Let's Do The News! (February 7, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte said that TV presenter Kris Aquino appealed to him through a text message not to send her brother, his predecessor Benigno Aquino III, to jail. The said appeal came after Duterte said he is keen to reopening the investigation on the Mamasapano incident, where 44 SAF members were killed two years ago.

- Despite the president's orders for an "all-out war", peace talks between the Philippine government and communist rebels to end nearly five decades of conflict are still in their table. Last weekend, Duterte ordered scrapping a ceasefire with the New People’s Army saying the “terrorist group” was making “huge”, unacceptable demands despite government concessions. Clashes have erupted in several places and some top rebels have been arrested but Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana said talks were possible.

- A Philippine mining industry body said it will file a freedom of information request on Tuesday to press the government to release the results of a mining audit, following an order to close over half of the country's mines. DENR Secretary Regina Lopez last week ordered 23 mines to shut permanently, even though a team that reviewed an audit of 41 mines had recommended suspensions and fines for environmental violations, rather than closure, reports told.

- Over 120 people died in a avalanche that was triggered in a mountainous region straddling between Afghanistan and Pakistan but the death toll will increase later on. Heavy snow has been falling over the region since last week, blanketing the Afghan capital Kabul.

- The Israeli parliament has passed a law allowing the government to confiscate private Palestinian property in the West Bank, where Jewish settler's homes already stand. The legislation states that the government will compensate Palestinian owners of land where Jewish settlers' homes have been built, and the property will become state-owned.

- The US government has submitted additional legal briefs to a federal appeals court challenging a federal judge's ruling to enforce an nationwide block to President Donald Trump's immigration ban. Last weekend, a federal district court in Seattle suspended Trump's executive order, following a request from the State of Washington.

- A special research boat commissioned to protect the endangered river dolphins has set sail on the River Irrawaddy in Myanmar. Irrawaddy dolphins are critically endangered due to the river's poor quality and other reasons. The dolphin population is now estimated at just over 60. Research on the dolphins will be done jointly by an international non-governmental wildlife conservation group and the Myanmar government.

- The long-awaited Dodge Durango SRT has unveiled prior to this week's Chicago Auto Show debut. This high-performance version is powered by 392ci HEMI V8 engine producing 475HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque while mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and specially-developed four-wheel-drive. It's capable of doing 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.

2018 Dodge Durango SRT

- Citroen will showcase their C-Aircross Concept at next month's Geneva Motor Show, previewing a crossover vehicle in the lineup as well as its next-generation technology.

Citroen C-Aircross Concept

- The Playseat Car Pack for Forza Horizon 3 is coming tomorrow, featuring seven new rides such as the Aston Martin DB11, Honda Civic Type-R FK2, Vauxhall Corsa VXR, and many others.

- The stars of last year's Touken Ranbu Hanamaru anime series, Kashu Kiyomitsu and Yamatonokami Yasusada, are joining the Nendoroid Co-de lineup. These guys are ready for orders starting at 2,963 Yen plus tax and will be delivered this June.

TTFN!!!

Forza Horizon 3: The Royals

It's been a few years ever since Forza became the first and only racing game to feature Rolls-Royce starting with the Wraith, then followed by the Dawn, its open-top equivalent. With the two Rolls-Royce royalties in Forza Horizon 3 spending their lap on luxury around Down Under, how can anyone indulge with these heavyweight handcrafted royalties that appeals only to the rich and famous? Not everyone can indulge in the splendor feel of the Rolls but are you one of the privileged few who are sedated by the Spirit of Ecstasy?





The Wraith is known to be a step away from being one of the chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royces and destined to be the most exquisite grand tourer that can be driven freely for the driver with big ambitions. Apart from its dramatic artisanship that crafted its signature Rolls-Royce design inside and out, the Wraith is powered by a 6.6L V12 engine that produces 624bhp of power and 800Nm of torque, while mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. It does 0-60mph in four and a half seconds and top speed electronically limited to 155mph.

The Dawn, meanwhile, is known to be the open-top version of the Wraith and while it features the similar artisanship elements from the Wraith, it features an electronically-activated soft-top roof that silently opens or closes in just over 20 seconds at a cruising speed of up to 50kph. Although, it features the same twin-turbo V12 6.6L engine as the Wraith, the Dawn produces 61bhp less than its hardtop equivalent but it's recorded as the most powerful open-top Rolls-Royce to date. While this car is not made to outsmart against its open-top equivalent because it's less powerful and heavier, its elegance in cruising speeds is nothing to be ashamed of and the taste of grand touring with the Dawn is worth the wine and bread best served in the golden platter.

Both the Wraith and Dawn are exquisitely too royal to be playing rough or perhaps they want to join the fun here in the Land Down Under because between you and me, they're taking a leisure break from being pampered on posh European streets like kings and queens and that's why I'm here to give a little twist to these royal visitors.





To spice things up, both the Wraith and Dawn are festooned with Rolls-Royce's Bespoke customization while I handle their workout routine to get themselves ready to race against other heavyweights in the Land Down Under. For the Wraith, it's been fashioned with the Chief Inspector Morse-inspired design courtesy of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke customization process while the Dawn is catered with the Marina look that was last seen from the Pebble Beach Concours a few years ago.

So, while they're wearing Bespoke colors (spoiler alert: I replicated them from Rolls-Royce's Bespoke design), both these royal knights of Goodwood are here to show them that they can battle with pride and prestige, I think...

Time to get the cameras rolling because there's never been a knight's tale untold in the Australian Outback.


So, these Rolls-Royces may not do racing but they sure know how to battle with their pride and prestige as Goodwood's finest and they sure know how to play rough with their full deck of cards at their disposal.

After their stint, these Rolls-Royces wanted to spend some more time here and looks like I'll be keeping in touch with both the Wraith and the Dawn in case I need them but for now, I'm expecting more arrivals later as I'm passing the time here in the Land Down Under.

Let's Do The News! (February 6, 2017)

- PNP Director-General Roland "Bato" Dela Rosa clarified that the reported "Korean Mafia" who is allegedly behind the Jee Ick Joo murder case has yet to be confirmed. Dela Rosa said that they will conduct thorough investigation regarding mentioned group composed of huge crime groups targeting rich Korean nationals in the Philippines.

- Typhoon Bising has slightly intensified while already inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. PAGASA told the typhoon was last spotted 415km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

- US President Donald Trump is set to meet alliance leaders in Europe in May during a phone call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Trump was elected on a pledge to push NATO members to increase their funding to the western alliance to ease the financial burden on the United States.

- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is facing a threat from his ruling party as a prominent member of Australia’s government is set to defect to form his own conservative party. An opinion poll published on Monday showed that support for his coalition had slipped to the lowest since he took power 17 months ago and that his Liberal-National coalition would easily fail if an election was held now.

- Queen Elizabeth celebrates her Sapphire Jubilee on Monday, commemorating 65 years since she took the British throne. A 41-gun royal salute will take place in central London to mark the occasion.

- Scientists warned that the crop-destroying caterpillar known as the armyworm has quickly spread across mainland Africa and could reach tropical Asia and the Mediterranean in the next few years, threatening agricultural trade. The caterpillar destroys young maize plants, attacking their growing points and burrowing into the cobs.

- The new Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer has been unveiled ahead of next month's Geneva Motor Show debut. It will also be sold in Australia as the Holden Commodore Sportwagon next year.

2018 Opel Insignia Sports Tourer

- Another teaser trailer for this year's season for Top Gear is out.

TTFN!!!

Six Nations 2017 - Round 1

Rugby's Greatest Championship, the RBS 6 Nations, returns for the 2017 season with six of Europe's finest rugby teams from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy sizing each other up for the Grand Slam title.

The Wales Rugby Union (WRU) are off to a great start after crushing the FIR Italia in their home turf Stadio Olimpico at the score of 7-33. It is said that after giving way to the Italians on the 1st half with seven points, Leigh Halfpenny propelled the WRU to a comeback win by scoring 30 points on the second half. No comeback win in the world of rugby is as sweeter as the Welshes.

Meanwhile, Scotland defeated the IRFU at the score of 27-22 while England Rugby won the battle against the FFR at the score of 19-16.

Highlights:


The next match is set on the 11th to the 12th of February as FIR Italia takes on IRFU, WRU takes on England Rugby, and FFR versus Scotland.

Driving Music Vol. 74

After a long hiatus, the Driving Music segment has been rebooted, retooled, and refueled in the pursuit for more driving musics, songs heard from car commercials from around the world. You thought this segment has ran out of gas for numerous reasons but oh no. It's refuelled, probably by either petrol, diesel, biofuel, hydrogen, or now electric if I may, and it's back for more!

Annually, the Super Bowl brought us a plethora of Big Game ads the world have witnessed, especially car commercials aired during Game Day. For Super Bowl LI, after the Patriots staged a successful comeback against the Falcons, time to jot down the car commercial songs heard during Game Day. Ready?

1) I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free by Nina Simone - from the 2017 Ford Go Further commercial

2) Stay Alive by Jose Gonzales - from the Michelin commercial

3) It's Alright by Matt and Kim - from the Buick Game Day commercial

4) Clouds, The Mind On The Wind (Re) by Ezio Bosso - From the Alfa Romeo USA Game Day ad

5) Move Your Body by Sia - from the Lexus USA Game Day ad

6) Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler - from the Kia USA Niro Hero's Journey ad

7) Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf - from the Mercedes-AMG GT C Game Day ad.

...and that is it. Hope you've enjoyed the game as much as enjoying the big game ads!

Patriots made a comeback win after first Super Bowl overtime

The 51st Super Bowl match held at nrg stadium on Houston, Texas, became one of the most thrilling Super Bowl matches in history as the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots size each other up in the biggest American football event in history.

In the first half, the Atlanta Falcons have dominated the game at the score of 21-3, but when the second half came and with Patriots' star player Tom Brady unleashed, the Patriots are slowly tipping the odds at their favor until both teams scored 28 points, prompting the first ever Super Bowl overtime in history. No Super Bowl match has ever triggered an overtime until now.

In the first overtime in Super Bowl history, the Patriots required one touchdown to win the Super Bowl...and they did. At the final score of 34-28 post-overtime, the Patriots done the biggest comeback in the season.

With the Patriots won the Super Bowl LI, the star quarterback Tom Brady is named MVP after numerous passes that propelled his teammates to score their way to victory.

Congratulations to the New England Patriots for your successful comeback and becoming Super Bowl LI champions!

The Grand Tour S1 Finale

The Grand Tour S1 Finale

After twelve weeks of delivering high-speed thrills, hijinks, and everything we love about all things Clarkson, Hammond, and May, Amazon's original series, The Grand Tour, concludes their first season with a big finish about the past against the present of the world of motoring.

First up, Jeremy Clarkson and James May settle the score on the future of automotive by pitting a petrol-powered VW Golf GTi against a eco car PHEV called the BMW i3 while taking a scenic road trip to a bar in Devon.

Then, May's in New Forest to tackle the dirtiest job of all; winching an offroad vehicle when it's stuck in the mud.

Richard Hammond, meanwhile, pits the Porsche 918 Spyder and the legendary Bugatti Veyron in the streets of Dubai, and then tries to learn how to drift a car while competing against aspiring drifters; one is a handicapped and the other is underaged.

Man, what a ride that was for The Grand Tour after 12 weeks of delivering the best that the world's favorite motoring TV trio has to offer. From America, Europe, Africa, to the Middle East, from fast cars to old cars, from good to worst, this show made everything possible in the world of motoring and with the end of the first season, we may never know what will they do next until they return later this year.

Until then, see you soon!