Seed Writes....: ASEAN

Friday, April 22, 2016

Beautiful Music from C ASEAN Consonant Concert : The Sound and Spirit of ASEAN ( Video )

It was a night of good music as I attended an interesting concert by C asean Consonant. A collaboration between the nations of ASEAN. I am surprised that ASEAN do not just cooperate on business, they also worked together on music.

Young and outstanding musicians from various countries in ASEAN gave their best to form a small musical group, playing their own country traditional wooden musical instruments, thus great music which I have not heard before. It sounds like some sort of fusion music where nationality, culture all play a part in the creation of great music from ASEAN.

Although the musicians may not communicate well due to different languages used in their own countries, but with music, languages are no longer a barrier. The event is initiated by ThaiBev and for Singapore roadshow, sponsored by F&N.

The C asean Consonant is created with the aim of using the universal language of music to build a musical bridge that intertwines ASEAN countries' heritages together and create stronger bonds of understanding, friendship, and collaboration. It has become a platform for young generation to develop, share, learn and preserve traditional music of ASEAN.

C asean Consonant is formed by "C asean" a Bangkok-based social enterprise whose aims are to strengthen regional connectivity by promoting high growth environment for ASEAN businesses and uplifting public knowledge, awareness, and understanding on regional integration. Their main missions are to build an effective ASEAN network and community; to set a stage of showcase on business, arts, and culture for young entrepreneurs and new generations; and to build a regional hub for ASEAN knowledge center focusing on business start-ups, arts and culture.

C asean Consonant Concert "The Sound & Spirit of ASEAN" was performed at Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall, Malaysia Tourism Centre )MaTiC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysiaon 2-3 April 2016 for invitation and public respectively, and at the Shaw Foundation Alumni Huse Auditorium of the National University of Singapore on 8 April 2016.

All photos and video are taken by me and now sit back and enjoy the video that I have created for my blog. Click below to play the video. Hopefully C asean will organise more of such collaboration in the near future. Look forward to it.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Oishii Japan 2014

Oishii Japan food trade fair first started in 2012. This is the third year in the running and it is my first time attending this event. With 266 exhibitors from 32 Japanese prefectures occupying an area of 6000 square metres, it is definitely growing in number of participants and F&B demand for this event. It serves as a bridge for F&B businesses between Japan and ASEAN.

This year, participating companies brought in strawberries from Tochigi which are well known for its sweetness and large size. Tochigi is also known as “Strawberry Kingdom” in Japan.

The atmosphere make me feel like I am attending an event in Japan.

Mr. Masanao Nishida, Director of Oishii Japan 2014

Our Singapore Tourism Board representative giving a speech during the opening ceremony.

Breaking of Sake or the ancient Japanese sake ceremony called "Kagami Biraki

The Toast of Sake

Shy Japanese girl refuse a photo shot from me. A Japanese elderly man said something and she finally agree to pose for the photo.

Other valuable products such as Olive beef from Sanuki where the cows were fed with olive resulted in award winning wagyu of superior quality.

From Kagoshima, shōchū (焼酎?) is a Japanese distilled beverage. The shōchū is put through a 30-day fermentation stage, accompanied by classical music Beethoven’ 9^th symphony played through a girdle of speakers wrapped around each tank. The producers believe the rhythmic vibrations it help to stimulate yeast activity during the production.

I have personally visited a Nigata booth at the fair where they grew premium rice. The unique thing about this that they release young carps into the wet padi field. The 7 colours carps help to keep the padi field healthy by eating away those pests. Once the padi field is ready for harvesting, the carps are also ready for harvesting. Through selection, better grade carps were sold while the rest of the carps were given away. It is truly a brilliant way of organic farming.

This year, MAFF ( The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan ) have planned a series of demonstrations and talks to educate event visitors on Japanese food ingredients and also invited chef to dish out nice food. I have attended Chef Stephan Zoisl cooking demo. We get to taste what he cooked. It was amazing.

Chef Stephan cooking demonstration

Chef Stephan's Takasago - Kouji Amazake & Ponzu Ice Cream

Chef Stephan's Yellowtail & Miso

In addition, J-Sweets Collection is introduced this year which include desserts, confectionary etc. Also, the return of J-Food tech which showcase latest F&B equipment and technology for food processing. Besides all these, visitors will be able to visit Hall 404, J-Food Street ( Japanese small bits, snacks and beverages ).

I get to try out interesting food such as the poisonous Puffer fish which is very popular in Japan and best quality beef. In my opinion, if you love food, you will enjoy yourself. Somehow, I felt that you are attending an event in Japan. And that’s a nice feeling.