FAVSTYLE Essentials

  The Japanese Film Festival (JFF) returns to Kota Kinabalu for the year of 2026! The Kota Kinabalu tour of JFF runs from 15th October to 18th October at GSC Suria Sabah , thus marking the final leg of the film festival. The 2026 edition of JFF will screen a total of 13 carefully curated Japanese films spanning diverse genres, including anime, kabuki-related films, suspense, comedy, heartfelt dramas alongside digital remasters. Organised by the Japan Foundation (JF) , JFF in Malaysia has grown into one of the most anticipated international film events. Over the last two decades, the festival has attracted more than 200,000 festival-goers , screened 215 films , presented over 128 directors and film representatives to Malaysian audiences, and hosted 11 fringe events across 11 venues in five states and regions . The festival continues to garner strong support from audiences, welcoming more than 10,000 attendees in 2025 alone . JFF 2026 opened with TOKYO TAXI , the latest film by the...

Kota Kinabalu is set to host an unforgettable evening of entertainment, culture and philanthropy with the “LEGENDS” Charity Dinner , taking place on 6 November 2026 at 8.00 PM at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu . Organized as a charity dinner to raise funds for the Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia Welfare Fund , the event will bring together some of Malaysia’s most recognized names from the worlds of music, entertainment, arts and the creative industry for a memorable evening of performances, fine dining and meaningful connections. AN EVENING WITH MALAYSIA’S LEGENDS The prestigious evening will feature a distinguished line-up of established entertainers and celebrated personalities, including: Dato’ Ramli Sarip Dato’ Zainal Abidin Dato’ Khatijah Ibrahim Datin Sa’adiah Bella Astillah Velvet Ayu Damit Hailee Kool The evening will also feature a special appearance by K.O.I , adding another exciting dimension to the night’s entertainment programmed. Bringing toge...

  Every life we live today is built on the love of someone who came before us. A parent who worked long hours so we could go to school. A grandparent whose quiet wisdom shaped who we became. A mentor, a neighbour, a friend who gave without asking for anything back. This October, Sabah pauses to say thank you. Life+ Expo 2026 will take place from 9 to 11 October 2026 at Kinabatangan III, Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) , bringing together families, seniors, wellness advocates and the wider community for three days of discovery, care and celebration. Guided by the theme “Celebrate Life. Plus More.” and the heartfelt tagline “Thank You For A Lifetime Of Love,” the Expo is a storytelling experience unlike any other in the state: an exhibition that honors the generations who gave us so much, while inspiring every visitor to live well, care for themselves and embrace the years ahead with confidence and joy. A Different Kind of Expo Life+ Expo is built on a simple belief:...

Along the celebrated shores of Tanjung Aru, a new lifestyle destination has officially entered Kota Kinabalu’s coastal scene. On Saturday, 26 September 2026, Aru By The Sea marked its Grand Opening at 2nd Beach, Tanjung Aru, bringing together distinguished guests, industry personalities, strategic partners, media representatives and invited guests for an elegant afternoon celebrating the beginning of a new chapter. Set against one of Sabah’s most recognisable coastal landscapes, the opening introduced Aru By The Sea as a destination shaped by its seaside setting, relaxed atmosphere and lifestyle-oriented vision. AN AFTERNOON OF DISTINCTION The celebration commenced from 3.00pm with the arrival of invited guests, special guests, strategic partners and members of the media, followed by the arrival of VIPs and guests of honour. The occasion was further distinguished by the arrival of YB Datuk Fairuz Bin Renddan, Pembantu Menteri Kerajaan Tempatan & Perumahan Sabah , who was invited t...

  The CarersPlus Asia Life Skills Program recently took its students beyond the basics of cooking with “Bridge from Dapur to Delivery,” a practical kitchen management workshop led by local chef and food & beverage entrepreneur Leroy W Kinson on 26 September 2026. The session focused on an important distinction: knowing how to cook a meal is one skill, while knowing how to plan, manage and deliver meals efficiently is another. Students were introduced to the practical realities of running a kitchen, from planning ingredients and quantities to managing budgets, reducing food waste and ensuring meals are served on time. From Cooking a Meal to Managing a Kitchen Leroy brought his years of experience in the food and beverage industry into the classroom, encouraging students to think beyond the recipe. The focus shifted towards practical questions such as how much food is required, what it will cost and how to prevent unnecessary waste. For students who may eventually work in a ho...

In every community, there are people who quietly give their time, energy and compassion to care for others. They are family members, professional caregivers, healthcare workers, community supporters and service providers whose contributions often happen away from the spotlight. VIVA! Carefest 2026 seeks to change that. Organised by Persatuan Sokongan Penjagaan Sabah (PSPS) , the three-day community event will take place from 6 to 8 November 2026 at ITCC, Penampang, Sabah , bringing together caregivers, families, healthcare and service providers, businesses, community organisations and the wider public under one meaningful platform. With the theme “Meraikan Penjaga, Memperkasa Komuniti” , VIVA! Carefest is built around a simple yet powerful message: Those who care for others also need to be seen, supported and valued. Supporting Those Who Care Persatuan Sokongan Penjagaan Sabah is a registered non-governmental organisation established in Sabah to support people involved in caregiving a...

When the evening calls for something beyond the ordinary, Vino Bar & Lounge @Venition brings together the ingredients of a memorable night: stylish surroundings, refreshing drinks, live entertainment, good food and plenty of reasons to stay a little longer. Conveniently located approximately 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport , Vino Bar & Lounge @Venition offers an accessible and convenient destination for both locals and visitors looking to unwind, socialise and enjoy a vibrant night out. Whether you are arriving in Kota Kinabalu, meeting friends after work or simply searching for a comfortable place to spend the evening, the venue is well positioned for an easy stopover. Adding to the convenience is ample, safe and complimentary parking , allowing guests to arrive and enjoy their evening without the usual worry of finding a parking space. It is a small detail that makes a meaningful difference, particularly for groups and guests attending events or staying l...

KOTA KINABALU, 28 September 2026 — BIGSABAH Sale 2026 is set to return to the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) from 30 October to 1 November 2026 , featuring more than 600 booths and targeting over 100,000 visitors over three days . The announcement was made today at the BIGSABAH Sale 2026 Press Conference by Datuk Dr. Hajah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki, Chief Executive Officer of SICC and Organising Chairperson of BIGSABAH Sale 2026 . Following the momentum of BIGSABAH Sale 2025, which attracted 80,615 visitors and 650 booths , this year's edition is positioning itself beyond a conventional shopping event. The 2026 edition aims to bring together consumers, entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), established brands and business players from Sabah and beyond, with a stronger emphasis on business engagement, B2B connections and regional market access . “We are not simply looking to attract a bigger crowd. Our ambition is to create greater value from the platform w...