ពីនេះពីនោះ From Royal Plowing Ceremony 2008

Anticipating a great photo op, I decided to tag along with Dad to the Royal Plowing Ceremony at Veal Preah Meru (វាលព្រះមេរុ) this morning. As a matter of fact, I used to see it only on TV before. It was really awesome to witness it live for the first time. Unbelievably colorful. I’m loving it! Yay!

Let’s see what I got from the day! Cheers!

Morning Procession. The ceremony started with a breathtaking procession from the Royal Palace to Veal Preah Meru – where the ceremony was held. Presiding over the ceremony were His Majesty the King and hundreds of officials, dignitaries, diplomatic corps and the public.

Happy 54th Independence Day!

Cambodian soldiers stand in front of a monument during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 09, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

 

Cambodian students attend the Independence Day celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007 to mark the country’s 54th Independence Day from France, Nov. 9, 1953. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

 

 Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni (R) walks past an honour guard during Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 9, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

 

 Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, left, greets students during the Independence Day celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007. King Sihamoni is jointed by thousand of civil servants and students to mark the country’s 54th Independence Day from France, Nov. 9, 1953. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

 

Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni, right, and Buddhist Patriarch prepare to release a dove during the Independence Day celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Nov. 9, 2007. King Sihamoni is jointed by thousand of civil servants and students to mark the country’s 54th Independence Day from France, Nov. 9, 1953. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

 Doves fly after the official release during the Independence Day celebration in Phnom Penh November 09, 2007. Cambodia celebrates its 54th anniversary of Independence from France on November 9. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

Happy Birthday HM King Father!

 Picture courtesy of Sopheak Seang

Let’s Talk About Love

Ronan Keating Live in Phnom Penh

Via ZJ: Are you ready? Cambodia is about to stage its biggest international music event ever with a concert by worldwide singing sensation Ronan Keating.

Ronan (30), who is famous for number 1 hits ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’, ‘Life’s a Rollercoaster’ and ‘When You Say Nothing At All’ as well as his work with boyband Boyzone, will perform at a concert to be held at the Indoor Arena of the Olympic Stadium on May 9th 2007. The performance will start at 7.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased at $15, $25 and $65 through a telephone ticket hotline at 012-999-099.

Khmer Folklore Dance

Khmer Folklore Dance (របាំប្រពៃណី) is a very popular form of Khmer dance among the general public. Folkloric dance often embraces mythical stories but mostly represents life of the common people. There are dance pieces that represent the rice harvest, the beginning and ending of the rainy season, fishing, times of group game when young men are “officially” allowed to flirt with the opposite sex, and other aspects of traditional rural life. Every province has its own indigenous dance as do all the major Khmer holiday.

To celebrate the coming Khmer New Year, Amrita Performing Arts​​​ presents Folklore Dance Performances on Saturday & Sunday 7 & 8 April 2007 at 6.00 PM at Chenla Theatre.

Tickets: 3000 & 6000 riels, available at Amrita Performing Arts (#51, Street 113, Fourth Street behind the Ministry of Tourism) and at the door.

Where Elephants Weep

…WHERE ELEPHANTS WEEP…

East Meets West in a New Contemporary Cambodian Opera,
fusing traditional Cambodian music with rock and rap, sung in English and Khmer, with subtitles in both languages.

The opera’s “hybrid” musical style will merge traditional Cambodian instruments in a contemporary sound. Musical themes will carry the epic quality of the story and play off the unity and disunity of East meeting West. The production features a traditional Khmer orchestra and a Khmer rock band, traveling from Cambodia, and a string quartet from the New England Orchestra.

First preview performances in Lowell, MA on April 27, 28 & 29, 2007.

DON’T MISS THIS PRICELESS OPPORTUNITY!

By supporting this opera, you are keeping Khmer culture alive!

Click here now to grab your tickets!

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Famous Korean actress Kim See-hun. She recently starred in “The Myth” with Jackie Chan. I really like her. She is too hot to resist…

1st ASEAN Arts and Crafts Festival 2006 in Ayuthaya, Thailand

Cambodia

The Opening Day of the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, center left, walks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center right, as they arrive at Siem Reap province, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) northwest of the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006. Roh is on a four-day visit to Cambodia, the first by a South Korean leader since the two countries restored ties in 1997. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun, left, shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, right, before the pair began presiding over the ‘Angkor Gyeongju World Culture Expo’ in Siem Reap province, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) northwest of the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006. Roh arrived in Cambodia for the first top-level state visit since the two countries re-established ties almost a decade ago. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Students of the Cambodian Royal University of Fine Art perform a traditional theater show during the ‘Angkor Gyeongju World Culture Expo’ opening ceremony in Siem Reap province, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) northwest of the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006. South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, who is presiding over the expo arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday, the first top-level state visit since the two countries re-established ties almost a decade ago. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Performers march past the stage during the opening ceremony of the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2006 at Cambodia’s 9th-12th century Angkor temple complex in Siem Reap province, 299km (186 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, November 21, 2006. South Korea’s president Roh Moo-Hyun was a guest of honor as Cambodian authorities launched their most elaborate cultural festival to date, in a bid to boost tourism by wooing South Korean visitors . REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

Apsara dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2006 at Cambodia’s 9th-12th century Angkor temple complex in Siem Reap province, 299km (186 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, November 21, 2006. South Korea’s president Roh Moo-Hyun was a guest of honor as Cambodian authorities launched their most elaborate cultural festival to date, in a bid to boost tourism by wooing South Korean visitors . REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

Apsara dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2006 at Cambodia’s 9th-12th century Angkor temple complex in Siem Reap province, 299km (186 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, November 21, 2006. South Korea’s president Roh Moo-Hyun was a guest of honor as Cambodian authorities launched their most elaborate cultural festival to date, in a bid to boost tourism by wooing South Korean visitors . REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

Cambodian dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Angkor Gyeogju World Culture EXPO 2006 in Siem Reap province, some 314 kms Northwest of Phnom Penh. South Korea’s president was a guest of honor as Cambodian authorities launched their most elaborate cultural festival to date, in a bid to boost tourism by wooing South Korean visitors.(AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy)

 

អបអរសាទរខួប២ឆ្នាំថ្ងៃរាជាភិសេភ

ទ្រង់ព្រះចម្រើន!

Pictures courtesy of http://sopheak.wordpress.com

Cambodian Puppet Theater

A Cambodian puppet show titled the Story of the Dog rocked Providence, RI this Friday night. Another revolution in Khmer performing arts, the Story of the Dog is an east-meets-west piece newly co-set up by Cambodia-based Sovannaphum Khmer Arts Association and Sandglass Theater Company from Vermont, USA. Combining performers from both companies, the story integrates Sandglass’ characteristic puppet style with beautiful traditional Cambodian shadow puppets, dance, and music.

Coming with me were Beth, Walter and their kids–Harry and Sara. I am so glad that I made it there, despite the long distance from Boston. Somehow, the show has brought me closer to the Cambodian communities over here. Prior to and right after the show, I met so many Khmericans, some of whom, just like us, had travelled all the way from Boston and Lowell just to enjoy this masterpiece. I am so impressed by the tremendous support they, as well as almost 300 other American audience, have for Khmer arts and performances.

However, that’s not all. While we were waiting for the Q&A session with the artists, we noticed one white guy approaching us from the distance. Surprising us from behind, he said, “Hello Mongkol and Beth! How are you? Mongkol, how are things going with your study?” At first I thought he was Beth’s friend, but yet how did he know my name? Hmmm.. A big question, huh? Only later did I find out that his name was Decker and he was one of our regular blog readers. Decker is from the UK and currently resides in Providence. He loves Cambodia and viewing Cambodia-related blogs is one of his ways to get in touch with Cambodia. Well, what a coincidence! Nice to meet you, Decker! I hope to see you again sometimes. :p

Well, it’s 2 am now.. I guess I’ve been writing enough. That’s enough for tonight’s midnight oil. For now, please enjoy some of the pics and video clip I got from Providence..

Viva Cambodia! Viva Khmer Arts!

Our quick dinner at Whole Food Supermarket in downtown Providence before the show

Miss World 2006 Crowned

Contestants of Miss World 2006 perform in the Congress Hall in Warsaw. Czech beauty Tatana Kucharova won the Miss World title, in a glitzy finale of the beauty pageant broadcast to more than 200 countries from the Polish capital.(AFP/Janek Skarzynski)

More Update: Miss Cambodia at Miss World 2006 Strutting Her Stuff

By Khan Sophirom, Cambodian Scene Magazine

It was all glitz and girls at the recent Miss Tourism Queen International pageant held in Hanghzou, China in June. Eighty-five contestants vied for the crown, pouting and preening in snazzy getups and strutting on heels wearing tiny bikinis.

Cambodia was represented by Sun Srey Mom. A 22-year-old student from Kompong Cham, Srey Mom was not successful, but she says she was happy just to be a part of the competition.

“You know I am very proud with the opportunity I was given and to hold the Cambodian flag on stage with other women from around the world. I know I wasn’t beautiful enough compared with the other contestants, but I am very happy, because it was a chance for me to promote tourism in Cambodia and for me to learn and share experiences with the other entrants,” Srey Mom says.

Cruising the Charles River

 

As parts of its ongoing student activities marking the beginning of the new academic year, BC this past Friday organized a boat cruise along the Charles River. It was estimated that over 500 students went rocking the boat cruise this year. Charged at $25 per head, it was not a bad deal. We got to enjoy a wonderful night view of Boston, along with great food and music..

It was kinda exciting for me as it was the first big American party I’ve been to. During the past week, I’ve been drowning myself in tons of reading.. Talking about it, can anybody guess the amount of my required reading each week? Hmmm.. You what..? It’s 450 pages.. :p My life has been pretty tough and the cruise indeed was a fantastic retreat for me. Hmmm.. Thinking of reading, I kinda get scared now. I was told that it would get even heavier in the coming weeks…

Miss ASEAN to Miss World 2006. Who is the most beautiful?

 

 

កម្ពុជា Cambodia

SUN Srey Mom (22, Student, 173cm)

ឥណ្ឌូនេស៊ី Indonesia

Kristania Virginia BESOUW (21, Student, 171cm)

ម៉ាឡេស៊ី Malaysia

Adeline Wan Ling CHOO (23, Student, 170cm)

Miss Cambodia to Miss World 2006

SUN SREY MOM (22, Student, 173cm)

Srey Mom was born and grew up in Kompong Cham, which is approximately 124 Km from Phnom Penh. She has completed high school with a secretarial diploma and is currently studying management at a local university. Her ambition is to become an air hostess. Srey Mom has also been a tour leader, cashier at a supermarket and basketball trainer for children. Her hobbies and leisure interests are basketball, traditional Khmer dancing, reading magazines and cooking. She also enjoys listening to romantic music. Her favourite food is stir-fried vegetables.

Personal motto is: ‘Work hard for the future’.

Miss Hong Kong China Janet Ka Wai Chow (L), Miss Indonesia Kristania Virginia Besouw (2nd L), Miss Cambodia Sun Srey Mom and Miss Australia Sabrina Houssami (R) applaud after a Chopin concert at the Lazienki park in Warsaw September 2, 2006. More than 100 candidates will take part in the 56th Miss World in the end of September in Poland.

Source: Miss World 2006 Official Website

 

Hun Sen bans Miss Cambodia contest! What do you think?

(Kyodo) _ Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday that he will not permit a Miss Cambodia contest until the country’s poverty rate drops to 15 percent from the current 35 percent.”As long as I remain as prime minister, a Miss Cambodian contest will only be permitted until the poverty rate drops to 15 percent or GDP (gross domestic product) per capita reaches $1,000 a year from the current $448,” he said.

Hun Sen earlier this year acknowledged his government’s failure to reduce poverty, saying it will likely affect at least 28 percent of the population even in 2015. Cambodia’s population currently stands at 14 million.

In July, Planet Communication Ltd., a local private events management company, and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts announced that a Miss Cambodia beauty pageant would be held in mid-August.

But it was subsequently called off after Hun Sen opposed it in a Cabinet meeting.

On Tuesday, Hun Sen said a beauty contest would produce no benefit and adversely affect the government’s budget.

“There is no need to show a Miss Cambodia at the international arena. The Angkor Wat temple should be a better choice,” he told villagers while in Svay Rieng province, about 115 kilometers east of Phnom Penh.

Kem Tola, marketing manager at Planet Communication, confirmed the cancellation of the event, but said his company would seek permission again next year.

There were Miss Cambodia competitions in 1993 and 1995 but no contest has been held since then.

Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2006

The Coming of the Rainy Season

While taking Lee and Sachi LeFever–an American blogger couple who are currently on their visit to Cambodia as part of their around-the-world journey–to the Royal Palace two days ago, something there captured my attention.

Right in the palace compound, workers were busy preparing for a procession of the Royal Candle to a Wat in Kampong Speu. All of a sudden, I realized that I had almost forgotten something important. Bonn Chol Vorsa (បុណ្យចូលវស្សា), a Buddhist festival marking the arrival of the rainy season, is soon coming up..

Anyways, អបអរបុណ្យចូលវស្សា!

Fulbright Orientation

A pre-departure orientation for all Fulbright scholars 2006 was organized yesterday at the United States’ new 60-million-dollar embassy building near Wat Phnom. Attending the orientation were Senior Minister Kol Pheng, US Ambassador to Cambodia, Joseph A. Mussomeli, former and new Fulbright scholars and their parents.

One of the world’s most prestigious scholarship programs, Fulbright has sponsored over 225,000 men and women from over 140 countries to study in American universities, during the past 60 years. This year, more than 1,300 new foreign Fulbright scholars, 9 of whom from Cambodia, are expected to enter the US. According to Ambassador Mussomeli, $450,000 has been allocated for Cambodian scholars this year, a 15% increase from the previous year. As for the 2007-2008 academic year, 10 new Cambodian scholars will be chosen.

Yesterday’s orientation offered us, new scholars, a comprehensive glimpse into our upcoming social and academic life in the US, so that we all would be able to prepare well in advance.

Honestly, I am so proud of myself to be part of this scholarship. What gave me even more pride was the fact that 8 out of this year’s 9 scholars were from my undergrad school and current workplace, Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL). That same morning, I also got my official confirmation from IIE that I’ve been placed at Boston College (as I wished).

The closer my departure day gets, the more excited and nervous I become. I am excited cos I’m again going to be a student.. :p  But as far as I know, Boston is one of the most expensive and coldest cities in the US. I am nervous because I’ll be all alone in a new world of unknown faces. Oh gosh! I hope things will be alright…

P.S.: I am currently searching for an affordable place to stay in Boston. Does any of you here know someone there? Kindly pass their contact info to me if you can. Thanks!

My mom and me with the Ambassador (left) and H.E. Kol Pheng (right)

All the 8 fulbright scholars (FYI, the other one has left for US since June 23)

Tour around the embassy, thanks to Jeff Daigle!

Interior decoration for US National Day on July 4

PRESS RELEASE: Nine Cambodians to Pursue U.S. Graduate Degrees As Fulbright Scholars

Members of the press are invited to attend the opening ceremony for the Fulbright Scholar pre-departure orientation to be held on Wednesday, June 28th at 9:00 AM in the Embassy’s main conference room.  Nine new Cambodian scholars have been selected to pursue graduate studies in the United States for the 2006-2007 academic year.  Ambassador Joseph A. Mussomeli and H.E. Kol Pheng, Senior Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, will preside over the opening ceremony.  After the opening session, the scholars will be available for individual interviews with the press.

The Fulbright Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1945 as a means “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.”  The Fulbright Fellowship program was re-instituted in Cambodia in 1994.  Since that time, 75 Cambodian students have pursued programs of graduate study in the U.S., and more than 30 American Senior Scholars and Specialists have come to Cambodia to work in local universities.  For 2006, the U.S. State Department increased the allocation for the Cambodian Fulbright Program to $450,000.

Several Fulbright returnees are working in key positions in the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and Natural Resources Preservation, and Interior.  Many others are lecturers at different universities and national program officers for health and other rural development programs under the auspices of a variety of international and non-governmental organizations.             

To be eligible for the Fulbright program, applicants must:

• have a strong academic background and a record of excellence in previous studies;
• have completed a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university;
• be proficient in English (minimum TOEFL score 550);
• be able to adapt readily to a foreign environment;
• be in good health and able to undergo a rigorous study program.
  

Fulbright Student Fellowship grants provide round-trip transportation to the United States, and tuition, fees and living expenses for full-time graduate study.

Members of the press wishing to attend the opening session should confirm their attendance by contacting the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section by e-mail at ChreaV@state.gov or by telephone at 023-728-258.

Source: US Embassy, Phnom Penh

Royal Ploughing Ceremony 2006

Book Donation Project

SSEAYP Internation Cambodia (SIC), the Cambodian alumni of the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP), has recently launched a book donation project with various primary, junior and senior high schools in Kandal Province and Phnom Penh. Most of our stakeholders were mainly former Cambodian participants as well as other SSEAYP alumnis from across the region.

We are now seeking further possibilities into other charity projects in other provinces and towns.We are requesting more cooperation from the Cambodian public, both locally and abroad. If you have any used textbooks and wish to donate to our project, please kindly do so by contacting me myself or SIC via this blog or our email addresses at somongkol@gmail.com or sseaypcambodia@yahoo.com. Your kind support and cooperation are highly appreciated.

Let's make your unused books useful! DONATE with US now!

To find out about SIC, please visit our offical website at http://sseayp-cambodia.8k.com/.

អបអរសាទរព្រះរាជពិធីចំរើនព្រះជន្មសម្តេចព្រះបរមនាថ នរោត្តម សីហមុនី

សូមក្រាបថ្វាយព្រះពរព្រះករុណាជាអរម្ចាស់ជីវិតតម្កល់លើត្បូង ឲ្យមានព្រះជន្មយ៉ឺនយូរ និង គង់ជាម្លប់ដ៏ត្រជាក់ដល់សព្វប្រជានុរាស្ត្រទូទាំងព្រះនគរ។

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