Life & Style | Grand Hyatt Macau presents ‘Lua de Lótus’ mooncake gift box

For this year’s Mid- Autumn Festival, Grand Hyatt Macau is presenting a repertoire of Mid-Autumn delights.

An important symbol in many religions throughout the world, the lotus flower has come to symbolize many things — most commonly purity and divine beauty, as cited in a statement issued by the resort.

This year’s mooncake gift box features a classically designed chest adorned with whimsical lotus illustrations.

The history of Chinese ceramics can be traced back to over ten thousand years ago. During the 16-17th centuries, Macau was the major gateway for the international ceramics trade. To this end, the hotel has especially created an exquisite ceramic-shaped mooncake gift box highlighted by a curved bottle that doubles as a tea container or a vase.

Success has Malaysian rapper Bunga dreaming of music

One of the few Malaysian female rappers, Bunga says she at first didn’t consider a career in music.

“My initial dream was to be a politician or a lawyer,” the 19-year old rapper told The Associated Press before her first performance in Singapore for the Malay arts festival “Pesta Raya” last weekend.

Her success has her changing her tune.

Bunga, whose real name is Noor Ayu Fatini Mohd Bakhari, is one of the only known rappers who wears a hijab and baju kurung, a traditional Malay dress, at her performances. Selfies on her Instagram account show her wearing various shades of hijab, but she didn’t start that way.

From Perak, she became popular after a video of her performing in baju kurung in a local rap competition went viral in November.

Hip-hop star Nicki Minaj to perform in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia said yesterday that hip-hop star Nicki Minaj will perform in the ultraconservative kingdom as it sheds decades of restrictions on entertainment.

The female rapper is known for her outlandish, provocative style and hits like “Anaconda,” where she raps about her “big fat” backside. Her lyrics are often laced with profanities and her skin-bearing music videos often include twerking. Christian groups criticized her 2012 Grammy Awards performance, which included dancing priests and an exorcism.

Saudi organizers announced she would be the headline act at the Jeddah World Fest on July 18.

Reactions on social media ranged from shock and joy to criticism and disappointment.