Why Taiwan Matters, Part II

You are invited to attend the following open hearing of the US House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs to be held in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Hosted by Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), this presentation is part II on the topic of "Why Taiwan Matters." Date: Tuesday, October 4, 2011 Time: 10:00 AM (EST) Location: Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building Address: Independence Ave and South Capitol St, Washington, DC Live broadcast: http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing_notice.asp?id=1358 Facebook…

A Taiwanese American Story: Celebrating Malachy’s 70 Year-old Gong Gong

I love this story. And the narrator's voice is cuteness beyond belief. This is the life story of 5 year-old Malachy's grandfather whom he calls Gong Gong and his grandmother Po Po. It's a wonderfully illustrated tale of one man, whose story is so familiar to many Taiwanese Americans today, and it was a surprise gift to Gong Gong for his 70th Birthday. Gong Gong is Dr. Yihnan Norman Chiou, and he serves as the 2010-2012 president of the North American Taiwanese Medical Association (NATMA).…

TaiwaneseAmerican.org’s Ho Chie Tsai Featured on Taiwan543.net

TaiwaneseAmerican.org's founder, Ho Chie Tsai, was recently featured on Taiwan543.net. It's a relatively new website on a mission to close the gap between Taiwan and the world by showcasing influential individuals/talents in Taiwanese American communities and updating the public with relevant and current news. Interviewer Jude Chao writes: Taiwanese Americans have a lot to offer the world, but our community has often gone unrecognized. With the help of sites like TaiwaneseAmerican.org, however,…

Follow Nikki on her Quest for the Crown in the Miss Taiwanese American Pageant

Pageantry life. Do you really know what goes on behind-the-scenes? What goes on in the mind of a young competitor who knows she will be judged on her appearance, communication skills, and other talents? We recently came upon a personal blog by 22 year-old Miss Nikki DePaola who is competing in this year's Miss Taiwanese American Pageant, which takes place on Saturday, August 6, 2011. It's the 3rd time that the Taiwan Center Foundation of Greater Los Angeles has hosted this competition, and Nikki…

On Being Stupid

The advantage of any European-looking foreigner in Taiwan has over me is they look foreign. I blend into the crowd and maybe my Mandarin is better. Therefore tricksters might not as easily pick me out. But sometimes it backfires. Take, for example, trying to buy some lychees. A very nondescript action, buying fruit. Yet I cannot explain to the man who'd rather be sitting in front of his fan on this scorching hot day at noon that I would like only some, not a bag that would feed three of me for three…

Formosa Prix Fixe Menu: An Adventure in Taiwanese Cuisine

Every once in a while, our readers ask us where to find the best Taiwanese food. Well, we don't have the best answer to that question yet, but today, we offer you the next best thing: Websites and Blogs that explore the finest in Taiwanese cuisine! We sent the interns (and our mascot) of TaiwaneseAmerican.org off on a mission to scour the web and find five websites that piqued their interest and taste buds. Here's what they came back with! Check out some of the website links and decide for yourself.…

The Taiwanese American Story: A History in Progress

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide during the month of May to honor the cultures, traditions, and achievements of Asian Pacific Islanders in the United States. Since 1999, Taiwanese American Heritage Week has been celebrated starting each Mother’s Day Weekend during the month of May. It’s as good a time as any to take a look back at how far our community has come in the past half century that we’ve had a significant presence in America. Although our story is…

Jenton and Stephanie and a Pop Mashup!

Here's a fun and fresh pop music mashup brought to you by musicians Jenton Lee and Stephanie Lai! Jenton has been creating original music, fun parodies, and awesome mashups for some time now. Occasionally, cellist Stephanie will join him on some collaborations. She recently returned from Australia where she was one of 100 featured YouTube symphony orchestra folks chosen from around the world! For more musical goodness... Visit Jenton Lee's YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/Jenton Visit…

Benjamin Shih – Not Your Ordinary Taiwanese American

Taiwanese American lawyer and National Guardsman goes to London and ends up learning from one of the best bartenders there. He returns to New York and opens two of his own establishments, the Royal Oak and Sweet Ups, in New York's hipster Williamsburg neighborhood. Now, his third venture is a high-end classic French speak-easy serving drinks such as Whisky Tango, Toussaint Rouge, and... Taiwan Beer. Yep. The one and only, Taiwan Beer. And, that's how Benjamin Shih, co-owner of the…

Following Wong Fu to Places They’ve Gone

*Erica, our PR Director, caught up with Philip Wang from Wong Fu Productions to discuss his recent short film shot in Taiwan. We're very grateful to Phil for taking time out of his busy schedule to talk with us! Read on to learn more!* As many of you may already know, Philip Wang from Wong Fu Productions recently released a short film called “The Places We Should Have Gone.” Wong Fu has come a long way since we first interviewed them back in 2008! I think Ho Chie Tsai was right back then…