There’s something about celebrating belated Chinese New Year that seems so out of place especially since we’ve pretty much closed that chapter some weeks ago. Yet when it comes to banks celebrating this rich cultural tradition, it seems completely justified. More so when you’re saving the best for last, so to speak and Baiduri Bank Group delivered an exciting and very engaging evening for their Prestige customers and business partners residing in the Belait District. You can tell that bank staff too were confident of a great night when the Hawaiian hang loose or Shaka is gestured not once …
… but twice in the same evening. Apparently, I got this from Wikipedia that Hawaiian locals used the Shaka for various meanings like “all right”, “cool”, “smooth” etc. Also known as the Aloha spirit, a gesture of friendship and understanding between the various ethnic cultures. In this case, emcee donning a full traditional Chinese costume ushers in the Gong Xi Fa Cai spirit to a packed hall.
From hand gestures to auspicious symbol, the year of the bull warns of economic challenges for many while a lucky few may find it bullish. Those of you who are curious about your destiny can check out the 2009 Forecast by Ju Xian Guan. However, as far as the guests were concerned, General Manager Pierre Imhof, in his welcoming address “highlighted the major events that have shaped Baiduri Bank during the past year.” [visit The Brunei Times for Mr Imhof’s remarks].
All images © Jan Shim Photography
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The event was held at the Kuala Belait Chung Hua Middle School multi-purpose hall where in my school years, I played a lot of badminton and that evidently hadn’t improved my Chinese literacy. I was only there for two short but meaningful and life changing years (long story but if you wonder why, part of it is revealed somewhere in the comment of the Accidental Artist post. Thanks Dorothy for giving Gavin an opportunity get his feet wet at the event where many golden moments were immortalised and shared.
Baiduri Press Releases
Click on image to view larger version © Jan Shim Photography
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