Lifestyle, Music

Astro Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition 2026 All Stars 2.0 Grand Finals

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Malaysia’s most iconic and longest-running Chinese singing talent show is reaching its breathtaking climax! Celebrating its milestone 26th anniversary, the Astro Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition 2026: All Stars 2.0《Astro 经典名曲歌唱大赛2026 明星赛2.0》has taken retro nostalgia and competitive spirit to entirely new heights. This season gathered fan-favorite classic singers who once graced the stage to reignite their musical passions under an all-new team tournament structure.

After weeks of unforgettable duets, emotional powerhouses, and fierce rivalries, 12 legendary vocalists across 3 powerhouse teams have earned their spot in the ultimate showdown. On Saturday, 3 October 2026, at 8:30 PM, the Arena of Stars at Resorts World Genting will transform into a battleground of melody, harmony, and raw emotion.

Meet the Powerhouse Team
Three captains lead their dream teams into this grand finale:

Team Cassy
Led by the dynamic Cassy 糖糖, joined by the sensational Sharon 黄雪云, Catherine 孙艺绫, and Blue 谢晓莹
Team Vivian
Led by the talented Vivian 覃微雯, featuring fan-favourites Yean 黄俊焰, Ar C 官佩楒, and Alex 叶东城
Team Xianhui
Led by the charismatic Zhou Xianhui 周显慧, alongside Angela 吴沁尹, Zax 李东洺, and Ong Boon 王声文

Having journeyed together from team battles to the final stage, the chemistry built between the captains and their team members will face its most critical test. Every singer must bring their best performance to the crucial moments to score valuable points for their team.

Star-Studded Lineup & Star Prizes
Astro Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition 2026: All Stars 2.0 is exclusively title-sponsored by Mah Sing Group, co-sponsored by NH Nutri Grains, with the Arena of Stars at Resorts World Genting serving as the designated venue for the Grand Finals. The event will be co-hosted by Gan Jiang Han 颜江瀚 and Vivienne Oon 温慧茵.

The judging panel features resident judge Yenz Kwok 郭燕燕, veteran musician Tee Kok Leong 郑国亮, singer-musician Winnie Ho 何芸妮, and humanistic innovative pop music educator JinV 黄凡朔. Hong Kong singer and music producer Peter Cheung 张崇德 will also return to Malaysia as a final judge and guest performer, adding further excitement to this musical feast with a special performance alongside his judging duties. In addition, Jazz Bai Lin 白琳, Ricky Lim 林永发, and Edmund Loh 卢润江 will take the stage to perform classic melodies in support of the Grand Finals.

Beyond the ultimate bragging rights, the champion team will walk away with RM30,000 in cash plus the coveted trophy, while the runner-up team earns RM15,000. Fans can also cast their votes for the Mah Sing Popularity Award until 3 October 2026 at 10:00PM, where the winning singer will take home RM8,888.

4 Ultimate Rounds: The Path to Glory
With an upgraded format, the three teams will undergo four ultimate rounds of testing—challenging team chemistry, genre mastery, individual vocal strength, and stage charisma layer by layer to vie for championship glory:

Round 1 (Team Synergy)
Tests team chemistry between captains and members alongside overall team capability.
Round 2 (Genre Battle)
Singers face diverse musical tasks, demonstrating their mastery and interpretation across different genres while testing adaptability and stage presence.
Round 3 (Individual Relay)
Every singer must showcase individual vocal skill to earn crucial points for their team.
Round 4 (Final Showdown)
The top two advancing teams will meet head-to-head on the championship stage, writing the final chapter of the tournament with a championship-caliber showdown.

How to Catch the Action
Live Event:
Date: 3 October 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 8:30PM
Venue: Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting

Broadcast:
Catch the live stream on Astro AEC (Channel 306), Astro GO, On Demand, or sooka.

For more details on Astro Classic Golden Melody Singing Competition 2026: All Stars 2.0, visit The Golden Club’s official Facebook page or Instagram.

Subscribe to Astro X3 today for a simpler, more convenient entertainment experience! No TV box, installation, or contract required (starting December 2026)—enjoy popular content from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, and local quality programming for just RM39.99/month. For more information, visit astro.com.my or WhatsApp 03-9543 3838.

Shopping

Winners Announced for SOGO & Bank Islam’s “Jom Balik Kampung” Grand Finale!

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Today, I witnessed the most anticipated festive shopping campaign of the season, the “Jom Balik Kampung bersama SOGO & Bank Islam” contest, which has officially concluded after an intense grand finale event!

Continuing its annual tradition of rewarding loyal Malaysian shoppers during Hari Raya, retail giant SOGO teamed up with Bank Islam for the second consecutive year to roll out an eye-popping total prize pool worth over RM189,000. Running nationwide from 20 February to 31 May 2026, the campaign reportedly pulled in a massive turnout, with nearly 26,000 entries submitted by shoppers hoping to hit the jackpot giveaway.

How the Action Unfolded at the Live Finale
Out of thousands of entries, 21 lucky finalists earned a spot to battle it out live in an exciting two-stage showdown on 22 September 2026:

  • The “Peel-2-Advance” Stage:
    All 21 contestants kicked off the excitement by scratching off stickers on car-shaped emblems to reveal hidden numbers. The top six participants with the highest numbers earned their ticket to the ultimate round, while the remaining 15 finalists didn’t walk away empty-handed—each securing a consolation prize of RM2,000 in SOGO shopping vouchers.
  • The “Key-2-Victory” Showdown:
    The six remaining finalists then faced a tense moment where they had to pick keys from a game board based on their first-round scores. In a stroke of pure luck, the contestant who drew the single longest key unlocked the jackpot and walked away with the keys to a brand-new Perodua Traz 1.5H 2T (DCVT) car!

The Big Reveal: Here Are Your Official Contest Winners
Here is the full breakdown of who took home the major prizes at the end of the competition:

🏆 Grand Prize Winner (Perodua Traz 1.5H 2T DCVT)

  • SALAMIYAH BINTI MOHAMAD

🥈 2nd Prize Winners (Bank Islam Gold Account-i worth RM15,000 each)

  1. MOHD SAFARI BIN HAMIZAN
  2. NORAINI BINTI ISMAIL
  3. NUR HIDAYAH BINTI SHAMSUDDIN
  4. TAN MAY WAH
  5. TUAN MOHD ALWAFI

Final Thoughts
Big congratulations to all the lucky winners! It’s always exciting to watch these large-scale Malaysian shopping promotions and contests play out, especially when life-changing cash prizes like gold investment accounts and new cars are on the line.

Food & Drink

Concorde Hotel KL Mooncake 2026: Treasured Petals Collection

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As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, mooncake lovers and gift-givers across Malaysia are searching for the ideal mix of tradition, gourmet flavors, and aesthetic presentation. This year, Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur elevates festive celebrations with its exquisite Treasured Petals Mooncake Collection 2026. Featuring handcrafted pressed flower packaging and classic to modern flavors, this lineup is a prime choice for corporate gifting, family reunions, and luxury treats.

The Artistry: Handcrafted Pressed Flower Packaging
What sets Concorde Hotel KL’s 2026 mooncake offering apart is its artistic design. Each Treasured Petals gift box features handpicked pressed botanicals from Yunnan province, China—famously known as the ‘Kingdom of Flowers’. Carefully preserved in a clear frame, each box functions as a reusable keepsake tray or decorative display piece for your home.

Mooncake Types & Gourmet Gift Sets
Each gift set comes filled with 4 handcrafted mooncakes (180g each). You can choose from four specially curated flavor sets:

1. Set A – Traditional Classic Baked

  • Pure Lotus Double Yolk 雙黃純蓮蓉
  • Golden Pandan Pure Lotus 翡翠純蓮蓉
  • Pure Lotus 純蓮蓉
  • Japanese Red Bean 日本紅豆

2. Set B – Nutty & Traditional Delights

  • Pure Lotus Single Yolk 單黃純蓮蓉
  • Assorted Fruits Nuts 伍仁黃豆
  • Black Sesame Lotus 黑芝麻蓮蓉
  • Japanese Red Bean 日本紅豆

3. Set C – Modern Snowskin Selection

  • White Lotus Paste Single Yolk 單黃白蓮蓉冰皮
  • Yam Paste Single Yolk 單黃芋香冰皮
  • Japanese Red Bean 日本紅豆冰皮
  • Crimson Velvet Cheese Crunch 紅絲絨芝士冰皮

4. Set D – Bestseller Snowskin Durian Special

  • Imperial Musang King Durian (4 pcs) 御品貓山王冰皮
  • Made with 100% pure, rich Musang King durian flesh, served with a complimentary Cooler Bag.

Concorde Hotel KL offers competitive promotional prices and bulk options for early shoppers:

  • 🎁 Floral Round & Square Gift Set:
    • Hotel Lobby Exclusive: RM 138 nett (Normal Price: RM 175 nett)
    • Mid Valley Kiosk: RM 148 nett (Normal Price: RM 175 nett)
  • 🛍️ Floral Round Gift Set with Metal Carrier (Limited Stock): RM 175 nett (Normal Price: RM 205 nett)
  • 👑 Imperial Musang King Durian (Set D): Normal price applies (No discount)
  • 💳 Concorde Card (CC) Loyalty Members: Enjoy 15% Discount
  • 📦 Bulk Purchase Savings: Enjoy 25% Discount when purchasing 20 boxes and above

📍 Availability & Kiosk Locations

You can purchase these mooncakes between 1 August and 25 September 2026:

  1. Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur (Hotel Lobby)
    • Dates: 1 August – 25 September 2026
    • Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  2. Mid Valley Megamall (North Court, Ground Floor)
    • Dates: 4 September – 25 September 2026
    • Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  3. Online Orders: Baked & snowskin sets are available online via Concorde’s Payment Portal.

Ready to secure your holiday gifts? Reserve your mooncake sets before stock runs out!

Lifestyle, Travel

F1 Is Back in Kuala Lumpur: Get Ready for the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang

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Formula 1 fans in Malaysia, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. After a nine-year absence, Formula 1 is officially returning to Sepang — but with an interesting twist.

The upcoming race will be the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026, taking place at the iconic Sepang International Circuit from 2 to 4 October 2026. This marks the first time in F1 history that a Grand Prix has been relocated to another country after being cancelled.

Why Is the Bahrain Grand Prix Moving to Malaysia?
The Bahrain Grand Prix was originally scheduled to take place in Bahrain earlier this season. However, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East led to the cancellation of the race.

Rather than losing the Bahrain Grand Prix from the 2026 calendar altogether, Formula 1, the FIA, Bahrain and Malaysia reached an agreement to bring the race to Sepang. This allows the championship round to go ahead while giving fans another chance to experience Formula 1 action at one of the sport’s most memorable circuits.

For Malaysia, it is an exciting homecoming.

Sepang previously hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 until 2017 and has always been known for its challenging track layout, passionate fans and unpredictable tropical weather. The circuit features 15 corners, eight straights and a 5.543km track, making it a serious test for both drivers and teams.

And yes, that means we could potentially get the classic Sepang combination: scorching heat, sudden rain and cars flying around the circuit at full speed. What’s not to love?

When and Where Is the Race?
The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 will take place at:

Venue: Sepang International Circuit, Selangor
Date: 2–4 October 2026
Race: Sunday, 4 October 2026

The weekend will feature practice sessions, qualifying and the main race. According to the current F1 schedule, Practice 1 and Practice 2 take place on Friday, Practice 3 and qualifying on Saturday, followed by the main race on Sunday.

The race is also expected to bring back the electric atmosphere that Sepang is famous for, with thousands of motorsport fans making their way to the circuit to watch the world’s best drivers battle it out.

And if you’re planning to attend all three days, there’s another important question to consider: Where are you going to stay?

Looking for a Place to Stay During F1 Weekend?
With the race weekend expected to attract fans from Malaysia and overseas, finding accommodation that makes getting to and from Sepang easier can make a huge difference.

Instead of worrying about driving, parking and navigating the traffic around the circuit, why not look for a hotel package that takes care of some of the logistics for you?

That’s where M World Hotel comes in with its F1 Race Weekend Escape package.

Located in Bandar Utama, M World Hotel has put together a race-weekend package designed for F1 fans who want a comfortable stay while having transportation to Sepang taken care of.

The F1 Race Weekend Escape at M World Hotel
The package is available for bookings until 4 October 2026, with the stay period from 2 to 5 October 2026 — perfect if you want to make a full weekend out of your F1 experience.

And there’s a little extra incentive for those who book early.

🏁 Pole Position Privilege

The first five bookings will receive an upgrade to a Studio Suite.

So if you’re already planning to attend the race, being early could literally put you in pole position.

The Winning Formula: RM1,429 nett per night

The package includes:

  • Comfortable Deluxe Room stay with breakfast buffet for 2 persons
  • Daily round-trip transportation to Sepang International Circuit
  • RM100 daily dining credit
  • Welcome minibar and fruit basket
  • 24-hour stay, subject to availability
  • 20% off dining at Indulge, Infinity Grill and Lobby Lounge

The daily transportation to Sepang is particularly useful for a race weekend. Instead of figuring out your own route and dealing with the logistics of getting to the circuit, you can simply make use of the hotel’s round-trip transport.

And after spending the day surrounded by roaring engines, cheering crowds and all the F1 excitement, you can return to the hotel, enjoy your dining credit and recharge for the next day.

Make It a Full F1 Weekend
Whether you’re a hardcore F1 fan who follows every qualifying session or simply someone who wants to experience the excitement of Formula 1 live at Sepang, this is a pretty special opportunity.

Malaysia hasn’t hosted an F1 race since 2017, so having the championship return to Sepang — even as the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix — makes the 2026 event one worth experiencing.

If you’re planning to attend, don’t leave your accommodation until the last minute. With the race taking place from 2–4 October, this is one weekend where planning ahead could make the whole experience much smoother.

So, pack your F1 cap, charge your camera and get ready for some serious full-throttle action at Sepang.

For more information about the F1 Race Weekend Escape at M World Hotel, including booking details and package terms, check out the hotel’s official website.

Terms and conditions apply. The hotel reserves the right to amend rates and package inclusions without prior notice. Limited daily availability. Prepayment is non-refundable and will be forfeited in the event of cancellation or amendment. Other terms and conditions apply.

Food & Drink

OVERSEA 海外天 Launches “The Moonlight Collection” for 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival

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Celebrating mid-summer with flavours inspired by reunion, tradition, and innovation

The 2026 OVERSEA Moonlight Collection: Modern Flavours Meet Mid-Autumn Tradition

The Mid-Autumn Festival full moon has long signaled a time for family gatherings, shared meals, and rich tradition. To mark the 2026 festive season, OVERSEA 海外天 has officially unveiled “The Moonlight Collection”—a blend of half-a-century-old baking heritage and forward-thinking pastry design.

Featuring delicate Momoyama-style pastries, soft snow skin creations, and classic single-yolk favorites, this year’s line-up offers a modern take on timeless Mid-Autumn flavours.

2026 New Flavour Highlights: Modern Dessert Artistry

This year, OVERSEA expands its lineup with three new innovative mooncake flavours designed for contemporary palates:

  • Momoyama Peach Tea Cream Cheese Mooncake: Features a light Momoyama-style pastry shell infused with the crisp aroma of peach tea, balanced by a smooth, velvety cream cheese center.
  • Momoyama Toffee Caramel Mooncake: Combines rich, buttery toffee with the smooth sweetness of caramel inside a refined Momoyama crust, delivering a full-bodied bite without being overly sweet.
  • Snowy Mango Boba Mooncake: A soft, chilled snow skin pastry bursting with tropical mango flavor, finished with chewy boba pearls in every bite.

Alongside these new additions, popular favourites like the Chocolate Lava, Matcha Red Bean Mochi, Snowy Hazelnut Chocolate Ganache, and Snowy Noble Delight with Mango also make their return.

Classic OVERSEA Signatures Return

For traditionalists, OVERSEA continues to offer its iconic, traditional baked mooncakes carefully calibrated for balanced sweetness:

  • Shanghai with Single Yolk
  • Golden Starlight with Single Yolk
  • Noble Delight with Single Yolk
  • Royal Fairy with Single Yolk
  • Golden Emerald with Single Yolk
  • White Lotus with Single Yolk

Featured Mid-Autumn Gift Set: The Lunar Rise

Designed specifically for corporate gifting and family celebrations, OVERSEA has introduced the curated Lunar Rise Gift Set (RM168 per box).

What’s Inside the Lunar Rise Gift Set:

  • 1x Momoyama Peach Tea Cream Cheese Mooncake
  • 1x Momoyama Toffee Caramel Mooncake
  • 1x Golden Starlight with Single Yolk Mooncake
  • 1x White Lotus with Single Yolk Mooncake (Less Sweet)

Where to Buy OVERSEA Mooncakes in 2026

The Moonlight Collection is available for a limited time during the 2026 Mid-Autumn season online via the official OVERSEA website, at selected OVERSEA restaurant outlets, and at designated mall pop-up locations:

  • Penang: Sunshine Centre Farlim
  • Petaling Jaya: 1 Utama (AEON)
  • Kuala Lumpur: Lotus’s Kepong

About OVERSEA
Founded in 1977, OVERSEA is a well-known Malaysian dining brand celebrated for its
Cantonese cuisine, festive delicacies and philosophy of bringing people together through food. From restaurants and signature mooncake collections to a wide range of traditional pastries, OVERSEA is committed to preserving traditional craftsmanship while creating culinary experiences that cater to the new tastes of consumers today.