Bloggers from the much acclaimed Nuffnang Malaysia, Asia Pacific’s first and leading blog advertising community turned up in throngs for the fun-filled Gatsby Deodorant Street Fair held on April 17 at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur. With nearly 500 bloggers from all over the nation, gathered under one roof, they made their mark in the Malaysia Book of Records for their feat by forming the “Largest Bloggers Gathering”.

The event, graced by Datuk Danny Ooi, PJN, Founder & Managing Director of Malaysia Book Of Records, Mr. Chin Choon Keng, President of Mandom (M) Sdn Bhd, Mr. Kuniyuki Ota, Vice President of Mandom (M) Sdn Bhd , and Mr. Timothy Tiah, Co-founder of Nuffnang Sdn Bhd was organized by Gatsby, the No.1 men’s cosmetics brand in Japan. This carnival-like event was part of Gatsby’s campaign to promote its new “Double Protection Deodorant Series” and was aimed at promoting healthy blogging culture and recreational pursuits for Malaysians.

While bloggers had a field day by blogging together at the same time, the festive occasion was also shared by members of the public with a thrilling galore of street games provided by the organisers.  The games included Snakes & Ladders, Rocky Mountain, F1 Kraze, Crazy Beans, Can Smash, Football Toss, Electrifying Maze, and many more. Participants from various age groups enjoyed the fun and excitement by trying their luck and gaming skills at over 40 game booths set up and all of them walked away with fantastic prizes offered by Gatsby.

Amid the chorus of “ wows and whoops” from the game booths, Gatsby promoters clad in eye-catching outfits and oozing with energy were busy promoting Gatsby’s latest Deodorant  Double Protection Series to the enthusiastic crowd. The refreshing series comprises a total of 7 cool product variants, namely, Crystal Musk, Fresh Fougere, Clear Ocean, Lime Green, Ozone Blue, Cool Aroma and Woody Fougere – all available in Deodorant Roll-on and Deodorant Perfume Spray.

Gatsby is the leading men’s cosmetics brand offering a wide spectrum of personal care products ranging from hair styling, body care, facial care, to hair colouring and shaving products for men. For more details, please log on to www.gatsby.com.my.

With almost 50 million supporters across the globe and a network in more than 100 countries, the annual ‘Earth Hour’ initiative, organized by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), has emerged as one of the largest global campaigns to combat climate change.

It is estimated that nearly one billion people joined the event last year in 4,100 cities in 87 countries, including Malaysia that participated for the first time, officially. As for this year, the average KLites were in full spirit, just the way they were the year before about answering the global call against climate change. Most houses turned off everything electrical and the power guzzling malls, buildings, hotels and restaurants turned a dark shade of grey. They joined the country in large numbers on Saturday 27th March 2010 to switch off lights from 8.30 pm for one hour in solidarity of Earth Hour 2010. While scores of illuminated heritage monuments around the world such as Egypt’s Great Pyramids, China’s Forbidden City and Paris’ Eiffel Tower plunged into darkness, big shopping complexes and several government buildings around KL maintained essential lightings and some totally switched off their lights.

Caught between profit making and their green conscience, several hotels, shopping malls and hypermarkets in the Klang Valley took the middle path – they cut down on their non-essential lighting and building exterior lighting but not the cooling. Some of those who joint in this effort were KLCC, KL Tower, Sunway Pyramid Shopping Complex, Sunway Lagoon, Sunway Hotel Resort and Spa, Sunway Medical Centre, Menara Sunway, Sunway University College, Grand Dorsett Subang, Hotel Equatorial Kuala Lumpur, Maxim’s Genting Hotel and Highland Hotel at Genting Highlands, Wisma Genting in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel and many others.

Other major celebrations were also held – YTL Corporation launched its Earth Hour celebration on the rooftop of Lot10 and over at the IOI Boulevard in Puchong, the IOI Group organized a countdown concert called the ‘Unplugged Earth Show’ that featured performances by Akademi Fantasia Season 1 champion Vince Chong and other various other performers. Fundraising activities such as sale of IOI Group’s Earth Hour T-Shirts and candles were also held.

Over in other states like Melaka, several hotels and property developers dimmed their lights to go in sync with the green initiative and up north in Penang, locals and visitors alike lit up 10,000 candles on the Esplanade field in George Town in celebration of Earth Hour 2010. This initiative was organized by non-governmental organization Futurize Global Community Foundation with the support of the state government. The candles were arranged to form ‘60’ to denote 60 minutes as well as ‘Earth Hour’ and ‘Esplanade Penang’. Several other spots like Komtar and Sunway Hotel also went dark to support the event.

As candles flickered into life, the neon lights, the chaos and the daily buzz of electricity went quiet. The city’s bathed in moonlight. Once again, Kuala Lumpur and many major cities around the world delivered a powerful message about the need for action on global warming by using the power switch as a vote – a vote for a better future for our planet, and for future generations.

Been feeling hot, spicy, and itching to sway to infectious Latin rhythms? Hope you were there for this one, if not! Let me tell you exactly what you’ve missed during the Brazilian Beat Celebration at the Republic, Sunway Pyramid as the club unleashed a feast of Brazilian flavours – food, music, dance, and arts and craft.

The Republic recently hosted the Afro-Brazil themed carnival to excite its new and loyal patrons, taking pride in constantly experimenting and trying new concepts. The event was the perfect antidote for those who with a passion for everything Brazil and party to their heart’s content.

Among the highlights of the carnival include a special performance by Brazilian pop diva, Betina Iganacio and her backing three-piece band also known as Bé. The group, which recently signed a recording contract with Sony BMG, was making an exclusive stopover in Malaysia enroute to Europe to promote their second album titled Mistura Natural. The group’s music combines Bossa Nova, Samba, Funk, Reggae, and Jazz. The party continued through the night with the Kartel Hitmen DJs spinning more Latin-infused music.

Another highlight of the carnival was a performance and workshop by Capoiera Camara Malaysia. Workshop participants had an opportunity to learn the basic steps of Capoiera, an Afro-Brazilian art form combining the elements of martial arts, music, and dance in a session taught by Soldado, one of Malaysia’s most sought-after instructors.

Throughout the evening, booths and kiosks were set up to sell Brazilian delicacies such as Canapes De Camaroes, Repolho Recheado, hot and spicy Brazilian chicken drumettes, refreshing cocktails like Brazilian Caipirinha, and various arts, crafts, and souvenirs.

Refreshing don’t you think? It was indeed a great relief to be away from the typical clubbing scenes in KL. Now don’t beat yourself up for missing this; here’s wishing for another installment of Brazilian Beat Celebration by the good folks of The Republic, soon please!

For more info, log on to www.therepublicbar.com.

Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. recently unveiled the new CR-V with a refreshing makeover. Designed for drivers with urban active lifestyles, males and females alike, the new CR-V has been meticulously upgraded to reveal the fun and functions of a sport utility vehicle (SUV).

“When CR-V first made its debut in 1995, it created a new market segment, a niche that was unheard of. Breaking through the market acceptance with a vehicle that is good for both professionals as well as outdoor enthusiasts, the CR-V has gone through three full cycles of revolution,” said Mr. Toru Takahashi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia.

He further added that: “Since its launch in 2007 in Malaysia, the 3rd Generation CR-V has sold more than 13,000 units. It has since been a leading model in the SUV market segment commanding approximately 30% of market share.”

In addition to the much appreciated practicality and cargo space of a SUV, the premium sporty ride is known to offer sedan-like driving dynamics and comfort. The CR-V promises drivers with total control when maneuvering from its high viewpoint driving position.

Powered by 150-horsepower 2.0-litre i-VTEC (Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control), and coupled with a 5-speed automatic transmission, the new CR-V now covers advanced safety features, newly styled exterior as well as refined driving comfort.

The new CR-V now comes with side airbags with OPDS (Occupant Position Detective System) for driver and front passenger, the first SUV in its class to introduce such addition, elevating the safety standard of SUVs in this segment one notch higher. Further equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), CR-V now offers a more stable and sturdier drive.

Unleashing a more sharply defined exterior, the new CR-V now has a redesigned hood, upper and lower front bumper, revealing a new urban taste. While the more refined curves and lines aim to improve the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle, which result in greater fuel efficiency, the newly designed fog lights improve night illumination better.

Looking edgier than ever, the refitted front grille, redesigned alloy rims as well as a restructured bumper, uncover a deeper streak of vigour and charisma. Now, fitted with a new lens reflector, the overall visibility of the driver has been greatly enhanced. In the rear, the CR-V now comes with four sensors, offering greater sensitivity in obstacle detection, thus making reversing more secure and safe. Stylish on the outside, comfortably finished on the inside, the interior of the new CR-V is now adorned with new fabric along with a wider armrest. It now has a USB port too!

Urban Titanium, a new colour in the colour choice, definitely captures a tint of rugged sportiness in the sporty ride. The rest of the colours available are Alabaster Silver, Polished Metal, Crystal Black and Taffeta White.

For those who have been seeking for a ride that blends well with their charisma and fun-filled nature, head over to the nearest Honda authorised showroom for a test drive. For more information, please call 1800-88-2020.

*Source derived from www.honda.com.my

The exhilarating South Korean sensation, Super Junior played to a sold-out crowd at The 2nd Asia Tour Super Show 2 Live in Malaysia 2010 in Putra Stadium Bukit Jalil recently.

The boys belted out a total of 35 songs in Korean, Mandarin and English during the three-hour-long concert, amusing fans or in this case, the ELFs, with hits such as Who Am I, Super Girl, Shining Star, Sorry Sorry, Wonder Boy and Marry U.

ELFs are basically short for Ever-Lasting Fans, referring to Super Junior fans. And in order to become an ELF, one must have no less than the enthusiasm evidently displayed during the concert – have strong lungs and arms in order to scream and wave glowsticks (in this case the glowsticks gotta be none other than pearl sapphire blue, the official colour for Super Junior) NON-STOP throughout the 3-hour long of the concert, have durable sense of hearing in order to bear the ear-piercing screams by fellow ELFs and last but not least, MUST know at least a little bit of the Korean language; or at least this phrase – “Super Junior saranghae!!!”, which means “Super Junior, I love you”.

The concert kickstarted at 7pm with performances by local Mandopop duo Thomas Jack – who were accompanied by eight dancers – and teen singer Iqwal. The boys finally made its entrance at 8pm. As they merged at different locations around the specially built stage, as expectedly, fans went into an ear-splitting screaming frenzy and the venue instantly was throbbed with excitement. The specially built Rm6mil stage was shaped like the Chinese character tian (means field): resembling a square box enclosing a T-cross in the middle, with die-hard fans tightly packed into four separate grids. The interesting stage itself featured even more surprises as the boys could make their entry and exit at various points. Watching them appear and disappear from different directions added a delightful element of surprise.

Opening with their fast number – Thirsty, U, It’s You, She’s Dangerous – the guys showcased their various dance skills through high-energy dance choreography to tunes that were often punctuated with colourful blasts of pyrotechnics. Realizing their infectious charm, the boys effortlessly worked their magic on the crowd. When they left the stage, even video clips of the bots had a similar effect on fans.

One of the highlights had the 10 members introducing themselves individually in the most entertaining manner: The Dangerous Cinderella Heechul, The Living Work of Art Siwon, Hottest Baby Kyuhyun, The Bubble Boy Yesung, Loveable Blurness Ryuwook, Ultimate Sweetness Sungmin, Bejeweled Eunhyuk, Sexy Fushy Donghae, Cutie Pie Shindong and Fallen Angel Leeteuk. Before taking their leave, SJ revealed that they’re in the midst of preparing their new album, and thanked fans for their steadfast support over the years. (by the way, only 10 out of the13 members of SJ made it here)

Fun fact for ya: Their concert tickets reported record-breaking sales with RM138 tickets completely sold within two hours of the pre-sale itself. The RM238 tickets were sold out in less than a week. That left fans to scramble for the RM458 tickets in the rock pitt, which put them practically within reach of the boys as the stage was built embracing the standing zone.

Debuting in 2005, Super Junior comprises 13 members, which makes them the biggest boyband in the world. The boys have 19 releases to their name including studio and live albums, as well as single, compilations, soundtrack and various other collaborations.

Gotta admit they’re pretty Super-ish, despite being so heavily manufactured. So are you ELF-material? Tell us.