Astro Your Malaysian Is Showing

Last Saturday 24 August 2013 marks another unique day with Nuffnang and Astro in conjunction with upcoming Malaysia 56th Merdeka celebration which falls under 31st August every year. What make the event special is that Astro don't just 'syok sendiri' by just airing some Merdeka related programme on air but rather everyone was invited to be part of the celebration through a variety of activities on air, online and on ground to spread positivity and happiness. The campaigns that was trending on not just that particular evening but craved deep into heart of Malaysians were #gobeyond and #UrMalaysianIsShowing and alongside with the launch of a new music video titled "Excuse me Sir, your Malayisan is showing" that features plenty of famous local made artist. Among the artist attended were Dato' Haji Aznil Nawawi, Lisa Surihani, Jie Ying, Geraldine Gan Weon, Revathy, Lingkesh, Arnold and Ezra and not forgetting their fan who 'camp' there for hours just to get up close to their idol. If you're there you will definitely see tons of leng chye and leng lui hanging around to find out the happening event.

In case you don't yet know, nothing satisfy a blogger's crave more than selfie / camwhore kao kao. Was lucky to have the opportunity to have photo taken with the 3 famous ah moi blogger that day namely from left Kelly Chin (http://www.sunshinekelly.com/), JQ Lee (http://niaangel.blogspot.com/), and Janice Yeap (http://janiceyeap.blogspot.com/). Before the official event kick start, the duo, Arnold from Hitz FM and Ezra from Mix FM who is also the emcee for that day keep the public informed on some of the on ground activity for that day which include the Photo Selfie Booth, T-Shirt Customisation, and plenty more. Soon enough, Henry Tan the Chief Operating Officer of Astro was invited to the stage to officiate the launch of Positive Engine. Henry invite everyone to participate in the #gobeyond campaign by sharing it on social media with #gobeyond hashtag. These positive action would help someone in need and/or even inspire others how proud we are to be a Malaysian, and that would trigger the Positive Engine. As of the launch, Astro manage to accumulate 140K positive contributions but we are still numbers away from the 1 million mark. So Malaysian what are you waiting for? Do take part in the meaningful campaign and make it a memorable 56th Merdeka that you can brag on generation down the road. The Positive Engine is the first of its kind that features Malaysian landmarks and is housed in the 3rd floor in Mid Valley Megamall for all to see.

After revealing the Positive Engine, artist from the music video "Excuse me Sir, your Malayisan is showing" cheer the crowd further by performing live on stage. Fans were seen screaming their lungs out to give fullest support in cheering is in celebrating spirit and man it really portrait how truly Malaysian we are. Best sight I witness on site has to be the 1Malaysia spirit where everyone from different background / religion came together to make the impossible, possible. See even the Ang Mo (Foreigner / Westerner) is there to join the celebration. Here's the music video for your viewing pleasure, go ahead, don't be shy and share it around with your peers.
Next on the activity list may though seem to be exclusively for the invited guest / blogger / churpers, it was generally an activity for all and you will find out why later on. A short briefing were held by the Marshal to guide us on what I called it challenging but meaningful competition where winners get to walk away with a whooping RM600 Jusco shopping voucher. Each team is made of 4 member and I am happy to team up with new faces and they are Sizzling Suzai (https://twitter.com/SizzlingSuzai), Auji (https://twitter.com/bayamkiut) and Jimmy Teh (https://twitter.com/Jimmy90210), and yeah GO Team 13!

I learnt that there were 27 task to complete within 45 minute and among the task was to perform a Malaysian attribute to total random stranger shopping around Mid Valley and to instagram / instavideo / tweet it over on our social media. Credit have to be given to both Suzai and Auji as I solely depend on their device for the update simply because I don't have data plan. Well that's what all the campaign is all about right? Helping each other out when they needed it :) Anyway before the race start we were given some time to digest and to ask our designated marshal any related question. Oh ya each team were given a goodie bag with some tools required for the task later on.

The race was a great success cause it manage to bond everyone from different background, making new and yet awesome friends, and creating mass awareness among the crowd which is the main objective of the entire effort. Look at how dedicated my teammates are while I busy snapping photo here and there, Bro Rilek lah. Random things we have to do like asking for Hi-Five from total stranger, giving flower to random people, offering drink to thirsty shopper, singing national anthem loudly in middle of no where and the list continue.

For more of the photo taken during the race you can view it from Suzai Twitter account here https://twitter.com/SizzlingSuzai/media/grid and Auji Instagram account here http://instagram.com/bayamkiut I think there's only one or two team that manage to complete all designated task which win them the first and second prize. Team 13 which is also my team won the 3rd prize and we get RM200 to shop for all the effort we putted in.

Guest / Blogger / Chupers are invited to a light refreshment at Blu Med after the race where prize giving ceremony was held and definitely not forgetting the awesome food and drink. What is even syok is that we get to dine together with the celebrities. Jom Makan!

So the next time you're in Mid Valley do drop by and witness the Positive Engine yourself. For those who couldn't make it there but still wish to take part you can be part of the Spread Positivity campaign here https://www.facebook.com/AstroGoBeyond/app_179047725597311 I've done mine and will be doing more this coming weekend to boost the contribution toward 1 million mark.

Astro also celebrates the best of 1Malaysia and our Malaysianess by recognising our unique lingo such as Syok!, Gostan, Brudder, Fuyoh, Macha, understood only by fellow Malaysians. Everyone can be a part of this and own their favourite lingo too on a T-shirt via the #UrMalaysianIsShowing Facebook app here https://apps.facebook.com/yourmsianisshowing/shoppingcart.php. Proceeds from the sale will contribute towards a charitable cause. Do come support the one I've created. Psst, actually I wanted to write

Neh

Lick-Mi-Ko-Teh

Satu

(Horlick cam Milo cam Kopi cam Teh)

But I can only select from a list of Lingo available, still I think mine truly portrait Malaysian as it is part of our culture to Yum Cha whenever there's free slot regardless of skin color and/or religion.

For further information on the campaign, please refer to the links below,

• For more information on Astro’s Negaraku campaign including “Excuse me Sir, your Malaysian is showing”, please log on to www.astro.com.my/negaraku. 
• Information on Go Beyond can be found on www.gobeyond.com.my 
• Make your own #UrMalaysianIsShowing T-Shirt with the #UrMalaysianIsShowing Facebook app here: https://apps.facebook.com/yourmsianisshowing
• Set your own Go Beyond positive acts with the Go Beyond Facebook app here: https://www.facebook.com/AstroGoBeyond/app_179047725597311 

Until then allow me to wish you a happy Merdeka this coming Saturday and do celebrate the memorable day with pride together. Here's a quick recap capture on video that evening during the event by Nuffnang and ChurpChurp, enjoy!

Step By Step to grab deals for your birthday party

TABLEAPP Birthday Dining App just released few days ago, follow this guide would help you get more familiar with how to grab deals for your birthday party 

Step 1: Import your friend list

To import your facebook friend list to our app. Firstly, you can do it on the introduction page when you just installed and open the app for the first time (Refer to image on the left). If you missed out on this, don't worry you could still import your facebook friends here on the third tab with a human icon(Refer to image on the right).

After importing your Facebook friend list, your available upcoming friends birthday will now appear on the Birthday Dining App.

Import facebook friend method 1

Import facebook friend method 2

Step 2: Find out birthday deals

You can now browse through all restaurants which offers birthday deals but before that you need to fill in some details for the search. Details such as date,time, for how many person, and area. After selecting all your preferred criteria, click the search button and we will list out all the restaurants which match with your search criteria.

By clicking on each of the restaurant, you get to see the details of the specific restaurant. Restaurant details such as address, dress code, cuisine, operating hours and also a more detailed promotion information.

Search Criteria

Search Result

Restaurant Details 1

Restaurant Details 2

Step 3: Make reservation

Finally when you finally decided on which restaurant to dine in. You can simply just make your reservation by clicking on the Make Reservation button. It will bring you to another page where you need to fill in your personal details such as name, email and phone number needed for reservation purposes. If you have some special request from the restaurant, you can fill it in as well. After you are done filling in your details, click on the make reservation button and your reservation will be completed.

Personal Details and confirm reservation

Download the apps

or, you could go to TABLEAPP online reservation to make the reservation 

Kick-Ass 2

Three years down the road is the release of what I think a rather successful franchise and I scored my invite to the premiere screening of Kick-Ass 2 from Nuffnang.

High school costume hero Kick-Ass spark and unleash the hero in some normal citizen, encouraging them to stand up and put an end to crime. Kick-Ass soon found himself in a small group / community of costume hero recruiting new member to expand their good deed all around the city.

Mindy or rather Hit-Girl was forced to stay out of trouble and to stop mingling around with the costume hero so by her foster father so that she can lead a normal life. Struggling to ensure Mindy get accepted in to society, she was encouraged to join the girly group in her school and even go on a date with some random guy.

While all the positive energy is going around the city, on the dark side, Chris D'Amico is also forming his own team but instead of saving the world, his intention is to make a name form himself by being the baddest super villain.

The comical scene was no where near a kid comic and is filled with violence. The overall plot is pretty similar to what happen in Malaysia right now and the Kick-Ass team is just like our Rakan Cop or some call it volunteer police where they volunteer themself to keep everyone safe and sound. Though there weren't much when it come to freshness in plot, it was overall a pretty good movie to enjoy.

Rate: 3/5

Find Reliable Workshop Here

For those who drive to work everyday but know nuts about your car, you're in for a treat! Well the reason I own a car is not because I'm a car junkie but to serves me as a main transportation medium. After all we Malaysian know how reliable our transportation system is, and not forgetting the risk of being marked for criminal activity.

As a driver myself I am aware that I need to send my car to service (that is if my car doesn't go ill in between) to maintain its performance. I'm lucky to have a caring dad who would do all the dirty work and he often send my car to a home based workshop just within 1KM from my home. Every now and then whenever I need a mechanic the first and only workshop that strike my mine is none other than the one my dad always engage.

FYI, I am never satisfy with the service I'm getting nor am I happy with the price I'm paying simply because I have nothing to compare with and is like force to swallow whatever the one and only mechanic told me.

Even statistic shows most Malaysian have doubt in the service they are getting and/or the price they are paying. Here are some stuning finding

• 63% of Malaysians find it difficult to find a trusted mechanic
• 68% of Malaysians refer to friends and family for current mechanic
• 1/3 of Malaysians have high likelihood to change their current mechanic
• 1/3 of Malaysians have more than 5 years old car.

It is indeed a grey area when it come to servicing/repairing your car here in Malaysia. Though we know how one family may own several cars or from the noticeable jam everyday, it is sad that most of the driver had very little knowledge in car and will have to accept whatever the mechanic told them. It would be good if the one you're dealing with is honest and ethical, but what if they are not? 

Seeing that there's a need to create awareness and a need to educate the public especially car owner more about their car, Castrol innovative team came out with a site that would not just cater to all the issue mentioned earlier but also with some killer feature that once you're hook you'll never survive without it.  Carama (http://www.carama.com/home) is developed not just for workshop to list themselves onto the website in order to gain more business as it is NOT a classify / listing site. There will be a team working and validating each and every workshop listed on the website and they will also certify reputable workshop so that you can send your car there without hassle and worries. 

Beside looking for a reliable nearby your area, you too can briefly find out the Recommended Retail Price on spare part in the "Spare Parts Calculator" section. This would definitely aid you in controlling your budget and to identify if a mechanic is overcharging you with the same item. Though it may not have the complete list of spare part yet, they do have sufficient pricing information on locally most owned car model which is good enough to keep the good word floating around. Singing up for an account is easy as you could just connect it to your Facebook account and shall you have any review / comment / info to share, you will be rewarded with Carama point whereby it is exchangeable for services under Carama's panel workshop.

I know I can go lengthy on how Carama would change my life but I will leave the exploring part for you to discover. Here's some tips for you to ensure you have a smooth and safe roadtrip.

*Ahem Ahem* I might have some Carama point to *ahem* away to some of my lucky reader. Do stay tune!

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

I don't know about you but from the trailer itself, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones kinda reminded me of several movie mixed and packaged into one.

The story begin with Clary Fray's mother went disappear without a trace and soon enough weird things started to happen around her. Stuff like gaining magical power, ability to see the unseen by human, and several more weird activities.

Left alone with no clue, Clary is forced to make her own decision especially when it comes to meeting an array of new creature that is always around her. It was then she join alliance with a line of warriors that stand to their principle and determined to protect our world from demons.

If that doesn't get interesting enough, will the existence of vampires and warewolfs among us make you excited? The very novel style plot is also very predictable from the middle part onward and you can keep your surprise element goodbye from there on.

Rate: 1.5/5

The Purge

Is been a while I last get an invite from ChurpChurp to #churpremiere screening and was once again united with the movie titled The Purge at GSC Mid Valley.

The story is about a country legalizing all criminal activity once a year, in what they believe would aid in the economic and reducing jobless from the street. On other perspective it is also eliminating the weaker soul resulting in population control and other so called 'issue'. The annual activity forced some to stay home equipped with all sort of security measurement they could afford while some team up acting as the 'justice league'.

The plot evolves around a family who's sole provider happen to be selling top notch security system prior to The Purge. From its trailer you would also see that the son of this sales person open up the door allowing a stranger into their home and later found out that the person he rescued was wanted by a group of hunter.

This is the the fun part came in, it give you that ultimate situation whether one would save their family or risk it all for a stranger. The thrill is there but it wasn't as I would have expected but surprisingly I find myself cling through out the screen time though the introduction scene were plain bored.

There were plenty loophole in The Purge but I personally think it actually had a bigger opportunity to strike further, perhaps it needed a stronger and better storyline. Though the reason all the murdering and hunting were pretty weak, it was still pretty enjoyable without asking why and how. I think the poster do look more horrify than the actual movie itself and it does look promising to attract horror lover.

Rate: 2.5/5