About Lauren Gancayco

Author Archive | Lauren Gancayco

MALAYSIA: Romeo & Juliet Gone Very Wrong

Talk about a messy relationship – and she’s got the scars to prove it. “Ling,” a 16 year old, performed sadomasochism in hopes that she might save her boyfriend’s life. Ling heard from her boyfriend’s uncle, Alex Leung, a supposed royal or “datuk” and a sultan, that by depriving herself of sleep, cutting herself and [...]

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

MALAYSIA: ‘If a True Love’s Blog Can Break the Spell…’

Nothing says true love more than dedicating a blog to your loved one– at least, that’s what Abil Fikri Ahmad thought (and did) when he created abil4fauziah.blogspot.com. But this isn’t just any ordinary site. This stay-at-home husband created and dedicated his blog for his wife (or dear as he calls her) who has been in [...]

Read full story · Comments { 2 }

MALAYSIA: Pageant Winner Too White for Asia?!!

Right, or white? Following the conclusion of the Miss Malaysia 2012 Pageant, a new question arose: What defines “Malaysian-ness?” In a way it was sort of funny. Asians (like everyone else) hate stereotyping. And yet some critics of the winner of the crown were upset because Kimberly Leggett didn’t look….er…Malaysian. Or Asian. Or…whatever. Ms. Leggett, [...]

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

IN REVIEW – Shamini Flint’s INSPECTOR SINGH: A CURIOUS INDIAN CADAVER

Most of us have heard the story of the Runaway Bride, but probably not one told quite like this! Shamini Flint’s fifth installment of her bestselling book series, Inspector Singh Investigates: A Curious Indian Cadaver, goes far beyond the tale of a missing bride, chronicling the mind of a sweaty, plump Indian inspector who isn’t [...]

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

INDONESIA: MURDEROUS LANDING IN PAPUA

Leiron Kogoya, journalist, 35, was gunned down on a plane as it landed at Mulia Airport in the independent state of Papua. Kogoya wrote for newspapers Pasific Post and Papua Pos Nabire. At least five gunmen opened fire at 8 a.m in Mulia, injuring passengers as well as pilots, who then lost control of the plane as crashed it into a nearby terminal [...]

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

INDONESIA: Police Take Aim at BBC, Al Jazeera and Reuters!

Three foreign correspondents recently filed a report against the Indonesian National Police, accusing them of acid attacks. BBC’s Alice Budisatrijo, Al Jazeera’s Bobby Gunawan, and Reuters News Agency’s Louis Benjamin suffered chemical burns while reporting on the fuel policy protests at the gates of the House of Representatives. Anato Handoyo, cameraman for Jak TV, and [...]

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

MALAYSIA: No Ban of Homosexual Portrayals?

It’s official: There is no ban against portraying homosexual or effeminate characters on Malaysian television or radio. Following the Information Department’s Facebook post, which supposedly said they banned the screening of homosexual or effeminate characters in Malaysian media, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim cleared the air. Datuk tweeted that no such ban [...]

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

PHILIPPINES JOURNALIST DEATH WATCH: The Bloody Assault on Journalists Continues

Fernan Angeles, reporter for the Daily Tribune, was seriously injured after being shot six times on March 11 near his home in Pasig, located in Manila. According to his wife, Gemma Angeles, the reporter was dragged into an alley by three men, beaten, and then shot with a 45-calibre handgun. The incident occurred nine days after Radio [...]

Read full story · Comments { 0 }

MALAYSIA: Courses Help Veterans Get in Step With the Young Generation

Attention, soldiers! The Information, Communications, and Culture Ministry of Malaysia is organizing training courses to help veteran groups familiarize themselves with the Internet as well as other forms of contemporary media. The courses are designed to ensure veterans continue contributing positively to the nation’s development and keep up with the tech-oriented times. The courses themselves [...]

Read full story · Comments { 0 }