Of scary-sounding sliding doors and surprises...

Hello everyone. It's me again, Leopaul.

Earlier, when I joined my daddy to take my Lolo and Lola to the Group Health Medical Center at Broadway, Seattle for some checkup, I just notice something strange about the sliding door at the North Building of the Group Health Medical Center...

When the door slides, that sound coming from the sliding door is like a panther roaring. I never thought that this sliding door from Group Health medical center has a sound of a wild animal. Now that's scary. Hope some mechanics better fix that sliding door from the Group Health North Building or there will be some serious trouble that people think that there's a wild animal at the hospital.

Okay, enough of that scary sliding door from Group Health North Building at Broadway, Seattle for now. Also earlier, I saw something even better...

This is the 2012 Subaru Impreza G4. When I said G4, no. It's not G4U. It's not THE IDOLM@STER G4U. This is G4. Subaru Impreza G4. A few moments ago, I just saw the 2012 Subaru Impreza Sport just a few blocks near my home but here, this G4 looks good. It looks more like a decent competitor to the Mazda Axela sedan, I think....

While peeking on the Impreza G4, we were taking too long at a parking garage until Daddy gets my Ate Elise. It's 4:00PM. I got to go to Seattle Central before 5:00PM because I have a class. When Daddy came back with my Ate Elise, I went to school. By 9:30PM, I left school and when I went home, I came into this.

This is it. SUDA 51's SDATCHER -Inspired by SNATCHER-. A drama CD in collaboration between Kojima Productions and Goichi Suda, the man behind the No More Heroes fame. I bought it via CDJapan and I put most of it on my iPod Touch for convenience. By now, I should be listening to the whole story...

Thanks for reading!

The McLaren F1 in Forza Motorsport 4

Doing like what The Stig does...

The McLaren F1 costs half-a-million Pounds when it came out in the public in 1993, and an engine bay lined in gold, essential driving position, and more power than you can ever imagine. It has a top speed of over 240mph, making it the fastest production car in the 1990's, serving this as an inspiration for Bugatti to create the Veyron. If the McLaren F1 didn't exists, the Bugatti Veyron was not existed. Unlike the Bugatti Veyron, the McLaren F1's 6.1L V12 BMW engine is Naturally Aspirated. It does not have safety features such as traction control and anti-lock brakes, making it one heck of a dangerous ride if you're not careful but who cares? This is the first carbon fiber bodied car. Of course, if you don't mind, I would be heading to the Police Box (Doctor Who's time machine) and go back to the 1990's when Top Gear was a bit more boring, Jeremy Clarkson's hair was still black and a little bit more afro, The Stig wasn't born yet, and of course, the old Top Gear presenters are far too many.

It was featured in "old" Top Gear when Tiff Needell test drives the McLaren F1 round the Millbrook  Proving Grounds in Bedfordshire. Although, Tiff Needell was impressed by the McLaren F1's performance, I disagreed however on his opinions. Besides, "old" Top Gear is boring and Top Gear with The Stig on it is better. Better to watch, better to re-enact, and better to laugh at. Okay, in the Series 13 episode of Top Gear, the McLaren F1 faces off against the Bugatti Veyron in a drag race in Abu Dhabi. As a matter of fact, the McLaren F1 has a better 0-60 time but the Veyron is better in a flat-out.

The McLaren F1's butterfly-type doors

Hey! I was right! There was
a Kenwood on it!

The McLaren F1 makes it a perfect debutante in Forza Motorsport 4. Not only you can race with it, you can also explore more about the wondrous facts about the McLaren F1 via Autovista or even hear Jeremy Clarkson's comments about the McLaren F1. This is the sportscar that was built without compromise.

Showtime to be renamed as "It's Showtime", replacing HYY this February!

If you think you've seen the last of this unkabogable TV show you often watched on ABS-CBN every mornings, titled SHOWTIME, don't worry because this unkabogable TV show will return as the new noontime show that will replace Happy Yipee Yehey, this February 6. That's right, madlang people. Showtime will be renamed as "IT'S SHOWTIME".

Refined, recharged, and reloaded, IT'S SHOWTIME will be proven to be even more better than the original and it will pack more segments that they will never stop the madlang people from being happy. The original Showtime presenters such as Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Kuya Kim Atienza, Vice Ganda, Billy Crawford, Karylle, Jugs and Teddy returned and there will be new presenters on IT'S SHOWTIME such as "Sample King" Jhong Hilario, and all-time favorites such as Ryan Bang and Coleen Garcia.

To be honest, I'm glad that they never left. That was a big surprise to keep the show alive and kicking!

Scoop: http://www.push.com.ph/features/4456/abs-cbn-official-statement-on-new-noontime-show-its-showtime/

GT5 meets Aston Martin's most exhilarating sports car

Song played in my Personal BGM: LOST by Yukiho Hagiwara (CV: Azumi Asakura)

From the album: THE IDOLM@STER MASTER ARTIST 2 -FIRST SEASON- 07 Yukiho Hagiwara

Re-attempting the sad ending from Top Gear Series 13

If you watched the finale of BBC's Top Gear Series 13, this is how they end the 13th season with the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, with Jeremy Clarkson on it. Even when Jeremy Clarkson said that the V12 Vantage is "wonderful, wonderful, wonderful", the Series 13 ending made me sad, very very sad and it made me cried at the end. Don't worry though, even it made the viewers cried at the Series 13 ending, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage unleashed its fury when it was featured at Jeremy Clarkson's DVD titled "Duel". When Jeremy Clarkson asks, "Which is faster? A car or a man?", the V12 Vantage duels against a very fast rugby player. We thought that the Aston Martin doesn't stand a chance against the rugby player's speed but it did, barely.

Plenty of smoke but no cider...

I really don't need to be sad right now because even though I am utterly familiar about the V12 Vantage, Aston Martin's most exhilarating sports car has arrived on Gran Turismo 5 via DLC, which is available now. For a quick refresh, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage was revealed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and it is equipped with a 6.0L V12 engine, producing 510bhp of power and 570Nm of torque. It achieves a 0-60m time of 4.2 seconds and 190mph of top speed. Even though the V12 Vantage still carries Aston Martin's tagline "Power, Beauty, Soul", it's still has a long way around. It may have the beauty and the soul but does it have the power?

The V12 Vantage logo

A well-designed exterior seems to be enough for
the V12 Vantage

Never mind, but what about the way it moves? When I drift the V12 Vantage, it's simple; Plenty of smoke but no cider. Even if you leave as much white smoke coming from the tires, it's taking a hard time power-sliding through the corners but still it corners well. This is much more better than the DB9 thanks to the power and weight. Weight? Oh yeah right. While the 2006 DB9 Coupe weighs about 1710kg, the V12 Vantage weighs about 1680kg. Impressive...

We caught The Stig going to the pub.

This car is a complete masterpiece and this is one of the most beautiful beasts I have ever tried on this game. Getting familiarized with the V12 Vantage is one too many because you already tried this one on other video games that featured this one but here on Gran Turismo 5, it's all about starting over from scratch when you get behind the wheel of the V12 Vantage.

Renault Twingo II - Phase II

When the second-generation Renault Twingo was released in 2007, this nippy little rascal is proven to be "99% serious" because it was proven to be more serious than being too cute. For the 2012 model year, the second-generation Twingo is getting a "99% serious" facelift make it even more serious than the previous one.

2012 Renault Twingo

For this minor change, the 2012 Twingo received an all-new look, the first to imply Renault's new design language that will imply on all future Renault models carrying that look as seen on concept cars. As a matter of fact, the front and rear design is all new and this new look makes it even more serious than the previous model. What's new for the Twingo's minor change is personalization. For the first time, customers can personalize the 2012 Twingo the way they want with various vinyls, side mirror colors, or even an available "canvas top" option.

2012 Renault Twingo interior

There are some minor tweaks on the interior of the 2012 Renault Twingo thanks to the choice of new audio systems especially the new one that serves as a docking station for your iPhone and permits the use of the GPS navigation system thanks to Renault's iPhone app. This app uses Bluetooth to communicate with the car and analyses the driver's 'eco-driving' behavior in real time. Like the exterior, the interior of the new Twingo can be personalized just the way you want, making it unique for you. Still, this is a 4-seater hatchback and the rear that made me think that it has enough space for Ross Kemp to fit in but forget about the whole Ross Kemp thing because Jeremy Clarkson drowned him in his "Sensible" Twingo Test in one episode of Top Gear.

There are numerous engines available for the New Twingo such as the 1.2 LEV 16V 75, dCi 75, dCi 85, and a 1.2 16V 75 engine. The engine available exclusively for the Twingo Gordini is a TCe 100 engine. That engine produces 100ps of power and it has a top speed of 185kph. To explain more about the 1.2 LEV 16V 75 engine available on the entry-level variant, some say that this engine has a CO2 emission of 105g/km, combined fuel economy of 22.2km/L (4.5L/100km), and 169kph of top speed. Most engines are certified to be Euro5 compliant and they're fitted with a 5-speed manual transmission on most models.

Six colors are available on the new Twingo; Bleu majorelle, Brun Cajou, Fuschia, Gris Platine, Noir Nacré, and Bleu Malte.

My comment:
As the Twingo gets even more serious, there will be even more serious customers shopping for this nippy little French 3-door hatchback that competes against the Peugeot 107 and the Citroen C1. If you own one, just one word; try not to attempt Jeremy Clarkson's ridiculous moments you saw on Top Gear's sensible Twingo test because this could lead in some serious trouble. I had no idea what happened to Ross Kemp...

Photo: Renault

Think of it as an E46 M3 with Bulimia

Time to warm up that new Stig!

There was a simple story. When Series 3 of Top Gear began in 2003, the original, black-colored, Stig was killed in action. When he performed his ultimate challenge at HMS Invicible using the old Top Gear Jaguar, he was supposed to do 100mph at the runway of the HMS Invincible and stop but The Stig went too fast and then The Stig got drowned himself to death. On the second episode of Top Gear Series 3, Jeremy Clarkson introduced the new Stig in white color and the first car to put this new Stig to the test is none other than the 2003 BMW M3 CSL. Before that, Jeremy Clarkson test drove the BMW M3 CSL at the Isle of Man. After the test drive, the white Stig lapped the BMW M3 CSL round the Top Gear Test Track in 1 minute and 28 seconds, that's quicker than the original BMW M3. So, what's it all about this lightweight M3 E46?

A duel between the two M3 CSL models

Launched in 2003 and limited to 1,400 units produced, the M3 CSL made to be even more quicker than the standard M3 thanks to its lightweight technologies inherited from the Formula One racing applications. As a matter of fact, the M3 CSL weights 100kg less than the standard E46 M3, that's a good mark for that. 

Like what Jeremy Clarkson said, think of it as an M3 with Bulimia because this sports coupe threw up a hundred kilograms to make it as firm and slim as a bulimic woman. 

The M3 CSL comes also with a tuned suspension, brakes, tightened steering ratio, roof that is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, SMG II manual transmission, and an improved 3.2L engine that has 17HP more than the standard M3. 

This variant is somewhat more of a track-day car rather than an everyday grand tourer...

The M3 CSL finds it's driving heaven

...and here on Gran Turismo 5, it does just the way we want. We may want to throw up more weight to keep the M3 CSL lighter and more agile on city streets and racetracks of our desire because this M3 CSL is all about being competitive. Also, you may want to recreate the Top Gear Power Lap Time using the M3 CSL and oh, make it as faster as you can if you want to show off with your online friends.

Wow Mali pranks - January 29, 2012

Pranks pulled at the January 29, 2012 episode of Wow Mali:

1) Kagat - Hey! You have a meal! Can I bite...YOU?!

2) May dumi sa salamin - Excuse me, you have a dirt on your face. Oh, sorry, my glasses...

3) Libreng BP - No. Not Blood Pressure. It's BABY POWDER!!!!

4) Doray Alaskadora - Learn how to "SUBTRACTION" with Doray Alaskadora

5) Hindi Ako Waiter - Those who look like waiters...aren't waiters. They're customers.

6) Tawa nang Tawa - This woman can't stop laughing while asking for directions. Guess she thinks you're funny.

7) Gusot - This woman's getting angry at you...Until some tanod's readying his iron.

8) Palit Damit - Anyone noticing a man dressed in black swapped his clothes to fool the barangay tanod?

MEOW SIOPAO!

What just happened on the January 28, 2012 episode of Lokomoko?

- Office gags

- Tanong ko lang, kulang...Bakit ba tinawag na driving shoes? Sila ba ang sapatos na nakakapagdrive?

- E Tan Ong is back to answer some daily questions!

- Tanong ko lang, kulang...Tumatakbo ba ang mga fastfood?

- Tanong ko lang, kulang...Hotcake pa rin ba ang tawag mo sa hotcake kahit lumamig na ito?

- Lokomersyal in Meow Siopao! Mapapahiyaw ka talaga!

Meow Siopao

- Tanong ko lang, kulang...Pwede bang hindi tumakbo sa runway?

- Awesome Roces returns as well with Awesome Marie Chan on another Awesome Show. This time, an interview with Tom Dela Cruz (Empoy) who enjoyed his success in baking as well as his assistant, Bread Pete (guest star Wendell Ramos).

- And it all wraps the the show with Whose Line Is It Anyhow?!

1) Sana sagutin mo ako - Test Paper

2) Wala akong mukhang inihaharap - Batok

3) Pangako, no brownout! - Motel

4) Ang kalusugan ay kayamanan - Fans ni Sharon

5) Hindi ko kayo kakilala, pero naalala nyo ako kapag gipit kayo! - Sanglaan

6) Subukan mo akong hilahin at mag-iingay ako! - Kampana

7) ZZZZZZZZZZZ....ZZZZZZZZ - Sleeping Beauty

REPORT: ABS-CBN's Happy Yippee Yehey to be finished this February!

If you think the SHOWTIME finale really saddened you up in a deeply moving manner, get ready to shed some more tears because ABS-CBN's axing the noontime show, Happy Yippee Yehey, this Saturday!

According to Yahoo! Philippines OMG, the final episode of Happy Yippee Yehey will be held this Saturday, February 4, at the AFP Theater, along with their "My Girl" Grand Finals.

ABS-CBN's Press Release:

Happy Yipee Yehey' (HYY) will have its last episode with the grand finals of its "My Girl" search at the AFP Theater on Saturday, February 4, 2012.

ABS-CBN is very grateful to the HYY hosts and production staff for their hard work and contribution in giving our noontime viewers a "happy, yipee, yehey" experience for the past year.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to our viewers, here in the Philippines and in The Filipino Channel (TFC) markets worldwide, for their support to the program.

The HYY hosts will be given new projects that kapamilyas will surely enjoy.

Scoop: http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/news/abs-cbn-to-cancel--happy-yipee-yehey-.html

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 25

Yesterday, I just got a "tweet" from someone I don't know, probably some who read one of my "Driving Music" posts while I'm away. That tweet goes "What is the 2012 kia optima song heard in the commercial? It's a uptempo rock song. Please help". Yeah, bare enough, I must respond, and this Driving Music portion is stepping through the bridge...again.

Sorry to say that song played on the 2012 Kia Optima commercial as seen in the USA is "original" and it's not available for the public.

Anyway, to cheer you up, here are another set of 5 Driving Musics (Car Commercial Songs) to enjoy:

5. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps by the Pussycat Dolls - from the 2009 Kia Soul Korean TV Commercial.

4. Mr. Tambourine Man by The Byrds - from the 2003 Toyota Estima Japanese TV Commercial.

3. Smile by Rod Stewart - from the 2004 Toyota Estima Japanese TV Commercial

2. I Ain't Superstitious by MEGADETH - from the 1987 Honda CR-X Japanese TV Commercial

1. Wild Child by Enya - from the 2004 Honda Elysion Japanese TV Commercial

...and that's it. We're done on this section. Just remember, this "Driving Music" segment is always open when you need it, otherwise, I could get some serious complaints from someone named "Mr. Needham". Bye!

Thank You Showtime!

Yesterday, January 28, 2012, our favorite ABS-CBN variety show, SHOWTIME, was ended in a deeply manner. I did not get that memo but thankfully I caught up on the SHOWTIME ending. On that ending, the Showtime presenters such as Vhong Navarro, Anne Curtis, Kim Atienza, Vice Ganda, Jugs & Teddy, and others are relieving the great moments in Showtime history such as how the show began in late 2009, the celebs who are the judges on the show, laughter, mishaps, friendship, thrills, that sort of thing that made SHOWTIME great for the past four seasons.

That show changed the lives of many people because of their newly-found talents. The talents shown are very unique for them and it created "more fun" and "more happiness" for the Madlang People. Those people who've joined, especially the first team that won the first season of Showtime, XB Gensan, were truly our inspiration for all of the Filipinos from here and the rest of the world. Every late morning, at the flick of the remote; how can we hardly miss about Kuya Kim's trivia, Anne Curtis' Madlang People chant, the face dance that smiled us, Vice Ganda's jokes, the celebrity judges' SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE (especially faves from the past judges such as Ryan Bang, Gladys Reyes, Jhong Hilario and Dimples Romana), and others that made it "more fun" in Showtime? Poor us. That SHOWTIME was been our all-time favorite program from ABS-CBN but now it's all gone for good. That made me sad...

THANK YOU SHOWTIME!!!!

Welcome Back: 2010 Peugeot RCZ

The RCZ's rear design

Peugeot RCZ in Top Gear? It's a YES
if you live in Korea

Seriously though, did the Peugeot RCZ has a place in Top Gear history. If you asked that question to The Stig's Korean cousin, well yes, the Peugeot RCZ does have a place in Top Gear history.

In an episode of Top Gear Korea, presenter Kim Gam Soo introduces to the Peugeot RCZ. Then, this car had a drag race against the Audi TT Roadster and the MINI Cooper S and the Peugeot RCZ won that race. The only problem Kim Gam Soo faces on the RCZ is the rear headroom because of the RCZ's double bubble roof.

In the hands of The Stig, it set a lap time of 1:40.86 round the Top Gear Korea test track, making it faster than the P_rsh_ P_n_m_r_ Diesel and the Range Rover Sport but just a few seconds slower than the Cadillac CTS-V. What a remarkable coupe made from PSA Peugeot Citroen.

The Peugeot RCZ has returned on Forza Motorsport 4 and that is why it's your turn to set the RCZ's personal best round the Top Gear Test Track. Hope that Top Gear executive producer, Andy Wilman, got that memo...