Here’s my submission for the contest! Yup, the Pinky:st are out again!

Yuuichi Kannami (the only male in Pinky:st) would love to wear this matching watch! Too bad, he is too small!

Please vote for me & stand to win adidas products, premiums & vouchers worth over $200!

1. Click ‘like’ to be a fan of Adidas Timing Facebook page
2. Vote for me by clicking ‘like’ on this picture!

Thank you very much!

Aramsa Spa

Did you know that there is a Spa, Dining and Bar establishment in Bishan Park II?

Well, I did not know until Glenn and Melvin from 20Twenty invited a few of us like DK, Holly Jean and Nicole for some drinks at Canopy and to tour around Aramsa – The Garden Spa.

DK is a happy man!

No no… This beer glass is only for display! DK was a good boy that night even though we had free flow of drinks!

Huli Huli Chicken

We tried some of the finger food offered by Canopy Bar and one of it was the “Huli Huli Chicken” (Marinated Chicken Leg, Grilled Pineapple and Kamako Sauce). The chicken was pretty tender and we had a few rounds of it!

Aramsa Spa - Couple Room

Offering a wide range of spa treatments like Massage, Exfoliation, Detox and Water Therapy, Aramsa Spa was named “Best Spa Experience” in Tourism Awards 2006! Each of us have been offered a redemption voucher to try out their Signature Treatment – The 1-hour Aramsa Touch Massage. I’ve yet to try it out due to my busy schedule though.

Currently, Aramsa Spa is running the “Dad of the Year Award” contest on their facebook page and these are the categories that are looking for!

• Most dedicated dad
• Handsomest dad
• Super single-dad
• Most excited soon-to-be dad

Details of the contest can be found here and the winner in each category will win over $250 worth of prizes including the 1-hour Aramsa Touch Massage! Each nomination or vote will also entitle participants to a S$10 voucher from Asmara Lifestyle.

They are currently still looking for nominees in the “most excited soon-to-be dad” category, so if you know anyone that fits the bill, nominate him for an early Father’s Day present!

Contest will end on 17 June 2010!

PC 2010 - level 4 floor plan

PC 2010 - level 6 floor plan

Let’s BUY BUY BUY!

Here are 5 DOs and DON’Ts that I will offer to the Traditional PR practitioners who are trying very hard to go digital, though I am not a social media guru – All the undermentioned are based on common sense.

The 5 DOs

1. DO take the time to read through the blog to understand what interests the blogger and what the blogger hates

You don’t expect a food blogger to write about gadgets (other than camera) on a food blog, right? Of course, when it is an advertorial, it’s another story – You can even talk about the latest mobile phone on a heritage blog. Oh, remember to introduce yourself in your first email to the blogger too! It’s basic courtesy.

2. DO spend time cultivating the relationship with the bloggers whom you are engaging

I have noticed that social media events like Social Media Breakfast and Tweet Tuesday, you will see PR folks like Daniel Goh from Samsung, Derrick Koh from Lenovo, Su Min from Text 100, Claudia from 24seven and etc, who will try to be there to interact with bloggers who they know and also get to know new people. After the event, you will see them interacting with them online.

3. DO give bloggers enough time to respond to your event

Inform bloggers at least a week ahead of your event. 2 weeks will be even better. Bloggers are busy people who tries to live 2 lives – Online and Offline.

4. DO have an experiential event for the bloggers and digital fact sheets for them where possible

Most Bloggers are not like Journalists. Most bloggers blog about their experiences while Journalists report news. Having digital fact sheets will makes things easier for bloggers as they may not have remembered the keywords correctly, or misplace the media kit. Of course, there are “bloggers” who love to post media releases, but these are minorities.

5. DO give the blogger enough time to review your product

It’s all about the experience and bloggers are busy people too, remember?

The 5 DON’Ts

1. DON’T start an email with “Dear Blogger” or “Dear Editor”

I know DK and Clauds will disagree with me on this, but there are some bloggers who may be offended by this. It does show a lack of sincerity to me. So be safe, not sorry.

2. DON’T keep bugging a blogger for the post after the event

Bloggers need time to blog too. If the bloggers feel for your product or cherish the relationship, they will blog about it. But if you bug them like no tomorrow, you are giving them a good reason not to blog about it.

3. DON’T send a teaser but not an invite to a blogger, and then send him a media release

A lot of the bloggers in Singapore know one and other. If I am only worthy of receiving your teaser and not the blogger invite to your launch event, why do you think I will plug about your product for you?

4. DON’T assume that the blogger will blog for you.

I’ve learnt this the hard way cos I thought the PR agency’s relationship with the bloggers are so good that they will “follow an editorial schedule”. Back to the same issue, bloggers are busy people. If you want them to adhere to an editorial schedule, jolly well pay for it, else be prepared to face a backlash. DON’T attempt to engage a blogger after an event is over and expect the blogger to blog for you, either!

5. DON’T leave a comment to expect the blogger to contact you, instead of emailing them.

It’s not very professional, you know? Unless they do not publish their email address on their blog.

Of course, there are definitely more DOs and DON’T that are not stated here and you will learn them eventually, but the abovementioned is enough to give you a good head start!

And to the client side of the house who are easily infected by the “shiny object syndrome”, do remember that Word of Mouth marketing is highly dependent on the quality of your product or service – I am missing the Samsung NX10 badly and I will blog about it really soon!

Mr Yuen Kuan Moon from SingTel, Mr Sung-Hyun Moon from Samsung, Super Junior and the Galaxy S!

Super Junior was in Singapore on 6 Jun 2010 for the SingTel Samsung Galaxy S Media Launch and performed LIVE at the Showcase held at Marina Bay Sands!

Samsung Galaxy S

The short 3 min rendezous with the Samsung Galaxy S got me fall in love with it! Running on Android 2.1 OS, it is designed to allow users around the world to experience the “Smart Life”, which will change the way people view smartphones and how they interact with them to enhance their daily lives.

I love the Super AMOLED display and its ability to turn into a Mobile Access Point – i.e. making your Samsung Galaxy S as a portable WIFI HOTSPOT! The screen and Android 2.1 OS were pretty responsive too!

At the moment, the Samsung Galaxy S is carried exclusively by SingTel until further notice. The Samsung Galaxy S is available from $0 to $398, depending on the type of Galaxy 3G Plans that subscribe to with a 2 year contract.

Super Junior LIVE in Singapore

According to CNA, about 1,600 fans turned up for the Super Junior Showcase! While I did not take any video, I did take some decent pictures at the Media Launch as well as at the Showcase! Check out my facebook album to view them!

XinMSN was also there! Check out the media interviews and some highlights from the showcase!

<br/><a href="http://video.xin.msn.com/?mkt=en-sg&from=&vid=64e39299-c833-4c58-b207-3ce8ea94d751&fg=sharenoembed" target="_new"title="Super Junior is in Singapore! Super Junior 在新加坡待了一天！">Video: Super Junior is in Singapore! Super Junior 在新加坡待了一天！</a>

Ok, I think this is the video of them disguising as women, as per the interview! OMG to the max!

I would like to thank DK, SingTel and Samsung for the invite to the media launch of Samsung Galaxy S! It will be great if SingTel or Samsung can extend me a Samsung Galaxy S review set to give it a more in-depth review!

Naval Ships... and more naval ships!

Together with Singapore’s Blog Father, Mr Brown and other fellow blogger friends like DK and MoleMole, we had the privilege of attending the Navy Open House 2010 preview on 20 May 2010! On that day, organised groups from schools, grassroots organisations and MINDEF/SAF personnel were also there to experience the whole excitement of the Navy Open House!

Military Police Precision Drill

Before the Naval Sea Display, we were treated with the Military Police (MP) Precision Drill, which we only get to see at National Day Parade.

Chinook dropping the Naval Divers for the rescue mission

The Naval Sea Display was impressive! Naval Divers jumped off the Chinook near the mission area and off they go on for their mission.

"Cameo appearance" of the Submarine

One of the Navy’s submarines also made a “cameo appearance” during the naval sea display. Yup, it was quite random.

RSS Steadfast

To better understand how the Navy works during operations, we had a tour in one of our Frigates, The RSS Steadfast – The ship with the number 70!

CPT Augustine Lim of RSS Steadfast

CPT Augustine Lim gave us a quick introduction through demo videos as we proceed through the various stations of RSS Steadfast – If not this poor guy will have to repeat his script for 4 days! Haha. The Frigate truly demonstrates the thinking behind the 3G SAF – Operating a huge ship with a lean crew with the help of technology, and able to communicate with the land and air forces via the integrated combat network!

RSS Valour

The most exciting part of the whole Navy Open House for me is probably the ship cruise on RSS Valour! The wind were so strong when we were cruising in full speed!

LARC-V

At the Navy Open House, visitors can also get to experience the LARC-V (Lighter, Amphibious Resupply, Cargo, 5 ton), which is more commonly known as the “Ducktours”!

Greeting every visitors with a friendly smile

From what I understand from the Navy Open House organisers, more air-conditioned tents were set up after getting feedback from the public – So that the visitors can escape from the heat while getting to know more about the Navy. Very thoughtful of the organisers

The Navy Open House will be open to public on 22 and 23 May 2010. More details can be found at the official website. If you are still unsure about it, visit their facebook page to see the happenings at the open house! I am sure it will give you more reasons to make a trip down!

Just a word of caution… Remember to put on sunblock and drink plenty of water. And for the ladies, please do not wear skirts if you intend to go for the Frigate tour and Ship cruise! And did I mention that you need to ballot for the frigate guided tour and ship cruises? So remember to head to any of the three Information Booths for more information once you reach there!

Lastly, I would like to thank my ex-colleagues from the MINDEF Public Affairs and the Navy Open House organisers for invitation to the event and the great hospitality! Well done for your first foray into Bloggers Engagement!

P.S. If you like to see more of the photos taken during the event, remember to view my facebook photo album!

Photo credit: Clauds

Through Nicole, I was given a sneak peak of this upcoming exhibition at Asian Civilisations Museum – “Treasury of the World” featuring gem stones and other precious objects from The al-Sabah Collection in Kuwait . Early birds like me and DK were invited to put on the outfits and we were brought through some of the exhibition highlights.

Who are the Mughals? If you are as ignorant as me, the legendary Mughal Empire is one of the wealthiest and most powerful dynasties the world has ever known! One of the significant architecture piece of the Mughals is the Taj Mahal, which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Rings a bell, eh?

For over 300 years (1526-1858), the Mughals dominated the Indian subcontinent and were renowned for their lavish lifestyle, love of beauty and vast collection of precious objects.

Image courtesy of ©The al-Sabah Collection, Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah, Kuwait (LNS 2219 J)

In this exhibition, you will get to see the stunning collection of more than 400 exquisite, jewelled works of art – from household items to ornate necklaces and ceremonial swords – from the glorious era of Mughal-ruled India. This blockbuster exhibition has been shown in prestigious venues such as the British Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre Museum in Paris. It makes its Asian debut at the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore.

Exhibition details

Date:  12 February to 27 June 2010

Venue: Special Exhibitions Gallery, Asian Civilisations Museum

Opening hours:  Mon, 1pm – 7pm; Tues to Sun: 9am – 7pm (to 9pm on Fri)

Admission charges: $8 (adults) / $4 (concession)

Giveaway!

I have been given five pairs of tickets to give away at Vic.sg. Here’s how you can stand to win them!

It’s actually very simple. Just leave me a comment with your real name to tell me what attracts you to this exhibition and I will randomly pick 5 winners!

The contest will close on 6 Feb 2010, 2359 hrs and the names of the 5 winners will be published at Vic.sg on 8 Feb 2010.

A big thank you to Asian Civilisations Museum for making this giveaway possible.

Thank you Benjamin Loh of Singapore Tourism Board for the invite to be onboard the Uniquely Singapore Clipper!

Head gears are given to all guests!

Have you watched Little Nyonya before? Guess this drama has created a lot of buzz about the Peranakan Culture when it was telecasted in 2008. While I am not a fan of this drama due to overacting by some of the cast, it did intrigue me to make my first trip to the Peranakan Museum in December 2008.

The Museum is the first in the world to explore Peranakan cultures in the former Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca and Penang and their links with other Penarakan communities in Southeast Asia.

On 20 Nov 09, I’ve made my second trip to the Peranakan Museum by the invitation of Hisham and the Peranakan Association to be part of the Big Baba Blogout! No doubt this is my second visit to the museum, I was able to capture the artifacts from a different perspective. But is visiting the Peranakan Museum the best way to experience the Penarakan culture? It will be even better if you are able to immerse the culture yourself

Do check out the Biggest and Best Babazaar at SMU Concourse today (29 November 09) between 11am – 6pm held in conjunction with the Peranakan Festival! Let the Nyonya favourites, including genuine home-made delights whet your appetite and view intricate craft and decorative items, to complete your Peranakan experiential journey after your visit to the Peranakan Museum!

I would like to thank Hisham and the Peranakan Association for the invitation of this Big Baba Blogout!

Update: Agrh. I am down with a bad flu. Will not be able to go to Babazaar today