No Safari or Opera for GSC …

Tuesday, May 25, 2010 | Blog Post

If you are an Apple user who doesnt have Firefox installed, then you might not be able to use GSC‘s E-Payment Ticketing system cuz they did not support Safari browser … boo!

Opera browser also not supported (boo again) … looks like all iPhone user will never get to use their favourite gadget to book any movie ticket at GSC

Sabah Fest 2010 : The Legend of Arung Salamiah

Monday, May 24, 2010 | Blog Post, Photography

Sabah Fest 2010 was very different from the previous “Sabah Fest”-es and by far the best one as far as my experience is concerned. I’ve always loved Sabah Fest – infact, i’ve been telling my other friends (who are not in the tourism industries) about it since my employment with SPS and now STB way back in 2004. Yes, im a bit too late for that too – i joined SPS in July 2003, so my 1st Sabah Fest was 2004. I’ll write more about Sabah Fest – as the festival next time (if i ever find the time); right now, lets talk about Sabah Fest 2010.

This year’s theme was “The Legend of Arung Salamiah” – it was a (love) story about a quest of one man named Tanjung Kalang to search for his loved ones – Arung Salamiah.

Once upon a time, there lived a very beautiful Bajau maiden on the island of Boheydulang, in the bay of Semporna. She was called Arung Salamiah. Her radiant beauty and musical talents were renowned throughout the islands of Semporna, and she was widely sought for marriage. But Salamiah was already promised to Tanjung Kalang, a childhood friend from her village.

One evening, a flotilla of boats and a richly decorated palanquin suddenly arrived on the beach. It was chieftain, Datu Atik. He heard of Salamiah and wanted to ask for her hand in marriage. Now, Datu Atik had a nefarious reputation; he also had many wives. Salamiah’s parents were afraid of him and quickly hid her in a cave in Bukit Bodgaya overlooking the bay. As they ascended to the cave, the sky became dark and stormy. Fiery lighting lit the sky and torrential rain fell. Just suddenly, the storm also ended abruptly. When Datu Atik asked for her, the villagers mounted a search but Salamiah had vanished.

When Tanjung Kalang heard about the intention of Datu Atik, Tanjung Kalang and his friends callenged him to a fight. Realising they were outnumbered, Datu Atik quickly retreated to his boat and sailed back home. After that Tanjung Kalang fell very ill …

Now here is the different from the exact performance that night – the script says that Datu Atik was outnumbered and quickly retreated, but infact, during the performance, Tanjung Kalang was hurt during the fight. It was either Tanjung Kalang was hurt and died; or Tanjung Kalang was hurt and fell very ill. But judging from the performance, i believed that Tanjung Kalang died from the fight with Datu Atik … and with the power of the gifted shaman, he was “re-lived” again so he can go on his quest for his Salamiah – & that is the power of Love my friend! (sounds familiar )

His (Tanjung Kalang) anxious parents called for the local shaman to heal him through the Panansang dance. He recovered and was told to go on a long journey in search of Salamiah.

And so it begins when Tanjung Kalang starts his legendary quest for his beloved Salamiah. He then met some other ethnic groups along the way …

As always, after the show has ended, everybody were invited to come to the stage and have a dance with the dancers and other performers …

I was indeed very impressed with the whole performance and setup throughout. And kudos to the people that make the whole thing possible – most of all; to all creative dancers and musicians!

But without the proper direction, guidance and assistance from the talented STB, SPS, Sabah Cultural teams; things would never be realised – salute to all of them!

Looking forward for Sabah Fest 2011!

Do you think that Sabah Fest fit to be Sabah’s music tourism product – or it is just a festival ??