Omiyage from Japan

When you go back home from Japan or if a friend visit's you from there. Here are some of the yummy omiyage or pasalubong that can be bought in Japan airports.

It's a bird! Its a hopia!

When you open the box and unwrap the fine paper wrapping, an adorable, innocent-looking, brown little bird will look you in the eye and tell you silently "please don't eat me." Holding it in you hand is like holding unbaked fine ceramic figurines. Its outer skin is very smooth like those expensive Japanese dolls that are enclosed on glass boxes.

When you bite it and break through the thin, soft skin, your teeth will sink into a finely textured and mildly sweet filling that's just so yummy.

A box of assorted and fancy chocolate.

Each variety tickles your taste in its own way.

The problem is - which one would you eat first?

Buchi

Attractive and yummy looking buchi.

Wanted: Caramel Popcorn

The last time I saw microwaveable caramel popcorn in supermarkets I frequent in Laguna, Cavite and Alabang was a decade and a half ago. Now all I see are butter and cheese flavored popcorn. So when I saw carmel popcorn on a trip to Mexico, I brought home plenty of it and ask my daughter to help me make it.

Warm, crisp popcorn covered with sweet caramel that melts in you mouth. Yummmy!

It takes a few more steps to prepare it than the usual microwave popcorn that you just let pop in the microwave oven then dig in. Once the popping is done, you must remove the unpopped corn kernels then place the pack of caramel wafer on top of the popcorn then microwave it again to let the caramel wafer melt and coat all the popcorn.

Separating the unpopped kernels is important because once the caramel coats an unpopped kernel together with a popped one, eating this popcorn duo might break a weak tooth or two.

My caramel popcorn stock is getting low. Have to find a local store where I can replenish my stocks or head back to Mexico.

3rd World Pyro Olympics

Another event to look forward to in May is the 3rd World Pyro Olympics in Mall of Asia which will be held every Saturday. Nine countries will present their outstanding computer controlled fireworks display set on barges that float in Manila Bay. The winner of the 2nd World Pyro Olympics won't be joining this year but two new countries France and Venezuela will be there.

Expect extra heavy traffic in MOA when you go there on these dates. Fireworks start 8:00PM.

• May 3 - China & Germany
• May 10 - Canada & France
  
• May 17 - Italy & Venezuela
• May 24 - Korea & Australia
  
• May 31 - Philippines
  

Forty Pesos per Dollar

The Philippine peso is now at it strongest against the US dollar. The same level it had ten years ago. I wonder if it would break the 40 peso per dollar barrier soon. Now is a good time to buy US currency, open a dollar account or buy stocks in USD currency. Bad time to sell or trade them especially if bought at a higher peso-dollar rate.