Who sang it Better: Kris Allen vs. Adele

Kris Allen rose to fame when he joined – and won – the 8th season of American Idol. His excellent renditions, such as the angsty “Heartless”, the moving “Ain’t No Sunshine”, and the stunning “Falling Slowly”, showed his definite musicality and knack for rearranging. His coronation song, “No Boundaries”, also charted immediately on the Billboard Top 20. It is undeniable that Kris Allen has the ability to melt hearts and captivate audiences with his soothing voice and his charming smile.

Adele had her first shot at fame came from her MySpace page when her friend posted some of her demo videos. It was her uniquely husky and soulful voice paired with her well-written songs which tug the heart strings that caught the world’s attention. She was signed to XL Recordings and her first album, “19”, immediately rocketed to number 1 in the UK charts and ranked 11 in the Billboard charts.

The equally talented singers performed their rendition of “To Make You Feel My Love.”, a song written and first performed by Bob Dylan in 1997. Both singers make the song even more beautiful by adding their own styles to the song. As when he sang it during Top 11 Grand Ol’ Opry Week, Kris Allen offered a sweet, dreamy feel to the song. His cover would be a perfect song for the first dance at a wedding. Just imagine yourself dancing with your husband or wife, allowing yourself to be immersed with the feeling of security and warmth his version brings.

Adele, on the other hand, gives the song a rougher, rawer edge. There’s longing and desperation, and it progresses to give a feeling of home – like the feeling you get when you have a shoulder to cry on, or when hugging someone close to you whom you haven’t seen in a while. In my opinion, Adele’s powerful, dimensional rendition hits more close to home and unearths more emotion.

Nonetheless, when you’re serenaded by either Kris Allen or Adele, you will surely feel their love.

You can listen to their Kris’s version here and Adele’s here.

Who do you think wins this round of Who Sang it Better?

Banapple vs. Mom & Tina’s

Banapple is very famous here in Metro Manila – and why not, when they serve a wide range of food (in large servings!) that would make you want to come back for more? While their entrees are excellent, they’re especially famous for their original cakes and desserts. Meanwhile, Mom & Tina’s Bakery Café, a quaint restuarant vested at C5, also offers the same variety of sweet indulgences. Another thing going for it is its ambience – Mom and Tina’s has a homey and comforting feel that could last many conversations.

Both establishments carry their respective versions of the banoffee pie – a treat made out of graham crust, bananas, cream, and toffee. But who serves the better one?

Banapple is first and foremost known for their banoffee pies. Why would the restaurant be named Banapple if their bestseller were made of oranges? Besides their enchanting apple pies, Banapple serves a delightful banoffee pie. The crust is not bland, tasteless, or dry. Every mouthful gives a generous amount of chopped bananas and caramel, and you could feel the crust crumbling delicately. The chocolate and icing aren’t too sweet – they’re just right.

Mom & Tina’s, on the other hand, is famous for their pastries like cupcakes and meringue. They are more known for their Toblerone Walnut Torte and Butter Cake, but they serve a formidable banoffee pie. The crust is a bit dry, and there is more icing than there are bananas. The caramel is wonderfully sweet, but not as luscious as that of Banapple. The biggest setback though would be it’s size – it’s so small, it hardly feels like an indulgence despite its sweetness.

Banapple and Mom & Tina’s banoffee pie are both tempting and delicious. You be the judge of every bite.

Banapple has branches in Katipunan Ave, Northeast Square at Northeast Greenhills, Ayala Triangle Gardens, and Il Terrazo at Tomas Morato. Mom & Tina’s Bakery Café is located along E.Rodriguez Ave, Libis and Regis Center, Katipunan.

Tumblr vs. 9GAG

With the spread of internet memes and the increasing popularity of entertainment websites and blogs, two sites has become the newest trends: Tumblr and 9GAG. Millions of users visit and log on to these websites every day, and people can’t help but compare the two.

The biggest and most important difference between the two is that Tumblr is a blogging platform, while 9GAG is a comedy website. It’s important to keep this in mind, amidst the many similarities between them. Both sites let you message other users, and comment on and like  the posts. Connections to Facebook and Twitter are possible on Tumblr and 9GAG, linking the websites and their content. (Although with 9GAG, you can also connect with Google+.) Both websites allow users to create accounts where personal posts and favorite posts from other users can be found. For Tumblr, an account is a must and so 9GAG becomes more accessible because one does not need an account to view the pictures and videos posted. Registering is necessary only if you want to vote, comment, and upload.

Tumblr allows you to post a variety of content: text, photos, quotes, videos, music and links about almost anything from love to tourist spots to current events. 9GAG mainly focuses on pictures and videos regarding memes and pop culture. They have similar content; one can even find the same exact pictures in both websites. However, 9GAG is more limited since a 9gagger has an upload quota of only two posts per day. Tumblr doesn’t have any limit; you can post as much as you want.

The dashboard on Tumblr’s home page is user-friendly since it seems never-ending – by scrolling down, it automatically loads the next posts. For 9GAG, there are only nine posts for every page (thus the name). You can use keyboard shortcuts such as the J and K keys for easy browsing of posts (“like a boss”, as they say), just like in Tumblr.

Customization is something you can only do on Tumblr for you can choose and even make your own themes. The user can personalize the appearance of his blog by changing the fonts, colors, and layout. You even have the option to make the blog private if you wish. The Follow function on Tumblr is one essential element of the site. It lets you follow other users and lets you be followed. Another thing that makes Tumblr distinct is its reblog function. With this, you can repost another person’s work on your blog and react to it. On the other hand, in 9GAG, there is a Fix feature that lets you edit a posted photo to make it funnier.

Tumblr and 9GAG are unique websites that offer their users entertainment and freedom of expression. Their various features meet the users’ needs and make blogging and surfing the net much more convenient and enjoyable. So what are you, a Tumblr user or 9gagger?

BlackBerry vs. iPhone

The iPhone and the BlackBerry are two of the most well-known smartphones available in the market, but our question for this poll is which is smarter?

Below is a list of features available on both phones:

✓ Camera                                           ✓ Internet Browser
✓ Application and Games             ✓ Music Player

Even with their relative similarities, the iPhone and the BlackBerry are still very different. These two phones aren’t being debated torn upon for nothing. There’s got to be something that makes one stand out from the other, depending on the person using.

	Pros	Cons
iPhone	1. Very user-friendly 2. It is able to access multiple e-mail account, especially useful for those using this for business 3. It provides speedy internet access when hooked into a good network or Wi-Fi because of its browser – Safari. 4. It allows you to browse and view pictures and messages in landscape form just by turning it. 5. It provides instant access to iTunes. 6. It offers a lot of games and applications.	1. Low battery life (especially when compared to the BlackBerry) 2. The browser does not support Flash media, which limits the content it can view online. 3. Its structure doesn’t allow access to the battery or anything within the phone. This can be observed from all of Apple’s products, making them very high-maintenance. 4. Its Bluetooth connectivity doesn’t allow sending music and photos.
Blackberry	1. It has a very good battery life. 2. The trackpad navigation is easy to use. 4. Its e-mail capabilities are more sophisticated, especially if you’re wired in to service plans (such as BB SOCIAL, BB MAX and BB MAIL). Plus, attachments are easily opened and sent. 5. It comes preinstalled with the Docs To Go app, where you can view and edit MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel files. 6. The Bluetooth capability makes file-sharing faster.	1. Its browser isn’t as functional when compared to Safari and only suited for basic browsing. 2. The BlackBerry App World isn’t as extensive as the Apple App Store; the applications it offers are significantly less.

Appearance-wise, the iPhone has a very distinct sleek appearance, although it’s bulkier than the compact BlackBerry. The touch screen of the iPhone may be preferable for some but considered a con for others. Another debatable feature between them is the push e-mail of the BlackBerry vs. the fetch e-mail of the iPhone.

Apple and RIM have produced excellent phones, and maybe it comes down to the user’s lifestyle – the QWERTY keypad and the no-fuss e-mail and instant messaging capabilities of the BlackBerry makes it ideal for business use, while its widescreen interface and many apps can make the iPhone an entertainment hub.

For me, I’ve been a BlackBerry user for a while and I believe that once you get a Blackberry, you can never go back. Do you agree? Place your votes and comments about it.

A direct comparison of their specs can be found here.

For a more in-depth assessment, you might be interested in checking out these sites:

1. http://www.squidoo.com/IphonevsBlackberry
2. http://www.iphonevsblackberry.com/

New Girl vs. Two Broke Girls

2 of fall TV’s newest offerings are both female-centric comedies, but they could not be any more different.

Zooey Deschanel plays Jess Day in New Girl, and the show is created to showcase her fun, quirky personality. The lovely actress, best known for her role as Summer in “(500) Days of Summer”, has to move out after catching her boyfriend cheating on her, with three new housemates. You have the token black guy (Coach), the douche (Schmidt, who may also progress to be the gay dude, who knows), and the inevitable love interest (Nick). It’s a relatively slow-paced show with a simple premise, but with plot twists you’d expect from the eccentric Jess and her awkward cast. Sometimes, Jess is even too eccentric (she cries over “Dirty Dancing” every time and has a “feelings stick”!) – the producers are obviously capitalizing on Deschanel’s ability to be absolutely weird, but still charming.

Far from being charming is Two Broke Girls, with the titular characters being Max Black (Kat Dennings of “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”, also one of the Zetas in “The House Bunny”) and Caroline Channing (newcomer Beth Behrs). Max is a snappy diner waitress whose comebacks drip of sarcasm, wit, and the occasional green allusions, while Caroline is a now-broke heiress. The two of them together try to make money via a cupcake business (and their earnings are accounted after every episode), and with this odd pairing comes priceless adventures. Although so far Dennings, she with the brilliant comedic timing, has been carrying the show, Behr – who manages to make her dumb blonde character still sympathetic and lovable – might be a pleasant surprise.

Both shows are funny and have their respective heart-warming moments, albeit with very defined audiences. New Girl may either be weird or quirky, and would be more suited the Deschanel fans, as her always-cute vintage outfits are reason enough to tune in. (Justin Long would also have a recurring role as Jess’ boyfriend Paul, and these two quasi-awkward actors really shine together.) Two Broke Girls, on the other hand, plays out like the fun semi-adult sitcom it is, but it’s definitely not for the purists with its frequent raunchy jokes. Not to say that New Girl is completely safe for work (it isn’t), but Two Broke Girls is not afraid of not being classy and will hit you with some of the best worst one-liners you’ve heard in a long time.

Two Broke Girls airs every Wednesday, 8 pm on ETC Match Airing, and New Girl follows right after.

Love Actually vs. New Year’s Eve

‘Tis the season to watch a movie falalalala lalalala. In this season of holidays, get-togethers, gifts and spirit of cheer and giving, two films have captured the meaning of this season. “Love Actually” (2003) and “New Year’s Eve” (2011) are two films that both revolve around different stories of various individuals that become linked as the story develops. They both feature an ensemble cast. “Love Actually” is a 2003 British romantic comedy written and directed by Richard Curtis while “New Year’s Eve” is a 2011 Hollywood romantic comedy directed by Garry Marshall.

Plot	“Love Actually” revolves around different kind of love in the season of holiday and Christmas.		“New Year’s Eve” circles around numerous romantic situations amidst the busy preparations of the holiday season.
Characters	Characters of “Love Actually” varied from the British prime minister and a member of his staff, a singer and his manager, a couple and the best friend who secretly loved the girl, a man who fell in love with a Portuguese house keeper, a man who lost his wife and was left to take care of his stepson, who is in love with his American classmate and many more!		Characters of “New Year’s Eve” include a secretary and a deliveryman, a mother and her adolescent daughter, a vice president of the big-time company and her dying father, a couple competing with another to win a prize money for the first born of the year, a musician and his ex-girlfriend chef and many more!
Reception & Criticism	“Love Actually” garnered mixed reviews from critics. Some said it is very cheeky and plain corny, untrue and shallow. On the other hand, some said it was silly, entertaining and surprisingly sweet. Some said it was vibrant, cozy and warm especially during the holidays while some said it was unconvincing, yet festive and enjoyable.		Critics gave “New Year’s Eve” several negative reviews. Critics said the film is poorly constructed, even worse than Garry Marshall’s romcom “Valentine’s Day” that also received numerous negative reviews. Many said it was not very memorable, extremely predictable and terribly unsatisfying.

Comparing the two films might be difficult because of several similarities but personally; “Love Actually” is far more delightful than “New Year’s Eve.” Despite several characters and stories, “Love Actually” is more genuine and the actors and actresses embraced their characters more than the cast of “New Year’s Eve.” Even if “Love Actually” is not a typical Hollywood film (note that it is a British film), it sold like a Hollywood film, establishing a newfound glory for the English film industry. “New Year’s Eve,” despite a very famous and “in” cast, suffered because of lack of foundation and story. The story suffered because of the numerous characters blotching the full success of the film.

This season, watch “Love Actually” and “New Year’s Eve” and see why “Love Actually” got the vote! How about you,  which do you think is the better holiday film?

Catch a glimpse of these holiday flicks!
Love Actually
New Year’s Eve

REFERENCES

French, P. (2011, Dec 11). New Year’s Eve-review. The Guardian. Retrieved December 20, 2011, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/dec/11/new-years-eve-review-marshall

Love Actually. (2003). Internet Movie Database. Retrieved December 20, 2011, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0314331/

Love Actually Review. TalkTalk. Retrieved December 20, 2011, from http://www.talktalk.co.uk/entertainment/film/review/films/love-actually/316

Murray, R. “Love Actually” Movie Review: Warm Fuzzies Abound in Curtis’ Directorial Debut. About.com. Retrieved December 20, 2011, from http://movies.about.com/cs/loveactually/a/loveactuallyrev.htm

New Year’s Eve. (2011). Internet Movie Database. Retrieved December 20, 2011, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1598822/

Jollibee vs. McDonald’s

 A fast food meal wouldn’t be complete without French fries. They are the perfect complement to burgers and softdrinks offered in all fast food chains here in the country. Of course, the classic battle between two big names in the industry surfaces. So who really has the better fries, McDonald’s or Jollibee?

 Both their French fries have the same price and have roughly the same serving size. Both have similar red packaging which contain their signature golden brown fries. At first, the average consumer can’t even tell the difference between the two. But once he takes a closer look at these strips of potatoes, he’ll notice a few distinctions. McDonald’s fries are definitely tastier; they have more flavor than Jollibee’s fries. The smell when McDonald’s fries are cooking is irresistible; a whiff of this will surely reel you in. One can even eat them without ketchup or other condiments. However, when it comes to crispness and innovation, Jollibee wins. Their Jolly Crispy Fries are crispy on the outside but soft on the inside, giving consumers the perfect mix. They have even recently introduced flavored fries, particularly cheese and sour cream, thus adding variation to the typical French fries. Their fries are generally greasier than those of McDonald’s. So when it comes down to it, McDonald’s French fries are better than Jollibee’s fries because of one key reason: taste.  Their fries are more flavorful and many prefer and prioritize this.

Who wins this smackdown for you? Tell us what you think! Comment and vote on the poll.

Moonleaf vs. Serenitea

Moonleaf vs. Serenitea

Two well-known milk tea shops, both irresistibly delicious.

What if you’re:

Afraid of gaining weight?
For those who are on a diet and/0r health conscious, aside from the size of your order, both stores give you control over the sweetness (sugar level) of your preferred drink.

Always on the go?
For those who are thirsty but on a rush, these milk tea shops serve their customers mix, in an average of 5-10 minutes.

So, on a situation where these two stores are placed side-by-side, which one would you prefer?

Here are other two factors to look into:

1. Price

You might say the pricing of their milk tea is off the ceiling since its “just tea”, but you’d be surprised that both of them are on the same range and cheaper than others as well.

2. Choices of Milk Tea and Sinkers

Most of the flavors available can be found on either store but to differentiate themselves, they too have their own specialties. It depends on what you prefer the most.

* To view their sites click here for Moonleaf & here for Serenitea.

Having done much comparison, Serenitea, in my opinion wins this round because Serenitea offers more flavors to choose from and also serves some snacks to go with their milk tea. Moonleaf offers snacks only at their Maginhawa branch as of this writing. Plus, Serenitea delivers!

Do you agree, have additional input, or beg to differ? Help decide on which is more TEAlicious by placing comments and answering the poll question.