a fleeting stay ...

Imelda Marcos turns 80 on July 2, 2009 and told the Associated Press in an interview that “she is nearly broke”. “Here I am, at 80, still struggling to look presentable,” the widow of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos told the news agency in “her swank two-storey penthouse in Manila, wearing a dark red dress over matching pants and red slippers”. Imelda, whose shoe collection became a worldwide symbol of extravagance, and Ferdinand fled the Philippines in 1986 following the “people power” uprising, which installed Mrs Corazon Aquino as the next president. According to a 1990 news report, she left behind 508 gowns, 427 dresses, 71 pairs of sunglasses and 1,060 pairs of shoes. Nicknamed the “Iron Butterfly” during her 20 years as First Lady, Imelda was at one time known as the “Muse of Manila”. The way she had earned the title gave a fascinating glimpse into her philosophy of life: take EVERY opportunity that presents itself! She had entered the Miss Manila contest at the age o...

When my eldest brother was in his forties some 25 years ago he threw the following question to his younger siblings: "how do you live your life when you are very old?" He was referring to people in the above 70 category. My brother had some issues about growing old at the time and was questioning his own ability to age gracefully. Naturally, none of us knew the answer to the question but it did stick in my mind for a while. The announcement of Tomoji Tanabe's death who was named as the world's oldest man in June 2007 at age 111 took my mind back to the question. Tanabe was 113 when he died in his sleep at his home in southern Japan on Friday (June 19, 2009). A statement from a city official in Miyakonojo on Japan's southern island of Kyushu revealed that Tanabe, who was born on Sept 18, 1895, had eight children — five sons and three daughters. He lived with his fifth son and daughter-in-law. He also had 25 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and six great-great...

Sultry females and bold batik prints make a lethal combination as this photo of Indonesian student Cynthia Chaerunissa shows. She is wearing a sexy, one-shoulder dress which is fashioned from zebra striped batik by student designer Stacia Andani, also from Indonesia. Chaerunissa modelled the outfit at a fashion show organised by students at LimKokWing University of Creative Technology , Cyberjaya campus. Both Chaerunissa (mass communications) and Andani are students at the institution. The snazzy presentation howled Animal Print as 49 designers -- fourth and fifth semester students from Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Botswana, Indonesia -- revealed their creations. The grey and black toga-style robe looks great on the model: she reminds me of Indonesian singer/songwriter Anggun . Batik is terrific for many reasons: you can style it casual or glamorous, among others. Women and men in Malaysia have been wearing batik for a very long time and, yes, I am a fan! See the YOU section of the N...

Malaysian artist Jeganathan Ramachandram will be exhibiting his paintings in Singapore if a deal with a company to display Human Watching: A Visual Poetry on the Science of Human Watching in the island republic is successful. The intuitive artist told Survey that the move is still under negotiation. Human watching made its debut at Galeri Petronas in March, 2009 and was well received by both art critics and art lovers. Fourteen portraits representing females and males born on each of the seven days in a week were put on view. The depictions (acrylic on canvas) were based on his observations of human behaviour for the past 14 years. Images of seven females and seven males inform viewers through symbols of their strengths and weaknesses and their relationships with other people. Those who have seen Human Watching identified with their profiles almost immediately. Admit it: you are curious about yourself! Males, who were born on Sunday ( bottom picture ), were pleasantly surprised to dis...

June is a significant month for fathers and those who have acted as father figures: stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, big brothers, teachers and mentors. It is the month when some countries including Malaysia celebrate Father's Day. As American poet Anne Sexton put it: "It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was." My own father, who was a major influence in my life when I was growing up in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia, passed away a long time ago. Since then there has been one major father figure in my life: my mentor, who is also my uncle, and he has helped me through difficult times. Fathers teach by example. You learn important values from them and you acquire some of their tastes for things. It could be anything: a love for English literature, words and books, among others. Sometimes you did not agree with their viewpoints but realised later that they were right about many things. As a child, growing up in a hometown known for its laid-back wa...

Mer? has announced the winner of her Giveaway Game. Find out the name of the lucky lady who will now own a striking mer? original handbag.

Tomorrow (June 12, 2009 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) mer? will announce the winner of her Giveaway Game! There's a feeling of excitement in the air! I wonder who will go home with a gorgeous bag (as shown in the photos above) -- the coveted prize of the game -- made by mer? herself. I am certain the winner will enjoy the bag because mer?'s bags have the capacity to make their owners feel special. That is how I feel when I use mer?'s creations. Do take a walk through mer?land . Thank you mer? for allowing me to use your photos.

This image seems hauntingly surreal, yet it is based on a photograph of an actual place. It is a computer graphic of an area which takes visitors to Dr Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum at the Zhong Mountain Scenic Area in the east suburb of Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. The mausoleum of Dr Sun, widely known as the father of the Republic of China, is considered the Holy Land of both local and overseas Chinese. Don't miss it when you are in Nanjing. The CG was created by Japanese creativity teacher Shunya Susuki in November, last year. Susuki, who is also an architect and urban planner, creates and innovates during his spare time.