Let's Do The News! (May 24, 2013)

River's Diary

Right, what's the news today you spoiler-laden TARDIS journal?

A bridge in the Northwest USA collapsed...

Earlier, a bridge carrying a freeway over a river in the Northwestern US state of Washington partially collapsed, sending cars and people plunging into the water below. So far, at least three people got submerged but there was no sign of serious injuries or fatalities at that incident. Some say, it was caused by an overloading truck hitting a bridge span.

This bridge was built in 1955 and it's about 60 miles north of Seattle. The I-5 freeway runs up the West Coast, north from the collapsed bridge to the Canadian border towards Vancouver.

Story: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/62503/cars-people-in-water-as-us-bridge-collapses

Dan Brown's Inferno book points Manila as "gates of hell"

Once again, the Philippines gets another "offensive" remarks from foreigners and the latest was an excerpt from the book INFERNO, written by Dan Brown who was behind the phenomenal Da Vinci Code. It once mentioned Manila as "gates of hell" because of six-hour traffic jams, suffocating pollution, and a horrifying sex trade....Really? Anyway, this is just a long long list offensive remarks from foreigners about the Philippines. Like Chip Tsao's 2009 article which mentioned the Philippines as a nation of servants, Howard Stern's alleged remark in 1992 tells the Philippines as a nation where fathers sell their daughters for sex, an 2009 episode of Desperate Housewives where Susan Mayer makes sure that her doctor doesn't have a diploma from some med school in the Philippines, and Claire Dane's remark that Manila is a ghastly and weird city.

Such remarked caught attention from MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino and he wrote a letter to Dan Brown to stop by to the Philippines and find out...

Ford to close Australian factories in 2016

Over 9 decades had passed since Ford launched their first Aussie-made model in a form of a Model T and years later spawned Aussie-made creations such as the Falcon and the Territory. They even spawned Ford's answer to Holden's HSV called FPV as well. Now for the sad news. Come late 2016, Ford will close all Australian factories in Broad Meadows and Geelong, all because of the sluggish sales and sharp rise of the Australian dollar, sources say.

Story: http://www.indiancarsbikes.in/cars/ford-to-close-australian-factories-by-2016-70843/

Citroen C4 Picasso II

2014 Citroen C4 Picasso

Now, let's take a look at the all new, second-generation Citroen C4 Picasso, the newest version of Citroen's people carrier that is suitable for what is French for the word "soccer mom". Although, it's now lighter and more compact than the previous model it replaces, the new C4 Picasso offers a wide variety of engines to chose from such as a VTi 120, a THP 155, e-HDi 115, and an all new e-HDi 90 Airdream engine which is the first ever MPV to emit less than 100g/km of CO2 with a conventional, internal-combustion engine. When mated with an all-new 6-speed clutchless gearbox (ETG6), fuel economy for this new engine reaches 3.8 l/100 km or 26.3km/L. Starting at just 23,050 Euros, this new model is more expensive than its rival, the Renault Scenic.

In terms of design, this new model is a bit to shoddy and once again, this is just another one of the weird-looking cars to be ever come out this year that is just too "west of weird". I mean look at this front view, I mean, I'd prefer the front view of the previous model rather than this odd looking front end because it's too disturbing for a family car like this. Still, this is the French way when it comes to car designs because today's French cars are a bit "ouest de bizarre", they want everyday cars to be more weirder and untrue than other European cars look like. Anyway, while the new exterior is the least of my problems, let's take a look on the inside where things are about to get interesting...

2014 Citroen C4 Picasso

Okay, seems that new interior is getting a bit more classy than the old model though. What's so cool about the new dashboard is this 12-inch HD screen for the instrumental panel that checks out how the driver does, especially checking the current location of the driver. That's science fiction without the fiction, feels like I'm in a luxury spaceship flying around the distant galaxy.though except this isn't a spaceship but it is when you tell the kids at the back. Also, there's this addictive touch screen as expected on the 208 except this isn't the 208's or the 2008's touch screen. This is even more techie than that. Look at it, this cool touchscreen controls all the in-car functions, including the dual-zone air conditioning, navigation, audio, telephone, driving aids and connected services. Also, the new Picasso has a bigger boot for your groceries. It's now 40 liters more than the old model, at 537 liters up to 637 liters with the rear seats pushed forward.

2014 Citroen C4 Picasso

So, how about what it feels like when you use it as an everyday car? Well, for starters, the new model is built on an entirely new EMP2 platform so therefore it's 140 kg lighter than the old car, which is good but how good was it? Sadly though, it's not quite good enough on the bends and then there's the suspension because it feels as bouncy as hell. I can hardly imagine what would the kids at the back would think while getting through such situation but in the straights, it feels a bit redeeming...but how redeeming was that? It's a bit tad old-fashioned. It maybe a character-building car but as a concept, it's a bit terrible rubbish to me. This is about as rubbish as an idiot who lives in a condo and then taking a peep into someone else's TV and makes up a dialogue for his own tastes in a husky kind of way.

The judgment then is simple; it may not be well civilized in terms of handling but if you bear in mind about practicality and technology and ignore the ugly front view, it's really not too bad...unless you are a victim of a botched eye operation and you are looking for a car that is catastrophically ugly. For a wild card, find something even cheaper than the new Picasso or the new Renault Scenic. How about a Kangoo or the Partner Tepee instead? Oh well, you'd better of with Postman Pat instead of a people carrier that was built to be "west of weird" for the oncoming summer holday.

Available colors: Blanc Banquise, Bleu Teles, Bleu Kyanos, Noir Onyx, Hickory, Gris Aluminium, Gris Shark, and Rouge Rubi.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Smokey Manaloto, IHAW NA!

May 23, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment sees Tito Bhoy interviews guest celeb Smokey Manaloto! He talks about his role in LUV U, his role in Let's Go, and something else...

Meanwhile, Angelica showcases some more funny Facebook pics in ETO NA POST! Such as...

- IN CASE OF FIRE DO NOT USE ELEVATOR. USE WATER

- People sleeping in the fridge

- OPEN 24 HOURS: 11am-6pm (?)

- CCTV cameras looking at each other

- Gardeners taking haircuts

And them, Melai gives us three tips to state good reasons when your parents caught you kissing in LAUGH THREE

- Use dinner as a main reason!

- Scratching is the answer!!

- Tell mommy that you had a play at school!!!

What's in our Car Town garage today? (May 23, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1954 BMW Isetta 300

If you happen to live in the 50's, chances are that you encountered a memorable bubble car named "Isetta". This unique three-wheeler car was designed by Italians and built under licence in different countries. One of the most memorable ones is the BMW Isetta 300, the world's first mass-production 3-Litres/100km car which sold over 161,728 units worldwide since its launch in 1955.

1954 BMW Isetta 300

2002 Honda NSX Type R

First launched in late 1992, the NSX-R from Honda was a limited-edition special edition of the Honda NSX supercar which run only for a limited three year period but in the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show, a concept car highlighting a new NSX-R sportscar was featured and then in the May of 2002, the NSX-R went on sale to cater hardcore drives the desire for rush that a standard NSX can't do. This car is the first ever road-legal speedster that lapped the Nurburgring in less than 8 minutes.

2002 Honda NSX Type R

1995 Chevrolet S10

The second-generation Chevrolet S10 pickup truck is a working-class hero for the small business owners who want a very dependable and cheap midsize pickup truck that sparks a rivalry against the Ford Ranger pickup truck.  Gone is the Iron Duke 4-cylinder and the 2.8L engine and the available engine choices were either a 4.3L Vortec V6 and a 2.2L 4-cylinder petrol engine which had been introduced on several FF GM compact and mid-size pickups since 1990.

1995 Chevrolet S10

Let's Do The News! (May 22, 2013)

River's Diary

Right, what's the news today you spoiler-laden TARDIS journal?

XBOX One announcement

Announced earlier, the next generation of XBOX has revealed and the name of this new console as "XBOX One". So, what's it all about this new XBOX One console? Well, for starters, this new generation XBOX console promises even more gaming and entertainment than the previous XBOX 360 console. It says that with this new console, you don't need to switch inputs on your TV to play a game or watch a movie. All you have to do is either watch TV or movies or play games, with voice recognition. There are games you can expect on the XBOX One soon such as Forza Motorsport 5, Call of Duty Ghosts, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Quantum Break, and more to be announced in next month's E3 2013.



New Star Wars animated series to be aired on Disney XD next year

Following Disney's acquisition of LucasFilm, makers of the venerable Star Wars franchise, there's going to be a new Star Wars cartoon coming on Disney next year. Scheduled to premiere in late 2014 as a one-hour special on Disney Channel and then on regular runs on Disney XD, this new animated Star Wars series is set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope films - an era spanning two decades never before explored on-screen. Details remain scarce for now but you can expect a talented crew to work on this latest project such as screenwriter/producer Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, Sherlock Holmes, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) as executive producer, and writer of the premiere; executive producer Dave Filoni who was supervising director of the Emmy nominated Star Wars: The Clone Wars since 2008; and executive producer Greg Weisman, who brings with him a wealth of animation experience with credits such as Young Justice, The Spectacular Spider-Man and Gargoyles.

Story: http://blogs.disney.com/insider/articles/2013/05/20/new-star-wars-rebels-series-to-debut-on-disney-xd/?cmp=SYNxdstarwarsdcomhpmattsuperhero032013insiderannouncementsynergytvM

SIDE NOTE: Can't say I didn't see this one coming. Hot on the heels of Disney's announcement that it had acquired the LucasFilm firm, seems that LucasFilm has been "winding down" the Clone Wars TV series, which was aired on Cartoon Network since 2008, months after the film shown in theaters, and run for five serieses.  Seems pretty cut and dry to us.

Toyo-Bimmer sportscar concept heading for Tokyo Motor Show?!

A couple of months ago, BMW and Toyota collaborated for a four-part joint venture focusing on increasing improving vehicle efficiency using fuel cells, lightweight materials and better battery technology. Also on their agenda is a "feasibility study" for a shared platform to underpin a future midsize "sports vehicle." Motor Trend reports that we might be expecting Toyo-Bimmer sportscar concepts heading to this year's Tokyo Motor Show. We really wonder what could that be...

Story: http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2013/1305_bmw_toyota_sports_car_taking_shape/

You'll never post on FB again...

A teenager named Cameron D'Ambrosio (aged 18) lives in a small town outside Boston and he wants to be a rapper and calls himself "Cammy Dee" in his YouTube videos. Since May 1st, Cammy Dee skipped school and messing around online by posting some lyrics that included a vague reference to the Boston Marathon bombing and called the White House a "federal house of horror". He was arrested and charged with "Communicating a Terrorist Threat", which is a felony that could lead him two decades in prison if proven guilty.

Story: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130502/18364622931/ma-teen-arrested-held-without-bail-posting-supposed-terrorist-threat-facebook.shtml

SIDE NOTE: That served as a lesson to everyone who's busy putting up Facebook statuses. The words "THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK" is definitely one thing that teaches responsible social media but a moral lesson for this story is "think twice about what you post on Facebook. "

Balagadoom!

Top story from the May 21, 2013's Banana Nite's Kandila segment!

- A man named Omar Borkan Al Gala, deported from Saudi Arabia because of his...extreme handsomeness! He's also the idiot who was deported from the Philippines because he's a big lie!

- Field reporter's whereabouts remain unknown...for now!

- Shocking pics of Charice made Oprah release statement from this situation...and as it turned out there's someone who looked like Charice!

Meanwhile, Zanjoe, John, and Pooh are once again tackling action movie myths in Balagadoom! For this time, the boys are tackling the action movie myths that all actions stars wear leather jackets. Question is, can they take the heat while they were in leather jackets? The answer is no. Action stars can't take the heat while in their leather jackets! BALAGADOOM!

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 52

Okay, there has been so much inquires regarding songs heard in several car commercials and as for that, time now for another round of Driving Music, the segment where a selection of five driving musics (car commercial songs) are featured and it's up to you to find it and add it to your driving music playlist. Okay, here comes another set of five driving musics that fits well on your playlist suitable for the long driving trip from boredom to fun.

5) Je T'Adore by The Figgs - from the 2013 Lexus USA RX "First Sight" commercial

4) Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - from the Peugeot 2008 commercial

3) Cha Cha Cha by Jimmy Luxury and The Tommy Rome Orchestra  - from the 2013 Chevrolet Spark "True Colors" commercial

2) Three Little Birds by Bob Marley - from the Hyundai USA Assurance Connected Care "Stand Off" commercial

1) Good Boy (Good Girl) by Riviera - from a Ssangyong Rodius Korean commercial

...and there you go, folks. Another set of five driving musics! Good luck finding those driving musics which can be a nice addition to your driving music playlist! For inquires, feel free to comment below or write to me at leopaul_delr@hotmail.com. Toodle-oo!