Hey Look, I'm On Radio!

I've done radio interviews a few times in my lifetime, and each time I'd think, "Damn, this is no easy thing." Even after I've done 'live' TV hosting, especially with "Malaysia Hari Ini", and also those Steve Jobs-style product launches, I have always maintained that radio would still be the hardest for me. 

BUT that didn't stop me from taking up the opportunity given by Mr Radio himself, Halim Othman.

Halim is currently presenting on Suria FM for the sports-based program Grandstand. And since the end of last year, he had wanted me to be his partner! But it only came to fruition a couple of months ago, and now I'm a regular guest presenter on Grandstand!

I never felt comfortable sitting in a radio conti before. I felt like it was just too cramped, and you're basically isolated from everyone else. Unlike TV where the set is usually bigger and you have a crew fussing over everything, I always felt like it was a tougher proposition to conjure up the energy sitting all alone, or even with a partner.

But yeah, I took up the challenge. For one, I know Halim really well, and we are pretty much on the same wavelength. Our conversations have always been interesting, if I may say so myself. Haha. But this was also a challenge for him. He took this an opportunity for HIM to learn what he wants in a co-presenter, and so he's been guiding and coaching me accordingly.

And yeah, so far I've enjoyed the journey tremendously! The show is on every Sunday 10am to 12pm, and in that two hours we jam for 7-8 talksets. It's a mix between planned conversations and what come up spontaneously. Of course it helps that it's a sports show, and personally I have a LOT to say every time lah : ) What more with the World Cup now!

Not sure how long I will be doing this gig, but it's been an awesome ride so far. Only this past weekend we had someone saying, "Buat radio ni macam relax je kan?" Well, if only! I mean on TV, you might get away with things cos it's a visual medium, but your words obviously come out clearer on radio. Not that you are not allowed any mistakes tho.

So, do tune in to Grandstand! If you're not in your car, it's also online or just download the Suria app!

BBall!

So after a long, long layoff, I took to the courts last week for a game of basketball. Thanks to old bud Ean who's been pestering me to join his group of bball-ers that play every Wednesday, hati ini pun akhirnya terbuka. Haha. Also, a couple of guys from MHI were also interested, so "oklah, this should be fun", I thought.

We played at Sports Barn in PJ and since it's more of a futsal facility, there's only half a court of Bball available. Good enough.

In the end, it was a really good workout. It took me a while to get my game going, but by the end of it, I chalked up the Play of The Day. Uhuh. I went past Ally, ducked under another defender and finger-rolled it into the basket. Boom! (and no, I won't stop talking about it for now, Ally. hehe)


In case you didn't know, basketball has always been my game. Played during school and eventually got into the school team. Check out no 15...


And it continued during my uni days, where I played for the varsity team for no less than three University Games. Yes peeps, I was indeed a jock.



Only thing is, I'm lacking proper bball shoes now. See, those Air Jordans I'm wearing in the pic above? Think it's about time for me to get a new pair. Or four. :)

Meeting Mr Olmos

So when I first got the email with the subject line: "Meeting with Edward James Olmos", I thought it was an April Fool's Day prank that came way too early. I mean, I grew up watching the man playing one of the coolest characters on TV, ie: Lieutenant Castillo on "Miami Vice". And never had I thought to myself, "hey, I think one day I'll be discussing business with this man".

But that's exactly what happened yesterday! Mr Olmos and son have their own production company and are in town to open doors for future collaborations, especially in the areas of animation and new media.
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I must say it was pretty surreal presenting the new media bits to the man and his entourage. I could see how their eyes lit up when shown what tonton.com.my was capable of.

And Mr Olmos was a true gentleman. He shakes your hand firmly and has no Hollywood superstar air about him at all. Best part: This is just the beginning of a cool professional relationship (hopefully!)...
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Media Prima Raya Open House 2010: It's A Winner!

So on Tuesday, Media Prima threw one of its famous Raya open houses for staff and guests, and here's my verdict...

Best. Open House. Ever.

And I really, really mean it.

The theme was "Raya Sepanjang Zaman" which meant that the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s virtually came alive via the booths, our costumes and baju, and the entertainment as well.
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And the best part was, everyone was super sporting and put in their best effort to make it a truly memorable occasion. We even had flash mobs!

I will now let the pictures do the talking...

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Bon Voyage!

So earlier today, the peeps of Media Prima bid farewell to ntv7 CEO Dato' Anthony Firdauz Bujang. The good Dato' will start (a very interesting) life as NSTP CEO this coming Monday.

Anyway, the farewell do at the ntv7 office was attended by basically all the senior management of Media Prima and GMs. Of course the fine-looking ntv7 ladies were there as well lah, making the most noise most of the time :)

I've known Dato' Anthony for only a couple of years but I can say that he's a fine gentleman with plenty of ideas and passion for what he does. Also, he's a Liverpool supporter, so, automatically the man is cool : )

sda

So, good luck Dato' and hope to see you soon! And of yeah, check out this cool cake they got for him...

das

MyBroadband & Bill Bora's Open House

Not that the two are directly related, but they were on my agenda this past Tuesday. The former's an exhibition and conference held by MCMC at the KL Convention Centre, and Alt Media was there to showcase all of our online products. And oh yeah, I actually put on a tie for it : )

And on the way back, I stopped by at Great Eastern Mall for Bill Bora's Raya Open House. For the uninitiated, Bill Bora is a publicist extraordinaire who knows basically everyone in the local entertainment industry. He's also done a couple of fashion commentary shows on GUA and the guy's a riot!

Didn't stay around for too long, but I did manage to snap a couple of pics...

Natasha Hudson and baby

Marsha in a Kebaya

Johan & Nora

Raya Sakan Lagi!

Media Prima usually knows how to throw a good event, and yesterday’s Raya Open House was no exception. The food was great, the sights and sounds were fantastic, and the atmosphere was simply mercun hot electric.

As usual, each dept/company had to put out a thematic stall with most naming theirs after the more popular shows.
raya

Alt Media was grouped under the CEO and Chairman’s office and this time around, we served up Nasi Arab!

And in case you’re wondering, it tastes awesome okay? But that didn’t stop me from going round and sampling just about everything else, from lemang and rendang, to lamb chops and cupcakes, to pasembor and ABC. BURP…

And of course it wouldn’t be a Media Prima party without tons of artistes and celebs. So we also had the likes of Faizal Tahir, Jac, Ayu, Nita, Jay Jay, Nubhan, Shila and loads more to entertain the staff, management and clients well into the evening…

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From left: 8TV CEO Ahmad Izham, Me, "Mr Cannes" Tengku Iesta
From left: Media Prima Chairman Dato' Mutalib, Me, Big Tree COO Azlan & nvt7 CEO Dato' Anthony

My Alt Media peep

Raya Sakan!

So we had a Raya foodfest today at the office and it was definitely a delicious do. Everyone had to literally bring something to the table, which meant when all the loot was collected, we had lodeh, lemang, ketupat, rendang, kuah kacang, cakes, pizza (!), snacks, air bandung, fancy currypuffs, kuih cornflakes, batang buruk and much more. So, good job guys!

And yes, I finally got my laksa Johor. Woohoo!

Ready, AIM, Bullseye!

So last night another AIM went by, and I must say it was one of the most painless, I mean, entertaining AIM shows in a while. For starters, it didn’t last 6 bloody hours like it usually does (oklah, I’m exaggerating a bit), and secondly, Bob “Big Bore” Lokman's no longer in the hosting picture. Hurrah!

But before the show began, ntv7 had a cosy little do with some delicious tit-bits and great company, including the peeps below...

Inside the hall at PWTC, I was impressed by the simplicity of the set and the awesome lighting. But looking around, it's apparent that some stuff simply stays the same, like the strong support for Datuk Siti (who'd go home with 2 major trophies in hand)...


And overall, the performances for the night were pretty darn good, my favourite being the opener by Faizal Tahir ,who literally flew in the hall! I must say that Faizal's show is now my all-time favourite AIM performance, which used to be Jason Lo's jamming out of "Evening News" .

The rest of the performers were also pretty decent and the show ended with a fiery performance by Pop Shuvit, who had earlier picked up the Wirama award for taking Malaysian music to the international scene.

But all the action took place after the show itself when my seating partner Pete and I turned into high-powered groupies, going around in the post-party hall and snapping pics with those who were more famous than us... (God, we're lame)

'LOVE' In KL

Sometime in February this year, I attended the premier of the movie 'Love', in Jakarta. ( 'Love' is a film adapted from the award-winning local flick 'Cinta', for the uninitiated). And earlier tonight, the KL premier took place at the swanky GSC Signature at The Gardens in MidValley.

And of course it was a glitzy affair with loads of local celebs (and semi-celebs) in attendance

Almost all of the Indonesian cast members also made it to the premier

The hall we were in only had "couple seats" and my partner was 'Kerana Karina' star...

Alan Yun!

And behind us were these two cheeky characters!
And the movie? Loved it the second time around. And I heard major sniffs coming from the women towards the end. Touching mah! So go and watch 'Love' when it hits cinemas this 24th!