Back with the third and final instalment of #theSyarifs‘ wedding. This entry will feature photographs of the wedding dinner event, which I felt resembled a mini Pesta Perdana event, with the local Malay entertainment scene’s personalities making their presence by gracing the occasion. It was a long day for the newly-weds as well as those who had worked hard to make the whole event tick, yet everyone was smiling throughout till the very end, happiness etched on their faces and sharing the joy of the newlyweds. The wedding dinner event was held at the same venue (Alkaff Mansion) as the earlier morning’s solemnisation ceremony and lunch reception.
Like the solemnisation ceremony, those who had tuned in to the couple’s official Youtube channel, would have gotten a glimpse of what went on live via the webstream. Unfortunately I heard that the full clip has been taken down by Youtube due to copyright infringements of some of the songs featured. Though you will not be able to view the clip, I hope this entry would satiate your thirst to view some of the event’s happenings as well as see who’s who in the local Malay entertainment scene who had turned up. This was afterall THE “Wedding of the Year” for 2014, for me. It would be criminal not to feature this entry in my blog, especially when the groom took great pains to invite me and the wife to attend. For that I say “Thank You!!!” to Syarif and Malaque for having us, me in particular, for almost the whole day.
The wedding dinner event was hosted by Ben Muthusalam, Syarif‘s intern-mate when he did his internship with Mediacorp back in 2009. Please don’t ask me why the host’s name has an Indian surname. Maybe his good friends reading this can help to enlighten me cos I’m in the dark myself. Guests were treated to lovely performances by local groups TheTrisno Trio and Northbound, as well as a guest performance by Malaysia‘s Dina Nadzir, whose rendition of Katy Perry‘s “Unconditionally“, had my hairs standing. She is such an under-rated vocal powerhouse. We also witnessed Syarif singing a song titled “Malaque“, which he had composed with Trisno Ishak just two weeks leading up to the wedding event.
The eleven-tier wedding cake was specially baked by Malaque herself, whom some of us know specialises in pastries, desserts and cakes. Also, the cheesecake recipe during the dinner event itself, was specially concocted by her, assisted and executed by Chef Siti Mastura and team. Female guests were fortunate to have received a make-up kit by Benefit Cosmetics, to go along with the main door gifts consisting of a Grey by Ortenhill bag, a lovely jar series, Sugee cake by Chef Siti Mastura and Calvin Klein parfum vials. The gifts oozed class in every sense, a reflection of the newlyweds. All in all, it was a wonderful and memorable wedding event and here’s wishing the newlyweds once again a blissful married life with filial kids in tow… 🙂
Guests from radio and Berita Harian (from left): Ms. Isadhora Mohamed, Mr. Mohammad Sawifi, Mr. Azrin Rahim, Madam Hanim Mohd Saleh, RZ, TG and wife Haslinda Hamid…
Shahril Wahid and wife Suherdlya Sabar…
Imran Ajmain was seated along with his good friends, Ainon Talib (fourth from left) and hubby, Erwan Gunawan. To his left is his friend Suhaidah. The others on the same table (Suhaila – third from right, Rizman Kassim and Sulastri Yusof) were instrumental in making the event tick as they are part of Fatimah Mohsin’s team…
The Jauhar siblings, Janz, Janna and Jihan, who was SleeQ’s former manager…
The good people from Mediacorp Suria and yours truly’s spouse on the right…
Anugerah Skrin 2010 alumnus Nissa Bahruddin with Mediacorp Suria’s Siti Zuraidah Taib…
The creative minds behind Mediacorp Eaglevision…
Former national football team captain, Aide Iskandar and wife Ezreen Taib Zohri…
Didicazli and wife Nur Eliyana…
Hisyam Hamid, Mastura Ahmad, Shahrin Azhar and Haryani Othman along with their respective spouses. Jeff Catz (third from right) was alone…
Norfasarie came with her two beautiful children, Mika Bazil and Moza Alyka…
Den Sabari, Huda Ali and daughter Leia Qaseh…
Nurul Aini and hubby Sofian Roslan…
Marina Yusoff with her daughter Noshin Putri
Fauzie Laily and Nurul Huda, the ever loving couple…
Cast of Belah Hati (standing from left): Asraf Amin, Ateeqah Mazlan, Effendie (Ateeqah’s hubby), Mariana Yatie, Ayura Kefle, Junaidah Eksan and Imam Shah. Seated are Nurfarhana M Noor and partner Shannon Berkett…
Here they are joined by Mr. J.A. Halim, his son, Helmindra, daughter-in-law Fizah Nizam, and son-in-law Laurent Thevenet…
Rozzalina Ramli and her daughter Hannah Adyna, Ainon Talib and Norfasarie and her lovely children…
Mediacorp Suria interns Farhanny Salim, Deedee Durrani and the hardest working man of #theSyarifs’ wedding, Budi Iskandar Sa’ad…
Clockwise from top: Mediacorp Suria’s Yusnita Yaacob, Hazlina Halim, Riz Sunawan, Wan Haiz Salleh, Diana Halil, Farlina and hubby
Mr. Hassan Salleh and wife Madam Kamsiah Rahman…
Mediacorp Suria’s trailer producer Radhiah Zulkifli and hubby Sufian Faisal…
Nity Baizura and husband Mohd Hafiz…
DJ KC and Fiza O…
Aura Shai…
Syirah Jusni and Ashmi Roslan…
Mastura Ahmad and hubby Arshad Ismail…
Hisyam Hamid and wife, Mel (Rosmawati Hussin)…
Haryani Othman and hubby Fahmy…
Shahrin Azhar, with wifey Gee Aziz, daughter Iman Qistina and Jeff Catz…
Rozzalina Ramli, hubby Jai Wahab and daughter Hannah Adyna…
Wedding dinner event host, Ben Muthusalam…
Performance by the trio from Northbound…
Ahmad Khalis…
Fareez Shah…
Fauzaan Sahrudin…
Dina Nadzir…
The newlyweds with Mr. Darren Choy, Managing Director and CEO of Warner Music Malaysia…
The Trisno Trio…
Syarif performing his newly composed song for his beloved wife, aptly called “Malaque”…
The newlyweds with deejays from RIA 89.7FM and Warna 94.2FM and their partners…
Amongst the guests here include Mr. Indra Shahrir, Madam Amanah Mustafi who are flanking the newlyweds and Mr. Hamed Ismail (standing top right)…
The newlyweds with Shenthy Feliziana and partner…
The newlyweds with Trisno Trio and Ms. Renee Quek from Grey by Ortenhill…
The newlyweds with Bloco SG’s founder Syed Ahmad and wife Hanie Nadia…
The newlyweds with Nura Abdul Manaf, who was instrumental in directing the live webstream segments…
Amongst the guests here include Madam Zakiah Halim, Mr Suhaimi Jais and family, Dr. Edmund Lam (CEO of COMPASS) and Mr. Darren Choy…
The newlyweds and the ever creative Mediacorp Eaglevision team…
Azzah Fariha and Malaque are officially cousins by virtue of marrying the SleeQ boys…
Mediacorp Suria’s promo team and the newlyweds…
With the bride’s family…
The newlyweds with Fatimah Mohsin and Diyana Halik who are seated. Standing from left to right: Ezreen Taib Zohri, Aide Iskandar, Azlan M Shafie, Eriyana Amin, Suzairhe Sumari and Suhaillah Salam…
With the groom’s mother and elders…
With Northbound and their sessionists…
With the groom’s mother and siblings…
The newlyweds with Fauzie Laily, Nurul Huda and Dean Reziq, another hardworking personnel during the wedding event…
With Berita Harian’s Nurmaya Alias and hubby Muhd Mahfuz…
The newlyweds with Mr. J.A. Halim and his ever sporting family members…
With Nick Mikhail and wife Nora…
Without these amazing peeps from Fatimah Mohsin’s team, the wedding would not have been a success…
Thank God for the public holiday later today. Yes I’m typing this in the wee hours of Tuesday night. Done with the second batch of photo editing. This time I’ll be featuring snapshots I took before Anugerah Planet Muzik 2014, during the commercial breaks as well as the post-event reception afterwards. Hope this would satiate your thirst for more photos before I post even more with the “Walk of the Stars” event in my following entry, which I hope to put up as soon as possible and finish off with my APM2014 review, hopefully before the end of next week. Yes, am taking my time because I am only doing this on a passion and hobby basis. If I’m doing this as a paid career, I would definitely post everything before the week is out. So yes, please continue visiting this site soon. Enjoy the public holiday today and hope you like this entry as well… 🙂
Hosts Nabil & Dyn Norahim goofing around after rehearsals were done…
A. B. Shaik, DJ KC & Dyn Norahim…
Dyn Norahim and A. B. Shaik
DJ KC & Fiza O…
Nova Media Baru nominee Syazani Rahim and partner…
Tengku Adil, Diandra Arjunaidi and the latter’s cousin, Adylla…
Malaysian actor Amar Baharin and celebrity make-up artist Khid Su…
Erma Maulood, Idi Hakim and their daughter Ellis Aisha…
Director and producer Adi Yadoni flanked by local singer Kaly Aziz and wife Wahyu Rahman…
Ryan Sufiyan (left), Yazri Malik (centre) and his assistant director Dhino Hussain
Another Nova Media Baru nominee Miiko and Joenickev…
Former child star turned YouTube star: Abdul Thaqif and partner…
Anugerah Industri Muzik’s boss and Nova Music (M) Sdn Bhd’s Managing Director, Mr. Rosmin Hashim seated along with Sabhi Saddi, nominee for Artis Terbaik (Lelaki) / Best Male Artiste for his song Cinta Sesungguhnya…
Fathin Amira Zubir came with her family…
The Sallys looking smart in their outfits…
Celebrity make-up artist Rozi Klaseboer and stylist Zabidi Abdul Samad from Zabd Couture…
Local singer Chomel (second from right) and her entourage…
Adi Yadoni & Wahyu Rahman…
Local band Auraz Band…
Metrowealth International Group’s CEO, Major. David Teo and wife Ms. Jane Lim…
Tulus and Aisyah Aziz…
Hafiz Suip and Dato’ Rossa…
HyperAct was also in attendance…
One of my favourite local bands, Tujuhband…
Dato’ Fazley, suave as always…
SleeQ and their respective other halves, Malaque Mahdaly (left) and Azzah Fariha (right)…
Dua M boss Najip Ali and producer Nura Abdul Manaf…
Photographer Anwar Randii Baba and Wolfpac SG’s Khairi Shah…
Sufie Rashid and mother, who is the main reason behind his success…
Here’s Sufie again with fellow Artis Baru Terbaik (Lelaki) / (Best New Male Artiste) nominee, Faizul Sany…
Lyricist Hidayat Nordin, Reyza Hamizan, Ryan Sufiyan and Yazri Malik…
A’Trez from local group X-Clusive, Mr. Darren Choy, Managing Director of Warner Music Malaysia and Singapore and Awi Rafael…
Sixsta, the group that was conceived from Malaysia’s reality TV show, The Band…
Marina Yusoff and hubby Adel Dzulkarnaen…
Imran Ajmain all smiles with The Trisno Trio at the back…
Fauzie Laily and his lovely wife Nurul Huda…
Last year’s APM performers Jamiel Said and Art Fazil…
Our SG Mania champion, Eiss and wifey Norazura Ismail…
Rapper 2kangKata and partner…
Dynda who are currently down to three members…
Band Terbaik / (Best Band) winners NOAH…
Maria Calista and Mafarikha Akhir. Loved their performance that night…
Hosts Nabil Ahmad, Sarah Sechan and Dyn Norahim…
WINGS and their entourage…
Another one of my favourite local bands, Diorama…
Siblings: Actor Kai Abu Bakar and singer Zaibaktian…
Kraton, the group known for their showmanship…
Post-show: Sufie Rashid posed with DJ KC, Fiza O and Nity Baizura…
The night’s biggest winner, Taufik Batisah and award presenter Hanis Zalikha…
Nabil Ahmad continued goofing around with Taufik Batisah, this time for his weekly entertainment show, MELETOP…
Kraton, The Sallys and Tujuhband…
J-Boy Iskandar and Fariq Tajree, the duo from Komrad…
Awi Rafael flanking Diorama’s Erza Iskandar and Odi…
From left: Surya Rahmanty, Wawan Husen (AurazBand), Reno Fendy (Aryan Band), Jamiel Said, Kaly Aziz, Alif Putra (AurazBand), Awi Rafael and A’trez (X-Clusive)…
Alif Putra, Adi Yadoni, Farid Yusof (Aryan Band), Reno Fendy, Wahyu Rahman and Surya Rahmanty…
Syah Ibrahim and Zubir Abdullah…
Members of Dynda and Sixsta. Shenthy Feliziana (third from left) can claim to have an affiliation with both groups having been a part of Dynda and now, Sixsta…
Sharon Ismail and hubby Jumari Osman…
Composer, keyboardist for Hujan and former Bhumiband’s member, Hang Dimas, Tengku Adil, Najwa Mahiaddin, Fathin Amira Zubir and Mafarikha Akhir…
Fathin Amira Zubir and family with Aisyah Aziz and two of the dancers during Taufik Batisah’s opening performance…
SG’s celebrity couple: Actress Norfasarie and hubby Baihakki Khaizan…
From left: Judah Lyne (The Lion Story), Nadiah Hamid (Yaya Hamid’s sister), Yaya Hamid, Haffiz Hussin (The Lion Story), Izwan Khuzair and Shafiq Iskandar (both from The Sallys)…
Mafarikha being flanked by Komrad and the Jauhar siblings, composer Janz Abdullah and stylist Janna Jauhar…
Former NTV7’s PR Executive and current Marketing Manager of BrandNewMedia, Dawn Jeremiah with local actress and host Nurul Aini…
POP’s Syirah Jusni, X-Tion’s Ashmi Roslan, Dyn Norahim and wife Nur Sodiqin…
Yaya Hamid and Hyrul Anuar…
Dawn Jeremiah, prolific lyricist Shah Shamshiri, Mr. Darren Choy and Sabhi Saddi…
Hyrul Anuar, Faizan Rais (Tujuhband), Reyza Hamizan, Ariffin Omar (Tujuhband) and Shamil Haniff (Tujuhband). They are also members of AltoAura, the talented music group that performs at wedding functions and corporate events…
Screenbox’s head Mr. Sujimy Mohamad and wife Ms. Haslinda Ali with Awie…
Mr. Hassan Salleh and Ms. Zakiah Halim with Joe WINGS and Awie…
Talented designer Raffiey Nasir with Azlin Ali, Fiza O, Isadhora Mohamed and Nity Baizura…
Mr. Hassan Salleh’s missus, Madam Kamsiah Rahman with Warna 94.2FM’s Mariam Mas’od…
It’s been awhile since I did a review on an event that I attended at the Mediacorp TV Theatre. Simply because when I accepted the invites from Mediacorp Suriato attend these shows or events, more often than not, I did not see the need to review as they are either a light-hearted affair or for charity. I was there to just snap photos of the event and during the reception afterwards without seeing the need to comment much. Sometimes I don’t need to voice my thoughts as others have done it for me on social media. Anyway there are so many keyboard warriors out there too quick to jump on the bandwagon of criticising without giving substantial suggestions. I guess it’s a favourite pastime now to use one’s handphone keypads to comment every single thing they see on the google box, be it good or bad. I’m guilty of it sometimes when I watch football and passions are running high.
I note from several people I’ve met of late that this blog has somewhat stagnated and that the writer (or should I say, typist???) behind the words on this domain has lost his zest and panache to hit where it hurts, or to put it kindly, give a wake up call when it mattered. Over the years as I mellow down and become less confrontational and got to know more people, I find that it is a challenge to be as hard-hitting as before. I had to tweak and fine-tune my style so as not to be too cynical or cause frictions with others in the long run. Maybe fatherhood has made me more forgiving, understanding and giving others the benefit of doubt but I like to think I type better when I’m having that red mist and I don’t quite experience that as often as before. Wish I could post more entries but like I said from time to time, I am not paid to blog and this is something I do as a community service as and when I am free from my work, family and personal commitments.
The front row audience consisting of bigwigs in the local media industry as well as guest of honour Dr. Mohd Faishal Ibrahim…
Anyway, I was honoured to be invited again to attend the recent Viva Elektraevent at Mediacorp TV Theatre. The two-hour variety special was the fourth instalment by Suria and was previously known as Suria Elektra (2010), Rock Elektra (2011) and Bandstand Elektra (2012). The show belatedly celebrated the formation of MediaCorp’s Malay Broadcast Division, the merger between television channel Suria and radio stations Warna 94.2FM and RIA 89.7FM, hence there was an eclectic mix of performers from radio presenters to television personalities and established recording artistes that night. Viva Elektra in a way, symbolised the division’s hopes to establish a commitment to continually bring high quality programmes to their audience, be it on radio and television. Expect to see more of such shows in the near future involving the radio and television personalities. We are already anticipating cross-platform programmes like TeRaSeh 2.0, R&D and the sixth season of infotainment show JUS! this month. Viva Elektra was just the start!!!
The men who made the night ticked – Dyn Norahim and Khairudin Samsudin…
Looking at how the radio and television personalities collaborated on stage, I had a feel-good feeling that we can expect more entertaining shows on television and radio as well. Yes, I will not deny that I’ve heard rumours going round that certain gigs and jobs are affected due to the merger, but I would like to call upon all the artistes who might feel a little slighted that their places and roles in television programmes might be taken up by their radio counterparts, to treat this as a healthy competition. Granted we might not be like our next door neighbour where there are so many channels one can tune to and for radio and television personalities to still do well when they cross platforms, but there are possible avenues that can be explored. Radio could possibly have seasonal guest hosts like what Fauzie Laily did co-hosting Skoolz with Nity Baizura a few years ago. Or if they were to have a shake-up of personnel, who knows, they might just rope in some of these television personalities into their stables??? Let’s not see it as a form of hindrance to one’s rice bowl, but to work as a unit to lift the standards of our local Malay entertainment scene.
The cast of Tak2ut (from left): Ashmi Roslan, DJ KC, Fadhlur Rahman and Wan Haddad…
Maybe a little criticism I would have of Viva Elektra was that feeling of imbalance in some of their segments. While the skit involving the Tak2ut cast (Ashmi Roslan, Wan Haddad and Fadhlur Rahman) and DJ KC seemed a bit short, the Bangsawan and Pentas Radio segments felt a wee bit too long for my liking. I just feel that the song performed by Eiss, “Arjuna (Mencari Cinta)“, was redundant and only served to prolong the segment, even though the audience and myself were tickled by the humour presented by all the performers involved. It is nice to see new faces on television like Wan Haddad and Nurfarhana M Noor given their big break on a big scale event as this. Also Junaidi Sali who often plays a supporting cast to be given the limelight he deserves after all these years.
Fauzie Laily (left) seldom gets comedic roles but when he gets them, he excels…
Nurfarhana it has to be said, is a name and face to watch this year. Her stock is rising and it is not easy to score a lead role in one’s debut drama series (Rima Hatiku) and subsequent ones like Follow Fasha, unless one has the potential and package to succeed. She is currently seen in the new season of Di Luar Garisan and will be one of the participants for TeRaSeh 2.0. I won’t be surprised if she scores a hosting gig in the near future cos she has that bubbly personality to do it. You heard it first on this domain. Another one to impress me was RIA 89.7FM‘s Dzar Ismail. I’m a big fan of his daily Singa Maksima programme and from one karaoke session we had some months ago, I could see his hidden talent and passion in rapping, which was displayed that night when he performed “Cerita Kedai Kopi” with Tukangkata and Sezairi Sezali. I know some people do not quite like his sometimes excessive energy levels, but I think he is a breath of fresh air on radio. And yes I still claim credit unashamedly for saying he belongs in radio when I assessed his performances when he entered Anugerah Skrin back in 2010.
The one to watch this year – Nurfarhana M Noor. A flower blossoming at a continued pace…
Another criticism I would add on will be the choice of performing artistes and some of the songs they performed. Before the show, I saw on social media how people lamented that it’s basically the same faces over and over again. To some extent, I would agree with them as I too felt the same way when I saw the list of performing artistes slated to perform. No I am not attacking or blaming the singers who performed cos they are all excellent in their own respect. My complaint would be a lack of more variety than what we’re used to. Take for instance we have so many bands producing good quality music in Singapore. The likes of Diorama, Tujuh, Klutz are some of the bands that are under-rated here. And if you speak of individual acts, there’s Reyza Hamizan, Sufie Rashid, Chomel, Aidil Akmal, Nurdiana Saad, upcoming acts who deserved to be given their dues and be introduced to the masses.
The hosts replicating Ellen Degeneres at the recent Oscars and taking a selfie photograph with the audience…
I appreciate that we would want to entice people to watch as their favourites would be performing but it does not send a message that the artistes feel appreciated, even though radio plays their music on a daily basis. There is no point having your songs known on radio when people still dunno who you are. Just ask Audionauts when they won at APM2013. There were still people asking on social media and on newspaper reports wondering who they were. “Rentak Laguku“, the song performed by Aliff Aziz, Eiss and Sezairi Sezali, was another one that I felt was a bit redundant as it was only as recent as last October that we witnessed Amy Search and Bunkface performed the song at APM2013. And even though I love Taufik Batisah‘s “Sesuatu Janji” amongst all his songs to date, I think that was the fourth or fifth time he performed the song at a Suria event, in addition to APM2008.
Group photo with all the performers that night once the cameras stopped rolling…
Overall, Viva Elektra was an enjoyable show, even if it did overrun by about eleven minutes. The choice of having Khairudin Samsudin and Warna 94.2FM‘s Dyn Norahim was a good one, with both trading barbs at one another and the latter being the brunt of many of the former’s jokes. At certain points, Dyn looked jittery but it should be forgiven as this was afterall his first live television hosting gig. Speaking to him afterwards, he said that it was nerve-wrecking and a very different experience compared to his daily live show on radio. Like many others before him, I am sure he will grow into the role and be better. Am certainly looking forward to seeing him host the new season of JUS! alongside the gorgeous Ainon Talib and Nurul Akhmar come the end of April. For now I can’t wait for TeRaSeh 2.0. It’s gonna be an absolute riot!!!
Pre-show…
The guests calmly waiting for the show to start…
Eiss and Sezairi Sezali performing Hazama’s “Penglipur Lara”…
Hosts Dyn Norahim and Khairudin Samsudin…
Selfie time…
Cast of Tak2ut and DJ KC…
Wan Haddad
Fadhlur Rahman
DJ KC
Ashmi Roslan
Hanafie Warren
Alif Putra
Farisha Ishak
Junaidi Sali
Nurul Aini, RZ and Junaidah Ekhsan…
M Saffri A Manaf and Junaidi Sali…
Aisyah Aziz and Sarah Aqilah…
Dancers from Sri Warisan…
Nurfarhana M Noor
A B Shaik
Azlin Ali
Fauzie Laily
Aliff Aziz
Taufik Batisah
Dzar Ismail and Tukangkata…
Nurul Huda Ramdzan
Another round of selfie…
The current host of RE:TV and upcoming host for JUS! Season 6 – Ainon Talib and hubby Erwan Gunawan…
Fiza O and her sisters supporting hubby DJ KC…
DJ KC, Fiza O with their Berita Harian counterparts Linilidia Abdul Hamid (left) and Nurmaya Alias…
Fab 4 – Haddad, Fadhlur, Ashmi and Junaidi…
Dressed in their nines – Norfasarie, Mika Bazil, Hyrul Anuar, Ainon Talib, Erwan Gunawan, Nadiah M. Din and Syirah Jusni…
Intellectual and respected people here – Khairudin Saharom, Hazlina Halim, Hasliza Abdul Majid and Ahmad Nizam Abbas…
Viva Elektra hosts with the Sri Warisan dancers and their in-charge, the husband and wife team of Adel Dzulkarnaen and Marina Yusoff…
Aisyah Aziz with her twin sister, Ayeen…
Fauzie, Junaidi and Fadhlur…
Sezairi Sezali and his parents…
The Aziz siblings – Aisyah, Aliff and Ayeen…
Khairudin Samsudin with veterans in the acting scene, Nurijah Sahat, Ahmad Yusof and Jasmani Basri…
The current hosts of RE:TV – Ainon Talib, Hyrul Anuar, Nadiah M. Din and Sezairi Sezali…
Nadiah will never fail to ask me to capture a solo photograph of her whenever we meet…
Fiza O, Norfasarie and Mika Bazil with Suria’s Budi Iskandar and Mufreha Maarof…
Nadiah and fellow actress Biwa Mastura…
Nurul Aini with hubby Sofian Roslan…
Hyrul Anuar, Ashmi Roslan, Syirah Jusni and back-up singers on the night, Afiqah and Azhar Raz…
Due to the fact and norm that I traditionally post my annual Anugerah Planet Muzik reviews about a week or fortnight after the event has passed, I would normally fill the waiting time by posting photographs of the Red Carpet event as well as during the post-event reception afterwards. But somehow there was no Red Carpet segment and even more surprisingly, there was no post-event reception this year, which I personally felt was a disappointment, as I had planned to take more photographs and even dedicate a separate entry for it. Still I believe visitors to this blog have been looking forward to viewing photographs I snapped during the event. Well here I am with all the miscellaneous shots I took during the “Walk of the Stars” segment (which replaced the Red Carpet), backstage about an hour or so before the event begun, during and after the show. Enjoy!!!
P.S. I was not able to snap more and better photos of the “Walk of the Stars” segment due to the speed that the artistes were walking out and some were not even stopped to be interviewed by the hosts, due to the lack of time before the event commenced. Hence I did not get good photos of the likes of Bushmen, The Trisno Trio and Altimet… 😦
Jamiel Said and Imuda…
Shila Amzah being interviewed by the Meletop reporter…
Shila gamely smiling for my camera…
An example of the friendship forged in APM: Syirah Jusni, Shila Amzah and Citra Scholastika…
S4 good to go before the show…
From left: Hassan Mohd (Bushmen), Jatt Ali, Art Fazil, Izaar Arsri (Bushmen) and Jamiel Said…
Products of Anugerah Skrin 2010 – Syirah Jusni and Dzar Ismail…
Syirah and Dzar being joined by Dyn Norahim…
Dyn Norahim and Art Fazil…
The Northbound trio of Fareez, Ahmad Khalis and Fauzann…
Tengku Adil, Sezairi Sezali and the latter’s beau, Syaza Qistina…
Syarif (SleeQ) and his fiancee, Malaque Mahdaly…
The SleeQ duo…
SleeQ being joined by their respective fiancees, Azzah Fariha and Malaque Mahdaly…
Nominated for Best Singapore Song for their song “Akur” – (from left) Erma Maulood, Idi Hakim (Dinodi), 2kangkata, Dino (Dinodi) and the talented songwriter, Reyza Hamizan…
Epitome of love and very humble couple – Annabelle Francis and Sheikh Haikel…
Ms. Zakiah Halim with Rossa…
Wawan (second from right) with members of Auraz Band…
Zack He, Nadia Rosmaly and Sarah Ismail of Seyra, who were nominated in the Best Singapore Song category for their song “Jauh”…
Mosyi, nominated for Best Vocal Performance in a Song (New Male Artiste), with his parents, famous 90s singer Nora Ariffin and renowned composer Johan Nawawi…
The rockers from Raven…
Audionauts
Hosts for the “Walk of the Stars” segment – A B Shaik and Fiza O…
Bushmen were the first out…
Followed by The Trisno Trio…
S4…
Brunei’s Jazz Hayat being accompanied by the sultry Citra Scholastika…
The previously-rumoured couple, Adira and Aliff Aziz…
W.A.R.I.S. with DJ Fuzz and wife…
Awi Rafael
He was supposed to appear with Nabila Huda but somehow she did not make it to the stage…
Syirah Jusni and Jamiel Said…
Dato’ Aznil Haji Nawawi
The “Rilek Braders” – Art Fazil and Imuda…
Stacy Angie
Amy Search along with Bunkface…
The crowd swooned the moment Cakra Khan appeared on stage…
Syahrini
Hafiz Suip
Judika looking spiffy…
Shila Amzah appearing on stage with talented fashion designer Raffiey Nasir…
Rossa
Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza appearing with renowned fashion designer Rizman Ruzaini…
Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza
Judika and his wife Duma Riris…
Talented director Isazaly Isa seated next to Ashmi Roslan and Syirah Jusni…
Members of Diorama, nominated for Most Popular Singapore Song for “Hipokrasi”…
Raihan (Lefttool) and an unidentified friend…
Cakra Khan and Mosyi…
Marina Yusoff and hubby Adel Dzulkarnaen giving the thumbs up to an excellent show…
Abdul Hamid (Black Dog Bone) enjoying his moment as he was not able to go up the stage to receive the award accorded to his group…
Members of Black Dog Bone with their trophy…
Local actor Fido Ahdross and actress / singer Ikah Jamil of local group X-Clusive…
SleeQ and their fiancees parading their trophies…
Asmidar, who was voted for Best Vocal Performance in a Song (New Female Artiste) for her song “Biar Sampai Ke Bintang”…
Local actor Hafiz Nasir and Zuraidah Taib from Mediacorp Suria…
Suave newscaster, Riz Sunawan and Nabila Huda Suhaimi…
Tengku Adil and Jamiel Said…
Both were later joined by SleeQ…
And subsequently Sezairi Sezali and the Northbound trio…
(From left): Syirah Jusni, Ikah Jamil, Ashmi Roslan, Raja Izzuwin Shah, Fido Ahdross, Noe Chicanoe, Nur Sodiqin (Dyn Norahim’s missus) and Lydia (Raja Izzuwin’s missus)…
Imuda and his wife Zabarina…
The unsung heroes of APM2013, bros Mamat and Iwan…
Sufie Rashid still all smiles with his mother, despite not winning the New Media Nova award…
A proud Aliff Aziz posing with the award he won for Best Singapore Song (“Jangan Ganggu Pacarku”)…
RIA 89.7FM deejays KC and Fiza O celebrated their first year wedding anniversary the day after the event. They are seen here with their wedding fashion designer Raffiey Nasir and wedding planner Rafil Kamaruddin…
I purposely post this entry a week after the competition series ended for the fact that I do not foresee much entries that I will be making between now and March, so a little breather is more than welcome. Afterall, I have been quite diligent with my weekly reviews over the course of the competition. I know most of you who are not linked to me via social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram would not see the photographs I snapped, unless you follow the contestants themselves. So fret not, because this penultimate review on Mediacorp Suria‘s inaugural beauty-cum-talent search competition will have hundreds of them featured, even more than what I normally upload for your viewing pleasure. So where do I begin??? With the choice of the winner, Fatin Amira, of course!!!
Like the first episode, Sezairi Sezali opened the show, this time performing Dato’ Sheila Majid‘s “Ratu“…
Fatin‘s coronation as the first winner of Ratu was in truth, no surprise to yours truly, and I’m sure to regular viewers of the series as well. She has been very consistent since Episode 4, has a very strong grasp and understanding of the Malay language, confident, composed and dare I say, a certain air of nonchalance which sets her apart from her fellow competitors. I did not say explicitly who were my favourites to win but along with Wida Alisa, both of them were my personal two choices to win the competition, with no disrespect to the other finalists, even though physical beauty-wise, the others had the edge. It was a matter of who was to blink or make that odd mistake that would sway the odds against their favour. I did say in my preview of the Grand Finals, the one who would win would be the one who maintained their poise and composure and not be let down by small mistakes and this was true, as Fatin aced almost every segment that night.
Fauzie Laily and Marina Yusoff‘s onstage chemistry was one of the plus points of the competition series…
I saw several comments online from sour grapes who questioned the choice of anointing Fatin as the winner as she is not as pretty as some of her fellow contestants. The aim of this competition was not merely to choose who is the most good-looking or who is the most popular. The aim was to choose an all-round winner, someone who is not only good-looking but a person of holistic substance. She has to be intelligent and media savvy, confident in the way she carries herself and have a certain degree of raw potential that could be polished in time to come as a television personality in hosting or acting. In Fatin Amira, I have no doubt that she was the right choice by the judges who carried the heavy responsibility of choosing a winner who could be someone we can be proud of in time to come – a beauty with brains. Above all, I am convinced that Fatin is ready to face the media across the Causeway, whom we all know are more harsh than our own and will always be ready to find faults and not give an inch, what more a yard.
The Top 6 Finalists!!!
Why I said I am convinced, is how consistent and calm she has been at answering questions throughout the competition. Even when she was interviewed by Hafeez Glamour in his Go Glam radio programme the day after her win, she answered several difficult questions with ease, even those questions that were posed to her fellow finalists during the Grand Finals itself. When she appeared a second time during Dzar Ismail and Nity Baizura‘s Personality Zoom segment last Friday, I posed a challenging question on how she would react if the President of Seniman were to question her credibility and presence in their scene. Her answer suitably impressed me, saying that she is new and will no doubt learn from the people she is working with to improve on her flaws. Opportunities are also available everywhere for people to work and add value to a certain industry, no matter which country they are working at. She ended by saying that people should just widen their mentality and not be hampered by selfish interests. No doubt she is ready and feisty, willing to face the challenges in store.
The panel of judges sharing a laugh when Aaron Aziz (hidden) made his point across…
I will not put down Wida Alisa for her gaffe that night. I think enough of criticisms online have been hurled at her and I am sure she did not mean what she said on purpose. We all make mistakes, it was just unfortunate that such an error was made on live television, under such pressure-cooker situations. Most of those who have hurled their criticisms are the same people who will equally freeze or make mistakes themselves if they swapped shoes with her. It is not easy to look pretty and answer random questions thrown at you. What more to translate in Malay when we think daily in English. Likewise there was not much wrong with Wan Anisah‘s final answers, other than the fact that it did not resonate with our community and culture. The prerogative was hers to answer as best she could and one that suited her personal interests and personality. No one should put her down for her honesty, at least she did not lie her way just to score points with the judges.
The suave Awi Rafael performing “Bila Aku Jatuh Cinta“, his second hit single after “Pulanglah“…
It was also good that the finalists were put through a short acting segment to suss their potential in this particular area, since they will after all, go on to star in a movie produced by Metrowealth International Group. They are raw as evident from their voice intonation and static delivery, having no prior background before this, hence one cannot expect a flawless performance. Even most new actors and actresses in Malaysianmovies have been panned as wooden before, but they built on the opportunities given to them and improved over the years. Likewise the same can be expected from our Top 3, with Fatin Amira and Wan Anisah the better performers that night in the acting skit they were involved in. Even though the camera was not focused on them, what impressed me was they kept the scene flowing with their facial and body expressions. For that, we have to thank the likes of Mastura Ahmad, Zaidi Ibrahim and Seriwahyuni Jaes for imparting useful acting knowledge to the girls.
Fatin Amira, the deserving winner of Ratu!!!
Ratu has been a relative success in my opinion, no matter what the critics might say. Critics are always willing to give their piece of mind at anything and everything, but almost always failing to give substantial alternatives and suggestions on how to better the show. This is the first of its kind which Mediacorp Suria has embarked upon, and naturally, glitches are to be expected. Definitely the producers will do a review on how they can better the next edition or if there is another one of its kind, but for the males instead. This is a new venture on uncharted waters, which no matter the storm they faced, at the end of the day, the ship still reached its harbour safe and sound, if I were to put it in such analogy. The opportunity and experience given to up-and-coming beauties was definitely enriching for all the contestants and I am sure they came out better and confident ladies. This was evident in their catwalk during the Grand Finals. Oh how beautiful all sixteen of them looked, especially the opening segment and one wondered why were they not dolled up like that since the first episode???
Group photo of the contestants, judges, hosts and guests-of-honour after the show ended…
It has been fun covering the competition over 61 days, from the time the media conference was called to introduce the sixteen of them, right down to the Grand Finals. I gained sixteen new friends as a result, all charming and sweet ladies and I wish nothing but the best to all of them on their subsequent endeavours henceforth. If they still harbour hopes on entering the entertainment industry, then I suggest that they sign up with the various local performing arts / theatre groups to hone their craft, learn the ropes from experienced hands and come back for another shot when another reality competition comes around. It does not have to be in acting, because I know some have talents in dance or having the voice for hosting. Do not limit themselves to just acting because with their respective strengths, they can expand and try viable alternative avenues. Anything is possible. To Fatin Amira, congratulations once again on being crowned the first ever winner of Ratu in MediacorpSuria‘s history!!! I do look forward to seeing her grace our television and silver screens very soon!!!
This greeted visitors on the way to the Mediacorp TV Theatre…
Sezairi Sezali opened the show with Dato’ Sheila Majid’s hit “Ratu”…