Life In Borneo

Posted by Daniel on October 18th, 2008 in Events, Sports

Legend has it that more than two thousand years ago, a Greek messenger ran from the town of Marathon to the city of Athens for two days to bring news of great victory over their Persian Invaders. He ran without stopping, with only the honour of bearing the news giving strength to his weary legs and aching heels. Two millennias later, modern-day runners continued the long-running legacy of Philippides at the Likas Stadium last Sunday in the Borneo International Marathon. We didn’t wish to be left behind, so we packed our equipments and our running shoes and ran to the Likas Stadium at the hour of the owls to cover this international marathon event.

Runners, please take your place

12 October, 2008 - The event started during the early morning hours of Sunday at the Likas Stadium. The organizers - and some of the participating runners as well - had arrived at the stadium as early as 3:00AM to go through their checklists. Representatives from local and international press were also present to cover the event. It is also interesting to note that this is the first time ever that an internationally-recognized event in Borneo had invited bloggers to the event as medias - bringing the Borneon blogging community to the same level as professionals from the press.

The Marathon

The Borneo International Marathon 2008 had 5 categories, but the highlight of the event were the 3 main categories: Full Marathon (42km), Half Marathon (21km) and Quarter Marathon (10km).

The starting of the Full Marathon video

The Full Marathon started first at 4:30AM, followed by the Half Marathon at 6:00AM and lastly the Quarter Marathon at 7:00AM. The routes took the runners to some of the city’s most prominent tourist destination, such as Sutera Harbour, 1Borneo Hypermall and the Coastal Road - known for its scenic view of the coastline. The marathon starts and ends at the Likas Stadium.

The Half Marathon category started at 6:00AM

The Quarter Marathon category started at 7:00AM

Here are the top three finishers for the 3 main categories:

Full Marathon (Men’s Open)
1st - Sammy Kiprop Kiptoo (Kenya), 2hr 25min
2nd - Geoffrey Kiprotich Birgen (Kenya), 2hr 26min 42sec
3rd - Elkana Ruto (Kenya), 2hr 33min 18sec

Full Marathon (Men’s Veteran)
1st - Paul Hague (England), 3hr 10min 31sec
2nd - Duanis B. Indam (Malaysia), 3hr 26min 38sec
3rd - Yusop Tungkob (Malaysia), 3hr 31min 5sec

Full Marathon (Women’s Open)
1st - Frida Lodepa (Kenya), 3hr 18min 4sec
2nd - Pui Shan Chan (China), 3hr 27min 48sec
3rd - Joyce Runo Chemeli (Kenya), 3hr 32min 43sec

Full Marathon (Women’s Veteran)
1st - Tan Lee Huang (Singapore), 4hr 57min 27sec
2nd - Christina Daramat (Malaysia), 5hr 35sec
3rd - Ang Bee Hua (Singapore), 5hr 16min 7sec

Half Marathon (Men’s Open)
1st - Wilson Kibogo (Kenya), 1hr 11min 49sec
2nd - Muniandy Ramadass (Malaysia), 1hr 13min 54sec
3rd - Micah Kiprotich (Kenya), 1hr 18min 1sec

Half Marathon (Men’s Veteran)
1st - Guianus Salagan (Malaysia), 1hr 22min 2sec
2nd - Supermaniam Govindam (Malaysia), 1hr 23min 35sec
3rd - Lim Lian Hock (Singapore), 1hr 35min 2sec

Half Marathon (Women’s Open)
1st - Doris Chuchumba (Kenya), 1:24:10
2nd - Michele Tan Bee Kiang (Malaysia), 1:39:26
2rd - Mariana Mohammad (Malaysia), 1:41:11

Half Marathon (Women’s Veteran)
1st - Lian Bee Hoon (Malaysia), 1hr 44min 28sec
2nd - Kirsten Conrad (USA), 2hr 3min 4sec
3rd - Ling Nyuk Hwa (Malaysia), 2hr 4min 11sec

More results can be found at the event’s official website at http://www.borneomarathon.com/home.html

A smile to the finish line

The Greek messenger Philippides ran for two days from Marathon to Athens, but the spirit of marathon itself will continue to run around the world for many years more, crossing every boundaries. Perhaps the spirit of marathon had visited Borneo last Sunday, inspiring everyone to perform their best. Regardless, the Borneo International Marathon 2008 was a great success.

A few runners from the AirAsia Team

We at lifeinborneo.com congratulate all the runners that participated and we give our hands out for the organizers and their supporters for their tremendous effort. We were pleased to be part of this historic occasion and hope that it will become a yearly event in the Borneon calendar.

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Posted by Xander on October 16th, 2008 in Events, Sports

October 11th , 2008 - The BIM 2008 Pasta Party was held at the Likas Sports Complex Indoor Multipurpose Hall at 6.30pm. Among those that attended the event were the events organizers, local press and various medias including celebrity bloggers and international runners from all over the world. The event was held to welcome the participants especially the international runners to Borneo.

International participants and celebrity runners..

The event was an opportunity to mingle with the participants and organizers alike. Some of the celebrity bloggers that attended that evening was Kenny Sia, recognized as one of Malaysia’s most famous blogger. He also participated in last years Penang Bridge Marathon. Another notable person which attended that evening was the ‘Cat Woman’ which hails from Singapore. Jenap M Said (aka Cat Woman) is widely known for running in a cat woman costume at almost every marathon event held in Singapore and throughout the neighboring countries. Some of the runs she has participated in the past were KL Marathon, Great Eastern 30km, Pacesetters 15 New Balance Run, Penang Bridge Marathon and KL Mizuno Run. In Thailand she also joined the Hatyai Nature Run, Laguna Phuket International Marathon and Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon.

Kenny Sia and Catwoman

And the show begins…

It was a night to relax and enjoy the evening with friends both new and old. Besides the good food and mingling that took place, traditional dances were performed that night. With a wide variety of ehnic backgrounds, Borneo is never short of eloquent performances such as the Sumazau dance and even from the far south of Sabah; a variation of the Daling-Daling dance. The performers even invited a few people from the crowd to join them on the stage especially the international runners and notably the AirAsia staff which was also present that night.

Sumazau Dance

The Kenyan runners join the Sumazau Dance

Kate from AirAsia also tries the Sumazau Dance

A variation of the Daling-Daling Dance

The runners join the Malay Joget Dance

Other than the dance performance was also the demonstration of the Borneon blowpipe. Most of the crowd also were invited to try out this weapon which was used by the tribes of Borneo a long time ago. Though they were only aiming it at the balloons tied to the ends of a long pole, it still looked like a hard task in itself and obviously enjoyable too as the people cheered at every target hit.

Borneon Blowpipe demonstration

It was a night that none may soon forget and the next day happens to be a long day indeed for both the participants and the organizers.

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Posted by Xander on October 11th, 2008 in Events, Sports

11 October, 2008 - Conference started at 1.00pm at the lobby of Tune Hotel in 1Borneo Hypermall. The floor was quite packed with the media from both bloggers and the press. 8 AirAsia staff were present for the press conference and photo shoot session which includes the various medias.

Most of the AirAsia staff that is joining the Borneo International Marathon are mostly from Kuala Lumpur while 7 staffs comes from Kota Kinabalu. From the Q&A session, we also learned that 13 of them (AirAsia) will be running for the half marathon circuit while 6 will be entering the quarter marathon circuit. Only one staff will be running the full circuit(21km) which is the captain of the team, Captain Razali.

Most of the team members joining have had experience in long distance runs like Kate, which have joined the the 10K Power Run held in Kuala Lumpur.

Kate

The only stewardess from AirAsia that is joining the marathon is Lily. According to the officials from AirAsia, she is promised by AirAsia CEO Datuk Tony Fernandez, MYR 1000 for each 1KM she completes. When asked how far she thinks she could run for concerning the offer, she said “of course 21KM!”.

Lily

Tonight the Pasta Party will be held at 6:30pm in the Stadium Likas Multipurpose Hall and those who will be attending are the officials, the organizing committee, international runners, local press and bloggers.

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Posted by Xander on August 20th, 2008 in Events, Sports

Ultimate test of courage, almost nothing is more true than jumping off a 30-storey building and have nothing else between you and an imminent death except the strong winds of the South China Sea. Tun Mustapha Tower, (formerly known as Yayasan Sabah Tower) was that particular building on 9th & 10th August. The jumpers converged at the tower for this momentous event to showcase their skill and of course, bravery.

As the crowd gathered, the accumulation of locals and tourists can’t help but feel awed by the whole show. One of the brave-souls even almost landed among the throng of people gathered but with sheer skill and a little luck; he managed to maneuver himself a few feet away from any spectators.

We had to admit it obviously takes more than just a raw nerves to be up on that tower. Being on top of the 2nd tallest building in Borneo could be a very daunting to normal folks. And for the lifeinborneo.com crew; just being around the jumpers was somewhat comforting and perhaps a little envious of the their level of courage and calmness. To see them simply shrugging-off any fear or doubts and make that leap off the edge was astonishing.

It all started back in 2004 where only a handful of these courageous men trying out the jump from the Tun Mustapha Tower. Since then it has gained popularity and they have been organizing this event; one in 2006 and another in the year 2007.

Officially, year 2008 marks the 3rd year running of such an extreme sports event. Luckily there were no incidents occured this year and hopefully we get to see them again next year.

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Posted by Xander on July 18th, 2008 in Announcement, Destinations, Promotionals

Date: 12 October 2008
Time: 8:00am
Starting Venue: Likas Stadium Sport Complex

Organizers Office Address:
Championship Sports Events Sdn Bhd
B702, 7th Floor, Wisma Merdeka Phase 2,
Jalan Tun Razak, Kota Kinabalu,
88000 Sabah, Malaysia
Tel/Fax: +6-088-218833

October would be a month to remember for all in the Land Below the Wind. An event unlike no other would be held and it is certain to be a crowd-puller indeed. The Borneo International Marathon happens to be an international sporting event that promises to attract participants from South East Asia and even countless regions around the world.

The Borneo International Marathon are also looking forward to making this a yearly international event to highlight sports tourism in Sabah and also to raise awareness and fund for organizations that need it.

Money raised will be for 8 charitable organizations and 10% of participants entry fees shall go towards an organization of their choice.

With a venue like Sabah, its going to be a holiday that most people would reminisce. With three race routes offered to both experienced and novice runners alike (full marathon, half marathon and 10KM run). The starting and finishing point for the marathon will be at Likas Sports Stadium and the route will take runners along some major highlights in the city.

Full Marathon

Half Marathon

10KM

Race Categories :

Prizes :

Charitable organizations involved are:

• Rumah Kanak-Kanak Bondulu, Tambunan or Tambunan Childrens Home
This home is sponsored entirely by donations and looks after children from this interior town and the surrounding villages; this is a typical rural farming community and comprises some of the poorest areas of Sabah.The money will go to help to pay for the roof on the new dormitory that they have been trying to complete for over a year now.
Contact Person : Sister Rose (Tel: +6019 8719201)

• Emmanual Homes, Kudat, Sabah
Taking care of over 50 children with a small volunteer staff and very little money, this facility is very basic and the children need everything from beds to chairs. It is hoped that we can raise enough money to get them a small van so the kids can have days out. Please also see wish list from Emmanual Homes.
Contact Person: Howard Stanton (Tel: +6013 8818395)

• Borneo Child Aid Society
Providing basic educational support for children living in plantations.
Office: MDLD 6057, Lorong Perdana 3, Sri Perdana, P. O. Box 61850, 91127 Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Contact Person: Torben Venning (Tel: +6089 866857/862402), (Fax: +603-21784113) or (Mobile: +6019 8530656)
Email: info@borneochildaid.org or Website: www.borneochildaid.org

• Food For The Hungry International - Sabah
Office: City Gate, Unit No. C-2-3A, Block C, 2nd Floor, Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jalan Mat Salleh, Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu.
Contact Person: Melanie Chu or Horwath T. H. Liew Tong (Tel: +60 88240335) or (Mobile: 016-8391768)
E-mail: fhim@streamyx.com or Website: www.sabah.org.my/fhisabah

• MERCY Malaysia
Vision: Outstanding in the delivery of medical and humanitarian aid to all.
Mission: MERCY Malaysia is a non-profit organization focusing on providing medical relief and sustainable health related development for vulnerable communities.
Core Values: We focus on rapid medical response for the assistance of communities affected by disasters. We recognise the value of working with partners and volunteers. We provide an opportunity for individuals to serve with professionalism, upholding the International Code of Conduct for Humanitarian workers. We hold ourselves accountable to our donors and beneficiaries
Website: www.mercy.org.my

• Befrienders Kota Kinabalu
Vision: A world in which fewer people feel the need to end their own lives.
Mission: To alleviate distress and help reduce the risk of suicide through emotional support and public education.
Tel: +6-088-255788 or Website: www.befrienders.org

• SIP (Semporna Islands Project)
Community action for sustainable use and conservation of coral reefs.
Project Officer (Sabah): Helen Brunt. Email : helen@sempornaislandsproject.com
Website: www.sempornaislandsproject.com

• Health In Harmony
Health in Harmony supports an innovative programme in West Kalimantan, Indonesia that partners with local communities to integrate high quality, affordable health care with startegies to protect the threatened rainforest.
Email: kinariwebb@healthinharmony.org or anna.hallemeier@healthinharmony.org
Website: www.healthinharmony.org

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Posted by Eshark on July 13th, 2008 in Events

Venue : Sabah Trade Centre, Likas, Kota Kinabalu Sabah
Date : 23rd & 24th August 2008
Rings : 4 Rings All Breed
Judges : Rod U’ren (Australia), Becky Orlando (USA), Wayne Trevathan (USA), Diana Rothermel(USA)
Master Clerk : Dick Kallmeyer (USA)

Contact person :

Mr. Ben Hsu (Organizing Chairman) : benhsu@borneocatclub.com
Mr. Ken Wee Kwong Ho (Entry Clerk) : +6012 6804045
Mr. Nor Arisham Bakar (Asst. Entry Clerk) : +6016 2782988

or email your entry at : entry@borneocatclub.com

For more info : borneocatclub.com

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Posted by Daniel on June 21st, 2008 in Events, Sports

Qu Yuan would have been delighted to know that his final act of protest against a corrupt government have inspired an internationally-renowned watersport that brings out the best from ordinary people. On 15 June 2008, The 23rd Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2008 had just that, when a team of ordinary local fishermen won this year’s Sabah Head of State’s Trophy, despite facing an ocean of a task of defeating the reigning champion Brunei. There were 57 teams altogether that took part in this year’s event, including each from the Philippines and China.

The race went on, come rain or shine

Rain did not stop the participants or the spectators from coming to see this event. People started filling up Likas Bay beach as early as seven in the morning. Hawkers set up food stalls to the delight of the spectators, as food is always a welcomed sight whenever there is a six hour event going on.

The event was officiated by the Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Seri Tengku Zainal Abidin, Organising Committee Chairman Yang Berbahagia Datuk Irene B. Charuruks and the President of Sabah Chinese Cultural Association Yang Berbahagia Datuk Chau Tet On. Among the dignitaries that attended the event was the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment of Sabah Yang Berhormat Datuk Masidi Manjun, the Chief Minister of Sabah Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman and Sabah’s Head of State Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah.

0:01 seconds.

That was the amount of time that separated the third, the second and the champion of the Sabah Head of State’s Trophy for the 23rd Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2008. Despite having only two weeks of training, the Pertubuhan Peladang Tuaran dragonboat team managed to beat reigning champion Brunei and bring home the grand prize - a trophy and a cash prize of RM 4,000.00.

The Brunei national team only managed to get a third place in the Sabah Head of State’s Trophy, as the second place was won by another local team from Tuaran, Sabah.

Here are the final results for the 23rd Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2008:

Sabah Head of State’s Trophy

First - Pertubuhan Peladang Tuaran

Second - Terayung, Tuaran

Third - Brunei Darussalam National Team

Sabah Chief Minister’s Trophy

First - Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort B

Second - Pekayuh Skim Remaja, Brunei Darussalam

Third - Tuaran F1

Sabah Chinese Cultural Association President’s Trophy (Men’s Open Category)
First - Penang Forward Sports Club
Second - Persekutuan Persatuan Cina Tawau
Third - Persatuan Teo Chew Tawau

Sabah Chinese Cultural Association President’s Trophy (Mixed Open Category)
First - Sabah Chinese Cultural Association
Second - The Federation of Chinese Association Sabah
Third - Hokkien Association Dragon Team

Sabah Dragon Trophy
First - Mengkabong Mix Team, Tuaran
Second - Nexus Resort Karambunai
Third - Tam Villa, Tuaran

Sabah Tourism Trophy
First - Shan Sui Golf and Country Club Resort B, Tawau
Second - Tay Travel (B), Kota Kinabalu
Third - Shan Sui Golf and Country Club Resort A, Tawau

The race ends for 2008

Congratulations to all the winners of the 23rd Sabah Dragon Boat Race 2008. We hope to see all the participants again next year.

Sources:
Qu Yuan reference from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qu_Yuan
Results from http://dragonboat.sabahtourism.com/2008/results.html

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Posted by Raz on June 19th, 2008 in Events, Hot Spots, Night Life

Chivas held a party for 2 nights (29-30 May) at the boardwalk of Waterfront Kota Kinabalu. The nights were fun filled with entertaining performances like breakdancing, fire breathers, local cultural Magunatip Dance, street magician and funny antiques from a very tall clown (on stilts)

Breakdancing by the Chivas International Dance Team. They consist of dancers from The United States, Belgium and France. Awesome performance by them dancing, head spinning, hand stands etc.

The guy above is not part of the professional dancers, he is one of our local “b-boys” who was called up to join on the spot. Not bad huh?

The Magunatip is a local traditional dance where bamboos are clapped together and the dancers must step between them but avoid their feet from being caught. The tempo goes faster and faster and it becomes more difficult to step through.

Finally, the Body Care “Fire Eaters” group performed a modern tribal dance. Also featured in this dance, is spectacular fire-spitting performances.

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Posted by Xander on June 7th, 2008 in Events, Night Life

Shenanigans sent shock waves through out Kota Kinabalu night life scene again. From ‘Boot and Scoot’ event to Harajuku Night, now this famed nightspot features DJ Meg from Venezuela. She’s one of the most prominent female deejays in the world and have been playing in places such as Japan, Caracas and Puerto Rico just to name a few.

Last Friday(May 30th), the Lifeinborneo.com crew came in around after 11.00 pm to probably catch a glimpse of this amazing woman behind the DJ console but it seemed we had to wait awhile till she turns the place wild. The crowd started pouring in close to midnight. With the band performing their last night, it was memorable for most of the regulars that frequent Shenanigans.

It was a long wait, but worth while nevertheless. I’ve heard an accumulation of house music before from various clubs in the city but DJ Meg was simply, phenomenal. An assemblage of people that lend a convivial atmosphere combined with breathtaking performance; the dance floor was more than just packed and it was beyond wild.

With music as entrancing as what DJ Meg could produce, which included a uniquely mixed The Uninvited from Alanis Morissette; the crowd was absolutely enthralled by the whole performance. Exceptional multifarious repertoire of dance music from House, Acid House, Electro House, Electro and Tech House. All through the night, DJ Meg at Shenanigan’s Fun Pub was phenomenally awesome!

Organized by Amir Yussof of Freestyle Avenue.

Quote from The DJ List:
“DJ MEG Biography: Maria Eugenia Gonzalez Vallenilla AKA Dj Meg born in Caracas - Venezuela the 6 of June of 1982. Their beginnings with music and the art began to early age in the school of Classic Ballet “Ana Maria Correa, later studied contemporary dance and also she made factories of dramatic art, music and solfeo in the schools of art like El Ateneo de Caracas and El Teresa Carreno. Finally to the 21 years of age she decides to express music through the vanguardism and technology taking the art from the mixture and the electronic production as form of artistic and musical expression, at the same time she develops her studies of social communication in the Santa Maria’s University. Dj Meg began her development like Dj in the Dj’s School in Caracas-Venezuela, and later she dedicates herself to the production under the trusteeship of Dj, Musician and Producer Tony Funichelly.”

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Posted by Zero on April 22nd, 2008 in Events, Night Life

Last Saturday night (19th April) was a blast! I joined some friends at Blue Note and the place was packed, even the dance floor was full of people dancin’. DJ Blink was on the decks and he really made the place hot with fast beats. The music was pulling everyone to the dance floor like magnet. He even played Prodigy’s “Breathe” and “Smack My B***h Up” (my fav songs from years ago) and added his own beats and style.

DJ Blinks brings a unique sound to Blue Note when on the 19th of April, showed off his persistence and innate turntable skills. His distinct sound is polished by spinning with DJ Tony Tay from Zouk Singapore, DJ Hyper, Meat Katie and Hybrid. He’s also won several competitions including Vestrax and Heineken Thirst.

Here are more pics:

DJ Blink spinning tracks

DJ Blink & VJ Ali G

The hardworking VJ Ali G pumps out the visuals

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