Fire up the Year of the Fire Pig at Shangri-L a Mactan

The Chinese New Year is the most important festival in most Asian countries. The date varies according to the cycles of the moon, and it begins on the first day of the first lunar month. It is also known as the Spring Festival, as winter ends and families the world over return home and reunite with each other. This year ushers in the the Fire Pig, according to the Chinese calendar. Characterized by an adventurous and fun-loving spirit, the fascinating Fire Pig makes a grand entrance at Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa on Sunday, February 18, with a lively presentation and special feast for families to enjoy.

At exactly 9:30 a.m. on February 18, a Dragon and Lion Dance will be entertaining guests at the resort's main lobby, proceeding to the piazza between Tides and Tea of Spring, and culminating in the Ocean Wing reception area. This traditional dance symbolizes the bringing of good luck and prosperity in the coming year. A highlight of the dance is the lion jumping to catch the "ang pao" (red envelope containing some money and candy), and tossing gold coins to kids and kids-at-heart.

After watching the Dragon and Lion Dance, what better way to celebrate the coming of Spring, than to proceed to the Tea of Spring for a traditional Chinese feast. On the week of February 17 to 25, Tea of Spring offers three different packages to suit your dining preferences, including two lauriat style menus and a Yee Sang menu with four variants.

The Prosperity Set Menu offers eight courses including Yee Sang Salad with Raw Salmon and assorted vegetables, Braised Shark's Fin Soup with Scallops, Katafi-wrapped Squid Balls, Roasted Chicken with garlic crisps, Steamed Lapu-Lapu with supreme soy sauce, Deep fried King Prawns with dried cloves, Wok fried Rice with barbequed ham and seafood, and Warm Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Red Date Ginger syrup.

To invite more luck in upcoming business and career prospects, choose the Fortune Set Menu, which includes Yee Sang salad with Crispy Prawns and assorted vegetables, Braised Shark's Fin Soup with Crab Claw and Pumpkin, Steamed Tiger Garoupa with supreme soy sauce, Fried Chicken Sheets filled with prawn paste and almond flakes, Braised Sea Moss with Sun-dried Oysters and Abalone in black mushroom sauce, Roasted Suckling Pig with minced seafood and vegetable basket, Wok-fried King Prawns with Tea Of Spring sauce, Pineapple Fried Rice with Barbequed ham, and Chilled Avocado Puree and Mixed Fruit with ice cream.

A recently invented "ceremony" that is popular among businessmen, the Yee Sang salad originated from the Chinese in Malaysia and Singapore. Literally meaning "live fish", the Yee Sang is a carefully prepared dish of seven to nine ingredients, symbolic for their auspicious color. Part of the fun of eating Yee Sang comes from "playing" with the food. Everyone present at the table tosses the salad together. The belief is that the higher one tosses the salad, the more luck he or she receives.

Tea of Spring offers a special Yee Sang dish for only Php250++ per person. One may choose from Raw Salmon, Abalone, Prawns or Fresh Pearls, to go with shredded vegetables like pickled cucumber, papaya, carrots, red ginger, radish, seaweed, jellyfish, leek and candied citrus peel.

Advanced reservation is recommended. For restaurant reservations and further information, please call (63 32) 231 0288 extension 68224, or email [email protected]. PR