A GIANT PARTY TO SAVE ENDANGERED CLAM

21 & 22 April 2012, Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa – A month-long Marine Awareness Campaign ended with a flourish with two celebrations; a Ronan Keating Dine & Song on the night of April 21st, 2012 and a Marine Awareness Day Beach Party on the 22nd of April, 2012 at Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa. The month prior to the events saw efforts to increase public awareness on the plight of the Giant Clam which is fast disappearing from the wild sea due to overharvesting and irresponsible fishing methods. Schools and non-governmental organizations were invited to the resorts Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) located on sister property Gayana Eco Resort. The Centre also transferred 500 juvenile Giant Clams and 1,000 planted corals into the sea. After a month of unwavering programs, the stage was set for both local performers and Irish singer and celebrity Ronan Keating to entertain guests. The Ronan Keating Dine & Song was set outdoors of the resorts Koi Restaurant, and the entertainment stage purpose-built over the pool. Local bands and performers consisting of the Belalang (Grasshopper) jazz band, Rimba and Khameleon crooned the party throughout dinner. Guests were served a fusion dinner over a buffet spread and treated to an open bar. Later on, Ronan Keating stole the night with his charm and heart-warming voice.

Guests were treated to a buffet spread and performances by local bands at the Dine & Song

Ronan Keating stole the night with his charm and songs

The next day’s Beach Party was attended by over 1,400 guests to Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa. This event was the first of its kind on the property which usually accommodates luxury travellers and high profile personalities. For this event, the resort sold tickets at RM (Ringgit Malaysia) 200 per person, proceeds of which are to be forwarded for the continued efforts of the Marine Ecology Research Centre. The day began with transfers of hundreds of guests by resort boats and ferries over to Gaya Island. Despite an early morning shower, participants thronged to the jetty and received a Beach Kit which included a Save The Giant shirt, towel, fan and bottle. The sun arrived just in time for the first item on the program to begin, and the day remained pleasant throughout. The Beach Party featured a stage built on a barge made to resemble a Giant Clam where local performers and talents such as the Khameloen, Rimba, 4Beats, DJ Fine China and the 51 Dance Studio performed throughout

the day. In such a rare beach and sea concert setting, guests enjoyed themselves by relaxing and strolling between the different canopies selling soft drinks, beer, fried chicken and satays.

Guests relaxed on the beach as local bands and performers entertained on the floating stage

The party excitement pitched up a notch with Michelle Koh, well-known Zumba guru of the city. The dynamite lady led the entire beach in an hour of shaking, jumping and fitness dancing.

Michelle Koh, Zumba guru extraordinaire, led the entire beach in one hour of fitness dancing

At a small hint that Ronan Keating was about to make his appearance, fans lined both sides of the path he was to cross to the stage, one hour prior. Ronan sang his top of the chart hit, “When You say Nothing At All,” “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “Life Is A Rollercoaster,” and also gave sneak previews of new songs from a yet to be released album, saying in his friendly manner “You are the first to hear this song.” Even after the final song, he complied to sing one last piece for his adoring fans who screamed, “We want more! We want more!” The clam was very clearly on his mind as he created clam taglines of his own such as, “Let’s keep clam and carry on,” and “Clam down people.” Ronan’s voice gave strength to the marine campaigns message to save the Giant Clams as he urged people to take an active role in the campaign and to carry the message back home.

Ronan Keating’s voice gave strength to the Save The Giant message

Without the efforts of the Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC), there would have been no Marine Awareness Month and no Party. The MERC facility was “transferred” to the Bunga Raya beach from its location at Gayana Eco Resort into an Exhibition Centre that displayed the MERC’s projects and information. Visitors there were invited to plant a coral, the second of the MERC’s prime projects after the Giant Clam propagation.

The MERC Exhibition Centre featured two of the Centre’s main project, Giant Clam propagation and coral planting

The success of the two parties was in sync with the achievements of the Marine Awareness Month. With the participation and support of many individuals and groups, the chance for the Giant Clam’s survival is now better ensured. Many people returned home that day feeling that they were better learned, and that saving the giant had now also become their responsibility.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SAVE THE GIANTS MARINE AWARENESS MONTH

PLEASE CONTACT:

Gayana Eco Resort and Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa Gaya Island, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

Tel: +6 088 380 390 | E-mail: marketing@gayana-eco-resort.com www.gayana-eco-resort.com | www.bungarayaresort.com

www.merc-gayana.com