Saturday, December 27, 2014

Mercedes-AMG S63/S65 Coupe

2015 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe

2015 Mercedes-AMG S65 Coupe


With the AMG versions of the first-ever Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe, you will feel like you're a bit of a loony when you drive one of these at the south of France on the weekends. For the AMG version, you have two choices; one is the S63 Coupe which comes with the 5.5L V8 Twin Turbo engine mated with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT and it's available with either a rear-wheel drive or a four-wheel drive and the other is the RWD-only and slightly mad S65 AMG with the turbocharged 6.0L V12 engine and with the SPEEDSHIFT PLUS gearbox. In translation, there's an AMG S-Class Coupe that is up against a Bentley Continental GT V8 S and the other that is up against the Bentley Continental GT Speed. Hmmm....

The Germans strongly believed that these high-performance versions of the S-Class Coupe had got what it takes to compete against other grand tourers but when it comes to pricing, those six-digit price tags really incinerate my eyebrows because the S63 model costs 170,587 Euros, which is almost 14,000 Euros cheaper than the Bentley Continental GT V8 S, and that's good. However, the V12-powered S65 model is priced at a painstakingly 244,010 Euros, which is almost 33,000 Euros more than its rival, the Bentley Continental GT Speed!

The pricing isn't the least of our problems for the V12-powered S65 Coupe because while this car's 5PS more than the CGT Speed and it's 0.1 second less than the CGT Speed's 0-100kph time, the S65 Coupe's top speed is electronically limited to 250kph while the CGT Speed keeps on going to 330kph. That sounds embarrassing but because the S65 Coupe is RWD-only compared to the 4WD-only CGT Speed, it's over a hundred kilos lighter, which means, this car is pretty much dynamic to drive and drivers need to take serious precaution while handling this because...here come the tongue twisters and if you're getting slipped, you're going on a siege with this machine while controlling it back to normal. Even if its loaded with so much technology, the added power and the torque really sets you on fire and pretty soon, you could get thrown off the ground.

Rookies shouldn't drive that car because they're kids, especially this V8-powered S63 Coupe version which produces more power than the CGT V8 S but the S63's top speed is also limited to 250kph compared to the CGT V8 S's 309kph speed.

I know that this car maybe as fragile as your gram's fine china she spend with her retirement money but there's so much fun to drive this V8-powered S-Coupe AMG model because this variant comes with two versions with two distinct characteristics. The rear-wheel drive model is equipped with MAGIC BODY CONTROL which makes this car well-responded to your handling actions and it goes as it should be, and lastly, the four-wheel drive model with the AIRMATIC air suspension with the adaptive damping system ADS PLUS. Whichever S63 you're choosing, this grand tourer knows that every mile is a story because while this is essentially a two-door version of Mercedes' flagship saloon, being sleek and sporty isn't enough for the AMG version of the S-Class Coupe because when you get inside, it feels like you're in complete control of this car because of so much high-tech gadgetry surrounding you. It's like you're the AWACS kind of plane but with a million times more fun than a kiddie ride from the shops.

If I had a choice, I'd go for the S63 model because not only it's less expensive than the CGT V8 8 but with such dynamics, I can have as much fun as I like and I can still arrive at the Monaco casino in style.

Photo: Daimler AG

#BGYearEnder

The year 2014 is almost at an end and for the December 26, 2014 episode, it's time to look back the best of Bubble Gang since 2014 with the Year Ender special. So, what 2014 moment did Bubble Gang pulled off from the wraps when this year began?

- Ex-Vice Mayor Dodo Be-Nice

Ex-Vice Mayor Dodo Be-Nice

- Elevator gags

- Kabit gags

- Lala Ytera

- Bubble Gang does Dove Ultimate White Deodorant by spoofing this commercial as LOVE ULTIMATE WHITE DEODORANT! Love's ultimate solution to lighten stubborn dark spots.



- Mr. Matapobre

- Boat gags

- Bubble Shakers

- Don Cantoni

- Bubble Gang does Lactum by spoofing this commercial as LAFTUM! 100% Nourished Kid!


- T3 Nyo

- The Gentleman

- The Kwek Kwek Song by P.A.R.D

- Spoiled na Misis

Friday, December 26, 2014

REMEMBERING 2014 (Part Three)


Welcome back. Let's continue where we left off...

2014 RDMA

The music lovers from all over North America had gone wild finding out who will take home the ARDY's in the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards. The winners are:

Best Music Group - One Direction
Song of the Year - Come & Get It by Selena Gomez
Breakout Artist of the Year - Fifth Harmony
Best New Artist - Becky G
Radio Disney's Most Talked About Artist - Selena Gomez (@selenagomez)
Best Song to Rock Out to With Your BFF - Me & My Girls by Fifth Harmony
Artist With the Best Style - Zendaya
Fiercest Fans - Swifties (that's fans of Taylor Swift to you)
Best Musical Collaboration - Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift featuring Ed Sheeran
Best Male Artist - Justin Timberlake
Best Female Artist - Demi Lovato
Favorite Roadtrip Song - Made in the USA by Demi Lovato
Favorite Song From a Movie or TV Show - Let It Go by Idina Menzel (from the movie Frozen)
Best Song to Dance To - Birthday by Selena Gomez
Catchiest New Song - The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?) by Ylvis
Best Crush Song - Still Into You by Paramore
Best Song That Makes You Smile - Ooh La La by Britney Spears

Bryan Castillo wins the BIGGEST LOSER PINOY EDITION Doubles

Last 2013, heavyweight pairs in all corners of the Philippines took part of their life-changing weight loss experience in The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition Doubles. After months of desperate struggle, all in the name of losing weight for the benefit of themselves, it has been one heck of a journey for those but on the finale, the final four; Bryan Castillo, Francis Asis, Kayen Lazaro, and Osie Nebreja, are on the center stage to find out who is THE BIGGEST LOSER.

Bryan Castillo wins The Biggest Loser after losing a total of 155lbs of his weight. He began with a very obese 293lbs but now, he weighs 139lbs! A 52.56% improvement! Kayen Lazaro placed as a 1st runner-up, having managed to drop 50.50% of her weight from 287 to 142lbs.

The end of the Hindustan Ambassador




The Hindustan Ambassador once started out in life as a Morris Oxford and when it was launched in 1957, it became the only passenger car produced in India until it became the symbol of social status and has been used to chauffeur high-ranking officials for many decades. After over 60 years of production, the Hindustan Ambassador has been discontinued because of poor sales, with only 2,200 units sold last 2013.

F1 2014

The 2014 season of Formula One has seen the biggest changes in the sport's 60-year history with new turbocharged power units and new aerodynamics, which combine to place more emphasis on racing skill and control in cars with more power delivery but less downforce than previous seasons. F1 fans didn't like what's changed but what they did like is the rivalry between two Mercedes F1 drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. These two are chasing against each other, vying for the world title, and in the end, it was Lewis Hamilton who declared the victor of the F1 2014 season.

Death of Maya Angelou

On May 28, 2014, notable American author, poet, and activist Maya Angelou died at the age of 86. The commemorated Afro-American poet-activist is respected for her inspiration to her fellow Americans and the world thanks to her strong presence of her literary works. She did read her poem at Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.

The end of Saturday morning cartoons

Traditional Saturday morning cartoons on broadcast TV across the USA is now gone for good after over 50 years of entertaining kids since the Cold War. CW's Vortexx programming block, the last of its kinds, has been replaced by One Magnificent Morning block, which features educational and inspirational shows targeted for youth and parents, since early October 2014.

The Beast asteroid



The Beast "2014HQ124" asteroid made its close approach at an estimated 1:56AM Eastern Time Sunday, June 8, 2014 (1:56PM Philippine Standard Time) and its close approach is about three times the distance between the earth and the moon. Asteroid 2014 HQ124 is over 1000ft wide and travelled at 31,000mph, but it posed no threat to the planet because of its distance.

Miami vs. San Antonio...again

Last 2013, the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs spent seven games trading punches and the Heat became the surprise winner against Spurs. Now for the 2014 NBA Finals, it seems that odds are turned and it became a little bit more difficult than last year.

In the first game, the San Antonio Spurs kickstarted the 2014 NBA Finals after a 110-95 win against Miami Heat. Spurs won the first game of the finals. Then in the second game, the Miami Heat leveled the odds after the score of 98-96. In Game 3, San Antonio Spurs leading the game against Miami Heat at the score of 111-92. And in Game 4, Spurs still leading at the score of 107-86 against Miami Heat.

It's all down to this; Game 5, held at their home turf AT&T Center, and if Spurs win, they'll be declared as 2014 NBA Champions and they did, after ending Miami Heat's 2-win streak at the score of 104-87.

This is the fifth time the Spurs won the championship since winning their titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007.

Girl Meets World

On June 27th, 2014, Disney Channel aired Girl Meets World, which takes place several years after the original Boy Meets World. Enter Riley Matthews (played by newest sensation Rowan Blanchard), the daughter of BMW's Cory and Topanga Matthews, and her best friend Maya Hart (played by Sabrina Carpenter) as these two finding out what it takes to take on the world by themselves.



Rise of Hellcats

Chrysler Group LLC's SRT division launched two of the most powerful V8-powered cars that will terrify the world's mightiest into being the fastest. Enter the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. These two machines are powered by Chrysler Group's newly developed supercharged 6.2L V8 HEMI engine, which is more powerful than the C7 Z06 and the GT500 because it has exactly 707HP of power output!

2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
2015 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat
San Mig Coffee goes big in PBA


The San Mig Super Coffee Mixers helmed themselves Grand Slam Champions. First, they've won the PBA Commissioner's Cup against the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in a best-of-5 match finals. Then, they've won the 2014 PBA Governor's Cup Finals against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the fifth and final game of the match. Now, the once-famed San Mig Coffee Super Mixers are now re-emerged as Purefoods Star Hotshots on the PBA.

Germany wins the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP Brasil

The two nations who rose from the top, Germany and Argentina, are battling to take home the coveted trophy and the title of FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 champion. Having spent the last 90 minutes of the match defending, kicking, passing, committing fouls, and whatever they can throw from their arsenal of the best football players of the nation, the epic climax to the FIFA WORLD CUP Brasil has became one of the biggest events in sports history.

Forward player Gotze is the German who scored the goal is the man who sent Germany taking home the coveted trophy and the prestigious title of FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 champion. Yes. 1-0. Germany wins. Germany is the 2014 WORLD CUP champions!

The Philippine Arena


On July 21, 2014, the members of Iglesia ni Cristo inaugurated the world's biggest indoor dome called the Philippine Arena. This arena, located in Bocaue and Santa Maria, Bulacan, was opened just ahead of INC's centennial celebration on the 27th of July.

This arena took 8.7 billion pesos and 30 months to build the largest theater on Earth while leaving two construction workers died while building the arena. The four establishments that was housed by the arena itself are Eraño Manalo Medical Center, the Bulacan campus of the New Era University, the Philippine Stadium and the Philippine Sports Center

An average coliseum can seat up to 22,000 people but in this Philippine Arena, it has a seating capacity of over 55,000 people, more than the MOA Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The lot area is 74,000 square meters and 99,000 square meters on the total floor area.

...well, you must be tired. Come back for more on Part Four.

Let's Do The News! (December 26, 2014)



Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- Memorial services are being held in Asian nations for the victims affected from the cataclysmic 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami on the disaster's 10th anniversary. Over 200,000 people died when an undersea earthquake triggered a killer tsunami on the 26th of December, 2004.

- Critical peace talks between the Ukrainian government troops and Pro-Russian rebels, due to take place in Minsk on Friday, has been called off, according to Belarusian officials. No immediate reason has been given.

- An armed Islamic group attack Libya's biggest oil port in Sirte when they fired a rocket from a boat, setting the fuel storage tank in flames. Reports told at least 19 soldiers were killed in the attack.

- The nations of Iraq and Turkey have agreed to boost their military cooperation against the ISIS. This agreement was reached when Iraq PM Haider al-Abadi held talks with Turkey PM Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara.

- Prosecutors arrested a ministry official for leaking information about the investigation of the Korean Air "nut rage" scandal where Cho Hyun-ah, the daughter of the chairman of Korean Air, scolded the cabin crew when they served her bagged macadamia nuts instead of nuts on a plate. There are suspicions that the SoKor government has been surreptitiously aiding the carrier.

- Numerous groups are planning to protest against the fare hike of the Metro Rail and Light Rail Transit this January. Bayan Secretary General Renato Reyes said that Bayan RILES and TREN, and commuters are questioning against the MRT-LRT fare hike, that is scheduled to be effective this 5th of January, 2015.

- Subaru to display a concept model of their Levorg sport tourer equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon. Apart from that, they'll be displaying a Legacy Blitzen Concept as well, which is based on the latest-generation Legacy B4 saloon.

- Following with the launch of their new, eighth-generation, Suzuki Alto kei car, they'll be displaying their customized Alto Turbo RS Concept at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon this January as well. This concept previews the turbocharged version of the Alto that is scheduled to be on sale this Spring 2015.

スズキ、新型「アルト ターボRS コンセプト」を『東京オートサロン2015』に出展
Suzuki Alto Turbo RS Concept

- Mitsubishi Motors added a 1.2L petrol engine to their JDM Mirage compact car. Normally a Mirage with the 1.2L petrol engine has been offered globally since its 2012 debut but two years later, that global variant is now available for the first time in the Japanese market. The 1.2L petrol engine produces 78PS of power and 100Nm of torque. Fuel economy is 25.0km/L.

三菱 ミラージュ 「1.2G」(1.2L、2WD)
Mitsubishi Mirage 1.2 G

TTFN!

CHRISTMAS 2014: Unwrapping my presents


It was Christmas Day and it's time to find out what presents did I got for this year's Christmas.




Gifts that I received for Christmas 2014:
 - a wireless speaker for my iPhone
- A talking Pikachu plush
- A Pokemon two-figure pack with Emolga and Litleo
- A Pokemon Mega Venusaur figure - iTunes gift card
- a black trenchcoat that my mom bought from Macy's



I just want to say thanks to my family for giving me good gifts this Christmas and to repay the favor, I gifted my sister Bea a Walking Dead wallet from Hot Topic, my little sis Ces a Pancham plush and a Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver, our baby boy some Hot Wheels toys and a Baymax plush, my mom a frying pan, my dad a headphone, and my big sis Elise a Blu-Ray Combo Pack of Disney's Frozen. Yes, I know. We watched it.

Anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Doctor Who 2014 Christmas Special



The Doctor meets Santa Claus in the 2014 Christmas Special of BBC's Doctor Who titled Last Christmas. In the special, The Doctor and Clara met up with some strangers at the North Pole only to found out that they're stuck in a deadly dream only figuring a way out from a nightmare that kills them all. Celeb Nick Frost guested on the special as Santa Claus and this whole special brings the "believing in Santa" concept to a whole new meaning. Upon witnessing those mysterious creatures that cause them bad dreams in action, this whole Christmas special turned into something reminiscent of a movie called Alien.

What's weird in this special is one of the elves is played by actor Dan Starkey, the same man who did Strax the Sontaran Nurse in this series. Looks like the potato head showed off as an elf for all the wrong reasons. He he he...

As for the near end of the special, as everyone is awake and free from the dream crab's stranglehold, we witness how Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, looked like when she's old. Don't worry though. Old Clara's just a dream. The Doctor finally made it in the right timeline, saved the real Clara, and the story ends. IT'S A LONG STORY. (Yes, Really. It Is)

For now, Doctor Who returns late 2015 for their ninth season and you guys deserved a well-deserved rest.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

REMEMBERING 2014 (Part Two)


Welcome back. Let's continue where we left off...

Flight MH370 is missing

Since March of this year, a Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, once schedule to arrive from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, went missing along with over 239 passengers in it.

The trouble with Ukraine

In February of this year, the nation of Ukraine is starting to face its worst. Viktor Yanukovych, who was once the president of Ukraine, vanished from his presence while many people are searching for his whereabouts. With Yanukovych's disappearance comes another trouble as the Russian government annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. With the annexation of Crimea comes a conflict between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian rebels. The world leaders accused Russia for supporting the separatists and issuing stringent sanctions against Russia.

Cadet Cudia

Aldrin Jeff Cudia, the Philippine Military Academy cadet who would have been graduated this year, faced the biggest mistake of his life. Reports told that he violated the Honor Code for being 2 minutes late for class and lying, and he's on the risk of being dismissed by the PMA.

Top Gear meets Phineas and Ferb

In honor of Platypus Day, the hosts of Top Gear made a special appearance in a Phineas and Ferb episode called "Live and Let Drive" where Perry, as Agent P, tries to stop Doof from stopping a famed Grand Prix. Just before that, one of the hosts, that is Richard Hammond, got interviewed by Phineas and Ferb on the "Take Two with Phineas and Ferb" short.

2014 Geneva Motor Show

Cars like the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4, the new Audi TT, the new McLaren 650S, the Koenigsegg One:1 (the world's first megacar), and more were debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.



Jjak contestant committed suicide

The SBS reality matchmaking show, Jjak, is in deep trouble because one of the contestants, a female one, committed suicide during a week-long production shoot at a guesthouse somewhere in Jeju Island. She found herself hanging with a hair dryer cord and left a suicide note stating she didn't want to live anymore.

Need For Speed Movie



One of the best-selling EA franchises in history, the Need For Speed franchise, has spawned a movie version like any other video game franchises in the world rarely spawn theatrical films for numerous reasons.

Although the film has nothing to do with all the Need For Speed video games from the past to present, it's worth enjoyable to watch because in this movie, Aaron Paul, familiar by many as Jesse Pinkman from the concluded Breaking Bad TV series, is the perfect actor to play the role in the movie. Aaron Paul played the role of Tobey Marshall, a man who runs a family business, an auto shop to be precise, and street races with his pals on his free time until tragedy struck to him. He was framed for the crime who didn't commit and two years later...he was freed from prison and plans revenge against whoever framed him. He takes on the "De Leon" race, similar from The Run from 2011's NFS The Run video game, which is a cross-country high-stakes street race that spans across the United States. Armed with the highly-customized Ford Mustang to the teeth, Toeby will risk everything to take down anyone who stands in his way and win the De Leon race to save his family business.

2014's a (so-called) great year for Pacman



Yes. I know. The year 2014 really is a (so-called) great year for the People's Champ, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao as he won the rematch against Timothy Bradley since April. Seven months later, he won against Chris Algieri in Macau. Fighting with his last breath, huh? That Pacman won't quit.

WrestleMania XXX

One of the most shocking moments in the history of WWE, the WrestleMania XXX sees an unexpecting appearance of Brock Lesnar as he puts The Undertaker's undefeated record to a devastating end thanks to Brock's signature F5 attack that countered The Undertaker's Tombstone attack. Undertaker's humiliating loss in WrestleMania XXX is probably known as one of the most humiliating moments in WWE history.

Sewol Tragedy

One of the worst maritime disasters in South Korea history, the MV Sewol that carries 476 people - mostly students taking on a field trip - was on its way from Incheon to Jeju Island, had been capsized. According to reports, over 304 people died, almost 250 of it were students. Lee Joon-Seok, the captain of this ship, was sentenced to 36 years in prison.

MH17 down

Moments after the Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 disappeared and never to be seen again, another Malaysian Airlines flight banished from radar and this time it's the Flight MH17. A SAM from the alleged Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine shot down that mentioned flight since July 17, 2014, killing all 298 passengers including two infants, on board.

Anyway, that's enough for now. See you in Part Three.

What to watch on the 2014 MMFF?


Every Christmas Day in the Philippines, there's an annual film festival going on where all cinemas across the Philippines are allowed to showed all of the official entries from the festival we all know as the Metro Manila Film Festival. For 2014, we'd expect returns from our favorite movies while a few are new to us. So, what to watch?

Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo - This powerful biopic uncovers the untold story of Andres Bonifacio, a man who was born to lead the Philippines as the nation's first president during the era of the Spaniards' colonization. It stars Robin Padilla, Vina Morales, and Daniel Padilla.

English Only, Please - A romantic movie stars Derek Ramsay as a Fil-Am man who hires a translator, played by Jennylyn Mercado, to translate the letter he wrote for the woman who broke his heart.

The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin - The sequel to the first film sees Vice Ganda reprising his role as Praybeyt Benjamin. He once saved his nation from a renegade army but for this sequel, he's on a mission to protect a child prodigy, whose intelligence has been targeted by terrorists. It also stars Richard Yap and Tom Rodriguez.

Feng Shui 2 - Sequel to the 2004 horror movie that starred Kris Aquino, this new chapter stars Coco Martin as a young man who possesses an ancient mirror that caused him grievances.

Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2 - Sequel to Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles. Dingdong Dantes reprises his role as Makoy who is now caught on the conflict between different aswang families and a deadly conspiracy.

Magnum Muslim .357 - loosely a rebirth of the FPJ classic, George Estregan stars as a Muslim cop who battles his way against a criminal syndicate who abducted the Muslim princess, played by Sam Pinto.

My Big Bossing - sequel to last year's My Little Bossings, this movie brings back Vic Sotto, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Marian Rivera, Bimby Aquino, and many others. Three hilarious misadventures have been occurred in this sequel.

Shake Rattle, and Roll XV - the legendary horror anthology is back and for its 15th installment, it features a snake creature at the mall, a family of monsters, and a tiyanak hijacking a plane. Scary but fun.

The 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival runs now until the first week of January 2015 so if you're on a Christmas break, why not spend some time going to the theaters to watch one of the eight official entries to this year's film fest?

SPE to resume releasing "The Interview"



Good news! Looks like Sony Pictures will be releasing THE INTERVIEW after all but only at selected US theaters for Christmas Day. A statement from Sony Pictures said that they're never given up on releasing this upcoming film that stars comedians Seth Rogen and James Franco as journalists summoned by the CIA to fly through North Korea to bring down their leader. They also said that they're continuing their efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so this film reaches the largest possible audience.

Looks like SPE doesn't want to end like this after North Korea allegedly hacked their websites and threatened to attempt terrorism against those who filmed that movie. They really had the strength to show this at very limited cinemas for Christmas in the US soil.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer Photo: Associated Press

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

REMEMBERING 2014 (Part One)


The year 2014 is almost at an end and we had so many memories faced this year. The good, the better, the best, the bad, the worst, whatever happened so far this year has been one heck of a rollercoaster ride for us and thank goodness, we're going on strong during the test of times. Just before it's New Year's Eve, time to wrap up this year with my serial yearender and I'll be randoming out what just happened this 2014 but let's make it short because I don't want my yearender to be a snoozefest so, let's begin.

Sherlock Lives! - BBC's Sherlock returned for season three since New Year's Day, January 1st, and the third season finally answered how Sherlock Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, cheated his death at the end of the second season, but that's just the start because after revelations about his fake death, Holmes and Dr. John Watson (played by Martin Freeman) teamed up once again as they race against time to stop a bomb before blowing up the British Parliament, saving John Watson's wedding by no means necessary, figuring out who is Magnussen in His Last Vow, and the end of the third season sees the return of a familiar face. Who could that be? Some say, like Sherlock, he just don't fear death.

The Polar Vortex - The East Coast of the United States of America faced one of the worst winter storms in history this year.

2014 NAIAS - Despite Detroit being a town declared bankrupt last 2013, that doesn't stop the NAIAS organizers from running the 2014 car show. On that event, they've unveiled new cars like the new BMW M3 and M4, new Cadillac ATS Coupe, new Corvette C7 Z06, new Chrysler 200, new Ford F-150, new Ford Mustang, and so much more.

The General Motors faulty ignition scandal - One of the most scandalous events occurred in the motoring world just before the Takata airbag crisis is American automotive giant General Motors when they've recalled over 780,000 vehicles worldwide due to faulty ignition switches.

41st Annie Awards - Cartoon Network's hit TV series Adventure Time named as the best animated TV/broadcast production for Children's Audience. Disney Junior's Sofia The First is named as the Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children, beating the likes of Doc McStuffins, and two preschool shows from Nickelodeon's Nick Jr such as Peter Rabbit and Bubble Guppies.

SUPER BOWL XLVIII - The Seattle Seahawks won their first Super Bowl title against the formidable Denver Broncos.

Mudslide in Oso, WA - On the 22nd of March, a mudslide on a town near Oso, Washington, killed 43 people.

R.I.P. Roger Lloyd Pack - Veteran British actor Roger Lloyd-Pack died at the age of 69 from pancreatic cancer.

I Didn't Do It! - Former Kickin It actress Olivia Holt starred in the latest Disney Channel TV series called I Didn't Do It! It's about five friends getting involved into countless shenanigans one after another.

Good Bye Charlie - Good Luck Charlie, the Disney Channel TV series that starred Bridgit Mendler as Teddy Duncan, ended their four-season run.



Vhong Navarro vs. Deniece Cornejo, Cedric Lee, and others - this is one of the worst moments happened to "It's Showtime" presenter Vhong Navarro as he got tied, blindfolded, and beaten up by six unknown men at a condo at The Fort, Taguig City, since January 22. He believes that this is the work of Deniece Cornejo as well as businessman Cedric Lee and his ally Zimmer Raz. What's worse, this Showtime presenter got slammed by two more rape complaints, one of which was filed by Roxanne Cabanero.

The Legal Wife - One of the most intriguing dramas aired on ABS-CBN since the first quarter of 2014, The Legal Wife stars Angel Locsin as Monica, Maja Salvador as Nicole, and Jericho Rosales as Adrian. The Monica-Nicole rivalry is what kept this TV show burned with plot twists that sets the viewers' minds on fire and an ending worth questioning.

 

The Corvette Museum Sinkhole - A terrifying sinkhole occurred inside the famed Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA, swallowing eight Corvettes including those loaned from General Motors. No one is hurt from that car-tastrophe.

Six Nations 2014 - After five grueling rounds in the RBS Six Nations 2014, there is only one team that shook the world since Round 1, the team that performed an impressive show in the face of the fans, the team that stood up and be counted all the way to the very. So, who won the 2014 Six Nations? It's the IRFU from Ireland. The Irish rugby team declared the victor.

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics - The 2014 Winter Olympics held at Sochi, Russia from February 7 to February 23, 2014. In the end of the Winter Olympics, Russia scored a grand total of 33 medals (13 gold, 11 silver, 9 bronze) while USA garnered 28 medals (9 gold, 7 silver, 12 bronze) and Norway got 26 medals (11 gold, 5 silver, 10 bronze). The hosting nation, Russia, became the overall winning nation of the 2014 Winter Olympics. The end of Sochi 2014 marks the countdown of the next Winter Games as the Russians passed the torch to the hosting nation for the next 2018 Winter Olympics; South Korea.

More to come on Part Two!

CHRISTMAS 2014: Enjoying the final day of the Simbang Gabi


As you may now, the Simbang Gabi for 2014 has come to an end and oh, have you guys completed the whole nine days of Simbang Gabi masses? For me, I've completed them all. I managed to survive through all nine days of Simbang Gabi masses flawlessly but some of you didn't cut the mustard to complete all nine days due to some reasons but there's always next year, right?


From where I am standing, at Seattle's St. Edward's Parish, just a mile away from our home in Graham Street, Seattle, the last day of the Simbang Gabi took place and every year, Seattle's Archbishop Peter Sartain visited this church just to offer some words of wisdom to those attendees, and then some attendees and sponsors are offering him "gifts" at the near-end of the mass. It's been an honor to meet up with one of Northwest's high-profile and religious persons again.

Anyway, enough said. I think this is enough to talk much about what I did on the last day but more importantly is, I've completed all nine days of Simbang Gabi this year. Despite finishing the nine days of Simbang Gabi, looks like I'll be visiting this church again for the annual Christmas Eve mass but we decided to go for the one that held at 2200 hours Pacific Time. That's 10:00PM for the commoners. That gives my mom plenty of time to prepare our noche buena and after we arrived home for the mass, it's time to eat and when the clock strikes twelve, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Woo-hoo! I'm so excited to open my presents!

See you next time and when I got my presents, I'll post my unwrapping article about what presents I got for this year's Christmas.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Lexus RCF

2015 Lexus RC F

Like any other European sports cars, the new Lexus RC F combines the best of both worlds; being a standing ovation to any crowd on the streets and a track-day car on the weekends. Upon my observation on this high-performance version of the recently-released RC Coupe, I think that Lexus tries to create their own take against the BMW M4 but is it worth the use?

2015 Lexus RC F

First, let's take a look under the bonnet and the RC F comes with the same 5.0L V8 engine derived from the decommissioned IS F but now it's been updated so it produces 477PS of power and 530Nm of torque. That's a lot more than what the M4 has and unlike the M4 which has a 7-speed double-clutch nonsense, it has an 8-speed automatic gearbox which works just as fine as your usual automatic gearbox. However, the new RC F is almost two hundred kilos heavier than the M4 so when you pit these two on the drag race, looks like the M4 is winning. So much for bragging, eh? But what about on the track?

Like the old IS F, the RC F is really out of character for a Lexus because most Lexuses were made for those who are having a cup of tea in a fancy country club or being a professor of history at a certain university or something something but with Lexus' image changing into something radical since the latest Lexus IS, the gentlemen's club has been transformed into Alien Vs. Predator in a kind of way.

I wasn't got interested on the normal RC, especially the one with the hybrid model because it's a stark contrast to its sporty image. It was like you were rushing at the Dr. Pepper machine, only to found out that it was a mirage...and an RC Cola machine. In the RC F, it maybe a toughened-up version built to race on any track but it still feels...like an RC Cola machine. I know this car has more power than the M4 but its bulk really betrays me like my fandoms messed up by hostile search queries. It really lets me down, no matter what.

When it enters the real world with real traffic, the RC F is not so bad to drive on the local motorway and if anyone sees one approaching, they'll wind up their smartphones and blow a barrage of hashtags about what they saw because such styling really appeals. However, for a car like this, the RC F is a constable magnet and if you're making any turn on the motorway, an approaching constable will stop you and grab your license for some reasons. Looks like you're going to be creative to make the constables go deadma over this machine unnoticed.

2015 Lexus RC F interior

Unlike the M4, the RC F comes with a rather unique interior that feels like I've been on the now-legendary LFA supercar. The sports seats made for this car may not match the M4's but sitting here feels like I've bee cushioned to the seat of my favorite arcade racing game.

Since the RC F is a super saloon with two doors, there are four seats that can accommodate up to four people but on the downside, the passengers at the back will feel the cramped space due to its sloping roofline as well as its legroom which is as tight as getting sandwiched by two fat people at the MRT.

2015 Lexus RC F

At the end of the day, the Lexus RC F tries to rethink its ways about why this car is still lagging behind its German opposition but this car feels humbled and despite its downsides, this car tries to make a living as a sportscar that looks great and fun to drive but it's an expensive car to own because prices start at 9,530,000 Japanese Yen. Summing up this car is hard because, let's be honest, I wouldn't mind getting one in my dream garage and if I want a Japanese car that is a lot more enjoyable to drive, I'd go for the Nissan GT-R NISMO instead.

Available Colors: White Nova Glass Flake, Mercury Grey Mica, Sonic Silver, Black, Radiant Red Contrast Layering, Lava Orange Crystal Shine, and Heat Blue Contrast Layering.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation