Video Games Live 2012, Kuala Lumpur

I've read about Video Games Live two years ago that some of my blogger friends went and blogged about it. All the reviews were saying that VGL is awesome. Then last month I read that VGL will be held in Istana Budaya this year on 26th and 27th of May. When I tried to get the ticket, it was sold out.

Then on 26th I saw GPlusMY is giving out tickets for VGL on that day itself. So, I joined the tweeting contest and I was lucky to be one of the three winner. Thank you Glitterati Plus MY and Nuffnang Malaysia.

I arrived at Istana Budaya around 7.15 p.m., the show will starts at 8.30 p.m. Already the parking is quite hard to get even though I came an hour earlier. There was a long queue in the hallway. It turns out to be the fans queuing up to buy the merchandise like T-shirt, poster, CD and DVD

There was also a cosplaying contest. So, I happened to see some cosplayers there.

Besides cosplaying contest, there was also a Guitar Heroes contest. Winner get to go on stage in one of the act and go home with some cool VGL merchandizes.

 

The doors open at 8 p.m. Tony, Alex and I got the ticket from Shaz, current president of GPlusMY. I went in at about 8.20 p.m. because I chit chat with some friends that I bumped into outside the hallway. I think they were choosing the cosplaying winner went I got into the orchestra hall.

The set was performed by the National Symphonic Orchestra of Malaysia and choir. Conducted by Emmanuel Fratianni. Hosted by the creator of VGL and world famous video games composer, Tommy Tallarico. Soprano cum flutist, Laura Intravia.

It's more like a rock concert than a orchestra. The audiences were encouraged to make noise and there are a lot of interactive sessions. In one part, two audiences were asked to come up stage to battle it out in a game of Frogger, while the symphony play according to their game play.

Some of the highlights are the surprise appearance by the composer of Metal Gear series, Norihiko Hibino. He did a duet using his saxophone with Laura on "Snake Eater".

Then Laura shows off her flute playing skill by turning into Flute Link from Zelda. She led the symphony in doing Zelda medley.

Some of my favourite is the opening theme of Final Fantasy 8 and Crono Trigger and Crono Cross medley. Here's a short clip of the Crono medley.

VGL doesn't ends after the orchestra performance. There was a meet and greet session. The queue of the fans wanting to get autograph is so long.

Video Games Live is one great show that worth all the money. Wish they will come again next year.

Camwhoring My Way to Win Super GT Tag & Win!

I got a Super GT 2012 Round 3 Malaysia Grand Stand ticket. So, I'm gonna try my luck to win the Facebook contest, Super GT Tag & Win contest. I need to:

(1) Take a picture of myself and my SUPER GT 2012 Round 3 ticket(s).
(2) Tag Super GT and write the serial number of your ticket(s) in the photo description.
(3) The Top 3 pictures with the most "Likes" on 7th June 2012 wins the following prizes.

• First prize ~ Canon PowerShot A3300IS + 1 Gridwalk Pass
• Second prize ~ FujiFilm Instax Mini Instant Camera + 1 Gridwalk Pass
• Third Prize ~ 1 Gridwalk Pass

Please help me win something by liking my picture here. Thank you very much! ;)

Hennessy V.S.O.P - Building the Future

Hennessy V.S.O.P a name that I've known ever since I was a child because the adults will always drink V.S.O.P during wedding dinner, and Hennessy is the word I saw.

Do you know that the previous Hennessy bottle was designed in 1989? After 23 years, the Hennessy bottle now has a new design. It was designed by Chris Bangle. He was the first American Chief of Design for BMW. When asked, "What's the differences between designing a car and a V.S.O.P bottle?". Chris told us that it's the same, just the size is different.

 

1989 and 1950s' Hennessy bottle.

Watch the video of Chris Bangle briefly explained how he'd designed the new Hennessy bottle.

Here, Chris did a rough sketch of how he redesign the Hennessy bottle.

I managed to snap a photo with him after his briefing. Before long, we were all ushered to the secret lounge where we continued with games and free flow of Hennessy V.S.O.P.

Inside the secret lounge, we get to see the new Hennessy bottle up close.

They have this state of the art touch screen table that we can play games on.

The popular Hennessy mix. I drank a lot of 'nid' that night though.

The most favourite is of course the Hennessy 360 cam. The guests will stand in a round altar and the DSLRs will be surrounding the altar in circle. The DSLRs will capture the image simultaneously and it will then be processed by the software.

Here's the end result of the Hennessy 360 cam.

TAKE PICHA!!

Recently a group of us bloggers will like to do group camwhoring once someone shouts "TAKE PICHA!!" LOL.

So, how do you like the new Hennessy bottle design? I think it's elegant and more user friendly. By the way, there's upcoming Hennessy Artistry event, go like Hennessy Malaysia fan page to get more updates.

Prizes Up For Grabs in Super GT Round 3 Malaysia

The Super GT 2012 Round 3 will be held in Malaysia next month on the 9th and 10th. This year's SUPER GT Round 3 Malaysia is packed with surprises! With over RM50,000 worth of prizes to be won, you better get a ticket now! That day during the launch an early bird customer already won himself a 32" LCD TV just by buying some Super GT Round 3 Malaysia grandstand passes.

Hannah Tan wants to you come and join the fun!

The TV is just a warm up. During the race day, you get a chance to win these prizes from the lucky draw.The prizes has grown better there are now pitwalk passes, gridwalk passes and the Paddock Club pass! And to cream it, the lucky draw is held DAILY and winner stand to win a random prize daily of:

• Pitwalk passes
• Gridwalk passes
• Paddock Club pass
• Naza NZ125R motorbike
• Avira anti virus
• Samsung 32" LCD TV
• Samsung 43" Plasma TV
• Panasonic 50" Plasma TV
• Panasonic 32" LCD TV
• Fujifilm Compact Camera
• Canon Compact Cameras
• Olympus Cameras
• Samsung Mobile Phones
• Nikon D5100

Read more about it here.

If you like Lotus sport cars then you can watch Lotuses raced among each other in Sepang International Circuit on June 9th and 10th during Super GT Round 3 Malaysia. Of course, there are many more super cars racing in the event.

What? Car is not your cup of tea? What about Super GT queens? Lushan and Toshimi will be there performing. Not to mention, the final of the 2012 Super GT Queen search will be held too. I also heard a very good band will be singing there too.

Get your Super GT Round 3 Malaysia tickets now from www.ticketcharge.com.my OR www.supergt.com.my OR roadshows. Good luck on the lucky draw!

Cuervo Reloaded Party

How many of you know that Tequila is named Tequila because it's named after the Tequila volcano made in Tequila Town in Mexico? It was made from plant only found in Tequila Town. I didn't know that until last Thursday after I went to "Cuervo Reloaded Party".

From left: MR SOREN RAVN (Managing Director of Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad), DATO' LIM SAY CHONG (Chairman of Carlsberg Malaysia), MR RAJIV GHUMMAN (Senior Commercial Manager of José Cuervo International South East Asia), DATUK MIKE KRISHNAN (Director of Carlsberg Malaysia), MR. LEW YOONG FAH (Chief Financial Officer of Carlsberg Malaysia) and MR KENNETH SOH (General Manager of Luen Heng F&B)


Jose Cuervo is not your normal Tequila but a premium Tequila to be exact. It boast the name "World Number One Vintage Tequila". The first time I know about Tequila was watching TV when one of the character on the series I was watching ordered Tequila pop. Only when I was at a legal age of drinking that I know Tequila pop is mixing lemonade soda with a shot of Tequila. Before downing the shot, one have to lightly slam the glass covered with a paper, making a pop effect. Hence the name Tequila pop.

That night during the party, there are no Tequila pop to be found but more variety of cocktails made using Jose Cuervo Tequila. There's mix of ice-blended Tequila with Kiwi, Raspberry, Original, and Curacao. Honestly, I found the Kiwi and Curacao mix a bit too sweet for my liking. The raspberry is very easy to drink and tasty too. I don't understand why a sweet mix needs sugar around the glass, it made it even sweeter.

For me, the best way I like my Tequila is to serve it in shot, with salt around the glass mouth. One gulp of the fiery Tequila, suck the lime dry after that. Ah, it's like a liquor orgasm and a vintage Tequila like Jose Cuervo does make the different.

It's great to enjoy the Tequila shots with friends around. I already had two shots before I bumped into Shawn "The Beat Boxer" Lee and his manager Diana. There we ordered another four shots. OMG.

Louise happened to be working on the event that night and her Bulgarian friends were there. By the way, Shawn told me the world no. 1 beat boxer is from Bulgaria and world no. 4 is from Malaysia, which is himself, LOL. Such a coincidence.

Sam was there too and dressed very casually.

I camwhored with one of the Jose Cuervo girl there. Her name is Rebecca.

Big surprise of the night is the performance by Shawn Lee and ......Mr. Soren Ravn the Managing Director of Carlsberg. What did they do that wow the crowds there? Watch the video and find out.

SUPER GT 2012 Round 3 Malaysia Launch

Cars. Who don't love em'? Men and women both love super cars. Last Saturday, I had the joy of seeing many different super cars parked along side each other outside Bangsar Village 2.

GTR? Checked.

Lamborghini? Checked.

Honda NSX? Checked.

Lotus? Checked.

There will a lot more super cars and some will be racing in the Sepang F1 Track. This is the SUPER GT 2012 Round 3 Malaysia. I was there for their launching officiated by JPM Motosport.

The kawaii Hannah Tan was the emcee of the launch.

After some brief introduction. Mr. JP Chin, the founder of JPM Motosport briefed us about what's in store for this year's SUPER GT.

"JPM Motorsport also announced their plan to support the Kids for Kids Charity Foundation, a foundation that focuses on children welfare by contributing RM50 of every SUPER GT tickets sold at RM100 (only at roadshows). The beneficiaries are Stepping Stones Home, Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels and Agathian’s Shelter.

Speaking to the Participants of the Biggest Super and Performance car gathering, “You are encouraged to contribute RM200 in which RM100 of it will be channelled to the Kids for Kids Charity Foundation, while the balance will be given back to you in the form of preloaded Touch ‘n Go card. We hope this little gesture will go a long way for the kids in the foundation.”

SUPER GT this year will see the return of the much anticipated Biggest Super and Performance Car Gathering. “This year, we are looking at more entrants to break the record of previous year. With your support, we will surely achieve it!” furthered Mr JP Chin."

On that day itself, a lucky early bird SUPER GT 2012 ticket customer already won himself a LCD TV from the lucky draw. Every ticket purchased will stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes such as 50’’ TVs, Compact Cameras, DSLR, Samsung S2, Net Book, Anti Virus Product by AVIRA, GARMIN GPS, V Kool Tinting Services, Paint Shield Detailing and also motorcycles from NAZA.

This year SUPER GT Trophy was unveiled by Mr JP Chin, founder of JPM Motorsport, Mr TJ Chin, Managing Director of JPM Motorsport; Mr Yochiro Ueno, MD & CEO of Honda Malaysia and Mr David Tan, Managing Director of Tumasek Pewter. Hundred members from several car clubs were also present to witness the momentous event.

The prestigious trophy, sponsored by Tumasek Pewter, was presented to Mr JP Chin by Mr David Tan.

One of the highlights of this year’s SUPER GT Race will be an all-day Dance Competition by 40 dance teams from various colleges in Klang Valley and Penang to showcase their astound dance choreography. The top two teams will be battle on the center stage! The theme for the 9th June is ‘Street’, and the night will be filled by a Dance Party, where 10 professional dance crews will be showcasing their moves to the hypnotic beats live spin by hot Japanese DJ!

In tandem with the Super GT race, the AFFIN Bank Motorshow will be held with the participation of leading conglomerates such as Sime Darby Motors, NAZA World, Lamborghini and other major Japanese and Korean manufacturers like Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru and Hyundai, as well as aftermarket accessory makers like Motul, Denso, V Kool, Paint Shield, ENEOS, McKee Racing. Hence, visitors can expect the finest collection of vehicles from exotic makers such as Ferrari, Maserati, and Porsche, Mercedes Mclaren SLR to performance automakers such as Alfa Romeo, BMW, Ford and even Land Rover, who provide alternatives for 4x4 lovers. Adding to the excitement; private owners will be displaying some of the rarest cars and bikes, like the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, Morgan Aero Super Sport, 3 times Le Man Winner remake like the Ford GT40, the 2400cc Motor Cycle in the form of Triumph Rocket 3 and many more! Even some of the SUPER GT Race Cars will be on display, making it truly a heaven for automotive enthusiasts! To top it off, Ducati and Harley Davidson will be bringing in their best motorbikes to the show. The AFFIN Bank Motorshow is definitely the place to scratch your speed itch.

If racing and a spine-tingling selection of rare cars are not enough to quench the thirst for automotive entertainment, JPM Motorsport has lined up one more star attraction for motorsport fans. This time, with the support and help from all the car clubs, JPM Motorsport aimed to break the record created last year in the Malaysia Book of Records with the 2nd Edition of the Biggest Super and Performance Car Gathering! The objective is to gather more than 405 cars (2011 record)on the front straight of Sepang International Circuit (SIC), featuring cars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, and other road-going variants of SUPER GT racing machines such as the Lexus SC430, Honda NSX, Nissan GTR and Mazda RX7. There’s already a surging interest with an expected crowd (of more than 5000 visitors) attending the SUPER GT Pit Walkabout which will happen simultaneously.

Whether you are there to admire the magnificent machines or the breathtaking ‘beautiful race queens’, or just to have a fun-filled day out with loved ones, the Super GT has something for everyone!

SUPER GT 2012 Round 3 Malaysia will kicked off on 9th June (Qualifying) and 10th June (Race Day). Grandstand tickets are priced at RM100 each, and can be bought online at www.ticketcharge.com.my or at any of the organised roadshows. Children under the age of 12 can enter for free. The Corporate Bulk Discounts are still available. For more information regarding this, call the respectively JPM representatives or visit www.supergt.com.my.

Every ticket purchased will stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes such as 50’’ TVs, Compact Cameras, DSLR, Samsung S2, Net Book, Anti Virus Product by AVIRA, GARMIN GPS, V Kool Tinting Services, Paint Shield Detailing and also motorcycles from NAZA.

Public do not need to worry about the traffic and where to park their car. In order to ease the commute for fans, Skybus will be providing shuttle services from KL Sentral to SIC (details can be found at http://www.supergt.com.my.)

By the way. You'll be seeing SUPER GT Queens Toshimi and Lushan performing too during the race day. Here's a teaser of their unprepared performance.

Santouka Ramen, Pavilion

There seems to be many ramen shops mushrooming in Klang Valley these few months. One of the famous one is of course Santouka. Originated from Japan, Santouka specialized in Hokkaido style ramen. A few moons ago I went to Pavilion for a Moet & Chandon event and I came from work without having anything to eat. So, I decided to try out the famous Santouka Ramen in Tokyo Street at Pavilion.

I ordered their popular and limited Tokusen Toroniku Ramen. The toroniku chashu made from pork cheek meat is only sold in limited serving. If not mistaken, only about 50 or 100 bowls will be sold per day. This is due to the limited supply of pork cheek. A pig only has 200-300g of usable pork cheek meat.

I heard many people complained that the soup here is a bit too salty. Instead of turning away from it, I know I came to the right place because Hokkaido style ramen is saltier than other style of ramen in Japan. If you prefer less salty ramen, I recommend you Yamagoya Kyushu style ramen in Duta Solaris. I'll blog about it in another post.

The good thing here is that they will put the sides for the ramen in a separate plate. You have a choice to add in as you eat but I like to put everything in.

Ramen-ya or ramen shop in Japan will always have gyoza available. So, Santouka is also following the tradition. I found that the gyoza here is a bit too small for my liking but the filling is quite juicy.

Albeit, the ramen here is a bit pricey but what I ordered is a premium part of a pork. It's still cheaper to go to Singapore or fly to Japan to have a taste of authentic Hokkaido style ramen. If you happen to come to Pavilion, why not give it a try? You might start to love the salty taste of Hokkaido ramen.

Address:
Level 6, Pavilion KL
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: (03) 2143-8878