Today I would like to write about our frontliner’s love story – Dr Gilbert and his wife, Dr Sonia, who both are part of the bigger group under Ministry of Health, where both of them are serving at Miri. Despite their busy schedule, they still find time to immortalise their love story in the form of pictures. Both of them came from Kpg Sungi Duuh, Siburan, just right beside my father’s village of Kpg Masaan. Their love story started long time ago at Sungi Duuh, and Molly Christopher, Gilbert’s neighour & cousin, is partly the mastermind behind it. The details are not permitted to be disclosed, but suffice to say, it is another reason why Gilbert is motivated to pursue excellence until both received their doctor-ship. Being Eastern peoples, Bidayuh peoples are not generally expressive, especially when it comes to love. I can see that in my father, where it took considerable effort to hold my mother’s hand in public. Gilbert and Sonia is no exception, but they are very supporting in expressing their love towards one another before the lens. No matter how busy you are, if you love one another, you can make time for one another and to express your love to them. Love is a choice – where you override logic and rationale, where you choose to stay with your loved one, in good times and the bad, in joy and sorrow and only death can part the two of you. May God bless Dr Gilbert and Dr Sonia.
Tabi basa dan selamat sejahtera, keluarga Tukang Rantek!
Pada hari ini, saya ingin menulis berkenaan cinta “frontiner”, iaitu berkenaan Dr Gilbert dan isteri beliau, Dr Sonia, yang mana keduanya adalah merupakan ahli Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia yang berkhidmat di Miri. Disebalik kesibukan mereka, mereka masih lagi mencari masa untuk mengabadikan kenangan bersama di dalam bentuk gambar. Kedua mereka berasal dari Kampung Sungi Duuh, Siburan, yang bersebelahan dengan kampung bapa saya, Kpg Masaan. Cinta mereka bermula sejak lama dahulu di Sungi Duuh dan Molly Christopher mempunyai kaitan dengan cinta mereka. Informasi selanjutnya tidak boleh dikongsikan di sini, namun memadai untuk saya berkata, Sonia merupakan antara pemangkin kecemerlangan beliau sehingga kedua-dua mereka berjaya bergelar seorang doktor. Sepertimana orang Timur yang lainnya, orang Bidayuh juga tidak begitu lantang untuk menyuarakan isi hati, terutama sekali berkenaan hal cinta. Ini boleh dilihat melalui bapa saya, yang mana ia memerlukan kuasa yang luar biasa bagi beliau untuk memegang tangan ibu saya di tempat awam. Gilbert dan Sonia pun tidak terkecuali, namun mereka sungguh bersemangat untuk meluahkan rasa cinta mereka di dalam bentuk „posing“ di hadapan kamera. Sesibuk manapun anda, jika anda cinta satu sama lain, anda akan mencari masa untuk diluangkan bersama yang tersayang. Cinta adalah pilihan, di mana anda melangkaui batas logika dan rasional, dimana kamu memilih untuk bersama yang tersayang di dalam kesusahan dan kesenangan, baik kaya mahupun miskin dan hanya maut memisahkan anda dan orang yang anda sayangi. Semoga Tuhan merahmati Dr Gilbert dan Dr Sonia.
A lot of us want to have someone to love in our life, especially those who wants to live until the end, share our lives until old age. To like someone is the easiest part because more and more people knows how to groom themselves, apply proper make-up to beautify themselves and make them more handsome. To pretend to fall in love is easy in first encounter, because lust is often masked as love and we call it love first sight, when it’s actually hormone in action, fueled by libido. For some, love just happens. Like a spark, it just go boom. For others, it takes time. For some unfortunate ones, they are still waiting and hoping for that miracle.
To fall in love is the easy part. The real challenge is to maintain it; to maintain the same love as when we first started to fall in love.
Tabi basa and greetings everyone! When there is life, there is death. We are taught to celebrate life, but we are not openly taught to embrace death because it’s saddening and bring grief and despair to the affected family, especially when the deceased is someone’s significant others; husband or wife, or even a life companion.
Babai
In this post, I’d like to write about the funeral of my late grandfather, or his nickname “Babai”, which means grandfather in Bidayuh Siburan/Padawan/Bau, instead of “babeh” or “babuk” in Bidayuh Serian. Partly this is because I want to remember the final celebration of life that we had with him.
Terjemahan Ke Dalam Bahasa Malaysia Atas Permintaan Pembaca
Cuba pembaca bayangkan. Anak/adik/sepupu perempuan anda yang masih berusia 18 tahun, menghadapi kesukaran untuk memperoleh akses internet. Tanpa berputus asa, dia telah mencari jalan agar dapat berpaut kepada rangkaian internet bagi menghadapi peperiksaan yang akan menjelang tiba. Usaha dia telah didokumentasi dan dimuat naik di laman YouTube pada 13 Jun (exam beliau 9-12 Jun). Video tersebut telah menjadi tular di alam maya, dan mendapat perhatian netizen di seluruh dunia. Itulah yang terjadi kepada saudari Veveonah Mosibin, seorang pelajar Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). Video beliau yang berjudul “24 Hours on Tree | Challenge” (Cabaran 24 jam di atas pokok) mendorong Kumpulan TM untuk menaiktaraf Pusat Internet di Kampung Pinggan-Pinggan, Pitasc Sabah, yang terdekat kepada kampung Veve. Kampung beliau hanyalah 140 km dari Kota Kinabalu, namun mengambil masa 3 jam menggunakan kenderaan pacuan 4 roda untuk dikunjungi. Internet yang laju ini sudah tentunya menggembirakan warga Pitas.
Tabi basa and greetings everyone! How’s your day? I hope it has been a good day for you and your family. These days, with COVID-19 threat still lurking around, there is no way for us to lower down our guard. The best thing to do is to keep ourselves informed on the latest news from Ministry of Health and keep ourselves protected by ensuring utmost hygiene in our daily lives. Don’t forget your mask wherever you go.
Gador
Tukang Rantek
Starting last month I have started to formally use the title Tukang Rantek in my Facebook page. Why?
Tukang Rantek’s Story ________________________ Tabi basa and greetings! I’m Claudius, your Tukang Rantek (photographer in Bidayuh), who is also passionate in music, which I will post here to entertain all of you. I’m using Leica M manual rangefinder camera for all of my photography jobs, and recently starting my videography journey. I understand that I came from a poor family, where I hardly find any of my pictures growing up. It is because family resources are allocated into the things that really matter, including food and education. While for some has abundance of growing up photos, mine was only picture on rare occassions, when my aunties rent a film kamera to capture our sweet family photos.
That’s why I am passionate in capturing my family photographs beautifully, especially my niece and nephew, because family is precious, thus in a way returning the favour. We can earn back money, but not the time we lost. Honing my skills by practicing with them, I slowly make my way to where I am now all thanks to requests from family, friends and ultimately to the person that I haven’t met, just communicating via soc-med or Whatsapp. Your trust in my photographic touch makes me want to deliver my best to capture your best family moments. Behind the lens, I’m a photographer, but given a microphone, I’m an entertainer. I’m am forward to work with all of you! Stay safe and take care!
(Dalam Bahasa Malaysia) Tabi basa dan selamat sejahtera! Nama saya Claudius, Tukang Rantek anda, yang membawa maksud jurugambar di dalam bahasa Bidayuh, dan juga merupakan insan yang meminati muzik dan akan memuatnaik video muzik saya untuk menghiburkan anda semua. Saya menggunakan kamera Leica M manual “rangefinder” di dalam semua kerja kerja fotografi saya dan baru-baru ini saya memulakan kerja videografi saya seandainya ada permintaan khas. Saya memahami saya datang daripada keluarga yang tidak berkemampuan dan tiada gambar semasa saya membesar bersama keluarga tersayang kerana duit hanya digunakan untuk perkara yang penting sahaja, contohnya makanan dan pendidikan.
Gambar-gambar hanya diambil pada masa yang tertentu sahaja oleh makcik-makcik saya menggunakan kamera yang disewa dari kedai. Oleh sebab itu, saya mempunyai minat yang mendalam untuk mengabadikan setiap kenangan bersama keluarga di dalam bentuk gambar, terutama sekali anak buah saya yang baru sahaja mengenal dunia, lantas membalas kembali jasa baik mereka. Ini juga adalah kerana masa bersama keluarga adalah tidak ternilai. Tiada jumlah wang di dunia yang boleh mengembalikan masa-masa yang sudah hilang.
Syukur kepada kepercayaan dan amanah yang diberikan oleh anda semua, saya mampu berada dimana saya berada sekarang, yang mana saya bermula hanya sebagai tukang rantek keluarga, kemudiannya buat kawan-kawan dan seterusnya orang yang saya cuma jumpa di alam maya/Whatsapp untuk berurusan berkenaan sesi fotografi. Dengan kebolehan saya ini, saya harap agar saya dapat mengabadikan kenangan keluarga anda, saat-saat indah anda di dalam bentuk gambar, yang boleh dikongsikan bersama. Dibelakang kamera, saya adalah tukang rantek/jurugambar; namun apabila diberikan mikrofon, saya menjadi seorang penghibur. Saya menanti saat untuk berkerja bersama anda. Jaga diri anda sekalian baik-baik.
(Duwah Sanda Bidayuh Serian) Tabi bada ndug bala kende. Ganan aku Claudius, aku mah tukang rantek kende. Aku ti pan minat muzik lagih, dangan ku ra post video bilagu aku ati tinan pirimpu bala kende, ngancak kende kai bidenge. Aku puan aku mandug masu mambu de sasi, gamar wang ami bahas pan kai ne ahi. He mada aku ti mene2 ira ngundah gamar ahi2 tinan kenangan, ngancak bala anak sungkuh de ira mandug tebek gambar bala babuk tayung ne paguh2, labih-labih lagi bala anak buah aku de pajin makat bahas tebek dunya.
Minan pimandai aku ti, ku ira ngundah gambar de paguh. Ganan Tukang Rantek iti pan odog tinan ngin ira ngakat sanda bala adep kita de bateh bala rayat dunya, ngakat ganan Bidayuh. Kan jogon kamera, aku Tukang Rantek. Pak kan jogon microphone, aku pirimpu bala kende.
July 26th, 2020 – Post at Facebook.
I think it is important for me to embrace who I want to be, instead of striving to fill people’s expectation of me, which gaves an unnecessary mental load. Art should be created sincerely. If your drive to create art is just to impress others, I don’t think you will last longer versus the people who genuinely wants to create art.
Photography, being another branch of art, is no different. When you are a photographer, if you learn just enough knowledge of a specific genre, you can make money out of it. Even if you are only good in one branch of photography, say studio photography, you can make money by helping others to create their passport photos. Their setup is simple, two light sources, an suitable background (either white or light blue) and a good camera (doesn’t matter if it’s crop sensor or full frame). All the customer wants is a printed image that meets their need at that time.
As for studio photographer, there is various techniques to be used, depending on the requirement of the clients. You can employ one, or two, or even five different lighting setup, with one ultimate goal in mind, which is to make your client looks good. During the initial stage of Movement Control Order that starts in 18 March 2020, I think most of the business is brought into a standstill. Photography is no exception, most of its branch, because it requires you to have a client that comes to your studio, or outdoor studio. Having a RMCO (recovery MCO) is like a breath of fresh air because finally photography business can run again as usual with some limitations, that is understandably to control the spread of COVID-19.
Then I managed to work with many peoples again in Miri, and even involved in mobile videoshooting at various locations. That is a good experience for me, since there is always a room for improvement.
The Art of Studio Photography with an M
Ever since I am involved with photography in serious manner back in 2017, I have always been intrigued by studio photography. Not only because it is quite challenging, but it forces me to be more creative with curent limitation that I have. You would have known me for using manual rangefinder camera from Leica, but that camera with its nature built for street and candid photography, to go into studio is breaking its own comfort zone. But like any challenge, it is fun.
Your lens does not have any leaf shutter, so it is entirely dependent on your manual shutter from the rangefinder. Due to camera limitation, I am using it up to 1/180 shutter speed only. Any faster than that, I would not be able to capture the light evenly. That alone makes me want to play with the other three elements as well – aperture and ISO. It is rule of thumb to use its base ISO of 100 to get the best image from the camera. I am using M10-P, which is already old, since camera technology advances quite fast. Now camera giants are racing to make a sensor bigger than 40MP. For my needs, 24MP is good enough. What I need to do now is to outgrow my camera. So long as I don’t outgrow it, I have no technical reason(s) to upgrade.
Studio Session with Gador
As for today’s post, it would be about the recent photoshoot that I have done with Gador, a friend of mine. All this while, my photoshoot session is always done with women. Thanks to Priscilla, who always been supportive with her talents, I learned about studio photography with women as my subjects. However, with men, I need to learn more because, it is not easy as it seems.
The first challenge is to make your subject felt at ease and let them open up to you. Otherwise, it would be another robotic session like when you capture your passport pictures. Studio photography supposed to be fun and entertaining. That allows a person’s to show their best, unless you want to create a moody picture. That is another requirement.
We started off with colour studio photography, to capture the energy that his circle of friends know about him. He is a cheerful and happy-go-lucky guy that like spontaneous activity.
Look at that tattoo.
Then, once the colour photoshoot is done, I switched to black and white mood, because I think it is a good way to capture the often unseen side of man. Not to mention that it is timeless.
The direct light is good to emphasis his masculine energy and depart from his usual carefree style. This monochrome style lis one of my favourite, especially for couples.
Passion for Monochrome
When I started with my photography journey, I started off with monochrome, using Leica’s M9 Monochrome, a camera that can only see in black and white. It sounds weird, but as weird as it is, it has its own niche. The quality of black and white image that it creates are different from just converting your image to black and white in post processing. You can see your monochrome image being created on-the-fly as you shoot.
Even outdoor portrait is also can be done in monochrome. It is no doubt that in the golden age of photography, monochrome was done because they don’t have a choice. However, soon it develops its own market, even in the world of colourful pixels. Having images done in monochrome is also another reason that a lot of war-time gens dream in monochrome.
For me, due to the demand, I ventured into colour photography because it is how it is, and Leica colour is beautiful, especially the old CCD sensor in M9 camera that M10 is trying to imitate. M9 is severely handicapped by its sensor, but in a good light, M9 is a beast. Coupled with a Noctilux, it can handle any lighting situation.
I can only speak on behalf of Leica rangefinders because that is the camera that I use to create images. I do acknowledge that there are more and more amazing mirrorless cameras coming into market, but being a diehard M fan, I will be using my camera for a long time. I am also so used to it.
Epilogue
With that, I hope you will find your passion, and stick with it. Don’t hop into every single trend that you saw, because you will have to invest into it a lot of time and energy. Otherwise, you better off stick into something until you achieved mastery. Even if you have all of the money in the world, you can’t buy this cute little thing called “fulfilment”. It is a feeling that comes from accomplishing something deemed impossible.
On this beautiful Thursday, I want to share about my mini adventure to a place close to my work area, which is at Lutong. Sarawak, as all of you know, is a land full of its own stories and tales, where to cover all of the area in Sarawak is an equally challenging and exciting adventure on its own. However, today, inspired by the things that I have saw and experienced on my own, the topic of my story is about “bubuk” or its English name, shrimp.
Introduction to Bubuk
When I talk about “bubuk”, I am sure all of you know because this thing is quite famous and well-known throughout the region. Just like how Rantau Abang in Terengganu is famous for its turtles, Miri (and Bintulu) is famous for its bubuk. I keep on typing bubuk because it is the best word to describe it. The word shrimp doesn’t have an emotional touch because it reminds me to whale’s food.
Fresh WhiteBubuk
Bubuk’s scientific name is Acetes intermedius and Acetes indicus, where the name Acetes belongs to the group of small shrimp that has the length of around 1 to 4 cm. These little things are the main ingredient of “belacan” (shrimp paste). Bintulu’s Belacan, made from bubuk is highly sought after, and that on its own deserved another topic of discussion as it is quite a detailed and intricate process.
Thursday Bubuk Market Story
Bubuk market place at Miri is usually at the Pondok Area, at Jalan Lutong-Kuala Baram, which is only comes alive when bubuk season is around the corner. To know more about bubuk, I pay a visit to the place and noticed that there is a lot of people over there. Usually, there is much more, but today’s crowd is not too bad as well. There is always market for bubuk, and I can see a mix of peoples there – from Ibans, Kedayan, Orang Ulu to the local Malays. I think I am the only Bidayuh guy there. Anway, doesn’t matter – we’re all Sarawakians, so I used our favourite mother tongue, except when I am certain that the person I am talking to is an Iban. Then I will switch to “jaku Iban’.
When I was there, I noticed a group of photographer/videographer in a white van. Out of curiosity, when my inner photojournalist took control, I managed to spoke to one of them, who would like to be called Arif, from Raku and Roll group. I learned from Arif that they doing coverage about Miri Bubuk, which will be aired in Miri before Ramadhan, i.e. sometime around April this year. His buddy seems to be occupied, so I do not disturb him carrying out his job. Instead, I took few shots of him and the other bubuk-buyers gathering around the newly-arrived bubuk stock, which was just landed onshore. I am in for a good luck today.
Playing with cute “bubuk” cat while waiting for fisherman to arrive with fresh bubuk.Here comes bubuk man.
After she was no longer busy, I approached her to know more about bubuk. She introduced herself as Sanisah. Kak Sanisah can’t recall when she first started doing bubuk business, and that means she has been doing this for a very long time already. Well, it is in the family. From her, I learned quite a lot about bubuk, which I will explain later.
Kak Sanisah
Miri Bubuk Market
Miri Bubuk Market concentrates around the shoreline areas, where Lutong is one of the most active, as it also attracts customers from Brunei, who is willing to cross border just to get a supply of fresh bubuk. Bubuk market at Pondok area, next to Sribima Maritime Traininc Centre (SMTC) is only alive when it is bubuk season. There is no exact date when bubuk season is, but according to Kak Sanisah, it is after Chinese New Year and ends around a month later, when the sea picks up and winds are getting stronger. Even now, as we speak, every day Mirians can sense that the wind is getting stronger, which signals the end-days of Miri bubuk season.
I also learned from there that there are two types of bubuk, red and white bubuk. The red bubuk is no longer available at Miri shoreline recently, but there are reports on red bubuk sightings at Bintulu. To make it clear, I sketched what I heard in the form of pictures for ease of understanding. Red bubuk is better, but it is also more difficult to catch and only available at the earlier part of bubuk season. As the bubuk season draws closer to the end, white bubuk is easier to find and it is cheaper, around RM 7~8 per kg, where red bubuk costs about RM8~9 per kg. However, I heard that bubuk price reaches about RM30 per kg. That is one of a craziest price that I have heard.
Bubuk Travel Path According to Kak Sanisah
Equipment
To start with bubuk, one needs to have their own “bubuk boat’, which costs around RM7~8k. In the past, bubuk fisherman uses wood to fabricate their own boats. However, as time goes by, cheaper and safer alternative material, fibre are widely used because it is safer and does not sink straightaway whenever bubuk boat hits the seabed or rock as it has emergency floatation mechanism in the middle of the boat. That boat is usually maned by 3-4 person, though using 2 crews are possible.
To catch these bubuks, there are plenty of tricks. However, the one that was revealed to me was the “sobor” method, which is using the front net as you can see in the image below. That is the tool used to cateh the red bubuk which is floating near the surface of the sea.
Bubuk Boat, with PETRONAS oil platform at the background
Another method is to use the beam trawl, where this method is used by the fiherman to catch the white bubuk. Beam trawl is the net that is being casted at the sides of their boat, and slowly it is drawn to catch more bubuk. Another method that is used at the earlier days of bubuk is “lengkung” or “purse-seine” net, utilising multiple boats. This sometimes can yield up to 10 trays of bubuk, each easily contains RM500 worth of bubuk,
Challenges
The biggest challenges of this bubuk industry is season. It is something that only happens once in a year. Therefore, they have to make full use of the time as much as possible. Weather is also another thing that affects the fisherman. If the weather is bad, then they cannot go to the sea as it dangerous for the small boat. Furthermore, bubuk is hard to come by in bad weather. Also, it is about marketing. A lot of people were not happy with the price, but otherwise, the bubuk fisherman and family will not be earning much as it is not an easy task for them to catch it. It is all abotu supply and demand, and RM7~8 / kg seems to be sitting nicely at the sweet spot.
Conclusion
To conclude this story of bubuk, I am quite proud to be able to cover this story although it is a short duration. Thank to the ladies and gentlemen who entertained me while I was doing this “photojournalistic” job at Lutong. Should you have any other nice and interesting story that you would like me to cover, do let me know. Thank you!
Photography Gears Used
In this blog, I am using my favourite gears, my Leica M10-P black and APO-Summicron 50mm as it is the smallest gears in my set-up, and it fits nicely with Leica’s theme, of being nice and discreet. My advise is, if you want to buy these kind of items, be it Profoto or Leica, don’t talk about it to someone else and just go buy it. Otherwise, if you delay it, you will not be buying because 1) you will talk yourself out of it, or 2) someone else will, or 3) you will use that capital for something else. Either way, just don’t be a victim of G.A.S (gear acquisition syndrome). Just buy the thing that can last a long time. In that way, you will buy that item and will not waste long hours reading reviews, which is an even greater loss because unlike money, time cannot be gained back.
Why Leica?
There is something about Leica that I am always passionate to tell about to others. For me, I just love to be part of the history of Leica. Period. Of course, there is a lot of camera gears out there that comes with its own bells and whistles, that can do ultra-fast frame rate, that has blazing speed auto-focus, but none can give the experience that my Leica M gave. Only Leica can fill the vacuum in every Leica M shooters. That probably is another reason why I never bought any SL because all I want is an M. For me, M9 is good. I love the colour. However, after 10 years, it requires an upgrade. Having skipped M240, I opt for M10 instead. I never regretted it. It is like an M9 on steroid, with a permanent effect. M cameras are small too. It is dicreet enough to be carried here and there. Some might argue point and shoot like Ricoh GRIII is the best, but for me, M gave the best experience. To each their reasons, I do love my M.
The thing about using a manual camera, or any other camera, we need to teach our camera how do we see the final images. Our perception has an auto-correction that is done real time, such as auto-colour temperature adjustment, auto aperture control or even auto-ISO control, which makes our eye as the best photography tool ever existed, and inspired the birth of many cameras. That is why we do final touch-up in our post-processing, because, for various reasons, the camera did not managed to produce the image that we see in our mind. Hence, need to tweak it a little bit. But not too much though, otherwise it will look fake.
Note: Claudius Weson is a “tukang rantek” (photographer in Bidayuh Pichin) based in Miri, mainly doing portraiture (indoor / studio / outdoor photoshoot), weddings and event photography.
All of the images on this site are protected by copyright laws and are the exclusive property of Claudius Weson Photography. Images may not be copied, reproduced, manipulated, used or altered in any way without written permission. The use of any photography as the basis of another photographic concept or illustration is a violation of copyright.
Gong Xi Fa Cai, Xin Nian Kuai Le to my friends and may the year of Metal Mouse brings more wealth, health and prosperity to you. Stay safe and ensure high hygiene standard is practices in view of various diseases around lately. Stay safe, especially when going to airports and always keep a mask ready.
My post this time is about a friend of mine, an active member of FIAT Miri as well as a choir member, Edna and her husband, Jackie. She was one of the person that inspires me to be active in FIAT Miri since end-2016 and actively involved in choir since I am passionate in singing.
The Engagement
Engagement between Edna and Jacky was done Edna’s longhouse, Rumah Michael Jalak, Sg Bawan, Kanowit, on 17 March 2018. It was like Gawai came early that year, where we enjoy ourselves until late morning, as usual for any Dayak celebration. To my pleasant surprise, Edmund (or Dimen, his Pichin nickname) was there as well. I didn’t know he was married to Edna’s cousin, Etta. Also, Ita Medin and Tony Engkabi was there as well, doing shooting for their Gawai video.
Tony Engkabi & Ita MedinEngagement PhotoshootEngagement PhotoshootTake Me To Your Heart
The Wedding
Fast forward to 2020, 25 Jan, it is the big day for Edna and Jacky. Planning has been made months earlier, and whatsapp group is busy with the attire of the day. For the church blessing, it was conducted at St Dominic & Rosary Church, Taman Tunku. I was one of the groomsmen, and we were attired in suspender (first time) and polka-dot necktie. These items are easily attained at Daiso Miri, because our aim is to look stylish without burning a hole in our pocket.
Cikgu Psalms
As for the evening session, it was a fun and memorable night. The ladies looked their best for the night. As for entertainment, I did a song performance, first one is being a solo performance (Perfect – Ed Sheeran) and second song is duet with Diana, You Are The Reason. Jackie’s cousin had better idea, they come up with Bollywood dance for the night.
Parey RemeoFikaGrace CindyNatallee Faith KwanThe ladies that shaped my early FIAT activities. Kinda miss the good old days.Mr Jameson, still searching.FIAT MusicDayung-Dayung Combined Forces.Walton “Carlos” and Mary Uring – too fast, I can’t capture them. haha
After the P&W by FIAT, it was Marlcolm’s turn to play, along with Cikgu Psalms’ ehem-ehem.
They played Danau, and Semina Duduk Berimbai, sape version.
Too bad I don’t have a picture with Diana on-stage. Otherwise, I would post it here. Probably I need to wait for the other photographer to share it.
I have uploaded this performance at my YouTube channel and my Facebook page, Del.Wakil Pichin – Dimen.
The event is a crazy one, mainly due to the choice of the right Emcee. In this case, we have Mr Nomiday Dajie as the emcee. He can speak at least three languages, English, Malay and Iban.
Mr Nomiday DajieMiss Choreographer below the stage.
After the kids’ performance, it is time for the Bollywood performance, including mashup of music from Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham and Shah Rukh Khan’s top songs.
Say Shava Shava
Caleesey, Jackie’s cousin also sang a song by Alicia Keys, If I Ain’t Got You.
What a burst!Our own rockstar in the house.Poco-Poco background danceGrace and Charles
Nearing the end of the event, Jameson, Remeo and Nomiday are still ready to rock and roll, but the hotel staff is calling it a night. Therefore, that’s it.
May God bless Edna and Jacky, and their Bakeh Homebakery business. One thing that I admire about the two of them, they are husband and wife that runs their own busisness, doing the things that they are truly passionate about.
Until next time. 😉
Your Tukang Rantek, Claudius Weson a.k.a Del
Instagram: claudiuswesonphotography (for B&W works & short story)
Note: Claudius Weson is a “tukang rantek” (photographer in Bidayuh Pichin) based in Miri, mainly doing portraiture (indoor / studio / outdoor photoshoot), weddings and event photography.
For the 2018 photoshoot, I used my beloved M9-P which was no longer around, coupled with Noctilux 50mm. For 2020 shoot, I used the first Summicron (collapsible) which I love to use to create dreamy effect due to its softness, but still packs a lot of punch combined with Leica M10.
Copyright Notice
All of the images on this site are protected by copyright laws and are the exclusive property of Claudius Weson Photography. Images may not be copied, reproduced, manipulated, used or altered in any way without written permission. The use of any photography as the basis of another photographic concept or illustration is a violation of copyright.
We’re two weeks into 2020, and I hope all of you are doing great. Life is great, whatever happens to us. It is not how life treats us that shapes us, it is how we react to it. Whatever hardship that you faced today, it is going to shape your future. Just take it is a preparation for a better and tougher times ahead. Better to sweat in training than to bleed in real battle.
In this edition, I would like to write about my Christmas and New Year 2020 that I have both celebrated offshore last year. It is not really by choice, and complaining about it will not make a difference. Therefore, I made the best out of it and then take that opportunity to capture the moments. My last time Christmas and New Year was on 2012 at F6 platform. That time was OIM Dana’s second trip to offshore after he was officially assigned as F6 OIM.
What was Wilfred doing there? LOL.
Offshore Christmas
For Christians, Christmas is the time to remember the birth of the saviour, Jesus Christ. It is also the time for gatherings with family. However, for those who is on duty, the family that they have is the brothers (and sisters) in arms offshore. Out there, there is no time to be sad because it is all about work, except when you are off-shift. That is the time for you to relax, and recover for the next day. On Christmas Day, the staff are given half-day off, except for the management level, where they still have to run the business. In the evening, there is a special Christmas buffet. Here, there is no question whether you are Muslim, Christian, Buddhist or practicing folk religion, because we respect on another here. You and your religion, I am with mine. All of us had some fun and a good time eating Christmas dinner prepared by the catering team.
Sesi MembawangChristmas Group Photo (Credits to Tuan Malino Muji)
After Christmas Day was over, the business runs as usual.
Solar Eclipse, 26 Dec 2019
On Boxing Day 2019, as I went out from the quarters, I noticed that the day is a little darker than usual. However, as I look at the horizon, it is strangely bright. I look up to the sky to see, actually there is an eclipse. Initially I thought it was only affecting Serian. I was wrong. I rushed to get my Leica, then I grab this shot. It is not night time. It is just that the sun is so bright, it dims the surrounding sky.
New Year 2020 Countdown
I think Campboss is a bit sad, so he sat there alone.
New Year is usually celebrated with firecrackers, a practice adopted from the great Chinese civilisation, invented as early as 200 BC, should you not know. Traditionally it was coloured by adding chemicals, including strontium carbonate (red fireworks), calcium chloride (orange fireworks), sodium nitrate (yellow fireworks), barium chloride (green fireworks) and copper chloride (blue fireworks).
New Year SelfieLagie still holding his mic, practicing for karaoke competition.
However, offshore, you cannot light a fireworks. You have to make do of whatever you have. Thanks to the Welfare Committee led by Effendi, the have prepared some of the items for us to have fun and enjoy for new year. It was started with Karaoke session (my favourite) until midnight.
On midnight, we gathered in front of the projector, where we had our own countdown using the internet watch and then it is 2020. No one is singing Auld Lang Syne though. Everyone was either busy shaking hands and eating. The best version of Auld Lang Syne is by Boney M. Period.
New Year 2020 Party
As usual, for any public holiday, it is half day offshore. After we completed our morning session, we gathered in the afternoon 3.30pm for our New Year Party, where the Welfare team prepared some games for the staff.
The first game was called Frog Prince, where the contestants has to act based on the symbols written on the floor. However, caution has to be exercised, because you have to place the correct leg and palm on the floor, failure which you have to repeat the who process again. The winner will be based on the person who can complete it the fastest. The winner for this first game is Reno.
For the second game, it is called “Hole In One” or popularly called “Ngayuk”. To win this game, you have to tie the rope across your hip, and through your pelvic motion, you have to swing the nut to hit another nut. This game is challenging, especially for those who has back problem. However, in this game, we can see that everyone is having fun.
Initially I did not sign up for this game, but after the second round, noticing that there is an empty slot, I decided to compete. I won the preliminary round, and eventually won the final round. Oh yeah!
Thanks for the nice pic, Lorna! 😀
The last game is called Musical Chair. This game is simple. When the music plays, everyone has to dance around the chairs. The catch is, there is not enough chair for everyone. For those who did not managed to sit on a chair when the music stops, he will be eliminated. There are a couple rounds before the final rounds. The winner is Shahsirin, a staff from PETRONAS.
After the party, all of us are served with another round of meal prepared by the catering team. No wonder offshore peoples are bulking up easily.
New Year Karaoke Competition
After the BBQ session outside, all of us freshens up and prepare for the next event. Thanks to E11 committee for giving me honour to be the judge of the Karaoke Battle to start the year 2020, which I ends with Isabella (once again, cos I love it). Great work also by co-judge, Medic Fikri, who is also a great singer. 🎶🎤😄
The contestants are:
1. Mekie (Transfame)
2. Kenny (ISOS)
3. Awg Hafizi (PCSB)
4. Reno (Shell)
5. Anwar (PCSB)
6. Aiman (Remang)
7. Firdaus (PCSB)
8. Lagie (Oceancare)
9. Shahrul (Oceancare)
10. Matthew Bilong (Petra)
Winner is Reno, followed by Firdaus and Lagie.
Special thanks to PETRONAS Carigali for sponsoring the hampers for winners. Kudos to the organising committee led by Mohammad Effendifor a successful event. The karaoke session marks the end of the New Year celebration. Indeed it is something for me to be remembered, a memory to be reminisced over coffee table should I meet with one of the offshore colleagues once again, in the future.
Note: From my offshore visit this time, I have decided to channel my musical talent into a focused effort, which I put in my own Facebook page: Del (click here) YouTube Channel: Claudius Weson
Note: Claudius Weson is a “tukang rantek” (photographer in Bidayuh Pichin) based in Miri, mainly doing portraiture (indoor / studio / outdoor photoshoot), weddings and event photography.
All of the images on this site are protected by copyright laws and are the exclusive property of Claudius Weson Photography. Images may not be copied, reproduced, manipulated, used or altered in any way without written permission. The use of any photography as the basis of another photographic concept or illustration is a violation of copyright.
