Phnom Penh (Ah!) Travel Tips - Faces & Places - FRESHIE CONTEST - THE NEW LOOK OF CAMBODIA - February 2005

DJ Ken/National Radio Text Service

THE FREHIE GIRL & BOY CONTEST - The judging comes from three sources - 1. The public accounts for 30% of the vote. They can vote via SMS messaging service only on the Samart system - 2. Responsible people involved in the event such as the talent trainers and professors account for 35% of the vote - 3. Judges at the shows account for the other 35% of the result. Judges are comprised from the sponsors of the show and representatives in government.

Wednesday February 9, 2005

KHMER YOUTH GET A FRESH START

The annual Freshie(s) (Fresh Start) Boy & Girl contest, a new refreshing look for Cambodia, culminated with a bang at the Chatomuk Theater in Phnom Penh Saturday February 5th. For the 16-20 year old contestants the last week of the event was in part a rush of experiences and an insight of what life is all about. It was the conclusion of several months of competition that began with over 3000 entrants. This was the final moment of who would be Freshie Girl & Freshie Boy of 2005.

The road to the finals wasn't easy. In November there were over over 3000 applicants, 1500 girls and 1500 boys. After reviewing the applications and pictures the Freshie committee selected 300, 150 girls and 150 boys to be interviewed. One hundred boys and girls were interviewed daily. Fifty, 25 girls and 25 boys were chosen to move on to the next round.

In some cases the participants are then transformed from a sows ear into a silk purse. Many of them have no experience in the talent areas that are required of them on the road to the finals. The Freshie organization hired professors from the Ministry of Culture to teach the contestants how to perform singing, dancing and modeling. Clothes are donated for the Freshie talent shows that were telecast weekly nationwide on TV-3 and other events.

The elimination process continued to 40 and 20. At that point one girl and boy were eliminated weekly until the final 16 were selected.

The judging comes from three sources.

1. The public accounts for 30% of the vote. They can vote via SMS messaging service only on the Samart system.

2. Responsible people involved in the event such as the talent trainers and professors account for 35% of the vote.

3. Judges at the shows account for the other 35% of the result. Judges are comprised from the sponsors of the show and representatives in government.

In last seven days leading up to the finals the group of sixteen were paraded around the country doing personal appearances and televised shows seen throughout Cambodia.

Saturday January 29th the troop performed their talent with traditional Khmer dancing on a televised show at the TV-3 back lot stage. After the show the group returned to their home base the Juliana Hotel.

According to the events organizer Ms. Noy Rauv the groups staying together at a hotel is a part of the contest. It demonstrates and teaches the contestants from varied backgrounds, rich and poor how to get along. It is one of the factors that determine the winning result.

Wednesday February 2nd the Freshies set off for their annual trip. Last year it was Siem Reap, this year it was the new upscale Sokha Beach Resort in Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

After a 5am departure the Freshies experienced a sample of dealing with adversity and get the job done when their bus broke down en route to the Sokha Resort delaying their arrival for several hours. The day's program had to be rearranged. The afternoon was spent visiting business around Sihanoukville town to promote the show at the resort that evening.

After their meet and greet experience they returned to the hotel to freshen up and dress for the scheduled 6pm show. The day's delays altered the starting time to after 7pm.

With little rest or sleep the virtues of youth prevailed as the contestants put their best foot forward and put on a lively show at the Sokha Resorts colorful outdoor stage for hotel guests and visiting attendees.

The following day (Thursday) the group returned to the Phnom Penh and experienced more adversity. A tree fell down in the road delaying their arrival at the Juliana hotel four hours.

During times like these it was difficult being a fresh Freshie.

Rauv said the the Freshie's usually take three to four days to prepare for a show. With their 36 hours of adversity behind them the group had less than 48 hours to prepare for the finals.

Saturday February 5th the Chatomuk theater was filled to capacity with over 600 invited VIP guests in attendance. The stage lights dimmed and the nationally televised show began.

A vocal performance by Khmer singing star Ouk Sokun Kagna complimented with the TV-3 dancers and a fashion show followed.

Boy and girl winners were selected for various qualities including most popular with their contemporaries, rising star, photogenic and personality.

Cham Kanika, 19 walked off with the Freshie Girl title and Kim Chealay, 20 won the award for Freshie Boy.

The top prize was 1,000,000 riel (US$250) and a one-year contracted job with Samart a cell phone company and the primary sponsor of the event. The other five finalists have an opportunity to have a job at Samart "If they wish," said Rauv.

If there is something that can help Cambodia cleanse itself of its negative human rights image the Freshie's Boy & Girl contest is one example.

It is an example that with new thinking, new ideas enhanced by the exuberance and talent of Khmer youth there is hope for Cambodia's future.

The contest exemplified that Cambodia is more than just the Killing Fields and the poor example it left on the minds of people around the world. It gives Khmer youth a fresh start in creating a new image for Cambodia.

Notes:

The Sokha Resorts were the only Cambodian sponsor of the Freshie event. The remaining sponsors were Thai owned.

It's a extraordinary circumstance considering that Cambodian teenagers were largely blamed and incarcerated for setting fires to Thai owned business in Phnom Penh in January 2003.

Samart was one of the businesses that suffered the most damage. Their building was destroyed forcing the company to relocate.

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Coming - The Creation of Freshie and Why.

Also in a separate story Five of the six Freshie finalists share their thoughts on the competition - Full stories coming

CINEMA CAMBODIA FILM FESTIVAL

The 2nd Annual Cinema Cambodia Film festival.

The event will be held February 12, 2005 at Pannasastra University of Cambodia South Campus Rooftop Amphitheater.

Films to be screened include: · Features, short films, documentary · Narrative/Fiction · Experimental/Non-narrative.

Films screened will be in either English or Khmer. Films not in the English or Khmer language will contain English or Khmer subtitles.

Cinema Cambodia

Pannasastra University of Cambodia

No. 184 Maha Vithei Preah Norodom

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

For Cinema Cambodia Film Festival information call: (855) 012 620 571 or email: rleos@puc.edu.kh

For Cinema Cambodia attendees there are restaurants within a block of the events venue Pannasastra University.

BAAN THAI RESTAURANT'S NEW LOOK

The Baan Thai restaurant is one block from Pannasastra University. It has remodeled its ground floor. No longer does the ground floor restaurant appear to be a hole in the wall. It has been transformed into a colorful, open spacious environment.

Plants and water ponds enhance the establishment giving it a soothing, calm atmosphere. The upstairs dining area remains the same.

The eatery continues to serve its famous $1 lunch. Items from its regular menu are also available during lunch. The $1 lunch is available Monday through Saturday.

The restaurant is open seven days a week. The eatery is a nonsmoking setting that does not have liquor or beer available for public consumption.

The Baan Thai is located a block from the Norodom Boulevard Pannasastra University campus at # 2 Street 306. Tel: 023-362-991

HELEN'S RESTAURANT

Helen's restaurant is also one block from the Pannasastra University Cinema Festival on Norodom Boulevard between streets 306 & 302. You have to look for it since it is tucked away behind a small tree under a blue & white awning.

Helen's is also a bakery. They are best known for their cakes sold in supermarkets in the Phnom Penh area. Say hello to Helen. She is a hands on owner and on the premises.

Location: # 1598 Norodom Blvd. - 012-848-001 (Landmark - near Independence Monument)