Phnom Penh (Ah!) Travel Tips - Faces & Places - What's Going On - May 2006

James Loving NR Former Samart CEO Somchai (An) Lertwisettheerakul

Sre VANDA FRESHIE CONTEST SUCCESS - FRESHIE SHOW ON HOLD - Pannasastra University Film Festival IS ON with schedule change!!! - Where to dine around the Film Festival - Monument Books Delivers - US Embassy Moved - Cambodian Premiere Football League Is On HOLD - Cambodia University Internet Service - Toshu Fukami Library @ University of Cambodia Open to Public - Cambodia's funny money - NR Top 10

Thursday May 11, 2006 - Update Sunday May 14, 2006

DJ Ken

What's Going On In Phnom Penh

Recording artist Marvin Gay sang it best 'What's Going On.' WELL IN PHNOM PENH….

FRESHIE BOY & GIRL TALENT & BEAUTY CONTEST

We bumped into former Samart CEO Somchai (An) Lertwisettheerakul who was the key man in Samart sponsoring the Freshie Boy & Girl contest. After five years of being on the air (Cambodia's TV 3) and developing talent the show's future is in doubt since Samart was sold to Malaysian business concern.

Lertwisettheerakul admitted that if the new Samart owners did not continue sponsoring the show, "It would be a shame to waste five years of work."

The show has given many Cambodian youngsters that were in the have not category and chance to be apart of the HAVES community.

In the past several entrants didn't own shoes when they entered the contest. After some of the contestants experienced being involved with the show they became more knowledgeable and aware of the better side of life.

Some former Freshie contestants have gone on to become famous in Cambodia by becoming television show hosts, actors and recording artists. For those that didn't pursue an entertainment many have found meaningful jobs and a chance to earn a decent living. Ms. VANDA is another success story.

The runner-up in the 2005 Freshie show is now hosting a television show on TV 3 that visits historical sites and places of interest.

To me she is one of the most surprising of the top three winners of the 2005 contest to host a television show..

Having interviewed through an interpreter her several times I've always found her to be quiet and shy. On the show she is now exhuberat and outgoing.

Her look has changed to a more hip-hop style. In the past she had a very low key, reserved appearance.

Her TV host talent shines, as she knows how to interview and use a microphone. Her vibrant personality compliments her co-host. She has the gift for gab and most importantly she has good timing when to speak and when not. She does not step on (interrupt) others.

Vanda is not in love with herself when on camera as many TV personalities are. She has good timing and communication skills. She knows when to look into the camera and she looks into the eyes of the person she interviews without being intimidating. This is a RARE TALENT IN ASIA.

She has a natural smile and laugh and appears to be thrilled with what she's doing in a genuine way. At this early stage of her career she is the best young talent on Cambodian television and has the potential to be the best in Cambodia given more experience.

At this time she is a challenge to Socheat Kong the veteran TV presenter and model that TV 3's marketing director Kittichai Hataywat considers as being the best in Cambodia.

Vanda's appeal is greater since she is young and closer to the youth demographic given her age. She has a bright future in the entertainment business providing politics don't get in the way.

If she learns English… WATCH OUT WORLD!!! We've viewed the show several times at various times.

On May 11th it aired between 1 & 2pm. Other air times were between 6 & 7pm. There doesn't seem to be a specific time slot for the show.

Calls to Hataywat for more detailed information were unanswered.

PANNASASTRA UNIVERSITY FILM FESTIVAL... IS ON!!! with Schedule Change

The film festival Cinema Cambodia held at Pannasastra University has been rescheduled.

The event will take place a WEEK later on Saturday May 27 at the university.

It will be a one-day occasion instead of the previously scheduled two days. THE SCHEDULE as follows…

The 3rd Annual CINEMA CAMBODIA FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL

When: Saturday, May 27, 2006

Where: Pannasastra University Rooftop Amphitheater No. 184 Norodom Boulevard (South of Independence Monument)

Schedule of Events

9:30—11:30 am Film/Video Production Workshop

Presentations and demonstrations on animation and low budget film/video production, especially geared to new film and video makers. (Free admission)

2:00—4:00pm Film and Video Screenings

Admission: $3 Foreign/Expatriate 3000 riel Cambodian Residents 2000 riel Cambodian Students (with Student ID)

6:00—8:00pm Film and Video Screenings

Admission: $3 Foreign/Expatriate 3000 riel Cambodian Residents 2000 riel Cambodian Students (with Student ID)

Entry deadline extended to May 20, 2006

Entry fees:

Free to all Cambodian entries Foreign entries: $15

For further information please call 012 620 571 or email rleos@puc.edu.kh

The Cinema Cambodia Film Festival is co sponsored by the PUC Faculty of Communications and Media Arts, Pannasastra Student Senate (PASS), and PUC Center for Community Service Learning (CSL).

All proceeds benefit community service activities of the Pannasastra Student Senate and the PUC Center for Community Service Learning.

Festival organizer Dr. Raymond Leos said, " As with previous years, the emphasis of this year's festival is on providing a comfortable and supportive venue for young Cambodian filmmakers to show their work, and to share and network with others.

"Of course, we will again welcome foreign/expat entries, but our primary mission has always been to showcase local talent."

MORE FILM FESTIVAL RELATED INFORMATION:

With the Pannasastra Film Festival being located near the Independence Monument there are several places nearby to dine.

For pizza lovers there is Ecstatic Pizza. Located at #132F Norodom Boulevard between streets 308 & 294 near the Independence Monument. It is located between the University of Cambodia and Pannasastra Universities on the south side (Pannasastra University side) of the street. Open 9am - 11pm - Tel 023-365-089.

Helen's restaurant and bakery is also nearby. Helen's specialty is Philippine food and her excellent bakery goods.

Helen is a great person to talk to if she is not busy. She came to Cambodia in 1990 when UNTAC arrived.

She has a lot of experience and stories about the changes of Cambodia since she landed on Cambodian soil.

Located on 1598 Norodom Blvd. between St. 306 & St. 294. Look out for it there is a small tree in front of the entrance.Tel: 016-848-001

The Baan Thai restaurant is also close by. They feature Thai food and a $1.50 buffet during lunch available Monday through Saturday from 11am to 2pm.

It has a clean environment smoking is not permitted and no alcohol is served.

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

TOSHU FUKAMI LIBRARY

For those that are visiting or living in Phnom Penh there is a library that has books and magazines in ENGLISH.

The University of Cambodia offers such a facility that is open to the public seven days a week.

During the week Monday through Friday the TOSHU FUKAMI library is open from 7:30am to noon. In the afternoon it is open from 2 to 8pm. Saturday and Sunday 7:30am to noon and 2-6:30pm.

The university is located near the Independence monument at #143-145 Preah Norodom Boulevard. Tel: 023-993-276.

CAMBODIA UNIVERSITY INTERNET

University of Cambodia now has an Internet service open to the public. Hours of service are from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. Rates are 1000 riel for a half hour and 1500 for one hour.

The university is located near the Independence monument at #143-145 Preah Norodom Boulevard. Tel: 023-993-276.

CAMBODIAN FOOTBALL PREMIERE LEAGUE ON HOLD

The Cambodian Premiere Football league will renew their season in June. The league schedule was suspended to compliment the travel schedule of the national team ad Khemara to tournament in Bangladesh and Malaysia..

Games are played at 2pm and 4pm Saturday and 1:30 and 3:30pm Sunday at Olympic Stadium. The game on Sunday at 3:30pm is televised on TV 5.

US EMBASSY MOVED

The US Embassy has moved to a new location opposite Wat Phnom and the Sunway Hotel.

New telephone number: Tel: 023-728-000

MONUMENT BOOKS DELIVERS

Monument Books has a delivery service to your home or hotel/guesthouse available for newspapers and magazines. You can subscribe for a daily newspaper service or for one issue. Monument also has back issues available.

Contact Meng Hong. Tel: 012-224-222 or 023-217-617. Fax 855-217-618. Email: info@monument-books.com

CAMBODIA'S FUNNY MONEY

As the saying goes…if it ain't broke don't fix it.

A couple of years ago the 50-riel note was introduced to the Cambodian public. It wasn't well received.

WHY??? Good Question

The note valued at just over 1 US cent can easily be confused with the 500-riel note valued at 12 ½ US cents

Those who had one wanted to get rid of it as fast as possible. Vendors and super and mini markets were dumping them on patrons.

Another reason is carrying 50-riel notes takes up a lot of room.

When a customer complained of receiving a pile of BRAND NEW 50-riel notes for change the vendor replied, "Give it to the beggars."

NOW FAST FORWARD

A new 1000-riel note has been released.

What's wrong with that?

Answer: The old 1000-riel note is brown. Its value is around 25 US cents. It is easy to recognize being the only brown note in Cambodian currency.

The new 1000-riel note is blue note is confusing to a traveler or a not so familiar foreigner. It has a bright blue color on one side and a not so bright blue color on the other.

As it ages it gets dull. The notes it can easily be confused with other blue notes.

The 100 riel note is valued at just over 2 1/2 cents. If you snooze on this one you really lose.

The 5000-riel note is valued at US $1.25. The 10,000-riel note is valued at US $2.50.

There is a 50,000-riel blue note that is seldom seen valued at around $12.50.

Why the change??? GO FIGURE.

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