Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang with Patrizio Buanne

Penang, 12 July 2010 – Firefly, Your Community Airline, today proudly announced dinner show and show by the new international sensation and an Italian heartthrob, Patrizio Buanne at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang at 7.30pm and 9.30pm respectively on 11 July 2010.

Raja Sa'adi ushering Lim Guan Eng to the Cornwallis Suite for the press conference

“Firefly is proud to present the internationally renowned Italian baritone Patrizio Franco Buanne, exclusively for the George Town Ball” was the message from Dato’  Eddy Leong,  Managing Director of Firefly.

Ready to take off with Firefly

The George Town Ball is a major highlight in the month long celebration of the George Town Festival to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of its UNESCO World Heritage Site listing.

“Firefly is honoured to be associated with this memorable event as the Festival Airline Partner and we wish to thank the Penang State Government for enabling our participation. Cultural diversity, heritage and arts are key attributes to Firefly ‘Your Community Airline’. Penang International Airport puts us in a great position to support Penang by flying in its visitors from all over the region” said Eddy.

Ms Angelina Fernandez, Firefly’s Head of Marketing and Communications added that Patrizio’s music is adult contemporary, pop and oldies, and that his show will entertain and thrill all his local fans.  Firefly’s hosting of Patrizio in conjunction with the George Town Festival will further enhance and promote Malaysia as an entertainment destination.

Firefly now flies 56 flights a week into Penang from Subang; four times a week into Penang from Phuket; once a day from Medan and Banda Aceh respectively. Firefly is also mounting one additional daily flight before and after the Hari Raya holidays for the Subang – Kota Bharu sector.

Patrizio Buanne onboard of Firefly

Patrizio has a passion for languages, and as early as 17 years old, he already spoke fluent Italian, German, English, French, Spanish and Polish.

His career achievement is astonishing. His international debut album entitled, “The Italian”, was completed at the same Abbey Road Studios

Made famous by The Beatles in London and was accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. After its first release in February 2005, it reached the top ten on the pop charts in the United Kingdom, where it attained golden status after just one week, and was certified as platinum in South Africa, across Asia, New Zealand, some European countries and even reached triple platinum status in Australia.

But what quality separates Patrizio from other successful artistes? Is it the natural grace of his voice, his macho good looks, or the confident, casual, respectful attention that he gives to his audience? Or is it just the basic trust he evokes in people? “Simpatico” is simply the word that Italy uses to describe all of his qualities.

This journey was taken by my good friend, Dennis Chiang on 24 September 2009 to Penang. Dennis has started his passion in photography recently. Let’s see what he saw, taste and feel in Penang.

As you know, to get to Penang, you need to get on the ferry first!

These are how the cars parked in the ferry

The view on the ferry from Butterworth to Penang

Buddhas

The everly famous, Kek Lok Si Temple

View down from Kek Lok Si

Try some vegetarian food here at the temple

‘Ah Mah’ begging at the temple

Souvenirs anyone?

Khoo Kongsi- the largest clan comples in Malaysia and awe-inspiring for its architectural attributes and bas-relief sculptures. The movie Anna and the King actually took its scene here

CheongFatt Tze Mansion- It has 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows. This charming home was awarded by UNESCO for the restoration work done to preserve its heritage

Time to eat! A different way of eating rojak, like celup-celup. Only RM0.40 per sticks!

This is the very famous ‘Loh Mee’ in Butterworth and that’s the special vinegar which we can’t get it easily in Malaysia

The other everly famous, St. Anne’ church

Inside St.Anne

Old buildings

An old man cycling a trishaw, such hardworking life for these old people. Imagine us complaining when we have a car?

That’s more or less about Penang. Hurry up and experience Penang by yourself!

Thank you