Phnom Penh (Ah!) Travel Tips - Teaching Freshie Boy & Girl Contestants - Faces & Places - November, 2005

James Loving NR Ana Zhang Ling Ling teaches Freshie contestants how to walk that walk.

Wednesday November 9, 2005 - Update November 23, 2005

DJ Ken/National Radio Text Service

TRAINING FRESHIE BOY & GIRL CONTESTANTS

IS THE FRESHIE CONTEST MAKING A SILK PURSE OUT OF A SOWS EAR?

When the Freshie Contest began in 2001 there was no precedent for such an undertaking. Cambodia continued its attempts to rise from the ashes of its turbulent past.

Finding experienced beauty and talent contestants was virtually inconceivable. The answer was there was a need to teach and the Freshie organizers had an answer.

Ana Zhang Ling Ling is a former model from China. She was chosen to teach the final contestants how to walk and comportment since the initial contest. For the most part what she had to work with were young people that had no experience.

What she found the most difficult in training them for the modeling aspect of the show was… "They don't know how to walk with shoes," she said. "Without shoes they're OK. It's difficult for them to walk with shoes. I want them to do catwalk (a fashion models walking stride) to show themselves."

Zhang said the attitude is good, that the contestants apply themselves when instructed. She also noted the biggest difference between last years and this years contestants.

"This year the boys and girls are shorter," she said. "Some are too young 16-17. They're bodies are young (underdeveloped)," she added as she pointed out the more developed past Freshie girls in attendance at the judging event at the Juliana hotel November 19th.

Whatever the criterion is to prepare the boys and girls for the upcoming finals she has less time to do it in. In the past she has been instructing throughout the duration of the contest. This year she has a shorter time frame of one week to prepare them for a live telecast at 7:30pm on TV 3 December 3rd when the final 20 boys and 20 girls will put on a show.

From that point there will be a weekly telecast on TV 3 at 7:30pm Saturday evenings when… as Donald Trump says on his The Apprentice TV show one boy and one girl 'will be fired (eliminated)'.

Boonkerd Angamnuaysiri Samart's General Manager and Fresihie Boy & Girl organizer said of the 1800 photo entrants for this years event judges selected 300 boys and girls for an elimination process. They were interviewed and gave a performance of their talent.

From that audition the judges will select the final 20 boys and 20 girls. The top 20 boys and 20 girls..

The finals for the 2006 Freshie contest will be held at TV 3 in a live telecast January 21st at 7;30pm

FRESHIE WINNERS UPDATE

Last years top winners Freshie Girl Cham Kanika is helping as a consultant for this years contest. She plans to return to the USA to continue her studies.

Freshie Boy winner Lim Chealay has recently returned from London, England where he studied economics. He now attends school in Phnom Penh's University of Economy & Law.

CTN INTERNATIONAL

The CNT (Cambodian Television Network) International feed went on the air of Phnom Penh Cable last month replacing the Indonesia channel. A Phnom Penh Cable employee gave no reason for the change and deletion of the Indonesia channel.

MORE CTN

CTN boss Glen Felgate said the talent and beauty contest CTN produced earlier this year may not be repeated.

The contest differed from the Freshie event since it went on location and produced shows in the provinces (i.e. Battambang) as well as in Phnom Penh.

WATER FESTIVAL A HIT

Cambodia's Water Festival is the time when Cambodians flock to Phnom Penh to celebrate the event and visit their relatives. The result being the riverfront area is crowded.

The festivities will took place November 15-17th.

Some reports estimated up to two million people attended the event.

Featured attractions included boat racing and colorful floats compete against each other in Phnom Penh. Stages featuring entertainment are scattered about in several riverfront locations.

AMOK PIZZA

Yes you heard right…. Amok Pizza! This new item is available at the Kandal House restaurant. We haven't tried it, can't recommend it but if your curious… it's up to you.

The establishment is located in Phnom Penh on the riverfront road at 234 Sisowath Quay. Tel: 012-525-612

GO FIGURE - IT AIN'T DISNEYLAND

One of Phnom Penh's bar magazines/guides that promotes where to go in Phnom Penh said that it hopes a bar that has been closed for renovations will be open in time for Christmas.

The bar was closed this year after a murder was committed at the establishment with armed guards present. The killer has not been apprehended. In the past there have been several shootings on the premises.

This night spot is not Disneyland. Visitors to Phnom Penh should be aware of their sources of information on where to go and what to do. Most importantly why would anyone recommend a dangerous environment? Go figure…

BASKETBALL

If you want to get some exercise and its a basketball game you're looking try the outdoor courts at Olympic Stadium.

Games every day. Most players come after the sun could down at 4:00pm. Some good competition offered by players from the US Embassy. Are U ready?

PET PEEVE - Receiving Riel Fair Change

One of the interesting things about being in Cambodia is the way business adjust their way of doing business in being fair as well as offering good quality services and products rather than just taking your money.

The past few months the Cambodian currency riel has been exchanging at a rate of 4200 to the US dollar. Some of the larger businesses in the area are handling what they want and what they give in change differently.

Three of the biggest in Phnom Penh are The Big A supermarkets, Lucky Supermarkets and the Cal Tex/Star Mart convenience store. We made several purchases and experienced different results.

LUCKY MARKET tops the list of having the integrity to give a fair exchange for the dollar. Their items are always charged in dollars they ALWAYS gave us change for 4200 riel.

BIG A was a result that in two out of five purchases made was change given for 4200 riel. One was in their variety store on the second floor and the other from the market.

STAR MART is the worst offender. NEVER has Star Mart given change for 4200 only 4000. On the other hand when the Cambodia Daily newspaper that has listed price on the cover is a 1200 riel they ASK FOR 1300. Is this a case of GO FIGURE?

Yes a 100 riel here and there is not much to the consumer though it may be preferable for some to give the money to a beggar. Who needs it more?

When you figure how many transactions are made per day and multiply the number of outlets the company has that accumulates into a fairly decent figure at the end of the year.

What causes the differences in the way companies do business? Star Mart is a major International company the others are not.

In contrast some poor Khmers with small shops are giving change for 4200 or 4100 riel when we gave them a dollar. They have thriving business. GO FIGURE!

BOXING

Kick boxing events are held at television stations CTN, TV 5 and TV 3 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is usually free.

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