Teroka

Two months is a long time to be in a production. I still remember the first time I arrived in Lumut for the telemovie. I literally didn’t know anyone. I talked to a few from the production team, only through the phone. I didn’t know how they look like, and didn’t know any of the cast that I would be working with as well. Not so bright of me, I don’t know why it didn’t occurred to me to ask them on who would be involved.

But like I said earlier, I met some wonderful people on set.

Rozie Rashid played my mother. Of all the people that were on set, I think I clicked with her the most. She was not only pretty, but talented as well. Considering my role in the production as her youngest son, that was the closest to her, its only fitting that we were close even outside of production. She was more like a big sister, rather than a mother (my real-life mom is almost twice her age). It was so easy working with her, but I don’t know if she had trouble working with me. I know I’m new, and there’s just a lot of things that I am still learning. There were so many times we couldn’t stop giggling when on set. I couldn’t look her in the eyes, afraid that I would laugh, because I did, a couple of times, all the while, hoping the director would not scream at me, because I know its my fault she’s losing her concentration as well.
She inspires me a lot. Giving me a lot of encouragement, to just go out there and do it, do whatever I feel like doing. Trying out stuff, and not to look down on myself too much. And one thing for sure, she is a wonderful wonderful mother, which reminds me so much of my mother back home.

Then there’s the dad, which I met on my very first day. Hairie Othman intimidates me a little bit I think. Knowing for a fact, I’ve seen him on films before, and how he was the heartthrob of his era, I felt quite small compared to him. He looked as though he could step on anyone he wants to, literally I mean. But after being with him on set, he softened down, and he is such a pleasure to work with. Very much like Rozie Rashid, he is also more like a brother to me in real life. Off camera, he is one passionate man, trying very very hard to make a good living for him and everyone around him. Despite what he had to go through before, or what others said about him, I see him as one determined guy, that loves his children more than anything, and just wanted to be taken seriously at times.

My eldest brother on screen, is the wonderful Zack from the pop group X-Factor. He is a character, I tell you. I couldn’t help laughing at his antics. Seems serious at times, but if he had his way, we would never be able to finish on time. He would always have something crazy to do on set. And one of his favourite thing to do, is to jump out of god knows where, whenever the director yells “Action!”. It was not until later in the production that I had a chance to meet him, so during the second half, I saw a lot of him. We had a lot of scenes together, and I pray to god I’d have short scenes with him. Imagine, if I couldn’t keep my cool when I’m with Rozie Rashid, how would it be if I had to do scenes with a clown. Yup, he brightens up the set, and thank god, cause by the end of the production, most of us were already all stressed out.

Ezany played my second brother, the one with the brain. I was supposed to work with him late last year, but I had to pass it. So I never got the chance to talk to him prior to this production. He is most famous for his belacan business, but I guess not many knew (I certainly didn’t) about his kicaps. And I’m a big fan of his kicap on set. He seems more serious than most of us. But I understand why. He works, and he knows when to separate his personal life from his professional life. He knows how to balance both, and he has a pretty sweet ride too. But too expensive for my lifestyle, and wallet. Near the end of the production, I can see that he had loosen up a bit, and that was nice. He is a couple of years older than me, but I feel so immature whenever I’m near him.

(more…)

I knew what I sign up for when I decided to do a 26 episode TV Series. The location is almost 80% in Perak, which means I would have to spend a lot of time away. And now, with only two days left, I’m back in KL, waiting for the last two days.

Honestly, I never really did do anything when I was in Perak. Sometimes I hardly leave the room (if I decided to stay the night lah). But I’ve encountered some really nice people, and some that weren’t that nice too.

I remember having teh-tarik in this one mamak in Sitiawan. It was raining, and it was getting dark too. I refused to go to wait for my scenes at the location. I’m very fond of mapleys, really. Its just so simple, and well, real. Hygienic side is a different story. Anyhow, there were a group of boys, from a nearby College was there. There were 7-8 of them. And when some of the recognizes me, the whole bunch came, and sat at a table next to mine. I was writing my “future plans” at that time. They were being really friendly, and asked some questions, mostly regarding the “Dunia Baru TV Series” and what the hell I’m doing there alone. I left right after they leave. I reminds me a lot of the time I would go out late at night with friends from University. And I missed those days deeply.

The first scene I had to do was in Lumut, in a CraftShop by the Jetty. I was surprised to see them selling IKEA candles at a much higher price, without even taking off the IKEA label at the bottom of those candles. And whenever I have the time (we were there all day, for a couple of days), I would walk to another mamak a couple of shops down. And I remember fondly, on how each and every person working there would read what ever it is that I was reading, over my shoulder. They would be even more fascinated after seeing my pictures in the magazines as well. They would always ask questions, none of which I could either understand, or explain. But there would always be exchanges of smiles, and instantly, we would feel satisfied. (more…)

To avoid from giving out spoilers, I’ll just put up teasers. In case you don’t already know who the winner is. I’ve been following Survivor Micronesia religiously, every week, for the past 14 weeks (that’s 3 months and 2 weeks), without missing any of the episodes. Even the time I went to Cambodia, or the time I missed my plane to Phuket, or even when I was away in Perak for work. I would still try to come back home, so that I could watch my favourite show. I would drive 0300hrs in the morning if I had to, that’s how much I like the show.

Survivor Micronesia, is the 16th edition of the TV show from CBS in the states. When people thought of another All-Stars edition, they came up with the Fans vs Favourites edition, which is even better. The Favourites consists of castaway from the 9th-15th edition of Survivor, while the Fans were 10 of the most hardcore audience that have always wanted to be on the show, and they definitely made their time on the island worth.

(more…)

Alright now, I have no problem admitting to watching Akademi Fantasia, now in its 6th season. My nephews would watch it, and its just a nice thing to be doing with the family. I thank god my family could still appreciate some of our local ‘flava’.

Of course I have my favourites, and it varies in terms of why I am rooting for them.

With that being said, my first pick is Saida, simply because she’s Saida. There is something about her personality that catches my eyes. I think, although she is not yet at a good stage vocally, but I think that is even better. She has got her fans rooting for her, and also her sister’s fan rooting for her as well. So that’s a good start. She starts weak, then she’ll have some room for improvement, and hopefully people would be able to identify that. That is, if she improves on her vocals and self confidence-lah. I think she improved a bit from last week, and I don’t really know whats up with the nervous breakdown, since she danced alright, and I kinda like her weird rendition of ‘Doktor Cinta‘. Can she win? I won’t bet my money on it though. The finals, yeah, probably.

My second pick is Nubhan. One, because his name is Nubhan. I mean, I’ve never heard such name (katak bawah tempurung ni), and it is such a nice name. But he is so kid like, dengan misai maharaja Ching-nya. But I picked him because of his voice. He has got a nice tone to it, but I think people would grow tired of that husky-slightly-Indonesian tone. He’s lucky to have had 2 songs up until now that didn’t really challenged him. It was definitely his cup of tea. I could imagine him jumping up and down, sambil menggentel misai yang baru nak tumbuh, when he got that assignment. I would want him to win, but I have to listen to him sing other songs first. You never know..

I don’t vote, you see. Simply because, its supposed to be a talent competition, but everyone knows its a popularity contest instead. So I would only vote for Saida and Nubhan, because I would of course want to see both of them in the finals. But both of them singing, for now, well, not impressive, and I’d be doing it just because, right now, personality-wise, they are popular in my head. So we’ll see.

So good luck to both of them..

Now I’m gonna talk about Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs Favourites. 10 of Survivor’s biggest fan, going against 10 of their favourite past players. Airai, the orange fans tribe consists of Khaty, Alexis, Joel, Jason, Chet, Mikey B, Tracy, Natalie, Mary and Erik. Malakal, the purple favourites tribe consists of Ozzy, Amanda, James, Parvati, Yau Man, Johnny Fairplay, Eliza, Ami, Jonathan and Cirie.

It all started great. The fans has got the knowledge of the past survivors, and the past survivor knows their game very well, I think. And now, its already in its 7th episode, and a lot had happened since.

There’s nothing worse than having to pull yourself out of a game you love so much, because of injury, especially when you have no say on that matter. Lets not talk about who’s out, but those left in the game still.

Now they’re down to 7 favourites and 4 fans. I’m more intrigued on how they would play the game, and where they’ll finish. I think, those fans want to win the million bucks, but then again, they’re way too focused on wanting to beat the favourites. If you concentrate on trying to prove yourself to others, and not yourselves, more often than not, you’d end up burnt.

For now, for the fans, not looking that good. All I can say is that, If they can make it to the final 2, i think it would be an easy win against a favourite, simply because, who wouldn’t want to vote for someone who managed to outplay a past survivor. But if its against another fans (doubtful, now that there’s only 4 of them, and they haven’t even merge yet), its anybody’s game. I’m rooting for (right now) Jason and Alexis.

As for the favourites, they’ve come a long way, and with the majority, it won’t be a surprise seeing them pick on the fans one by one when the merge comes into play. But what I seriously don’t want to see is another case of Rob-Amber alliances with James-Parvati and Ozzy-Amanda. My ideal final 2 would be a fan and a favourite (of course). I’m rooting for Ozzy and Amanda from the favourites tribe.

And the challenges this time around. Some of it are sooooo good, i’d easily get an orgasm just seeing it. Haha. I love love love the challenges and how I wish I was there to compete. Dang! My favourite up until now, would be the one in which they had to swim to release several coconuts from underwater and make up a word out of all the coconuts.

Cirie still cracks me up, “Ozzzzzyyyyy…”. And Jason’s misinterpretation of the hidden immunity idol, “Sweeeeeet…”. Haha!

So to tally what happened up until now on Survivor Micronesia’s 7th Episode:

1. 6 Fans are out of the game.
2. 3 Favourites are out of the game.
3. 2 Castaways quit the game, one from each tribe.
4. 1 Castaway was taken out of the game due to an injury.
5. 4 Fans left in the game, 2 males and 2 females.
6. 7 Favourites left in the game, 2 males and 5 females.

6 episodes to go, 11 castaways left, who would indeed win the million dollars..

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Survivor China, CBS’s 15th (yup, 15th!) installment on the reality show is due to premiere on the 20th of September 2007. And I’m ecstatic. Why? Maybe because I’ve seen all the other 14 seasons religiously. And I am not ashamed to admit it anymore (and yup, I used to). Because it makes me happy, and it makes me do things I sometimes never thought I’d be able to do. Unless you can make me happier, try not ridicule my interest.

I’ve wrote about this before, so I don’t intend to make it a long one.

I like the fact that the show sometimes make me think about stuff. I know it might be stupid. Clearly there are lots of other things, perhaps better things, that could do the same. But hey, it works for me.

I remember the time Survivor Marquesas was on air, and I went to Perhentian, my very first trip to an island on my own. And I was brave enough to actually dive into deep waters without even knowing how to swim. I did a couple of other crazy things as well. And I did it a couple of times and I was so happy, the fact that this kid for the city, can do almost about anything a kid who grew up on an island could do. And later, after I came back, I took my swimming lessons.

And when Survivor Amazon was on air, I went for my 8-days hiking up Gunung Tahan. With 7-days of rain, 10-hours of sleep in wet clothes sitting down, walking for hours without uttering a word to anyone, it was every person for themselves. I learned that a friend can either make you, or break you. And as pathetic as it may be, I realized on how much I miss my parents, my mom the most, right at the top of the mountain, having to fend for myself.

The thing is, it sticks with me. The things that I learned. I grow with it. I make decisions accordingly. And I’m happy that there is something that keeps me grounded. Yes. The show, it keeps me grounded. It reminds me to give more than I take.

And now, just like any previous seasons, I have got my favorites. And I made up (for my own amusement) my pre-premiere favorites, my post-1st-episode favorites, and my post-merge favorites. Then I see if any one of those two would make it to the final three. Better yet, win the whole thing.

So, one guy would be Erik Huffman (CBS Profile). Clearly, I’m all about the curls. And I’d root for them anytime. And he’s 26, same as me. In his interview, he said that he never tries to be the bad ass guy. We do that all the time, cause we think it’d make us look better, and that we’re living our life on the edge. Like rempiting. So I like the fact that, he is proud to be somewhat nice and proper. Not naive, or clueless, or anything like that. Just plain nice.

And my female pick would be Amanda Kimmel (CBS Profile). She’s young and she’s attractive. I like the fact that she has got that balance going on, being a beauty pagent at the same time a hiking guide. I’d like to think that life should be balance in all matters. Being able to look good inside out, when you’re all out in the dirt. Things like that. And brunette. Brunettes are definitely better than blondies. In someway more than the other.

Well, coincidently, both are models, and maybe I am that shallow, but its always nice to look at pretty people right. Especially when the have got everything, the brain, the brawn and the beauty going on.

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Related:

• CBS Survivor China Official Website