You're personally invited to a night of 'Conversations with The Youth' on July 25

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Borneo Post

10 hours ago

• Borneo Post

SMK Kunak Jaya (B) Sabah State National Storytelling champion

Performance by SMK Kunak Jaya (B) team.-Information Department photo KOTA KINABALU (July 26): Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kunak Jaya (Team B) emerged as the champion of this year's Sabah State-level National Storytelling Competition. SMK Kunak Jaya (Team A) was the runner-up, followed by SMK Putatan in third place. SMK Bandau Kota Marudu, SMK Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu and SMK Menumbok Kuala Penyu secured fourth, fifth, and sixth places respectively. Deputy Director of Information, Supian Musa, stated that the competition aimed to foster love and pride as Malaysians, especially among school students. 'Additionally, they can learn about national art figures and personalities related to the country's development. Through this competition, they also discover the sacrifices these figures made for the nation in the struggle for independence, as well as their contributions to our country's arts and culture. With this event, students gain awareness of the dedication and services rendered by these icons,' he told the media after the judging session for the Sabah State-level National Storytelling Competition Finals here on Tuesday. The official announcement of the competition results was made on the Sabah State Information Department's Facebook page on Saturday. Supian, who is also the chief judge of the competition, added that such contests amplify patriotic spirit and love for the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag) in conjunction with the upcoming National Day on August 31. 'What I've observed after over five years as chief judge is that teams are showing improvement in their ability to creatively interpret history and stories about their chosen figures. We hope students will deeply appreciate these figures and subsequently communicate their stories through theater,' he said. As champions, SMK Kunak Jaya (B) will represent Sabah in the video-recorded National-level Storytelling Competition in August. The top six teams will then compete in person on September 16.

New Straits Times

20 hours ago

• New Straits Times

#SHOWBIZ: Is the cinema night history?

IN a world where Hollywood blockbusters share digital space with quiet indie gems on streaming platforms, the classic movie-going ritual is facing stiff competition. But are younger Malaysians really breaking up with the big screen? Or is there still magic in the cinema lights and surround sound? The smell of popcorn, the hush that falls as the lights dim, the collective gasp during plot twists; they're all part of the full experience. Amira (not her full name), 22, agrees. "I prefer cinemas, hands down," she says. "There's the atmosphere, the anticipation. You plan the outing, you dress up, and you sit there with your friends. No distractions, just the movie the way it's meant to be watched." But she admits it's not perfect. "Tickets and snacks can burn a hole in your wallet. And you can't just sprawl in bed or pause to grab snacks like you can at home. But for me, the trade-off is worth it. It's something to look forward to." Amira isn't alone in choosing the big screen. Haziqah, 23, agrees that cinema outings still hold strong appeal. She doesn't enjoy watching movies on phones or laptops and says cinema visits are a chance to spend quality time with loved ones. "It can be expensive, so I don't go every week. But once in a while, it's a treat." Then there's Ameen, a self-declared moviegoer, who believes some films are simply designed for theatres. "The sound system, the screen... it's immersive. That's the whole point of cinema." He also points out one overlooked cinema con: "Sometimes there's a serious toilet shortage during packed shows." Still, streaming platforms aren't rolling the credits anytime soon. For Alysa, 21, the choice is clear: comfort always wins. "I like streaming more," she says. "You can pause, you can lie down, and if I fall asleep, which happens a lot, I can just rewatch later." She also appreciates the cost savings and flexibility. "You pay once a month and you can watch whatever, whenever. It's great for someone like me who likes rewatching things and hates sitting still for too long." There's no denying streaming services offer the kind of freedom that cinemas can't match. With ever-growing choices, viewers can build their own movie nights around their moods, dinner plans, or attention spans. And with smart TVs, soundbars, and projectors becoming more affordable, the line between "home cinema" and actual cinema is blurry. For many in their early 20s, juggling studies, side gigs, and social lives, the option to press play at midnight or watch a movie in parts over a few days just makes sense. The streaming-first strategy reshapes entire viewing cultures. Rom-coms, once cinema staples that drew dating couples and friend groups, now debut directly on platforms. Animated films that traditionally introduced children to theatrical magic are increasingly launched in living rooms instead. This shift creates cascading effects. Children growing up without regular cinema experiences might never develop the communal viewing appreciation that previous generations took for granted. The ritual of "going to the movies" risks becoming as antiquated as drive-in theatres or video rental stores. But the cinema is evolving. Reclining seats, gourmet snacks, and loyalty apps are all part of the industry's strategy to keep audiences returning. Some now offer exclusive premieres with cast appearances, special merchandise, collectible posters, and early-bird freebies that aren't available elsewhere. Limited 35mm screenings of films shot on film stock add another layer of appeal for cinephiles. These unique draws create a sense of occasion that can't be replicated in a living room. In the middle of this cinematic tug-of-war lies the hybrid audience: those who stream casually but reserve cinema trips for the "worth it" titles. These are the folks who'll watch comedies and rom-coms on streaming platforms but head to the cinema for the next Christopher Nolan spectacle or a Marvel finale. The pros and cons of both are clear. Cinemas offer unmatched atmosphere, communal energy, and that spine-tingling moment when the opening scene begins. Streaming offers accessibility, control, and affordability. Rather than declaring victory for either side, perhaps the real winner is choice itself. Young Malaysians can now tailor their movie experiences to match their moods, budgets, and social preferences. And as long as there are friends to laugh with and the occasional plot twist that demands to be seen on the big screen, there'll always be a place for both.

The Star

a day ago

• The Star

Sony's 2025 music talent showdown in KL via a karaoke contest will see the winner walk away with a one-year contract

The Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) Festival 2025 has officially kicked off at Central Town, MyTOWN KL Shopping Centre, transforming the heart of Kuala Lumpur into a vibrant hub of entertainment, travel perks, and lifestyle experiences. And the search for the best singing talent is on. A major draw for this year's festival is the Sony Music Talent Showdown, where aspiring singers compete live via karaoke, and the winner will have the opportunity to sign a one-year recording contract with Sony Music Malaysia. The singing competition will begin during the preliminaries on Saturday (July 26), and the final round will be held on Sunday. According to Sony Music Entertainment Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Special Projects South-East Asia Managing Director Kenny Ong, the recording contract is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring singers where the company will handle everything from songwriting, song recording, to marketing and promotions. 'If the winner performs during that period, we might consider extending the contract,' Ong said during the festival launch. "This is a ground where we welcome Malaysians to show off their talent and at the same time get a chance to make a name for themselves with Sony," said Kenny. Veteran singer Naqiu is aomg the top judges for the singing competition. For the record, veteran singer Naqiu is also one of the chief judges for the singing competition. Besides the once-in-a-lifetime singing competition, the ASR Festival 2025 also offers a lot for shopping fans, Running from July 24 to 27, the four-day celebration promises a dynamic blend of live music, exclusive hotel deals, interactive activities and prize giveaways — all with free admission. Organised by Ascott Malaysia, the festival is a highlight on the city's lifestyle calendar, attracting families, music lovers and savvy travellers alike. This year's event sees major collaborations with Sony Music Malaysia, CIMB, Astro Rocketfuel, ShopBack and Jaecoo by Weststar, making it one of the most exciting editions to date. Meanwhile, during the festival celebration period, mallgoers will also be entertained by performances from popular local artists, including Naqiu, Wany Hasrita, Kidd Santhe, Vanessa Reynauld, and Yulia, offering a front-row seat to Malaysia's rising musical talents. In keeping with Ascott's hospitality focus, the festival features unbeatable travel promotions across its brands in Malaysia and South-East Asia. Shoppers can unlock exclusive room deals, bonus rewards and flash sales, with additional perks available to ASR members. For non-members, on-site sign-ups unlock instant access to benefits like priority bookings, bonus points and giveaways. Area General Manager Central Malaysia Sharon Ang described the festival as 'a celebration of lifestyle, community and travel', adding that the event reflects Ascott's vision of making travel more rewarding and accessible. 'Whether you're discovering new destinations or discovering new talent, the ASR Festival is where those journeys begin,' she said during the festival launch on July 24. Beyond music and travel, Ang highlighted that ASR Festival 2025 delivers a fun-filled experience with interactive games, hourly lucky draws and a merchandise pop-up. The excitement peaks during the 'Happy Hour Sales', where festival-goers can snag limited-time deals and surprise rewards.