December 2019 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

A European take on the puto bumbong at Vanderlust, The Podium

The food item that I most associate with the Christmas season is the puto bumbong.

I was late in joining #TeamPutoBumbong, having developed a liking for this delicacy when I was already working, but it soon worked its way up to the top of my favorite seasonal food items.

Puto bumbong is a type of steamed rice cake (“puto”) made from a special local variety of rice called pirurutong which has a deep purple color. The grains are soaked in salted water overnight then drained and packed densely into bamboo tubes (the “bumbong”) and steamed until done.

The resulting purple cylindrical rice cake is is then usually served on banana leaves, slathered with butter and sprinkled with muscovado sugar and grated coconut.

Well, you couldn’t get more Filipino than that!

Well, Vanderlust, the bistro owned by world wanderers Val and Anthony Tan, has just introduced a European twist to the puto bumbong: by cooking it ala Dutch baby pancake.

While retaining its native ingredients, this puto bumbong is baked in the oven using a cast iron skillet instead of steamed in bamboo tubes.

It is served topped with generous helpings of custard, toasted coconut, queso de bola and muscovado syrup.

It’s basically everything we love about the puto bumbong with a novel way to enjoy our favorite Christmas delicacy.

This dish is exclusively available at Vanderlust’s branch in the Podium so hie yourself over there if you want a taste!

Many thanks to Jen of SandUnderMyFeet.com for sharing this dessert treat!

Get a free dish when you and a friend dine at Vanderlust Bistro, thanks to 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. All you have to do is sign up for a Zomato Gold membership here. Use the code JELLYB to get 10% off the membership fee.

You can also book your table at Vanderlust Bistro using Eatigo to get up to 50% off your food bill. Sign up using my referral link to get additional perks.

This Vanderlust Bistro branch is located at Fifth Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries, call +63 2 88717314.

Another branch is located at 100 Scout De Guia Corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City. Check out my review of this branch here.

Unli Japanese fusion dishes at Yakikai Buffet Restaurant

Bid adieu to your diets, Quezon City peeps, because here’s another reason to eat all you can!

Hidden away in one of the streets in Quezon City’s Scout area is a newly opened restaurant offering unli servings of Japanese fusion dishes: Yakikai. Its name is a combination of the Japanese words “yaki” (which means “grilled”) and “kai” (which translates to “meeting or gathering”).

Set in a renovated two-story house along Dr. Lazcano Street, Yakikai offers diners comfortable seating options indoors or al fresco.

Here, families and friends can meet up and enjoy each other’s company while indulging themselves in refillable yakiniku and a buffet of Japanese and Korean dishes.

And thanks to Yakikai’s Opening Promo, you and your gang can gorge yourselves on its set meals at discounted rates this December!

Premium Set (Php339 from Php499). Includes chicken teriyaki, spicy chicken yakiniku, samgyupsal, galbi sauce pork, peppered pork shoulder loin, sliced beef, beef tare yakiniku, spicy beef and fresh shrimp.

Emperor Set (Php599 from Php699). Includes chicken teriyaki, spicy chicken yakiniku, samgyupsal, spicy samgyupsal, galbi sauce pork, peppered pork shoulder loin, sliced beef, beef tare yakiniku, spicy beef, fresh shrimp, beef steak (chuck eye roll), jjamppong nobe, salmon sashimi and ebi tempura.

Both already sets include unli refills of cheese as well.

Plus, birthday celebrants can eat for free within their birthday month as long as they’re accompanied by seven full-paying adults and can present a valid ID.

With its comfortable surroundings, wide array of dishes and its accommodating wait staff, Yakikai seems poised to be the new destination of choice for buffet hunters.

So go ahead and schedule the next barkada meet up or family celebration at Yakikai! And be sure to wear something loose (wink! wink!).

Thanks to Bunny of AlwaysTheFunnyGirl for extending the invitation!

Yakikai Buffet Restaurant is located at 122 Dr. Lazcano Street, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City, open daily from 4pm to 2am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 927 1383980 or +63 929 8235452.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. All the food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Comfort and conversations at Prologue Neighborhood Kitchen, Tomas Morato

There are friendships that hold firm despite the distance or the dearth in time spent together in the past year. There are people with whom you will always feel at ease and every meeting is a welcome rediscovery of what made you friends to begin with.

Holding get-togethers with these kinds of friends in a charming and comfortable venue provides a special backdrop for fun ribbing, meaningful conversations and new happy memories.

That is what my yearly Christmas reunion with my ex-officemates held at Prologue Neighborhood Kitchen was: a coming together of individuals who may be separated by distance but are still close in heart and mind.

Prologue is a relatively new dining destination in the Tomas Morato area. It is a place designed to give comfort and good cheer with its bright and airy interiors adorned with homey touches such as a warmly colored brick walls, displays of freshly baked bread, bric-a-bracs artfully displayed on a shelf and old wood furniture and plush couches.

Diners curious about what goes on in food prep can take a peek through the window to the kitchen to see Chef Hiroyuki Meno’s team hard at work in bringing Prologue’s comforting fusion of French and Asian cuisines to their tables.

The dishes that fueled our talks and good-natured teasing include:

Starters.

Farmer’s Salad (Php240). Mixed greens, apple, candied walnuts, Italian parsley, sweet corn, boiled egg and okra tossed in miso honey dressing.

Fried Chicken Wings (Php240). Tender and juicy fried chicken wings coated in mixed spices and served sriracha mayonnaise.

Pastas. These dishes make use of Prologue’s fresh homemade pasta.

Amatriciana (Php260). Made with homemade Iberico Pancetta, Semi-dried cherry tomatoes, basil, olive and parmesan.

Trofie Pesto (Php370). Made with clams, shrimps, basil pesto, Semi-dried cherry tomatoes, asparagus and parmesan.

Parma Arugula Spaghettini (Php380). Made with asparagus, arugula leaves and puree, aglio e olio and parmesan.

Pizzas. These Neapolitan-style pizzas are all freshly made upon your order, using fresh ingredients and hand-kneaded dough.

Frutti di Mare (Php590). Made with stewed tomato sauce and pesto topped with squid, mussels, shrimp and Paris mushrooms.

Prosciutto Rucola (Php490). Made with stewed tomato sauce and pesto topped with parma ham, arugula, cherry tomato and shaved parmesan.

Pastries and Coffee. Prologue roasts its coffee beans in-house. Its Hiro blend is made of beans originating from Brazil, Ethiopia and Indonesia roasted medium dark with a rich flavor and fruity notes which we enjoyed as hot drinks along with some pastries for dessert.

Mocha (Php140).

Cafe Latte (Php140).

Matcha Torte (Php330).

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake (Php250).

With Prologue’s delightful surroundings and delectable food, a gathering of friends was made even more special.

Cheers to more happy meetings with real friends.

Prologue is located at 87 Scout Gandia Street, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City, open daily from 7am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 86932013, +63 961 3799889 or +63 995 8424928.

Open a box of happiness with cinnamon rolls from Rolls.PH

Did you know that cinnamon rolls originated from Sweden where it is called kanelbulle (“cinnamon bun”)? This Swedish pastry is an offshoot of the British Chelsea bun (a currant bun), the German schnecken (rolls made with sugar and currants), and other butter-infused yeast dough pastries that became popular in Northern Europe in the mid-1700s.

The cinnamon roll is usually enjoyed by the Swedish during fika, the time when they take a break from their day to sit down with friends and family to share some baked goods and coffee.

And who wouldn’t want these rolls during coffee break, hmm? The smell of the cinnamon wafting from the warm bun would surely tease your nose into lingering over a few cups of coffee as you ruminate over your day.

The Chelsea bun and the schnecken made their way across the Atlantic in the 1800s through English and German immigrants and found themselves in the New World, particularly in the cultural melting pot of Philadelphia where the size and make-up of the Chelsea bun are combined with the fillings of the schnecken roll, resulting in a large, caramelized cinnamon roll.

Today, cinnamon rolls are practically staples in coffee shops, oftentimes topped with a cream cheese icing that adds even more richness to the pastry.

But, guess what: you can enjoy it at home, at your workplace or wherever you are thanks to Rolls.ph.

This online business is the brainchild of two Immaculate Concepcion Academy students who discovered a way to produce the perfect homemade cinnamon rolls – soft, moist and not too sweet.

These rolls are all made by hand using premium ingredients and are priced at:

Single: Php60
Box of 6: Php350
Box of 12: Php600

These buns are ideal as coffee break treats, holiday gifts for friends and family or as one’s potluck contribution to family gatherings.

Plus, your purchase of these buns also help build a learning center in Mindoro as well as fund environmental cleanup groups.

So wouldn’t you want to get yourself or someone special a box (or two… or more :-)) of these yummy cinnamon rolls for the holidays?

You can order from Rolls.ph through the following:

Call +63 917 5350923
Email officialrolls.ph@gmail.com
Send a private message via Facebook or Instagram

Disclosure: A product sample was provided to me to facilitate an honest review.

Check out my blog posts on other small enterprises and startups in the food business:

Meat All You Can at Holy Cow Sizzlers, Trinoma Mall

Holy cow! That’s a lot of meat!

That’s what you will exclaim when you treat yourself and your friends to Holy Cow Sizzlers’ Meat All You Can promo.

Well, what is it anyway?

The Meat All You Can promo is Holy Cow Sizzlers’ answer to the unli samgyeopsal places sprouting all over the metro.

If you’re wondering what a casual dining resto with an American West theme has to do with the current K-BBQ craze, here are some points for comparison:

Similarities:

Unlimited meat. Yes, for just Php399, you can indulge your inner carnivore and eat your fill of grilled beef, pork and chicken dishes available.

Refillable sides. You can have as much of the rice, veggies and salads on the side as you like.

Differences.

Flavors of the West. Holy Cow Sizzlers first made a name for itself for serving American West-style steaks. Those flavors will still come into play in its Meat All You Can Offer which include Chicken Chinitos and Chicken Fillet, Beef (my fave!), Pork Belly and Fish Fingers, along with your choice of sauce among spicy barbecue, peppercorn gravy, trio mushroom gravy and soy garlic.

Choose from ten tasty side dishes as well: coleslaw, cheese croquettes, macaroni salad, corn and carrots, fries, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, mojos, buttered veggies and garlic rice.

No grilling! Yep, you don’t need to worry about cooking the meat yourself. Just order or ask for refills as you like and your meats will arrive on your table already grilled to perfection and served on sizzling plates.

So be sure to bring your appetite when you and your gang visit Holy Cow Sizzlers!

Thanks to the crew of Holy Cow Sizzlers for the warm welcome and the delicious meal and to Jen of Sand Under My Feet for extending the invitation!

This Holy Cow Sizzlers branch is located at Garden Wing Area, Trinoma Mall, Bagong Pag-Asa, Quezon City, open Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 9pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 10pm.

Other branches are located at:

Ground Floor, Park & Shop, 8300 Dr. A. Santos Avenue, BF Homes, Paranaque
Ground Floor, South Wing, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Check out my reviews of other restos that cater to meat lovers:

A Japanese shokudo food experience at Grillin’ Ape, Eastwood Cybermall

Craving for yummy Japanese food for lunch but payday is still a few days away?

Fear not; if your workplace is near Eastwood in Libis, an exciting and affordable dining option has just opened in your neck of the woods.

Hie yourself over to Eastwood Cybermall’s Food Court and you will see its newest establishment called Grillin’ Ape.

Styled after the shokudo (casual, independendently owned hole-in-the-wall restaurants located and cafeterias that serve affordable dishes), it is marked by colorful murals and banners, with wooden stools and tables where guests can eat in comfort. Diners can choose their food among no-frills and affordable Japanese dishes with prices starting at Php50!

Together with my fellow foodies, I checked out Grillin’ Ape’s offerings, which included:

Sushi Rolls. These are uramaki type rolls, the ones in which the rice is outside and the seaweed wraps around the filling, made of different types of flavorful fillings and toppings.

Mango Kani (Php130).

Crunchy Tempura (Php150).

Tempura Caviar Overload (Php160).

Spicy Tuna Lava (Php150).

Sushi Donuts. A modern take on how to enjoy sushi, sushi donuts are made of donut-shaped sushi rice base topped with the same ingredients as sushi rolls.

Lava Donut (Php230). Made with tempura, egg, yuzu kyozu mayo and mozzarella cheese.

Salmon Belly Donut (Php195). Made with marinated salmon and red radish.

Yakiniku. These are meat seasoned with tare sauce or items such as quail eggs and corn which are cooked by charcoal-grilling. These may be ordered by the stick – Chicken Meatballs (Php50), Pork Belly with Scallion (Php70), Enoki and Bacon (Php80), Chicken Liver wrapped in Bacon (Php80), Chicken Wings (Php95), Quail Egg Bacon (Php80), Chicken Fillet with Scallion (Php60), Pork Meatballs (Php70), Quail Egg (Php40) and Corn (Php30); in rice bowls priced beginning at Php160; or as part of this Yakitori Big Bowl (Php599 – good for four) in which Japanese rice seasoned with teriyaki sauce is topped with four sticks each of pork belly, chicken fillet, pork meatballs, bacon-wrapped liver, grilled corn and quail eggs.

Udon Bowl (Php180 ). Thick strips of wheat noodles in savory pork broth topped with your choice of meat, as well as herbs and egg. We were served two variations of this dish: one topped with pork belly and another topped with bacon. These hearty noodle dishes can both fill and warm tummies especially when the cold weather comes in.

Desserts. No meal is complete without dessert, am I right? Well, at Grillin’ Ape, we capped our meal with these sweets you can go bananas over.

Banana Ape (Php135). Caramelized bananas topped by a generous scoop of vanilla icing.

Grilled Banana (Php50). Slices of skewered bananas grilled then drizzled with caramel sauce.

Sake. Adding to the shokudo dining experience are the special sake – Shika Cup and Kirei Peach Sake – which we were told were not available elsewhere in the metro. Sake are alcoholic beverages made of fermented rice and are part of a long standing tradition in Japanese cuisine.

Despite being only a few weeks since its opening, Grillin’ Ape does seem set to be the new destination for tasty yet affordable Japanese food.

Many thanks to Nino and the crew of Grillin’ Ape for the fabulous food and to Diane of Fried and Prejudice for extending the invitation!

Grillin’ Ape is located at Food Court, Third Floor, Eastwood Cybermall, Libis, Quezon City, open daily from 10am to 12 midnight. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 999 8831662.

Time for some tapas at Tittos, Greenhills

Mention the word “tapas” here and the image that comes to mind is that of cured meats usually served for breakfast alongside garlic rice and fried eggs.

However, tapas has a totally different meaning in other countries.

Tapas originated in pre-19th century Spain where innkeepers offered travellers a sampling of the dishes they offer on a pot cover called a “tapa.”

There are claims that the OG (read: original) tapas were thin slices of bread or meat used to cover glasses of sherry served in Andalusian taverns to prevent fruit flies from hovering over them between sips. These slices tend to come from salty foodstuffs such as hams or chorizos which have the added benefit to tavernkeepers of activating thirst among the drinkers, thereby helping to increase alcohol sales.

A darker take on the history of tapas, particularly the ham and non-kosher foodstuffs, is that these were used by the Spanish Inquisition to identify who among the conversos (Jews who converted to Christianity) have not fully abandoned their Jewish faith. Woe betide the unfortunate converso who showed reluctance to eat non-kosher tapas during banquets!

Over the years, tapas has evolved to mean an appetizer, snack, or a small portion of food. It has also changed throughout this history og Spain by incorporating new ingredients and culinary influences. From the former Spanish colonies in the Americas, for example, came new ingredients such as tomatoes, sweet and chili peppers and maize (corn), among others.

These flavors figure prominently in my makeshift tapas experience at Tittos Latin BBQ & Brew after my recent shopping venture in Greenhills Shopping Center.

Feeling peckish after walking all over the complex, I decided to have something light for lunch. I heard that Tittos opened a banch in the new O Square Building in Greenhills a few months ago and I’ve been wanting to dine there.

This resto occupies a sprawling area decorated with images and colors that call to mind the festive and lively Latin American culture. The large windows facing Ortigas Avenue also let in a lot of natural light, further enhancing the place’s visual appeal.

Having decided to have a light solo meal, I ordered:

Beef Barbacoa Taco (Php165). Home-made tortillas topped with shredded barbecued beef, pico de gallo (a type of salsa made from chopped tomatoes, onions and peppers tossed in lime juice mixed with salt and cilantro), chimichurri (piquant sauce containing garlic, vinegar, olive oil and chili pepper flakes), Mexican crema (a thick and tangy cream similar to sour cream and creme fraiche), cole slaw and potato crisps.

Tittos Elote (Php245). A variation of the popular Mexican maize-based street food, this consists of sweet corn brushed with sweet paprika butter, Latin spices, mayonnaise and lime then grilled and topped with crumbled queso fresco (white cheese) and bits of chicharon (pork rind).

Tamarind Cola (Php95). Fresh tamarind puree combined with a cola reduction, it is refreshing but I would prefer it to be a bit sweeter.

Actually, the serving size of this light meal turned out to be quite substantial so I ended up having half my meal bagged to-go for sharing with the fam.

I have developed a fascination for the elote and I will make it a point to order this whenever I visit Tittos.

This Tittos Latin BBQ & Brew branch is located at Ground Level, O Square 2, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills, San Juan, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 12 midnight, Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 1am, and Sundays from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 917 8848867.

Another branch is located at 16 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

San Juan’s newest food and nightlife destination – Varra Restobar

The workday is through and you’ve earned yourself a little bit of a respite, wouldn’t you say?

If you’re looking for a place to meet with friends, enjoy good food and perhaps have a drink or two, then this newly opened and somewhat hidden restobar in San Juan would be just the thing.

A namesake of P. Guevarra Street where it is situated, Varra Restobar offers food lovers new reasons to make Little Baguio in San Juan their next foodie destination.

Together with my foodie friends, I ventured to Little Baguio in San Juan to check this resto out.

Getting to the resto is quite easy (it’s already on Waze, peeps!), but finding the entrance may be a challenge. Here’s a tip: go straight to the back of the building (where the car wash is) and climb up the stairs straight to the third floor. And then, you’re there!

Here’s what you can look forward to:

One: A chill place to hang out

The place has a relaxed vibe that is conducive for friendly get-togethers or chillin’ out with your favorite drink and bar chow.

It has a sprawling dining area with an abundance of power outlets. If ever your gadgets are low on battery, you can easily juice up again without having to leave your table.

Want to party in style? Reserve the stately Lounge and hold your celebrations for up to 40 pax for Php35,000 (fully consumable).

Or you can let loose with the gang in privacy and comfort in the VIP Room for just Php20,000 (fully consumable). Aside from the well-appointed interiors, you and your friends can enjoy your own private comfort room and a buzzer to summon the service team for your requests and orders.

Two: Mouthwatering comfort food

Whether you’re after a feast or a snack, Varra offers you a well-curated array of sure-win familiar dishes or fresh twists on the classics.

These include:

Crispy Shrooms (Php130). Deep-fried and crispy oyster and enoki mushrooms that you will want to pop into your mouth again and again.

Spam Chips (Php210). Thin slices of spam deep-fried to crisps accompanied by garlic aioli.

Messy Fries (Php150). Fries served with beef, lots of cheese and garlic aioli. It’s the kind of mess I certainly wouldn’t mind!

Varra’s Nacho Overload (Php350). Crunchy nacho chips doused in cheese sauce and overloaded with beef, tomatoes, onions, peppers and olives. Perfect for munching while chatting with friends.

Soy Garlic Chicken Poppers (Php240). Fried chicken balls served with coleslaw, rice and fried egg.

Beef Tapa (Php240). A classic breakfast staple, this consist of garlicky marinated beef served with salted egg, salsa, rice and fried egg.

Chicken Pesto Marinara (Php380). A tomato-based pasta topped with grilled chicken flavored with pesto sauce.

Classic Carbonara (Php290). A creamy iteration of the carbonara loaded with ham pieces and served with poached egg.

Wings Basket (Php230). Six pieces of juicy and flavorful fried chicken wings flavored with your choice of sauce – Buffalo, Sou Garlic, Garlic Parmesan, Hickory BBQ, Chili Cheese and Honey Sriracha – that go so well with rice. We got two baskets each of Soy Garlic and Garlic Parmesan.

Varra’s Steak Salpicao (Php380). Ooh, this is definitely the star of the show! Tender and flavorful slices of steak sauteed in garlic and oil and served on a sizzling plate.

Three: Refreshing drinks

As you enjoy the tasty viands and bar chow, quench your thirst with Varra’s Signature Cocktails (Php200 each) which include: Blue Cruise (white rum, lemon and triple sec), Rosee el Varra (tequila, sour mix and Hoegaarden Rosee), Varra Mountain (gin, gin de cacao, sour mix and triple sec) and Basil Slush (blended basil leaves, rum, lemonade and sugar).

If you don’t feel like imbibing alcohol ot if you’re the group’s designated driver, you can also opt for non-alcholic drinks such as Varra Iced Tea (Php80), Frozen Peach Iced Tea (Php100) and the cranberry and citrus-y Sunset Spritzer (Php130).

Well, it sure looks like San Juan just got itself a new go-to place for munchies, drinks and chillin’ out!

Many thanks to Ms. Lovely Tan and the crew of Varra Restobar for the invitation!

If you and your gang can’t get enough of wings, take advantage of Varra’s Unli Wings & Rice Promo for only Php359 per person, available from Sundays to Thursdays.

Varra Restobar is located at 333 P. Guevarra Street, Little Baguio, San Juan, open from Sundays to Thursdays from 6pm to 2am, and Fridays to Saturdays from 6pm to 3am. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 916 5870345.

Check out my reviews of other bars and watering holes in the Metro:

Korea’s NO BRAND opens its second store in Robinsons Galleria South

Korea’s NO BRAND store will open is second branch on December 27 at Robinsons Galleria South in San Pedro, Laguna. Its maiden store in the Philippines is located at Robinson Galleria.

Launched in 2015 by Korea’s leading retailer, E-mart, No Brand is very popular in Korea with 258 locations. It is known for its “No-Frills Marketing. No Fancy Packaging. Just Value and Quality.”

“It’s not the brand. It’s the customer.”

This is the slogan of NO BRAND. The value-driven store features private label products that do away with marketing frills and fancy packaging, yet deliver the same quality that are at par with respected and much-patronized brands in the market.

The smart consumer takes centerstage as it highlights utility over vanity, value over appearances. By adopting a simple approach to merchandising and eliminating costs of fancy branding, customers can expect to get exactly what they need or more. No drama, no selling ploys, no brand – only the guarantee of a wide variety of high-quality products at affordable prices. Choices range from chocolates, potato chips, cereals, Korean ice-cream to non-food products like tissue, laundry detergent, diapers and more. Price points are from Php50 to Php1,000.

To know more about No Brand Philippines, follow it on Facebook and Instagram. To know more about RRHI, visit the company’s official website.

Store information and details provided in a recent press release.

Come home to these great movies on SKYcable this December

Cherish the holiday break this Christmas as the whole family is home for the holidays and enjoy SKY’s movie marathon treat with a diverse and fresh selection this December.

Welcome back “Joy” and “Ethan” into your homes as they bring you a story of personal struggle and romance with the phenomenal box-office hit “Hello, Love, Goodbye” on SKY Movies Pay-Per-View available from until January 12 for only P99.

Catch “Dumbo,” one of the childhood classic novels’ live-action reimagining as it premieres on Fox Movies this December 21 at 9:00 P.M. Collin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva green, and Alan Arkin join force in this film adaptation of the story of struggling circus owner Max Medici (DeVito) who engage Holt (Farrell) and his two children to take care of Dumbo. See what obstacles they encounter in the circus and how they manage to bring the circus back to life again.

Another live action revival awaits cartoon lovers this coming Dec.25 at 8:00 P.M. as “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” airs on Fox Family. In Paul Tibbitt’s directorial debut, Spongebob helps Mr. Krabbs in finding Burger Bread who stole the top secret recipe of Krabby Patties.

‘90s babies now have the chance to catch “The Brady Bunch Movie” on Paramount on December 31 at 2:15 P.M. Parents Mike (Gary Cole) and Carol (Shelley Long) are having problems as their home is in danger of being taken away by Larry (Michael Mckean), the house’s developer. As soon as their six Brady kids know of the problem, they decide to enter a talent contest to help the family.

Sports fans can learn from “Gold,” a fictionalized retelling of the first Olympic gold win by hockey team, Independent India in 1948, on Zee Sine. In this historical sports drama, which airs Dec.21 at 8:30 P.M.,, check how assistant manager Tapas (Akshay Kumar) was instrumental in bringing India its first Olympic Gold as a free nation.

Also don’t miss Vice Ganda’s “Fantastica” on C1 this December 31 at 9:00 P.M., where he plays a struggling carnival owner thinking of ways to make his family’s business become lively again.

From Hollywood box office films to local films, you can come home to SKYcable for great flicks. Take your pick now and arrange a date with the entire family. Existing SKYcable subscribers can choose to add movie channels to their lineup for as low as P20/month. Sign up at mysky.com.ph/addchannels.

Not yet on SKYcable? Fill up this form or call your local SKY office to see which cable plan is right for you.

Show details and image provided 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.