Mohammad Shahfiq was instantly mobbed by his fellow competitors when the cameras stopped rolling, but as this shot was being taken, I could hear him tell them in Malay, “Hold on for awhile, I would like to meet my parents first…” Just look at where his eyes were looking at and you will realise the humility, gratitude and class that he possess. The judges truly crowned a deserving winner…
As the title above suggests, I am not doing any reviews at all for this particular entry, as I still have 4000-odd photographs that I still need to edit from last Tuesday‘s penultimate episode. In case anyone is waiting for me to speak about the final results or summarise the competition as a whole, well you just have to wait a wee bit longer as the fourteenth instalment of Pesta Perdana, happening this coming Friday, takes precedence. This entry is more of a filler to bridge the empty void between last week’s Grand Finals and Pesta Perdana. Here are some miscellaneous photos from the night whereby Mohammad Shahfiq became the latest winner of the Anugerah competition. These shots were taken pre-show, during the commercial breaks, post-show as well as the dinner reception afterwards. Enjoy!!!
Rahila of Akademi Fantasia 2016 fame was in attendance along with her dad, Mr. Rashun Baan…
Norfasarie was seated next to Syirah Jusni and family…
The Anugerah contestants taking a breather after their rousing opening performance to kickstart the Grand Finals show…
RIA 89.7FM’s Dzar Ismail was seated next to Haramain Osman and Judah Lyne from The Lion Story. They were joined by Anugerah Skrin 2016 winner, Yaya Hamid, The Owesome Voice’s winner, Yushini Qistina, up-and-coming singer, Yanti, Aura Shai, as well as Faziz Taufiq and Anugerah 2011 winner, Rahayu Ridwan…
The ever-gorgeous Aisyah Aziz being flanked by her mum, Madam S Hafiza Basharahil and Berita Harian’s entertainment correspondent, Ms. Haryani Ismail…
Riz Sunawan was joined by Hanie Nadia from Esplanade and Sabrina Abu Bakar from FOX International…
The live band led by Syawal Kassim (left)…
Hyrul Anuar dubbed them The ShoobShooWabs. From left: Afiqah, Nasyiba Sahari, Martin Zainol and Aidil Akmal. The latter three have recorded singles the last couple of years.
Anugerah 2007 runner-up Maiya Rahman, with her hubby, Wahyudie Malek…
Anugerah 2009 alumnus, Ize Suliman…
Anugerah 2011 winner, Rahayu Ridwan with her hubby Faziz Taufiq, who was also in the same competition year as her…
Ize Suliman, Maiya Rahman, Rahayu Ridwan and Ms. Sabariah Hirma, Managing Director of S.Ria Productions, who will be tasked in looking after Mohammad Shahfiq and Liwani Izzati in Singapore…
Maiya Rahman and Rahayu Ridwan…
Up-and-coming actress Yuslina Yussof, seen here with Anugerah Skrin 2016 contestants, Fadli Kamsani, Yamin Yusof and Iskandar Shah Zulkifli…
Anugerah 2017’s Zul Nor, Azhar Aziz, Shafie Syed, Raja Zulfikaar and Sharizal Suwandi…
Azhar Aziz insisted on having a solo shot for memories’ sake…
Anugerah 2017’s Fatihah Izyan, Nadia Nadhirah, Elza Rahim, Abby Nabila, Shalyza Rosly and Roziana Cindy…
Ize Suliman and Abby Nabila…
Judah Lyne and her proteges – Yushini Qistina, Yaya Hamid and Yanti…
Actor-Comedian Keatar H. M. flanked by Anugerah 2001 winner Indra Hamzah and 2005 winner, Hyrul Anuar…
Haramain Osman and Aura Shai joined in this group shot which included the likes of Yushini Qistina, Yanti, Yaya Hamid and Judah Lyne…
Celebrity make-up artist, Maria J, couldn’t resist having her shot taken with Nor Shafiq Ridzwan and Shafie Syed…
Shalyza Rosly, Abby Nabila and Fatihah Izyan…
Madam Zakiah Halim seen here with Anugerah 2003 winner, Eka Mairina and family…
Syirah Jusni, winner of Anugerah Skrin 2010, meets Mohammad Shahfiq, our newly-crowned Anugerah 2017 champion…
He was soon joined by Norfasarie…
And 2001 winner, Indra Hamzah…
Keatar H. M. with the good people from Mediacorp Eaglevision…
Faziz Taufiq and Rahayu Ridwan…
Good looking peeps (from left): Iskandar Shah Zulkifli, Syirah Jusni, Yamin Yusof, Yuslina Yussof, Fadli Kamsani and Rahayu Ridwan…
Mediacorp Eaglevision’s Netty Fiona joining Syirah Jusni and family for this memorable snap…
Rahila standing next to Maiya Rahman. They kinda look like they’re sisters, don’t they???
The batch of Anugerah 2017 contestants goofing about for one final time before going their separate ways…
Too many talented people in one photograph. Those that had not appeared on earlier photographs included celebrity make-up artists Zool Mimi (behind Hyrul Anuar), Sufi Rashid (middle) and Rafil Kamaruddin (next to Sufi)…
Hyrul Anuar couldn’t resist having a shot taken with Sufi Rashid…
Liwani Izzati joined Judah Lyne, Yaya Hamid, Yanti, Yushini Qistina and Aura Shai for this group shot…
They were soon joined by Sufi Rashid for the night’s last shot…
The performing artistes of Sinar Lebaran 2016 (from left): Khairudin Samsudin, Huda Ali, Iskandar Ismail (Eiss), Fuad Rahman, Sarah Aqilah, Ziana Zain, Sezairi, Nurul Aini, Sufian Ahmad and Aisyaah Aziz…
We’re in the final day of Tasyriq (three subsequent days after Eiduladha) and I thought it would still be fitting enough for me to share these long-held photographs during the night where Sinar Lebaran 2016 was recorded at the new Theatre @ Mediacorp situated at their new premises at Stars Avenue. Furthermore I was not invited to cover the recent recording of the Rayakustika programme, which was televised this past Hari Raya Haji holiday, so there seems to be a void somehow of Eid-related stuff. Anyway, I seldom post photographs of Sinar Lebaran recordings over the years so all the more I saw the need to share them. Since I had promised more stuff to be shared on my blog a few days ago, this post is dedicated to featuring some of the celebrity guests who had attended the Sinar Lebaran 2016 recording on 28 May 2016. Enjoy!!!
The performing artistes taking a group shot before they left the stage…
Fauzie Laily and his missus, Nurul Huda…
The man behind the conceptualisation of the current 11 Oktober drama series currently being shown on Mediacorp Suria, Dicky Dzulkarnaen and family…
(From left): Joe Lazarie, Azman Shariff, Mahyunis Mahfudz, Fauzah Khalid, Shan Ehan Sofian and Mariana Yati…
Loving couple Jasmani Basri and Poziah Hassan…
Anugerah Skrin 2016 alumnus – Wirda Elliesa and Syafiqah Shahlan…
Another shot of the pretty mother and daughter, Norfasarie and Moza Alyka…
(From left): Junaidi Sali, Anugerah Skrin 2016 winners, Yaya Hamid and Syaiful Ariffin and Anugerah Skrin 2010 winner, Syirah Jusni…
Iskandar Shah and Danish Ashraf were seated together with Syafiqah and Wirda that night…
Sezairi’s lovely parents, Madam Rubi’ah Chayan and Mr. Sezali Suliman…
Madam Maimunah Ali of Mona J with two of her children Janz Abdullah and Janna Jauhar…
Farhana M. Noor and Joe Lazarie…
Hafidz Abdul Rahman and Zuhairi Idris of Bonda Bedah and Mak Temah fame, were seated next to Rauzan Rahman and Endang Rahayu…
Norfasarie seen here with her daughter Moza Alyka and they were seated next to Fauzie and Nurul…
Post show – Wirda, Syafiqah and Iskandar Shah…
Den Sabari and Junaidi Sali…
Former broadcast journalist Riz Sunawan came with his mother Madam Jamaliah Sujak (left) and an unidentified guest…
Mr. Ahmad Nizam Abbas, who sits on the Board of Directors at Mediacorp, will never fail to attend with his other half, Ms. Hazliza Abdul Majid…
A beaming Sezairi with his beloved parents, Mr Sezali Suliman and Madam Rubi’ah Chayan…
A talent who usually gets cast in supporting roles, Haslinna Jaaman’s roles be in Malay or English, are no doubt essential to the drama series she’s involved in…
(From left): Mediacorp Suria’s Wan Mohd Haiz, former Suria staff Shabirin Ariffin, trailer producer Abdul Latiff and Janna Jauhar…
Nurul Aini with hubby Sofian Roslan and son, Shan Ehan…
Farhana M. Noor goofing around with her ardent fans – my daughters…
Syirah Jusni, Nurul Aini and Syaiful Ariffin…
Back then, Hari Raya was actually more than a month away, but little Shan Ehan already received his advanced earnings…
Nurul Aini, Sofian, Fauzie and Nurul Huda…
Danish Ashraf and Yaya Hamid seen here with celebrity stylist Rafil Kamaruddin and make-up artiste Zool Mimi…
Azman Shariff, Fauzah Khalid, Sufian Ahmad, Mariana Yati and Mahyunis Mahfudz all smiles…
The Mediacorp Suria promo team all smiles after a hard day’s work…
Iskandar Ismail and his lovely missus Norazura Mohd Ismail…
Yaya Hamid, Nana Karia seen here with Jasmani Basri and wife Madam Poziah Hassan…
My daughters are also fans of Wirda and Syafiqah…
Group shot of some of the performing artistes as well as staff and interns of Mediacorp Suria…
Ok I know I promised you in the last entry that my next one would be my review on Anugerah Planet Muzik 2014. However, after attending the film premiere of Banting (or Slam! in English) this past Friday 24th October 2014 at the The Grand Cathay Cineplex, I have decided to prolong your wait for quite a bit as this movie takes precedence. Editing photographs I took the other night, which were less than a hundred, is much easier than going through 3500-odd photographs to be included in my entry. Hence you can regard this as sort of a filler entry before I speak about APM2014 again. Anyway I would first and foremost like to thank Papahan Films, especially Ms. Nurazleena Ramli, the person in-charge of the film’s publicity, for the kind invitation. In my ten years of entertainment blogging, this was indeed my first film premiere invite and I was honoured to attend with the missus.
So what is Banting all about??? Well, I will be paraphrasing this paragraph and the next, since I’m taking them out from what has been typed in its official website (Credits to Papahan Films). The film tells a story of a twenty-four year old Yasmin Muhammad (played by the likeable Izyan Mellyna) who barely has the most exciting life, with a strict mother and religious upbringing. Yasmin is also sick when she’s being judged all the time for wearing a Hijab or sees discrimination upon women who don it. She wonders if a Hijab girl will ever be able to do what most normal girls can do. Things change when Yasmin chances upon a professional wrestling gym and does the unthinkable: she secretly signs up as a wrestler!!! Soon, Yasmin is trading her Hijab for a mask and her awkwardness with unbridled high-flying moves as she becomes her alter-ego, the fearsome Zarith Blade!!! (The name Zarith is I believe, a tribute to director M. Raihan Halim‘s wife, Zarith Sofia)
The film cast and director seen here being photographed with guest-of-honour, Minister for Communications & Information, Mr. Yaacob Ibrahim…
But “laying the smackdown” on people is not what Yasmin is meant to do in life. At least not according to her conservative and very strict mother, Halimah (played by the respected Mastura Ahmad). Yasmin hides her new passion from Halimah and for good reason. Halimah’s idea of having her good Muslim daughter clashes with the life of a professional wrestler clothes-lining and slamming people before a cheering crowd. Things take a precarious turn when Yasmin’s secret double life is threatened to be exposed. And Yasmin finds herself in her most important match ever: wrestling (a.k.a. convincing) her mother to give her the chance to keep her dream alive!!! Will she succeed??? Well, I will not divulge or give you any spoilers as the only way to find out is to watch the movie.
Honest-to-goodness, I am not good at reviewing movies. I’m also the kind who will pay scant respect to movie reviews unless I’m really sceptical of its storyline and need to read first before investing my money to watch it. So my views here might differ from those who watch movies looking at technical aspects and nitty-gritty details. As a watching audience, I want to be entertained, to have a feel-good factor even after the rolling credits are done and to smile just reminiscing about the movie. Banting ticked all three boxes in my list. I am also sure the rest who attended the film premiere, which was by the way, resembled a mini Pesta Perdana event with so many personalities in the local Malay entertainment scene in attendance, walked away with smiles on their faces and encouraging words being heard exchanged between them outside the theatre.
It’s a wrestling movie, so a bit of fierceness being shown here by the film cast, producer and director along with Minister Yaacob Ibrahim…
Banting in all honesty after watching it, is so close to my heart. I grew up watching wrestling, had great wrestling matches at the high jump mattress at Serangoon JC with my friends when we were in secondary school. I also used to wrestle my cousins on our respective beds and till now I still do practise some of the safer moves with my daughters and nephews. Up till this day, I religiously read the weekly World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) RAW reports just to keep up with what is happening in the WWE. We all know the storylines and moves in wrestling are fake, even Banting revealed a bit of that, but it keeps us entertained, like a soap opera, willing the good guys on and wishing the bad guys would just shut up and lose. Banting tried to create that and the wrestling fanboy in me was suitably impressed to an extent.
I take my hat off to the wrestling girls played by Gloria Tan, Abigail Chay, Syaza Qistina Tan, Ashley Erianah and Joanne-Marie Sim, besides Izyan Mellynaof course. Wrestling is not easy for ladies and I sometimes detect how difficult it is, even for the professional ones in WWE to execute some of their moves. They did try to create a convincing outlook in their matches and some of the moves did look great and believable. The person or persons who trained them can take heart that these girls did their utmost best and done well. Not easy to look pretty and having to suffer bumps, cuts and bruises in the process. I’m sure during the course of filming, the girls have taken slight knocks and injuries from botching their moves, but this is all part and parcel of filming, especially action scenes.
Another “garang” pose, this time with the film poster backdrop in the background…
Other than the wrestling aspect of the movie, the film resonates with me because of the life being led by the lead character herself and her sister Nissa (played by Adlina Adil). Like the movie, I have two young daughters myself and it has probably given me an advanced glimpse of what the future might be in for me when they eventually grow up and be young women with their own dreams and aspirations. They will have their own interests and likes which will differ to or contrast with what we want or expect from them. We are also living in a generation where everything needs to be explained with logic and rationale, without being too strict and hard-handed, lest the kids will turn rebellious and lie at the first available opportunity. During our parents’ time, a raised eyebrow, a wave of the cane, a slight raise in tone of voice, a wag of the finger and a simple “No!!!” usually would do the trick. Now no more. And what’s more, I see some of the character traits of Yasmin (the younger daughter in the movie) similar to that of my younger one – Steely, determined, fiesty, independent and strong-willed.
A good movie needs to have a good balance in how the actors bounce off each other. I see a lot of that in this movie, from the leads right down to the supporting cast. I just find the Atok character played by legendary actor Osman Zailani, very endearing. It even made me miss my own late grandfather who defended me at the slightest opportunity when my father would flare up with me when I was younger. As for Fauzie Laily who plays Yasmin‘s BFF, Zaidy, words cannot describe how proud I am for my old friend at his achievement on becoming a film star. He brought his A-game in this movie and he has improved so much since his first stab at acting in “Teman Anugerahku” back in 2005. Watching him in the movie is just like knowing him in real life. The characters in reel and real life are just too similar, the jokes and teasings, as well as the sound advices, are what I have been accustomed to from knowing Fauziesince he was still the scrawny teen from Temasek Polytechnic. Oh by the way, I like that Fauzie looked a bit chubby in this movie. Hahaha…
The lead actors in Banting: Fauzie Laily, Adlina Adil, Izyan Mellyna and Mastura Ahmad…
While I do not need to wax lyrical on the likes of Mastura Ahmad and Adlina Adil, because we know what accomplished actresses they are both on television and theatre, I feel that as a relatively newbie in the scene, Izyan Mellyna has all the attributes to be Singapore‘s very own Sharifah Amani. I cannot describe in words why I feel this way, but if there is a reference point I can compare her to, then Sharifah Amani is the one. Ok I used the word “newbie”, but really Izyan is already an experienced hand in the scene having been a child star during the days of “Ya Alif” and also has theatre background. It’s just that television viewers have been warming up to her since the start of 2014 when Walimah, followed by TeRaSeh! 2.0, Di Luar Garisan 2 and Walimah 2 came along. Along with Nurfarhana M. Noor, Izyan Mellyna is the name and talent to watch in our local Malay entertainment scene. See them soar and progress over the years, they will only get better.
Banting, is not just your typical light-hearted comedy. It brings with it moments of anxiety, also tugs a bit on our emotions (yes some people I know cried at some of the scenes :P). Above all, it feels very Singaporean and relates so much to the average Malay family here, the challenges we face as a society, as individuals, having to chase our dreams and having to appease our older folks in matters sometimes beyond our comprehension or will. Then there are the conflicts of interests. Somehow, somewhere, for those of us who have watched this movie, we can relate to them and agree that at some point of time in our lives, we have been through those kind of situations before, whether to listen to our instincts and passion or stick to the tried-and-tested success formulas. Director M. Raihan Halim and his team at Papahan Films have done well to potray all that I have mentioned either directly or subtly in the movie.
Executive producer Edmund D. Lim addressing the audience along with fellow executive co-producer and director, M. Raihan Halim, before the film commenced…
The film, which is brought to you by the same people who produced award-winning television shows like “Yazid Pakai Lampin“, “Mr. Perfect“, “Papa Rock” and “Step Puteri” amongst others, will hopefully usher in a new era of film-making and revive the local Malay film industry which has long been decimated since the demise of the Jalan Ampas studio. I will not go as far as to put undue pressure on M. Raihan Halim and declare that he is now the messiah of the revolution, but in a way, he has taken steps to break down the walls of barrier and shown fellow local Malay film-makers that it is possible to take the plunge and tread where others do not dare. He stands tall with his team from Papahan Films that such a move can be done. I share their pride at seeing their dream materialise and realised and I was honoured to have witnessed the momentous and ground-breaking occasion. Please do support and watch Banting when it is out officially at the theatres this Friday 31st October 2014 onwards and you will understand the same pride that most, if not all of us who came for the film premiere feel and share till now…
Beautiful ladies (from left): Amal (Ainon Talib’s cousin), Malaque Mahdaly, Ateeqah Mazlan, Syaza Qistina Tan and Ainon Talib…
Syaza Qistina Tan and Sezairi
Malaque Mahdaly and Syarif SleeQ
Nurul Aini and hubby Sofian Roslan
The wacky couple: Alyph SleeQ and Azzah Fariha
The mean students in “Step Puteri”: Maressa Zahirah and Syaza Qistina Tan…
Haizad Imran, Ashmi Roslan and Firdaus Rahman giving us their best wrestler impersonations…
Syirah Jusni and Ashmi Roslan
Firdaus Rahman and wife Jannah Ismaeil
Izyan Mellyna seen here with the film mascot…
Izyan Mellyna and husband Saifulnazri
Always game for a goofy photo: Nurfarhana M. Noor and Izyan Mellyna…
They are joined by SOS’s Imam Shah…
From left: Jeffrey Zauhari, Malay language ambassador, Cikgu Asnida Daud, Berita Harian’s entertainment correspondent, Madam Hanim Mohd Saleh, her husband, Mr. Azrin Rahim and Abdul Rashid Mustajab who had a cameo role in the movie…
Talented peeps in one photograph (from left): Seriwahyuni Jaes, Siti Aishah Ahmad, Faisal Ishak and wife Umie Isa, Rilla Melati, Khairudin Saharom and Mastura Ahmad…
Haizad Imran, theatre activist Hazriq Idrus, Giovanni Homme’s Rafil Kamaruddin and Firdaus Rahman…
Fauzie Laily looking so sharp in his suit together with his wife, Nurul Huda…
The film cast and crew with guest-of-honour, Minister for Communications & Information, Mr. Yaacob Ibrahim…
Suzairhe Sumari, Ariati Tyeb Papar, Syirah Jusni, Ashmi Roslan, Nizlan Sani (soundman), upcoming drama Demi Adriana’s lead, Fizah Nizam and hubby Helmindra J.A. Halim…
Syaza Qistina Tan seen here with Joanne-Marie Sim…
The lead cast of Banting…
Cikgu Asnida Daud with award-winning director Sanif Olek, Sani Hussin, Ashmi Roslan, Syirah Jusni, make-up artist Zool Mimi and Suzairhe Sumari…
Cikgu Asnida Daud, Suzairhe Sumari, Syirah Jusni, Sani Hussin and veteran comedian Osman Kong…
Nurijah Sahat, Ahmad Yusof, Azman Shariff and Osman Zailani…
Norman Ishak, CNA’s Nurul Atiqah and Wan Haddad Salleh…
Fauzie Laily, Izyan Mellyna, Faisal Ishak and Ibrahim Sawifi…
Ms. Isadhora Mohamed (centre) seen here with Ms. Noor Azmah (left) and Latiff, a staff of Mediacorp Suria…
Celebrity blogger Diah Mastura Roslan was also in attendance with hubby Hidayat Wahab…
Edmund D. Lim addressing the audience…
The main cast being introduced to the audience…
A representative of MM2 Entertainment also took time to give a short speech…
M. Raihan Halim, Executive co-producer and director of Banting…
Izzat Yusoff and wife Esliza Razar enjoyed the movie given the thumbs up and smiles…