Let's Do The News! (September 21, 2016)

- Palace officials said President Rodrigo Duterte welcomes any activities launched in observance to the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. About 44 years ago, the late Ferdinand E. Marcos signed the Proclamation No. 1081 placing the entire country under Martial Law.

- There are six more Zika cases recorded in the Philippines, bringing the number to nine reported cases this year according to the Department of Health.

- Senator Leila de Lima wants the United Nations to investigate the alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the Duterte administration's intensified illegal drugs campaign in the country. Under Senate Resolution No. 153, De Lima urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to invite UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions Agnes Callamard to look into the spate of extrajudicial killings and summary executions.

- The world's gone outrage over Donald Trump Jr.'s comments of comparing Syrian refugees to a bowl of Skittles. The son of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump posted an outrageous comment on Twitter liken Syrian refugees to a bowl of potentially deadly Skittles. The makers of the Skittles candy told in the statement that "Skittles are candy, refugees are people". Netizens even expressed rage over Trump Jr.'s "skittles" post showing children affected from the Syrian war.

- The suspect behind last weekend's Manhattan bomb attack was carrying a notebook with content empathizing with Islamic extremists in the Middle East, according to reports.

- Shocking news in Hollywood showbizness; the famed couple of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are officially split as they filed for divorce in Los Angeles last Monday. Jolie and Pitt co-starred in the film "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" until they became a real-life couple in 2014, having three adopted and three biological children. Jolie is seeking custody of all of them.

- Bentley adds a 4.0L V8 diesel engine on the Bentayga SUV. This new variant produces 435PS of power and 900Nm of torque, while mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It will do 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds and onwards to 168mph.

- MINI unveiled the JCW Clubman, a high-performance version of the new Mini Clubman estate, packed with 350Nm of torque from its turbocharged two-litre engine.

- New Pokemon Sun and Moon info on the radar. Latest info reveals there are Pokemon exclusive to each version. In Pokemon Sun, you can only get Passimian and evolve Rockruff to Lycanroc in its Midday Form. In Pokemon Moon, however, you can only get Oranguru and evolve Rockruff to Lycanroc, this time in Midnight Form. In addition; Pikachu and Eevee get their own Z-moves. Pikachu can unleash the signature Z-move called Catastropika or Eevee can sharply raise all of its stats with its Z-move called Extreme Evoboost. Trainer personalization and new Pokemon Refresh is featured as well in the latest info.

TTFN!!!

THE IDOLM@STER PLATINUM MASTER 02 Bokutachi no Resistance

The second installment of the PLATINUM MASTER range, inspired by the PS4-exclusive THE IDOLM@STER Platinum Stars, has arrived and for this installment, it's inspired from the highlight of the second DLC catalog offered in-game, titled 僕たちのResistance.

 THE IDOLM@STER PLATINUM MASTER 02
Bokutachi no Resistance

Just by looking on the cover art featuring the girls in their in-game "Trench Camouflage" attire, you might think that deep down, this is just another hard-rocking song that gets your adrenaline pumping but no. It's all typical iM@S upbeat to this brand new music as heard in the game and with the full M@STER VERSION offered in the latest CD, you'll get the whole picture just by listening to the rest of the song plus a new song titled インセインゲーム.

Apart from two new songs, there are two audio drama parts that will take you behind the scenes on this latest installment from the 765 Channel segment to the files of Kotori Otonashi, delving deeper on this latest song and what's next for the 765 PRO ALL-STARS.

Don't stop there because the more DLC Catalogs coming on THE IDOLM@STER PLATINUM STAR, the more this PLATINUM MASTER range expands and stay tuned for the next installment based on next month's DLC Catalog very soon!

TRACK LISTINGS:

01 僕たちのResistance (M@STER VERSION)

02 ドラマ「765チャンネル vol.2 ～僕たちのResistance・Z～」

03 僕たちのResistance (M@STER VERSION) オリジナル・カラオケ

04 ドラマ「音無小鳥の妄想編集室 vol.2」

05 インセインゲーム

06 インセインゲーム オリジナル・カラオケ

Let's Do The News! (September 20, 2016)

- A Saudia Airlines flight SV872 has been reported isolated on a runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Tuesday afternoon. Initial reports say police has been deployed in the area.

- Senator Leila De Lima uncovered the names of cops who are alleged members of the Davao Death Squad, a vigilante group behind the extrajudicial killings in Davao years ago. The names De Lima revealed are similar to those mentioned by the hitman Edgar Matobato, who testified before the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights last week.

- The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal on Senator Grace Poe's eligibility to run in the 2013 elections and ruled that she is qualified to sit as the senator of the republic. A decision was made on Tuesday and declared Poe as a natural-born Filipino citizen, and, therefore qualified to hold the senate office.

- Back to the Manhattan bombing, the suspect behind last Saturday's bombing, Ahmad Khan Rahami, made many visits to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rahami was arrested by authorities on Monday after a shootout with the police. Reports quoted investigators as saying Rahami repeatedly visited the two countries between 2011 and 2014. He reportedly once stayed in the countries for a year. There are also reports claimed that his family members claimed to be victims of an anti-Muslim discrimination.

- The suspect behind the Minnesota knife attack last weekend, which hurt 9 people, was a 22-year-old Somali. The man attacked shoppers with a knife at a mall on Saturday and the attacker was killed by the police at the scene. Reports told that investigators have identified the suspect as a Somali who lives by the city and made references to Allah during the attacks and asked at least one of the victims if he or she is a Muslim. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for this attack.

- Police are investigating the deaths Robert an Sharon Gordon when their bodies are fund in their Orange, California home, although it is believed that their deaths are in a apparent murder-suicide. Robert "Baja Bob" Gordon was a famed off-road rally driver who later focused on horse racing. He is the father of the famed racing driver Robby Gordon.

- The once forgotten American supercar, the Saleen S7, is back with a limited-edition model called the S7 LM. Only seven will be made, in honor of the company's 20th anniversary of a seven-year run of racing championships. It will feature exposed carbon fiber, advanced electronics, and a mighty 1,000 HP of power from its 7.0L V8 Twin Turbo engine.

- Citroen will show off their C3 WRC Concept, based on the third-generation Citroen C3, at next month's Paris Motor Show, previewing Citroen's next WRC competitor.

- The Amazon Original Series, The Grand Tour, hosted by former Top Gear hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, will be available for Amazon Prime subscribers beginning November 18 and it will run for 12 episodes with a new one every Friday.

TTFN!!!

F1 2016: Singapore GP

Photo: Reuters

The streets of Singapore have been overshadowed by the roster of Formula One drivers competing for the top spot on the ongoing F1 2016 season and with every twists occurred in each and every corner just like what happened in past races, there's still more for the likes of Mercedes' Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton gunning for the top spot of the rankings.

A point has been demonstrated by Rosberg's recent win in Singapore followed by Hamilton, Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel, and many other finishers, as well as Haas' Esteban Gutíerrez, who scored his fifth 11th-place finish.

Following the end of the Singapore Grand Prix, Rosberg leads Hamilton on the overall standings by eight points, 273 to 265, but at this rate, Mercedes's almost clinching its Constructor's Championship win and the only race to do so is at the Malaysian Grand Prix, happening this 2nd of October.

Mercedes-AMG GLC43

Time to give AMG credit because with thanks to the SLC43, almost any other Mercedes models in its range is joining the AMG bandwagon and whereas V8-powered 63 models and V12-powered 65 models are the stalwarts of the range while the "45" babies such as the A45, GLA45, and the CLA45 keep on rolling like grumpy babies scratching their diapers, the AMG 43 range continues to grow, perpetually making performance as its new norm, until the day comes where it can be one complete happy family.

2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43

2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43

One fine example is the brand new Mercedes-AMG GLC43, which is based on the brand new GLC-Class crossover, which replaced your auntie's favorite crossover, the GLK-Class, Because this semi-high performance crossover is made for those who believed that having an Audi SQ5 is becoming worrisome due to the ongoing problems with diesels right now, this is a much more enjoyable alternative despite being a crossover made for the weekend getaway.

As an AMG bearing the "43" moniker, the GLC43 comes armed with a 3.0L V6 twin turbo engine producing 367PS of power and 520Nm of torque while mated to a 9G-TRONIC gearbox. Although top speed is normally limited to 250kph, it can get out to 100kph in 4.9 seconds, which sounds very quick compared to the SQ5 despite its torque difference where the SQ5 sets the GLC43 apart.

While not in the mood to compare this to the SQ5, the GLC43 is an excellent all-rounder that balances what it works and what it plays to the beat of its tune. From its clever damping adjustment, clever suspension, and 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the GLC43 is capable to make everyday feel like its weekends somewhere, despite the elements. It maybe a family car but best to warn the families that this is an AMG crossover and it's going to be very addictive for a crossover of such magnitude. It can be a decent daily driver on a normal basis but when the weekends kicked in, this is where the GLC43 unleashes its wild side as a semi-high performance midsize crossover that loves to make the embattled Audi SQ5 licked its rear bumper as a sign of bittersweet surrender.

The GLC43 is priced at 61,761 Euros, which is two grand more than the SQ5 competition model from Audi, which is less expensive but sounds like a bargain for a semi-high performance crossover that balances work and play at the same pace. So, even in its near sleeper styling and its turbocharged V6 power for a crossover, it's no surprise that the GLC43 from Mercedes-AMG could turn this segment from step zero to one and this could be a clear winner from the very start.

Photo: Daimler AG

Let's Do The News! (September 19, 2016)

- Embattled Senator Leila de Lima walked out of the Senate hall while Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was delivering his privilege speech, criticizing her for lack of objectivity in the justice committee's investigation. De Lima, presented the confessed hitman at the last hearing into the rising number of extrajudicial killings. The witness claimed President Rodrigo Duterte ordered killings of suspected criminals in Davao City as mayor.

- Last weekend, the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf has freed three Indonesians and two Filipino captives following the widespread military operations against the said group and the release of a Norwegian hostage from a year-long captivity.

- Five people were reportedly detained for possible links from last Saturday's explosion in New York, which hurt 29 people. Reports told the detention late Sunday, quoting an investigative source but no other details have been known. It is believed that the explosion was caused by a homemade explosive similar to the one used on the Boston bombing years ago and links to the New Jersey explosion.

- The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games are finally finished and the closing ceremony took place at the Maracana soccer stadium, ending 12 days of events. It's now passed on to the next venue set at Tokyo, Japan, this 2020.

- A political party backed by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, called the United Russia, appears to snag a win at the lower house elections.

- The legend of Ryunosuke Naruhodo continues as Capcom announced the sequel to Dai Gyakuten Saiban game, which is a Meiji-era Gyakuten Saiban game for the 3DS first launched last year.

- A teaser clip for the upcoming Biohazard/Resident Evil Vendetta movie is now up and running. The new movie hits theaters this Spring 2017. Zombies inbound!

- Aston Martin announced that their open-top version of their new DB11 will be launched this Spring 2018.



- Volkswagen teases a revolutionary electric car concept that will debut at next month's Paris Motor Show.

TTFN!!!

Renault Megane IV Estate

The same recipe you'd expect from the normal, fourth-generation, Renault Megane hatchback, now with added boot space fit for more stuff on the weekends, and with the new Renault Megane Estate, customers feel like it's weekends somewhere.

2017 Renault Megane Estate

Thanks to Renault's design language that applies through newer models since the Espace and the Talisman, the new Megane Estate, based on the new Megane, looks vaguely familiar to some and by familiarity, people will just mistook it for a Talisman Estate but even though it looks the same as the Talisman Estate, think of the brand new Megane Estate is a miniaturized version of the said car but categorized in the same magnitude as the Opel Astra Sport Tourer, VW Golf Variant, Peugeot 308 SW, or even the Toyota Corolla Fielder, meaning there's going to be a healthy dose of competition around the newly regenerated model, based on the recently regenerated Megane.

Despite being new, the new Megane Estate retains the same 580L luggage space as the previous model but it has a class-leading load length of 2.7 meters. That's more than enough to fit most of this weekend's thrift store haul and best of all, it's adjustable to balance this estate from being a family car or a luggage hauler in the same pace. Nothing like tackling day-to-day routine with this one, though.

Like the hatchback, the new Megane Estate comes with several choice of petrol and diesel engines ranging from the more powerful Energy TCe 205 available on the GT model and the more efficient Energy dCi 110 engine ECO2, mated with either a 6-speed or a 7-speed EDC gearbox. Like the hatchback, there is little fun and games in the new chassis it sports as well as a more clever suspension setup fit for European roads, and in case for the GT variants, it's all business and leisure for its behavior, though.

Should you buy one? The new Megane Estate starts at 19,900 Euros, which makes it a very competitive estate from a very competitive category that slots beneath other wagons like the Astra Sport Tourer, Golf Variant, and the 308 SW. With all that spacing at the back makes a big difference and with the new Megane Estate, you know that it makes sense.

Photo: Renault