Community Community Indian Lebanese Community musician P7Benevolent P20 and vocalist Forum is organising a Fady Harb will free medical camp for perform live at low-income workers a concert in La in Industrial Area. Cigale today.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 Rabia II 10, 1437 AH

DOHA 16°C—24°C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 13 PUZZLES 14 & 15 All at home Wilfredo C Santos, Ambassador of Philippines, on the old world charm COVER STORY of Doha with all its modernity — and the soft image created by hard working Filipinos in Qatar. P4-5 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 5.01am Shorooq (sunrise) 6.21am Zuhr (noon) 11.45am Asr (afternoon) 2.48pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.11pm Isha (night) 6.41pm

USEFUL NUMBERS

The Hateful Eight in Wyoming, and revolves around eight strangers who seek GENRE: Crime, Drama refuge in a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass during a CAST: Samuel L Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh blizzard. DIRECTION: Quentin Tarantino Emergency 999 SYNOPSIS: The fi lm is set some years after the Civil War THEATRES: The Mall, Landmark, Royal Plaza Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Ooredoo Telephone Assistance 111 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Time 141, 140 Doha International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Medical Commission 44679111 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Weather Forecast 44656590 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444 Qatar University 44033333

te Unqu Dragon Nest: Warrior’s Dawn drove the beasts and dragons back into the Dark Mountains. uo ot GENRE: Adventure, Animation Evil thrives on darkness and draws strength from it. Rage and Q e CAST: Jiao Xu, Guanlin Ji, Ying Huang fury gather in the gem possessed by the Black Dragon Karas, You will never do DIRECTION: Yuefeng Song waiting for the dragon to reawaken. anything in this world SYNOPSIS: Alteria is a land divided among humans, without courage. It is the elves, beasts and dragons. Decades ago, the elves and humans THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall, Royal Plaza greatest quality of the mind next to honor. Mall Cinema (1): Soggade Chinni Nayana Along 2 (2D) 6pm; The Hateful Eight (2D) (Telugu) 2pm; Suff ragette (2D) 4.30pm; The 8pm; The 5th Wave (2D) 11pm. 5th Wave (2D) 6.30pm; The Hateful Eight Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): The Good – Aristotle (2D) 8.30pm; Ride Along 2 (2D) 11.30pm. 9pm; Soggade Chinni Nayana (Telugu) Dinosaur (2D) 3pm; The 5th Wave (2D) Mall Cinema (2): The Good Dinosaur (2D) 11pm. 5pm; The 5th Wave (2D) 7pm; Ride Along 2 2.30pm; Dragon Nest: Warrior’s Dawn (2D) Cinema Land Mark (2): Dragon Nest: (2D) 9pm; The Revenant (2D) 11pm. 4.15pm; Ride Along 2 (2D) 6pm; Charlie Warrior’s Dawn (2D) 2.30pm; The Good Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Wazir (Malayalam) 8pm; The Hateful Eight (2D) Dinosaur (2D) 4.15pm; The 5th Wave (2D) (Hindi) 2pm; Star Wars: The Force Awakens 10.30pm. 6pm; The 5th Wave (2D) 8pm; The Hateful (2D) 4pm; Suff ragette (2D) 6.15pm; The Features Editor Mall Cinema (3): Nannaku Prematho Eight (2D) 10pm. Revenant (2D) 8.15pm; The Hateful Eight (Telugu) 1.15pm; Chalk “N” Duster (Hindi) Cinema Land Mark (3): Nannaku (2D) 10.45pm. Kamran Rehmat 4.15pm; The Revenant (2D) 6.30pm; The 5th Prematho (Telugu) 2.30pm; Suff ragette Asian Town Cinema: Charlie (Malayalam) e-mail: [email protected] Wave (2D) 9.15pm; Dictator (Telugu) (2D) 5.30pm; The Hateful Eight (2D) 7.30pm; 5.15, 6.15, 8, 9 & 10.45pm; Dictator (Telugu) 11pm. The Revenant (2D) 10.30pm. 5.15pm; Soggade Chinni Nayana (Telugu) Telephone: 44466405 Cinema Land Mark (1): Dictator (Telugu) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Dragon 12.30, 3 & 8pm; Nannaku Prematho (Telugu) Fax: 44350474 2pm; Ride Along 2 (2D) 4.30pm; Charlie Nest: Warrior’s Dawn (2D) 2.30pm; Dragon 5.30 & 10.30pm; Thaarai Thappattai (Tamil) (Malayalam) 6.30pm; Ride Along 2 (2D) Nest: Warrior’s Dawn (2D) 4.15pm; Ride 3, 10.30pm & 1am. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

EVENTS the Phoenicians, who later manufactured Aspire Aquathon Series Jewellery and Watches Exhibition purple dye in the Mediterranean and DATE: Feb 20 DATE: February 23-27 Pravasi Vanitha sports meet whose original homeland, according to some VENUE: Hamad Aquatics Centre VENUE: Doha Exhibition and FCC Vanithavedi, a women’s forum, authorities, was not far away in Bahrain. You can join this popular combination Convention Center is inviting entries to a sports fest being This was not the only archaeological of swimming and running sport race, Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition organised on the occastion of Qatar Sport occupation discovered on the island. organised by Aspire Zone Foundation in (DJWE) is being held once a year in Qatar. Day. The event is to be held on February 5 at The island contains a scatter of earlier Bronze Hamad Aquatics Centre pool facility and This show is one of the most exclusive in Shantiniketan Indian School. Age pottery and features (early Dilmun around the Aspire Zone precinct. Entry the world for wealthy individuals interested Individuals can participate in items like period, ca. 2000 BC), suggesting that it was fees: QR 20. Entry is open for all ages and in fine jewellery and unique pieces, 1km walk, 100m race, 200m race, sack race, integrated into the maritime trading and talents, aged 8 years and above. Adult watches, gemstones, and diamonds, all lemon-and-spoon race and shot put. Group fi shing activities of the Dilmun civilisation, groups will run for 5km and swim 500m represented by more than 500 exclusive items include relay race and tug-of-war. based in Bahrain. Additionally, there long, while kids will run between 1.5 - 3 international brands. Additionally, a Only women of 18 years and above are was re-occupation during the Sasanian km and swim between 100-200m long, number of educational seminars will eligible to participate. Interested women period, comprising a possible village or according to their age group. be delivered on jewellery and watches can register their names online at: www. extensive campsite in the western part of throughout the week. fccvanitavedi.wordpress.com or directly at the island, as well as remains dating to the How to Become Youtube Creator the FCC offi ce. Last date for registration is most recent three centuries AD. Apart from Workshop Aspire Run the Park February 3. Contact: 44661213, 44663757, the (post-)Kassite dye-manufacturing site, DATE: January 30 DATE: Until February 13 44315099 all of these occupations are represented by TIME: 10am-2pm VENUE: Aspire Park campsite remains or relatively ephemeral VENUE: Entube Center Aspire Zone Foundation will organise VCU Qatar Faculty Exhibition villages, probably connected to sea-fi shing Entube Center invites you to join a a series of four races on Saturday once DATE: Until Feb 15 and pearl-fi shing activities as well as wood- workshop on How to Become Youtube Creator a month on January 16 and February 13. VENUE: VCU Qatar Gallery gathering, hunting and grazing. In this from 10am to 2 pm. Participants will learn the Participants should compete in at least VCU Qatar will organise its annual respect the archaeology of the island is highly basics of online TV, the incentive and drive three out the four races to win a medal and exhibition of works by artists and designers typical of the coastal and islands region of behind the phenomenon of online TV, the prize. They have to be there an hour before who are teaching and researching at the the Gulf coast, where a surprising amount of composition of the online TV market, how the race. university. Entrance is free. This exhibition archaeology of many diff erent periods can be money is being made and how to capitalise aims to give faculty members an opportunity found scattered across small and apparently on the phenomenon, the standards that to present their results of current artistic and isolated islands, the legacy of many thousands need to be met in order for the channel to be FOODIE CHOICE design research and exploration in a select of visits across the millennia. More details on successful, and more. exhibition. the QNHG website: www.qnhg.org RESTAURANT: Debs W Remman Doha Falcons and Hunting Festival LOCATION: M edina Centralle, Pearl- IAID Talent Development Programme DATE: Until January 30 Qatar DATE: Jan 30 VENUE: Sabkhat Marmi — Sealine Debs W Remman is a 300-seat Lebanese VENUE: Al Tadamoun Signal, Hilal St Al-Gannas Society is hosting the seventh casual dining concept, dubbed as the Introduce your kids to the wonderful world edition of Qatar International Falcons and “Ambassador of the Levant Cuisine” – that of music smile emotion. Music is a natural Hunting Festival. recreates the atmosphere of the old streets part of life for toddlers. They might sing to This international competition, deeply and souqs of Beirut. Headed by Chef Bashir their stuff ed animals, tap their feet to the rooted in Qatar’s culture and traditions, is Zeitouni, the restaurant serves a wide variety rhythm of nursery rhymes, and enjoy the showcasing some of the most beautiful and of traditional dishes that capture the essence sound of their parents singing to them. But well-trained falcons. of authentic Lebanese cuisine. this early introduction to music does more than entertain. It can kick-start learning, Art Exhibition serve as an important cue in a child’s routine, DATE: Until April 18 and off er lifelong benefi ts. VENUE: Porto Arabia, Pearl Diff usion by Peter Zimmermann — A Interfaith Dialogue Conference mesmerising solo exhibition of colourful, DATE: Feb 16-17 futuristic works. Anima Gallery, Parcel 17, VENUE: Sheraton Doha Hotel Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. Contact: 12th Doha Interfaith Dialogue Conference 40027437 will be held this year under the theme: “Spiritual and Intellectual Safety in the Light Listen to Jazz music of Religious Doctrines”. The conference DATE: Jan 30 gives a great opportunity to experts and TIME: 3pm-5pm professionals from all over the world VENUE: Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha, St discuss the issues related to the conference Regis theme, and provide a certain framework for Take the whole family to learn more about dealing with the challenges that threaten the world of jazz at one of Jazz at Lincoln the spiritual and intellectual freedom and Center’s monthly music talks. Kids and security of our times. adults will both love this fun and interactive afternoon in equal measure. Free entry, à la Doha Dash 2016 carte menu. Contact: 44460105. DATE: Feb 9 VENUE: Losail International Circuit QNHG Talk TIME: 7am Purple Island: 4,000 years of The Dolphin Energy Doha Dash was occupation on a very small island in the created by Professional Sports Group bay of Al Khor to support the vision behind the Qatar Talk by Prof Robert Carter, PhD, Professor National Sport Day. The event will bring the of Arabian and Middle Eastern Archaeology, community together at Losail International UCL Qatar Circuit for a chance to run in one of the three Date: Today distances on off er. Time: 7pm Light refreshments from 6:30pm — Q&A afterwards Where: Doha English Speaking School (DESS), Madinat Khalifa South Synopsis: Purple Island (Bin Ghanim Island) is best known as the location of a dye- manufacturing site dating to the late second millennium BC (Kassite or post-Kassite Period), excavated by a French team in the 1980s. Here expensive dye was made from a specifi c species of gastropod, possibly for redistribution to the elites of Bahrain, Mesopotamia and neighbouring regions. This recalls an enigmatic connection with

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY COVER STORY “I de-stress by belting out karaoke numbers” — Wilfredo C Santos, Ambassador of Philippines

top-of-the-line airport and port, By Anand Holla and the emerging economic centre of Lusail; Qatar seems to have everything in place,” Santos says. ometime in 2005, Wilfredo For Santos, Qatar is kind of a C Santos came to Qatar on familiar territory — his fi rst posting an offi cial visit. In the guest was in Kuwait in 1996 as a consul. book at the Embassy of the That was followed by Singapore and Philippines, he penned a later San Francisco, USA, before Sfew heartfelt words and capped it off returning to Manila, and eventually with his name and signature. Qatar, around eight months ago. “I Fate would dutifully appropriate think in foreign service, you need to this gesture into a seal of undergo a certain process of maturity commitment. Ten years later, when and accumulating experience. My Santos took charge of the embassy as 24 years as a diplomat has helped me the Ambassador of the Philippines prepare well for the task that awaited to Qatar, last year, he reached for the me here in Qatar,” says Santos. guest book. Preparation has culminated “There it was, my note and my in multiple ways for Santos. His signature,” he says, togged in a crisp father, a senior diplomat, was the suit, sitting in the living room of his Philippines’ ambassador to Vietnam residence near Doha Golf Club, “Fate and New Zealand. “But my father had it that I would be assigned here.” never brought his job home. Once The posting seems to have come he entered home, he would talk to through at a most opportune time — us about us. He was a disciplinarian, when Qatar is gearing up for the FIFA like the older generations of Filipinos World Cup. “I consider myself lucky who are very strict about proper to be here at this moment,” Santos behaviour. I think such discipline also says, “I am very much impressed by helped me,” he says. the modernity of Qatar. It’s a country Born in Manila, Santos grew that strictly adheres to Islamic up in the US and even studied in traditions but it’s also very modern Switzerland but returned home in how it plans its infrastructure, to fi nish his education. “Staying how focused it is in implementing abroad in my formative years and big plans, and the image it projects the exposure that it provided helped through all its work. Education City, me immensely,” he says, “Children Aspire Zone sports city, Museum of who grow up abroad learn others’ Islamic Art, Katara cultural village, cultures, appreciate them and their

REFLECTION: Children who grow up abroad learn others’ cultures, appreciate them and their way of life, which is key to shaping perspective, says the ambassador. Photos by Jayan Orma FITNESS FIRST: The ambassador likes to ride the bike to keep himself in shape. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY way of life, which is key to shaping perspective.” Following his father’s footsteps felt To soak up some rather natural for Santos, who started culture and off as a journalist. “In Manila, I used to contribute to various newspapers catch some calm, such as Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times, and wire agencies Santos heads as well, writing everything from to the Museum opinion pieces on foreign aff airs to my experiences in Europe,” he recalls, of Islamic Art “All that experience prepared me for my eventual career in Foreign and enjoys the Service.” Having fi rst visited Qatar in panoramic views 1997, Santos, like most people, that its coffee is taken in by the unabated wave of development — and yet that’s shop offers. not what pleases him the most. “Underneath the glittering skyline “But it’s Souq and giant beacons of modernity, I can still experience the same feeling Waqif that I love that I did when I had come to Qatar going, most of before,” Santos explains, “It’s their hospitality that I admire the most. all, because it Whether I visit the Qataris at their offi ce or their home, they welcome captures the old me warmly. That’s a trait we Filipinos share with them.” world charm so The Filipino community in Qatar, well,” he says numbering 200,000, is also among the most active. “My work keeps me occupied from Sunday to Thursday. On Fridays, I commit myself to Filipino community events, which at build a good image for our country.” newcomers feel safer, and at home. promoting Filipino cuisine, and tennis with my friends, and riding times can mean attending fi ve to six While the trend of Filipinos “So that makes it easier for you to hence we established Kulinaria, the bicycle I recently bought to keep in a day,” he says, while crediting his moving to the Gulf countries has adjust. Like it was for me; everywhere which is a movement comprising myself fi t. In the summer months, offi cers and support staff for getting been rather steady, statistics show I went, I saw Filipinos,” he says, and Filipino restaurant owners. The end I swim in my pool every day,” he the work done. a rise in the number of workers in laughs. goal is to use food as a vehicle to shares. “In Qatar, we have about more the region, particularly in the UAE, What Santos misses the most attract tourists from Qatar and the What also features in his unwind than 160 organisations under one of late. “The number of Overseas about home is the festive atmosphere region,” he says. plan is to catch up on fi lms. “I like war umbrella group called United Filipino Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the of Christmas. “But then, here, they Also on the cards, towards movies and comedy movies,” says Organisations in Qatar (UFOQ). UAE is now nearly the same as that have an equivalent,” he reasons, achieving the same goal, is a mega- Santos, “I love listening to jazz and Recently, the Filipinos in Qatar took in Saudi Arabia. Most people had “They have Ramadan, which makes FAM trip of the Philippines for the pop music, and I often de-stress by an active interest in registering anticipated that OFWs in Saudi you not miss the Philippines here. region’s travel agencies and the belting out some karaoke numbers.” themselves for the elections,” Santos Arabi would reach 1 million, but it It’s a festive atmosphere similar to media, in the fi rst half of the year. Even if he is caught off -guard, says, pointing out that 17,500 voters never did. In Qatar, the fl ow has been Christmas in the Philippines.” This is being hashed out in co- Santos will have his numbers ready. have registered thus far. steady. In the Gulf, Saudi still has the For Christmas, Santos had his ordination with other embassies and “I always have three songs prepared The Filipino community in Qatar most OFWs with more than 800,000, house plastered with Christmas their tourism department. “Back in just in case,” he says, smiling, “Frank is employed in a diverse range of UAE now has close to 800,000, Qatar decorations and mostly Santa Claus- the Philippines, they have already Sinatra’s New York, New York, Lionel sectors as skilled workers. “Filipinos has 200,000, and Kuwait 180,000, related embellishments — because he started fi nding hotels and resorts that Richie’s Still, and Eric Benet’s The are in oil and gas sectors, or they and so on,” says Santos. likes Santa, he confesses. “I invited will cater well to the region’s tourists Last Time.” work as engineers, architects, There must be some strong my whole staff for dinner, and a chef by making those properties more To soak up some culture and accountants, and lately, a lot of reasons for Filipinos to feel at home, from The Village restaurant came family-friendly and more Muslim- catch some calm, Santos heads to the workforce in the medical fi eld here in Qatar or elsewhere in the Gulf, down and prepared two Turkeys, friendly — something that Thailand the Museum of Islamic Art and like doctors and nurses has come to have continued to move here. “I which we all shared.” has already done by taking note of enjoys the panoramic views that its from the Philippines,” says Santos, feel it’s the simplicity and warmth of Apart from his keenness in Halal food and so on.” coff ee shop off ers. “But it’s Souq “What is heartening to know is that the people here that makes the place improving his nation’s bilateral With fi ve days spent on offi cial Waqif that I love going, most of all, Qatar has routinely expressed its welcoming. Filipinos are accepted relations, Santos is now in the thick duty and Fridays reserved for because it captures the old world appreciation for the contribution of in Qatar and their contributions are of working on projects focused on attending community events, charm so well,” Santos says, before our Filipino workers. I am proud of recognised.” promoting Philippines as a tourist, Saturdays are when Santos gets hastily adding, “Then, of course, my community because Filipinos are And of course, the large business, and cultural destination. some much-needed R&R. “I spent there’s Villagio for all the pending a hard-working lot who are helping community of Filipinos here helps “One of my major projects is about Saturdays resting at home, playing shopping!”

OUT AND ABOUT: Ambassador Santos, centre, with Filipino sport and wellness group during their regular Friday morning programme at the Corniche. File Photo 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY

RIVETING: Aparajita Troupe delighted the crowd with performances of traditional Indian Bharatanatyam dances. Indian dancers mesmerise Cultural Diversity Festival

ultural Village Foundation — Troupe delighted the crowd with a collection for the fi rst time in Qatar, the troupe helped we are proud to off er yet another dazzling Katara, in collaboration with of traditional Indian Bharatanatyam shows. inaugurate Katara’s Cultural Diversity performance for Katara visitors. There will The United Nations Educational, Dressed in colourful traditional dress, the Festival, providing a fi tting introduction to be another 18 performances to come over Scientifi c and Cultural performers off ered a series of synchronised the country for the global performers long the next fi ve months which will each off er a Organization (Unesco) offi ce in poses and dances with traditional Indian familiar with presenting their culture to similar level of engaging culture and fun for CDoha, hosted the India World Cultural Forum music acting as the soundtrack for their vast various parts of the world. people from all walks of life.” (IWCF) for the second night of Katara’s array of routines. Performers also provided “Katara’s aim as a Cultural Village is to The performances not only entertained Cultural Diversity Festival. Held outdoors music with the ankle instruments affi xed to stage the very kind of performances which the those familiar but also enlightened the and adjacent to Katara Beach along the Katara each performer which acted as the tempo dance troupe brought to the Cultural Diversity dozens of other spectators unacquainted with Esplanade, the IWCF presented Aparajita and within a number of their displays. Festival tonight,” said Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim the displays. It is worth to note that Nairobi troupe, an 11-member performance group Aparajita Troupe has performed in al-Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara. National Dance Ensemble will present its from India. countries around the world including “During the fi rst night of the Festival performances next month on 1st and 2nd of A signifi cant number of Katara visitors Indonesia, Oman, Spain, Switzerland and on we presented a glimpse of the Philippines February, as part of the Cultural Diversity attended the performance where Aparajita numerous occasions across India. Performing culture and tonight, with the help of Unesco, Festival. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY

BLOOD DONATION: Chiyoda Almana Engineering Company held its annual blood donation campaign in co-operation with Blood Donation Unit of Hamad Medical Corporation, recently. In its 4th year, Chiyoda Almana is arranging this campaign as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility with a participation of more than 100 employees. Shizuka Ikawa, Managing Director of Chiyoda Almana, commented on the event saying “we are so proud of the willingness of our employees to participate in our 4th Blood Donation Campaign.” Ikawa added: “Over the years and through our business in Qatar we are always striving to contribute to local community in ways that show our strong commitment to support Qatar Social Development as per Qatar National Vision 2030.”

TRIUMPH: Keralite Engineers Forum emerged as champions in EF Doha Cables Football Tournament defeating MESCEQ Engineering college by 3-2 held at Al Sadd Stadium. As many as 15 engineering college alumni participated in the six-week long tournament.

Free medical camp specialised treatment as well as A team of 12 doctors (GP & Doha resident dead hypertension, fasting blood sugar specialists), paramedical staff and Indian Community Benevolent level checking with free medicines for pharmacists from IDC and Aster will Indian expatriate and a long-time Doha resident, Forum (ICBF), under the Embassy of around 400-450 low paid industrial assist the medical camp. This camp is Puthenpurayil Ibrahim Kutty (70), passed away following India in association with Indian Doctors and private workers residing in approved by Supreme Council of Health, a brief illness at Hamad Hospital on Monday. He was Club Qatar, Aster Medical Centre and Industrial area. and supported by a group of enthusiastic hospitalised earlier this month following a stroke that Wellcare Pharmacy is organising a free ICBF unit has started preregistration ICBF members, volunteering for this left him paralysed, it is learnt. Kutty, who had been in medical camp for low-paid workers of workers for the medical camp. benevolent cause. The camp will be the country for more than 35 years, had been running a on Friday January 22 at Aster Medical Registration forms will also be available inaugurated by Indian ambassador readymade garments shop at Souq Waqif. He was a native Centre premises in Industrial Area from at ICBF Helpdesk at Indian Embassy and Sanjiv Arora. of Orumanayoor in Kerala’s Thrissur district. Kutty was 7am to 1pm. Aster Medical Center, Industrial Area. Any deserving person living in one of the fi rst non-Arab expatriates to start a garment This medical camp shall provide However, spot registration will also be Industrial Area can register themselves. business in Doha, sources said. Eff orts are on to send the free medical consultation including done on the day of the camp for any Contact: 55814150, 55817883, 55842693, body home. orthopaedic, dental, dermatology deserving patient. 30287133. CINE

8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY MARKETING

WAY TO GO: Jiao Jian, President, Huawei Consumer Business Group, at the launch ceremony in Dubai.

Featuring groundbreaking hardware, the Mate 8 is the fi rst smartphone to run the Kirin 950 chipset, with CPU boosting power up 100 percent, GPU performance up 125 percent, and power effi ciency up Huawei unveils 70 percent vs. the Kirin 925. Equipped with a 4000mAh high-density battery, the Mate 8 delivers industry-leading power effi ciency off ering over two days of normal usage. And with rapid charging technology, the phone is flagship devices able to charge a day’s worth of power in just 30 minutes. In fact, regular users can go without charging their The tech major takes innovation to the next level with the launch of phone for 2.36 days, and heavy users can go without charging for 1.65 days. The Mate 8 also features the all new Mate 8 smartphone and M2 Tablet in the Middle East an advanced six-layer thermal mechanics, which allows higher heat dissipation leading to an excellent ast night at the Madinat holding experience and lower power Jumeirah Dubai, UAE, consumption. Huawei Consumer Running on Huawei’s EMUI 4.0, Business Group (CBG) based on Android Marshmallow 6.0, revealed their latest the Huawei Mate 8 off ers hundreds LFlagship devices — the Mate 8 of user experience tweaks and and the M2 tablet to the Middle improvements, including a built-in East region. Dubai became the automatic defragmentation service second city globally for the Huawei that continues optimizing system Consumer Group to launch the new performance. Additionally, the Mate fl agship devices, post the global 8 features a split-screen mode that launch last week at the Consumer enables enhanced multitasking Electronics Show (CES) in Las between apps. Vegas. The spectacular event saw Those using the Huawei M2 over 400 attendees including media Tablet will have an opportunity to from across the region, VIP guests enjoy the rich sonic experience of and partners who were all there to Harman/Kardon, as the result of witness the unveiling of Huawei’s a new partnership that integrates latest innovations. that company’s leading audio The evening’s stellar technology into the 10-inch tablet. entertainment was presented Harman International, with its by renowned comedian Tony core brand Harman/Kardon, is the Abou Joude who kept the crowd world leader for personal audio entertained, by introducing the solutions at home, in the car and spectacular launch of the two Huawei Mate 8 and M2. on the go and is known for its devices. The night was then rounded innovative design and enterprising off with a beautiful recital by violinist from the ground up for productivity Consumer Business Group here in high performance and long battery spirit. In the M2 Tablet, Harman/ Hanine El Alam. and its hardware and software the Middle East and we anticipate life. And when designing the M2, Kardon will provide its cutting- Featuring the most powerful have been fi ne-tuned to provide an 2016 to be an even bigger one with we equipped it with an impeccable edge Clari-Fi audio restoration chipset, a high-capacity battery elegant, effi cient experience. immense growth in the region sound system to take the user’s technology designed to recover and stylish design – including a Commenting on the launch of following the launch of these two experience to the next level. Both the lost details of compressed unique mocha brown color option the devices, Sandeep Saihgal, Vice fl agship devices. The Mate 8 is the of these devices refl ect Huawei’s digital music. The resulting audio – the Huawei Mate 8 is the ideal President of Huawei Consumer ultimate high-end smartphone continued dedication to bringing is clearer, crisper, wider and more smartphone for today’s on-the-go Business Group said, “2015 was designed for the professional, the latest innovation and style to our dynamic - resulting in improved professional. The Mate 8 is designed a successful year for the Huawei striking the perfect balance between consumers’’ realism and fi delity. EMA

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES 9 MOTORING COMMUNITY Infiniti reveals daring Q60 sports coupe at Naias 2016

nfi niti has unveiled the new Q60 sports coupe at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (Naias) in Detroit recently. Designed and Iengineered to perform, the Q60 off ers a compelling combination of daring design and exhilarating performance and dynamics. The bold exterior of the Q60 expresses a powerful elegance through its expressive proportions and taut, muscular lines. The sports coupe maintains the distinctive lines and sharp angles of the original concept, fi rst revealed at the 2015 Naias 12 months ago. Speaking in Detroit, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Corporation and the Renault-Nissan Alliance, commented: “As the third- generation version of Infi niti’s iconic sports coupe, the new Q60 builds on Infi niti’s brand heritage and history of technology leadership. It reinforces Infi niti’s reputation for ZIP, ZAP, ZOOM: The bold exterior of the Q60 expresses a powerful elegance through its expressive proportions and taut, muscular lines. performance, elegance, and driver- focused design.” generation Direct Adaptive Steering Innovative drivetrain technologies brings improved levels of steering deliver a powerful drive, bringing feel and feedback to the Q60, and the the Q60’s dynamic promise to life. Drive Mode Selector gives drivers the The high performance 3.0-litre V6 option to personalise the steering’s twin-turbo engine from the new precise responses to suit their and exclusive ‘VR’ powertrain family preferences. continues the brand’s longstanding Roland Krueger, President of heritage of six-cylinder powertrains Infi niti Motor Company, added: production. The new V6 engine “The Infi niti Q60 conveys a powerful comes in two power ratings: 300hp elegance through its daring design, or 400hp, with the latter off ering one next-generation ride and handling of the best power-to-effi ciency ratios technologies, and powertrains in the sports coupe class. off ering up to 400hp. The Q60 will The Q60 delivers a truly engaging attract new customers to the Infi niti experience, thanks to Infi niti’s brand and affi rm our position in the unique balance of ride comfort and sports coupe segment.” agile handling. Maximising this The world premiere of the new balance is Infi niti’s new optional Q60 sports coupe comes at a time Dynamic Digital Suspension, which of rapid growth for Infi niti, released has been engineered to provide crisp in the midst of an intense global handling responses and superior ride product off ensive. Infi niti sold a comfort. record 215,250 new vehicles in 2015, a Infi niti’s available second- year-on-year rise of 16%. The interior of Q60

Infi niti Q30 is the best performing “small family car” the maximum fi ve-star rating Infi niti Q30 has received in Euro NCAP’s latest safety test The all-new Infi niti Q30 premium active at the end of 2015. compact car has been awarded best-in-class “We are honoured that our all-new Q30 “small family car” 2015 by Euro NCAP, the has been awarded a ‘best-in-class’ rating by independent vehicle safety organisation in Euro NCAP”, emphasised François Goupil Europe. The announcement of the “small de Bouillé, vice president of Infi niti Europe, family car” award coincides with the new Middle East and Africa. “This is a clear model arriving at all Infi niti showrooms testament of the many excellent qualities of across Europe. our fi rst premium compact car and the result Having a host of state-of-the-art safety of our continuous development of innovative systems on board, Q30 delivered outstanding safety technology for all of our models. Our results in all test areas, such as crash test goal has always been to deliver our customers performance as well as child and pedestrian a unique driving experience while off ering protection. maximum safety for all occupants.” In the latter category, the active bonnet The report of Euro NCAP’s best-in- helped it to gain results that were among class comparison can be found on the the best of 2015. Q30 clearly surpassed all organisation’s website via http://www. of its competitors that were tested in this euroncap.com/en/ratings-rewards/best-in- segment. This achievement directly follows class-cars/2015/ ONE FOR THE FAMILY: Infiniti Q30 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY TRA Waterfall wonders of th

SPECTACULAR: The Niagara Falls on the US-Canadian border. The very broad, curved ledge that the water plunges over is what lends the falls their powerful attraction.

above the falls. A listed Unesco are as dense as a shower, so expect given it by the indigenous Pemon By Florian Sanktjohanser & Philipp Laage World Heritage Site, the Iguazú to get wet, and keep your cameras inhabitants. In order to see the Falls can be viewed from both the safely tucked away as you walk. In waterfall in the southwest of Brazilian and Argentinian sides. Livingstone (Zambia) and Victoria Venezuela, it is first necessary to ome people like them water plunges over is what lends A footpath leads to the circular- Falls (Zimbabwe), there are good, fly to Canaima National Park. From towering and plunging, the falls their powerful attraction. shaped Garganta del Diablo – and in some cases expensive, there, boat tours take visitors to others like them The Niagara Falls is impressive the Devil’s Throat — where the accommodations. the waterfall. wide and powerfully when viewed from either the US or hiker comes very close to feeling massive. Everybody likes the Canadian side. There is also a the sheer power of the mass of Angel Falls, Venezuela Tugela Falls, South Africa waterfallsS for what they can do circular trail through a tunnel that water. Travellers will usually stay When in 1933 the pilot James Much easier to reach are the for a landscape. Water tumbling leads past Horseshoe Falls, a drop overnight at Foz do Iguaco on the Angel flew over the Venezuelan Tugela Falls in the Drakensberg over a precipice is often the key which comprises one segment of Brazilian side or Puerto Iguazú in jungle, he espied a river plunging mountain area of the Royal Natal ingredient for a romantic setting or the site. Another spectacular view Argentina. over a mesa into a gorge. The National Park in South Africa’s for an unforgettable film set. Here is from a boat, looking up at the plunge was so deep that the water KwaZulu-Natal Province. Two is a look at seven waterfall wonders mighty mass of water. Victoria Falls, Zambia/ was vaporised into a veil of mist. hiking trails lead from a parking of the world. Zimbabwe The waterfall today bears the lot directly to the 948m-tall Iguazú Falls, Argentina/ From a 1,700m-wide ledge, American pilot’s name and is falls consisting of five cascades. Niagara Falls, USA/Canada Brazil the Zambesi River plunges 108m considered to be the tallest in the Especially impressive is the hike The Niagara Falls is quite The tropical-green cascades of down into a gorge. Measured by world. It consists of several steps, to Mont-Aux-Sources, the source possibly the most famous waterfall the 20 major Iguazu waterfalls, height and width, it creates the the tallest one alone being 807m. of the Tugela River, and from there on the planet. Yet the height that together with their tributaries, world’s largest curtain of water. In 2009, late Venezuelan president to the plateau leading to the edge the plunging water descends, at look like something out of an age A circular trail leads past the falls Hugo Chavez announced his of the falls. In the dry season the 52m, is not all that great. But the long before our time. It is easy to to the other side of the gorge. But, aim to get the waterfall renamed waterfall vanishes altogether. In very broad, curved ledge that the imagine flying dinosaurs soaring your attention please: The mists “Kerepakupai Meru” — the name the rainy season, by contrast, the Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES 11 AVEL COMMUNITY he world

The Victoria Falls on the Zambia/Zimbabwe border. From a 1,700-m-wide ledge, the Zambesi River plunges 108m down into a gorge.

A listed Unesco World Heritage Site, the Iguaz Falls can be viewed from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the watercourse.

The Angel Falls of Venezuela has a drop of 807m. Late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez wanted them renamed “Kerepakupai Merú.”

waterfall can be seen from as far Yosemite Falls, USA away as the main road of the Royal They are not as famous as the Natal National Park. Niagara Falls, but for all that, the Yosemite Falls are much taller. In Vinnufallet, Norway fact, at 739m they are the tallest The tallest waterfall in all of in all North America. They are Europe is at the same time one of relatively easy to reach, what with the most impressive ones anywhere Yosemite National Park, located in in the world. The melt waters of California, being one of the most the Vinnu Glacier rush through popular travel destinations in the a crevice high up on a cliff and American West. The accessibility then plunge 865m downward. and infrastructure are very good. The highest stage is 730m, where One drawback is that in the dry the water crashes onto rocks and summer season, there is not much branches out to create a curtain of water plunging down, and so water up to 152m wide. Vinnufallet it is not quite the spectacle that it is easily reachable, and located is in May, when after the winter near the town of Sunndalsora, snow melt there is great deal of some 400km north of the capital water. A hiking trail that travellers Oslo. Motorists can see the should plan a day for will lead waterfall while driving the RV 70 right up to the edge of the falls. — The Tugela Falls in the Drakensberg mountain area of the Royal Natal National Park in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal highway along the Sunndal valley. DPA Province. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES 13 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Five smart upgrades for the most-used rooms in your home

itchens, bathrooms and bedrooms Adding skylights is a practical, cost-eff ective can further improve ventilation by installing are typically the rooms in any and attractive way to bring more natural light Energy Star-qualifi ed, solar-powered fresh-air home that get the most use, which into virtually any room. skylights, like those made by Velux. Because could also be why homeowners, these skylights open, they provide passive when surveyed, consistently cite Add organisation/storage ventilation to allow stale indoor air to escape Kthose rooms as the ones they most want to Clutter and chaos not only make a room and admit fresh air. A sensor operates a motor renovate. It makes perfect sense to upgrade function less effi ciently, it can impact your to close the skylights automatically in case of the rooms where you spend the most time, but mood as well. Adding organisation and storage rain. in high-traffi c areas, you can’t aff ord to make to rooms where clutter typically collects — such changes just for the sake of cosmetics. You as bedrooms, living rooms and game rooms — Replace older, ineffi cient fi xtures and want improvements that can enhance your is an easy, cost-eff ective way to improve the appliances enjoyment of a room and its functionality. function of the room and how you feel about Fixtures and appliances are key elements of Here are fi ve smart improvements to make spending time in it. kitchens and bathrooms. Older ones not only in the rooms users of Ranker.com voted as the In bedrooms, maximise closet space by look dated and shabby, they can cost you money most popular ones in their homes: kitchens, installing organisation units. A variety of because they use more electricity and water living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and game manufacturers off er ready-made units you can than newer, more effi cient models. rooms. install yourself. Replacing old faucets, shower heads, and that doesn’t just mean sturdy fl ooring. dishwashers and washing machines with Wall colour, fl ooring materials and trim are Add natural light Improve ventilation newer models that use less water can fundamental elements in any room. Simply Most rooms in the home look better and Air fl ow is critical to the health of your home reduce your water bill and give kitchens and repainting walls and woodwork can completely are more functional in natural light, and more and everyone who lives in it. Ventilation in bathrooms a whole new look. Energy Star- change the way any room looks. Or, if you like daylight can help reduce the need for artifi cial kitchens and bathrooms carries away excess qualifi ed appliances such as stoves, clothes the colours you have, a fresh coat in the same light. What’s more, there’s no arguing the moisture that can cause mold and mildew, and dryers, refrigerators and washers also use less colour will make the room look brighter and positive mental and physical health eff ects of creates a fresher, more healthful environment electricity than older appliances, so you can newer. Replacing worn carpeting or dated tiles, natural light. Daylight stimulates the body to by exhausting stale indoor air. also lower your energy bills. or refi nishing a hardwood fl oor are also great produce vitamin D and boosts brain levels of Bathrooms should be equipped with exhaust ways to improve the foundations of any room. serotonin, which is thought to be associated fans, and kitchen hoods should vent to the Freshen the foundations with positive moods. exterior of your home whenever possible. You Every room benefi ts from a good foundation, ©Brandpoint

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

Now that the Moon is hanging out in Gemini, your third house of Talking about money is not something you earthlings naturally enjoy The Moon in your sign is just the cosmic ticket you need to get conversation for the next few days, make the most of it by picking however with the Moon transiting your second house of money and up the energy (and maybe the nerve) to do something that needs up the phone and chatting with those people you haven’t spoken to self–worth today, you might feel it necessary to ask for advice from a doing. Venus and Saturn in your relationship zone suggest that a in a while. trusted someone about money today. Sagittarius is a sign that will be happy to help you today.

CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

If you are oblivious to something which is pretty much staring right There is nothing worse than feeling as if you have lost some sort There is nothing to be done about those one or two people who at you today, you can be sure someone will be happy to point it out! of bet or competition, is there? You are a very competitive sign by have seemingly nothing better to do than boss you around today. And while you might feel embarrassed or disappointed in yourself, nature and sometimes you get a wakeup call such as many of you Whatever you do, don’t fall into their trap and let them direct you be glad someone at least pointed it out to you. will get today. around. You’re the boss of you!

LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

The Moon shines brightly in Gemini today, your fellow air sign and Money is a bit of a tender subject right now for many of you, with Venus the planet of spending and the planet of love in your sign ninth house of spirituality and overseas travel. A phone call from a Venus the big spender and Saturn the planet of restriction both through (January 24) has had many of you overdoing it with the far flung loved one is just the thing to put you in a great mood today transiting your self–esteem and cash flow zone. If you don’t have it plastic of late. If you can take things back great. That’s the beauty and lift your spirits. and you can’t aff ord it, don’t buy it. of going on a shopping spree. As long as you have receipts, you can return it. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

In your sixth house of health and wellbeing, the Moon is the You have options today to do something you want to do or do If you have doubts about something or someone today, listen up. emotional wakeup call many of you need goats. If you haven’t been something others want you to do. What’s it going to be? Luckily with Mercury the planet of clear thinking remains out of phase in your looking after yourself, not eating right or exercising, now is the time the Moon in Gemini, your fun zone, the cosmic money is on you eleventh house of hopes, wishes and friendship. Not everyone is as to do so. getting your way. concerned for your wellbeing as you might think. 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

The Old West

AMBUSH DRAW HORSE SADDLE BOOT DRIFTER OUTLAW SALOON BOUNTY FAST POSSE SETTLER COACH FORT RANCH SHERIFF CORRAL GUNFIGHT RANGER SPURS COWBOY HIDEOUT REDEYE TRAIL DEPUTY HILL ROPE WAGON Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES 15 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Quick Clues Colouring

ACROSS DOWN 7. Angry (5) 1. Sorcery (10) 8. Unavailing (7) 2. Hirsute (5) 9. Cautious (7) 3. Unhearing (4) 10. Express (5) 4. Vent (6) 12. Colony (10) 5. Sky-blue (8) 15. Teenager (10) 6. Pagan (7) 18. Claw (5) 11. Backward (10) 19. Open-air (7) 13. Regularity (8) 21. Let off (7) 14. Gather (7) 22. Throng (5) 16. Overcast (6) 17. Engine (5) 20. Pleat (4)

Cryptic Clues

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

ACROSS DOWN 7. Lady-love with a bad back (5) 1. Harmony in a musical instrument (10) 8. Distribute information for the press (7) 2. They falsify their accounts (5) 9. He’ll make enquiries if one is unusually 3. Close to the average (4) late (7) 4. Order a cavalry attack(6) 10. Enter the office uninvited (5) 5. They’re used by those wishing to take 12. Solemnly declare as almost cut-rate cover (8) Yesterday’s Solutions (10) 6. Turns up in chilly surroundings, yet well 15. Six balls caught by mischievous beggar received (7) QUICK CRYPTIC (10) 11. Up-to-date description of Christmas? Across: 1 Shortness; 8 Eke; 9 Strangeness; Across: 1 Copyright; 8 Cox; 9 Grizzly bear; 11 18. Not all separate (5) (7,3) 11 Comment; 12 Prior; 13 Mingle; 15 Depart; 17 Retorts; 12 Lawns; 13 Scrawl; 15 Usurer; 17 April; 19. Don’t agree to leave the ranks? (4,3) 13. Make minute economies? (4,4) Alter; 18 Brazier; 20 Accountancy; 22 Out; 23 18 Cleaves; 20 Train-bearer; 22 Ere; 23 Easy 21. He’s at liberty to be a privileged citizen 14. Clothes appear different when over (7) fifty (7) Literally. terms. 22. Work-time entertainment (5) 16. Clarify matters (6) Down: 2 Hit; 3 Tense; 4 Events; 5 Steeple; 6 Down: 2 Oar; 3 Razor; 4 Gayest; 5 Trellis; 6 17. Out-moded description of St. Paul’s Destination; 7 Generator; 10 Remonstrate; 11 Screwdriver; 7 Exposures; 10 Interpreter; 11 Cathedral, for example (5) Companion; 14 Lyrical; 16 Abrupt; 19 Actor; 21 Restarted; 14 Welfare; 16 Scenes; 19 Erect; 21 20. Ring the swimming bath up (4) Col. Elm. 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY CINEMA Will he finally cut the Oscar?

DiCaprio is Jordan Belfort. That sleazy, slimy character was a totally different avatar we saw of DiCaprio, whose extraordinary talent deserved an Oscar. But... Will DiCaprio’s name pop out of the white envelope on that magical night at least this year on February 28?

* * *

Thaarai Thappattai Bala’s Thaarai Thappattai is a powerful documentation of a folk form in Tamil Nadu that is performed by extremely agile women to the beat of several musical instruments, but chiefly a drum called thaarai thappattai. Narrated through a gripping plotline and embellished with some haunting Ilaiyaraaj music and almost acrobatic dances, the film is a tragic reminder of how ancient Indian traditions and arts are falling prey to modernism, struggling, in the bargain, to retain their purity and the very essence of their cultural uniqueness. Thaarai Thappattai’s opening sequences draw us most bluntly into this conflict. We see a foreign television crew eager to capture the essence of Tamil Nadu’s temple town of Thanjavur, chance upon the ageing Pulavar Samy (G.M. Kumar), whose brilliance as a drum player is unrecognised, a rejection that pushes him to anger and alcoholism. The crew is not impressed with Samy’s performance and wants something more “commercial”. His son, Sannaasi (Sasikumar), who heads a troupe of folk players, steps in to give the television crew a saucy, seductive number in which the chief dancer, Sooravali (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar), produces the fireworks with her skimpy costumes and fiery steps. Off the ground, Sooravali is a drunk, in love with Sannaasi and extremely fond of his old man. When the troupe gets a chance to sail to the Andamans for a show, the members are deliriously happy, but things take a nasty turn on the island when the sponsors expect sexual favours from Sooravali and other women. The movie weaves into its fictional narrative a whole lot of unsavoury truths about folk forms in general — and this includes abuse of women, considered easy prey because of their provocative mannerisms. And, finding their source of AWARD DELAYED IS AWARD DENIED! Leonardo DiCaprio has done more than a fair bit to deserve an Oscar, but is still waiting to get there after livelihood getting battered in the face of all these years. poor patronage, a couple of members from Sannaasi’s group branch off into a vulgar, Gets. DiCaprio was not even nominated certainly deserved an Oscar. Here is a look degrading form of dance. By Gautaman Bhaskaran that year! at the films where his nomination did not A subtext of the film is the love story DiCaprio, one of the finest actors with translate into an actual honour. between Sooravali and Sannaasi that this rare ability to sink into the skin of a In the 2004 The Aviator, DiCaprio takes on an ominous pattern — perhaps eonardo DiCaprio’s Titanic character, has received the nod for the Best becomes Howard Hughes — that eccentric conveying the death of traditional beauty. immortalised a scene that Actor Oscar from the Academy of Motion millionaire who turns into a crazy reclusive. Bala, sometimes referred to as the Mike dozens of films since 1997 have Picture Arts and Sciences several times, the DiCaprio’s own transformation was an Leigh of Tamil cinema, has been an expert been copying with gusto. Arms latest being for The Revenant this year. example of sheer cinematic genius. in characterisations, tracing the dark and outstretched, DiCaprio stands The Revenant is a revenge drama directed Two years later, DiCaprio became Danny disturbing lives of the working class. A Lwith Kate Winslet, also with her arms by Alejandro Inarritu (who has given us Archer in Blood Diamond — a story woven excellent example of this has been Naan stretched far, at the tip of the Titanic, their gems like 21 Grams, Babel and Birdman), around death and destruction during the Kadavul. In Thaarai Thappattai too, his passionate love all set to be doomed on an and tells the tragic tale of fur trapper 1999 civil war in Sierra Leone, where the characters come alive most vividly as they icy night on the high seas. Hugh Glass, who lived in Montana and precious stones were traded to fund brutal struggle to survive, fi ghting the modern world Despite the 14 Academy nominations South Dakota during the 1820s. As the conflicts in Africa. Archer is a gunrunner, that is unfeeling towards history and culture. which Titanic clinched (garnered only by protagonist, Glass, in the movie, DiCaprio who despite all the gore around him, Sasikumar has always been a great All About Eve in 1950) and the 11 Oscars it is brilliant, playing a hunter who is left shines in a splendid portrayal of a man torn actor, but the surprising find has been actually sailed along with on the big night behind by his fellowmen thinking that he between emotion and avarice. Sarathkumar, who plays the dancer with in 1998 (only Ben-Hur in 1959 and The is dead. DiCaprio plays a US Marshal, Teddy a kind of unbelievable strength. In an Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in Will DiCaprio, who has been gutsy to Daniels, in Shutter Island (by Scorsese, important way, the film belongs to her. 2003 have equalled this), DiCaprio went experiment with a variety of characters and 2010) — restrained, layered and with no home unsung for playing a poor boy on has come out with flying colours, win the trace of overt heroism. z Gautaman Bhaskaran has been board that “unsinkable” ship who falls in coveted trophy this year? As the highly mean and selfish writing on Indian and world cinema for love with a rich girl. The Best Actor Oscar His chameleon-like ability has seen businessman making money without over three decades, and me be e-mailed at went to Jack Nicholson in As Good As It him essay widely different roles which morals in Wolf of Wall Street (2013), [email protected] Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES 17 BOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY Akshay likes being out of comfort zone My journey in showbiz like a fairytale: Nimrat

hat he’s a fearless man is Directed by Raja Krishna Menon, Airlift something that Akshay Kumar has is based on the evacuation of Kuwait-based often proved with his ability to Indians during the Iraqi occupation in 1990. perform daredevilry for his fi lms. The role of his wife in the fi lm is essayed by But the actor says he also likes Nimrat Kaur, who shot to fame through her toT challenge himself as far as his roles are internationally acclaimed role in Bollywood concerned. fi lm The Lunchbox and American TV show Akshay, who often juggles between Homeland. diff erent genres, does not prefer to stick to A face that found fame through the world characters which are in his comfort zone. of advertisements, Nimrat started her tryst Known for his ‘Khiladi Kumar’ image with acting via music videos. It was a role in courtesy his action avatar, Akshay has also The Lunchbox with Irrfan Khan that gave her tried his hand at fi lms like Baby, Brothers a massive boost. and Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, “The journey in showbiz has been like a which he feels get him out of his comfort fairytale to me. It’s been a really interesting zone. journey because of the unpredictability “I keep on changing myself all the time. factor... You can’t plan your career when you I want to enter my comfort zone and then are starting out. Whatever comes to you, you want to go to more challenging places. Singh have to decide... whether to do it or not,” is Bliing and Housefull are in my comfort Nimrat said at the presser alongside Akshay. zone, but Airlift is not. Even Baby was not,” Talking about the Raja Krishna Menon Akshay said during the press conference of directorial, Nimrat said: “I really consider his forthcoming fi lm Airlift. myself very fortunate to be a part of this “Next, I’m doing a fi lm like Rustom. Also, story. It’s a story that I didn’t know about. I’m a part of Robot 2 where I’m playing When I read the script, I didn’t know that a negative part. So I like doing fi lms in this has happened and I was shocked about my comfort zone and then I go on to try that.” something diff erent. Like there is Brothers, In the movie, Nimrat plays the wife to which had mixed martial arts. It was the actor Akshay Kumar’s character. hardest fi lm I’ve ever done. That’s what I “I play the role of Ranjit Katyal’s wife keep on doing and I love it,” Akshay added. Amrita Katyal. She is a very outspoken The Namastey London actor, whose real person, and not fearful of speaking her name is Rajiv Om Bhatia, says he doesn’t mind.” feel comfortable when he’s given diff erent Asked about her experience working monikers. with Akshay, Nimrat said: “I was extremely “I’m both Rajiv and Akshay. I don’t like excited to work with Akshay. He is someone people tagging me with other monikers. whose work and choices I have admired READY TO ROLL: Actors Akshay Kumar and Nimrat Kaur during a press meet for their I’m Rajiv for my mother and Akshay for the completely.” upcoming film Airlift in New Delhi. The film releases this Friday. audience,” he said. Airlift will release on January 22. —IANS

Sunny Leone not to endorse advertisements,” the Delhi government’s National award winner Kapri to tobacco product in future additional director for health S K Arora said. build toilets with prize money Earlier, the Delhi government had written Actress Sunny Leone has promised she to a couple of actors, including Ajay Devgan, Filmmaker Vinod Kapri, who received the won’t be advertising any product related to Sunny Leone, Govinda and Arbaaz Khan, National award for his documentary Can’t tobacco in the future, following the Delhi not to endorse any tobacco and pan masala Take This Shit Anymore, has taken a positive government’s appeal to a couple of actors product. steps towards Swachh India, pledging to urging them not to endorse pan masala and The Delhi government also asked the build toilets in rural area of Uttar Pradesh’s tobacco products. actors to join its anti-tobacco campaign to Kushinagar with the prize money. However, the future of her current save the lives of lakhs of people who die due Joining Swachh India Cleanathon endorsement contract for a pan masala to oral cancer every year. campaign with ambassador Amitabh will be governed by the outcome of her According to experts, areca nut, the main Bachchan which aims to get people to pledge discussions with the concerned company. ingredient in pan masala, was in the league of their time to join the clean-up drives across “I received a call from Daniel Weber, caff eine, tobacco and alcohol when it comes India through the year, Kapri announced: husband of Sunny Leone, and he has to addictive properties and also leads to a “The amount I have received as a token of promised that in future, Sunny will high number of cases of submucous fi brosis, appreciation from government for my work, not sign any contract for such kind of which can easily turn cancerous. — IANS I pledge to build toilets with the amount of money.” Kapri’s promise was welcomed by Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan who were also present at the show and expressed that this kind of initiative deserves “a round of applause”. His Bollywood debut fi lm Miss Tanakpur Hazir Ho had also received great reviews from B town which included Amitabh, director Rajkumar Hirani and National Award winning director Madhur Bhandarkar. The fi lm starred actors such as Annu Kapoor, Om Puri, Sanjay Mishra, and also featured Ravi Kishen, Rahul Bagga and Hrishitaa Bhatt. —IANS COMMITTED: Vinod Kapri. THE RIGHT CALL: Sunny Leone. 18 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY HOLLYWOOD Chelsea pushes even more limits on Netflix docuseries

out information in a cool way that’s By Amy Kaufman fast, so you don’t feel like you’re watching 60 Minutes.” It’s raining, and Handler’s room ll it takes is two sips, feels like a Zen retreat. It smells and then she’s done. like pot, and there are books piled She lies back on a everywhere. One of her dogs, a mat and closes her German Shepherd-Chow Chow eyes, listening to the mix named Chunk, is curled up on Ashaman’s hypnotic chanting. a shag rug. There’s a bucket next to her, in case She’s lived on this Bel-Air hillside she starts vomiting. since 2010, when she bought But she doesn’t. She isn’t even the home from Esther Williams nauseous. In fact, she barely feels for $5.9 million and completely anything at all. Chelsea Handler renovated it. Now it looks like one has travelled all the way to Peru to of those modern marvels featured get high on ayahuasca, and it isn’t in Architectural Digest: pristine working. gallery walls, a pool lighted with “I was feeling buzzing, and then wicker lanterns, televisions that it just went out the window,” she descend from the ceiling. tells friends Jenny Mollen and “I spent a lot of time on this Daniel Maurio, who have also house,” says Handler, who speaks consumed the Amazonian plant at a frenetic pace. “This is my fi rst brew. year living alone since I was 26. “I feel like I had too much,” I’ve always had a roommate. And I Maurio replies, looking sweaty and thought I would be so scared, but scared. I love it. I take baths now. Once I “It’s just the initial, then you’ll turned 40, my whole life changed in be OK — just breathe it in,” Handler the most mature — not boring way says, before muttering to herself, but much cooler way. I feel much “I could easily operate a 747 right more like an adult.” now.” TALKING SHOP: Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content off icer, said he expects users will binge-watch the three new That growth is refl ected in Somehow it’s not entirely episodes of Chelsea Handler’s show each week. Chelsea Does, which was executive surprising that Handler was produced by Morgan Neville, an immune to the eff ects of the night talk show, which will debut She’s the fi rst major star to Tabloids reported that her recent Oscar-winning fi lmmaker who hallucinogen. There’s a toughness in May on Netfl ix, where it will be experiment with the platform on 40th birthday party — attended brought an added level of credibility to her that even substances seem to streaming three times a week in a streaming service, which has the by a handful of A-listers — was so to the project. Though the series have a diffi cult time permeating. In May. After eight years on E!, she potential to reach far more viewers raucous that neighbours called the is peppered with jaw-dropping high school, after doing mushrooms quit her show Chelsea Lately in than the 600,000 who typically police to complain. moments, it’s clear the experience or acid with her friends, she was 2014. She loudly declared that she tuned in during her fi nal season “I know what people think of was more than a superfi cial exercise always selected as the designated was ready to distance herself from on E! me. I’m not an idiot,” she says. for Handler. driver. the Kardashian-affi liated cable Handler clearly aspires to be “People never show you the ugly “When I said I was working with “I just have a high tolerance for network, telling Howard Stern that taken seriously, though that desire side of things. … But I can be myself Chelsea, I can’t tell you how many things. But I’m sure now that I’ve she felt she was “getting dumber” sometimes seems at odds with and have my same personality and people in the industry said, ‘Oh, said that, someone’s gonna see me with each episode she fi lmed. It her reputation. Even though she explore richer or more interesting she’s really smart,’” recalls Neville, face down in the lobby of a hotel,” wasn’t long before she’d teamed publicly trashes many celebrities, topics. I want these docs to inform who directed the popular doc about she says, sitting in her bedroom with Netfl ix. she also pals around with them, viewers of the direction I’m going backup singers Twenty Feet From months after her trek to South It seemed a logical move for counting Jennifer Aniston, in with my show. Imagine Google Stardom. “Even on her E! show, she America. Handler, who has always had a Gwyneth Paltrow and Sandra but as a TV show with me as your showed a lot of smarts — she just Handler decided to experiment reputation for pushing boundaries. Bullock among her closest friends. host — and swearing. You’re fi nding wanted the chance to fl ex those with ayahuasca as part of her new muscles in a bigger forum. I don’t docuseries, Chelsea Does, which think anyone was surprised that she will premiere at the Sundance Film had something to say.” Festival, a day before it launches That’s particularly apparent in on Netfl ix on January 23. In each of the race episode, in which Handler the series’ four episodes, Handler discusses her humour with a table explores a diff erent topic: There’s full of representatives from groups one about race and prejudice, in like the Anti-Defamation League, which she visits an old Southern the NAACP and the Council on plantation and sits down with American-Islamic Relations. prominent leaders like the Rev. During the roundtable, Guy Aoki, Al Sharpton and former Israeli head of the Media Action Network President Shimon Peres. In one on for Asian Americans, tells Handler marriage, she goes on a painfully that he took umbrage with a joke awkward series of blind dates and she made on The Tonight Show then grills an ex-boyfriend. With Jay Leno. She explores technology by The joke poked fun at Angelina travelling to Silicon Valley to Jolie’s son Pax, whom the actress pitch her own app and learn what adopted from Vietnam when he streaming is from Netfl ix co- was a toddler. Pax was so young, founder Reed Hastings. And of Handler said, that he was probably course there are drugs and she still unaware that he was Asian and also invites her friends over for a would go on to become a “horrible marijuana-infused dinner. driver” who could be “amazing at The series, Handler says, doing nails.” is meant to serve as a tonal “Angelina Jolie also adopted a introduction for her new late- READY, STEADY: Chelsea Handler in the Netflix documentary series Chelsea Does. girl from Ethiopia. But you did not Wednesday, January 20, 2016 GULF TIMES 19 MUSIC COMMUNITY go after her because the NAACP up on the shows,” says Sarandos. would have been protesting outside “One of the things I fi nd frustrating the E! channels the next day, asking about late-night TV — and I’m a fan for your head,” Aoki argues. “He’s a of it — is that there’s such intent to create a viral moment that the show Cebar, the eternal three-year-old kid. He didn’t ask to be a public kid.” becomes kind of chaotic. Chelsea’s “I would say I’d write him a letter show will become viral just in the of apology, but I won’t,” Handler way it’s watched.” responds. If the talk show ends up being “Is it that big a deal, comedians anything like Chelsea Does, it’ll likely spur online chatter. rock ‘n’ roll tourist making a joke on television?” asks Aoki. “Yes, because it aff ects people And Handler — who last year watching it. You basically told the continuously posted topless photos Although they’d played together audience watching at home, ‘You of herself on Twitter because for seven years, the Milwaukeeans can make fun of this kid, even Instagram censored them — didn’t put out their fi rst album until though he’s a three-year-old kid.’” recognises the value of her shock 1993’s spirited That Unhinged Thing, Handler thrives on confrontation factor. Maurio, her ayahuasca buddy off setting the singer’s grizzled Dr like this, and it’s the kind of who was a producer on Chelsea John voice by showcasing vocalist conversation she’s hoping to have Lately, believes that’s what viewers Robyn Pluer on original songs. The more of on her talk show. Though like about her — how genuine she is. Milwaukeeans continued in this the programme will feature a “I think people pick up on the bar-band vein for years, until Cebar “live” segment fi lmed on the Sony fact that she’s exactly the same switched things up a decade ago, Pictures Studios lot in Culver on camera as she is off camera,” changing names and collaborating City, she’s adamant that the show said Maurio, who is married to with veteran songwriters such as not stick to a rigid format with Oscar-winning writer Diablo Cody Nashville’s Pat McLaughlin and an opening monologue, celebrity and starts work on Handler’s new home-state colleagues Peter Mulvey guests and a musical performance. show this week. “It’s, like, ‘Let’s and Willy Porter, the latter two of “I want it to be richer than that watch this girl go out into the world whom are touring with Cebar as an and fuller than that,” she says. “We and get unfi ltered responses.’ She acoustic trio called Peter, Paul and already have those shows. There are doesn’t do multiple takes.” Willy. 11 shows which celebrities rotate As for the ayahuasca journey, “The bookings were in a certain around. If I’m gonna have fi ve Handler doesn’t give up after her place and I’d been feeling we were celebrities on, I want to have them fi rst failed attempt. She decides to being taken for granted. … I thought, in a roundtable situation where we visit the shaman alone for a second ‘I’d kind of like to freshen things up.’ talk about racism or sexism or drugs night, and this time things unfold The last two or three of my records or who’s sober and who’s not and rather diff erently. refl ected how eff ective the co- why. The way Dick Cavett used to “I don’t have a problem being the writing has been,” he says. “We’re have on, like, Henry Kissinger and one to embarrass myself — asking working on pretty low budgets, so Janis Joplin and a cosmonaut.” the questions that people pretend it’s a deal of trying to fi gure out how Ted Sarandos, Netfl ix’s chief they know the answers to,” says best to capture us. I do think we’re content offi cer, said he expects Handler, who wanted to experiment quite a fi ne live band, and the idea users will binge-watch the three with even more drugs before Netfl ix was to try to go after the power of the new episodes of Handler’s show lawyers nixed the idea. “I think if band.” each week. you’re gonna do something as silly In describing his sound, like “Most people watched Chelsea and lighthearted as entertainment, many musicians, Cebar emphasises Lately not at 11:30 — they’d DVR then why not be interesting when his band members — drummer the episodes and watch them in you’re doing it? I don’t want to play Reggie Bordeaux and keyboardist- stacks, spending Saturday catching it safe.” — Los Angeles Times/TNS saxophonist Bob Jennings have MOVER: There are few constants in my life, says Paul Cebar. been with him 19 years straight, percussionist Mac Perkins is a “There are few constants in my New Orleans native who was in By Steve Knopper life,” Cebar says of New Orleans, the band early on and bassist Mike “but that’s one of them.” Fredrickson also spews out albums Cebar, 59, is one of those barroom with the Mosleys. he fi rst time Paul Cebar rock ‘n’ roll mainstays, like Joe For Cebar’s many decades in travelled to New Orleans, Grushecky of Pittsburgh or Webb the music business, his recording he was enrolled at New Wilder of Mississippi and Nashville, resume has been surprisingly thin College, in Sarasota, who eternally tour nightclubs and — between them, the Milwaukeeans Florida, and hitched a ride roadhouses, but, sadly, never get and Tomorrow Sound have released Tin a classmate’s sedan after waiting famous beyond a core group of a only a half-dozen albums. But he a week for repairs. It was 1977, and few hundred people in every city. has two “in the can,” including some Cebar crashed with a community- Fronting the R&B Cadets, then the earlier jazz-blues sessions with New organiser friend who’d helped the long-running Milwaukeeans and York singer Olu Dara (also rapper city contend with a hurricane that now Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, Nas’ father). “I’ve been trying to had fl ushed water into African- he says, “I’m celebrating my 30th fi gure out how to get those out,” American communities. bandleading year.” says Cebar, who is also plotting new “I recall it being enormously By phone from Topeka, Kansas, material. hot and humid,” says the veteran where he’s helping his girlfriend’s Cebar is old-school — he’s Milwaukee rock-and-blues mother move into a new house, waiting for a record label to off er bandleader. “I went to Tipitina’s, Cebar spends a half-hour interview him a bit of a budget for the past and and it was like a human pageant. It rambling about his musical history present recordings before releasing was like going to see The Canterbury in Milwaukee, New Orleans, New anything. But he also considers Tales. Every sort of walk of life was York and Florida. He’d been playing following Fredrickson’s model with going by.” guitar for just a year or two when the Mosleys, spewing out albums The headliner at the famous New he fi rst attended New College in regularly via Bandcamp, Spotify and Orleans nightclub back then was 1975, and hooked up with a local other music-streaming services. “It the late R&B pioneer James Booker, community of folk and blues players. probably would be prudent for me to hunched over a Hammond organ in He wrote a 100-page thesis for his seek that out,” Cebar says. “You tend an Army jacket and an eye patch. “I undergraduate programme titled The to get mired in whatever way you’ve wasn’t prepared at all,” Cebar adds. Blues What Am, named after a Jazz learned how to do things. When you “I remember being quite moved Gillum song, with a lofty subtitle fi nish these things, you’ve spent a by the whole scene.” He returned along the lines of “an appropriative bunch of money and time, so you to the city four years later, and has inquiry into rhythm-and-blues actually hope it gets a fair shake out attended the Jazz & Heritage Festival practice.” there and some kind of attention.” every year since then, adapting the “I’d caution you that it may look “(Fredrickson) has this idea of just city’s second-line rhythms, horn a little more impressive than it really getting it out there. I’ve been the guy sections and swamp-blues spirit to was. But I worked hard on it,” he that wants to work forever on it,” he CANDID: “Once I turned 40, my whole life changed in the most mature — not make a run of albums such as 2013’s says. “I had found my early niche as adds. “A hybrid approach is probably boring way but much cooler way,” says Handler. underappreciated Fine Rude Thing. an interpreter of that music.” in order.” — Chicago Tribune/TNS 20 GULF TIMES Wednesday, January 20, 2016 COMMUNITY Lebanese hitmaker in Doha live show Musician and vocalist Fady Harb, known for popular songs such as 3a2el Baytouti and Homma Youmein, will perform at La Cigale today. By Umer Nangiana

he man responsible for teen years, the young Lebanese experience. a plethora of hit songs singer had attracted attention Once in the spotlight, he in recent years, Fady right with the launch of his debut captures his audience and fully Harb from Lebanon single within three years of his engages with everyone in the is all set to enthral award-winning participation in a room. Fady Harb without variation theT Doha audience with his live TV show. is a true star. music concert. Accompanied by Since then he has worked with Harb was born and bred in DJ Mike and maestro Dani, the a number of renowned lyricists Beirut with roots in Gharife, young Labanese music sensation and music composers from the Chouf. As a child, Harb had a will bring all his popular songs to region to produce hit singles and remarkable passion for music, an expected packed house at La popular music albums that have singing and dance but he didn’t SHOWSTOPPER: Singer Fady Harb is an interactive live performer and fully Cigale Qatar today. been hitting the top of the charts take performing seriously until he engages with the audience. Since his musical debut in 2002, for years. was in his teen years. Harb has entertained audiences He has also mastered the He studied Law at the Lebanese renowned musical instructor — Song. In 2005, he launched his not just in his hometown Beirut, classical dance style that he University graduating in 1997. who helped him continue and fi rst single Homma Youmein but outside in diff erent countries performs in his shows. Harb’s Later, he enrolled in the National shape his path in the musical arts. written by the Egyptian poet of the region as well. His catchy songs of love and life are set to Conservatory of Music, where Harb’s debut was in 2002 in Ameer Taeema with tunes inspired numbers resonate particularly well resonate with everyone listening. he took concentrated courses the popular music competition by the Greek culture. with the young audience and he is His alluring voice along with his in playing the oud instrument. TV show Studio El Fann where he The music video for the song loved for his stage performances. stage presence and incredible Eventually, Harb was taken under brought home the silver medal for was shot under director Tony Interested in music since his charisma off ers an unforgettable the wing of Aida Shalhoob — a the category of the Arabic Folklore Kahwaji. Homma Youmein’s catchy tune with a blend of Egyptian and Greek styles gained huge popularity and was a big hit for a long period of time. After the unwavering success of Homma Youmein, Harb released a re-mix of the popular folklore song Mariam Mariamty arranged by Jean Mary Riyashy. In 2010, Harb released his fi rst album; a collection of songs with a variety of music, rhythms and a mix of Egyptian and Lebanese lyrics working with top poets and composers in the Arab world. The album was titled Mish Bass Bhibbik, a song from the album for which he released a successful music video directed by Elie el Semaan. This song was written by Nizzar Francis, composed by Samir Sfeir and mixed by Kareem Abd el Wahhab. Harb’s hit song is 3a2el Baytouti. This new song was released in August 2013 and quickly rose to the top of the charts. With the new song, Harb had made a smooth transformation to a classic dance style which is already gaining momentum in the region. The video clip was recently shot and also directed by Elie el Semaan. 3ael Baitouti was written by the poet Fares Eskandar, composed by Salim Salameh, and Harb’s songs of love and life are set to resonate with his fans. mixed by Fadi gigi.