Month: December 2018

Posh brunching at Providore, SM Aura

Every year, around Christmastime, I make it a point to meet up with a group of former work buddies.  Despite the distances wrought by new jobs or workplace assignments, I’m glad we are able to get together to reminisce about past shenanigans as well as exchange updates on our lives.

For this year’s gathering, we decided on Providore in SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City being the most accessible place to most of us.

Providore, SM Aura

Part of the Raintree group of restaurants, Providore simply defies description.  You might say that, consistent with its name, it provides something for everyone.  Hankering for a caffeine fix? It has a coffee bar.  Hungry for a satisfying yet no fuss meal?  It also serves a bistro.  Want to enjoy your dining experience outside?  It also offers al fresco dining.  Want to bring home some goodies?  It has a retail area that sells locally produced artisanal items.

Providore’s premises have a bright and light feel: you are welcomed by the sight of fully stocked shelves and displays of various food items produced by local communities that the restaurant supports.

Providore, SM Aura

Providore, SM Aura

Providore, SM Aura

The dining area has a posh yet relaxed vibe, accented by artfully displayed fresh breads, pastries and produce: a perfect backdrop for long conversations and photo opps among friends.

Providore, SM Aura

Providore, SM Aura

Providore, SM Aura

For our brunch, our group ordered dishes from a varied assortment of cuisines:

Mushroom Risotto Balls (Php295).  Battered and deep-friend wild mushrooms and olives served with a creamy gorgonzola and bleu cheese dip.  I’m not a fan of olives but the mushroom balls have a rich earthy taste that whet my appetite for more.

Providore, SM Aura

Cast Iron Steak and Chili Fries (Php350). Large fries topped with grilled steak bits and served with crema cheddar, jalapenos and red onions.

Providore, SM Aura

Steel Plate Cooked Garlic Butter Salpicao Steak (Php475).  Tender pieces of US grade beef  cooked in olive oil to medium doneness and served with roasted garlic, sauteed onions and a sliver of rich butter.

Providore, SM Aura

Salmon Belly Guava Sinigang (Php375).  It has a deliciously sour broth that can really warm your heart and belly on a rainy day.  Its been upgraded to include cherry tomatoes and french beans among its more familiar ingredients such as mustasa and radish.

Providore, SM Aura

Providore Callos (Php420).  The traditional callos made of ox tripe, chorizo and garbanzos, flavored roasted pimientos and served with rice pilaf.

Providore, SM Aura

Warm Brownie Skillet (Php250).  Our dessert was a rich fudgy brownie baked in a skillet, topped with mantecado ice cream and salted dulce de leche, drizzled with chocolate sauce and sprinkled with sliced almonds; a delectable end to our meal.

Providore, SM Aura

Our group had a tasty repast amidst picture-perfect yet comfortable surroundings, another memorable get-together in a truly remarkable venue.

Providore, SM Aura

Plus, since two of us who are Zomato Gold members unlocked our privilege in this restaurant, two of the dishes we ordered were free!

Providore is located at Ground Floor, SM Aura Premier, C5 Road Corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open daily from 8am to 10pm.  For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 8029448 or +63 917 8338277.

Providore Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Want to score a similar discount? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here as soon as slots open. (They tend to get snatched up pretty quickly so be sure to sign up as soon as slots become available.) Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

Don’t have the time to visit the resto? You’ll be happy to know that Providore delivers to nearby areas via Honestbee.

Resikleta Project brings new life to old and broken bike parts

For many of us Gen X’ers, learning how to ride a bike was an integral part of childhood. Summers and sunny afternoons after school won’t be complete without taking our trusty old bikes for a spin around the village… or beyond (we just don’t let our moms know, right?).

While some bikes have been well-maintained, even getting passed on to the next generation of bikers, some bicycles are relegated to just rusting away in garages or sheds.

Sasha Garcia, co-founder of the Resikleta Project, seeks to breathe new life to scrap materials coming from old bikes and other discarded items.

According to Sasha, sourcing materials for her projects is not a problem.

“Here in the Philippines, we have an abundance in scraps,” she acknowledges. In fact, together with Resikleta’s co-founder, Kayumanggi Abutan, she scours vulcanizing shops for old or broken-down bike parts rendered unusable for their original purpose. The Resikleta Project team then creatively fashions new and more serviceable items from them.

You would be surprised at what can be forged from old bike parts. For example, seemingly warped disk brake rotors can be made into offbeat table lamps and clocks that would suit most spaces with a modern or steampunk aesthetic. Prices for these items start at Php600.

View this post on Instagram

Lamp by @resikleta. Photograph by @manong_chris.

A post shared by Sasha Garcia (@sashimakes) on

The bikes’ rubber interior wheels can be fashioned into cute keychains and mobile phone cord organizers. These are essentials that have room in many a girl’s purse. Prices for these tchotchkes start at Php50.

View this post on Instagram

🐶🐶

A post shared by Sasha Garcia (@sashimakes) on

The spokes from bike wheels can be made into bangles, bracelets and other fashion accessories, with prices starting at Php100.

Resikleta also took part in the design and creation of trophies for The Climate Reality Project PH’s Leadership Awards ceremony.

And given that most of Resikleta’s outputs are dependent on the availability of scrap materials, the resulting products are often one-of-a-kind.

Fashioning usable and beautiful items from bike scraps has some rewards. Since most of the materials can be obtained cheaply or even for free, very little capital is required.

There’s also the additional feeling of fulfillment at seeing your creations find new purpose.

However, for Sasha, the most rewarding aspect of the Resikleta Project is its contribution to zero waste initiatives.

“When you go looking for scraps, you grow to appreciate what the world has to offer and the need to care for and preserve the earth,” she further shares. “Rather than just throw away used or broken-down items, you have the awareness to try to think of creative ways to use them, to repurpose them and even earn from them.”

For orders, collaboration requests and inquiries, contact the Resikleta Project through the following touchpoints:

– Facebook
– Instagram
– email: resikleta@gmail.com
– mobile: +63 923 9079004

Photos lifted from the instagram accounts of the Resikleta Project, Sasha Garcia and Kayumanggi Abutan.

Christmas Lunch with the Family at Fireside by Kettle, Rockwell

As the fam was spending Christmas Day with the in-laws, we decided to hie ourselves off to the Rockwell Powerplant Mall for lunch and a bit of holiday window-shopping.

Most of us are confirmed carnivores so it’s not really surprising that we gravitated towards the hearty grilled meats and All-American dishes offered by the Fireside by Kettle branch located at the outer premises of the mall.

The restaurant has a warm and casual vibe with smartly dressed wait staff and modern/industrial-style interiors accented by holiday decor. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in a lot of natural light, giving the space a bright and airy feel. There was also ample space for our group of six, as well as the other diners.

Fireside, Rockwell

Fireside, Rockwell

Fireside, Rockwell

Fireside, Rockwell

Fireside, Rockwell

Fireside, Rockwell

For our Christmas Day Lunch, we ordered:

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Fingers (Php549).  Slivers of chicken breasts brined for 24 hours, covered with Cajun Ritz cracker breading then deep-fried, then served together with Cajun honey and cornbread doughnuts. The chicken pieces were crispy to the bite but with tender and juicy meat, well complemented by the gravy provided. The cornbread doughnuts doused with honey provided a sweet break from the chicken’s savory flavor.

Fireside, Rockwell

Fireside, Rockwell

50/50 Meatloaf (Php409). Half of this is made of ground bacon while the other half is made of ground Angus beef and served with a spicy-sweet barbecue sauce and garlic mashed potatoes. I’m not a big fan of meat loaf per se but I found this iteration more flavorful and juicier than most versions I have tasted.

Fireside, Rockwell

Fireside, Rockwell

Double-cut Pork Chop (Php539).  Two thick slices of tender pork chops brined in honey cider and served with peppercorn-mustard cream sauce with grilled apples and grilled vegetables. We availed of two orders of this dish, given the number of carnivores in our group.

Fireside, Rockwell

Fireside, Rockwell

We ordered Garlic Rice (Php79), Steamed Rice (Php59) and Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Php119) to accompany our hearty main dishes.

The dishes were promptly served by the wait staff and with their large servings, our group was well satisfied.

Fireside, Rockwell

This Fireside by Kettle branch is located at Ground Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 12midnight.  For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 8018457.

Another branch can be found at Ground Floor, Central Square, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 10am to 12midnight.  For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 8243043.

Fireside by Kettle Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Yummy Lunch Break at Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

On one of our last lunch breaks prior to the holiday break (and still high from our country’s Ms. Universe win – yey!), my officemates and I decided to venture a bit farther our than our usual haunts.

We settled on Blue Rocket Cafe + Kitchen, a cozy yet cheery cafe along Scout Reyes a few blocks away from Mother Ignacia Avenue.

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

The place boasts of homey and rustic interiors accented with brick-lined walls, eclectic wall art and green decor. If you’re hankering for a photo opp during your mealtime, this resto is the perfect backdrop. The chill vibe and the colorful surroundings also make it a great venue for #TitaConferences (I seem to be gravitating towards this kind of place lately, hehehe!). The resto is even cheerier now with all the holiday decor and tchotchkes.

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

For our group’s happy lunch, we ordered:

Wagyu Beef Sticks with Peanut Sauce (Php325).  Juicy cubes of marinated wagyu beef served on sticks with peanut sauce.

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Sirloin Stroganoff Pasta (Php315).  A rich cream-based pasta generously topped with bits of grilled beef sirloin.

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Creamy Tomato Pasta with Chicken (Php255).  Spaghetti noodles doused in a rich tomato and cream sauce and served with grilled chicken.

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Honey Garlic Wings (Php195).  Six pieces of flavorful, crispy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside chicken wings covered in honey garlic sauce.

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

The dishes were promptly served, piping hot and in servings large enough to satisfy our group.

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

And since two of us who are Zomato Gold members unlocked our privilege in this resto, we were able to enjoy Sirloin Stroganoff Pasta and the Honey Garlic Wings for free!

What a lovely way to enjoy one of last opportunities for a happy lunch for the year!

Blue Rocket Cafe, Paligsahan

Blue Rocket Cafe is located at 79 Scout Reyes corner Scout Lozano, Paligsahan, Quezon City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Sundays from 11am to 11pm.  For inquiries or reservations, call +63 2 9317769 or +63 932 7346705.

No time to visit the resto? You’ll be happy to know that Blue Rocket delivers via Honestbee. Simply place your orders here.

Blue Rocket Cafe + Kitchen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Want to score a similar discount? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here as soon as slots open. (They tend to get snatched up pretty quickly so be sure to sign up as soon as slots become available.) Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

Holiday brunch get-together at Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

There are some friendships that endure despite great distances and changes in circumstances. Such is my friendship with Fetina, formerly an officemate who has since spread her wings working in Singapore. She usually comes home to the Philippines to visit family two to three times a year, and when she does, we make it a point to meet up at a restaurant in either Greenbelt or Glorietta.

In our latest meetup after Christmas, we opted for Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen located in Greenbelt. An offshoot of Equatorial Coffee in Katipunan, QC, Bluesmith combines homey yet Instagrammable interiors with comfort food and its sound foundation in coffee, making it an great venue for weekend brunches, friendly get-togethers and, dare I say it, #TitaConferences. (Hahaha!)

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Our get-together repast consisted of:

Flat White (Php150). This coffee beverage is characterized by the thin layer of microfoam (hence the term “flat” in “flat white) as opposed to the thicker foam layer in traditional cappuccino. I sipped on this while waiting for Fetina to arrive.

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Fresh Lemonade Soda (Php150).  Freshly squeezed lemon juice made into a sweet fizzy drink.

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Tenderloin Beef Salpicao (Php420).  One of Bluesmith’s bestsellers, this dish consists of cubes of beef tenderloin, cooked to medium doneness, and marbled potatoes sauteed in Worcestershire oil and toasted garlic and served mixed vegetables and rice.  I found the beef tender and flavorful but the sauce a bit too sweet for my taste.

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Creamy Pasta Tartufo (Php360).  Another of the resto’s bestselling dishes, this pasta dish is characterized by the earthy aroma of black truffle, mixed with a creamy mushroom sauce and served with baguette chips.

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

The servings were quite large such that we had trouble finishing the two dishes.

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

And since I unlocked my Zomato Gold privilege, we got the Creamy Pasta Tartufo for free!

Some friendships are nurtured by constant presence and attention but some, like Fetina’s and mine, are maintained by occasional meetups over good food and long conversations.

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen, Greenbelt

Our thanks to Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen for being our venue for this memorable get-together.

This Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen branch is located at Level 3, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Greenbelt, Makati City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 11pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 12midnight.  For reservations and inquiries, call +63 917 7053526 or +63 2 7524183.

Other branches are located at:

  • Second Floor, Corte Area, Ayala Malls The 30th, Meralco Avenue, Ugong, Pasig City (open Sundays to Thursdays from 9am to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 9am to 11pm; Tel. No: +63 917 7099814 or +63 2 7553092)
  • Ground Floor, MJ Corporate Plaza, 2310 Pasong Tamo Extension, Magallanes, Makati City (open weekdays from 7am to 8pm and weekends from 7am to 5pm; Tel. No: +63 917 7101605 or +63 2 7290284)

Bluesmith Coffee & Kitchen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Want to score a similar discount? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 deals on food or 2+2 deals on drinks. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here as soon as slots open. (They tend to get snatched up pretty quickly so be sure to sign up as soon as slots become available.) Use my code JELLYB to get 20% off the membership fee.

New Japanese Food Haunt: Dohtonbori, SM Megamall

After a bout of running errands in SM Megamall, Hubby and I decided to have lunch at the Dohtonbori located in foodie haven Mega Fashion Hall.  I found it funny that despite the restaurant being around for the past three years, I’ve only just gotten around to it recently.

Named after one of Osaka, Japan’s principal tourist destinations known for its rich and varied gastronomic options as well as its vibrant nightlife, Dohtonbori is driven by its philosophy of “Teppan Communication.”  This philosophy strives to make the environment surrounding the teppan – the iron plate on which the restaurant’s signature dishes are cooked – enjoyable and fun, where diners can experience a sense of being connected with each other as they share a meal.

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

The restaurant’s premises is reminiscent of the streets of Osaka, with light-colored pine wood walls, brightly-colored streamers and even a vintage bike on display!

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

For our midday repast, we opted not to avail ourselves of Dohtonbori’s claim to fame: the okonomiyaki. These are savory pancakes popular in Japan but unfortunately unfamiliar to Hubby and myself. (Well, we’ll probably try them on our next visit.)

Instead, we decided on ordering dishes that are more familiar to us, which include:

Endamame (Php90). Served freshly steamed and lightly salted, this is Hubby’s go-to appetizer whenever we’re at a Japanese resto.

Ajitama Ramen (Php350). Firm ramen noodles in a steaming soup base (I opted for the rich Tonkotsu broth), served with a melt-in-your-mouth piece of chashu pork, aonori seaweed and the tasty soft-boiled egg tamago.

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

Tempura Zaru Soba (Php350). Cold Japanese soba noodles served with dipping tsuyu sauce, wasabi, spring onion, shredded nori, and sesame seeds.

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

USDA Angus Striploin Yakiniku (Php750). A 200-gram well-marbled piece of striploin expertly cooked by a wait staff on the teppan right on our table.

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

Dohtunburi, SM Megamall

Our lunchtime foray into this piece of Osaka gave us a tasty and filling meal that fueled us up for the rest of our mall errands.

Did you know that Dohtonbori works with the Autism Society of the Philippines on its Autism at Work Program? This means that staff are trained and well-equipped to assist persons with autism who visit the restaurant. Furthermore, persons on the autism spectrum are trained, employed and accepted as part of the restaurant’s staff and the whole Dohtobori family. Being a mom of a child on the autism spectrum, I’m happy to support establishments like this that help to get differently abled people such as my son be more integrated into the mainstream and more productive members of society.

This Dohtonbori branch is located at Third Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City (open daily from 11am to 10pm). For reservations and inquiries, call +63 2 4772066.

Other branches are located at:

  • Cullinan Prime Building, 8 Missouri Street, Greenhills, San Juan City
  • Second Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
  • Upper Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
  • Second Floor, Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex (MOA), Pasay City
  • Upper Ground Floor, SM City Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City

New movies to usher in the new year on CinemaWorld

Movie fans will have more reasons to stay home and veg out on the couch as CinemaWorld brings critically-acclaimed international films to more Filipino homes, particularly on weekends of January.  Get ready for three days of avant-garde stories and top-notch productions from world-renowned actors and directors, all delivered in crisp high definition.

Thriller Fridays at 10pm

inspector ms heller nocturne

CinemaWorld brings two episodes of the German TV series that centers on the sassy and headstrong Inspector Ms Heller, the youngest inspector in the Wiesbaden Homicide Division.

In Nocturne airing January 4, a young female police office is killed responding to a call-out to an old factory. What appears to be a break-in gone wrong begins to look like murder as Heller’s investigations uncover a web of deceit within the ranks which puts her own life at risk.

In Heatstroke airing January 18, a serial rapist is attacking victims in their home. When a famous chef is stabbed to death in bed and his wife raped, police think the rapist has escalated and might be linked to a six-year-old cold case, but Heller thinks there are two separate cases.

Saturday Festival Picks at 9pm

Immerse yourself in visionary films which gained recognition in international film festivals.  These films bring fresh perspectives to universal story lines and conflicts.

chorus

In the French ouvre Chorus, which airs on January 5, a couple separated for ten years reunite when the body of their missing son is found. As they go through a litany of grief and blame, they learn to cope and piece together the broken fragments of their former marriage.

the empty hours

The Spanish film The Silent Hours, which airs January 12, delves on the ambiguous game of flirtation between 17-year-old Sebastian who is in charge of running a motel in Veracruz and Miranda, a regular customer whose married lover always keeps her waiting.

See the World Sundays at 9pm

See beyond your own horizons with films that bring riveting action set in exotic locales.

the nile hilton incident

In true-to-life Arabic film The Nile Hilton Incident, airing January 13, detective Noredin investigates the murder of a famous singer against a crumbling Egypt on the cusp of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. Faced with a corrupt system in a city that is falling apart, Noredin races against time to catch those responsible for the crime.

93 days

Lethal Weapon’s Danny Glover stars in the Steve Gukas-helmed thriller 93 Days, airing January 20.  The movie brings to light the men and women who struggled to stave off the consequences of dreaded Ebola virus outbreak in Nigeria.

CinemaWorld is available on SKYcable Plans HD1799 and HD1999 channel 184 in Metro Manila. Subscribers can choose to add CinemaWorld on top of their basic plan via SKY Select, for only P150 per month. To activate the channel, visit www.mysky.com.ph/getcinemaworld or call +63 2 418-0000.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

Header photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash

What’s on Blue Ant Entertainment this January

Blue Ant Entertainment opens up the brand new year with exciting shows this January.  With the live coverage of a much-awaited Hollywood awards show and new seasons of top TV series, viewers will find a lot of compelling reasons to reach for the TV remote.

25th Screen Actors Guild Awards (live from the US)

SAG Awards

It’s actors toasting their fellow actors at the 2019 SAG Awards!  There’s pressure a-plenty  going into the 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, because the SAG Awards results historically predict the eventual 2019 Oscar nominees. Keep an eye out, and see if your favorite Hollywood thespians get to bring home an award.

Catch the live coverage on January 28, Monday at 9am.  The encore telecast will air on the same day at 7.45pm.

First Dates Season 7

Keyart-First_Dates-horizontal-1

Catch the first-in-Asia airing of the seventh season of this fixed-rig dating documentary series.  First daters bond over mutual quirks, meet their ideal partners, or bumble their way around the dating arena.

Catch it every Monday at 8.50pm beginning January 7.

Siren Season 2

siren

In the first season of this supernatural series, the mermaid-obsessed town of Bristol Cove descends into chaos with the arrival of a mysterious girl.  With this new season, expect more drama and more havoc as more mythical creatures make their way into town.

Catch the express-from-the-US airing of each episode of Season 2 every Sunday at 7.55pm starting January 27.  Missed the first season?  Watch the marathon airing of the first season on January 26 and 27 from 3.30pm.

Blue Ant Entertainment is the destination for the best mix of reality, drama, comedy and daily entertainment, featuring shows same day or express from the U.S. and U.K. including top-rated dramas Bull and Reign; reality programs First Dates and The X Factor UK; and dailies The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Late Late Show with James Corden. It is home to some of the biggest award shows in the world aired ‘LIVE,’ including The Golden Globes, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Blue Ant Entertainment is available to SKYcable subscribers in Metro Manila on channels 53SD and 196HD.  It may also be streamed live or on catch-up on SKY On Demand.

Show details and image provided by Blue Ant Media.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

Check out my posts about other Blue Ant Entertainment shows:

Exciting shows on Discovery Channel premiering in January 2019

Discovery Channel kicks off the new year with two great shows that takes viewers away from the ordinary.  From the petroheads’ ultimate dream machines to survivalists’ greatest challenges, you’ll definitely have something new to explore and learn.

Speed is the New Black Season 2

SPEED IS THE NEW BLACK 2

Meet Noah Alexander, auto prodigy and owner of Classic Car Studio in St. Louis, Missouri. At any given time, Noah and his talented team have dozens of projects underway in his 40,000 square foot garage, where he crafts finely tuned pieces of precision engineering.  This is a great show for car enthusiasts.  Catch it Wednesdays at 9.55pm beginning January 3.

Ed Stafford: First Man Out

ed stafford

Discovery Channel pits Survivalist and Explorer Ed Stafford against the planet’s top 6 survivalists in raw and real-life race to get out of Asia’s most hostile environments. Who will be the First Man Out?  If you want to learn how to rough it in Asia, watch this show Tuesdays at 9.55pm starting January 29.

Discovery Channel, the flagship network of Discovery Communications, is devoted to creating the highest quality entertainment in the world and remains one of the most dynamic networks on television. It offers viewers an engaging line-up of high-quality non-fiction entertainment from blue-chip nature, science and technology, ancient and contemporary history, adventure, cultural and topical documentaries.

Discovery Channel is available on channel 39SD and 180HD to SKYcable subscribers in Metro Manila. It can also be streamed live or on catch-up via SKY On Demand.

UPDATE:

I’m giving away a Discovery Festival Gift Bag through an Instagram contest.  If you want limited edition premium items from Discovery Networks, check out the mechanics in the IG post below and join!

View this post on Instagram

——— CONTEST CLOSED ——- #GIVEAWAYALERT!!! When cable TV became available in the metro in the 1990s, Discovery Channel was among the first channels to bring us non-stop factual entertainment 24/7. A few weeks ago, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific held the Discovery Festival, an immersive event in BGC that highlighted Discovery Channel and its sister channels: TLC, HGTV, AFC, Food Network and Animal Planet. Missed the event? Here’s how you can score a bag of goodies from Discovery Networks: 1. FOLLOW @beingjellybeans and @discovery_seasia on IG and FB 2. LIKE this giveaway post on IG , then TAG a friend in the comments. You can tag multiple friends for more entries. One tagged friend per comment please. 3. Leave a COMMENT on what you like to watch on Discovery Channel at this blog post https://beingjellybeans.com/2018/12/27/exciting-shows-on-discovery-channel-premiering-in-january-2019/ (Please include your IG handle for easy identification.) I will double check if you followed the rules! 🙂 This giveaway contest will run from December 27, 2018 to January 11, 2019, and is open to Metro Manila residents only. The winner will be randomly drawn among the entries and announced on January 12 on IG via @beingjellybeans. Prize includes: – Discovery Channel Blanket-Pillow – Food Network Oven Mitt, Pot-Holder and Kitchen Towel – Animal Planet Keychain – Asian Food Channel Notebook – HGTV Burlap Bag and Cap – Travel Channel Burlap Bag This contest is not administered nor affiliated with Discovery Networks or Instagram. #contestph #contestphilippines #giveawayph #giveawayphilippines #tvshows #tvseries #tvseriesaddict #seriesaddict #tvtime #whattowatch #greattv #factualentertainment #beingjellybeans

A post shared by Jellybeans in the City (@beingjellybeans) on

Show details and image provided by Discovery Channel.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

Latin-style Roast Chicken at Senor Pollo, Tomas Morato

One fine day, my coworkers and I developed a hankering for a hearty lunch. We settled on the Senor Pollo branch in the nearby foodie-friendly Tomas Morato area.

Entering this resto is like stepping into a vibrant and lively Latin-inspired world. From its subdued lighting that highlights colorful artworks that adorn the brick walls to the flavorful dishes it serves.

Senor Pollo, Tomas Morato

Its Latin-style roast chicken offers a break from the usual Pinoy-style roasted chicken that we usually go for. It’s juicy and tender meat encased in flavorful herb-seasoned skin, accompanied by a piquant chimichurri sauce and paired with tasty side dishes, ignites an explosion of tastes in my mouth with every forkful.

Our party of three split among ourselves two orders of Half Roast Chicken with 2 side dishes each (Php499). Our side dishes consist of two cups of Cilantro Garlic Rice, a cup of Herbed Brown Rice and Senor Pollo’s famous Cole Slaw.

Senor Pollo, Tomas Morato
Senor Pollo, Tomas Morato
Senor Pollo, Tomas Morato

This Latin-style happy lunch turned out to be a tasty break from our usual haunts.

And since we unlocked a Zomato Gold Privilege in this resto, we ended up paying for just one order.

This Senor Pollo outlet is located at F7 Building, Scout Rallos Street corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Bgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11.30am to 1am and Fridays to Saturdays from 11.30am to 2am. For reservations and inquiries, cal +63 2 3517235.

Other branches are located at

  • 5767 Ebro Street, Poblacion, Makati City (open daily from 11.30am to 2am; Tel. No: +63 2 8316945)
  • 27 Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig (open daily from 11am to 12midnight; Tel. No: +63 2 5322266)
  • Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City (open Saturdays to Tuesdays from 11am to 2am and Wednesdays to Fridays for 24 hours; Tel. No: +63 966 7014022)
  • Second Floor, Crossroads Building, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (open daily from 11am to 1am; Tel. No: +63 2 8214933 or +63 921 8066027)
  • Ground Floor, ATC Corporate Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City (open daily from 11am to 11pm)