FAVSTYLE Essentials

In a city that loves food, sunsets, and togetherness, VR + Escapee carved out a different kind of memory making. One built on ticking clocks, hidden compartments, whispered theories, sudden laughter, and that electric moment when the final lock clicks open. Founded by Isaac Toh , the concept was first imagined back in 2014, when escape rooms were still a novelty. His vision was simple but sharp: design technical, story-driven rooms where players had to think laterally, communicate clearly, and trust one another under pressure. No brute force. No luck. Just observation, logic, and teamwork. It worked. Hugely. From Cult Favourite to Sensational Hit In its early days, VR + Escapee quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation in Kota Kinabalu. Friends challenged friends. Families tested their teamwork. Colleagues discovered who really paid attention during meetings. Each room felt like stepping inside a puzzle box, layered with hidden clues, coded messages, and smartly designed mechanics...

On the last day of the year, there is often a natural pause, between what has passed and what has yet to unfold. On this New Year’s Eve, it feels timely to consider the kind of work that deserves time and patience in the years ahead. Many of today’s social challenges, particularly those related to ageing, community life, and how societies organise care and support, do not have simple or immediate solutions. They are are influenced by context, lived realities, and long-standing assumptions about how responses should be designed. Research, analytical writing, and conceptual exploration provide room to think carefully about what might work, what may not, and why. Taking time at this stage allows ideas to mature before they are carried forward. Where Ideas Meet Ideas do not develop in isolation. Even in reflective phases, they benefit from thoughtful exchange and exposure to different perspectives. In this context, platforms such as Life+ Expo 2026 can serve as useful venues where research...

In a world crowded with apps that do one thing well and everything else poorly, YONO SuperApp arrives with a clear promise:  You Only Need One Developed for Sabah and rooted in local needs, YONO is more than a payment tool. It is a financial and lifestyle super-app designed to simplify how people transact, manage money, and connect with everyday services, all within a single digital ecosystem. One App. Many Possibilities. At its core, YONO brings together essential financial functions into a clean, accessible platform. From cashless payments and QR transactions to bill settlements and integrated services, the app removes friction from daily life. Whether you are paying for food, shopping locally, or accessing services, YONO keeps the experience fast, intuitive, and secure. Built for Sabah, Powered by Trust Click frame to see video What sets YONO apart is its local relevance. Designed with Sabah’s communities, businesses, and users in mind, the platform supports inclusive digital ad...

In an era dominated by speed, swipes, and shrinking attention spans, it is tempting to dismiss blogs as a relic of an earlier digital age. Yet, beneath the noise of algorithms and trend cycles, blogs continue to perform a role few platforms can replace: they endure . Blogs are not designed for momentary applause. They are built as evergreen assets , quietly accumulating value long after publication. While social media posts enjoy brief moments of visibility before fading into digital oblivion, a well-structured blog article remains searchable, readable, and relevant. It becomes part of the internet’s long memory. From an SEO perspective, blogs remain one of the most powerful organic tools available. Search engines reward depth, clarity, and authority—qualities that short-form content cannot sustain. Blogs allow brands to own narratives, capture long-tail search intent, and establish subject-matter credibility. Every article is a permanent digital footprint, capable of resurfacing month...

On a quiet morning defined by clarity and purpose, an intimate dialogue unfolded between Datin Jeanette Tambakau, Co-Founder and Director of the award-winning Jari Jari Spa, and Lecturer Siti Hajar of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The interview forms part of a Sabah Tourism Board–commissioned research titled “ The Potentials of Health and Wellness Tourism in Sabah: Spa and Retreat Centres .” At the heart of the conversation lies a shared belief: that Sabah’s wellness future is built through alignment between academia, industry, and policy. The study foregrounds stakeholder perspectives as essential drivers of sustainable growth, acknowledging that credible wellness tourism depends on governance, standards, and a deep respect for place. The discussion explored the evolving role of AMSPA, the importance of policy support and industry standardisation, and the rising potential of spa retreats and community-based wellness tourism as distinctive offerings. Rooted in Sabah’s natural abund...

In the evolving narrative of Sabah’s economic future, leadership is not merely about titles. It is about alignment, intent, and the ability to translate vision into measurable impact. This week marks a significant moment as MINDET Sabah announces strategic appointments that underscore a renewed focus on governance, investment quality, and long-term competitiveness. YB Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau steps into the role of Chairman of POIC Sabah, while YB Roger Chin takes the helm as Chairman of Invest Sabah. Completing this leadership trio is Datuk Dr Janathan Kandok, appointed as Deputy Chairman of POIC Sabah, bringing decades of senior public service experience to the table. Together, these appointments reflect a deliberate convergence of policymaking acumen, legal understanding, and operational discipline. It is a signal that Sabah is positioning itself with clarity, choosing leaders capable of navigating both governance frameworks and market realities. At the heart of thi...

Across Sabah, conversations about ageing are becoming more visible and more urgent. As life expectancy improves and family structures continue to evolve, the question facing policymakers, developers, and communities is no longer whether Sabah is ageing, but whether our living environments are evolving quickly enough to support this shift. While healthcare often dominates public discourse on ageing, housing, particularly private rental housing, plays a quieter yet equally critical role. For many older adults in Sabah, rental homes are increasingly the foundation that enables independent living, ongoing connection to family and community, and the continuity of daily routines that sustain dignity and wellbeing. A changing role for rental housing Sabah has traditionally placed strong emphasis on home ownership. However, a growing number of older adults are now choosing, or needing, to rent. Some downsize after children move out. Others relocate closer to healthcare facilities, essential...

In an age where wellness, transparency, and conscious living define modern lifestyles, drinking water is no longer a background essential. It is a daily choice that reflects trust, quality, and responsibility. Recognising this, FAVSTYLE Magazine is proud to host and sponsor an open public nomination and voting initiative dedicated to identifying outstanding drinking water brands available in Sabah. This initiative invites the public to take part in shaping an editorial conversation that matters. From households and workplaces to hotels, cafés, events, and travel experiences, drinking water plays a quiet yet fundamental role in everyday life. Through this nomination, FAVSTYLE seeks to highlight brands that demonstrate consistency, reliability, and public confidence. Why Public Opinion Matters Rather than relying solely on industry positioning or marketing narratives, this nomination places emphasis on real voices. Consumers, professionals, and community members are encouraged to share ...

The V  Aerial view and exterior perspective In the evolving language of modern cities, scale is no longer measured by height alone, but by intent. With a gross development value of RM1.5 billion across 10 acres of prime urban land, The V by Jesselton stands as one of Sabah’s most significant integrated developments, shaping a new chapter in Kota Kinabalu’s urban narrative. Developed by Jesselton International, the project anchors a new phase of integrated urban living in Kota Kinabalu, reflecting clarity of vision and long-term urban intent. The V Aerial view and exterior perspective Designing Contemporary City Living Conceived as a new-generation mixed-use development, The V by Jesselton integrates residential, commercial, and lifestyle components into a cohesive urban ecosystem. The design prioritises functionality, flow, and human experience, responding to the needs of modern city dwellers while maintaining architectural restraint. This is a development shaped for those who valu...

From well-balanced lunch sets ideal for business meetings and casual dining, to generous dinner selections made for sharing, Metropot Bistro & Pub presents a diverse, chef-curated menu that brings together Chinese favourites and Western classics. Highlights from the menu include Steamed Chicken Rice, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Golden Fried Prawns, Grilled Chicken Chop with Vegetables, Signature Braised Chicken, comforting Herbal Soup, and a selection of flavourful stir-fries and plated mains, offering something for every appetite from day to night. Metropot Bistro & Pub is suitable for small to medium gatherings, whether it’s a birthday party, special family & friends gathering, or a company appreciation day. With a welcoming ambience, flexible dining space, and ample parking available, patrons can dine, meet, and celebrate worry-free, making it an ideal spot for both lunch and dinner occasions. Lunch & dinner available daily (dinner until 11.30pm) F&B Hotline: 016-8...

The final hours of 2025 arrive without ceremony. No grand curtain call, no neat conclusion. Just a quiet crossing, a collective pause, and then we step forward into 2026 carrying twelve months of lessons in our pockets, some polished, some still sharp at the edges. "Looking back, 2025 was not a year of comfort. It was a year of contrast" The November election heated the national conversation, igniting opinions, anxieties, and expectations. It reminded us that stability is never static; it is negotiated, argued, and earned. In Sabah, particularly Kota Kinabalu, the first half of the year revealed a strange duality. Weakness surfaced alongside resilience. Infrastructure faced strain, policy adjustments took time to land, yet momentum refused to stall. Progress did not arrive loudly, but it arrived nonetheless. Tourism told its own story. Resorts brimmed with guests. Hotels moved from cautious optimism to full occupancy. Flights filled, lobbies buzzed, and the city rediscovered ...

In 2020, as the global pandemic swept across the world, uncertainty clouded the future. Flights were grounded, businesses stalled, and many plans were put on hold. Yet for some, this period became a turning point. In Sabah’s rural landscape, a quiet but determined coffee dream was taking root. Located in the interior of Sabah, Nature Coffee Farm began as a humble experiment driven by passion, persistence, and belief in the land. What started with curiosity soon evolved into a long-term commitment: to cultivate coffee that truly reflects Sabah’s soil, climate, and spirit. Coffee That Grows With the Land Coffee trees require patience. From planting to harvesting, the process takes years before results are visible. At Nature Coffee Farm, the team carefully nurtures each plant without rushing nature. The coffee cherries are grown in harmony with the environment, allowing the land to dictate the rhythm rather than industrial timelines. The founders believe coffee is honest. It reflects how ...