MANILA, PHILIPPINES – It is Happy Hearts Day indeed as the beloved love team of Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal is making a comeback to make hearts full and stomachs fuller in the latest installment of Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) Zi Char or Char Lang.
As a special Valentine’s day treat from STB, Marvin reunites with Jolina in its third episode of Zi Char or Char Lang, where they recreate the garden city’s uncontended Zi Char dish, Chilli Crab.
Decades may have passed, but the chemistry between the iconic duo from the 90s is so evident that they easily bring all the right ingredients to make this reunion exciting for fans and foodies alike.
With equal parts informative and fun, Zi Char or Char Lang is STB’s way of introducing more Filipinos to the crazy delicious world of Zi Char. In this series, Marvin invites fan-favorite celebrities where they attempt to recreate the unique flavor combinations of Zi Char dishes that will surely have you reminisce about Singapore and its bustling food scene.
“This episode is really close to my heart. Jolina is a big part of my life, and I am excited to share this special project with her. If you think about it, our partnership is really like a Zi Char dish. We have a deep history that we lovingly share with our fans, and our combination, no matter how different we are, just melds well together, and I really treasure that,” shared Marvin when asked about the long-overdue reunion with Jolina.
As for Jolina, the reunion is another opportunity to explore something new.
“Marvin and I have done a lot of projects in the past, but never something food-related, so this is exciting for me. After all these years, I still get to try something unique and new!” Jolina excitedly mentioned. “At first, I was a little intimidated because I only make home-cooked meals, but it’s comforting to know that Zi Char started that way and that even home cooks like myself can instantly transport to Singapore with these unique and Zi Char-ap dishes!”
Reimagine Singapore through Zi Char
Zi Char dishes, like Chilli Crab and Cereal Prawn, have put Singapore in the culinary map, and with Filipinos sharing the same love for crazy delicious pairings, it is no surprise that many may feel the itch to travel to Singapore.
However, with borders still closed, STB is bringing Singapore closer to Filipinos by letting them reimagine Singapore through efforts like Zi Char or Char Lang.
“Zi Char dishes may sound like a new concept to many Filipinos, but for Singaporeans, Zi Char has always been the go-to cuisine and due to its great value, huge portions, and comforting flavors reminiscent of grandma’s home cooking,” said Ruby Liu, STB’s area director to the Philippines.
“The good thing about Zi Char, though, is that it has humble beginnings that one can try making their own at the comforts of their home. While we wait for the borders to open, it’s the perfect way to reimagine Singapore and making it even more personal,” Liu added.
Don’t miss the long-awaited reunion of Marvin and Jolina and cook along with them. Catch the latest episode of Zi Char or Char Lang episode available here.
