Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Let's Do The News! (October 7, 2015)


- Japanese PM Shinzo Abe reshuffled his Cabinet members by retaining 9 existing ministers while adding 9 new and 1 returning minister. There are three women in Abe's new Cabinet.

- US President Barack Obama is seeking approval of the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade deal from the Republican-controlled Congress.

- A group claiming to be Islamic State militants says it has carried out numerous suicide bombings in Yemen, killing 22 people.

- Japanese Self Defense Forces have observed a joint military drill conducted by American and Philippine forces somewhere near the South China Sea as the PRC is increasing its military presence.

- Senators mourned the passing of former Senator Joker Arroyo, who died from complications after undergoing heart surgery in the US on the 5th of October.

- COMELEC will extend office hours for voters' registrations beginning October 17, giving them plenty of time to register and validate their biometrics record for the May 2016 elections.

- Microsoft unveiled their first-ever Windows 10 smartphones as it launched numerous new gadgets to keep the mobile market competition heating up, starting with the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL as well as the HoloLens VR headset, Surface Pro 4 tablet, Surface Book, and the Band 2 biometrics wristband.

- The Logitech G Car Pack on Forza Motorsport 6 has arrived featuring the extreme Caparo T1, three classic racing machines, a Rebellion Racing R-One, a Cadillac XTS Limo, and a Volvo 123GT. Yours for $7 or free with Car Pass. There's also a content update featuring numerous bug fixes as well as a free 2015 Infiniti Q60 Concept DLC.



- New Top Gear host Chris Evans says that his show in charge doesn't need a three-presenter format.

- A lightweight BMW M4 GTS has been revealed ahead of its Tokyo Motor Show premiere with improved 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo engine generating 493bhp of power, water-injection system, 62kg of weight loss, and aerodynamic upgrades. Only 155 units will be made.


- The MTRCB summons execs from ABS-CBN's It's Showtime regarding the "Nasaan Ka, Mr. Pastillas" portion regarding gender sensitivity concerns.

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 6: A Lambo Huracan on a Rainy Day Nurburgring

In my previous post, I've pitted both the Lamborghini Huracan and the McLaren 650S round the Top Gear Test Track and to my amazement, despite the power gap, the Huracan managed to beat the 650S by a second. Now, it's time to drive the Huracan once again to find out its hidden potential and to do that I went to Nurburgring on a rainy day. Yes. Rainy Day on a Nurburgring.

huracan

As I'm sure you know, you want me to take on the Nurburgring just to prove how good the Huracan was but because I can only record up to five minutes of hot laps, lapping the Nordschleife is very impossible to record on one go. In the meantime, I'd use the Grand Prix Circuit instead. Because it's raining outside, I'd expect this would be a wet lap and it's going to be slippery when wet. I know the Huracan comes with four-wheel drive but because it's a midship supercar, I might find doubts that it may slip up like how rear wheel drive cars behave on a wet track. Anyway, time to find out just how good this Huracan is on a wet lap at the Nurburgring Grand Prix Circuit.



As I tried the Huracan on a wet lap at the Nurburgring GP Circuit, I felt like I was very intimidated by the weather at first but for this car, it doesn't feel like it's the kind of car that accepts defeat with honor and dignity. It sees the rainy weather as a challenge and takes a piece of it. It felt like it can turn the tide of any race, depending on the weather, at the hands of a skilled driver. Even though this is still a usable car even when wet, it's still a Lambo and you can expect some thrills while riding it on a wet lap.

Yes. Even though this is a midship-4WD supercar, you can drive this one on a wet lap and there's absolutely nothing to worry about driving a hundred-thousand dollar Lambo on one of the most demanding racetracks on a rainy day. All it takes is some skill and determination to keep this car focused and balanced while handling on wet conditions.

Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteiru Kai?

Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteiru Kai?

Welcome everyone to Love Live! Sunshine!! The second generation of Love Live! School Idol Project where a brand new school idol unit picks up where the successful and now legendary μ's left off. Say hello to Aqours, an idol unit comprising of nine Uranohoshi High students, each with their hopes and dreams and how each other bond together as one to become the newest idol group everyone will love in the same way they loved μ's since the Love Live School Idol Project began five years ago.

The name Aqours is a portmanteau for the two words "Aqua" and "Ours" but amazingly, the name truly rhymes with "aqua" in it, matching the theme for this new generation of Love Live. It was also one of the suggested names for the new school idol group that won the idol-naming poll from a certain anime magazine months ago, with 4,644 votes garnered.

Now, let's meet the members that will soon to be your favorites;


  • Chika Takami (CV: Anju Inami) - The leader of Aqours and the youngest of the three sisters. She's a second year student and her family runs an inn. She's a fan of μ's.
  • Riko Sakurauchi (CV: Rikako Aida) - Formerly from Tokyo, she now resides to Uchiura. A second year student who loves to draw and likes to stay indoors.
  • Kanan Matsuura (CV: Nanaka Suwa) - A senior student who runs a diving shop with her grandmother on a nearby island.
  • Dia Kurosawa (CV: Arisa Komiya) - A senior student and president of Uranohoshi High's student council.
  • You Watanabe (CV: Shuka Saito) - A second year student and an excellent diver fit for a swim club.
  • Yoshiko Tsushima (CV: Aika Kobayashi) - A first year student who considered to be unlucky. She prefers to be called Yohanne instead of her real name. She dislikes mikan fruits
  • Hanamaru Kunikida (CV: Kanako Takatsuki) - A first year student and a daughter of a family of shrine keepers. Although she's a member of a local choir, she loves to read and gets dizzy easily.
  • Mari Ohara (CV: Aina Suzuki) - A half-Japanese senior student who is a daughter of an Italian-American father who had his hands full with the hotel businesses. She likes to do things at her own pace.
  • Ruby Kurosawa (CV: Ai Furihata) - A first year student and a good friend of Hanamaru. She maybe prone to crying but she's good at sewing.

Well, now you know them, it's time to get to know the first song of the newest generation of Love Livers. Their debut single, Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayaiteiru Kai?, features a much aquatic theme for Aqours and it comes with not one, not two, but three songs which is a first for Aqours. It even comes with bonus tracks where the members of Aqours are introduced. Of course, keeping up with the Love Live tradition that has been from μ's for the past five years, there's a DVD or Blu-Ray added and inside, there's a music video of Aqours' first song for you to enjoy.

Welcome to the new generation of Love Live!

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Let's Do The News! (October 6, 2015)


- Following the broad agreement on the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade agreement yesterday, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe says that the trade deal will enrich the livelihoods of Japanese people. He states that this is the beginning of a new century for the Asia-Pacific region and added that Japan and the US will take the lead among countries that share such values.

- An internet radio station run by the Islamic State militants has claimed responsible for the murder of the 66 year-old Japanese male in Northern Bangladesh last week.

- Multiple car bombings in Iraq killed over 50 people on Monday. Reports believed to be the work of IS militants targeting Shias.

- Justice Secretary Leila De Lima confirms her senatorial bid for the May 2016 elections. Meanwhile, Senator Bongbong Marcos announced his vice presidential bid for the elections by himself.

- Once again, dangerous minorities regarding firearms has happened in the US, this time in Tennessee where an 11-year-old boy killed an 8-year-old girl after an argument over puppies.

- A figFIX figure of a half-damaged Mutsu from KanColle was unveiled by Good Smile Company. She'll be available for you for 5,370 Yen plus tax when she's out this February.


- The brand new Cadillac XT5 crossover was unveiled before its Dubai debut next month.



- The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board or MTRCB celebrates their 30th anniversary by launching their commemorative book titled Empowering The Filipino Family.

- Boxing superstar and Sarangani representative Manny Pacquiao announces senatorial bid for the May 2016 elections. Why not? Because he can.

TTFN!!!

Monday, October 5, 2015

Let's Do The News! (October 5, 2015)


- The final ceiling panel from the damaged reactor building of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant has been finally removed, which is part of their efforts to take out consumed nuclear fuel from the building. Workers used a remote controlled crane to lift the panel, measuring 42 meters by 7 meters, from the no. 1 reactor building.

- North Korea is inviting foreign guests to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Workers' Party of Korea on the 10th of October. Reports told that the People's Republic of China will send a leading Communist Party member to North Korea to attend the ceremony.

- Islamic State militants destroyed a Roman-era Arch of Triumph in Syria's ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to sources, the ISIL blown up the arch, which was built between the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Ever since the militants captured Palmyra, most historical sites are wiped out in one fell swoop.

- Seventeen people are reportedly died in a heavy rainfall in Monaco.

- The Philippine government is committed to pursue their tireless efforts to secure its enactment of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as soon as possible according to Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Teresita Quintos Deles despite serious concerns from stakeholders over the delay in the passage of the BBL.

- Camarines Sur representative Leni Robredo is officially running as Vice President for the May 2016 elections and teaming up with presidential candidate Mar Roxas.

- William C. Campbell, Satoshi Omura, and Youyou Tu were among the top scientists who won this year's Nobel Prize award for physiology or medicine. Campbell and Omura developed a new drug against infections caused by roundworm parasites while Tu discovered a therapy against malaria.

- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga Kalyeserye, Alden Richards is now working as one of Lola Nidora's Rogelios and he's very impressed with his new job. Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza was very impressed with her new gig as one of the Dabarkads until on the very moment, Lola Nidora issued a duel against Yaya Dub in a game of Rock, Paper, and Scissors. If Lola wins, she'll have to decide who will go in a random barangay much as they do every day...and yep. Lola Nidora won. So, which of these two will be going to the next barangay soon? Find out tomorrow for more.

- The world premiere of the Felix Manalo biopic movie broke two Guinness World Records for Largest Attendance For A Film Screening and Largest Attendance For A Film Premiere. The world premiere occurred at the Philippine Arena last Sunday with 42,624 attendees watched the film.

- The official music video of Sam Smith's Writing's On The Wall, the opening theme song for the upcoming 007: SPECTRE film, has arrived!



TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 6: Let's Compare! Huracan and the 650S

huracan 650s

Both the Huracan and the 650S are what you called prize-fighting rivals when pitted side by side and judging by the way it behaves on the tracks of Forza Motorsport 6, you will always be the judge of that. So, how does these two compare in the same way the Clarkson and Hammond compare these two while in Italy during The Perfect Road Trip 2?

First, let's talk about the 650S. Even though it has bits and bobs from the old 12C, McLaren states that this new car is not the replacement to the 12C, even though production has ended due to the 650S's high demand. Unlike the 12C, the 650S is a quick car and its 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine generates 641HP of power and 500lb-ft of torque, mated to a ‎7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It will do 0-100kph in under three seconds and top speed of over 333kph.

When you talk about supercars and hypercars, the 650S possesses hypercar speeds and like 12C, it's very high-tech and surprisingly reasonable to drive thanks to its clever aerodynamics, meaning that this car can go faster and harder for longer.

Onto the Huracan, while the 650S is a better car full stop, the Huracan can still beat it because when you dissect their innards, you will notice how their tubs are made of. The 650S has carbon fiber, which is great but when you ding it, you'll need another car. In the Huracan, however, its tub has a blend of carbon fiber and aluminum, making it more durable from wear and tear.

Under the bonnet lies an improved version of the same 5.2L V10 from the Gallardo predecessor but its uprooted to 610PS of power while mated with the same 7-speed DSG from the Audi R8 V10 Plus, which is by no means one of the best shifting gearboxes ever existed. Believe it or not, the Huracan is a different kind of animal or animals. It can be a hare (fast but fluffy), a cheetah, or a tiger (really angry) but it doesn't behave like an elephant. There are times that the Huracan behaves like a sportscar rather than a supercar and that is a compliment because even though it's as wild as a tiger, it's still a civilized car that can be used on a day to day basis.

Now that these two sorted out, let's find out which one is best it a quick lap round the Top Gear Track. You may remember that in the video, Clarkson and Hammond had a race to a one-room hotel in Bologna and in the end, Clarkson arrived first. So, to prove that the 650S is better than the Huracan, I decided to give a little experiment to see if the 650S is quicker than the Huracan not just on the streets of Bologna but also here on the track.


And now, I had the results and this is terribly disappointing. The 650S managed to do 1:18.419 while the Huracan done 1:17.767, therefore the Huracan is the quickest and second of all, curse you Richard Hammond.

So, the Huracan is the quickest of them two even though it has less power than the 650S but probably thanks to its clever four-wheel drive system that clings through the corners like a hanger with a three-piece formal wear. It's no surprising that despite everything I tried on this latest experiment, it's quite clear that both the Lamborghini Huracan and the McLaren 650S really dish out everything they got not just on the streets but also on the racetracks. Here in Forza Motorsport 6, you'll be the judge of that.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Doctor Who S09E03


This is just another two-parter of this season of Doctor Who, only this time, The Doctor and Clara are on an underwater base in the 22nd century, investigating what's going on with the ghosts lurking around the base and what do these ghosts want. In that episode, The Doctor's sonic shades are back and looks like it's getting to be much as cooler as the 10th's gadget that looks like 3D glasses.

Anyway, expect a risky conclusion for next week because we may never know what's the worst thing could happen to The Doctor's life.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

#BGAlBadLoloNidoro

On the October 2, 2015 episode of Bubble Gang...

- What she thinks when she saw her ex doing suspicious stuff to notice her...

- Who will survive TSUGI O CHORVA?!

- Balikbayan Box gags

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...Pabebe Wave!

- Istambay, Istambay sa Looban, Titigil na Naman Buong Bayan, Sama-sama nilang Tututukan, Ang Love Story'ng Walang...KATAPUSAN?!

- Lait pa more with Lala Ytera!

- Spoof trailers!

- Advice pa more with Tata Lino!

- Parents are having a hard time dealing with their honeymooners...

- A party list is shouting for their candidacy.



AlDub meets TVJ in latest EB Kalyeserye


On the recent Kalyeserye portion of Eat Bulaga, it's a dream come true for Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza to step inside the Broadway Centrum once again along with Lola Nidora, played by Wally Bayola, Lola Tinidora, played by Jose Manalo, and others, just to meet up with the Dabarkads as well as the show's legendary presenter trio; Senator Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon, among many others. Not only Yaya Dub has the chance to meet up with Alden once again, it's also the perfect time for Lola Nidora to meet up with Jimmy Santos, the presenter who snagged her heart by random occurrences.

Yes, everything's all fun and games for the Dabarkads to meet up with them but for AlDub, this isn't all fun and games even on the table they've provided for them. Just before Alden Richards had the chance to sit, Lola Nidora issued a duel against him in a game of rock, paper, and scissors. Best of three to be precise. If Alden wins, he is allowed to sit, shake hands, and take selfies with Yaya Dub...and he did. Alden and Yaya Dub got what they've truly deserved as they spent most of their time getting together while the two Lolas are very busy doing stuff with the Dabarkads.

Lola Nidora asked the presenter trio if Alden and Yaya Dub could switch places, meaning Yaya Dub will stay at Broadway along with the other Dabarkads and Alden to work for her in exchange. The trio approved the proposal until one phone call changed everything. Lola Nidora called Rihanna and then...she heard that something bad happened at her mansion. With another misfortune heard, she got off with her Rogelio men grabbed Alden Richards just like what she proposed to the TVJ trio.

Be sure to tune in on Eat Bulaga every weekdays to find out what's next for AlDub!

Friday, October 2, 2015

Let's Do The News! (October 2, 2015)



- North Korea has again hinted a possible ICBM launch in a speech at the UN General Assembly on Thursday, stating that this is the right of a sovereign nation.

- Chinese reports told that the man suspected of the bomb attacks in southern China may be a quarry worker and have experience in handling explosives.

- Ten people are reportedly killed in a shooting at a college in Oregon. The shooting occurred at Umpqua Community College in the town of Roseburg and the gunman in question told the victims in a classroom to stand up and state their religions before he started shooting. The gunman is likely to target Christians before opening fire. Right now, the suspected gunman was killed by policemen and his motives remained unclear.

- In response to the recent Oregon college shootout, US President Barack Obama has once again calling for stricter gun controls.

- Due to the heavy rains caused by Tropical Storm Kabayan, the water level at Angat Dam has risen to 79cm for a total of 189.91 meters, 20.09 meters less from its 210 meter flood season high water level.

- The Senate Electoral Tribunal has schedule this next month the release of its decision regarding the disqualification of Senator Grace Poe regarding her citizenship problems.

- Reports told that anime studio Manglobe has filed for bankruptcy as it had been insolvent for sometime. Manglobe is an anime studio behind the anime adaptations of Hayate the Combat Butler and The World God Only Knows as well as original works such as Samurai Champloo and they were once working for their Genocidal Organ film, which is one of Project Itoh's adaptations made by separate studios.

- Nissan announced that they will bringing back their front-wheel drive GT-R LM NISMO endurance racer to next year's World Endurance Championship after numerous revisions following last June's Le Mans flop.

- McLaren Formula One  team driver Jenson Button will stay for at least another season or two.

- The James Bond: World of Espionage app game is now available to download via App Store or Google Play! Build your own MI6 by recruiting different kinds of agents and train them to dispatch on numerous missions to take on iconic Bond villains. You can equip your agent an arsenal of weaponry, vehicles, or Q gadgets.

- REMINDER TO ALDUB NATIONS; Tomorrow on Eat Bulaga, Yaya Dub, Lola Nidora, and her sisters as well as their own henchmen are visiting the Broadway studio to meet and greet with the EB Dabarkads! It's also another time of the day when Alden Richards meet up with Yaya Dub in person for the...um...anyway, I can't tell how many times they've encountered but be sure to watch tomorrow and find out.

TTFN!!!

14th Generation Toyota Crown (S210) - 2016MY facelift


2016 Toyota Crown Royal

2016 Toyota Crown Athlete

The 14th generation Toyota Crown has been given a minor facelift having been with the Japanese market for three years now and for this latest facelift, there's a lot more to expect for this update.

2016 Toyota Crown Royal

2016 Toyota Crown Athlete

2016 Toyota Crown Royal interior

2016 Toyota Crown Athlete interior


On the outside, you can see some small changes from the front and back, and as for the inside, well, little has been changed. Anyway, let's not talk more about the styling updates because let's check out what's new for this minor change.

Exclusive on the Athlete model, there's a new 2.0L turbo variant which is similar to the one used on the Lexus IS200t and the NX200t models. The 8AR-FTS engine has a power output of a class-leading 238PS, 350Nm of torque output, and it's mated with an 8-speed Super ECT automatic gearbox. Fuel economy is estimated at 13.4km/L on the JC08 Mode standards. Of course, the turbocharged 2.0L petrol engine is available only on the Athlete, you can opt-in for one or for another Athlete-exclusive 3.5L V6 petrol engine if you want more power.

On the Royal models, engine choices are either a 2.5L V6 petrol or a 2.5L 4-cylinder hybrid powerplant which is available in most models, even the Athlete as well.

Also new to the update is the world's first frequency dedicated to driving assist functions. It's called ITS Connect and it uses Japan's ITS frequency to receive and share data between external infrastructure and other cars via vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (Right-turn Collision Caution, Red Light Caution, Signal Change Advisory) and vehicle-to-vehicle communication (Communicating Radar Cruise Control, Emergency Vehicle Notification). This is a new tech so don't dare to ask how these things work because only the blokes from Toyota know how.

The 2016MY Toyota Crown range starts from 3,730,000 to 5,906,000 yen for the Royal model and 3,880,000 to 5,986,000 yen for the Athlete model.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Let's Do The News! (October 1, 2015)


- The Japanese government has launched a new agency called the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency, which is aimed at the procurement of defense equipment. This new agency integrates the branches related to equipment procurement as well as R&D of the Defense Ministry and numerous Self Defense Forces.

- Reports told that North Korea will go ahead with their ICBM launch to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the ruling Workers' Party.

- Chinese officials are on the search for the suspect in connection with numerous deadly explosions occurred in the southern part of China. According to reports, there has been 17 explosions occurred in Liucheng county in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region last Wednesday. Seven people are killed and over fifty others injured.

- The Republican-led Congress prevented another government shutdown by passing a stopgap spending bill shortly before the Wednesday midnight deadline. The Congress was sharply divided over the budget plan for fiscal year 2016. Some might fear a repeat two years ago when some federal government agencies shut down.

- Reports told that a Volkswagen engineer warned his boss four years ago about the company cheating on emissions tests but was ignored. He warned the chief of engine development department that the use of software to rig diesel car emission tests could be illegal.

- MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino announced his intention to run for senator in next year's May elections.

- Some government agencies in the Philippines are seriously considering deployment of double-decker buses along the streets of EDSA to address the ongoing nightmarish heavy traffic in Metro Manila.

- Over 37 million dollars worth of vehicles are totaled in the making of the 007: SPECTRE film, some say, including the wreckage of seven out of ten Aston Martin DB10 vehicles made specifically for this film.

- The Mazda Roadster gets a hardcore RS model with suspension upgrades courtesy of Bilstein, Recaro seats, and the same SKYACTIV-G 1.5L mated only with a 6-speed SKYACTIV-MT.



- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga kalyeserye, Alden Richards and Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza sing a duet for the first time.

- Pinoy rock band Kamikazee will hold their final concert this December. Kamikazee were known for their hit songs like Narda, Martyr Nyebera, Sexy Sexy, and many others including The Ordertaker along with Parokya Ni Edgar.

TTFN!!!