Phnom Penh Photos exhibition at RUPP

There is a Photos exhibition at Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) at the main campus from 9am-5pm (29th Nov-4th Dec). This evening at 6pm, there is a party there which is going to provide some drink and snacks and you will also have chance to meet the photographers who took those photos. Hope to see you all ^_^

Here are some photos that I took from my phone this morning

An Unbelievable Event

At least 300 people died due to stampede at Koh Pich's new-built bridge on 22nd November, 2010. How come!!! it is somehow ridiculous to me once I heard this information. People didn't die because of illness, criminal or traffic accident, but they died because of stampede.

Until now there is no clear evidence to show the reason why hundreds of people died. There are many possible reasons that lead to this disaster: electrocuted, stampede, and bridge broken. Whose fault is it? no one can answer it unless the report come out from the special unit that prime minister create to investigate the case.

To me, this case would be better if the government had managed it well than this. They should have make the way for the people to walk while there are two bridges. Anyway, police should not allowed the motors and cars to enter the place since it was too crowded.

However, everything already happened no one can stop it. So let mourn for Cambodian victims who suffered from this sad event.

It's the unforgettable event for all Cambodian and people around the world.

Related stories:
http://english.cntv.cn/program/newsupdate/20101124/103534.shtml
http://english.cntv.cn/20101124/103879.shtml

Water Festival 2010

Happy Water Festival !!!

Talking about water festival in Cambodia, the first thing that people think of is the crowded people who come from provinces to the capital. This year, it's estimated that nearly 3 million people would come to the city for the biggest nation festival.

I will not miss this time either.

By taking Tuk-Tuk, I and my family went to the river side to see how exciting the place it. On the way to the independent monument, it was very crowded, which was not allowed people to go it. So we just take off the tuk-tuk and keep walking on to the Koh Pich island (diamond island).

WOW!!! it was very amazing that hundred of thousands people were walking, riding, and driving here. I started to feel dizzy by seeing lot of people like that. It was breathless and smelly.

Buying some snack a long the road, we keep on moving to Koh Pich. The capital were light with varieties of light color on the bridge, concert and hundreds of business stand.

While walking narrowly with my father, my father told me that it seem like the 17th April, 1975 when people were evacuated from Phnom Penh in Pol Pot regime.

WOW!!! it was amazing! I and my female cousin have to walk hand in hand in order not to get lost since my cousin is from the province. The happiest I can see is so was my mother and father.

The most incredible thing I have never know is that on the way back to my home, we were stuck in the crowded place, on street behind Svay Popel pagoda. People, cars, motors and bikes were just crawling on the road. It took us 2 hours to get off the road and took a tuk-tuk back home. Nearly 10:30pm, we got home.

Another thing that I could not imagine is that the police who organize for the festival, just let motor riders and car driver go into the banning place by just giving them 1000Riels. It was really ashamed, how come they do that. I would not believe that if i didn't see it by my own eyes.

However, I hope that the municipality police and capital mayor should take action toward this problem.

1 Litre of Tears

"1 Litre of Tears", a Japanese drama, is a very sadness, exciting and dramatic story that I have ever watched before.

The drama was developed from a girl life a girl who was diagnosed with an incurable degenerative disease at 15, but was able to continue her life until her death at the age of 25. No one doesn't cry while watching this, I promise.

Watching this drama remind me something, I will never forgot what the main actress said "There is nothing wrong with taking shorts cut or long way around, there's no need to rush. we can try a lot of different things, and also sometimes we can a bit reckless".

I think it remind me what can i do in my life. Life is tasting, there are lot of and lot of things that you can taste when you are alive. Don't be afraid to try to do things, what we have is time. However, it would be good if we have a clear goal and then move forward to it.

To me, I have never know why my mind have change from one day to one day, it really make me exhausted to think every day about what i can do in my future, so now the best solution for me is to make myself clear what i'm really want to do right now rather that the far future.

Anyway, "1 Liter of Tears" give me a question like what will i do if my life is limited, though my brain is blank now, nothing come out from my brain now, maybe next time i could come up with the answer. No one would care whether it is meaningful or nonsense.

How strong the actress it!!! I wish I will be like her, GET UP where I FALL DOWN, and also struggle all the obstacle to find the bright future.

Maybe you should watch this drama and you will come with some ideas. I also want to make one like this.

All the way !!!!! Little girl

My model

Siv Cheng focuses on documentary style

Roth Meas

SIV Cheng, 31, one of the documentary-style photographers taking part in the ‘‘Bamboo Shoots’’ exhibition, profiles four poor families in Cambodia for the show. Two live on the border between Cambodia and Vietnam, one in a suburb of Phnom Penh and the other in Kandal province.

“I spend a day with each family, researching, before I start shooting pictures. I introduce the family to myself and the project and make them understand my purpose, so they don’t doubt me anymore,” Siv Cheng said.

After she gains permission, Siv Cheng stays two days with each family observing their day-to-day activities.

“Even if they live in a ruined hut, I stay with them,” she said.
“I eat the same food as them, and sleep next to them.
While they are going about their activities, I take pictures, so they are more natural.”

One of the families taught Siv Cheng about the life of the poor people. She said the family was miserable because the mother suffered a stroke and was now paralysed. The father is also disabled, and their 10-year-old daughter must cross the border to beg for money to feed the whole family.

“The girl has a big burden,” Siv Cheng said. “She has to earn money for family on one hand, and on the other she also has to cook for her disabled parents. It stops her from getting an education, and her health is not great, either.”

Siv Cheng is a photography student at the French Cultural Centre, and a relatively new addition to the On Photography Cambodia family.

Another day for CYAF

Hi, everyone

Here are some photos that I took during the party for Cambodian Youth Arts festival co-chair, members, and volunteers. This party was held at Phnom Penh Anchor restaurant.

Kids at Sen Reak Reay Community

Have you ever painted something when you were young? Here are some photos i took during my visit to Sen Reak Reay Community:

I have got lots of fun with them, playing game and painting. They all are very friendly, cute and clever. You will see how good they are through their picture.

Cambodia Youth Arts Festival

Have you ever joined the Arts Festival? Have you been to the Chaktomuk conference hall in the last five days? Cambodia Youth Arts Festivalwas taken place at the Chaktomuck Conference hall for 5 days (7-11 August).

To me, it is the second time that i join the Arts festival, i am really love being a volunteer or participant in the arts festival. Seeing difference kind of arts, i am really appreciate to be a part of successful, marvelous, significant event that could attract hundreds of people to join, I have never see such a wonderful event like this.

Last night is the last day of the festival, the Chaktomuk hall was over crowded, you could not even find a place to stand, though you've got a ticket for a seat. How come that make this event become so interesting like that. Does it means that Cambodia now have prosperity of culture of art?

see also http://cambodianartsfestival.org

10 tatics to use for a force to change

People's action for Change (PAC) forum at Goldiana Hotel on thursday 29th July, 2010. There is a 5o minute video showing how to use technology for advocacy.

Here are the 10 tactics to use for a force to chang:

1. Bring information into action (mobilize the people)
2. Witness and report (someone is watching)
3. Visualize you message (picture it)
4. Amplify personal story (no one listen to it)
5. Just add humor (provoke a smile)
6. Manage your contact (understand your connection)
7. How to use complex data (make it simple)
8. Use collective intelligence (report it live)
9. People ask the questions
10. Investigate and expose (reveal the truth)

Duch verdict

This morning is the history day for Cambodian people. Almost 30 years that people are waiting to find the justices for their family or relative who was killed during the Khmer Rouge regime.
Please read this website to get more information about Duch's verdict:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/25/cambodia.khmer.rouge.verdict/#fbid=gKxGgh-bCxL

After watching Kang Kek Iew,known as Duch, I feel very happy and satisfied with the verdict. It gives the justices to all Cambodian people.

Even though, I was not in the Khmer Rouge regime, but I could feel how hard people living during that time, because I have watch many documentary films which are related to the Pol Pot regime such as "The killing field", "S-21", etc...

The Enemy of People

"Enemy of People" is the documentary film which is indicating the reason why million of Cambodia people were killed during the Khmer Rouge regime. The producer is Thet Sambath, Phnom Penh Post's reporter and ......... .

The film were screened last night at 6:30pm at the Meta house. It cost 5$ for foreigner and 2,5$ for Cambodian student including drinks. It is the best Khmer Rouge documentary film that I have ever seen before. I really admired bong Sambath, because he had tried his best to find the truth of the story, he doesn't care how dangerous it was. "It is not easy to spend ten years living with a communist man, Noun Chea, who was called brother number two during Pol Pot regime", Sambath said. Moreover, he also spend 5 years living with the killer who was order to kill the innocent Cambodia people at that time.

I cannot imagine how Cambodia people killed their own people, but it is the history the we cannot forget ever and ever. When the film show how those killers killed the people, I started to look another side of the screen to avoid seeing those crucial action.

The killer not only kill the people but also eat people's gallbladder that was very terrible.

Seeing this film you will find out more information that you have never heard or seen before about the Pol Pot regime. I recommend you to see this film if you are interesting in Khmer Rouge document film.

see also www.cambodialife.wordpress.com
www.saoyuth.wordpress.com

United States-Cambodia 60th anniversary of Diplomatic relations

United States-Cambodia 60th anniversary of Diplomatic was held at Chaktomuk theater along Sothearos Blvd yesterday night at around 7 o'clock. All countries' ambassadors, High-ranking officials and thousand of people are invited to be the guest for this event, so the road was block and strictly checking.

Carol Rodley, US embassdor, and H.E Im Sothy, Minister of Ministry of Youth Education and Sport , were the special guest last night. They have given the speech that Cambodia and United States will build the relations between the two countries much stronger for the following years.

The programs of the event are very interesting. First, Chapei performance by Mr. Mao Moeurn and Long Chhay regarding the 6 decade of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and USA. Second is the Marine Forces Pacific Band started to play the orchestra, it sound great. it is the first time i can see and listen to the orchestra. After that the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Band started to play with the two singers, Keo Chansomphos and another is unknown, they both have great voices.

Especially I love the English song that the unknown singer sing, she have a sweet voice. Her voice can compare with the western singers i think. But I cannot remember the name of the song she sang, because I am really want to listen to it again.

Listening to music is to kill my free time, and I love listening to romantic song which is the best medicine for me to cure stress.

By little girl

My first day

First time using new thing doesn't make me feel well. Now let me talk something about the first day for my internship.

There a few things that make me interesting in working at the Association, since my first day i have a chance to go to field where I have never been before and I could see how worse it is. The place is dirty, water everywhere, and bad smell; however, the people are so friendly and kindly welcome guests. Those people are very strong, they can do everything to demand for their right, their property. So far, they know a lot about the law, since they were training by NGOs.

Because of the development, the people, whose home is on the Bengkok lake, are being evicted by the investment company. Since then there are a lot of problem that people faces, they don't know where they can go ,and the compensation is not enough for them to start a new life somewhere in the city.

Life is challenging; you will never know what your life gonna be tomorrow. However, living every day just to make your life better with taste and enjoyable.

Just enjoy it