Seeing it yourself is

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JOREMY: I am born and bred in Brunei and originate from Temburong, and even though I belong to the Iban ethnic group I was not raised in a longhouse like most, which is considered here as unique. My dad kept a lot of animals at home as it was a passion of his, and some were exotic. We had a 6-foot long python and there was an eagle too, so I was born and raised into the pack. Keeping animals became a big passion of mine also. I felt like I clicked with them. I enjoyed watching their behaviour and I wanted to understand them. I would think ‘I wish they could talk, why do they do this?’ This led me to study biology. The question is why did I choose field biology? Most Bruneians seem to prefer working in a lab. I deal with a lot of students, and this is what they often choose. I like to be out there. I want to experience things firsthand. I don’t want to hear stories. I want to be the storyteller. An assistant researcher at the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre under the purview of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Joremy Tony, has long been an advocate for studying Bornean wildlife up front and close. Never satisfied at simply watching species recorded on National Geographic, he has an inborn drive to get out there in order to personally have that experience. All because “seeing it for yourself is truly something else”, and there is really nothing that can substitute for it.

Joremy Tony IG: @joremytony

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JOREMY: Birds and frogs. Frogs – because it was what I specialised in as part of my degree. Birds are something more personal as 70% of the animals my dad kept around our home were birds. So it was always a big interest, and during my degree I had intended to pursue ornithology but we unfortunately don’t have the specialty in Brunei, no experts here who would be able to supervise you during your final year project, which is a key requirement.

JOREMY: Oh I have a new one now! I had given you a different answer when we first met, but I definitely have a new one now. So, recently I went on a trip to Teraja in Labi, and we weren’t expecting this as we were there for a different species, the Helmeted Hornbill. Instead, we were thrilled to have seen a Bornean Bristlehead. This bird is nomadic, is very scarce and hard to find, and is endemic to Borneo. It is actually a species – the only species – within its own genus. Sabah is very proud of this bird, and then just like that, we’ve got them here too. To make things better for us was that one of the guides with me had gone to Sabah a few times specifically to spot this bird, which he never could, and just like that he ends up seeing it here.

JOREMY: This is a skill that goes hand in hand with our work. This is a generational thing

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3 because previously you could just write reports. Long, long reports and people would still believe you but nowadays – especially as the technology is now there – if you don’t have a picture no one believes you. Even a video regardless of whether its clear or not, if you can capture proof of something, then it goes a long way to backing up your work and claims. I do enjoy it though and on a tangent, I have also just started getting into astrophotography so there have been several nights where I will drive for a couple of hours to remote areas to get away from sources of light pollution to do this. It can be very technical.

JOREMY: There has only been one installation so far in 2019, and that covered all four districts with participants operating from one venue that served as a base. We would allow people to roam around for 2 days, 1 night, and then submit everything the next day. They just had to snap anything with wings. It has yet to be confirmed whether we can host another installation around November, December this year (so no promises, everyone!). If it does become a reality then this time round it will be one venue in Temburong for one full day split into two categories – the best photograph, and the most species photographed.

JOREMY: When I saw my first Helmeted Hornbill I was reduced to tears. I am so used to seeing Rhinoceros Hornbills, Oriental Pied Hornbills, and I keep thinking to myself ‘Oh please let it be something else’. There was one day a colleague of mine and I woke up at 4 in the morning and we went on a hike and we were sure we could hear it. Please let it be a helmeted, please let it be a helmeted, and it was! You see the problem is there is a narrow window to spotting it as it is fond of figs while they are ripe during a 2-3 day period, which makes it quite challenging. I was happy and it made it all worth it in the end.

Household appliances just aren’t what they used to be—they’re better. An unassuming storefront among the Aman Hills shop houses will unfurl a plethora of fun and quirky gizmos and gadgets, all located in a world of affordable convenience and practicality that is Gadzilla. Only recently opened in late 2020, Gadzilla already has diehard fans and all we can say is, who can blame them? This is what homebodies’ dreams are made of. An elevated version of your average home appliance store, be prepared to randomly stumble upon the likes of a cotton candy maker, a portable mini washing machine, a self-disinfecting dish rack or an antiscald mug in the shape of a Christmas tree, just to name a few. Welcome to the candy store, gizmo geeks! •• Unit B6, Blk B, Grd Flr, Aman Hills Shophouse Open daily: 10am-9.30pm Tel: 673-7174826 IG: @gadzillagadget.bn

It began with two stylists, both on the same pursuit of the right clothing pieces to complete their glamorous visions of their clients’ outfits which eventually led to the formation of ethereal fashion brand, Bilang. Celebrating minimalism and subtleness for those unafraid to go against the grain, Bilang is the brainchild of Zulhelmi Kamaluddin and Fikri Afif Daud, the duo stylists behind the fashion-crazed 1001 brand. The name stems from the word “every” in Bruneian Malay which encompasses the holistic elements that the brand holds near and dear. With this in mind, for their debut capsule collection “Bilang Eid 2021”, the brand came up with five versatile looks (with sizes running up to XXL) toting earthy, minimal designs which inspires each wearer to style each piece in their own way.

Pre-orders have begun since February on Bilang’s official Instagram account with a 10% discount for customers paying full deposit. •• IG: @bybilang

Self-taught prop makers are far and few, so when we stumbled across MiK Studio on Instagram, our curiosities were piqued to say the least. Run full-time by art graduate Iman Khairi, a childhood love for creating art expanded into a running theme throughout his formal education years where he got to experiment further with crafting, painting and sculpting with different mediums and today cosplayers, collectors and superhero fans flock to him to fulfill their costume and prop desires. And we can definitely see why: we’ve entered “serious” territory here.

While MiK Studio also takes commissions for portrait drawings, caricature drawings and landscape paintings, his helmets and masks are what really bring the boys and girls to the yard. Intricately designed and finished with much finesse, these beauties are made from EVA foam and plastic but you’d never be able to tell how lightweight they are from just looking at them. From cutting the foam to hammering down the fine details and creating the desired finish, the props take a week (for masks) to a month (for helmets) for completion depending on how detailed they are. •• IG: @mik.113studio E: mik.hms113@ gmail.com

Whether you’re an avid cook, a passionate baker, or just a casual visitor to the kitchen, no one can deny the beauty of a sleek Smeg anything. A leading Italian manufacturer of high quality domestic appliances, the brand made its official debut on Bruneian shores with the grand opening of its showroom and co-cooking studio The Melting Pot earlier this year. Smeg Brunei houses several of the brand’s well-known product lines including the Classica, Linea, Victoria and 50’s Style range. With the perfect appliance for every preference, taste and style, thanks to Smeg’s remarkable partnerships with world-famous architects and designers, each comes with its own sleek personality and characteristics which will leave you wanting to run your hands fondly over every smooth surface.

Giving you an opportunity to get to know the kitchen appliances on another level is the co-cooking studio right next door, The Melting Pot. Experience Smeg products in action as you put every product to the test during weekly cooking classes and dining experiences gently overlooked by the studio’s head chef. Talented head chef Aziz Zaidi comes with his own set of impressive skills garnered from a decorated culinary education at The Culinary Institute of America and training at top establishments in the American hospitality industry, the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Utah being one of them.

Get ready to embrace your inner chef by checking them out on Instagram and making your bookings directly via phone call or Whatsapp. Or drop by the showroom and view the facilities and product displays in all its full glory while basking in a renewed sense of appreciation for technology, style and design all fused into one in the best way possible. •• Grd Flr, Bangunan Majid Mohammad, Spg 235-7, Jln Pasar Gadong (behind The Arch) Open: Mon-Sun (10am-7pm) IG & FB: @smegbrunei Tel: 673-258 0810

Open: Mon-Sun (9am-9pm) IG: @themeltingpot.studio FB: @themeltingpotstudiobn Tel: 673-245 6315/ 819 6418 (WhatsApp)