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Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited announces interim results for six months ended June 30, 2024


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2024 –

2024 Interim Results – Financial Highlights

(Figures for the corresponding period in 2023 are shown in brackets)

  • Consolidated revenue: HK$ 545 million (HK$ 452 million)
  • Consolidated operating profit: HK$ 49 million (Consolidated operating loss:HK$ 21 million)
  • Consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company:
  • HK$ 153 million (HK$ 221 million)

  • Basic loss per share: 7.52 HK cents (10.85 HK cents)
  • No interim dividend (No interim dividend)

Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited (“PCPD”, SEHK: 00432) announced its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

The consolidated revenue of PCPD and its subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) amounted to HK$ 545 million, compared to HK$ 452 million for the corresponding period of 2023.

The Group’s consolidated loss attributable to equity holders of the Company for the first six months of 2024 totalled HK$153 million, compared to a net loss of HK$221 million for the corresponding period last year. Basic loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2024 was 7.52 Hong Kong cents, compared to a loss per share of 10.85 Hong Kong cents for the corresponding period of 2023.

The Board of Directors did not declare an interim dividend for the first half of 2024.

Throughout the first half of 2024, we remained on the growth trajectory and delivered a set of encouraging results. Our performance in the Japanese market was particularly impressive. On the back of Japan’s tourism boom and a devalued yen, Park Hyatt Niseko, Hanazono, our hospitality business in Niseko, Hokkaido, recorded a sharp rise in revenue. Throughout the period, our ski business stood out as one of the top performers in the region. Since 2023, earnings from our recreational facilities in the resort, including the upgraded ski lifts, “Hanazono Zipflight”, and “42⁰N Art Hanazono – Mountain Lights”, have been performing well. We will continue our efforts to develop Niseko Hanazono Resort into a world-class all-season luxury resort, and we are confident that this business segment will bring us growth and prosperity in the years to come.

In Jakarta, our premium commercial building, PCP Jakarta, delivered a stable performance and remained a solid revenue contributor to the Group. As of June 30, 2024, the office space committed occupancy was 87 per cent. The gross rental income amounted to HK$100 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to HK$121 million for the corresponding period in 2023.

Executive Centre @ PCP, a flexible workplace solution that offers higher quality workspaces to office workers in response to the growing demand for viable one-stop office solutions, has received positive feedback from our tenants. The project was launched under the strategic partnership between our premium commercial property, PCP Jakarta, and Asia’s leading premium flexible workspace provider, The Executive Centre.

As Thailand’s tourism sector continued to thrive in the first two quarters of 2024, the Group’s Aquella Golf & Country Club and 18-hole golf course reported a notable increase in the number of visitors during the period.

Construction of the superstructure of the project at 3–6 Glenealy, Central, Hong Kong, has already commenced in April this year and has been progressing well.

Mr. Benjamin Lam, PCPD’s Deputy Chairman and Group Managing Director, said: “Despite some optimism at the start of the year, 2024 has thus far been characterised by a continuation of the risks and factors that plagued different parts of the world throughout the previous year. Geopolitical tensions and slow recovery have kept growth on an uncertain footing. Nevertheless, the global economy has shown its resilience in the past months, maintaining steady growth while inflation is returning to target levels. International tourism across the globe has made near-complete recovery.

As we embark on the second half of the year, we will continue to build on our momentum. Our focus will be on driving our business towards sustainable growth to maximise long-term returns for our stakeholders.”

Hashtag: #PCPD

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About PCPD

Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited (“PCPD” or the “Group”, SEHK: 00432) is principally engaged in the development and management of premium-grade property and infrastructure projects as well as premium-grade property investments. PCCW Limited (“PCCW”, SEHK: 00008) is the single largest shareholder of the Group.

First Page Releases Guide to Reveal Three Main Reasons Behind 2024 Google Ranking Drops and Highlight AI’s Impact on SEO


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2024 – Local digital marketing company First Page has officially released a self-conducted investigation report today/recently, The report analyses the main reasons for the drop in keyword weight for various enterprises on Google search results pages since 2024 and provides professional solutions and suggestions.

Ranking Drop Reasons Infographic

Government Encourages SME Digital Transformation to Promote SEO Techniques

In recent years, the Hong Kong government has actively introduced various policies to promote the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), launching the “Digital Transformation Support Pilot Programme” to encourage businesses to use digital technology to improve operational efficiency and competitiveness. Simultaneously, the government has invited many renowned digital marketing companies from mainland China and the globe to establish regional offices in Hong Kong. This fully reflects that the Hong Kong government places a strong emphasis on the regional value and the long-term benefits of the digital business environment. In light of this, businesses need to use SEO to improve their website ranking and visibility on search engines. Good SEO strategies can not only enhance brand awareness and attract potential customers but also help businesses maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly changing digital business environment, achieving sustainable development.

First Page Report Reveals Three Main Reasons for Drop in Search Rankings for Businesses

First Page’s investigation report reveals three main reasons for the drop in Google search rankings: insufficient optimisation of the website content and structure, lack of effective backlink strategies, and failure to adapt to search engine algorithm updates promptly. Generally, ranking drops caused by insufficient optimisation of the content are very obscure due to the intrinsic operating mechanism of search engines. Given the passive nature of the users when receiving information, it is difficult for them to notice what content has been missed. Thus, it affects the website’s visibility and traffic. Poor content structure can also impact user experience, naturally reducing the website’s conversion rate. Lack of backlinks and failure to adapt to algorithm updates can lead to search engines not fully recognising the importance and authority of a website, directly resulting in a significant decrease in organic search traffic, reducing potential customers and business opportunities, lowering conversion rates, and diminishing brand effect. Conversely, competitors who actively take SEO measures, perform competitor and SERP analysis, and implement changes based on the findings during this period will secure better rankings, gaining more traffic and business opportunities.

SEO Tips in the AI Era: Businesses Should Conduct Internal SEO Audits Regularly

Hector Law, SEO and Product Development Lead at First Page, said: “Many business managers aim to rely on AI tools to solve SEO problems, but the results are unsatisfactory. The underlying logic of AI operation is based on the ‘past’ data for analysis and summary, and its predictions are based on large-scale calculations. However, SEO is the result of developers continuously adjusting strategies and motives based on timely changes. It requires extremely keen and deep insights into user and consumer search behaviour to grasp trends in order to adjust SEO strategies flexibly. Therefore, AI cannot answer why your SEO performance is off, nor can it tailor a digital marketing strategy for you. Unless the user designs a set of intelligent and comprehensive questionnaires and checklists in advance for AI to review, calculate, and fill in, only then can it maximise its effectiveness for SEO. Therefore, in SEO practice, AI tools currently can only exercise supplementary functions, and the judgment and development from human SEO professionals remain crucial in dictating SEO strategies.”

Comprehensive optimisation of the website content, structure, and backlinks, along with timely understanding of search engine algorithm updates, is necessary. It not only relates to website traffic and conversion rates but also ensures overall market competitiveness. To this end, First Page recommends that businesses should regularly seek professional SEO services and formulate expert solutions from four dimensions: first, helping companies to conduct comprehensive website audits and diagnosis to identify reasons behind ranking drop; second, developing and updating keyword strategies that meet business needs and market environment, and accordingly modifying content marketing plans; third, building diversified backlinks to enhance website authority; fourth, continuously monitoring search engine algorithm upgrades and adjusting SEO strategies with timely changes.

For more information, please visit:
https://www.firstpage.hk/resources/google/google-ranking-drop-investigation-2024/

Hashtag: #SEO #DigitalMarketing


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About First Page

First Page is one of the leading digital marketing agencies in Hong Kong, providing comprehensive SEO services. Its expert team has extensive experience in formulating effective local and international SEO strategies for businesses to improve website rankings and visibility on various search engines. In addition to SEO, the company also offers e-commerce SEO, Amazon marketing, social media advertising, Google Ads, content creation, and many other services to help clients fully utilise digital platforms to expand their business. First Page is committed to providing bespoke solutions for clients, ensuring service quality with excellent comprehensive performance. Through its advanced SEO technology and data analysis capabilities, First Page aims to bring lasting and high-quality digital marketing results to clients.

New Expressway Section from Oudomxay to Boten Gets Green Light

Vientiane-Vang Vieng Expressway section (Photo: Love Laos)

The Lao government has approved the construction of the fourth section of the Laos-China expressway connecting Oudomxay Province to Boten at the Chinese border in Luang Namtha Province.

Champion Coffee Brewer: Soubin Phetsomphou to Compete on World AeroPress Stage

The winner of the Lao AeroPress Championship 2024 (LAC24). (Photo by Suvathin Vannavong)

Soubin Phetsomphou has brewed his way to a sensational victory as the champion of the Lao AeroPress Championship 2024 (LAC24), held in Vientiane on 14 July. This triumph has earned him the honor of representing Laos at the World AeroPress Championship from 19-21 September in Lisbon, Portugal. There, a 44 year-old from Luang Prabang will compete against more than 5,000 of the world’s most skilled brewers from 60 countries.

Swee Heng Unveils New Bread and Pastry Brand: Toast & Roll


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2024 – Swee Heng, a well-established presence in Singapore’s bakery scene, is continuing to broaden its offerings. This year, the brand is pleased to announce yet another phase of its expansion, introducing its newest venture, Toast & Roll. This marks the sixth addition to the corporation’s umbrella of brands.

Swee Heng Corporate Introduces New Brand “Toast & Roll”
Swee Heng Corporate Introduces New Brand “Toast & Roll”

Introducing Toast & Roll

Toast & Roll is set to feature over 50 items, aiming to combine signature flavours, such as BBQ Chicken Floss and Hawaiian Pizza, along with new options like Hokkaido Milk Danish and Taiwan Taro Rolls. With its prices ranging from $2.10 to $4.80 and special bunny- and cat-patterned packaging, the brand aims to target a younger demographic that encompasses working adults and youths in Singapore. This expansion reflects Swee Heng’s response to the increasing demand for convenience, affordability, and innovation in the market.

The first Toast & Roll outlet is currently scheduled to debut in August 2024 at Jurong Point shopping centre. Moving forward, Swee Heng has expressed its plans to open multiple outlets in the near future, with some larger locations integrating cross-branding opportunities with Bae.Gal, another of Swee Heng’s brands.

Swee Heng’s Journey Over the Years

Founded in 1989, Swee Heng has transformed from a single bakery into a key player in Singapore’s food industry. Today, the brand has over 70 outlets located across Singapore, as well as a new facility on Senoko Avenue equipped with a central kitchen and research and development (R&D) division. Their growth can be attributed to a focus on quality baked goods, understanding local preferences, and a commitment to providing affordable and halal-certified products for all communities.

Over the past few years, Swee Heng has also developed a diverse portfolio of brands with distinct offerings, targeting specific demographics and trends and catering to various tastes.

  • Swee Heng Bakery

Swee Heng Bakery is the original chain of traditional bakeries catering to the heartlands specialising in simple and affordable baked goods. These neighbourhood bakeries offer classic products that have been well-received over the years. In recent times, Swee Heng Bakery has also adapted to evolving consumer habits by introducing online cake delivery services.

  • Swee Heng 1989 Classic

A modern bakery concept retailing a variety of creations designed to appeal visually and taste-wise. Since its official debut in West Mall in 2014, Swee Heng 1989 Classic has provided contemporary baked goods in shopping malls across Singapore.

  • CROLO

Specialising in croissants and crorolls, CROLO was inspired by a Japanese-style croissant store visited during a market investigation trip to Taiwan. The brand offers a selection of sweet and savoury items to cater to a younger demographic.

  • San.Wich

San.Wich focuses on making fresh sandwiches daily using natural ingredients. Its first store opened in Choa Chu Kang in February 2023, providing a range of sandwich options aimed at offering convenient meal choices.

  • Bae.Gal

Launched in Century Square last year, Bae.Gal offers a variety of bagel sandwiches. The brand caters to the growing trend and popularity of bagels in Singapore, offering affordable and convenient meal options for customers.

Following these ventures, the introduction of Toast & Roll underscores Swee Heng’s ongoing strategy of adapting to emerging market trends and expanding its market presence to strengthen its position within the industry.

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, Swee Heng is focused on advancing through innovation and expansion, aiming to benefit customers, employees, and stakeholders alike. Aside from offering customers access to new and varied bakery products, this growth also provides employees with new opportunities for career development and growth within the company. For stakeholders, Swee Heng’s expansion holds the potential to increase revenue and strengthen brand equity.

“With Toast & Roll, we aim to enhance our customers’ culinary experiences while staying true to our commitment to quality and accessibility,” shared Eric Ng, Executive Director of Swee Heng Bakery Pte Ltd. “This is a step towards broader accessibility and enjoyment of our bakery creations, and we hope to continue strengthening our connection with the community we serve.”
Hashtag: #SweeHeng #Toast&Roll

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Swee Heng

Founded in 1989, is a leading Halal wholesale bakery chain in Singapore, with more than 70 outlets across the island and five distinct brands. With offerings ranging from bread and cakes to croissants and bagels, Swee Heng provides high-quality halal-certified baked goods affordable and accessible to all communities in Singapore.

Cathay’s ‘1 Ticket, 1 Tree’ returns for fourth year, expands to include cargo contributions

In addition to flight tickets purchased, Cathay will plant one tree for every tonne of cargo shipped in Southeast Asia from 25 to 31 July 2024.


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2024 – Cathay is proud to announce the fourth edition of its annual ‘1 Ticket, 1 Tree’ initiative across Southeast Asia, reaffirming its commitment to support local communities, restore local habitats and drive climate resilience. From 25 to 31 July 2024, Cathay will plant one mangrove tree in Southeast Asia for every flight ticket purchased from Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia during this period. The airline will take into account tickets purchased on cathaypacific.com and the Cathay mobile app, as well as those booked by corporate clients through Cathay’s agents.

Cathay’s ‘1 Ticket, 1 Tree’ returns for fourth year, expands to include cargo contributions

Since its launch in 2021, ‘1 Ticket, 1 Tree’ has gained momentum in Southeast Asia, resulting in the planting of 30,000 mangrove trees. The initiative has seen collaboration from 13 partners including corporations, non-profit organisations, and local environment and community groups, who have joined Cathay in its efforts to educate communities, plant trees, and ensure the trees’ sustainable growth.

Expanding ‘1 Ticket, 1 Tree’ to Cathay Cargo

This year, in addition to flight tickets purchased, Cathay is broadening its tree-planting initiative to include cargo shipments across the region. It is proudly introducing ‘1 Tonne, 1 Tree’, where it pledges to plant a mangrove tree for every tonne of cargo booked by Cathay Cargo’s agents and shippers in Southeast Asia from 25 to 31 July 2024.

This expansion underscores Cathay’s determination to foster strong partnerships and collective action to build a more sustainable future.

Cathay Regional General Manager for Southeast Asia Dominic Perret said: “Given the vital role of mangrove forests in supporting local communities and protecting their livelihoods, doing our part to ensure they grow and thrive deeply resonates with us. We are therefore very encouraged by the strong support ‘1 Ticket, 1 Tree’ has received across Southeast Asia since we started this initiative four years ago – more and more partners are coming on board, and having our cargo agents involved this year is another step towards amplifying our collective efforts.”

Cathay Regional Head of Cargo for Southeast Asia Ashish Kapur said: “We are very excited to have our cargo agents and shippers join us in our tree-planting efforts this year. Our goal is to increase awareness of the crucial role our mangrove forests play in our ecosystem, and to make it easy for anyone to participate and make a meaningful impact on our local communities in the region. We have been speaking to our cargo partners on the ground and the response from them has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Greener Together: Cathay’s commitment to sustainability leadership

As one of the first airlines in Asia to set a target of 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for its total fuel consumption by 2030, Cathay fully recognises the challenges in transitioning to more sustainable energy in aviation. To address this, Cathay embraces a collaborative ethos, Greener Together, urging all stakeholders to unite in this important pursuit. Beyond SAF, Cathay has also made important strides towards its 2050 carbon neutrality goal in other aspects of decarbonisation.

Taking the lead in aviation’s sustainability efforts in Asia, Cathay announced the extension of Fly Greener, its carbon-offset programme, to its air cargo services in 2022. Customers can use an integrated carbon emissions calculator to work out the carbon emissions of shipments and the cost to offset them. They can then make a contribution to purchase carbon offsets that come from carefully selected carbon-offset projects.

Full details of Cathay’s performance and commitments in sustainable development are available in its 2023 Sustainability Report, available here. Key highlights include committing to near-term climate improvements, accelerating the use of SAF, and moving towards more sustainable use of resources.

For more information on Cathay’s tree-planting efforts in Southeast Asia, please follow Cathay’s Facebook page or visit:

Singapore | Malaysia | Indonesia | Philippines | Cambodia | Thailand | Vietnam

(Pages will go live on 25 July 2024)
Hashtag: #CathayPacific

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Prudence Foundation and Warner Bros. Discovery Asia Pacific team up to decode complex issues on climate and health

Content series is available across Warner Bros. Discovery platforms in Asia


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2024 – Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc in Asia and Africa, and Warner Bros. Discovery in Asia Pacific (WBD), are collaborating on a content series – Prudence Foundation x Decode by Discovery (“Decode with Prudence”) – to help educate audiences on the planet, human lives and their livelihood. Through fact-based storytelling, Decode with Prudence aims to provide informative, engaging content on current issues that inspire actions for a better and more resilient future. Decode with Prudence will kick-off the series by targetting two key topics around the climate crisis – heat and air pollution.

Prudence Foundation and Warner Bros. Discovery Asia Pacific team up to decode complex issues on climate and health
Prudence Foundation and Warner Bros. Discovery Asia Pacific team up to decode complex issues on climate and health

Climate change has led to increasing temperatures around the world. According to the World Meteorological Organization, 2023 is the warmest year on record[1]. With temperatures set to increase across the planet by 1.5°C by 2050[2], the number of people exposed to extreme heat is growing exponentially. Heat stress can result in death and exacerbate underlying illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and asthma[3].

Diana Guzman, Chief Sustainability Officer, Prudential plc, and Chair of the Prudence Foundation said, “Prudence Foundation is committed to building climate and health resilience, working with our partners to implement programmes that protect communities from the impacts of climate change. We’re pleased to collaborate with Warner Bros. Discovery and leverage on their ability to reach millions of households in Asia.”

“With Decode, we’re highlighting the importance of the individual and collective human action to address the climate crisis. We want to inspire people to action, using what they learned from the programme to keep themselves and their loved ones safe,” added Ms Guzman.

Tony Qiu, GM, Greater China & Southeast Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “WBD has a long history with environmentally focused storytelling, with stories that educate our audiences and inspire action. We are pleased to partner with the Prudence Foundation on this initiative to help drive increased awareness of key topics affecting our society.”

Global NGO Climate Resilience for All has come on board as a content partner for the topic of heat, to ensure accuracy of information related to the topic.

Kathy Baughman McLeod, CEO, Climate Resilience for All said, “One of the best ways to protect health and livelihoods from the impacts of heat is to build awareness, and campaigns like this are a great example of action communities everywhere can take.”

The content series is available on Warner Bros. Discovery’s Southeast Asia* and Taiwan TV channels and social media platforms, including Discovery Channel Southeast Asia, Discovery Channel Taiwan, TLC Southeast Asia, TLC Taiwan, and Discovery Channel Southeast Asia Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

The series is also available on www.decodewithprudence.com where users can learn more about the topics featured.

Notes:
*Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Hashtag: #Prudential #PrudenceFoundation

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Prudential plc

Prudential plc provides life and health insurance and asset management in 24 markets across Asia and Africa. Prudential’s mission is to be the most trusted partner and protector for this generation and generations to come, by providing simple and accessible financial and health solutions. The business has dual primary listings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (2378) and the London Stock Exchange (PRU). It also has a secondary listing on the Singapore Stock Exchange (K6S) and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (PUK) in the form of American Depositary Receipts. It is a constituent of the Hang Seng Composite Index and is also included for trading in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme and the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme.

Prudential is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc. a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America, nor with The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

About Prudence Foundation

Prudence Foundation is the community investment arm of Prudential plc in Asia and Africa. Its mission is to create a better future for communities by making them safer and more resilient to life’s risks. The Foundation runs regional programmes as well as local programmes in partnership with NGOs, governments and the private sector in order to maximise the impact of its efforts. Prudence Foundation leverages Prudential’s long-term mindset and geographical scale to make communities safer, more secure and more resilient. The Foundation is a Hong Kong registered charitable entity.

For more information please visit:

About Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of branded content across television, film, streaming and gaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, TNT Sports, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit .

About Climate Resilience for All

Climate Resilience for All (CRA) is a global climate adaptation NGO dedicated to protecting women in vulnerable communities from extreme heat and all its impacts. CRA is passionate about partnering with communities to co-create and co-deliver solutions that help people now – and about spurring systemic change that brings a climate-resilient future to all. CRA’s motto: “When women are climate resilient, we are all climate resilient.”

Learn more at

Office of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, will be organizing a world-class opera performance, “Madama Butterfly,” on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 6th cycle birthday anniversary on 28 July 2024


BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2024 – On the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday anniversary on July 28, 2024, the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Culture, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya have organized an opera performance of “Madama Butterfly” on Tuesday, July 23, and Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at the Main Auditorium, Thailand Cultural Centre.

MADAMA

Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, the foundation’s patron, has envisioned the foundation organizing the opera “Madama Butterfly,” composed by Italian Giacomo Puccini with Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. This opera tells the tragic love story of a Japanese geisha and an American naval officer, highlighting themes of love and honor. Premiered at La Scala in Milan, Italy, in 1904, it remains one of the world’s most frequently performed operas.

For this performance, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari serves as Executive Producer, selecting the cast from Opera Production in Vienna. Auditions were held for roles such as Mother, Aunt, Cousin, Geishas, Relative and Servants, and chorus members. The entire wardrobe for the production has been newly designed, with Her Royal Highness herself designing 14 costumes for the nine main characters: Cio-Cio San (the heroine), Pinkerton (the hero), Suzuki (the maid), Yamadori (the prince), Kate Pinkerton (the new wife), Bonzo (the Japanese priest), Goro (the matchmaker), Sharpless (the hero’s friend), and the Commissario (the Japanese nobleman). An additional 40 costumes were designed by the SIRIVANNAVARI team under her direction.

The cast from Opera Production includes leading European opera singers such as Viktorija Miskunaite and Laura del Rio (Soprano) as Madama Butterfly, Gianluca Terranova (Tenor) as B.F. Pinkerton, Alissandra Volpe (Mezzo-Soprano) as Suzuki, Massimo Cavalletti (Baritone) as Sharpless, and Orlando Polidoro (Tenor). They are joined by three renowned Thai opera singers. The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra will perform, conducted by German conductor Valentin Egel.

Ratiros Chulachart, Vice President of Iris 2005 Co., Ltd., and executive of the SIRIVANNAVARI brand, stated, “The SIRIVANNAVARI brand, founded and creatively directed by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari, is honored to be part of this world-class opera performance in celebration of this auspicious royal birthday. It is the first high-end fashion brand in East Asia to design costumes for a world-class opera ensemble. This is a pinnacle of cultural expression that spans over a century. The design concept incorporates both Western and Eastern elements, referencing traditional Japanese attire and historical military uniforms with contemporary interpretations. Colors, embroidery, and symbolic patterns convey stories of love, sorrow, and the passage of time, dramatized perfectly with RBSO’s grand music, powerful vocals, and world-class stage production.”

The SIRIVANNAVARI brand, through its designer, has created 14 costumes for the nine main characters, blending traditional Japanese and Western styles. For the Japanese female characters, the design adapts pieces from the Spring/Summer 2022 “Rise of Asia” collection, inspired by Japanese culture’s golden age. These designs are enhanced for stage presence with reflective embroidery, voluminous skirts, and traditional layering, referencing geisha and traditional village attire. Western female characters’ costumes are contemporary with added symbolic elements like color and pattern to represent characters’ age and personality. For example, the Japanese heroine’s costumes use soft tones, while the new Western wife’s costumes are in darker shades with structured designs, incorporating symbolic embroidery like peonies and cherry blossoms for the Japanese heroine and roses for the Western wife.

Men’s costumes are divided into Western and Japanese groups. Western male characters wear traditional suits with elements of naval uniforms made from linen, reflecting the American naval officer’s journey to Asia. These designs feature newly created elements like sleeve bands, buttons, and insignia, allowing the audience to infer character backgrounds. Japanese male characters’ costumes are also adapted from the “Rise of Asia” collection, combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern interpretations through structure, pattern, and technique. These costumes play a crucial role in depicting the Asian and Western cultures and characters’ social status, aiding the audience’s understanding of the Italian opera.

Supporting cast costumes, such as for the chorus, are designed in white to serve as a backdrop for the stage. The stage design, directed by the designer, incorporates modern elements with symbolic meanings. The opening scene features a tree symbolizing Japan, with the hero and heroine meeting in summer, when cherry blossoms are budding. The tree’s leaves fall in autumn and bloom again in spring, reflecting Japanese charm with a modern twist to enhance the opera’s atmosphere. Lighting plays a significant role in drawing the audience’s emotions.

Hashtag: #RoyalBangkokSymphonyOrchestra #RBSO

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.