The amazing Penang CHT Awards & Ball 2008 Sponsored by Jaeger-LeCoultre!

[Jaw]

"If you can attend only one event in Penang" a Dato (an honorary title bestowed by Malaysian Royalty) at the event told me, "This", referrring to the October 31st CHT Awards & Ball 2008, "is the dinner to attend".

The event, organised by the media group CHT Network aims to acknowledge individuals and organisations that have excelled in their respective fields with the CHT Network Awards. The success of the CHT Network, whose stable of publications include Lifestyle magazine "Essenze" and the free tourist guide like "IN Penang", can be attributed to the charisma and the personality of its Managing Director, Ch'ng Huck Theng.

Other than his role in CHT Network, Ch'ng, is also an accomplished artist, a journalist, an author and the Director of 152 year old Ghee Hiang Manufacturing Co., Sdn., Bhd. a company specialises in the manufacturing of traditional food and snacks, including the very famous "Tau Sar Pneah" (A traditional Chinese pastry with mung bean paste filling) which I believe is still the flagship product of the very profitable Ghee Hiang.

From what I have learnt in my limited interactions with the people in Penang, the humorous and sociable Ch'ng is said to be Penang's most "connected" person, and such reputation can be validated by the vast number of whose who attending the Ball.

I spent four years of my early education in Penang and it is a town (actually a city and a Malaysian state, but I personally prefer the very warm nature of Penang and its small town friendliness) I still remember and reminisce fondly. While the city has a large group of old money wealthy businessmen, they are also known to be thrifty in a good way. And for those with a natural prejudice against Penang, the word "stingy" is frequently used on them unfairly.

Other than Rolex and Audemars Piguet, who have successfully cultivated a core group of fans there, Penang is generally considered as a market lacking potential by the luxury watch industry and has generally been ignored by brands and retailers alike.

Unlike most brands who are still skeptical about Penang, Jaeger-LeCoultre already has a small presence at the Airport and will soon be opening its first official point of sales in Penang in partnership with Cortina Watch. While there will be other brands represented by Cortina in Penang, perhaps, by December 2008. No other new brands are as pro-active as Jaeger-LeCoultre, who is the main sponsor of the Ball and using CHT Awards & Ball 2008 to introduce the brand to the elites there.

And what a wonderful evening for Jaeger-LeCoultre that was. Many guests, after being shown the timepieces, ended up buying the watches on the evening itself! As most of the pieces on display were timepieces with elaborate gem setting, 8 pieces of mostly high priced items (a few with 6 figures retail prices) were sold even before the first point of sales is opened.

I need to stress that the staff of Jaeger-LeCoultre and South East Asian Managing Director Xavier Dufoix kept their lips tightly closed and did not comment on the evening's sales. Sitting on the table, I witnessed the sales of 3 pieces and heard about the other 5 pieces from a very reliable source, who is also an invited guest of the Ball (not from Jaeger-LeCoultre).

My personal assessment based on the evening's observation (alone) is highly positive, The Penang elites are relaxed, jovial and perhaps, still relatively unaffected by the current economic crisis. Most of them are quite happy that the state is now being taken care of by both the State Government controlled by the opposition Democratic Action Party and the Federal Government administered by the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.

Certainly, from the very strong impusive buying I have witnessed at the dinner tables, the purchasing power of the Penang elites is very strong and IF the evening is any indication, all the industry skeptics are simply wrong about Penang. This, I suspect will benefit both Jaeger-LeCoultre and Cortina Watch greatly in the coming months.

Certainly, it is heartening to see the BOLD and the risk-takers being rewarded and I wish the very best for both Jaeger-LeCoultre and Cortina for being bold enough to invest in the future of Penang.

Jaw

Photos to be posted soon.

[Jaw]

Eugene Tan & Rina Teoh. Eugene is the Director of Concept Work..










Dr. Choong Sim Poey on the left. Dr. Choong is the Chairman of the Penang Heritage Trust.


















Joanna Lim & Reena Tan,


From Left, Peggy Lim. From Right, Joanna Lim, Datin Tan Poh Choo, Joanne Ch'ng, Datin Annie Chin, Jennifer Lim.


Dato Lim Yam Kui on the right.






From right, Joanne Ch'ng & Chelsea Ng.


Consultant for Jaeger-LeCoultre Malaysia Dato Francis Sew and Jaeger-LeCoultre South East Asia Managing Director Xavier Dufoix. Dato Sew is an established personality in the watch industry and in a positive way, he is also one of the two best salesmen I have ever witnessed,


Samantha Foong, Eugne & Rina.


Eugene & Samantha Foong.


Video interview.


Video interview.


Dato Khee Phaik Cheen being interviewed, she is the ex-Tourism Minister in Malaysia.

Jaw

[Jaw]

As far as I can remember, The E&O Hotel has been THE place to stay in Penang. My first visit to the hotel was in 1968 and for a 10 year old child, it was quite a wonderful experience I can still remember today.


The Eastern & Oriental Hotel, the local just call the hotel "E&O" with affection.





The hotel was built a little earlier than my time, in 1884-1885 to be precise - to cater for the influx of tourists from the West after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The arrival of the steamship brought writers, actors, playwrights, the rich and the titled, in Europe and America to this small exotic Island call Penang.


The Sarkies Brothers, shown clockwise from top are Arshak, Tigram and Aviet Sarkies, Martin is not in the photo.




VIP Table.

Already renowned by then for their enterprise and business acumen, the Armenian Sarkies brothers (also the founder of Singapore Raffles Hotel), Martin and Tigran, settled down in Penang and established the Eastern Hotel in 1884. Encouraged by its success, they opened another hotel, the Oriental in 1885, on an adjacent piece of land facing the sea. Later merged, these two hotels became the largest and the most luxurious hotel in Penang in 1889, and the Penang icon it is today.





In 1891, another Sarkies brother, Arshak, joined the business. More flamboyant than his brothers, he added a large ballroom in 1903. Before long, the E&O became the centre of the social life and gaiety of Penang and its surroundings, at least till the Great Depressions, when Arshak's extravagance management and lifestyle initiated the decline of Sarkies' family fortune. The hotel passed through different hands without losing its traditional lustre. If the Sarkies brothers sufferred in personal fortune, it was Arshak's touch of glamour and hedonistic flair which made the legend of E&O what it is today.





The E&O's historic, romantic and ostentatios aura makes the hotel the place an ideal place for the CHT Awards & Ball 2008, with the theme "Heaven in Penang". And for the evening, the hotel was kind enough to support the event by providing the magnificent ballroom free of charge.

Jaw

[Jaw]

Ch'ng Huck Teck giving his Opening Speech and introducing the IN Penang 2008 Awards.


Two of the prize presenters.


Best Restaurant 2008: - Peppino.


Best Shopping Mall 2008:- Gurney Plaza.


Best Brand 2008:- Pensonic.


Outstanding Tourist Attraction 2008:- Khoo Kongsi.


Best Hotel 2008: - Rasa Sayang Resort SPA


Best Night Spot: - Bagan.


My Preferred Second Home 2008:- E&O Property.

Jaw

[Jaw]

Dato' Tan Chee Khuan.


















From right, Ch'ng Huck Theng aned Penang Chief Minister's representative. The Chief Minister was away in Korea on that evening.


The Big 3!


Dr. Cheong Sim Poey.


Dato' & Datin Francis Sew.


Reena & Jack.


VIP Guests of Honour representing Penang Chief Minister.


Famous Screen and stage actor Sean Ghazi & stage actress Pearlly Chua of "Emily of Emerald Hill" fame.


Jaeger-LeCoultre Managing Director Xavier Dufoix & Dato' Kee Phaik Cheen.

Jaw

[Jaw]

This is the first section of the 2 part fashion shows featuring Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces and fashion by Calvin Thoo. Jaeger-LeCoultre of course is the most innovative and the most complete high end watch inhouse manufacture under one roof and Calvin Thoo is the hot "Celebrity" designer in Malaysia.

Calvin's clients including Malaysia's famous celebrities like Dato' Siti Nurhaliza, Anita Sarawak, Erra Fazira and adibah Noor is one of the most promising young fashion designer in the country.

It is worth noting that Jaeger-LeCoultre only select the right timepieces for the right models and is neither involved in the selection of the models nor the organisation and decision of how the Fashion shows are choreographed.




Jaeger-LeCoultre South East Asian Managing Director Xavier Dufoix, giving an informative introduction of the 175 year old brand to the invited guests.




Meanwhile, Reena Tan and Samantha Foong were busy working behind the scene to ensure the evening event went smoothly,




Models getting ready at the temporary make-shift dressing room.
























































Fashion Designer Calvin Thoo appearing on stage.










Jaeger-LeCoultre South East Asian Managing Director Xavier Dufoix being invited on stage for a photoshoot session with Calvin and the models.

Jaw

[Jaw]

The second award session was preceded by a singing performance.


Male Artist: - Sean Ghazi. Multi talented arist of film, stage and musical. He made his international feature film debut in the Jodie Foster and Chow Yun Fatt blockbuster "Anna & the King". Sean later reprised his screen role in London's West End, for the same musical with Elaine Page.


Female Artist:- Pearlly Chua. Famous as the "Emily of Emerald Hill" and starred in Tsai Ming Liang's award-winning film, "I Don't Want to Sleep Alone". The film picked up a Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival 2006 and was given an eight minute standing ovation during the screening. Her performance earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress during the 43rd. Golden Horse Film Fesival of Taiwan in 2006.


Art Award:- Dr. Mohamed Najib bin Ahmad Dawa. Director General of National Art Gallery, his own Batik paintings have been shown in Malaysia, United Kingdom and the USA to appreciative audience. He has also undertaken extensive research into the art of papermaking from banana trunks!


Philantropist Award: - Carlsberg Malaysia. For their tremendous contribution to the cause of Chinese education in Malaysia for over two decades. Essenze estimated that around RM300 million has been cotributed by the company to the Chinese primary and secondary school. Infact the Carlsberg Top Ten Charity Concert which started 20 years ago was recognised b the Malaysian Book of Records as the longest running Charity programme for Chinese Education in Malaysia.


Pursuit of Excellence Award (Heritage):- Penang Heritage Trust.
The Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) is a registered tax-exempt NGO that actively promotes the conservation of Penang's built and living heritage as well as encouraging cultural education about the history and heritage of Penang. It was the PHT that initiated Geroge Town eventual listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Pursuit of Excellence Award:- Laurence Loh.
Award-winning architect and bilt heritage expert. According to Essenze, Laurence has played a crucial role in preserving some of Malaysia's most important structures and awakening public awareness to the need for carefully managed and implemented heritage conservation.

Jaw

[Jaw]

A photoshoot just before the Final item of the event, The Grande Finale Fashion Show.































Good Night!
Hope you have enjoyed the coverage.

My best wishes to Jaeger-LeCoultre and to all the Penangnites.

IF the people I met at the Ball is a true representation of the Penang society, then haute horlogerie market there will indeed be very pomising.

But is it so?.....

Jaw

[Monochrome]

Originally Posted by Jaw

Oooohhhh my goodness! What an angel... i guess i'm a believer now i see such a fine creature from heaven

[Jaw]

Well the theme of the evening is "Heaven in Penang". And a few decent angels fit the theme well.

Jaw

[Monochrome]

Originally Posted by Jaw

.... And a few decent angels fit the theme well.

They do... they do

[Jaw]

Jaw