it and to apply could increase your chances of landing the job.
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to bear in mind that many jobs available today did not exist a few years ago, including Social Media Manager, User Experience Designers, Sustainability Managers, and Cyborg Anthropologist! So, always keep yourself up to date with the latest skill sets and technologies.
Happy Job Hunting!
OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
45
arts&culture
BY SHAH
THE FINE ART OF GLASS MAKING PHOTOS BY KAMIL HAZIQ
C+: When did you first become interested in glass as an art medium? Raja: In 1977, I stumbled upon my attraction for glass during a visit to the Venice Biennale, a major contemporary art exhibition in Venice, Italy. There, I was influenced by the exciting and unique glass installation works and was also exposed, for the very first time, to the famous Murano glass-making works. C+: Did you take a special course for glass art? Or was it all self-taught? Raja: Much of my techniques are self-taught through experimentation. In 2001, I attended my first glass conference: the 12th Biennial Ausglass Convention in Melbourne, Australia. There, I took my very first workshop with Ursula Huth from Germany who is renowned for her kiln-formed technique in glass-making. C+: What are the tools of the trade for a glass artist? Raja: A sizeable kiln or furnace is required to melt the glass. A mould is used to form the glass from within the furnace. Also, the glass needs to be melted so the colours will sink into it, thus giving colour and vibrancy to whatever shape the glass becomes. I purchased two furnaces manufactured according to my specific instructions. The process of my work, from beginning to end, is long and tedious and a lot of patience is required, but the results are satisfying and the possibilities are limitless.
C+: What was the biggest glass project ever commissioned in your career? Raja: I would say it’s the one commissioned by IJN (Malaysia’s National Heart Institution). It’s a glass mural in their lobby which measures to about 11.278m (37 feet) high and 18.288m (60 feet) in length, crossing the ceiling. C+: Impressive! How about other notable works you have accomplished? Raja: Well, there was the dining set the Sultan of Terengganu requested. It’s basically a full dining set comprising base plates, dinner plates, ice-cream bowls, side-plates, and napkin holders, all done with 18 karat gold in different designs like a ‘songket’ motif. In 2003, I worked on the DiGi Journalist of the Year trophy project. The trophies were my first experience in fusing eight separate layers of glass and incorporating the bull’s-eye brand of stringers and frits into the overall design. In one of my solo exhibitions, I paid homage to Kak Endon, (Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, wife of Datuk Sri Abdullah Badawi) who played a pivotal role in reviving the art of batik and traditional kebaya designs before her untimely demise. Batik and songket designs have been the catalyst in my collection of torsos draped in kebaya, vases, platters, sculptures, and even table tops. C+: Being what you call an ‘isolated glass artist’ in Malaysia must be quite a challenge. With such limited resources, how
do you cope? Raja: Throughout my 35 years as a professional artist, I’ve learnt to be patient and to persevere despite the many odds. These qualities have been a big help to me in understanding the behaviour of glass and also to respect its hidden potential. I consider myself as an ‘isolated’ glass artist and, as such, attribute my successes and failures to my many experiments. These have resulted in the creation of many exciting designs, some of which have even surpassed my initial expectations. Admittedly, my determination to attain success has overpowered any frustration or disappointment. C+: What sort of future do you have envisioned for glass art, seeing that you have students under your wing, learning the craft? Raja: I have made attempts in the past to convince local art institutions to include glass art as a syllabus. However, those attempts were made in vain. None of them were interested but it’s still my wish to see the day when glass art is a widely appreciated art in Malaysia. Raja Azhar offers lessons in painting and glass art for anyone who is interested. For more information on his work, or if you’re interested in being his student, go to www.rajaazharidris.com
OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
47
hiphopnation by shah
HIP-HOP DJ DJ BIGGIE PHOTOS BY KAMIL HAZIQ
HIP HOP:
DON’T GET THE WRONG
IDEA
Hip-hop is an art form with broad forms that originated as a specific sub-culture within South Bronx communities during the 1970’s in New York City. It is characterised by four main elements, all of which represent the different manifestations of the culture: Rap (oral), turntablism (DJing), breaking (physical), and graffiti art (visual). Today, mainstream hip-hop sends out messages of alcohol and drug abuse, priority of material possessions, and a whole lot of negative impressions. The true meaning behind hiphop culture could get lost in the sea of popular media and this is what DJ Biggie of Kartel Records has to say about the misconceptions of hip-hop in Malaysia.
C+: Tell us a bit about your background and your rise in the DJ-ing scene. DJB: I started at the age of 16. I learnt DJ-ing at Playaz Universe DJ School, where some of the biggest DJs in Malaysia today like DJ Fuzz, T-Bone, Uno, and Goldfish also came from. So that’s where I studied but at 16 years old, I couldn’t play in any clubs because of the age restriction. You had to be 18 to get into a club at that time. Just my luck, when I turned 18 the government changed the permitted age to 21 and again, I couldn’t play in clubs until I was of age. In 2004 I was champion of the JUICE DJ Quest, and in 2009 and 2010 I won the Choons Awards for “Best Hip Hop DJ”. Currently I’m based with Kartel Records. I’m also Joe Flizzow and Sona One’s official DJ. I also run a DJ collective with my partner, Ashley Ash, which goes under the name “KartelHitmen”. C+: So since you couldn’t play in clubs at 16, what did you do with your talent in the meantime? DJB: At the time I was just a newbie interested in the hip-hop scene. Back in the day there were daytime gigs on Saturdays and they’d begin from 12pm to about 4pm and there was really big support for the hiphop scene. It was from there I took interest in the DJ-ing side of hiphop and then I picked up the courses. C+: How long have you been with Kartel Records? DJB: About five years or so. C+: What’s your take on the hip-hop scene in Malaysia? DJB: It’s there and it’s growing. But it’s being taken in such a negative way because of the messages that are sent out. Just listen to the mainstream hip-hop of today. The messages are always about money, bling, girls, sex, drugs, or whatever material obsessions. So I think there’s a really bad misconception to what hip-hop in general is. With those kinds of messages, parents, without a doubt, would NOT want their kids to listen to that. And also, there’s not much support from 48
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Check out DJ Biggie’s tunes on soundcloud.com/djbiggie Or follow him on Twitter @ twitter.com/biggiedj
DJ BIGGIE
“
DON’T LISTEN TO NAYSAYERS WHO TELL YOU THAT THERE’S NO FUTURE IN THIS LINE OF WORK AND ALL THAT NONSENSE. JUST FOLLOW YOUR GUT FEELING, DON’T GIVE UP, AND EVENTUALLY YOU WILL GET NOTICED FOR YOUR WORK
”
local media. They’re only playing whatever sells. This is
serious about it though, then I say go all out. Don’t listen
where events like Raising The Bar (RTB) comes in. It’s the
to naysayers who tell you that there’s no future in this line
kind of event that really helps the hip-hop community. RTB
of work and all that nonsense. Just follow your gut feeling,
is a continuous event that has been going on for the past 2
don’t give up, and eventually you will get noticed for your
years or so and has received much support and following.
work. Talk is cheap so don’t let it get you down if you really
There’s one coming up this Sunday where RTB will be
want to do this.
piling on drummers into the usual DJ and MC sets.
C+: What has the government been like to the hip-hop
C+: What is, in your opinion, should be the kind of
community here?
messages hip-hop music should send out?
DJB: They’ve actually been quite supportive. They have
DJB: When you say hip-hop, you’re talking about a culture
a budget for events and stuff especially targeted to the
in itself. The music is a form of art in this culture and the
youth but I don’t think music is the main thing. They’re
type of messages should be what the artist expresses.
reaching out through social media stuff like Facebook and
For example, lyricists write songs and they write about
Twitter. I think they should put a little more attention into
what they feel, what they see, or about the things that are
music and bring down more different acts and artistes
happening around them and they put it in their own words,
instead of the same one again and again.
you know. Your work should express what comes from
C+: Our country has a serious piracy issue. What are your
your experiences, from your heart, or from your mind. It
thoughts on that?
could have more depth than what is shown on mainstream
DJB: Yes, piracy is a very serious issue to musicians here.
media. In the US, yes they sing about money, cars, drugs,
Sometimes you could get a track off the net via torrent
alcohol, partying and all that, but not here in Malaysia.
even before the album is released! So I say just push the
Here we have people really pushing it like W.A.R.I.S., and
products out for free, let everyone hear it, then make your
we’ve got SonaOne, and Karmal who are bringing the hip-
money off shows or gigs. I don’t think piracy will ever be
hop scene where it’s supposed to be.
completely stopped here, so we have to find new ways to
C+: What’s your take on hip-hop music that’s infused
make profit off our hard work. Also, there’s a mentality here
with local influences?
where people are willing to fork out hundreds of ringgit to
DJB: It’s already been done. See guys like W.A.R.I.S. has
watch international artistes, but when a local musician is
done his thing like rapping in his state’s accent. It’s Negri
charging for example RM15 to his show, they’ll be all like
Sembilan, if I’m not mistaken. But now if somebody wants
“Bro, takada guest list ke” or “Ala kena bayar ke bro. Tak
to do it, it’s got to be fresh. Everyone wants to stay relevant
apa la”. They would rather pay to watch international acts
now and whenever there’s something new, they wanna do
rather than support their local boys. So it’s this mentality
better and top it.
that locals need to snap out of if we’re ever going to get
C+: Do you have anything to say to readers about taking
out there among the world’s best.
up DJ-ing as a career?
C+: Is the electronic dance music (EDM) scene bigger
DJB: I’d say don’t take it up as your main career if you’re
compared to the hip-hop scene because of drug culture?
not serious or passionate about it. Then, there’s this
DJB: It was a really small genre a few years back. There
problem with kids these days. I used to do DJ-ing lessons
was a cycle that happens every few years or so. At one
but it got on my nerves that kids want to learn how to DJ
time there was trance, then it moved to hip-hop, then
for all the wrong reasons. They keep asking me questions
it moved to hard trance, and then Timbaland fused hip-
like “Hey Biggie, do you get to hook up with a lot of girls
hop with EDM and that was when the game changed. I
as a DJ?” I’m like, what the h*ll man, these aren’t the
don’t think it’s because of the drug abuse that the EDM
questions I was asking when I was learning. I was asking
community grew. Yes, the drug part does contribute a little
questions like “How do I do this? How do I mix this into
but mostly it’s the collaborations between EDM musicians
that?” and so on. So you can see that the new generation
with hip-hop musicians that made them evolve to crazy
want to learn DJ-ing for all the wrong reasons. It’s true that
heights. See, artistes like Ne-Yo or Chris Brown who used
DJs are among the highest paid artistes in the music and
to only make R&B tracks are now getting into the electro
entertainment industry especially when you’re talking
scene too. Hip-hop is really flexible and can be fused with
about big names like Steve Aoki who could easily charge
almost every genre of music. And to be honest, you can’t
like RM240,000 for a show. But this is what the kids today
just do only hip-hop today. You have to be flexible enough
are looking at. Money, fame, you know, material things. It’s
to work with other genres, or better yet, all. Be the chef,
not about passion anymore to most of them. This is where
tukang potong sayur, tukang masak air, tukang masak kek.
the misconceptions come into effect. If they really are
The more you can work with, the better. OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
49
hiphopnation
HIP-HOP DANCER JEFF PHOTOS BY KAMIL HAZIQ
Jeff Chang, 24, busts out a few moves from his knowhow in this how-to for you to try out. Here are his basic steps to pulling off house dance moves.
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SIDE WALK DANCE MOVE P
STE
1
P
Cross your left foot behind your right foot. Keep the foot pointed.
STE
2
P
Move your right foot over to the right.
STE
3
Lift your left leg up. Hop onto left foot and stick right foot out at the same time.
This move can be repeated in reverse to get a continuous loop. Practise to achieve maximum smoothness!
SHUFFLE DANCE MOVE P
STE
1 Stick your right leg out while holding your left arm to your chest.
P
STE
2
P
Reverse the position by shifting your weight onto the left leg.
STE
3
Now, hop onto your right leg and stick left leg out backwards while moving your left shoulder forward and hold your arm up at chest level.
You can repeat the same steps in reverse to keep the dance going!
OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
51
advertorial
NATIONAL CANCER SOCIETY MALAYSIA
OCTOBER 2013
I
n August 2013, thousands thronged Padang Timur, to show their solidarity in raising cancer awareness. Exhilarated and jubilant - cancer survivors, university students, volunteers and staff of public listed companies - walked tirelessly overnight around the track at the Relay for Life Kuala Lumpur 2013. This powerful ceremony symbolised an emotional commitment that communities could make in the fight against cancer. Among those present were the National Cancer Society of Malaysia president Dr Saunthari Somasundaram, general manager Sudhaharan Nair, chairman of Harlow’s & MGI Sdn Bhd Adam Bachek, managing director of Oriental Metal Industries Sdn Bhd Looi Kok Loong, Accenture managing director Janet Yap and director of Brother International Itsuo Segawa. Breast cancer survivor Adeline Joseph, 52, said she had been attending Relay for Life since 2007. “Being part of the Relay means that I have survived another year, and it feels great to be celebrating the lives of others who are on the same journey - to fight cancer. It is a big achievement for me personally, and I am glad to be here.” Adeline was diagnosed with breast cancer 18 years ago. She underwent treatment for six months and five years of hormonal therapy thereafter. Chairperson for Relay for Life Malaysia 2013, Datuk Zuraidah Atan said that cancer does not sleep and that was the reason why people had to continue walking the track overnight. “Cancer is not a death sentence but a journey of determination, strength and hope,’’ added the honorary adviser of NCSM. She said survivorship was increasing with better detection and better treatment, adding that it was through events such as Relay for Life 2013 that cancer survivors were honoured and their victories over cancer celebrated. Relay for Life Malaysia 2013 began with a Survivor’s Lap, with cancer survivors who were cheered on and saluted by other participants, who lined around the track. This was followed by an emotional and sombre Luminaria Ceremony. As the sun set, Luminaria bags were personalised with a name,
52
| CAMPUS PLUS
Thousands
l d Wa k e For Cancer Awareness
photo, message or drawing - in memory or honour of a friend or loved one - who had been affected by cancer. During the ceremony, the bags with tea lights lined the track. A hush fell over the crowd as everyone stood up to light up their personal Luminaria bags, bringing a glow to the dark surroundings. Participants walking the lap lit with Luminarias were moved and uplifted by the messages inscribed on the bags. “We will continue to fight this disease and we hope that one day, it will be eliminated. That is why this year’s theme is A World Without Cancer,” emphasised Zuraidah. Volunteer Melvin Tan stayed on the field for 16 hours. He was among the 4,000 people who walked, to spread the message that “cancer never sleeps”. “I stayed throughout the event and it was a good experience. I haven’t showered for the past 16 hours and only managed less than three hours of sleep but I got to help a lot of people, including cancer patients, senior citizens and children,” said the Catholic High School student. Funds amounting to RM400,000 were raised this year and it will be channelled to NCSM’s on-going awareness and outreach programmes nationwide.
SEPT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
53
2
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THE FUTURE OF REALITY
OCTOBER 2013
Augment Your Reality
W
Any Harry Potter fan will know of The
explaining, imagine walking up to a billboard advertising
Daily
source
an energy drink and the person on the billboard starts
of news for wizards in J.K. Rowling’s
talking and moving, telling you how great the energy drink
magical universe. If you remember, it’s
is and that you should buy it.
Prophet,
the
primary
the newspapers with moving pictures in them. It’s the future! Similar devices and applications already With today’s technology, that does not seem like such a
exist, particularly on smartphones like the iPhone.
far-fetched idea anymore. Augmented Reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics, or GPS data.
feature BY SHAH
The scope for AR gaming has long been a big draw for gamers and developers alike. There are already two popular AR games on the App Store now which are AR Basketball and AR Defender, both of which require a printed ‘marker’ to play. Could this be the future of gaming? That remains to be seen as there are still many limitations to this form of gaming.
This technology is changing the way we view the world – or at least the way its users see the world. Picture yourself walking down the street. With augmentedreality displays, which will eventually look much like a normal pair of glasses, informative graphics will appear in your field of view and audio will coincide with whatever you see. These enhancements will be refreshed continually to reflect the movements of your head. In a simpler way of
Download the Smartphonemedia AR app and scan this image CAMPUS PLUS |
55
K O O L Y G ED
2
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ENVIRONMENTAL MESSAGES IN SONG JES EBRAHIM PHOTOS BY KAMIL HAZIQ
unplugged by shah
“I WAS AMAZED BY HOW
BOB MARLEY USED MUSIC TO SUPPORT A CAUSE”
Music For Earth Facebook: www.facebook.com/Jes.Ebrahim Tree Theater Group: www.treetg.com/
F
or Jes Ebrahim Izaidin, musical talent comes to him
His most recent song, Keamanan, touches on social issues
naturally (pun intended). The 20-year-old singer-
to encourage peace and it’s the first single by Jes to be
songwriter has been involved with environmental
officially recorded under a music label (Rumpun Records).
projects since the age of 9. He’s also a founding
His musical inspirations mostly come from modern
member of the Tree Theater Group, a child and youth-
alternative bands but it was Bob Marley that inclined him
based environmental non-government organisation (NGO)
towards making music for a cause.
that help spread environmental messages through the medium of art, particularly music and theatre. Since primary school, Jes had been heavily involved in activities such as recycling programmes.
“I was amazed by the way Bob Marley used his music to spread meaningful messages. It was such a revelation that I thought: why not do it for a cause I fight for?” said Jes during an exclusive interview with Campus Plus.
Together with environmental NGOs such as Yayasan
All his efforts have led to the founding of the Tree
Anak Warisan Alam and the Tree Theater Group, he has
Theater Group, which welcomes anyone who has a keen
represented Malaysia in various international children as
interest in saving the environment.
well as youth environmental conferences organised by the
Jes’ opinion on the challenges he faces as a
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) held in the
musician is an interesting one, where he said, “People/
United States, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Kenya.
musicians are segregated. Talent is abundant here
Jes’ music can be placed in the acoustic/easy listening
but it’s harder to get noticed if you’re doing it alone.
genre. He has written several songs related to the environment.
Collaborations are a good idea as it mixes multiple
The song, Tears Of Trees, was selected as one of the official
talents with different perspectives, which in turn
songs for the United Nations Billion Tree Campaign.
produces very unique results.” OCT 2013 | CAMPUS PLUS |
57
music
ALBUM RELEASES AND REVIEWS
OCTOBER 2013
REVIEWS
STARS DANCE SELENA GOMEZ
Roll out the red carpet and make way for the pop princess! Selena Gomez continues to rise to stardom post-Disney fame with
REINCARNATED SNOOP LION
Never mind that he decided to “bury the Dogg and take on the lion”, it’s now time to get down to business. Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg)
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her new album, Stars Dance. Previously, she enticed us with Love You Like A Love Song which was, in the name of all that’s good and pop-ish, awesome! So we were glad to know that Selena managed to remain true to herself and consistent with being pop-ish. We loved Birthday for its eccentric beats, as well as the danceable Come & Get It and Save The Day. But while those songs are going to be on an all-time high on the pop-dance music charts, Love Will Remember brings us back to reality with its semisad lyrics. It does strike a good balance to Stars Dance though. A big win for Selena Gomez.
recently released Reincarnated with not one, not two, but many songs referring to his Rastafarian journey. But let us just say that we were especially looking forward to hearing Ashtrays & Heartbreaks because Miley Cyrus is featured in it. The results? Stunning. Snoop also manages to give Reincarnated a whole lot of variety ranging from rock-reggae fusion to old school dancehall, and noticeable pop-reggae, which shines in Torn Apart (read: Rita Ora). We wouldn’t be so quick to assume that Reincarnated is going to earn him a platinum just yet. However, we do feel that there’s a need to applaud him for his bold attempt at reggae songwriting.
PARADISE VALLEY JOHN MAYER
Armed with a guitar and his “brooding musician” personality, John Mayer dishes it out when and where it matters
BLURRED LINES ROBIN THICKE
Introducing, Blurred Lines, Robin Thicke’s controversial music video and also the hottest topic on every single
most with Dear Marie. Possibly the best song on the album, he sings of his search for his former high school sweetheart in the form of a musical letter. It gets a little bit more epic with I Will Be Found (Lost at Sea), a piano ballad that’s bound to pull at your emotions. And that’s not to say that we didn’t love the more upbeat sounds of Badge and Gun. The star was his duet with Katy Perry, titled Who You Love. A couple-y duet by a real-life couple? What’s there not to like? John Mayer’s new album is as its name would suggest, Paradise Valley!
entertainment news outlet. So frisky, it has garnered enough attention to make listeners and newly converted fans want to pick up the pop crooner’s new album of the same name in half a heartbeat. But does the album live up to expectations? For starters, Blurred Lines complements the other carefree, ‘70s-groove songs off the album such as Ain’t No Hat 4 That and Get In My Way. There’s also a swoon-worthy ballad called, For The Rest Of My Life, which adds an emotional touch to the album. Blurred Lines is something that you’ll either love, hate, or hate at first and then learn to love before getting completely sucked into it. For us, it was the latter.
ALBUM RELEASES AND REVIEWS
OCTOBER 2013
Nothing To Lose
Emblem 3 Fresh out of The X Factor (US version), Emblem 3 has signed on with Columbia Records to release its debut album, Nothing To Lose
music
W
e first had a taste of Nothing To Lose when the group released its new single, Chloe. It later went on to become Emblem 3’s big hit! And what’s not to love about Chloe – a fun and summery song that features the average radio-friendly pop lyrics? Even at its worst, the album has other pop-sounding songs such as Just For One Day and Girl Next Door to complete the whole boy band vibe. True, the world of entertainment might not need yet another boy band but we love all things catchy and if you do too, make a copy of Emblem 3’s Nothing To Lose yours!
CAMPUS PLUS CD GIVEAWAY
EMBLEM 3 NOTHING TO LOSE
Campus Plus is giving away 5 copies of Emblem 3’s Nothing To Lose. To find out how you can win a copy, log on to facebook.com/campusplus
REVIEWS
FREE THE UNIVERSE MAJOR LAZER
Had a bad day? Chew on some of this. Following Guns Don’t Kill People… Lazers Do album released four years ago, Major Lazer is
bouncing back with yet another CD filled with bangers and dance floor tunes. Free The Universe is put together by sole custodian Diplo, who is known for his fresh and mind-bending sounds, with heaps of star quality as it features Shaggy, Wyclef Jean, Bruno Mars, Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, Laidback Luke, Tyga, etc. We found love in the rag-tag mix of featured artistes coupled with the signature Major Lazer style of hyperactive and colourful, insistent beats. Even what seemed to be the most annoying track off the record, Bubble Butt, has managed to lodge itself in our heads and yes, as you would guess, gleefully repeat itself against our own free will. Now, excuse us while we get up and dance.
O.N.I.F.C WIZ KHALIFA
Before we break into this, we’ll be honest and say that we were
never really fans of Wiz Khalifa from the very beginning. But with O.N.I.F.C (which stands for Only Nigga In First Class) in our hands, we were pretty much looking forward to be proven wrong. So, the question is, were we? Sadly, no. For starters, Wiz Khalifa only has as much swag as he thinks he does – which is to say close to none. So when he rapped, “I got so much swag, the airport don’t even wanna touch my bag” on Fall Asleep, it didn’t carry much weight. While he tries to rhyme (like the rapper he wants to be) over a collection of beats, it wasn’t enough to impress us. Oh, Wiz, not so much of a wiz, huh? We’re just wondering, who’s to blame here? The artiste or his production team?
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k-pop
THE LATEST IN KOREAN POP MUSIC
OCTOBER 2013
Block B Plans
Comeback South Korean idol boy group Block B (short for the term “Blockbuster”) recently made headlines when they were embroiled in a lawsuit against their label, Stardom Entertainment. At the time of the news, the group (which only debuted in 2011), claimed that they haven’t been paid for nearly one year. They also added that the CEO of the agency, a Mr Lee, has also disappeared with the 70,000,000 KRW (about RM100,000) that he had collected from Block B’s members’ parents. On 20th May 2013, Mr Lee committed suicide, adding fuel to the drama.
A
fter filing an injunction against their exclusive contract earlier this year, both Block B and Stardom Entertainment had ding-donged, with both parties claiming what the other said was false. However, the Seoul Central Court ruled in favour of the company and dismissed Block B’s request, adding that from written records, it cannot be said that Stardom Entertainment had violated its management obligations.
Earlier in August, Block B announced that it had negotiated the transfer of its rights from Stardom Entertainment to a new management company, Seven Seasons. Following which, the group made their fans rejoice with news of a comeback.
So they might’ve lost the case but that hasn’t stopped Block B from bouncing back though.
A greetings teaser video was also released with the message “Do You Wanna B?”
Having been out of the public eye for almost a year, Block B revealed that it’s now ready to face the world via an announcement on its official Twitter account which read, “Block B’s comeback showcase ‘Very Good’ on October 3.”
REVIEWS
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XOXO (REPACKAGE)
COUP D’ETAT (PART 1)
EXO
G-DRAGON
If you’ve heard EXO’s debut album, XOXO and have had only good things to say about it then you’re definitely going to love the XOXO repackaged album. SM Entertainment’s K-Pop idol boy group first introduced us to its repackaged album via the song, Growl which has as much swag as your average R&B hip-hop plus pop tune. The song shot to fame the day it was released because it’s catchy with an awesome “one take” music video to boot. We also loved XOXO for its part-singing, part-rapping coupled with some finger-snapping and chords on the piano. Let’s not forget that XOXO gave every single EXO member a chance to have their voice heard on it. And no prizes for guessing what the slightly bubblegum pop-ish Lucky is about but that upbeat number is bound to leave you bobbing your head – shamelessly.
Despite having just wrapped up his “One Of A Kind” world tour, there has been no stopping BIGBANG leader G-Dragon from continuing to excel at what he does best – music. The sentiment became clear when we first heard Niliria, a collaboration between the K-Pop idol extraordinaire himself and American hip-hop icon Missy Elliot. G-Dragon also brought in other heavyweights such as DJs and producers Diplo and Baauer for the title track, Coup d’Etat. It’s not an easy song to sink our teeth into but then again, we shouldn’t expect anything less than eccentric when it comes to G-Dragon. Other songs such as R.O.D. (featuring Lydia Paek), which toys with the idea of being dubstep-ish, and Black (featuring YG trainee Jennie Kim), which flirts with the R&B genre keeps Coup d’Etat fresh without having to try too hard.
THE LATEST IN KOREAN POP MUSIC
k-pop
OCTOBER 2013
K-POP CHART
Having been out of the public eye for almost a year, Block B revealed that it’s now ready to face the world via an announcement on its official Twitter account which read, “Block B’s comeback showcase ‘Very Good’ on October 3” shown at the end of the video. Word on the street is that Block B’s highly anticipated comeback (scheduled for 3rd October 2013 at Korea University Hwajeong Gym in Seoul) will be accompanied by the release of a new album in the same month.
Block B Members Zico Taeil B-Bomb Jaehyo U-Kwon Kyung P.O
After being put through all that drama the past year, we can’t wait to see what Block B has up its sleeves!
1
GROWL
2
24 HOURS
3
ROCKING
4
BAR BAR BAR
5
RUM PUM PUM PUM
6
ATTRACTION
7
TONIGHT
8
GOTTA TALK TO U
9
STORY OF SOMEONE I KNOW
10
EXO | XOXO (KISS&HUG) REPACKAGE
SUN MI | 24 HOURS
TEEN TOP | TEEN TOP CLASS
CRAYON POP | BAR BAR BAR
F(X) | “PINK TAPE” F(X) THE 2ND ALBUM
BUMKEY | ATTRACTION
SPICA | TONIGHT
SEUNGRI | LET`S TALK ABOUT LOVE
SAN E | STORY OF SOMEONE I KNOW
DO YOU LOVE ME 2NE1 | DO YOU LOVE ME
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16
FULL BLOOM
LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE
KARA
SEUNGRI
They rocked the world with their hit single, Mister which was accompanied by a dance sequence that clearly, nobody has forgotten about. Their winning streak was then accompanied by the release of Pandora last year. So when word got out that K-Pop idol girl group Kara was planning a comeback, anticipation ran high! Their fourth Korean studio album, entitled Full Bloom, focuses on the members having finally found their individual identities. Beyond the edgier rock-ish style of Damaged Lady, their new single, lies a more coming-of-age sound, as though the girls have matured. Runaway, the R&B ballad takes things down a notch with its softer, more acoustic vibe while the sensual Smoothie has a more sexy approach – both of which is enough to sum up the girls as a whole. It’s the perfect follow-up to Pandora.
The baby of K-Pop idol boy group BIGBANG sure has had a lot going for him in the recent years. For starters, he’s a member of one of South Korea’s most popular K-Pop idol boy groups. The problem, however, is that he’s often outshone by the four other BIGBANG members in both visual and musical sense. But that’s about to change because recently, he released his second mini album, Let’s Talk About Love. With songs like Let’s Talk About Love, GG Be, and Gotta Talk To U, it’s evident that the baby of BIGBANG is all grown up and armed with a style of his own. In fact, Let’s Talk About Love was the first Justin Timberlake-esque song, followed closely by Come To My. The album is then made complete with Love Box, a sweet and light ballad that allowed Seungri to display his crooning skills.
SOURCE: MNET.COM
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movies
THE LATEST CINEMA FLICKS
OCTOBER 2013
PREVIEWS
THOR STARRING: CHRIS HEMSWORTH NATALIE PORTMAN TOM HIDDLESTON STELLAN SKARSGÅRD IDRIS ELBA CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON KAT DENNINGS RAY STEVENSON ZACHARY LEVI JAIMIE ALEXANDER ANTHONY HOPKINS RELEASE: 31ST OCTOBER 2013
Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.
TARZAN
STARRING: KELLAN LUTZ JAIME RAY NEWMAN SPENCER LOCKE
RELEASE: 10TH OCTOBER 2013
Tarzan and Jane Porter face a mercenary army dispatched by the evil CEO of Greystoke Energies, a man who took over the company from Tarzan’s parents, after they died in a plane crash.
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PREVIEWS
ENDER’S GAME
CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2
STARRING: HARRISON FORD ABIGAIL BRESLIN HAILEE STEINFELD BEN KINGSLEY
STARRING: BILL HADER, ANNA FARIS JAMES CAAN, WILL FORTE, KRISTEN SCHAAL, TERRY CREWS, ANDY SAMBERG, NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, BENJAMIN BRATT
RELEASE: 31ST OCTOBER 2013
RELEASE: 3RD OCTOBER 2013
The Earth was ravaged twice by the Buggers, an alien race seemingly determined to destroy humanity. Seventy years later, the people of Earth remain banded together to prevent our own annihilation from this technologically superior alien species. Ender Wiggin, a boy of only six, may become the savior of the human race. He is separated from his beloved sister and brought to battle school in deep space. He will be tested and honed into an empathetic killer who despises himself as he learns to fight in hopes of saving Earth and his family.
It’s always been Flint’s dream to be recognized as a great inventor, but everything changes when he discovers that his most infamous machine (which turns water into food) is still operating and is now creating foodanimal hybrids – “foodimals!” With the fate of humanity in his hands, Chester sends Flint and his friends on a dangerously delicious mission, battling hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, apple pie-thons, double bacon cheespiders and other food creatures to save the world again!
AUSTENLAND
MAKE YOUR MOVE
STARRING: KERI RUSSELL JJ FIELD BRET MCKENZIE JENNIFER COOLIDGE JAMES CALLIS JANE SEYMOUR RELEASE: 24TH OCTOBER 2013
Jane Hayes is a single 30-something American woman obsessed with Colin Firth’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC version of Pride and Prejudice and wishes for a nice Englishman of her own. After her boyfriend breaks up with her, Jane decides to spend her savings on a trip to a Jane Austen-themed resort resort in England and inevitably falls for the actor playing Mr. Darcy.
STARRING: BOA DEREK HOUGH WILL YUN LEE IZABELLA MIKO RELEASE: 17TH OCTOBER 2013
Make Your Move is a forthcoming Romeo and Juliet-inspired independent dance film about a pair of star-crossed dancers in New York who finds themselves at the center of a bitter rivalry between their brothers’ underground dance clubs. Starring K-pop singer BoA and ballroom dancer Derek Hough.
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campustalk
YOUR VIEW ON CURRENT ISSUES
OCTOBER 2013
That dream date
You must have at least once fantasised a date with your favorite celebrity. If you had a chance, where would you take them? What sort of a date would it be? Dinner?A visit to a funfair? Going to the cinema? This month, Campus Plus asked some students who their dream date is and how it would be like.
Jessica Alba
Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys)
“I’d take her on a boat for an intimate dinner. And since I’m the adventurous type, we’d go skinny dipping while we’re out at sea. Make the most out of the rented boat, right?”
“The date would be nothing fancy. I’d just hang out with him backstage at one of his concerts.”
FALIQ MURAD (AGE 25)
SU ANN (AGE 21) BACHELOR OF MASS COMMUNICATION (PR & JOURNALISM) TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY, LAKESIDE CAMPUS
DEGREE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITI TUN ABDUL RAZAK (UNIRAZAK)
Ariana Grande
Ryan Reynolds
“I’m sure she’s been on tons of fancy dates. So I’d bring her to experience local stuff. Maybe take her to a banana leaf restaurant for dinner, get her to try sambal, and bring her around KL to see what life is like here. It may not be the most romantic date but it won’t be one she would soon forget.”
“My dream date with him would involve going to a red carpet event. Perhaps to one of his movies. I mean, since I’m hypothetically dating a movie star, why not experience the glitz and glam that life has to offer?”
AMMAR (AGE 25) DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION UNIVERSITI TUN ABDUL RAZAK (UNIRAZAK)
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NISA (AGE 23) BACHELOR OF MASS COMMUNICATION (PR & EVENTS) TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY, LAKESIDE CAMPUS
FEATURE BY LAINEY
OCTOBER 2013
neuroimaging
wellness
stresses emotional problems
anxiety disorders
health
central nervous system
emotions
symptoms
factors
behavioural problems
Taking Care Of Your mental health sensory psychological
depression
psychological personality
philosophies
dopaminedrugs
cope
social
degenerative disorder
wellness
Recent studies have shown that college students are in a high risk group for depression. In addition to the rise in mental health problems on campus, college and university counselling centres have also been experiencing a sharp increase in the demand for counselling services. Mental health problems such as depression can affect all aspects of your physical, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal functioning. Yes, it’s that serious! So keep your mental health in check with these pointers:
Get all the help you need Don’t be afraid to reach out. Many people are ashamed to ask for help or admit they’ve a problem. It could be because they’re afraid of being judged or they’ve too much pride to admit that they’ve a problem. However, keep in mind that depression, if left unattended, will eventually fester and devour you from inside out. Seek out your college’s or university’s counselling services if available or speak to your family and friends.
Keep relationships going Truth be told, depression and homesickness can go hand-in-hand. If you’re away at a foreign college or university, be sure to keep in touch with your family and friends. It’ll help you
overcome your homesickness where the sun doesn’t shine. Also, make an effort to build new friendships wherever you are because meeting new people can be a great form of distraction! Plus, you’d be getting a good headstart at finding a group of students who share similar interests and values as you.
Implement a strategy Stress can be a major factor in many cases of students’ depression. One way to keep stress at bay is to set goals. And by “setting goals”, we’re not asking you to aim for the moon. As a matter of fact, it’d be better to break down these goals to daily achievable ones instead of expecting a huge lump sum of achievements from yourself after an intended time. Daily achievable goals
will help you strategise and eventually help you to manage your stress level better.
Adapt to change Let’s face it – if you’re going to leave your previous school for unchartered territory or for a foreign country to pursue your higher education, like it or not, things will change. And you should expect things to change. But the good news is that this change will allow you to grow with the times. Understand that it may take time to fit in and don’t forget to get involved on campus. This will help you build on your confidence and adapt accordingly. Last but not least, concentrate on making yourself happy first above anyone else!
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TRAVEL TIPS FOR BACKPACKING NOOBS
travel BY LAINEY
ILLUSTRATIONS BY KABUL ZAM • BR1MMED HAT WITH HOLES (FOR AIR CONDITION)
Ammo For Backpackers
• SUNGLASSES
(PETALING STREET)
• HEAVY BACKPACK (TO BALANCE CAMERA)
• HEAVY CAMERA
(TO BALANCE BACKPACK)
• SLEEPING BAG
We’ve written quite a few travel pieces but we’ve realised that we didn’t get around to arming our readers with all the backpacking “ammo” they might need for their adventures. As the end of the semester is near and the holidays are looming, we thought it’d be the perfect time to equip you with some top tips for the backpacking noob!
(NO PLACE TO CRASH)
• MAP
(NEVER OPENED)
• EXTRA SOCKS
(NOT MATCHING)
• VARIOUS ODD STAINS (NO TIME TO WASH, DOBI TOO EXPENSIVE, NIGHTS CAN GET LONELY)
• HIKING SHOES
(FOR HARSH MONSOON CLIMATE)
• FOLDED PANTS (FOR FLASH FLOODS)
• BARE FEET
(SHOES LAST LONGER)
ANATOMY OF THE MALAYSIAN BACKPACKER
imagine losing them while you’re on holiday.
one) that you can refill on a daily basis with
Best to leave your precious belongings at home
proper boiled water from hostels. Other things
Going away for an extended period of time
where it’s safe! We say, all you need during your
to consider packing are wet wipes, tissues,
might give you the urge to pack everything you
travel is your trusty mobile phone.
insect repellent, and energy bars or granola
Less Is More think you might need. Keep in mind, however, that the rule of thumb to backpacking is “less
bars. These food bars can help you fight off
Prepare To Walk
is more”. No, you don’t need six pairs of jeans
Don’t forget to pack a pair of comfortable
or three pairs of shoes, and you definitely don’t
walking shoes – preferably trainers or sport
need 10 swimsuits. Chances are, you’re not
shoes. The best way to experience your holiday
going to wear or use most of them. Also, more
to its fullest is to walk and discover places on
stuff means more luggage weight to pay for or
foot. Sure, it’s a lot easier to cab to places but
to cart around on your trip! Go with the basics.
that will incur unnecessary cost. Be kind to your
You’ll be thankful for that later.
wallet! Take the public transportation only if
Leave Valuables At Home Seriously though, why do you need to bring your
something is really out of walking distance and by that, we mean the cheapest possible means of travelling such as the bus.
hunger cravings in between meals when you’re out and about.
Keep Loved Ones Informed Last but not least, always remember to text or call home. Inform them of your whereabouts as and when you need. Better yet, map out a plan of your travels and give it to them before you leave. Then, update them as you go along. You don’t want them worrying for nothing when they don’t hear from you for a long time. Also,
iPad or laptop? And is it really necessary to wear
Equip Yourself
jewellery or your most expensive watch? Think
Bring your own water if you’re iffy about the
to do prior research of your holiday destination
of how much those things cost to purchase and
quality of drinking water where you’re going.
before you get there!
what sentimental values it holds for you and
Preferably in a proper water bottle (not a plastic
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mapping out your travels means that you’d need
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fooddirectory by shah
DINING IN A RAINFOREST PHOTOS BY KAMIL HAZIQ
Forest Feast (3 stars)
Place
In every desert, there is an oasis. In Sunway Pyramid shopping mall, there is Rainforest Bistro. As the name suggests, the place boasts a tropical rainforest theme with plants, water features, and pillars designed to look like tree trunks. At night, the place is lit up by fairy lights to give an authentic rainforest vibe. The only thing that’s missing is the sounds of jungle animals.
With a name like “Rainforest”, expect heavy ambience at the venue. It’s an ideal place to chill and grab a few drinks with colleagues after a hard day’s work
Food
If you’re expecting forest critters on your plate, then you’ve come to the wrong place. Rainforest serves a range of western, oriental, and local cuisines at reasonable prices. Also, be sure to check out the array of beverages and cocktails that will definitely quench your thirst. Diners can also enjoy beers at happy hour rates and house pouring while being entertained by the house DJ. Try the Rainforest Bistro specialties – Rainforest Fried Rice, Hawaiian Pizza, Pineapple BBQ Half Chicken, and Grilled 68
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THIS PAGE | (TOP LEFT): CHICKEN CHOP ON A HOT PLATE WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE (BOTTOM LEFT): CRISPY HAWAIIAN PIZZA
ADDRESS: OASIS BOULEVARD, LOT K5, SUNWAY PYRAMID SHOPPING CENTRE, NO. 3, JALAN PJS 11/15,BANDAR SUNWAY, 46150 PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA. TEL: 603 - 5635 0888
THIS PAGE | (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP): HAPPY HOUR... FOR FOOD!; A NIGHT IN A FOREST HAS NEVER BEEN MORE COZY; EATING IN PROGRESS; VARIETY OF BEVVIES FOR YOUR PALATE; RAINFOREST BEEF BURGER; HAWAIIAN PIZZA BAKED TO PERFECTION
T-Bone Steak – which surely won’t disappoint your palate. Out of all the mocktail choices, Forest Foot is probably the best. It’s a mix of orange, mango, pineapple, and grenadine.
Verdict
Whether you’re out for a night of drinking with your friends, or need a place to wind with colleagues after work, Rainforest Bistro provides the food, drinks, and atmosphere for the occasion. The signature dishes and drinks are nice and the standard a-la carte dishes are not too bad either. But the dessert -- mango pudding with pineapple bits and sweet jelly -- was a little tasteless. Hookah/ shisha lovers are not left out as there’s also a stall set up in the bistro.
Rainforest Bistro & Café Sunway Pyramid discount promotion for CampusPlus Magazine
20Off Enjoy
%
on Ala Carte Food only
TERMS & CONDITIONS
This coupon is only valid at Rainforest Bistro & Café Sunway Pyramid Present voucher upon ordering Voucher is not exchangeable for cash. Only original voucher is accepted Redemption is limited to 1 voucher per table/per transaction/per receipt Redemption period: One month Redemption hours: Monday - Sunday 12.00pm to 7.00pm including public holidays Not valid with any other on-going promotions and set menu Dine in only
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bookshelf by lainey
READS AND RELEASES
OCTOBER 2013
The Ghost Bride AUTHOR: YANGSZE CHOO
Malaysian Chinese Yangsze Choo recently made her literary debut with “The Ghost Bride”, which tells a coming-of-age story set in Malacca in colonial Malaysia. With a fresh take at the paranormal genre, “The Ghost Bride” combines fact with fiction without compromising good writing and character development. Infused with Chinese folklore, romance, and some unexpected twists of the supernatural kind, “The Ghost Bride” takes place in Malaya in 1893. A young Chinese girl named Li Lan, the daughter of a poor family, is faced with an unusual (but not unheard of in ancient Chinese customs) proposal from the wealthy Lim family. She’s asked to be a ghost bride to the family’s only son, Lim Tian Ching, who died under mysterious circumstances. While she’s revolted at the idea of being a dead person’s wife, such a marriage would guarantee her a place in the Lim mansion and therefore, a peace of mind for the rest of her life. That and dabbling with the afterlife, however, comes with a price. Soon, Li Lan finds herself haunted by the restless spirit of her ghostly suitor, coupled with her growing interest in the Lim family’s living nephew, Lim Tian Bai. Thrown into a new and bizarre world
where she must choose to be dead while still living, Li Lan is forced to save herself from her impending fate before she’s trapped in the ghostly world forever. “The Ghost Bride” is a startling tale that was written with in-depth research and perfect storytelling skills. With a rare but healthy fusion of culture, romance, adventure, an alternative reality, and the unorthodox supernatural elements, Yangsze Choo’s first novel is hard to put down.
The Bookstore AUTHOR: DEBORAH MEYLER
Brilliant, idealistic Esme Garland moves to Manhattan armed with a prestigious scholarship at Columbia University. When Mitchell van Leuven, a New Yorker with the bluest of blue New York blood, captures her heart with his stunning good looks, life seems truly glorious - until a thin blue line signals a wrinkle in Esme’s tidy plan. Before she has a chance to tell Mitchell about her pregnancy, he suddenly declares their sex life is as exciting as a cup of tea, and ends it all. Determined to master everything from Degas to diapers, Esme starts work at a small West Side bookstore that’s struggling to survive in a city where nothing seems to last. When Mitchell recants his decision, his passion and promises are hard to resist. But if Esme gives him a second chance, will she, like her beloved bookstore, lose more than she can handle?
I Could Chew On This AUTHOR: FRANCESCO MARCIULIANO
A New York Times bestseller? This canine companion to “I Could Pee on This”, the beloved volume of poems by cats,” I Could Chew on This” will have dog lovers laughing out loud. Doggie laureates not only chew on quite a lot of things, they also reveal their creativity, their hidden motives, and their eternal (and sometimes misguided)
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effervescence through such musings as “I Dropped a Ball”, “I Lose My Mind When You Leave the House”, and “Can You Smell That?” Accompanied throughout by portraits of the canine poets in all their magnificence, “I Could Chew on This” is a work of unbridled enthusiasm, insatiable appetite, and, yes, creative genius.
PREVIEW OF GUACAMELEE
OCTOBER 2013
games by shah
Classic Mexican Mayhem!
Video games are appreciated on so many levels that the definition of a good game is a very subjective topic. Sure there are many impressive games with eye-popping visuals that make you want to actually live in that digital universe. But, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s take a step back and go back to basics. Admit it, playing games like Super Mario used to keep you busy for hours. All you had to do was get Mario to walk from left to right towards a castle to rescue Princess Peach while collecting coins and jumping on mutant turtles.. in 8-bit graphics. So, for the casual gamer with an appreciation for simple yet massively satisfying video games, DrinkBox Studios presents Guacamelee!, a sidescrolling adventure that pays homage to classic games. Those in the know will quickly recognise hints of Metroid, The Legend Of Zelda, and even Portal, but these references never quite dominate the unlikely setting of a dimensionally disturbed recreation of Mexico. As Juan Aquacave, a humble agave farmer and tequila distiller, your rise to luchadoredom is fuelled by the kidnapping of an old acquaintance-turned-love interest, the nameless daughter of El Presidente. (Does Super Mario ring any bells?) We wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hand out spoilers here so you can experience the whole game to the fullest. Just expect lots of side-scrolling, platform-jumping, monster-bashing, Mexican Luchadore action in a beautiful, cell-shade rendered world.
Genre: Action/Adventure Platform: PS3 CAMPUS PLUS |
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wiredup review by nikki & shah
PLUG INTO THE FUTURE OF TECH
OCTOBER 2013
Chat apps are here to stay…
for a long time
T
hey could be, besides doing a million things on their smart phones, messaging on chat apps such as WhatsApp, WeChat, Viber, which have become very popular among the young adults. One such student that uses such chat apps is Neekita Yagnesh Kumar Patel, 20, who is pursuing a psychology degree at University of Sheffield in United Kingdom. She has been using WhatsApp as well as Viber (occasionally) for three years. For Neekita, WhatsApp is an easy and affordable way to keep in touch with her family and friends. “For example, while my phone is hooked on to the WiFi service provided by a restaurant, I am able to send out a WhatsApp/iMessage to someone, however, if I were to text, I would be charged,” she said. Just like Neekita, Christina How Ying Lyn, 22, also uses WhatsApp to keep in touch with her family and friends. “These kind of apps helps saves a lot of money, and I use it every day. I’m happy using WhatsApp but I would like to see more emoticons in the chat app,” said Christina, who has just completed her degree at Monash University. Another graduate, Kaeshaelya Thiruchelvam, 23, also uses chat apps to communicate and keep in touch with her loved ones. She has been using WhatsApp, Viber, Line, and WeChat for more than three years. Kaeshaelya, who graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) from International Medical University, is happy to communicate using the chat apps as they are much cheaper than sending SMSes to her friends and loved ones. NEEKITA
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It’s a common sight to find young adults happily tapping away on their smart phones almost anywhere, from kopitiams to waiting in line to pay for groceries.
Based on the responses, it comes as no surprise that youth these days are using their mobile phones even more, especially with the emergence of the smartphone. “They love chatting and sharing instantly, and social communication applications offer these kinds of real-time features,” said Katie Lee, assistant general manager of international public relations for Tencent. Tencent is the developer for WeChat, a mobile communication tool that lets you chat with your friends instantly via voice messages, texts or images. You can also create group chats to chat with several friends together.
Youths like to text, chat, and share pictures with their friends and loved ones. They love to socialize and communicate, sometimes with more than one friend at a time. Social communication applications offer them the chance to chat, share ideas as well as make friends with as little or as many people they like, at their convenience. For example, WeChat’s “Hold to Talk” feature for instant voice messaging has become a hit among its users, as it is quicker than typing and makes messaging more expressive and convenient. Katie observed that WeChat users are always receptive towards trying new features. For example, WeChat is used daily to chat as well as to find new friends using the “Look Around” feature. The other popular feature is the “Official Accounts”, which lets users follow their favourite celebrities and brands for the latest gossips, updates or even exclusive offers. “While WeChat is still considered to be in the infancy stage in Malaysia, it has grown significantly in a short time, and we now have more than 70% penetration rate of all smartphone users in Malaysia,” said Katie. To better serve its users, the company is looking at introducing some features that are already being used abroad such as inapp purchasing, where users can make payment for goods or services directly through WeChat. “This gives the youth a new level of convenience, and the ability to have information and options right at their fingertips,” added Katie.
What it is • A smartphone melded with a compact digital camera. • A smartphone camera with optical instead of digital zoom. • A little over-priced • Bulky. The camera lens attached to the phone may not sit comfortably in your pocket.
What it’s not • Spacious. There’s only 8GB of in-built storage. • Light. It’s the fat cousin of
SmartCameraPhone
Look, it’s a phone! No, it’s a camera! No, it’s.. both?
A
ll smartphones have a compulsory inbuilt camera. But Samsung has come up with what looks to be more like a camera with a smartphone attached to it. To describe what it looks like, just grab your average compact digital camera and duct tape your Samsung Galaxy S4 to its back and you have the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom. This is a great device for those who don’t like to carry too many devices. But the S4 Zoom’s 2-in-1 concept is not just about convenience. The Zoom Ring feature allows you to activate the In-Call Photo Share feature. In the middle of a phone call, a quick twist of the Zoom Ring will let users capture and send an image directly via MMS to the person on the other end of the line. The Zoom Ring can also be used for a number of other things such as activating the quick launch and shortcut features, and functions as a more advanced camera zoom control.
Tech Specs OS : Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor : Dual-core 1.5GHz Cortex-A9 Display : 4.3 inches Weight : 208g Storage : 8GB (internal), MicroSD up to 64GB Camera : 16MP (back), 1.9MP (front)
the Samsung Galaxy S4 and obese cousin of the Galaxy S4 Mini. • The best of both worlds. The idea is nice, but both are worse than standalone models.
At a price of RM1,699 the S4 Zoom may be a little over-priced. With only 8GB of internal storage and being a 2-in-1 device that does not deliver the best of both, you might want to think twice about spending the extra ringgits. The S4 Zoom is a device that people would really want to like. If the camera or phone part were better or the price tag was lower, then it would make sense. But right now it’s a poor compact camera married to a mid-range phone at a high-end price tag. Sorry Samsung, but you might want to take this back to the drawing board.
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dreamcars by shah
EXTRAORDINARY AUTOMOBILES
OCTOBER 2013
LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO MALAYSIA LIMITED EDITION Now, we can proudly say Lamborghini and Malaysia in the same sentence. The result of a year’s collaboration between Lamborghini KL and Automibili Lamborghini SpA is the Gallardo Malaysia Limited Edition (MLE).
O
nly 20 units were built and at the point this article was written, 14 have already found new homes. In the flesh, the Gallardo MLE looks every bit like the Superleggera 570-4. A Lamborghini survey showed that many Malaysians were flabbergasted by the Superleggera’s exterior design and the supercar maker obliged. Three colours are offered, Blanco Moncerus (solid white), Arancio Borealis (pearl orange), and Verde Ithaca (pearl green). The automatic e-gear transmission with six cogs is not the smoothest gearbox around. Built by Marelli and also supplied to Ferrari and Maserati, gear changes are done via paddles located behind the steering wheel. An article by Topgear Malaysia, however, suggest changing gears
manually for this car as the computer often shifted gears at the wrong moments, resulting in a bucking ride. The good thing is, Lamborghini has managed to make the Gallardo MLE docile enough for the not-so-experienced to drive it around town looking like Hollywood superstars. Once out on the open road, The Gallardo MLE will raise the urge to sign up for the next driver’s training so that you too can dance with this raging Italian bull. The Gallardo MLE barely scratches the RM1 million mark, with a price tag of RM868,000 excluding duties, road tax, and insurance.
Lamborghini has managed to make the Gallardo MLE docile enough for the not-so-experienced to drive it around town looking like Hollywood superstars
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clubscene words shah pix kh
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN
OCTOBER 2013
U O Y CAN
E H T E ? TAK T H
G I HE
e club irly new in th fa H G U O H e LT A made a nam s a h o ig rt e V scene, orous, ene as a glam sc b u cl e th all in ve venue for si u cl x e d n a trendy, r. Kuala Lumpu party-goers in
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he name itself already suggests that it’s perched at a high altitude. In this case, specifically, on the rooftop of The Gardens at Mid Valley City. The club features two unique rooms dubbed Nero and Bianco, which translates into ‘black’ and ‘white’ in Italian. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of Nero, the room which plays R&B music (and also apparently the more popular room) is the LED-lit dance floor located in front of the DJ booth. As seen in the photos, the LED lights run from the floor, to the back of the DJ booth, and up onto the ceiling, making patrons of the club the stars of the show.
Bianco blasts your senses with House and Electro Dance Music (EDM), and a DJ stage with crazy lights. The room may be slightly smaller but that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it any less amazing than its R&B neighbour. When the night is still young, the rooms are closed off from each other, but the club opens up a connecting door as the night reaches its peak and party-goers can enjoy the best of both until closing time. Since its establishment in 2011, Vertigo has already featured international acts from the UK, Thailand, US, Germany, Japan, Canada, and more. But most notably, Scottish DJ and singersongwriter Calvin Harris has performed here. Vertigo does a swell job on presenting and defining the glitz and glam of club life.
FOR MORE INFO ON PROMOTIONS, THEME NIGHTS, AND EVENTS, CHECK OUT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/VERTIGO.KL ADDRESS RT-02 Rooftop (6th Floor), The Gardens, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Kuala Lumpur
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By Ivan Wong
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