Let's Do The News! - Valentines Day! (February 14, 2013)

JM: Now let's do the news and as the prologue to the Chevrolet SS via the new Holden VF Commodore heats up, the prologue continues with this, it's the Holden VF Commodore SSV Concept...

Holden VF Commodore SSV Concept

...again, this is a preview for the upcoming Chevrolet SS/Holden VF Commodore/Vauxhall VXR8 but the SSV version features some sporty credentials that made the next Commodore look good right until the point that will come to America soon as the Chevrolet SS, the car Americans called it the successor to the axed Pontiac G8, which was made in Australia. While we have no details about the specs of the next Commodore, guess we just have to wait this month to further delve deep to the VF's underbelly. Stay tuned.

Happy Valentines Day!

JC: Anyway, guess we've been surrounded by some Valentine's Day gifts, although when we say gifts, we do call it a landfall. Feels like it's HOARDING: BURIED ALIVE if you know what I mean...

(audience laughing)

RH: Right, let's look at what the guys giving them to the girls for Valentines. Oh!

JC: What's that?

RH: Some chocolates. Mostly a well preferred Valentine's Day gift to the girls. All too common but for us, it's too rubbish, let's look at something else.

JM: Uhh...how about this? I guess this is much more of a perfect Valentines Day gift to someone else's dates.

JC: Hey buddy. That's a Porsche Design handbag. Imagine if the ladies holding this Porsche handbag, they're going to hold it in the wrong direction, just like the 911 where the engine is on its buttocks.

(audience laughing)

JM: Ooh, look at me! I'm holding a 911 handbag on the wrong way!

(audience laughing)

RH: Guys, would you mind stop mocking around with this Porsche Design handbag? We're on to some Valentine's Day Gift Guide you know, not some mumbo jumbo stupidity we're doing all the time.

JC: Okay, okay, enough about that. Let's have a look....All right! Now this is a good one! It's an Adipose stuff toy!

RH: Oh God...

(audience laughing)

JC: It's a stuff toy for those who are having a big fat Valentines and...

JM: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Are you trying to make them feel uncomfortable. I mean hey, someone out there knows Doctor Who and when you're going to gift him or her an Adipose stuff toys, they might think that your Valentine's gift to him or her is fat. More importantly, the fat that walks away...

(audience laughing)

JC: Well yeah, I know. They're just aliens made of human fat as you seen on Doctor Who but this stuff toy is just so cute. The only stuff that I think is much cuter than a swarm of Adipose babies is Harukasan from Puchimas.

JM: Harukasan?

RH: Oh my gosh...

(audience laughing)







JM: You mean Harukasan from Puchimas, the super-deformed equivalent of Haruka Amami from the IDOLM@STER franchise?

JC: Yes, exactly. And I mean, when you look at Harukasan's, this is a million times more cuter than a swarm of...Adiposes.

JM: Yeah, right. More cuter than a bunch of Adipose and aren't you forgetting something?

JC: What?

JM: Haruka-san multiplies herself when she's doused by water. Even the rain would turn a single Harukasan into a swarm of Harukasans...and the numbers keeps on growing when it's wet!

RH: Yeah! Wait, what? Harukasan multiplies herself when she's splashed with something water?

JM: Uh-huh...

JC: Something tells me....When it's raining outside and if Harukasan's outside...Uh-oh...

JM: Yeah. It's an uh-oh. Here goes a swarm of Harukasans!

JC: NOOOO!!!!!



One hour later...

JC: Anyway, good thing they didn't bother our Valentines Day gifts. Gosh, how does a Harukasan being so much trouble in big numbers, anyway?

JM: Uh hey! Look! This is just another one of those Valentines Day gifts that is just perfect for the ladies and this one's from Ferrari! It's a Ferrari gold bracelet! I mean look at this!

RH: Yeah. This ain't bad. If I see a stranger coming to our neighborhood, driving a Ferrari, I would probably attack him for sure...

(audience laughing)

JC: Wha....?

RH: You see, Ferraris kinda like the Speedo of the car world and as the line says that if a stranger comes to his neighborhood wearing a speedo, he would probably attack him for sure...

(audience laughing)

JC: What if someone who drives a Ferrari wearing speedo?

RH: Well, I would beat him to death that's for sure....

(audience laughing)

JC: Very well then. If you are a Ferrari driver who wears a Speedo, look out because this guy's gonna beat you to death. Watch out!

(audience laughing)

JC: Speaking of which, there's a gift waiting for you, shorty.

RH: Really, where's it from?

JC: It's from a fan and it says "Happy Valentine's Day". That's it...

(ooohh)

RH: Wow, someone must have kind enough to send me a Valentine gift....

JM: Why don't you open it up and see what's inside..

(opening gift)

RH: Hmph....

JC: What is it?

RH: That's a...that's a ARTFX PVC figure of...Asuka Kazama from Tekken Tag Tournament 2....

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, you like it?

RH: Hmmmm....Thanks but I got this...I have pre-ordered Lili, which she'll come this April...

JM: Oh...Guess Hammo's showing too much interest over the fighting ojousama of the Tekken series...

(audience laughing)

JC: But...um...ugh...oh...come on! At least you'll going to like it...And um..here's a gift for the slowest man in the world...

JM: Thanks um....what's that?

JC: A Souffle Girl T-shirt. Hope you'll might be interested with...

(audience laughing)

JM: Thanks and oh...here's a little Valentines Day gift for all your trouble!

JC: Weeee!!!!! What is it? What is it? What is it? (paused)

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(audience laughing)

Why are you giving me this? A music CD from the Tweenies?

JM: That's for giving me a Souffle Girl shirt you loonie...

(audience laughing)

RH: Anyway, that's it for that and have a look at this, this is the second of the Aston Martin Centenary models and this time it's the turn of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage SP10

JM: Yes, indeed. This is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage SP10 and this is the first time we've expected a proper supercar made by Aston Martin because it's been mated with a 6-speed manual transmission, something that supercars hardly use it these days.

RH: Indeed and everything about the SP10 is all black inside and out, meaning that this is the best looking V8 Vantage, yet.

JM: Yeah but, there's a problem. Even though it's available in coupe and convertible variants, the SP10 is available exclusively in European left-hand drive markets, meaning IT'S NOT AVAILABLE IN THE UK WHATSOEVER.

(audience laughing)

Forza Horizon: The Sleeping S30Z

As I know, the Nissan Fairlady Z S30 set the benchmark in the long fiery bloodline of Nissan sportscars like the Skyline GT-R Hakosuka and it was notably one of the finest classic tuners of the 70's because most "speedo boys" spent their time and resources tweaking the classic S30Z into something more of a Japanese hotrod or something that is made for the street cred, well, I'm not interested about street cred but I think this is how troublemaking are you. Even since Wangan Midnight first published, this S30 garnered a whole new bunch of fans because it was named The Devil Z, driven by Akio Asakura.

As for I, however, I think you can do better than that on the Fairlady S30Z, especially when its taking a fun run on Horizon...

Wait a minute, that's the...

What I have here is the Nissan Fairlady Z S30, which now I made it into the fictitious 600 Coupe-S from a video game called Sleeping Dogs. If you don't know that, it's a video game which is more like "Grand Theft Auto" meets "Yakuza", except you are a undercover cop delving deeper to the secrets of the Triads, leading him to the most dangerous mission in Hong Kong. I love this game, I love its DLC, and I love the way this game offers despite the fact that this is more of an Asian GTA because it's set in Hong Kong.

Because the 600 Coupe-S is a Class C machine, I decided to tweak my S30Z Fairlady to its Class C credentials after lashing out with some paint detail that replicates the 600 Coupe-S' exterior. What you're looking at, ladies and gentlemen, is the future! The future where fiction meets fact. Heh, I once did this to my 2012 Nissan GT-R Black Edition when I was planning to recreate the Supercharged Police Cruiser, which again it was on Sleeping Dogs. It took me several minutes to make the Traditional Chinese word for Police. Well, long story short...

You thought that we're in Hong Kong but no! This is Horizon! This is Colorado! I've done it! I'm driving a vintage 60's classic Japanese sports car recreated into a fictitious machine that some say that old-school looks never go out of style! This classic car never gets old when it looks good!

Where was I just now?

Let's Do The News! (February 13, 2013)

JM: Okay, let's do the news and hey, has anyone been busy last Sunday?

(audience murmuring)

JM: Anyway, because back in Sunday, there was THE IDOLM@STER Music Festiv@l of Winter going around and on that concert, they've announced that there's going to be an iM@S movie in the works.

(huh?)

JC: Wait a minute? The IDOLM@STER franchise gets its own movie?

RH: Seriously?

JM: Yes. Maybe you guys didn't went to the concert and instead went through the Wonder Festival for some figure previews.

(audience laughing)

JM: Anyway, no further information about that but anyway, it's good to hear that there's going to be an IM@S movie featuring an all new story for the 765Pro idols from Aniplex's A1 pictures staff.



JC: Yeah. Looking forward for it.

JM: Indeed and since you guys are in the Wonder Festival, anything else you want to talk about it?

JC: Okay, while on the Wonder Festival, we saw upcoming figures from To Aru Kagaku no Railgun, Haganai, Vividred Operation, Little Busters, D.C. III, Date A Live, P3, Bakemonogatari, Infinite Stratos, Psycho-Pass, Fire Emblem, Cobra, Nanoha...oh there's also a Bruce Lee figma coming soon as well as the zombie from Dawn of the Dead.

RH: My thoughts exactly! Wait, what? Dawn of the Dead? Bruce Lee?

JC: Yeah. Kinda weird to have a Bruce Lee figma or a figma of a zombie from Dawn of the Dead but who cares about it?

(audience laughing)

JM: I don't know but aren't you forgetting something?

JC: What?

JM: You'd never know that GSC green-lits Idolm@ster figmas!

(audience laughing)

JC: Huh?

JM: You'd never see the announcement at the Good Smile Company booth, eh? Well, you get the idea but you missed it. Good Smile Company has yet to announce which of the 765Pro idol gets the figma treatment but it should be very very soon.

JC: Anyway, the Australian carmaker, Holden, revealed their new generation Commodore model, that is soon to be on the USA as the Chevrolet SS and pretty soon, this could be the next Vauxhall VXR8 or something. Here it is...

2014 Holden VF Commodore

... I think this is the best looking but it seems to be more of a businessman estate rather than being a four-door muscle.

RH: Yeah, right, and if there was an HSV version, coming soon, this would look perfect and above all else, could be our next VXR8. Speaking of which, it kinda looks like a new Chevy Impala, even more macho macho man that hums to the song of Macho Man.

JC: More like a macho man in a businessman's attire who lifts weights and his briefcase loaded with paperwork, pens, and something geeky....

(audience laughing)

RH: Anyway, there's a new Alfa Romeo sportscar coming up and it's called the 4C, and take note, it's the final-production model coming soon in Geneva next month...

2014 Alfa Romeo 4C

...I think this is the most stunning-looking Alfa Romeo sportscar ever made and the engine that powers it was the 1750TB engine found on the Giulietta. Dual clutch transmission was equipped on the 4C as well.

JC: This is much more sexier than some idiot wearing a speedo. Guess this isn't so bad after but if I see one wearing a speedo, I would probably attack him right now...

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, there's a new AMG model coming up and this is the first ever AMG hatchback based on the new A-Class. It's called the A45 AMG, here it is, look...

2014 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

...this is somewhat the hotter version of the A-Class, comes with the new AMG-developed 2.0L turbo engine that develops 360HP of power, mated with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, and comes with 4MATIC as applied on the E63 AMG S-Model and CLS63 AMG S-Model. This means, this is AMG's pocket rocket that can take you places.

JM: Hmmm....Kinda skeptical for an AMG hot hatch and I think this looks better than the BMW M135i hatchback. And more power as well.

RH: Hey...You're often missing the point despite the new model has more power than the M135i.

JC: What?

RH: A45's AWD while M135i is rear-wheel drive, so I think this M135i is more tail-happy than this utter rubbish A45 hot hatch.

JC: You wanna bet?

RH: You're on. Once the A45's there, let's have a challenge!

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, did anyone heard about the North Korean nuclear test?

(audience murmuring)

JC: Anyone? Okay. Seems that North Korea is getting meaner and meaner all the time and seems that this latest nuke test occurred is the most powerful since the previous two tests. So powerful, seems that the United Nations are taking actions against it.

JM: I see, do you think it's because the whole world thinks the North Korea or should they say the "naughty" Korea is acting revenge against its countries because they called it rubbish or more commie than China or Russia?

(audience laughing)

JC: No. Seems that NoKor's getting meaner and meaner every year and oh! Darn it! Someone must have turned right. If someone could have turned left, maybe this test couldn't occurred and it did happened. Someone turned right and...

RH: Oh jeez....Would you cut it out with those wibbly wobbly nonsense?

(audience laughing)

JC: Sorry about that and hey! Seems that the whole Jimmy Savile sex offense case still lingers on. Last month, the BBC issued an apology when Cbeebies aired an encore presentation of the Tweenies, where one character, Max, dressed as that Jimmy Paedo Savile jerk and caused outrage among parents. Now, I just heard that the BBC and the Jimmy Savile Estate were sued by those who are victims of the said sex offender, who is Jimmy Savile.

RH: Uh-oh....When they said BBC, we do mean us, but not just us but others from the BBC...

(Audience laughing)

JM: Do you think there's a disgrunted viewer thinking that the BBC "killed everything they've loved?"

(audience laughing)

JC: BBC? Killing everything you've loved? What's that?

JM: Well, recently, BBC Two decided to cancel a newsroom drama titled The Hour.

The Hour

JC: The Hour? Isn't the one with Dominic West and Ben Whishaw on it? The drama that was more of a British take on Mad Men? Uh-oh...

(uh-oh)

JC: Maybe the disgrunted BBC fan was right! "Killing everything they've loved" Last year, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, who were Amy and Rory, left Doctor Who and to be replaced by Jenna Louise Coleman, who is the souffle girl Clara Oswald, then Merlin, the one with Colin Morgan on it, concluded after a five-season run, then Miranda, which stars comedian Miranda Hart and the handsome Tom Ellis, now this?! The Hour?! No way....That is bad...

(audience laughing)

RH: Yeah, that is well bad! Take the shame, man...

JC: You know what I'm gonna do?

RH: What?



(audience laughing)

RH: Oh geez....This idiot's gonna hide himself at the sand and wait for a few weeks until his laugh box is broken...Very clever....Guess this is a bombshell that we can end this segment...

(audience laughing)

JM: Yeah, pretty soon when he got out...

I broke my laugh box.

Gone Camping...

The US version of Top Gear sees the boys gone camping in their motorhomes based on their cheap cars. Tanner opted for a Porsche with a rocket-shaped shelter at the top, Adam opted for a Buick that was turned from a muscle car into a motorhome muscle, and Rut goes for the 5-door Honda Civic hatchback.

They've crossed North Carolina to show which of these three custom RVs is the best. Tanner dominated two challenges involve speed, Adam's Buick RV is weatherproof, and Rutledge attracted most visitors with his RV.

The final challenge pits three against three motorhomes driven by NASCAR racers. In the end, Rut wins. Tanner's almost had it!

Buick Encore

The Buick Enclave has been the only crossover utility vehicle offered by Buick as of now but despite having around for a few years, it's still one of the most hospitable crossovers made by Buick. I wonder what if someone wants a Buick crossover but can't afford the Enclave? Well, it looks like Buick came up with a cheaper model that slots behind the Enclave and positioned to be a desperate rival to the likes of the BMW X1, Audi Q5, and the Acura RDX. It's called the Encore and with the starting price of just 24,200 US Dollars, it seems that this is much cheaper than those luxury import crossovers from Europe and Japan. Apart from its pricing, the Encore does score with some European flair because the design is purely European and hey...did I just talk about that a few months ago?

2013 Buick Encore

Now if I can remember correctly, the Buick Encore was sold in the European market as the Opel Mokka. That's right, it's just another of the Opels turned Buick since the Opel Insignia, which became the Buick Regal in the North America and Chinese market but there's some issues here and because of my stress, I'll shorten the situation okay? Here... Encore first launched, Mokka later. Then, Mokka went sale now, Encore later. In translation, the Encore was premiered at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit while the Opel Mokka showed up at last year's Geneva Auto Show. However, the Opel Mokka went on sale on the European market, just few months before this moment where the Encore is available for the North American and Chinese market. Hey, since it's the year 2013, it's the Encore's time to shine like some kind of pirate living at Encino, California, if you know what I mean?

I once checked it out in last year's Seattle Auto Show and it seems because someone's so generous, they even let us getting inside the Encore's interior to see how lovely is the interior of the Encore's. Need to remind you that the Encore I saw on last year's show was just a pre-production mule, not the finished product because it's not yet available until early 2013. But now it's early 2013 so the Encore is now available for the general public. However, before you jump into conclusions, here are a couple of drawbacks...

First of all, the Encore's cargo volume is too small for a small SUVs of this magnitude. With the cargo volume of just 18.8 cubic feet, the Encore is not quite a fitting compared to others. Also, the 1.4 ECOTEC engine with Variable Valve Timing has a power to weight ratio of 23lb/hp, making it too much for a small SUV of this attitude. Lastly, the front legroom of the Encore is 40.8 inches, meaning that sometimes, there's not enough room to stretch my legs at the front.

Despite the downturn, there are some ups for the Buick Encore. Despite having a not-so-good power-to-weight ratio, the Encore has a best-in-class fuel economy of 33MPG highway and this is covered by a basic 48months/50,000 mile warranty. Not bad for the Encore though...

2013 Buick Encore interior

The things that made the Encore right such as its striking European design, best in class fuel economy and the comprehensive warranty were balanced out by the things that made the Encore wrong such as bad power-to-weight ratio, bad legroom at the front, tiny cargo boot, and the fact that it was made in Bupyeong, which I think its in South Korea. The Encore may or may not be a good Buick crossover but I will say this. I want to have one more than I can handle my breath away and thanks to its status of being a world-class crossover, the Encore sure knows how to sort out against its rivals.

Available Colors: Quicksilver Metallic, Deep Espresso Bronze Metallic, Ruby Red Metallic, Glacier Blue Metallic, Brilliant Blue Metallic, Cocoa Silver Metallic, White Pearl Tricoat. Satin Steel Gray Metallic, and Carbon Black Metallic.

Photo: General Motors

Forza 4: 2010 Jaguar XFR

JAAAAAG XFR

The XF is the replacement of the Jaguar S-Type and the most powerful version of the range is the XFR, which was premiered at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

It comes with the new 5.0L supercharged V8 engine developed by Jaguar themselves so it develops 503HP of power and 460.7ft-lb of torque. 0-60mph takes about 4.9 seconds and that makes it on par against other middle-class sedans.

The XFR comes with the "Dynamic Mode" that when it's set at the push of the button, the acceleration response becomes sharper, the exhaust note's more accented, and stability controls are cut off, allowing it for more "dynamic" driving feel.

Jeremy Clarkson reviewed this on Top Gear Season 13 and when handed to The Stig, it set a lap time of 1:26.7 round the Top Gear Test Track, slower than its BMW E60 M5 rival it compares.

Goin Bulilit 8th Anniversary!

The February 10, 2013 episode of Goin Bulilit was a special one because not only our present Goin Bulilit kids meet up with the alums such as Kathryn Bernardo, Igi Boy, Miles, Julia Montes, Ella Cruz, Kiray, Nash Aguas, Sharlene San Pedro, and the other former Bulilits.

It starts with Kathryn doing the Myx Myx Myx segment, a GB classic, with the musical numbers from former and present Bulilits. Later, there was some birthday gags in store for them. Then, the corniest jokes on I'M CORNY.

While we kinda miss a GB classic called SIGAW FAMILY, GB showcased it for the first time in a sketch called SIGAW FAMILY The Next Generation. Just as I thought that yelling is more fun in GB.

On this week's Cute & A, Mrs. Cynthia Villar speaks out, answering questions straight from the Bulilits themselves.

And it all ends with Ready Get Set Goin in Who's The Buhos?

Happy 8th Anniversary, GB!