The Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year is also known as "Chun Jie" or "Spring Festival". It's a long period of celebration that starts from the eve of the new year and ends with the Lantern Festival. In Singapore, the later is synonymous to the famous Chingay Parade. Apart from this colorful street parade, there are other activities that equally present awesome entertainment and glee during this season. Most of which are normally showcased in malls and community centers for public viewing. We were lucky to chance upon one in Vivo City. I was mezmerized and awed by the acrobatic skills of these ladies. I cried out a few gasps on their performance. They were really amazing!

Nearly two months of living in Singapore, I can't help but wonder how time flies real fast in this country. Before I can even savor with much gusto the needed weekend rejuvenation, it's back to work again. For this reason, weekends should be spent with absolute pleasure and joy. Back in the Philippines, our family weekends were typically spent going out and exploring places. In Singapore, it still remains the same. So, last weekend we visited two of Sentosa's attractions - Merlion Walk and Underwater World. The kids had a great time roaming around.

There's not much big difference in the experience between Underwater World and Manila Ocean Park. However, the observation tunnel of Underwater World showcased more diversity in content. Space wise, I think Manila Ocean Park has a more relaxing ambiance.

Our new surroundings that is largely dominated by Chinese - Singaporean Cuisine is daring the cook in me. How can I prepare authentic Filipino foods in this foreign land? By and large, this seems to be one of the tough challenges any expat deals with in living overseas (and I'm no difference to experience that). My first struggle began with the classic "Tinola". It's a Filipino favorite chicken soup that's typically cooked with papaya and chili leaves. I've searched shelves inside out from one supermarket to another yet I didn't find any chili leaves here. Although most of the ingredients of the dish can be easily substituted like chayote with papaya and chili leaves with moringa or malunggay, I haven't tried substituting both with some other types. Much with the limitations of the available susbstitutes in the supermarket here, there's no other option but to take the risk of trying from the available ones. This explains for my Chicken Tinola with Spinach and surprisingly, it came out acceptable.

Singapore's Uniquely Singapore fame will never be such for nothing. In fact, it's even translated to its cuisine. Indeed, the food fare here is unique in its own way. The country is known for having a multi-cultural mix of inhabitants and this is synonymous to the hodgepodge of foods available. There's the local, genuinely Singaporean such as the Hainanese Chicken Rice, Chili Crab and Black Pepper Crab, Indonesia's famous Mee-goreng and Satay, Malaysia's Laksa and India's Roti, Teh Tarik and Fish Head Curry. Undoubtedly, the lion city is a complete melting pot of Asian taste and good eats are everywhere.

Chicken Satay

Oyster Omelette

I already lost count on how many times I did mention in the blog about my missing our habitual pasta treats. What with the recent move to a new country, it all makes the craving more intense. Now that I've finally found my way in our new kitchen, the weekly pasta feast is eventually back into our menu. For this resurgence to Ruth Daniels' Presto Pasta Night, I'm sharing a Seafood Linguine recipe. This is supposed to be part of our Chinese New Year fare, but for some reasons the dish did not reach the table on time. Anyway, as the cliche goes better late than never. Rather than the usual toasted garlic or butter bread, I paired it with Chicken Wrap. (such a substantial meal indeed!)

What you need: 250 g linguine (cooked according to package directions), 1 med bottle of traditional pasta sauce (italian), 100 g shrimps (peeled & deveined), 1/2 cup squid rings, 1/2 cup fish fillet, 1 can of tuna flakes (in water), 5 cloves of garlic (minced), 1 small onion (chopped), 2 tbsps olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, 1 tbsp lemon juice, parmesan cheese

How to make: Combine shrimps, squid and fish in a bowl. Add lemon juice, mix well and let it sit for 2 minutes. Cook linguine according to package directions, set aside. Cook all seafood except tuna in boiling water for 1 -2 minutes. Set aside. Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add in drained tuna flakes, saute for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add in pasta sauce and allow to boil. Stir in cooked seafood and pasta. Mix well. Serve hot sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

What you need: Tortilla wrap (cooked according to package directions), 2 - 3 tbsp shredded roasted chicken, 1 tbsp caesar salad dressing, 1 - 2 tbsp chopped tomatoes, 1 tbsp chopped onions, grated cheddar cheese

How to make: Cook tortilla according to package directions. While hot spread it with salad dressing, add chiken, tomatoes, onion and lots of cheese. Fold both sides to make a wrap.

This week's pasta event is being hosted by Mrs. Ergul of Passion for Life and Food . Chow down and enjoy!