August 2019 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Catch-up JaDine’s “Revolution” Concert on SKYcable PPV

JaDine fans are in for a nostalgic treat as the love team’s much-talked about major concert last year, “Revolution: The Jadine Concert” held at the Araneta Coliseum airs on SKYcable VIP Access Pay-Per-View this month.

Catch James Reid and Nadine Lustre in an explosive show that also featured performances by the G-Force Dancers, the duo’s squad made up of Brett Jackson, Sam Concepcion, and Kiana Valenciano, and Sarah Geronimo, whom James starred with in last year’s “Miss Granny”.

JaDine fans will also be delighted to catch the couple’s hit romance drama “Never Not Love You” where Nadine Lustre won her best actress award from Gawad Urian for her role in this movie. A fateful meeting between the probinsyana lass Joanne and carefree graphic artist Gio that leads to romance and a deep relationship. But as reality begins to kick in, the two are forced to make life choices and sacrifices.

Subscribers can catch JaDine’s concert and movies plus two other bonus movies: “Man and Wife” and “Exit Point” in high definition on TV or on any device via SKY On Demand. To subscribe, SKY Fiber and SKYcable subscribers may call 4180000, text PPV <Account No.> to 23662 or visit mysky.com.ph/vipaccess. SKYdirect subscribers may visit their nearest dealers.

This movie bundle is available until Aug 25 for only P30 for a 5-day access.

SKY subscribers can also catch the tenth edition of Mr. World pageant live this August 23 at the Araneta Coliseum and cheer for JB Saliba as he represents the Philippines in the international male pageant.

SKYcable and SKYdirect subscribers can access Mr. World 2019 pageant via SKY VIP Access Pay-Per-View and watch the event live and in high definition this August 23 at 8PM for only P449 with replays until September 1. To subscribe, SKY Fiber and SKYcable subscribers may call 4180000, text PPV <Account No.> to 23662 or visit mysky.com.ph/mrworld2019. SKYdirect subscribers may visit their nearest dealers.

To subscribe to any SKY service, fill up this form.

Show details and images provided by SKYcable in a recent press release.

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.

JobStream gears up to help jobseekers find their dream job

How would you describe your dream job?

If you’re fresh out of college, you might want your first job to give you a proper introduction to the working world.

If you’re already working, you might want your next gig to provide you with more challenging responsibilities, higher pay, a change of scene or an easier commute from home to the office.

Fortunately, a new service recently set up its operations in the country to help you on your journey to your dream job: JobStream.

JobStream is an online job portal that connects jobseekers and volunteers with potential employers and NGOs seeking their skills.

Its founder and CEO Maridel Mampusti seeks to provide local job seekers with endless opportunities for personal and professional growth through work experiences in top-notch companies and worthwhile causes.

To start using JobStream, simply follow these steps:

Download the JobStream App from Apple Store or Google Play
Register and confirm your email address
Build your jobseeker profile

Once your jobseeker profile is in place, you can begin searching and applying to available jobs.

Aside from position, industry and company, jobs can also be searched according to location, a boon to those seeking to work closer to home. And since this is an online platform, you can apply to vacancies anytime and anywhere using your computer or mobile device.

JobStream also has a suite of cool features that make it easier for jobseekers like to apply to their chosen vacancies:

Upload your resume from your computer, mobile device, Google Drive, One Drive or Drop Box
Indicate skills, credentials and personal traits that will help you stand out from your competitors
Upload your video resume wherein you can highlight your speaking skills and upbeat personality
Get updated in industry and career trends through the articles published on the site.

So, as you can see, your path to your dream job is a lot easier, thanks to JobStream.

For more details about JobStream, visit its website or follow it on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.

Together with other lifestyle bloggers, I attended JobStream’s launch event held at Dong Juan Marikina. Many thanks to Maridel and Danes of JobStream for having us!

Check out my other career-related posts:

Online community aims to help moms achieve financial independence through freelancing

Take a sneak peek into the beginnings of your favorite influencers with LikeToKnow.it

Rediscovering Pinoy Street Food at Mang Ding’s, Marikina

The Filipino street food scene is quite storied and vibrant, a showcase of the Pinoy’s creativity and resourcefulness.

Similar to the street food of other countries, many of its dishes came about as a matter of necessity. During the Spanish occupation, most of the prime cuts of meat were reserved for the colonizers, leaving the innards for the natives. And somehow, they made these “undesirable” ingredients palatable through creative preparation and cooking techniques.

At Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ, diners can rediscover these delicacies in a pleasant al fresco setting. Located in one of Marikina’s suburban areas, Mang Ding’s was named after owner Dindo Cleofas’ father. Together with his wife and co-owner Dotie, he has been operating this restaurant for over a year now, providing a cleaner and more comfortable way to satisfy the cravings of Pinoy street food fans.

My foodie friends from #WeLoveToEatPH and #SaanSaPH and I recently visited Mang Ding’s and feasted on its tasty offerings, which include:

BBQ Platter (Php499). Platters of assorted barbecue such as Pork BBQ, BBQ Chicken, Tenga ng Baboy, Gizzard, Chicken Tail, Isaw Manok and Isaw Baboy.

BBQ Liempo (Php155). Slices of pork belly marinated in salt and pepper, then grilled and chopped before serving.

BBQ Boneless Bangus Overload (Php200). Grilled deboned milkfish topped with tomatoes and onions.

Dinakdakan (Php160). An Ilokano dish similar to sisig which uses grilled liempo tossed in a mayo sauce with onions and green chilis.

Ensaladang Mangga (Php75). The local salad of chopped tomatoes and onions served with slices of greem mango and house-made bagoong (shrimp paste).

Ensaladang Dulong (Php100). Crispy dulong fish mixed into ensalada.

Sizzling Corn (Php145). Buttered corn kernels topped with melted cheese served on a sizzling plate.

And we enjoyed all these with a Beer Bucket (Php300), six bottles of our preferred drink, apple-flavored San Miguel Beer.

The MASARAP, MALINIS and MURA dishes, the comfortable surroundings and the warm welcome from Dindo, Dotie and their team made our meal very enjoyable indeed.

Fun fact: Part of the fun of eating street food is deciphering how they got their names. For example, Isaw (grilled pork and chicken intestines looped in skewers) got their name from the dip (“sawsawan”) that accompanies them, while Tenga ng Baboy (Grilled Pig’s Ear) is also called “Walkman” after the portable cassette players that were the rage in the 1980s.

Which story behind a street food name do you find amusing? Do share in the comments.

Mang Ding’s Pinoy BBQ is located at Block 3, Lot 13, C. Buenviaje Street, Santo Nino, Marikina City, open Mondays to Wednesdays from 4pm to 11pm and Thursdays to Sundays from 4pm to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 1659872.

No time to hie off to Marikina for a taste of Mang Ding’s street food? Order via Grab Food today!

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a food tasting event held here wherein food and drink items were served to allow us to sample the fare. These were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Limited Series MRS. FLETCHER debuts 28 October exclusively on HBO GO and HBO

Starring Kathryn Hahn (Emmy® nominee for “Transparent”; HBO’s forthcoming “I Know This Much Is True”) in the title role, MRS. FLETCHER, a seven-episode limited series debuting same time as the U.S. on Monday 28 October 10.30am (11.30am from 4 November), is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Tom Perrotta. The episode encores at 11.30pm the same day on HBO. The series is a dual coming-of-age story chronicling the personal and sexual journeys of an empty-nest mother and her college freshman son, who both embrace their newfound freedom with mixed results.

As the series begins, Eve Fletcher (Kathryn Hahn), a mid-40s single mom who works as the executive director of a senior centre, drops her only child off at college and returns home to a very empty house. Meanwhile, Eve’s son Brendan (Jackson White), a popular (though sometimes clueless) jock, finds college is a little more complicated than he expected and struggles to make connections with his more socially and politically aware fellow students. As mother and son find themselves alone for the first time, this sharp, provocative series navigates themes of parenthood, sexuality, love, and identity in a cultural moment when attitudes about gender and sex are evolving rapidly.

https://youtu.be/k924ndfzufw

The cast also includes Owen Teague, Katie Kershaw, Domenick Lombardozzi, Cameron Boyce, Jen Richards and Casey Wilson.

MRS. FLETCHER was created by Tom Perrotta; based on the book written by Tom Perrotta; executive producer/writer Tom Perrotta; executive producer Helen Estabrook.

HBO is available on SKYcable Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (For Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (For Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch it on Ch. 22 HD. HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming on HBO GO which is exclusively available to SKY subscribers. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office or fill in your details here.

Show details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Check out my posts on HBO shows:

Brunchin’ at the Beach at Saltitude, Anilao

Anilao in Batangas is home to all sorts of fun beach activities: swimming, diving, snorkeling and windsurfing, just to name a few.

Aside from their proximity to the clear sparkling sea, those activities have another thing in common: they do work up quite an appetite.

Fortunately, Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort recently launched “Brunchin’ at the Beach,” a brunch buffet experience that takes place every Saturday, from 6am to 12.30pm at its Mingle restaurant.

For only Php699/person, diners can enjoy a sumptuous and well-curated spread of dishes in line with a weekly theme cuisine, all while enjoying the cool and relaxing vibe of the Saltitude’s beach and premises.

Together with my fellow bloggers, I was able to experience Saltitude’s first brunch buffet available to resort guests and walk-in diners.

Inside, diners and guests can relax in the resto’s sprawling and well-appointed dining area furnished with custom-made pieces. And yes, should they be so inclined, they can take advantage of these Instagrammable surroundings to snap a photo or two.

The menu theme for the launch is intercontinental which features samplings from Pinoy, Asian, American and Mediterranean cuisines, all personally chosen by the resort’s co-owner Malou Esparrago, and whipped up in the kitchen using local ingredients by Saltitude’s in-house chef.

These dishes are beautifully presented in a lavish buffet spread with a few touches of coastal chic bric-a-bracs, also conceptualized by Malou.

The tasty items in the sumptuous buffet spread include:

Filipino. Steamed freshly caught fish, pork adobo, clam soup, pancit canton, champorado with crispy dilis, puto and kutsinta.

Mixed Asian. Sushi rolls, steamed potstickers and Chinese fried rice.

Mediterranean. Lasagna, Pasta Aglio Olio, Tomato Basil Bruscheta and Salmon Bruscheta.

American. Bacon, hotdogs, scrambled eggs, pancakes and bread with various cheeses and jams.

Dessert. Buko pandan and leche flan.

My faves among these are pancit canton, lasagna, salmon bruscheta and the leche flan. I found the varied selection of dishes quite appetizing. I would also imagine the kids would love the hotdogs, bacon and pancakes.

I look forward to Brunchin’ at the Beach’s the next themed menu. Which one’s your bet: Spanish, Mexican or Indonesian?

Plus, I’d also love to join one of Saltitude’s Beach Barbecues held Saturday nights during the summer.

View this post on Instagram

Picture perfect beach BBQ destination here in Anilao, Batangas 💙 #anilao #dive&chill #beachBBQ

A post shared by Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort (@saltitude_dive) on May 30, 2019 at 7:19am PDT

So the next time you’re in Anilao, drop by Saltitude for some brunch. Or better yet, book your stay in one of its quirkily themed rooms (read more about them here) for the weekend, and then head straight to brunch on Saturday morning.

Saltitude Dive & Beach Resort is located along Manini Road in Mabini, Batangas. To book your stay or reserve a table at the restaurant, call +63 43 4101857, +63 927 4220428 or +63 939 9088843, or email info@saltitude-anilao.com. For more details, check out its website.

Want to know what activities you can enjoy at Saltitude? Check out my previous post.

Summer all-year-round at Jack’s Lemonade, SM Megamall

Summertime in movies is synonymous with fresh lemonade enjoyed beside sparkling swimming pools, freshly mowed lawns or in picturesque patios.

An icy glass of lemonade has that refreshing quality: it quenches our thirst and cools our tempers so we can savor the hot days of summer.

Well, except for some occasional bouts of rain, it’s summertime all-year-round in Metro Manila.

And you know what this means: we have all year to enjoy lemonade!

If you think that we will grow tired of drinking the same old lemonade, day in and day out, think again.

Jack’s Lemonade offers a collection of drinks made from freshly squeezed lemon juice, and additional ingredients that make each drink a uniquely tasty treat.

These drinks are grouped according to a family of flavor profiles personified in Jack’s Lemonade characters:

For Jack: the basic lemonades and the Jack’s Specials
For Dad John: the tea lemonades
For Mom Jenny: the herb lemonades
For Sister Julia: the fruit lemonades
For Baby James: the candy lemonades

For my bit of refreshment one sunny weekend, I dropped by the newly opened Jack’s Lemonade kiosk at SM Megamall and got myself a Lemon Cheesecake (Php95 regular | Php115 large).

Freshly squeezed lemon juice is blended together with ice, condensed milk and powdered milk, then finished off with a few sprinkles of plum salt.

It’s a decadent dessert and a refreshing drink in one!

It also has the health benefits of lemon-based drinks which include supporting heart health, helping in weight control, preventing kidney stones, protecting against anemia, and improving digestive health.

So enjoy the taste of summer, no matter what time of the year it is, by getting yourself a tasty drink at Jack’s Lemonade!

This Jack’s Lemonade stall is located at Fifth Floor, Bridgeway, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City.

Other stalls may be found at:

Ground Floor, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City
Cinema Area, Third Floor, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Food Choices, Fourth Floor, Ayala Malls Feliz, Dela Paz, Pasig City

Food Forum, Lower Ground Level, Shangri-la Plaza, Ortigas Mandaluyong City

Third Floor, Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City
Fourth Floor, Market! Market!, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Second Floor, Market! Market!, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Disclosure: This drink is sponsored by Jack’s Lemonade through gift certificates I received prior to the visit.

Check out my previous lemon-y experiences at Jack’s Lemonade:

Jack’s Lemonade, Shangri-la Plaza

Late dinner at Santiago’s Cafe, Mandaluyong

One rainy Wednesday night, I had to pick up my daughter #ExhibitA from school. Feeling a little adventurous, we decided to have dinner at restaurant some small distance away called Santiago’s Cafe.

The cafe is attached to the indie cinema theater Black Maria. I would imagine theater goers would frequent the place before or after movie screenings.

Parking may be an issue, though, as I had to park my car along a driveway of a seemingly abandoned warehouse across the street. There was simply no other parking space nearer to the cafe, even though it was quite late and the cafe was almost empty.

Santiago’s Cafe (named after the first grandson of the family that owns it) is known by its signature flamingo wall and overall playfully pink-colored interiors, seemingly taking its inspiration from hip and Instagrammable coffee joints.

The cafe has a small menu that features rice meals, paninis, pasta, coffees and milkshakes.

For our late-night meal, #ExhibitA had:

Bacon Express Panini (Php165). Slices of thick bacon, arugula, egg, cheddar and mozarella cheese in a toated panini sandwich and served with honey butter chips. I’m not a fan of the chips that accompany the sandwich as I found them too sweet. I prefer my chips to be on the saltier side. My daughter liked them just fine, though.

Binagoongan ni Milagros (Php200). Cubes of pork sauteed in tomato and stewed in shrimp paste, served with on a bed of steamed rice along with strips of fried eggplant, sliced tomato and salted egg. I appreciate the interplay of the tomato and shrimp paste flavors in this dish but the portioning is a little off. There was too much rice and too little pork that I ended up leaving half the rice on the plate.

Bacon Mushroom Truffle Pasta (Php220). This, in my opinion, is the highlight of the meal. Penne pasta is tossed in truffle white sauce along with bacon bits, and parmesan cheese. It is served with two extra (and much-appreciated) slices of bacon along with garlic bread on the side.

Chicken Parmigiana (Php180). Deep-fried and lightly battered chicken breast fillet on top of penne pasta tossed in homemade red sauce with parmesan, mozarella and cheddar. I found the red sauce a little too sweet for my taste.

Sarah’s Milkshake (Php165). This blueberry cheesecake blend of milkshake was my baby girl’s drink of choice.

Strawberry Milkshake (Php150). This was my choice for my milkshake.

My daughter and I appreciated the freshly-made quality of the milkshakes and the fact that the restaurant made use of bamboo straws.

New York Cheesecake. This dessert was a bit of a let-down. The texture and portioning was fine but the taste was lacking the rich, cheesy quality of other cheesecakes we’ve tried.

Still, I wouldn’t mind coming back to this cafe to try out its latte offerings, considering it is a third-wave coffee shop that prides itself on its artisanal coffee selections.

I just wouldn’t bring a car when I return.

Santiago’s Cafe is located at 779 San Rafael Street, Plainview, Mandaluyong City, open Mondays from 3pm to 11pm and Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12 noon to 11pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 5320540.

Did you know that if you and a friend dined at Santiago’s Cafe, you can get some dishes free via Zomato Gold? Zomato Gold provides members with 1+1 (Buy 1 Get 1) deals on food or 2+2 (Buy 2 Get 2) deals on drinks.

A tipsy gelato treat at Morelli’s Gelato, EDSA Shangri-la

Do you know what makes gelato so great?

This dessert which originated in Italy has a texture that is a lot creamier and silkier than ice cream, owing to its increased use of milk rather than cream, and the exclusion of eggs among its ingredients.

The Morelli’s Gelato brand started in Scotland in 1907 when father-and-son Giuseppe and Mario Morelli started selling ice cream prevalent in their home country Italy.

It has since expanded globally, producing and serving frozen treats made fresh everyday using natural ingredients. In fact, its expert gelatierri (“ice cream chefs” in Italian) start production at 5am every morning.

Morelli’s branch in Shangri-la Plaza features not just its signature gelato flavors, it also offers unique frozen desserts, as well as hot and cold beverages. It also has a sizeable eating area where diners can enjoy their gelatos in style and comfort.

Thanks to GCs shared by Jen of SandUnderMyFeet.com, I was able to enjoy one of Morelli’s Tipsy Treats, gelato creations that incorporate a bit of dessert liqueur to add a grown-up element to the icy and delicious frozen sweets.

People who know me won’t be at all surprised at the Tipsy Treat I ordered: Baileys (Php395). It’s made with double scoops of hazelnut gelato, a scoop of soft-serve vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce, and topped with fresh whipped cream, a pretzel, a Stick-O and a Morelli’s Gelato wafer. A single shot of Bailey’s liqueur, my favorite among alcoholic beverages, accompanies this confection.

I think I may have found a new favorite dessert!

I also got myself a Hot Mocha (Php140), a chocolate-flavored variant of the capuccino to perk me up after the delicious buzz from my Tipsy Treat.

Well, I’m looking forward to my next visit and the other Tipsy Treats I could try.

This Morelli’s Gelato branch is located at Level 3, East Wing, Shangri-la Plaza, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 9pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 10pm.

Another branch is located at Second Floor, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati City, open 11am to 9pm.

Tsokolate Ah and more at Tsoko.Nut Batirol, Tomas Morato

Dessert cafes abound in the metro, but how many of them do you see touting our very own tsokolate – the Pinoy version of hot chocolate?

Would you believe I first heard of this delicacy back in high school while studying Noli Me Tangere? Jose Rizal’s literary masterpiece features a scene wherein the characters assign social status to the thickness of the hot chocolate served.

During a social gathering, Padre Salvi (one of the more nefarious characters in the novel), serves tsokolate eh (from espresso, meaning thick, due to the richness of the hot chocolate served) for Spanish visitors and dignitaries, while tsokolate ah (from aguado, meaning watered down) was served to the locals, which is probably why this is sometimes referred to as the native hot chocolate.

(Aside: being a racist and a snob are the least of Padre Salvi’s character flaws.)

The latter variant is available at Tsoko.Nut Batirol, a small cafe located in Quezon City’s Tomas Morato Area. The batirol in the cafe’s name refers to the implement used in mixing the hot chocolate to make sure that the tablea (chocolate tablets) are dissolved and well-incorporated into the drink.

The cafe has an Old World feel to it, with furniture and interiors that harken back to ancestral homes in the provinces. It also makes use of its own signature mug for its hot beverages which adds to its quaint appeal.

Together with my office buddies, I went here for some dessert which included:

Tsokolate Ah Batirol (Php88 regular | Php98 large). The aforementioned native hot chocolate is no longer a comment on one’s station. Instead, this is an indulgent treat for any chocolate lover. Made in the traditional way: using chocolate tablea, milk and ground peanuts, this drink will take you back in time.

Mini Chocolate Cake (Php110). A rich and chocolatey confection of moist cake and thick chocolate icing.

Mango Torte (Php99). A frozen cheesecake topped with artfully arranged mango slices on on a crust of graham cracker crumbs. It’s so pretty, we almost didn’t want to eat it. Well, almost. 🤪

I’d love to spend a more leisurely afternoon here, just enjoying my sweets and my cup of native hot choco. I wonder when that would be…

This Tsoko.Nut Batirol branch is located near the corner of Scout Reyes Street and Mother Ignacia Avenue, Bgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily from 7am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 3979939.

Other branches are located at:

Food Court, Third Floor, Eastwood Cybermall, Libis, Quezon City
Upper Ground Floor, Worldwide Corporate Center, Shaw Boulevard, Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City
Ground Floor, Telus Building, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City
Third Floor, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Salcedo Village, Makati City
Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa

HBO drama series THE DEUCE, returns for third and final season on 10 September exclusively on HBO GO

The 80s are in full swing as the critically acclaimed drama series THE DEUCE brings its story to a close when it returns for its eight-episode, third and final season, same time as the U.S., on Tuesday 10 September at 9am, exclusively on HBO GO. Created by George Pelecanos and David Simon, the story resumes its chronicle of the rise of pornography and the multibillion-dollar industry’s transformation of American culture seven years after the culmination of the second season.

Season three of THE DEUCE brings us into the world of 1985, just as VHS overtakes film as the primary medium for porn production and distribution. The lure of the California sunshine, the city’s aggressive takeover of commercial sex properties in Times Square and the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic mark the end of an era. With the party of the 1970s winding down, 42nd Street has deteriorated into a hive of uncontrolled violent crime and seedy video stores, making urban renewal seem more unlikely than ever before. Following the interconnected lives of Times Square’s barkeeps, prostitutes, pimps, police, mobsters, porn actors and producers, the eight-episode third season of THE DEUCE brings the series’ arc to a dramatic conclusion.

Created by George Pelecanos and David Simon, both veterans of the HBO series “The Wire” and “Treme,” THE DEUCE is executive produced by Pelecanos, Simon, Nina K. Noble and James Franco. The drama series stars James Franco (Golden Globe winner for “The Disaster Artist”) as both Vincent Martino – who, in season three, finds himself tired, wary and in search of a way out – and his twin Frankie Martino, a seemingly changed man, who is married with children and who continues to flirt with self-destruction; and Maggie Gyllenhaal (Golden Globe nominee for season one and Critic’s Choice nominee for season two of the series) as Candy, a director struggling to maintain her artistic integrity in an industry that is quickly devolving.

The returning cast also includes: Margarita Levieva (“Revenge”), as Abby, the proprietor of the Hi-Hat and an advocate for Times Square’s artists and denizens who begins to consider life after the Deuce; Emily Meade (HBO’s “The Leftovers”) as porn star Lori, now living in Los Angeles and battling addiction while absorbing the porn business’ migration to video-tape and the resulting degradation; Lawrence Gilliard, Jr. (HBO’s “The Wire”) as Chris Alston, now detailed to the Midtown Enforcement Project and partnered with Gene Goldman (Luke Kirby) to realize the city’s plan to rehabilitate Midtown; Chris Bauer (HBO’s “The Wire”), as French Parlor manager Bobby, who steadily begins to lose his piece of the lucrative Times Square sex trade; Chris Coy (CINEMAX’s “Banshee”) as gay businessman and entrepreneur Paul, who must confront the AIDS epidemic; Michael Rispoli (HBO’s “The Sopranos”) as mob capo Rudy, who leans on the Martino brothers for greater profit amidst infighting.

Season three finds familiar faces who return this season as cast regulars including, David Krumholtz (HBO’s upcoming miniseries “The Plot Against America”) as veteran pornographer Harvey; Daniel Sauli (“House of Cards”) as Tommy Longo, who’s angling for his own position amidst the Gambino family; Olivia Luccardi (“Channel Zero”) as Melissa, now an amateur porn actress forced to confront her past and Sepideh Moafi (“Falling Water”) as Loretta, a bartender at the Hi-Hat, involved in the feminist anti-porn movement. Guests include: Zoe Kazan (HBO’s upcoming miniseries “The Plot Against America”), Mustafa Shakir (Cinemax’s “Jett”), Roberta Colindrez (“I Love Dick”), Kim Director (“She’s Gotta Have It”), Corey Stoll (House of Cards), Aaron Dean Eisenberg (“Public Morals”), Michael Gandolfini (“Ocean’s Eight”) and Ralph Macchio (“The Karate Kid”).

Season three writers include: David Simon, George Pelecanos, Carl Capotorto, Iturri Sosa, Will Ralston, Chris Yakaitis and Stephani DeLuca.

Season three directors include: Alex Hall, Susanna White, Tanya Hamilton, Roxann Dawson and James Franco.

Season 3, Episode 1: “The Camera Loves You”
Debut date: Tuesday 10 September 9am
On the eve of 1985, a worn-out Vincent (James Franco) reconnects with his ex-wife, Andrea (Zoe Kazan) as his open relationship with Abby (Margarita Levieva) grows more distant. Despite becoming a family man, Frankie (James Franco) continues his risky side hustles. With the newly dominant VHS format shaking up their industry, Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and Harvey (David Krumholtz) travel to Las Vegas for an adult film convention where they disagree on how to navigate a fast-changing future. Fresh out of rehab in Los Angeles, Lori (Emily Meade) is put back to work. Alston (Lawrence Gilliard) makes a very specific request of Goldman (Luke Kirby) in their quest to revitalize Midtown. Now a bartender at the Hi-Hat, Loretta (Sepideh Moafi) becomes an active member of Women Against Pornography.
Written by David Simon & George Pelecanos; Directed by Alex Hall

Season 3, Episode 2: “Morta di Fame”
Debut date: Tuesday 17 September 9am
Frankie (Franco) takes his amateur porn business to the next level and ends up in a confrontation with Rudy (Michael Rispoli), who pushes Vincent (Franco) to up his profits. Candy (Gyllenhaal) brainstorms a new film based on the experiences of her fellow sex workers and finds that her new beau Hank (Corey Stoll) is not shaken by her past. Abby (Levieva) and Loretta (Moafi) take care of Shay (Kim Director) when she shows up to the Hi-Hat in bad shape. Lori (Meade) is advised to be more compliant after she dares to stand up for herself on set. Alston (Gilliard) is tasked with finding the mysterious owner of a prime piece of Midtown real estate. With the future of his businesses up in the air, Paul (Chris Coy) worries about his partner Todd’s (Aaron Dean Eisenberg) health.
Written by Carl Capotorto; Directed by Susanna White

Season 3, Episode 3: “Normal Is a Lie”
Debut date: Tuesday 24 September 9am
Abby (Levieva) befriends a graffiti artist named Pilar (Paloma Guzman) and takes a surprising trip downtown. Candy (Gyllenhaal) sets a firm line with Hank when it comes to money. As Todd’s (Aaron Dean Eisenberg) health worsens, he reexamines his priorities and asks for Paul’s (Coy) support. Melissa (Luccardi) is forced to face her past. Alston (Gilliard) explores different strategies for getting a shady SRO owner to sell. Bobby (Bauer) pays Joey (Michael Gandolfini) a visit on Wall Street as Joey’s latest money-making scheme grows bigger. Tensions rise between Frankie (Franco) and Rudy (Rispoli) as a buyer complains about Frankie’s product.
Written by Iturri Sosa; Directed by Tanya Hamilton

Season 3, Episode 4: “They Can Never Go Home”
Debut date: Tuesday 1 October 9am
Lori (Meade) returns to New York for an audition and runs into some familiar faces. While searching for actors for her new film, Candy (Gyllenhaal) speaks to her critics at a Women Against Pornography meeting. As things heat up with Jennifer (Kelcy Griffin), Alston (Gilliard) takes a drastic step to deliver for Goldman (Kirby). Melissa (Luccardi) leaves the city. Abby (Levieva) grows closer to Pilar (Paloma Guzman) as her relationship with Vincent (Franco) wanes. Vincent and Frankie celebrate an eventful birthday.
Written by Will Ralston; Directed by James Franco

In addition to “The Wire,” creators David Simon and George Pelecanos collaborated on HBO’s New Orleans drama “Treme.” Simon is an author, journalist and producer whose other works for HBO include the upcoming miniseries “The Plot Against America,” “The Corner,” “Generation Kill” and “Show Me a Hero.” Pelecanos is the author of 21 critically acclaimed novels, including last year’s “The Man Who Came Uptown,” “The Double” and “The Turnaround,” as well as a screenwriter and film producer, and served as a writer and co-producer on HBO’s “The Pacific.”

THE DEUCE was created by George Pelecanos & David Simon; executive producers, George Pelecanos, David Simon, Nina K. Noble and James Franco; co-executive producers, Richard Price and Alex Hall; producers, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Laura Schweigman and Marc Henry Johnson.

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Show details and image provided by HBO in a recent press release.

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