FANIME 2011
Well, Fanime 2011 has ended, and personally we’re all exhausted. Now that the last Ramune has been drunk, and the last Cloud Strife has left the building, and all the booths have been broken down and shipped away, we’re forced to go back to the real world where things aren’t nearly as cool. But it was a fun four days, and we can’t wait until the next one!
2011 was by far our biggest year at Fanime. This was the first time we had three booths, we had more people working at our tables than the previous years, we brought more goodies, and had more energy than ever befor! If you stopped by to see us then you know we had everything from Pocky, to Hi-Chew, to Ramune, to cheese flavored Kit-Kats. We even had non-edibles like bento boxes, make-up and plushies.
But even with all the cool things we sold and all the nice people who came to see us, and the AMAZING cosplay that we saw, working at the convention still wasn’t easy. We were on our feet 99% of the day, and most of us are still feeling the back aches, the foot cramps, and the leg pains. From set up to the time we left, the days could stretch well over 12 hours long, and lunch breaks were a rare commodity. We were constantly scrambling to find room in our cooler to keep the ramunes cold, and when a certain type of Pocky or Hello Panda ran out, we’d have to scramble through our mess of boxes in back to find the next set of candies. It didn’t help that we had no place to sit, and only a few moments throughout each day to catch our breath.
And to all the people who asked for Curry flavored Ramune or blueberry Kit-Kats, or Strawberry Calpico- we’re sorry we didn’t have them. But next year we’ll bring even more of the rare, the tasty, and the weird.
If you had your picture taken with our models, or if you were cool enough to have a costume that drew the attention of our camera you can find those pics here. It was great seeing so many great Cosplay outfits and crazy characters. Some of our personal favorites were the Pyramid Head and nurse from Silent Hill, Jack and the splicer from Bioshock, the ghetto fabulous Mario Bros, the near complete cast of Avatar, the Dalek from Dr. Who, and of course, the storm trooper.

A Ginger Thanksgiving
It’s that time of the year again! Whether you love the food, the visiting family members, or just the football, Thanksgiving is always a time to get excited. And there’s so much to be excited about! This year Asian Food Grocer is offering you a Ginger Thanksgiving. Yes, that’s right, ginger. You know the stuff that comes on the side of your dish when you eat out at Sushi restaurants. Well that’s ginger, and there are a million great uses for it. And not only that, but it’s good for you! Read our Gingerly Blog for more information about this root. This year we’re going to show you how to apply this wonderful stuff to your entire meal. Everything from the appetizers, to the side dishes, to themain course, and of course, a little post meal beverage surprise Each Friday we’ll be updating this blog with new recipes and tips for our Ginger Thanksgiving, so you can enjoy a delicious Turkey Day with an Asian-Food-Grocer twist.

How Tea Sealed the Fate of China
id you ever think that Tea could destroy an empire? Or that Moon Cakes could save one? It might sound impossible, but they did.

Emperor Huizong lived a thousand years ago, and he loved tea so much that he was called the “Tea Emperor.” He wrote books about it, poems, made paintings and even had tea contests with his staff. He challenged them to see who could separate Ying De Teafrom Jasmine Tea. Who could tell Shou Mei tea from Bi Luo Chun Tea Who could make a better Black Dragon Tea. He challenged everyone. And he commanded that his tea leaves be taken from the branches by virgins with golden scissors, and they were never allowed to actually touch the Leaves or his Tea Cups.

The Emperor was so obsessed with tea that he forgot to keep an eye on his neighbors. So when a nearby nation called the Jin invaded from the North, the emperor had no preperation, and he fled leaving his son with the job of defending China. Running didn’t work however, as the Jin took over, and the emperor was captured anyway. The Mongolians saw the weakened China and quickly moved in, conquering the Jin. They ruled for almost a hundred years, and now you’ll see why it was up to moon cakes to save the day.

Mongolians forbade the Chinese from meeting in large groups, so organizing and forming a rebellion seemed impossible. Now, where the Emperor Huizong had failed miserably, the Chinese Ming rebels would succeed.

The Ming rebels started a rumor about a plague that could only be cured by moon cakes. This justified the Chinese spreading the tasty treats around. On the inside of each moon cake was a hidden message giving information about the time of the attack. And once the message was read, the cakes were eaten to destroy the evidence. The idea worked, and the Chinese launched a successful surprise attack. The Mongolians retreated, and the Chinese empire was restored, after over a century of suppression.

Japan’s FIRE Festival
Every year, from August 2-7 in Japan, the streets come alive with lumbering giants and explosions that light up the night sky. And no, it’s not Godzilla come for revenge- it’s the Aomori Nebuta Festival. Although its common nickname has become the FIRE FESTIVAL! It’s the biggest summer festival in all of Japan, and each year millions go out to see the attractions.
The origins and initial meaning of the festival are unclear, and seem to be based more in legend than in fact. Some say its roots lie in the technique of using flutes and fireworks to distract the enemy on the battlefield. Others argue that its origins lie in a brutal 12 year war that took place over a thousand years ago, and that the losers of that war started it as a tradition to remember their fallen leader, General Aterui. But either way, the festival has come to embody the spirit and splendor of Japan itself.
It takes place in northern Japan, in the streets of the Aomori prefecture. There, colorful floats are pulled by volunteers and paraded in between the buildings, along the bay. The floats are brightly illuminated from within, and often depict famous samurai warriors, or legends from Japan’s history. Although lately some of the floats have also come to represent characters from popular animes, and even some TV personalities. Musicians and professional dancers then follow the floats and stomp their feet on the ground, and dance throughout the procession. In addition, all people, even tourists, are encouraged to participate in the dancing. In order to do so you simply have to buy or rent a haneto costume, and follow the parade so you can dance all night long. The costume is a traditional white garb with bright colors coating them.

Now, you may be wondering why it’s called the Fire Festival, as it seems there’s only floats, music, and people dancing. Well, on the final day, as the floats are carried out into the sea, a fantastic fireworks display erupts overhead, celebrating the end of the festival, and all the joy and spectacle that took place during those few, magical days. The darkness lights up, a beautiful array of colors reflects off the nearby ocean, and the massive, larger-than-life floats that inspired wonder and awe slowly drift away, until they are gone.
The Fire Festival is Japan’s biggest summer festival for a reason. It’s big, it’s loud, anyone can participate, and it captures the imagination in ways that might seem impossible today. Go see the festival, dance until your feet hurt, laugh until your sides ache, and be part of a truly unforgettable experience.

Mooncakes and the Chinese Moon Festival
MOONCAKES
Mooncakes are traditional Chinese delicacies that are shared among close friends or family. They are considered a food too tasty to turn down, and are eaten around the festival of the moon, which is sort of the Asian version of America’s Thanksgiving. The treats are so popular that many other countries in Asia celebrate the moon festival, eat mooncakes, and have done so for thousands of years.
Mooncakes are generally very dense and sweet tasting. They come with fantastic decorations, ranging from the tradition to the outlandish. They have a thin coating on the exterior of the treat, which has the Chinese characters for “longevity” or “harmony” carved into the top. In addition to this they have the name of the bakery where they come from as well as the images of a rabbit and a beautiful woman. The images of the woman the rabbit are frequently associated with this tasty treat, and relate to the myth of their origins.
Mooncakes are now back in stock here at Asian Food Grocer; they can be seen in our Mooncake’s Category. Right now we have several FREE GIFTS to give away with mooncake purchases. There is a large metallic red thermace, and a medium sized coffee cup, and also a handy, eco-bag for shopping. The cool thing about this bag is that it folds and snaps down to the size of a wallet, making it perfect for traveling. Come see al the different varieties of cakes, and the beautiful collectable packaging they come in.
THE MYTH
Chang’e and her husband, Houyi, were cast down from the sky to live as mortals on earth. This was a punishment from the Jade Emperor, who was the ruler of heaven, earth, and hell. 10 of the emperor’s children had become suns, and were destroying the Earth with their immense heat and so Houyi shot down 9 of them with his bow and arrow, thereby saving earth, but it came at the cost of mortality. Not wanting to accept their fate, the husband and wife sought out a way to regain their immortality. Houyi went out and found the Queen mother of the West, who offered a pill that would give them both their immortality back. He was instructed to eat half of it, and give the other half to wife. When he returned home, he gave his wife the same warning, but he was called away before the two could eat the pill. While he was gone Chang’e looked at the pill, and she became startled when her husband returned home and accidentally swallowed the whole thing.
This overdose of immortality caused her to float up and up, beyond Houyi’s reach, until she landed on the moon. There she found a rabbit already on the celestial body. She is said to still exist there today, and for centuries, people have been worshipping her in hopes of receiving her blessing for beauty and fertile crops.
THE HISTORY
While the legend surrounding the mooncake is fascinating, the reality of its purpose in Chinese history may be just as good a tale. The treat was used as a method of communication when the Chinese were under rule of invading Mongolians. Ming revolutionaries wanted to overthrow their foreign dictators, but they couldn’t communicate because the Mongolians would cut down any message carried. So they spread the rumor of a dangerous plague whose cure was mooncakes. This allowed for a massive influx of mooncakes, and the Chinese hid their battle plans within the mooncakes and went unnoticed. This spread the word of a planned overthrow on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The overthrow worked, and its day was celebrated ever since, not just for the lunar festival, but for the celebration of independence.
OTHER CULTURES
While the Chinese have the history of their mooncake set in blood and legend, those same treats and festivals are just as important to other cultures, like the Japanese. While festivals celebrating the moon have existed in China for the last 3000 years, festivals in Japan that celebrate the moon have been suggested to date back as far as 14,000 BC, to the Jomon period, one of the earliest known occurrences of human tool usage and pottery building. The Moon festivals in Japan are called Tsukimi. The word Tsukumi refers to the tradition of holding parties beneath a harvest moon. This custom is said to have begun about a thousand years ago, during the Heian period, among aristocrats.
Much like the Chinese, the Japanese have specific foods that tailor to their moon festival. Mooncakes are big there too, but so are boiled soba or udon noodles, as well as Tsukimi Dangos, which are dumplings made with rice flour. The tradition has continued to evolve today, and among fast food restaurants they serve Tsukumi burgers, which is a sandwich with a fried egg that is supposed symbolize the full moon.
CONTEMPORARY MOON FESTIVAL
Today, the moon festival has become a worldwide phenomenon spreading outside of Asia, as far as Australia, Europe and San Francisco. All over the world, parades will fill the streets this September, and families will meet with one another to play with lanterns, watch Lion dancers, marching bands, ribbon dancers, acrobats and even martial artists. Lovers will hold hands. Children will eat candy. And as everyone munches on their mooncakes and other traditional Asian treats, they will all gaze up at the moon in awe.

Boy’s Day in Japan!
Happy Cinco de Mayo! While we’re here in the states celebrating The Mexican Day of Independence, over in Japan its Tango no Sekku, Boys Day! Annually held on May 5th, the first daythe first day near summer, Boys Day is a festival celebrating the youthful personalities and happiness of children.

No one actually knows when boy’s day started. The furthest recorded time of the Boys Day celebration is around 593 A.D. Originally celebrated by Samurai warriors returning from battle, before it was known as a celebration for young men, it was a ritual. Samurai would return to their villages after a victory and erect flags and streamers in celebration. As time went on, the flags and streamers evolved into windsocks called Koinobori or Koi fish. There are usually multiple Koi windsocks hanging from each pole. Families will hang a flag for each boy in their house hold in order of eldest to youngest. The top fish is usually the largest fish and is the color black to symbolize power and strength. The cool thing about these flags is that as the wind blows, fish shaped flags, spring to life and actually appear to swim through the air! Holding a strong significance in many Asian cultures, the Koi represent the symbolic right of passage of a boy growing into a man. Highly respected because of their great strength and determination. Legend has it that if a Koi were to swim upstream, battling strong currents and seemingly impassible obstacles, it would be transformed into a majestic dragon at the end of its journey. No wonder why these energetic little fish hold such high regard! They turn into dragons!

In modern times, families will build small shrines at the entrance of there households. The decorative arrangements include miniature helmets, samurai swords, suits of armor, bow and arrows, silk banner adorned with the families crest, and warrior dolls. It is placed in the first room of the house to ward off evil spirits that may try to enter, and also to remind the boys of the warrior inside of them. To complement the festivities, special foods are also eaten.

Sweet glutinous rice treats called Chimaki and Kashiwa-mochi are filled with either sweet red beans or sweet rice paste. As a final touch, each mochi rice snack is wrapped in an oak leaf or a leaf for the Japanese iris. The iris leaf is long, narrow and kind of looks like a sword. Its name in Japanese, Shobu, means striving for success. Finley chopped iris leaves are also steeped in sake and warm baths as they are believed to cleanse evil spirits from the body. Of course the sake is only enjoyed by the fathers.

Chinese Year of the Tiger
Happy New Year! Happy Chinese New Year to be exact. This year, the celebration will begin on February 14th (Valentine’s Day), ushering in the year of the Tiger. As always, it will be a time for families to come together and celebrate their unity and good fortune as they enjoy 15 days of feasting on delicious foods.
As with most traditions, Chinese New Year’s origins begin with ancient folklore. As the legend goes, the ancient people of China lived in fear of a mythical beast called the Nian. The Nian was a fierce chimera like creature that resembled a lion, an ox, and a unicorn all at the same time. It was said that the Nian would always appear on the first day of the new year and terrorize the villagers by destroying their crops, slaughtering their livestock, and devouring their children. The people’s only defense was to set food outside their houses in hopes of deterring the beast from eating anyone. This was their only means of protection until one year when they noticed that the creature would not go near a small child who was wearing a red cloak while clanging on a pan. The great and powerful Nian was afraid of the color red and loud noises! So, for every year after that, the villagers would hang red lanterns and scrolls in their windows and pop fire crackers to ensure that the beast would not return. The Chinese word for year is “nian” which is the same name as the beast so, the celebratory for Chinese New Year is “guo nian” or “the passing of the beast.” Thus, Chinese New Year was born.
This coming New Year will bring with it the Year of the Tiger.

The tiger represents power, grace, independence, and bravery. Every Chinese year is accompanied by one of 12 symbolic animal figures (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig). Each animal carries its own unique attributes which is said to be passed on to people born in that year. So, if you were born in the year of the tiger, than congratulations, you’re a Tiger! Well, tiger-ish anyway. Tiger people are said to be straightforward and outgoing. They never give up and are natural leaders, which is great because they also love being the center of attention. They can also be full of suspicion and too hasty when taking action, but they always take pride in what they do. The relationship between animal and man is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Chinese New Year’s symbolism. Even the food prepared for the celebration has strong symbolic meaning.

Chinese New Year is all about the unity of family and feasting. Friends and relatives travel from miles around to bring with them dishes that are considered to be good luck for the coming year. Each food has its own symbolic reference to good fortune. Pork and cabbage dumplings, called “Yuanbao” are shaped like old style gold and silver ingots, and represent prosperity. Long noodles, leafy greens, and whole long beans are all served to give blessing of a long life. Round sweet glutinous rice, cakes called “Nian Gao” (Year Cake) are eaten to bring early prosperity and quick ascension to new heights. Citrus fruits such as pomelo, tangerines, and oranges are given as gifts because their round shape is seen as a symbol of unity and togetherness. In fact, the Chinese word for orange sounds like the word “gold,” the word for tangerine sounds like the word “luck,” and the word for fish sounds like the word for abundance. The fish must be cooked whole with the head and tail to ensure a good beginning and end of the coming year. During Chinese New Year, all dishes must be prepared using whole or uncut ingredients to avoid misfortune; using a knife is considered very unlucky because it could sever the family’s good fortune. Many of the festivities surrounding Chinese New Year also revolve around luck and well-being.

During Chinese New Year, beautiful ornaments are hung in homes and markets. Oval shaped red paper lanterns and posters with Chinese calligraphy can be seen everywhere throughout the celebration. Images of Koi fish can also be found as they represent surplus and success. Many cities with large Chinese populations celebrate the tradition annually with parades and Dragon and/or Lion dances which depict the battle between the people and the evil spirits. Compared to American holidays, Chinese New Year would have to be Thanksgiving, Christmas, and of course New Years all rolled into one. With so much symbolism of good fortune and togetherness spanning the 15 day duration of Chinese New Year, it is no wonder why the Chinese consider it the most important time of the year.
Fold, Crease, Origami!
Countless numbers of beautiful hand sculpted statuettes can be created from a single square sheet of paper. The word Origami is a Japanese compound word; Ori means “to fold” and kami means “paper.” Origami sculptures can range from small to large; from simple to complex. It also plays an integral role in Japanese culture and folklore. Known as the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, Origami has been around for centuries.
The origin of origami is a bit cloudy. Some say, since paper was invented over two thousand years ago in China, paper folding (known as Zhe Zhi in China) naturally had to be invented there, right? Wrong. Just because paper was created there doesn’t necessarily mean that they perfected the art. So, by process of elimination, it must have started in Japan. Wrong again! That assumption is based on two stories from the Japanese Heian era. One of the stories tells of a poet, Fujiwara-no Kiyosuke, that sends his girlfriend a fake frog. The other story speaks of Abe-no Seimei, a famous Japanese cosmologist, who made a paper bird that transformed into a real one. Although both stories mention the creation of animal figures, it doesn’t state that paper was folded to make them. The truth is, the art of paper folding actually originated in Europe. In the 1490 edition of Tractatus de Sphaera Mundi written by Johannes de Sacrobosco in the 15th century, an origami boat is depicted. But don’t fret; even though origami wasn’t created in Japan, it was made famous there.
Origami has very strong roots in Japanese culture. Samurai warriors used to trade gifts wrapped with origami to each other as symbols of good luck. In traditional Shinto weddings, origami butterflies are folded to represent the bride and groom. In fact, folding 1,000 paper cranes is considered good luck. We learn this from the true story of Sadako Sasaki.

In August 6, 1945, Sadako Sasaki was just two years old. She lived near Misasa Bridge in Hiroshima, Japan, about 1 mile away from ground zero where the bomb was dropped. By the time Sadako was eleven years old, she developed a severe rash similar to chicken pox. She was hospitalized and later diagnosed with leukemia. With only a year to live, one of Sadako’s best friends visited her in the hospital and folded a golden piece of paper into beautiful paper crane. At first Sadako didn’t understand why, so her friend told her the story of the 1,000 paper cranes. It is said that a folder of the thousand paper cranes is granted one wish. Inspired by the story, Sadako started folding them herself. Having an abundance of free time in the hospital, she would fold cranes out of any scraps of paper that she could find. Around mid October however, her condition worsened and she became bed ridden. With her family at her side, Sadako passed away short of her goal with only 644 cranes folded. Her friends finished the remaining cranes and buried them with her. In memory of Sadako and all the other children lost in the bombing, a statue of Sadako holding a golden origami crane was erected in Hiroshima.

The Japanese have mastered origami and take it pretty seriously. Japanese children are taught how to fold intricate sculptures in grade school and many of them continue this practice into adulthood. Origami has greatly evolved from the simple crane and the jumping frog to extremely complex designs created by using mathematical equations to form the shapes before a single sheet of paper is folded.
Origami is a fascinatingly decorative craft. Normally origami paper has color on one side and is blank on the other, but double sided sheets exist too. There is also foil backed paper with metallic colors glued to one side of the sheet just as the name suggests. Most of the sheets are thin and similar to copy paper with the exception of Washi. Washi is the number one paper used in Japan because it is tougher than the regular paper due to it being made out of tree bark fibers or bamboo rather than ordinary wood pulp. Christmas ornaments can also be made. Take a look at our Origami Wreaths and Rings book for great holiday reef ideas. We also have a few other origami books on our web page with step by step instructions on how to fold your own origami at home.

Source: http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/blog/asian-holidays-entertaining/

Philippines wedding planners and wedding reception caterers recommend Clark Philippines as this year’s premier destination for beach weddings and garden receptions. Wedding couples in Philippines no longer prefer traditional indoor venues and hotel ballrooms for wedding receptions in Manila, Angeles City, Subic and Clark Freeport.

Selecting a good and safe event venue in Philippines is not that easy. Many public event venues in resort hotels in Philippines can’t deliver assurances of safety and security. This exposes our corporate and private events to risks that are not acceptable to us as event organizers in Philippines.

Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion

You might want to check also the Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

Are you looking for an attractive restaurant or a nice place to eat with friends in Clark, Angeles City Pampanga? Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar is a restaurant with good food and good wines for dinner located at Clark Angeles City Pampanga. Perfect for exclusive dinner venues for groups, recommended for private dinner in Philippines. A Restaurant in Clark for business dinner meeting. Private dinner place or dinner restaurant in Clark Subic Near Manila Angeles City Pampanga. Yats Restaurant is one of the Good Restaurant in Pampanga Angeles City Clark near Manila.

This hotel in Angeles Philippines has the perfect ambience for a romantic beach wedding and a garden style wedding reception, exactly the kind of wedding venue we have been looking for to get married in the Philippines. Angeles City is near Clark Philippines and just 90 minutes from Manila. It is one of North Luzon Philippines’ top hotels that is trouble free, risk free, and a nice place to have rest in Subic. A well-recognized and interesting hotel.

Garden style wedding reception can take place within a few meters from the beach of this hotel in Clark Philippines so guests and observe the ceremony at the comfort of their seats on the table.

It is important to visitor that the family feels safe in a hotel in Angeles Philippines. That is a main reasons that we choose to stay in this hotel in Clark Pampanga outside of Manila Philippines. Many don’t like the hotels in Subic or some of the hotel in Angeles City Pampanga. This highly recommended hotel in Angeles city Clark Philippines does not make them comfortable and secure.

Traffic along the North Expressway NLEX from Manila to Clark is always light and the new Subic Tarlac Clark Expressway ScTex takes visitors straight into Clark Freeport without going through any towns and cities along the way.

For information as well as assistance with reservations in hotels and resorts in Pampanga, Clark Philippines, click here to contact HotelClarkPhilippines now

Or call us at

Hotel Clark Philippines
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Email: Info@ClarkPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets http://www.YatsLeisure.com

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com

Looking for a party venue in town?
Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the ideal venues for birthday party because it is a risk free venue. Not only Birthday Parties but also a good place to enjoy family reunion. A good place to celebrate special occasions. Clearwater Resort and Country Club is one of the resorts in Subic Clark Angeles City Pampanga or near Manila with activity amenities, place that are nice for celebration.