Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific Receives Green Luminary Award 2016

Applauded for Distinctive Contribution to Asian Economy with Green Practices

SINGAPORE, April 5, 2016 – Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific announced the winning of the Channel NewsAsia (CNA) Green Luminary Award 2016. The Award recognizes Fuji Xerox, among major companies in 40 Asian countries/region, for its excellence in employing green practices throughout its business value-chain, through the development of energy-saving and environmental-friendly solutions and services.

Yaz Kuroha, general manager, Management Quality Office of Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd, received the award on behalf of the company at the Luminary Awards 2016 dinner on March 30, 2016 at the Fullerton Hotel, Singapore. The event was graced by Special Guest Minister S Iswaran, the minister for Trade and Industry. There were over 230 guests from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Taiwan attending the event.

“Environmental consciousness is one of the ten Shared Values set forth by Fuji Xerox and commonly held by all the group companies and our employees,” said Kuroha on receiving the award. “This prestigious award has validated Fuji Xerox’s commitment and efforts toward how we approach our business as members of society and individuals built upon a fundamental respect for humanity. This award encourages us to take on the next level in raising the bar in environmental sustainability and achieve our 2020 target to reduce 30% C02 emission across our product whole-life-cycle from 2005 baseline.”

The Luminary Awards selection is a rigorous eight-month process comprising selection, nomination and evaluation. Recognizing the growing role of environmental sustainability in driving business success, the Green Luminary Award is bestowed upon Fuji Xerox for being an outstanding Asian leader in utilizing green practices in its main business practice. A long-term advocate of eco-excellence, Fuji Xerox believes in contributing actively towards environmental conservation activities carried out by its customers and the society through its products and business activities. Placing harmony with the environment as its top business priority, the company extensively promotes the reduction of the environmental burden in each part of its business process including purchasing of parts, production, sales and distribution, as well as within the offices of its customers. Recognizing growing concerns worldwide, the company has added a fourth goal, that of preserving ecosystems and biodiversity.

A leading English-language Asian TV news channel based in Singapore, CNA is running the Channel NewsAsia Luminary Awards for the sixth year, to recognize the best business minds in Asia, as well as to inspire and motivate the business community and industrialists to achieve excellence in their respective fields. Besides the Green Luminary Award, the other three Award winners include notebook maker, ASUSTek Computer Inc for the Innovation Luminary Award, ride-sharing app Grab for the Future Business Luminary Award and Dr Jeffrey Cheah, chairman and founder, Sunway Group for the Lifetime Achievement Luminary Award.

Xerox, Xerox and Design, as well as Fuji Xerox and Design are registered trademarks or trademarks of Xerox Corporation in Japan and/or other countries.

BLACKBERRY PUTS GREATER PRIVACY AND CONTROL IN HANDS OF ALL BBM USERS

With BBM, what you share is always yours to control - even once it’s left your phone

Singapore – April 4, 2016 – BlackBerry Limited (NASDAQ: BBRY; TSX: BB), a global leader in secure mobile communications, today announced the launch of a new BBM release on iOS®, Android™ and BlackBerry® smartphones. With this new release*, BBM users can now take advantage of enhanced privacy and control features that allow them to take control over the messages and content that they share without any subscription fees. 

BBM users can ‘Retract’ their message and pictures from recipients to take them back from their phone if they were sent as a mistake, or if they no longer wish them to be accessible. Plus, by setting a timer, users can control how long contacts can view messages and pictures that have been shared or communicate their location for only as long as they want to. 

“Building on the renowned immediacy, reliability and security inherent to BBM, the new release provides unmatched level of privacy and control to BBM users without any subscription fees,” said Matthew Talbot, SVP, BBM at BlackBerry. “Keeping control over the messages and content that they share, BBM users can be ensured that what they share is always theirs to control.”

Additional key features include**:

Forward messages from one chat to another

Ability to mute notifications for a multi-person chat on Android

Scroll through all pictures shared within a 1:1 or multi-person chat on Android

Choose if users want pictures taken within BBM chats saved to their device

Video sharing improvements – capture and share larger videos on iOS

Redesigned chat screen look and feel on iOS

Multi-select mode to allow multiple messages to be deleted, retracted, or forwarded at           once on iOS

Retract and edit messages in group chats on BlackBerry 10

Retract chat – retract all sent messages when you end a chat on BlackBerry 10

Marshmallow (Android 6.0) support 


For more information about BBM please visit www.bbm.com


*It may take 24 hours or more for the update to appear in the app store depending on the mobile platform and region.

**Some features are not available for all devices

THE BODYGUARD 特工爷爷 Movie Review

Synopsis

The Bodyguard follows a retired bodyguard (Hung) who has settled in the dark and unknown corner of the world where China, Russia and North Korea meet. Suffering from the beginnings of dementia, the bodyguard is befriended by a young girl whose life is threatened when her father (Lau) falls in with the local crime world. When the girl and her father disappear, the bodyguard must call upon his long forgotten skills to save the life of his young friend.

Casts

Presented By  

 Irresistible Alpha Limited

 Edko Films Limited

            Focus Films Limited

            Good Friends Entertainment Sdn Bhd

            Edko (Beijing) Films Limited

            Tencent Penguin Pictures (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

            Bdi Films Inc.

            Directed By  Sammo Hung

            Starring  Sammo Hung, Andy Lau, Zhu Yuchen, Li Qinqin, Jack Feng,                                               Jacqueline Chan

Guest Appearances          Hu Jun, Feng Shaofeng, Eddie Peng Yuyan, Song Jia, Tsui

Hark, Karl Maka, Dean Shek, Yuen Biao, Yuen Qiu, Yuen Wah, Yuen Ting, Yuen Bo

Review

We always thought that with Sammo Hung, the movie will only be an action packed martial art movie. It is only partially true as there is more to this movie. It has a grandfather-granddaughter love relationship which is the heart-warming. It also have the comedy moment of the shy Sammo Hung when he is with the one sided love lady landlord.

As usual, the action packed movie was well executed. Fast and precise and there is no time to brink my eyes as I kept my eyeballs glued to the screen. The interesting thing is that it provides a blue x-ray outline of the anatomy of the body on where the body parts of Sammo's victim were affected by his powerful hits. It shows those hits are surgically aim to inflict the most damage to the victim. Oops! not a very nice thing to know. Just like an acupuncturist who know where to put his needle into the body. No wonder Sammon Hung was a successful martial art director. Even Hollywood wanted him as an martial art director in some of the Hollywood movies.

The movie also flashes many familiar faces of past famous comedy actors, Karl Marka, Dean Shek and even one very famous director / actor,  Tsui Hark. The younger generation cinema goers may not be familiar with them. There is also a martial art actor, Yuen Biao to help us to remember him. Right at the end of the movie, we get to see one of the currently hottest actor, Eddie Peng appearing in the movie to please the audience. Honestly, there is no significant of him in the movie. I believe the objective of the director is to bring some sort of surprise appearance of these past and present famous actors. It is indeed a refreshing way to put this movie on the lighter side, giving the audience, a moment to remember actors. 

Andy Lau acted as a gambler, got caught in the world of gangsters. His screen daughter, Jacqueline Chan, played the lovely, independent little girl who love to be around with Sammo Hung. Sammo Hung lost her own granddaughter and was distance away from her own daughter who blamed him for losing his granddaughter. Jacqueline Chan, does came into his life as a replacement for her lost granddaughter. He felt the attachment with the little daughter who brought much joy to his lonely life.

 Jack Feng, acted well as the gangster master. His brutality helps to contribute to the shocking moment such as the killing of Andy Lau by torturing him with a cut on the back of both ankles and a straight knife pierce into his body. No expression from Jack Feng as he seems such a confidence gangster. Honestly, as audience, we felt the knife and long for a retribution on this bloody gangster who have no love for human life. 

Overall, it was both a brutal, heart-warming action packed movie. With both Sammo Hung and Andy Lau, this movie is definitely a sold-out. Fans will love their acting and appearance. Honestly, I did not know that Andy Lau is a famous producer. In fact, he is a famous actor, producer and singer. I guessed he strive to do well in all his roles in the entertainment industry. I shall rate the movie 3.8 / 5. 

The movie started showing in cinema on 7 April 2016. 

Movie Trailer

Behind The Scene

Movie Theme Song

CES Asia Pre-Registration Up 40 Percent

Tech leaders from more than 70 countries register for Asia’s 
Second Annual Premier Tech Event

Singapore, April 6, 2016 – Six weeks before CES Asia™ returns to Shanghai, more than 17,000 high-level industry professionals from more than 70 countries have already registered to attend. Registration numbers are up 40 percent over the same period in 2015, the event’s inaugural year. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ and co-produced by Intex Shanghai, CES Asia™ 2016 will run May 11- 13 in Shanghai, China.

“Industry leaders from China and around the world understand that CES Asia fosters innovation and serves as the place for brands to position themselves to new and existing audiences throughout the growing  Asian marketplace and beyond,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association. “These strong pre-reg figures indicate tech leaders from around the world recognize the value and importance of CES Asia. From innovative startups to influential brands, CES Asia showcases the breadth and depth of innovation while providing a platform for key global and domestic business leaders to grow and reinforce their brands.”

CES Asia attendees include an array of domestic and international CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, CMOs, buyers, product designers, manufacturers, engineers, sellers and many others involved in purchasing decisions. More than 300 companies from the following 23 countries, regions and territories have already purchased exhibit space:


Belgium
China
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Israel
Japan
Netherlands
Norway
Philippines
Singapore
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
UK
United Arab Emirates
USA


CES Asia 2016 will showcase innovation across 15 product categories focused on the themes of the Internet of Things (IoT), innovation and connectivity. The showfloor will house the latest in 3D printing, vehicle technologies, lifestyle, video gaming and more. To register for CES Asia 2016, please visit CESAsia.com. An RMB 50 registration fee goes into effect on April 1 and increases to RMB 100 on-site. Registration is always free for credentialed media.

Note to Editors:  Journalists traveling from outside of China will require a J-1 or J-2 visa. For questions about exhibiting at CES Asia, contact Brian Moon at mailto:bmoon@CE.org or +1 703-907-4351.

My first visit to Bistro Kai & Boutique Hotel Kai

Boutique Hotel Kai & Bistro opened her door for business on Valentine’s Day in 2014. Slightly more than 2 years of operation, it looked superbly new and it is my first time visiting this hotel & bistro. 

Centrally located in the heart of the downtown area with less than 5 minutes of walk to any of the  three MRT stations ( Espanade, City Hall, Bugis). Great for overseas travellers, whether on business or leisure trip to Singapore, can conveniently take an MRT train from Changi Airport to Bugis MRT station. For business travellers, it is located near to Singapore two major convention centres, Suntec and Marina Bay Sands . For holidaying travellers, the excitement of Marina Bay, aged old Raffles Hotel, shopping at Orchard Road, must-have selfie with Merlion, newly opened National Gallery, various Museums, historical Singapore River, will all be within walking distance. If you decided to take a train, it will only be a few stops within downtown area. 

Marina Bay during the i Light Festival

Marina Bay Sands, Casino

National Gallery Singapore during National Day 2015 Celebration

Central Business District ( CBD) area

Merlion and the Jubilee Bridge

As I walked towards this 24 hours Hotel Kai & Bistro which is housed in a conservation shop-house building, my first impression is that it does not look like a hotel. Recalling back my memories when I visited The Settlement Hotel in Melaka in 2015 where conservation building is converted into a boutique hotel in a much bigger scale than Hotel Kai. Usually, the owner of these hotels hope to create a unique styling and personal experience for their hotel guests. 

Before you walk into the main door, you notice many signs and information. Hotel Kai was awarded 2015 TripAdvisor Excellence award. An $18 nett lunch promotion. There is so much going on for this hotel and her bistro. I even noticed a small freshwater stingray swimming at the tank below the main door counter. Something will definitely catch your eyes at the front of the hotel. 

Paying a visit to Bistro Kai, make me research on the word "Bistro". What does Bistro means. ? A bistro is, in its orginal Parisian incarnation, a small restaurant, serving moderately priced and simple meals in a modest setting.  Indeed, Bistro Kai is only able to accommodate around 30 diners, which is located at lobby of Hotel Kai, serving delicious Western staples; enjoy succulent steak and lamb chops, oven-baked salmon or gourmet open-faced sandwiches. The contemporary style decoration also houses an artisan beer and wine bar serving imported and microbrewery beers for guests who wish to chill out after a long day. Here are some quick facts on Bistro Kai. 

• Operates 24 hours
• Breakfast from 7am to 10am
• Lunch from 11.30am to 3pm ( Mondays to Fridays )
• Dinner ( from 6pm with last order at 10pm )
• Happy hour ( 5pm to 8pm )
• Only drinks and cakes are served from 10pm to 7am

Let us now review on the food.

Besides us, another group of diners are celebrating a birthday party. It is a good venue for small celebration. 

Starters

A Dozen Oysters ( $30, $2.50/pc, min. order of 6 pcs )

Oysters were air-flown from USA. With a squeeze of fresh lemon juice onto the oyster and in one mouthful, I felt the ocean freshness of the raw oyster. It is definitely fresh and very different from our local oyster. I down three oysters. Thanks to those who does not eat oysters. A good raw start. 

Crispy Baby Squid ( $12 ) - Tasty baby squid deeply fried to crispness and together with sweet dipping sauces make this starter, great with a beer. Unfortunately, I do not drink beer, so I opt for a nice healthy cranberry juice. We finished this dish in extreme quickness.

Crispy Baby Squids

Cranberry Juice

Buffalo Wings ($12) - This popular American cuisine is my first encounter. I have read and seen TV programme on the history of this dish. In fact, two American buffalo wings chefs claimed that they are the first one to come out with this recipe.  Typically, the wings are deep-fried in oil (although they are sometimes grilled or baked) until they are well browned. They are then drained, mixed with  cayenne pepper hot sauce, and shaken to coat the wings, completely covering them in the sauce. Is a bit too hot for me. Good for those who can really take hot spicy food. Bistro Kai kept up with traditional where celery and carrot are served with this dish. 

Buffalo Wings

Broccoli with 63 Degree Egg ($10) - This is a unique dish, although appearance wise may not be so appealing. Special preparation of the 63 degree egg make this dish, a touch of difference in taste together with sprinkles of black, white seasame seeds seasoning. The deep fried broccoli seems odd but the crispness together with the egg and seasoning make this a must try dish. I wonder whether the 63 degree egg is equivalent to our coffee shop half-boiled egg. 

Broccoli with 63 Degrees Egg 

Brussels Sprout with Pickled Beetroot ($14) - Deep fried brussels sprouts with mid-western classic pickled beetroot. Another of my first time tasting brussels sprouts. To me, it is a bit bitter in taste but together with the beetroot, it goes well for me. Brussels sprouts looked like small little cabbages. Not a common vegetables in this part of the world. At least, I do not get to see them very often in our market and supermarket. 

Brussels Sprout with Picklet Beetroot

Main Dishes

Kaibonara ($20) - A poached egg nestled on a bed of linguine with bacon, prawns, cheese, garlic, chilli topped with parmesan cheese. Linguine is a form of pasta which originated in Genoa and the Liguria region of Italy. Big fresh tiger prawns make this dish, a worthy try especially if you are a pasta and cheese lover. Somehow, I prefer spaghetti over linguine.  

Kaibonara ( prawns not visible )

Kaibonara ( prawns visible )

Spicy Tom Yum Risotto ($22) - Thai style spicy Tom Yum based risotto with tiger prawns. Somehow, the chef simply love to add tiger prawns into the dishes. Most of the time, we had Tom Yum soup, but this Tom Yum flavoured dish stays with the risotto which I find it very refreshing for my taste bud. Another noticeable garnish, the chef like to use is to lightly peppered the dishes with freshly chopped parsley. It does add a flavoring touch to the dishes.  

Spicy Tom yum Risotto

Sawadee Seafood Pasta ($20) - Farfelle with tiger prawns, clams & scallops in spicy Thai  green curry cream. This is an awfully delicious dish. It is also my favourite dish. With my favourite clam and Thai green curry, this is a winning dish. At $20, this is a steal with expensive tiger prawns and scallops. Unfortunately, someone decided to ask for permission to have the one and only scallop. But I am still contend with the overall taste of this superb and well presented dish. 

Indonesian Style Barbeque Pork Rib ($24) - Braised bone tender pork ribs glazed with homemade barbeque sauce infused with Indonesian spices, served with seasonal summer vegetables and french fries. Definitely another favourite dish of mine. The homemade barbeque sauce does make a difference to this dish. In my opinion, it is much better than Tony Romas BBQ pork ribs. The present of Indonesia spices not only in the pork ribs but the french fries were also peppered with 14 spices. Suddenly, everyone started to go for the french fries. It was crispy too. 

                                             Indonesian Style Barbeque Pork Rib


Australian Grade Striploin Steak ($26) - Seared sirloin steak with brown sauce, served with summer vegetables and roasted potatoes. This is definitely what you get from Steak house such as Jack's Place, the authentic medium rare steak. The same steak is also presented in cube bite size version. A bit salty and well cooked for my liking. I prefer the medium rare steak. 

Australia Grade Striploin Steak ( Medium Rare) 

Australia Grade Striploin Steak ( Cube Bite Size ) 

Desserts

We had our desserts at the hotel most expensive suite,  Urban Skyloft. We get to enjoy the nice view from the sky terraces while having our desserts. 

Thai Tea Lava Cake ($10) -  Lava cake infused with Thai Tea. I am not a dessert person. Excessively sweet desserts does not find their way into my stomach. This Lava cake is not overly sweet. In fact, the fruits toppings are a welcoming sight for me. Presentation is good. 

Homemade Creme Brulee ($8) - Freshly homemade creme brulee. The sweet top crust is not my favourite. Overall sweet but the creme and fruits are alright with me. If you ask me to choose the two dessert, I will go for the Lava Cake. 

Hotel Cabin & Suites Visit

During our dinner, we get to visit the available hotel rooms. The Hotel Manager, Emily Lim, brought us to the different type of cabin and suites available in the hotel. I am pleasantly surprised that there are a total of 33 cabins and suites.From the outside of Hotel Kai, it does not look that big. How is it possible to house so many cabins and suites? 

An example of an Urban Studio

Hotel Kai motto is "Small is More". Seems quite logical, after all, the rooms are relatively small in size, but efficiently designed and complete with all the luxurious trappings in a compact package. 

Example of a Urban Bunk. LED TVs are separately provided for each bed in this configuration. 

Example of a toilet and bathroom in one of the Suite

Remote control for bed adjustment

All guest rooms are equipped with basic amenities ( kettle,hairdryer, iron, safe box ), refreshing rain shower, remote-controlled and ergonomically adjustable bed for better lumbar support, as well as Bluetooth speakers and traveler-friendly international power sockets, Choose from 28 complimentary IPTV channels while enjoying a daily replenishment of bottled water, coffee, tea and snack, especially after a ride the hotel complimentary bicycle rental. 

Impressive and neatly designed board to keep all the necessary basic amenities. At the same time, it aids hotel staff easy accountability of these amenities.

At the Urban SkyLoft unit, it even have a personal washing machine

The cabin is stylishly furbished and can expect all the luxuries from a premium hotel without a premium price tag. The Suites are made to impress with usually high double volume ceiling rooms, framed with vintage timber slatted windows, open sky terrace and a fully equipped kitchen. The use of Mood-Enhance LED lighting helps to dim the lights and premium pocket-spring mattresses for a comfortable sleep. 

Hotel Kai is indeed a boutique hotel. 

Best Available Room Rates : 

• Urban Cabin - $148
• Urban Bunk - $160
• Urban Studio - $168
• Urban Premier - $178
• Urban Heritage - $300
• Urban Skyloft - $350

Hotel Kai provides the following services

• Free breakfast and welcome drink ( beer included ) for every room booking
• Free Wi-Fi thoughout the hotel
• Complimentary ultra-fast 4G personal Wi-F device for usage anywhere in Singapore
• Complimentary bicycle rental for a fun, healthy and green way to explore Singapore

Urban SkyLoft with addition bed on the second level. 

Urban SkyLoft additional bedroom on the second floor

Urban SkyLoft second floor ceiling opening

From Urban SkyLoft second floor bedroom, you get to see the stars and moon ( if they are sighted ) through this ceiling opening. The opening is protected by a water-tight thick glass. During the day, you get to allow natural daylight into the room. A very cool design. No wonder it is awarded with 2014 BCA Green Mark Gold Award. 

View of the iron staircase from the second floor of the Urban SkyLoft

Greetings from Elaine Heng from the Urban SkyLoft second floor.

Urban SkyLoft second floor bedroom also provide a personal LED TV.

Large open balcony or sky terrace with changeable lighting built into water- resistant outdoor sofa set. You get to enjoy the surrounding beautiful city scapes. 

Hotel Manager, Emily Lim demonstrated using this remote control to change the available coloured lights to suit individual preferences in the outdoor sofa set at the sky terrace / balcony. 

View from the sky terrace or balcony of the Urban SkyLoft

Had our dessert at the sky terrace / balcony

Remembering Tradition

The original Hainanese residents of this shophouse ( Hotel Kai ) would have used a cup like this in his everyday life. This enamel cup was present as a tribute to the rich history of this building. It shows how much Hotel Kai remember the tradition of the residenta as well as going into details and making Hotel Kai, a unique boutique in it's own way.

Another example is this traditional toilet bowl which is now used as a rubbish bin, provided in all cabin and suite in the hotel. 

More information on the hotel and bistro can be found in the following websites.

www.hotelkai.com

www.facebook.com/hotelkaisg

www.facebook.com/bistrokaisg

You can also follow their instagram at : @hotelkaisg @bistrokaisg

Address of Hotel Kai. 14 Purvis Street Singapore 188593. 

For Booking or enquiries : (+65) 66439999

Quote "ChillAtKai" when you're dining at Bistro Kai to enjoy exclusive offers and discounts. 

Personal Opinions

In my opinion, the food at Bistro Kai is excellent. Given the quality of the food, it is not expensive. Even though it served Western food, the restaurant also serves Thai and Indonesian cuisine. A good chef will know his/her spices. This is demonstrated in dishes such as the Sawadee Seafood Pasta and Indonesian Style Barbeque Pork Rib. 

Even though I have not stay in the hotel, my guided hotel tour by the hotel manager, Emily Lim , does convince me one thing, a clean room with a comfortable bed is important for a traveler. Additional provision of wi-fi and other services will only be added point to the hotel. I have gone through some of reviews at tripadvisor ( Review) by travellers who have stay in the hotel. One of them described it as "A hidden gem in great location". Indeed, Hotel Kai has a great location. Some of travellers praises the staff at the hotel. I have also read the way the Hotel Manager, Emily Lim replied to some of the reviews written by the travellers. She replied with professionalism. Polite and in a calm manner. 

I believe Hotel Kai and Bistro Kai will continue to do well into the future. Thanks to Tony and Elaine for the invite. 


Note : I do not receive any commission for this blog entry.