Experience Malaysia in 'Hello Malaysia' photo exhibit

MANILA, Philippines - European structures in the heart of Asia, and yet a culture so deeply etched in the hearts of its people that it remains unscathed by its past conquerors. Come to Malaysia — where there is progress tailored around centuries-old cherished traditions and culture.

Take, for instance, the Petronas Twin Towers. A symbol of man’s ingenious imagination, the Petronas Twin Towers have been the source of inspiration for many architects around the world. And while they stand tall to represent wealth and power in today’s modern world, the towers were in fact designed around Islamic symbols.

The floor plate design, for instance, were constructed around the Islamic geometric forms of eight pointed stars from two interlocking squares. The Islamic design sensibility is reflected throughout the entire structure that the Petronas Twin Towers mirror the Islamic principles of “unity within unity, harmony, stability and rationality.”

Take a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur and be transported to Genting Highlands, the city of entertainment on a hill. Complete with hotels, restaurants, and gaming, indoor and outdoor theme parks, it’s everyone’s entertainment all the way for the complete family.

Walk through history in Malacca. The Dutch-inspired town is among Malaysia’s most frequented places, with an interesting shopping area on Jonker Street selling not only souvenirs but also artworks and local delicacies.

In Penang, a plane-ride away from KL, lose yourself among colonial British structures as the island’s laid-back lifestyle encourages visitors to become more engaged with the local culture. For a unique experience, there are also the houses on stilts on Weld Quay, home to majority of the city’s fishermen.

If adventure is your agenda, Sabah is the way to go. With the famous Kota Kinabalu within the province, Sabah is the ecotourism adventure playground of Asia. Go trekking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, diving and even opt to get a fish massage. Believed to be therapeutic, fish massage, as the name implies, is a school of fish feeding on the skin’s dead cells.

Come see Malaysia in an exhibit titled, “Hello Malaysia,” an experiential photo exhibit by some of the country’s top photojournalists and lensmen from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6 at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium.

The photo exhibit is sponsored by Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines with SM Malls, Canon, PCCI, i-Mag photography magazine, Aperture, MSD Godspeed Exhibits Corp., Angels Delight Catering and Design Manila. A series of workshops is also lined up at affordable fees.

Speakers are experts in their fields, such as Raymund Isaac for fashion photography, Mark Floro for food photography, Jun Miranda for basic photography and digital darkroom technique, and Lito Sy for travel wedding destination. Cash prizes await winners of on-the-spot photo contests.

The workshops will be from Sept. 2 to 5, starting at P3,500. Early birds have the opportunity for hands-on training and photo clinic. Reserve seats now at http://travellight.wufoo.com/forms/travel-light-2009-workshops-registration. For more information, log on to www.travellightonline.com or call 0918-9217472.