Let's Do The News! (July 23, 2013)

JM: Now let's do the news and guys, as we all now, San Diego Comic Con was finished yesterday so...um...final thoughts?

JC: Yeah. We all got some final thoughts about it because that was probably one of the best Comic-Con experience ever done and hey, this is Matt Smith's final appearance in this year's SDCC as The Doctor before his regeneration this Christmas Day.

RH: Yeah and I just heard that the Daleks are coming back for the 50th Anniversary special and you know what that means?

JM: Uhh...Trouble?

(audience laughing)

RH: Trouble? Possibly but I was thinking that it's going to be the best anniversary special in the history of Doctor Who. Since Daleks are iconic baddies, their appearance for the 50th anniversary special pays a big dividends. Hmmm....Clara never saw a Dalek before, right?

JC: Uh...Ahem...

(audience laughing)

RH: Oh yeah. Sorry about that. There was the episode with Oswin on it...Sorry...

JC: Anyway, what bothers me that former Doctor Who companion, Karen Gillan...shaved her hair off! As in...Karen Gillan's a baldie!

(audience laughing)

JC: Take a look...

Karen Gillan at SDCC 2013

(audience laughing)

RH: OH MY GLOB! LIKE THE DEVIL!!!

JM: (laughing)

JC: See? What just happened? Left Doctor Who last year, now shaved her head off for good! What's going on, K-Gill?! What have you done?!!

(audience laughing)

JM: Anyway, reason why is because of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. That's it.

JC: Oh...But I still hate her when she's a baldie...That just spoils it...

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, guess she's Ginger Queen no more. Anyway, word to K-Gill...WEAR A WIG!!! A GINGER WIG!!!

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, heard the news? I heard that the royal couple finally gave birth to a healthy baby boy so, let's congratulate them for their royal baby.

(cheers and applause)

RH: They gave birth to the future prince? The next prince? Wow! I'm impressed. Clap clap. I can't believe the whole world's been waiting for the birth of a royal baby from Prince William and Kate Middleton. This is the same anticipation I was expecting since the announcement of the new Pope. So..um...what's in the name?

JC: Uh...it's still confidential at the moment. But anyway, a big congratulations to the royal couple for the birth of their future prince.

(cheers and applause)

JC: Anyway, as you may know that the Initial D manga is coming to a climax this month and that made us car enthusiasts sad to see the end of Takumi Fujiwara and his AE86 Trueno battling against the best street racers on the mountain roads. With the end of the manga upon us, I just heard that there's going to be a new movie coming next year and...for the hell of it...the final season of the Initial D anime series called Initial D: Final Stage.

RH: A new film and a final season?

JC: Exactly. While we don't know about what's what about Summer 2014's Initial D movie, the final season of the Initial D anime covers most of the manga's epic finales. So, are you willing to see how it ends?

(murmuring)

RH: Well, if it's worth the risk. I'm in. I wanna see how Initial D ends...

JM: Me too...

(awww)

JM: Uh...Seat just announced a new addition to the new Leon. Check it out...

2014 Seat Leon ST

JM: This what they called it the Leon ST and what it is...is just a Golf Variant with some SEAT credentials on it. It's boring to explain what's what...

(audience laughing)

JC: Yeah. I'm bored with SEATs because they're nothing more of cheap VW's.

(audience laughing)

JM: Yeah, so why bother talking about regular cars on this show, anyway?

(audience laughing)

JC: Anyway, that is the end of the news.

Breaking news from the July 22, 2013's Banana Nite's KANDILA!

Breaking news from the July 22, 2013's Banana Nite's KANDILA!

- New Bilibid Prison warden was introduced...just before prisoners escaped...

- The commitee asking about calling this country "Filipinas", condemned...and what's going on when words start with P now start with F anyway?

- Animal lovers condemn against comparing crocodiles from corrupt officials...so which buwaya is buwaya?!

Meanwhile we compare what would a Sosyal and Di Sosyal do by calling someone to eat, reacting from floods, and sleeping while sitting.

What makes Jollibee great for three and a half decades?

Jollibee

Back in 1975, a man named Mr. Tony Tan and his family started their own ice cream parlor in Cubao and two years later, their bakery was established in the outskirts of Cubao. That's when the Jollibee story was born. Jollibee is a 100% Filipino-owned company which expands its global operations as the years go by, making it one of the most successful fast-food chain in Asia. The CNN calls this as "The McDonald's of Asia" because even though it was hit hard during the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 90's, they're still going on strong.

It's 2013. And this year marks Jollibee's 35th birthday so why not making a little tribute to what CNN calls this "The McDonald's of Asia"? Question, What makes Jollibee great for three and a half decades?

I will be giving you numerous reasons what made it great and let's talk about the meal in question....the Yumburger.

What is the Yumburger? Well it may not be one of the burgers I have ever eaten back in the Philippines but there's more significance to this simple looking burger. Back in 1978, when Jollibee was first established, this became the firm's flagship product. Even though it looks more like a Burger McDo or any other burger you commonly see on the food stands next door, the Yumburger is one of the most ordered food in their menu thanks to its cheap pricing.

Then, there's the Spaghetti Special. A year has passed since Jollibee was founded, a new meal was served shortly before their first franchise owned store opened at Ronquillo Sta. Cruz. The Spaghetti Special, in my fondest memories, was their answer to McDonald's McSpaghetti. Even though it's not quite as good as the McSpaghetti, it's still worth the taste for a spaghetti meal made from a Filipino fast-food chain. I still miss the Spaghetti Special because this is the kind of meal I ate back in my childhood but never fear because what Jollibee made to the classic Spaghetti Special is by improving it and then transformed into...Jolly Spaghetti! The Spaghetti Special we knew...now made even better! Sweet-style spaghetti sauce with premium noodles topped with chunky slices of savory ham and sausages and lots of cheese!

So, what else that made Jollibee great for 35 years? The Chickenjoy! You know the commercial that goes "Isa pa! Isa pang Chickenjoy!" all of the sudden? Yeah, I remember that and I am a huge fan of those. Seems that I'm not the only one who got addicted to the Chickenjoy craze. This is probably one of the most popular choice on the menu and if they want to eat a heavy meal or a meal with, this is probably the only thing comes in the mind of the Jollibee customer.

Also great in Jollibee was the Burger Steak. For those who think they're not in the mood for Chickenjoy or Yumburger are considering this. A cup of rice, two burgers, a gravy, and some yummy mushrooms. Jollibee does the math and the super delicious Burger Steak was made for those who are in their lunch break from their work.

There's so many great stuff Jollibee has done for us, especially their french fries, their sundaes, their Jollibee kids meal, everything! What's also great about...was this...the Palabok Fiesta

Some say that Palabok is more than just a Filipino version of Spaghetti but I disagree on what they say because the Palabok is more than just one of the best Filipino dishes in ages. Palabok or Pancit Palabok is a kind of noodle dish that uses shrimp sauce and some of the finest ingredients such as cooked shrimp, boiled pork, crushed chicharon, tinapa flakes, fried tofu, scallions, and fried garlic. I love eating palabok so much, I actually wished to eat some more, even when I squirt some calamansi or lemon on it. Here at Jollibee, it's all Filipino values because the traditional pancit palabok is available for everyone thanks to Palabok Fiesta. Even though it's a traditional Filipino dish in Jollibee guise, it's still taste like a palabok and I love it. I love this meal so much, I actually want to eat some of it from my mom's or dad's.

There's so much choices around here but there's one you might consider about: THE CHAMP. Yes. CHAMP. Jollibee's answer to Big Mac but it's a bit less. While the Big Mac goes, well if you know the chant, you know what's in it. Anyway, the CHAMP is a bit less. A 1/3 pound burger patty made from 100% pure beef, garnished with the freshest vegetables and creamy slice of cheddar cheese served in a soft sesame bun. Yep, that's what the CHAMP had. It may not be quite as good as its Big Mac rival but as a Jollibee fan, I may not be fuzzy about this flagship burger because to me...it's worth it. No wonder this burger inspired a mascot of the same name.

Well, with so much greatness made from Jollibee over 35 years, I have to say that everything they done was the best, the meals, the commercials, the Jollibee kids meal, the Jollitown TV show, you name a few. Anyway, happy 35th year, Jollibee! You made us proud!

Top Gear S20E04

Top Gear S20E04

Once again, the boys had built something on the fourth episode of Top Gear Series 20 and their new HOVERVAN (A Ford Transit van with some hovercraft technology) might seems to be their answer if there's going to be a risk of global warming or flooding or high water level or whatever. Interesting? Yes. Working? So-so...

Anyway, while the HOVERVAN is the most interesting part of the Top Gear inventions, a tale of two SLS AMG models broke loose at the Top Gear Test Track. It's the overkilled SLS AMG Black Series with the updated 6.2L V8 engine and some mean aero on it versus the SLS AMG Electric Drive with 700HP generated in all four wheels. The SLS Black lapped round the track in 1:19.0 while the SLS Electric Drive did it in 1:21.7. 

Oh yeah, The Wolverine showed up at the Top Gear Test Track. Yep. Hugh Jackman, The Wolverine, was this week's star in the brand new reasonably priced car, the Vauxhall Astra Tech Line with Lifetime Warranty. On that segment, The Wolverine did it in 1:46.1.

#gbpandesal

On the July 21, 2013 episode of Goin Bulilit

- Goin Bulilit music video of Pandesal

- Pandesal gags

- When dads became forgetful, kids don't get it...

- Paano kung...may riot ang mga reporter?

- Use It jokes

- What would the boys think about their pandesal-induced dreams?

- drugstore gags

-  some Awkward moment...at the restaurant!

- Paano kung...nagwewelga ang mga kasambahay?

- Ready Get Set Goin in Face-Tawa!

Let's Do The News! (July 21, 2013)

River's Diary

Okay, River's Diary, tell me what's going on around here...I'm bored as a fudge...

- Announced on San Diego Comic-Con 2013, it's the Man of Steel vs. The Dark Knight because director Jack Snyder announced that he'll be making a "Superman and Batman" film, due this 2015. While both Superman and Batman are superheroes in the DC universe, they are arch-rivals in DC's "Dark Knight" comics. So, Man of Steel or The Dark Knight? Whose side are you on?

- Season 4 of The Walking Dead is coming this October...but on the meantime, The Walking Dead collaborated with Hyundai Motor Company for the special Walking Dead Chop Shop app. This special app brings fans to create their own Zombie Survival Machine using either the Veloster, the Genesis Coupe, or the Maxcruz (Santa Fe LWB) as their basis. BUILD. DEFEND. SURVIVE. Find out at http://walkingdeadchopshop.com/

- The final piece of the Kia Motors x DC Comics collaboration as part of the WE CAN BE HEROES campaign is the Kia Sorento Justice League edition. It was showcased at this year's San Diego Comic Con.

Kia Sorento Justice League edition

- Watch what happens when Matt Smith arrived on this year's San Diego Comic Con in a Bart Simpson mask...

- Just arrived in the mailbox: It's that Isabella plushie I just ordered. Cute isn't it?

Whatcha doin?

...now we'll see who's adorable...(sneeze like a kitten)

- Just a word of advice: OTAKON, the convention of the otaku generation: by fans, for fans, returns at the Baltimore Convention Center this August 9 to 11, 2013. Are you ready?

TTFN!

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W222

The song that goes "The World Is All One", it really states that this world is yours for the taking and do whatever you want. The poser phrase YOLO or You Only Live Once, it's true because as humans only had one life, there's no second chances...almost. We have make the most out of our lives. SWAG...is somewhat the poser phrase that was best describe to brag everyone with something you had, making everyone jealous.

If the SWAG term is made to make the envy of everyone, can you brag this kind of swag?

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Welcome everyone to the brand new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, it's the newest incarnation of Mercedes' flagship 4-door saloon car that promises to be better than the best. Yep, the best Mercedes-Benz saloon ever made, now made even better...but really? Did they made it better? Well, let's make it boring first, a bit more James May-ish for the explanation of this brand new model.

Anyway, for this new model, the design is getting a bit noticed, a bit more orthodox, and a bit more...2020-ish because what this looks like...a car from the future, today! Yes, it looks a bit more like the CLS-Class except bigger and then the rear lamps look similar from the soon-to-be-axed CL-Class. Seems that when it comes to designing this car, it supposed to inspire from its rivals from Audi or BMW or the Hyundai Equus, or the Jaguar XJ or the Lexus LS. It's a good thing it wasn't quite as Asian as an Equus or the LS because from every angle, it looks striking to uphold. I'm sensing...Henry Sy taking a break at the Solaire with the competition like poker pets. Poker pets, huh? Haven't seen a painting of dogs playing poker? Huh?

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior

Whereas the interior of the Jaguar XJ draws some inspiration from a South of France yacht, the new interior looks more heavily inspired from a private jet. This is like a private jet minus the jet and it's not made to fly. He he he... Anyway. when it's on, it's about as futuristic as a spaceship. You feel like Jean Luc Picard in command while cruising this car on the city or on the highway. Travelling from the country club or the five-star hotel or the five-star restaurant or everything that rich people tend to hang out, this car doesn't fail to impress everyone, especially in the back because hey! This new model's longer than the previous model because from now, being long is the basis and that's fine if you live in Asian countries like Brunei or Malaysia or Singapore or Thailand or Japan or South Korea or the Philippines or in China because for this new model, space in the back matters most than anything else. In Europe and North America, most S-Class models are used to be driven whereas in Asia, it's a chauffeur-driven car so what Mercedes-Benz did to the new model is focused on the LWB model (V222) than the standard-wheelbase model (W222)

It's a first-class jetliner for the world-class people because for this new S-Class, you feel like a boss in every turn and this is one kind of swag you would reconsider for. Yeah, check out that swag...He he he...It's going to be a trouble when you see one parking to your college and that's going to be a cheesy situation, thinking that there's a wealthy student studying here...

Brilliant I should say but for this new model, Mercedes-Benz set standards in the comfort genre because the new model comes with AIRMATIC suspension because not only it does ride beautifully on the city streets but it's as sportier as a hundred thousand pound exotic on the open roads. This is getting a bit too personal for me but it seems that with this new kind of suspension system, Mercedes-Benz really pulled it off, making the best premium saloon car made even better. You would wanna tell that to your "world's best boss" unless someone's had the "world's best boss" mug in his possession. He he...

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

For everything that makes it "best", there are some things that aren't the best because by the time it's available, the new S-Class comes with the host of engine choices like the 3.0L diesel V6 engine, a 3.5L V6 Hybrid engine which is a bit dreary for the seasoned ones but effective for the eco-mentalists, and then there's the 4.7L V8 engine, all mated with a 7G-Tronic Plus gearbox. I'm afraid that both the engines and the gearbox haven’t yet caught up with the rest of it but that's not the least of the problems here because in the future, a 9-speed gearbox will be planted to this next year and that's going to be a total overload. It's like what's the difference of shifting the normal way, shifting the FnF way, or shifting the drunk way. Well, the FnF way is too much. He he he...

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Anyway, despite all the "buts", the new model did set the benchmarks when it comes to refinement, safety, technology, passenger comfort and driver appeal. It's like when you had this cute little green boxy gimzo thingy does all the stuff for you and oh, just don't leave it alone, okay? It does some weird stuff around here.

For the pricing, the new S-Class starts at 79,790 Euros, that's about nearer to the V6 diesel-powered Jaguar XJ's pricing and wow, what to expect? Well, doesn't matter though. With such benchmarks set, the all new S-Class, in standard or LWB form, is what makes Mercedes-Benz great. Remember, das beste oder nicht. That's the slogan of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Don't forget that. Well, even though the performance was the demerits, I still find the new S-Class to be more of a sovereignty rather than being a casual premium sedan. This is probably one of the best premium sedans of the year and it's on my book.

Available colors: schwarz, anthrazitblau metallic, cavansitblau metallic, diamantsilber metallic, diamantweiß metallic BRIGHT, iridiumsilber metallic, magnetitschwarz metallic, obsidianschwarz metallic, palladiumsilber, peridotbraun metallic, and rubinschwarz metallic.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz