An interview with Faiz Damit

For starters, thanks for taking some time out of your day! Many people aren't aware Brunei has a 'local son' on the Pro circuit - can you briefly tell us a little about your golf background?

HI, You're most welcome. I actually started golf when I was 6, but it wasn't serious until end of 2003 where I played seriously and starting to take the game seriously. It all started from my father who is also a single-handicap golfer. Without him I don't think I would be on the pro circuit.

As a golf destination, what do you believe are some of the best Borneo courses for amateurs/casual players? And which ones are more challenging to seasoned professionals?

I would actually say Brunei can be one of the good destinations in Borneo to play golf. Even we only have five 18 hole Golf courses, we have Empire Golf and Country Club where it is designed by Jack Nicklaus and can be played by both amateur and Professional players. Royal Brunei Golf and Country Club is one of the toughest courses in Borneo, I reckon. It can very tricky. Also Royal Brunei Airlines Golf Club is a public course where amateurs can enjoy their golf the most.

Globally, golf seems to be picking up in popularity. How accessible is golf in Brunei and Borneo, for residents - and visitors/tourists?

I agree, golf has been picking up popularity among the youngsters especially. Its very easy to play golf, driving ranges are always open to the public. Certain golf courses are open to the public too. So I reckon visitors and tourists can play golf easily in Borneo and Brunei.

We had an exciting playoff for the Brunei Open in 2008! Who do you think some of the names are people should follow in this year's Brunei Open event?

The entry list is actually not out yet. So I'm not sure who all is coming to the Brunei Open this year. If Frankie Minoza is coming, people should follow him. He's one the legends in Asia. Maybe people can follow me and support me! (laughs)

We know you must get this all the time, but do you have any advice for casual/amateur players on improving their long game? Or what about for putting?

For long game, my advice will be don't try to hit hard. Have a good tempo for your swing and you will find the fairways and greens. For putting: don't think about mechanism of putting. Concentrate on the putting line and the speed of the green.

Thanks again for taking the time; we hope to cheer you on from the gallery in an event soon!

photo & interview by Gferro

Catch Brunei Pro Golfer, Faiz Damit, on Sony Style TV Magazine, which will be aired on ASTRO CH701, AXN this Tuesday (14 July ) 2030 Hours.

BiG 5

1. Goldpages Expo @ the Mall (9-12 July)
for more information, click here.

2. NBT Treasure Hunt (12-13th July)
for more information, click here.

3. Borneo Cultural Festival ( Jul 3 - 11 2009)
in Sibu Town Square, Sarawak.
for more info, email: smc@sms.gov.my

4. 12th Rainforest World Music Festival
to read more, click here.

5. BiG July/Aug/Sept Issue is OUT!!!
Go grab your copy at all popular outlet.
Where to get? Click here.

Is your Birthday Coming Soon?

Why not gather up your circle of friends (better still your family!) for a round of good food and merriment at Savy's Brasserie.
We have just uncovered their 'hassle free celebration package', which includes customized menu, complimentary birthday cake, complimentary mocktails, complimentary group pictures, personalized greeting card, parking tickets if you wish to come at lunch time and best of all, FREE shuttle service for you and up to 7 guests . (we presume its from BSB pick up locations ONLY!)
For inquiries and bookings please call Danny on 8956291 or 2222919.

Rainforest World Music Festival

What is the 'Rainforest World Music Festival?'

It's when the world of music comes to the rainforest. Quite literally so!

So, where is this 'rainforest?'

At the foot of majestic Mt. Santubong, the rocky crag that guards the west mouth of the Sarawak River, in the Sarawak Province of Eastern Malaysia, on the island of Borneo.

And how will the 'world' get there?

No problem! First, they may fly to Kuching International Airport, then they will head overland south through the suburbs of Sarawak's capital, Kuching, past a few picturesque cottages under coconut palms, until the road more or less reaches the beach at Sarawak Cultural Village (hereafter referred to as the SCV).

So the music festival is in a village?

Yes, and a very special village at that: the SCV shows you Sarawak's diverse cultures - such as the houses, costumes and lifestyles - in one idyllic village built around a little lake. The darkly forested flank of Mt.Santubong serves as both a backdrop and easy landmark.

Ok, and the music will be Sarawak's indigenous stuff – drums, flutes and those boat-shaped guitars?
You will certainly hear the Borneo drums and flutes, and the plaintive sape guitar – but that's just a small portion! Over the years, we've had musicians from all parts of Africa, with more drums than you ever dreamt of! Gourd drums, log drums, clay pot drums, snakeskin drums, more than you can imagine. Musicians and singers have flocked to the Rainforest World Music Festival from all parts of South America – have you ever seen, or heard, an armadillo skin mandolin? Did you know Madagascar has a musical tradition all of its own; have you ever heard the Mongolian 'throat-singers'? We've had Italian folk singers here, Scots with bagpipes and fiddles (yes, the fellows were wearing kilts), Vietnamese, Korean and Chinese chamber music, and we welcomed a sultry singer from Sudan who is also a skilled henna-painter. Hence, the name is the Rainforest World Music Festival.

Oh, I see! No symphony orchestras, then?

No, not if you were expecting the likes of Beethoven. However, more classical offerings will be presented by the Gamelan Orchestra and the Chulalongkorn University Ensemble. In between the 'wilder' stuff, it helps to calm the audience - or they'd soon be exhausted from jumping all during the show!

They'd stand up in their auditorium seats, you mean?
Not exactly . . . the Rainforest World Music Festival isn't held in a concert hall. Every afternoon, there are what we call 'workshops,' when the musicians perform in the various village houses and the audience simply settles down on the floors around them. The big evening concerts are given on a huge open-air stage, but here, too, the audience settles on the ground. I've seen families stake out their claim to a good spot in mid-afternoon; they spread a sitting blanket, and they take turns 'holding' their spot for later on in the evening. This is to make sure that they'll get a great view of the concert. Everybody throughout the village gets a good hearing, I can assure you - the sound system is awesome! Additionally, there are large screens set up in several spots so you can view the concert from almost anywhere in the village. But if you want to get into the real spirit of the thing, the nearer the big stage you can sit, the better.


I get the point. All the action will be near the stage, though I can get a view on screens in some quiet, remote spots too?


That depends on what you call 'remote,' but no place is quiet when World Music comes to the Rainforest! The 10,000+ spectators, or should I say participants, tend to get hungry. There are some very nice hotels within walking distance, but the village is well provided with food-stalls. And drink stalls, too!

That's good to know. But once I've had food and a drink, what else can I do if I don't find a spot near the main stage?

As I said, watch the show from one of the screens. And of course you must drop in at the Rainforest World Crafts Bazaar!

But if I came here especially for the music, I don't want to leave the Festival village!

No need to go anywhere else; the Rainforest World Crafts Bazaar is right inside the village. You can browse the world's traditional crafts while listening to the world's traditional music – can't do much better than that, can you?

Hmm, sounds okay … but how come I've never heard of this 'crafts thing' before?

The Rainforest World Crafts Bazaar only started last year, and it was so successful that it's going to be a regular event of the music festival. Craftspeople from all over Sarawak, Sabah and West Malaysia showcase their skill to the international festival visitors. Craftspeople from other countries take part to bring their own 'exotic' crafts to the Bazaar. There is also a lot of interaction between the local and the foreign artisans. Two basket-makers may not speak each other's language, but they understand each other's craft.

Go on! Don't tell me you had an 'international basket-weaver' at the Bazaar!
As a matter of fact we did; a lady from Denmark. She brought along a golf bag full of willow wands which she worked into baskets and fancy items while people watched, fascinated. A family group from Kyrghyzstan brought along felt crafts – you know, the tall hats Jengis Khan is supposed to have worn? There were gossamer shawls from India and funky rag dolls from Japan, colourful novelties from Korea and hand-crafted glass beads from the USA. And wait until you see the Indonesian pavilion, crammed with traditional bamboo crafts, metalwork, ceramics, shell craft, textiles…

Hey, it sounds great. Music and crafts and fun and games, all in one lovely rainforest location. I think I'd better bring my sister and her boyfriend too – how can we reserve seats?

As I just told you, there aren't any reserved seats. You will need a ticket to get into the Rainforest World Music Festival, and once you're inside the SCV you can sit wherever you please, on a veranda, or on the grass, or in front of a hearty meal at the food stalls. Get all the details from www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com -- and we'll see you in the Rainforest World!

Wagyu @ Sheraton

We were delighted when we received this mail the other day from our friends over at the Sheraton Utama.

For all you wagyu-newbies out there,
wagyu are the heavily-marbled (with fat that is!) cuts of meat from cattle originally bred in Japan. The high fat content of the beef is achieved from their unusual feed and the massages (yes, body-massages!!!) they get from their breeders. But once you have tasted these melt-in-your-mouth morsels you won't want to settle for anything less, ever!

We can't wait to pop by to Deals for our dosage ... and soon!!! No Bulls… Just Great Wagyu

Exclusive only @ Sheraton.
Sirloins and Rib Eye at B$55+ per order, limited stock only. So book now to avoid disappointment @ 2244272 for information.

pic source

BiG release

Thanks everyone for your patience! The new issue of the Borneo Insider's Guide, BiG Magazine, is out, and on its way to your favourite hotspots. Be sure to grab your copy soon. Our theme for this issue is 'Majestic Borneo,' and one glance at what we have lined up, and it is easy to see why . . .

We have wonderful features lined up for you, including coverage just in time for His Majesty the Sultan's 63rd Birthday. There is an EXCLUSIVE BiG Talk interview with Brunei's own Royal Historian. Want to know more about the upcoming BRIDEX show? We have you covered! Elsewhere in Borneo, we have Insider's info on the fantastic Lok Kawi wildlife park in Sabah, and the often-overlooked (but very cool!) destination of Sibu in Sarawak.

We have lots of events to mark on your calendar, courtesy of our BiG Dates section. You will get the BiG Scoop on some nifty new finds. Our BiG Listings are chock-full of restaurants and movies (including some BiG-only discount vouchers!), and an extra primer on Hari Raya and what sungkai offers are in store next month. Our BiG Getaway section has some real gems in the region. The months of July, August, and September are loaded with places to visit, things to see, and adventures to undertake . . . and we are covering them all in this issue of BiG, the Borneo Insider's Guide!