The axis of culture
Alexis Tam started his address at the AL on Monday with a big-bang announcement: the re-conversion of Hotel Estoril and its adjacent municipal swimming pool and other nearby locales into a cultural and entertainment center – a cultural hub at Tap Seac. Talkers likes the idea because, since the late 1990s we have been missing the very first western-style casino (opened by STDM in 1962). We still remember the days of Paris Nightclub, and some other obsolete features… Now, Hotel Estoril is gonna be the academy of music and dance, plus a center for creative industries. And with a warm-water swimming pool. Let’s just hope the recovery of the building keeps the unique architectural trace of the old Estoril. Anyway, thumbs up! To put heritage buildings back to service is the way to go.
We luv the peg!
The U.S. dollar hasn’t been on a roll like this since Ronald Reagan sat in the White House and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” ruled the box office. Since June 30, the greenback has been up 28 percent against the euro, 18 percent against the Japanese yen and 40 percent against the Brazilian real. Not since 1981 has the dollar been so strong.
Go peggy!
Blogoscope | “The hour of no power” by worldgamingmag.com
A casino without power is a lot like a bar with no beer – useless. So there were no doubt a few raised eyebrows across Macau when the lights went out around 11am yesterday – the second blackout in just a few weeks. Of course, the properties all have backup power generators for exactly this sort of scenario with the Venetian among those to confirm that their generators kicked in quickly once the voltage dropped. Taipa, Coloane and about a third of the Macau Peninsula were affected. Still, it makes you wonder what could potentially go on during those precious moments of darkness when confusion would no doubt reign. And just how good are these generators? Macau’s big properties use a lot of power and it would be interesting to know what impact a blackout has on surveillance cameras – not that the concessionaires would ever release that sort of information.
Alvin’s diversification
Suncity Group Chairman Alvin Chau Cheok Wa was appointed a member of the Cultural Industries Council earlier this month. Talkers believes this is because good-old-Alvin is a brand name in Hong Kong’s vibrant film and fashion scene. Suncity is one of the biggest casino junket operators. But according to the neighboring (also vibrant) “pink press” he is more than that. “Macau’s biggest casino tycoon, Alvin Chau, has a reputation for being a womanizer and it’s no secret that he generously showers his casual flings and lovers with extravagant gifts. However, Alvin isn’t a bachelor. He is a married man whose wife, Heidi Chan is pregnant. But the couple has an arrangement that would be unacceptable for most women. Heidi reportedly accepts his infidelity but remains confident because she is his wife.” That’s creative!
Drone alone
The government spokesperson’s tea party this week was full of high-tech announcements. Victor Chan said the gov’t is going all WeChat, Youtube and so forth. But the highlight of the event was the drone on the balcony, overlooking the inner harbor, taking wide, top, whatever-angle pics of the 60-strong guest list. Talkers looked and asked around, but couldn’t confirm who was remote-controlling the flying bot. Suddenly someone whispered: it’s a guy from the office of someone surnamed Wang…
in others’ words
“I promise that if I don’t perform well, I shall resign.”
Secretary Alexis Tam hon weng
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