SPIKE Program briefing this Wednesday. A briefing will be held this Wednesday at the iCentre, 9:00am with regards to the SPIKE ILM Academy Program which is brought to you by TelBru Academy and SKALI. The idea is to share technical expertise and industry experience through the SKALI pioneers and innovators in the Knowledge Economy (SPIKE) program.

So who can join? Well, the target audience of the Academy are those from the institutions of Higher Learning graduates, secondary school leavers, civil servants and individuals.

The benefits? The opportunity to select Brunei citizens to gain exposure and experience through SPIKE's unique program. You can have a chance to gain international certificate such Brainbech and IELTS and lastly, you can gain some entrepreneurship enabling skills.

You can look at the brochure below for more details or for more info, you can email noormarwati@skali.net

Click brochure of SPIKE Program to enlarge

Rano says it's back to school now as MOE has allowed to the students to return to school after a week extension of school holidays amidst of the H1N1 outbreak in the Sultanate. So as yesterday's press release from MOH, there are 18 new cases, 142 cases in all but 56 have already recovered from Influenza A.

And the celebration of His Majesty's 63rd birthday have been put on hold as for now and the public is also happy about the Titah with regards to the postponement of the celebration. But now I wonder when will be the celebration take place as fasting month is fast approaching (less than 50 days). I shall keep you guys up to date with this news. I do hope we still get our media passes so I could add to my collection on my rear mirror *lol*

So how was the situation at school today? I believe that students had to undergo a screening process to make sure there is no one carrying any symptoms that will endanger any individual school. I know that some parents are still reluctant to send their kids to school. I must say it's a pretty mixed feelings from the public and it's a difficult task for MOE/MOH to come up with a favourable solution that can please the majority.

The hand sanitisers are very handy and I hope these items are made accessible in public. My last trip to Hong Kong was an eye-opener where hand sanitisers were almost located everywhere for the public to take advantage as precaution measure. It subconsciously made me utilise the facility whenever I came across one. So I hope shop owners, the authorities and "the powers that be" can implement this preventive strategy at populated areas like Gadong or Kiulap, government offices, schools etc.

And the Winner is...... Aryf of Freakingly Charmed who's new to bloggin' and the moment I look at his post I could sense a winner. The simple yet effective writing was eye catchy but what gave him the extra edge is his pictures. He caught some good moments indeed and you can tell from the expression of the attendees. I never knew he could take good moments. I see a new potential in this lad and keep up the good work.. and he wins himself BND 200 courtesy of RA.

Consolation goes to Senor Pablo, Calvin Tien (& Jayden Sia) who made it to the top three. You guys will be walking away with consolation prizes (yet to be decided). I like the idea of Senor Pablo's beginning - The Man of the Hour - and finishing it off with the Big Bang. That was nicely done and he was pretty close in edging Aryf.

The same also goes to Calvin & Jayden who have good, simple post with great pictures. If there were some pictures of the actual launch, this would have made my decision a bit more difficult. Nonetheless, I love your post. Keep it up!!

As for the rest, thank you for participating in the competition and your coverage were pretty good as well. So the next bloggin' competition will be in four years' time :) Let's hope the blog is still around. Let's keep on rocking, guys!! It's gonna be a wonderful week ahead.

Calvin Tien (blogger) & Jayden Sia (Photography) *click to read*

Senor Pablo the Chameleon *click to read*

Aryf of Freakingly Charming the Winner *click to read*

Thanks, DPM, for the invitation. Last Saturday, I attended His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik's birthday bash at The Empire Theatre where the theme of the night was "Black and Red". I didn't know my family attended it as well but I was sitting not far from the stage area. However, my pictures didn't turn out that great either.

I'm sorry that I left a bit early but I was quite entertained by the performers (locals and the Indonesians). Maria was simply brilliant. I remember one of my friends asking me if she is local because he never heard of her until that night. The dancers were great as well and Relentless Entertainment stole the show with their dance tribute to Michael Jackson.

I enjoyed the food, I enjoyed the entertainment and I'm quite happy that there was even a temperature check and hand sanitiser once you enter the building. Happy 26th Birthday Your Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik and I wish you the best.

HRH Prince Malik during the cake cutting ceremony

The emcees of the night. Great job.. 

Maria is superb and so are the dancers :)

Ihsan, the Indonesia Idol, belted out a few numbers 

The wet affair which I believed was not part of the script

The theme was Black and Red

There is definitely some talent in those young kids

Some of the winners of the grand lucky draw

The illusionist trying out one of his tricks

...and he also called on my friends to take part

Try out I-Lotus "Knife shaved noodle". A demonstration on making 'knife shaved noodle' or 'dao xiao mien' as it is more commonly known in Chinese was held yesterday at the I-Lotus Restaurant by renowned Chef Bao Jinghai from China.

Amongst the guests present to witness the spectacular demo were officials from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to Brunei, members of International Women's Club Brunei Darussalam (IWCB) and other invited guests.

Chef Bao Jinghai demonstrated his skills in making noodles, impressing the crowd with his magnificent performance by holding the dough ball in one hand, and with each flash of his knife, sent slices of noodle shaving into the boiling pot.

Chef Bao Jinghai's skilfulness in making noodles has earned him the reputation of 'Executive Noodle Chef' with two decades of experience in making noodles and winning the Golden Award for 'Tian Tang' trophy at a Chinese Gourmet Competition in Beijing.

The Demo of the Knife Noodle at I-Lotus

Some of the hi-tea items

The invited guests last week

The invited guests last week

For the next two weeks, I-Lotus restaurant will be having a special promotion to feature Chef Bao Jinghai's talent in making noodles and other Chinese delights.

Until July 15, customers can have a taste of Chef Bao Jinghai's specialty noodles during lunch from 10.30am to 2.30pm and high tea buffet from 2.30pm to 5pm.

His dishes come under the 'Beijing Favourites' menu, featuring noodle-based dishes such as homemade dumpling soup, pan-fried dumpling dip with vinegar and shredded ginger and more.

During this period, I-Lotus member will also be given the privilege to enjoy one complimentary dish from the 'Beijing Favourites' menu. Standard Chartered Bank Platinum card members will also enjoy a 30 per cent discount during this food promotion.

"This is a very unique and special promotion that will indeed be enjoyed by many. We are very pleased to work with I-Lotus on this exclusive offer for our Platinum Card members and trust our members will enjoy the delicacies prepared by Chef Bao Jinghai," said Annie Ng, General Manager, Credit Cards and Personal Loans for Standard Chartered Bank.