Saturday, November 2, 2013

"LEAVE A MAN COME BACK A HERO"

On the November 1, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Holdapper gags

- It's the Full Moon! And are you making stories about a werewolf?

- Now, back with the tambays as they are faced with some supernatural issues only one ispiritista will save the day...sort of.

- Noon at Ngayon jokes about the use of lipstick

- Need help? Ask Tata Lino anything!

- Nothing beats an astronaut. Bubble Gang does Axe Apollo by spoofing this commercial as X APOLLO. LEAVE A MAN COME BACK A HERO.

Bubble Gang does Axe

- Senyora Antonietta continues her kontrabida ways...

- Noon at Ngayon jokes about ligawan.

- Gerry Gerinimo examines new school supplies such as ballpen diaper, penpen de sarapen, mongo pencil, luler, ipad paper, foilder, asking tape, scratch tape, medium brown envelope, pantal pen, fountain pen, and scissor salad.



- The kind kidnapper

- James Wang, the hotshot from Japan, investigates on a crime scene.

What's in our Car Town garage today? (November 2, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1996 Lotus Esprit V8

With the Esprit production ended in the year 2004, this signalled the end of a Lotus V8, therefore this is better known to be the last of the V8 Lotuses ever made. Although redesigned by Julian Thompson, the Esprit V8 features an all-aluminum twin turbo 3.5L V8 engine which develops around 350bhp of power, therefore a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds and top speeds of over 175 mph. It may not be a half-decent supercar but the Esprit still retains the British bulldog spirit from within.

1996 Lotus Esprit V8

1932 Ford Rat Rod

A rat rod is another kind of hot rod which may look unfinished based on their status but it was made simply to be driven. This clear example of a rat rod is a 1930's Ford Model A and judging by the way this rat rod looks, this unfinished exterior looks more intimidating and as for the driving essentials, it takes an expert to master the past-century beast but still it's worth the sound rather than using it as a marketing display. Be wary though that because this hot rod's slammed to the max, getting through the ramps and humps will be extremely difficult.

1932 Ford Rat Rod

2013 Hyundai Veloster Zombie Survival Machine

Hyundai makes the rounds again when they came back at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con in collaboration with The Walking Dead to create another Zombie Survival Machine. This time, their new Zombie Survival Machine displayed at the SDCC 2013 was based on the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo. Now fully armed with weapons including chainsaws on the front bumper, machine guns on the hood and the roof and a whole lot of zombie-proof inventories, this Veloster is worthy enough to take down the army of the undead.

2013 Hyundai Veloster Zombie Survival Machine

Top Gear USA S04E06

(*sorry for the late post)

On that episode of Top Gear USA, the boys try to turn their used car of choice into car boats. Adam goes for the 80's Jeep Wrangler while Rut goes for the 1999 Golf Cabrio and Tanner goes for the sporty Plymouth Conquest, which is one of the Americanzed versions of the legendary Mitsubishi Starion.

The first challenge involves the speed test and find out if their car boats still capable on the highway. In the first challenge, Adam's Jeep Boat is the slowest and the most pathetic on the road whereas Tanner wins the challenge

Build quality is the next challenge for their car boats and it involves slalom cornering. Again, the Jeep boat is rubbish on this challenge while Rut's cabrio loses its top. Another win for Tanner and his Turboat...

As the boys headed for the next challenge, Adam's Jeep boat is facing some mechanical issues.

With Tanner and Rut arrived on their destination at the park, Adam arrives with the new set of... small wheels for his car boat.

With their boats on deck, the challenge involves crossing through the Lake Ontario from New York to Toronto. Will they sink or float? Things are getting to pretty risky for the boys...

With the Conquest and Wrangler faced their fate on the seas, only the VW Cabrio boat stands up and with Adam and Tanner now in Rut's VW, the journey to Toronto gets even more troublesome upon their encounter with the Canada Coast Guard.

Sadly, as the journey continues, the VW's motor gone caput, leaving the boys stranded on Canadian waters. Not for Tanner because he summoned his mate on a jet ski to get Tanner out.

With Adam and Rut stranded on Canadian waters, they risked everything and they managed to turn the motor on but can they make it?

12 hours later, they almost made it to Toronto and onto the finish line, they worked together to send the VW Cabrio on the land. Success at last! Or is it? Oh well...


Friday, November 1, 2013

Let's Do The News! (November 1, 2013)

The big news today...

Bee and PuppyCat Kickstarter update

With less than 13 days left, about 8,860 backers pledged $432,494 out of the $600,000 target for the Bee and PuppyCat Kickstarter project. So, what are you waiting for? Back this project while you still can!

Mugen Power 2014 Odyssey

2014 Honda Odyssey
As with the launch of the new fifth-generation Honda Odyssey, Mugen Power tweaks the new model with some sporting credentials to keep this flagship MPV a bit more sleek and sporty.

Report: http://www.carscoops.com/2013/10/new-jdm-2014-honda-odyssey-worked-out.html

More on the NSA scandal...

Continuing on the NSA scandal, it seems that Indonesia summoned the Australian ambassador in Jakarta over a report that his embassy was among diplomatic posts in Asia being used in a vast American surveillance operation.

Report: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/73939/indonesia-summons-australian-envoy-as-spy-row-spreads-in-asia

Meanwhile...the Departments of National Defense and Foreign Affairs will be tasked to verify reports that the Philippines became a hub for the NSA tracking communication networks in Asia.

Report: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/73883/aussie-media-say-nsa-using-ph-as-hub-to-track-networks-in-asia-palace-asks-dnd-dfa-to-check

The homeless ban from McDo JP

McDonald's Japan issued an apology after it was revealed that one of their branches posted a "homeless ban" notice for more than a year. This notice, triggered online debates, said staff at the west Tokyo branch "would refuse entry to people deemed improper," citing poor hygiene and homelessness as examples.

Report: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/73945/mcdonalds-japan-sorry-over-homeless-ban

Yurindo Bookstore removes KuroBas items temporary

The KuroBas threats are still looming around here especially when the second season of the series still kicking on TV sets. On the developing story, Yurindo bookstore announced that they'll be temporarily removing merchandise from the said show from its 35 stores in Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Chiba. Reason why is because they received a threat letter last month stating that the sender would harm the bookstore chain and its customers if it didn't remove the merchandise.

Report: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-31/yurindo-bookstore-chain-temporarily-removes-kuroko-basketball-merchandise

Mitsubishi's 2013 Tokyo Motor Show concepts

Mitsubishi concepts for the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show

Mitsubishi pulled the wraps on three concept cars making a world premiere at this month's Tokyo Motor Show. In the middle, that's the GC-PHEV, a concept SUV powered by a 3.0L V6 supercharged MIVEC engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and incorporates PHEV technology. In the right side, that's the XR-PHEV, a crossover powered by a 1.1L turbo MIVEC engine with PHEV technology. Finally on the left, it's the Concept AR which comes with the 1.1L turbo MIVEC engine with a mild hybrid system.

Report: http://carview.yahoo.co.jp/news/motorshow/194015/

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: The story so far (10/31/13)


The story so far from the Korean Peninsula:

- North Korea won't be making the first move to restart the six-party talks at least, that's what the country's foreign minister says.

- Tensions between China and Japan over territorial claims to an island chain in the East China Sea could ignite a war, according to China's state-run Global Times.

- Korea's listed companies are turning in their third quarter report cards and things aren't looking so good.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

HALLOWEEN 2013: Happy Halloween!!!


Well, it's that time of the year again, Halloween. It's probably one of the best holiday of the fourth quarter of the year and in this event, people love to get out with their favorite costumes and go trick or treating. Sometimes, they want to party hard all night long. For a few, they want to do something bolder by going to some place haunted. That's what Halloween's all about.

So, got any plans for this year's Halloween? For me, that's a top secret but still I'm in to the Halloween spirit like the whole neighborhood. When darkness falls, we all have to party hard for this time of the year.

On behalf of many, HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL!!!



HALLOWEEN 2013: The Lazy Man's Guide to Carving Pumpkins


On this segment:

Pumpkins are the best thing to do this Halloween and every year, people love to carve pumpkins with whatever they've desired but in the world of the lazy men, carving pumpkins take a lot of work so how can to speed this pumpkin carving up?

The electric drill should do nicely and what lazy men do is to make a big circle on it to create the eye of the pumpkin. Two holes should be enough.

Anyway, what about the mouth. Most pumpkins have scary zig-zag shaped mouth and doing this is not the lazy man's way so how can we make it even more scarier? Stick it with a knife and then slice them zig-zag to create a mouth!

Some pumpkins have lights but candles can be too somewhat flammable for the pumpkin. Recommendation? Battery-operated candles! You can find one of these at your local hardware store.

Within minutes, one scary pumpkin, made to decorate your home in time for All Hallows Eve.

That truly was the Lazy Man's Guide to Carving Pumpkins...

Fifth-generation Honda Odyssey (RC1/RC2)

2014 Honda Odyssey

In the previous generations, the Honda Odyssey set the benchmark of being the only MPV available from Honda and this minivan's well known to target families because of its convenience, practicality, and performance suitable for the breadwinner.

So, here we are, the newer, more bigger, fifth-generation Honda Odyssey. With the chassis code of RC1 (RC2 for 4WD models), the all new Odyssey has now been transformed from once a target against the Wish and Premacy into a flagship minivan which targets against the Nissan Elgrand and the Toyota Alphard. Even though it's bigger than the predecessors, the new model is the first ever Odyssey to feature dual-sliding doors. A first for this generation!

That's right and even though this is the first ever Odyssey to feature dual-sliding doors, I have to say that the new model has now been graduated from an MPV targeted for breadwinners into a luxury MPV targeted for high-profile personalities. And as for the interior...

2014 Honda Odyssey interior

2014 Honda Odyssey interior

Well, it maybe more of a lookalike to the interior of the Nissan Elgrand E52 but because it's now a flagship MPV, the new RC Odyssey can also be available with two reclining ottoman seats on the second row, that is when you go for the 7-seater model and when you're seating on one of those, this is more of a first class flight rather than going through the economy class but sadly, driving in one of these doesn't give you the first class feeling but more of an "economy class". However, we'll talk about that later on but anyway, back on the interior. The seven-seater model is more of a class act but for those who have bigger families may be opted for an eight-seater variant. Depending on the variant, you can expect an optional rear entertainment system which people at the back can enjoy watching movies while stuck at a long traffic. Convenient though, feels like I really wish that our MPV should have that kind of entertainment system but who cares? Most of the Japanese MPVs of today has those nowadays...

Anyway, back to the "economy class" section and why? Because on the new model, the only engine available is Honda's new 2.4L i-VTEC engine made under the EARTH DREAMS TECHNOLOGY banner and for the Absolute model, which is the top-of-the-line model for the new Odyssey, it promises class-leading fuel economy of 14.0km/L in JC08 Mode standards, that's about more than what you expect on the Toyota Alphard and the Nissan Elgrand! So, being the most fuel-efficient in its class may not be a bad thing but it's still more of an "economy class" in the performance ratio because basically, it's mated with a CVT gearbox while on the Absolute model, the CVT gearbox comes with a 7-speed manual mode operated via paddle shifters. It may not be as exciting as the old model but the new Odyssey RC1 tries to be more "business class" rather than being placed on the "economy class" and safety wise, it's been loaded with numerous safety features such as VSA, Motion Adaptive EPS, Emergency Stop Signal, and oh, the same feature as seen on the new Fit which is the City Brake Active System, a low-speed autonomous braking system, intended to help avoid typical city center shunts. Sounds bizarre but use with extreme caution because sometimes, this bizarre autonomous braking system, like you expect from Volvos, doesn't work all the time. The more you know...

Prices start at around 2,490,000 Japanese Yen, which is about a 70,000 yen hike over the previous RB2 model so that is a lot of money but it's a great value because the new Odyssey RC1 is affordable than the Toyota Alphard and Nissan Elgrand.

2014 Honda Odyssey

So what do I like about the new Odyssey? Business-class interior for the Absolute model, 2.4L engine more fuel-efficient than the Alphard and the Elgrand, and the value that shunts the competition. What I don't like about is its "economy class" characteristics. That's all so if you're in Japan, well, see you tomorrow but if you're in Australia, Hong Kong, or China, please wait... As for the right-hand drive ASEAN markets...how can I say this? Well, To Be Determined, perhaps.

Available Colors: Premium Venus Black Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Glamorous Mauve Pearl, Premium Deep Rosso Pearl, White Orchid Pearl, Super Platinum Metallic, and Modern Steel Metallic.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Let's Do The News! (October 31, 2013)

The big news today

1) Honda announces recall for 2014 Fit Hybrid

2014 Honda Fit

Honda issued a recall on 4,833 units of the all-new 2014 Honda Fit Hybrid mated with a 7-speed double clutch gearbox. Reason for this sudden recall is because of the hybrid model's double clutch gearbox getting some problems. Honda will issue a fix on the DCT glitch as possible.


Middle class Filipinos by 2030

During his televised speech, Philippine President Noynoy Aquino said that in the year 2030, about 4 out of 5 Filipino families will be "middle-classed" Is this true?


NSA claims Europeans did the spying.

As the NSA scandal continues, there are some reports saying that NSA or the National Security Agency claimed that it was the Europeans did the espionage and then handed the info to the Americans. WHAT'S THEIR EXCUSE?


In other NSA-related news...

NSA tapped directly into communications links used by Google and Yahoo to move huge amounts of email and other user information among overseas data centers. It was based on the leaked documents from fugitive Edward Snowden and has used weak restrictions on its overseas activities to exploit major US companies' data to a far greater extent than realized. Forewarned but I'll check out more on the NSA scandal as the story develops...


Volkswagen is WRC manufacturers' title of 2013

VW claims WRC manufacturers' title in only its debut season
Volkswagen wins WRC 2013 Manufacturer's title

Even though the German carmaker debuted this season, Volkswagen became the first to snagged the manufacturers' trophy and the final round of the WRC 2013 season at Rally Spain, courtesy of Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia.


A "new found friend" for Pope Francis

A young boy makes the rounds during Pope Francis' speech on the stage. You know what this young lad did to the Pope? He hugged him, which makes it quite a touching feat. Awww....


The return of something gold for flagship Toyota MPVs.

Toyota Alphard TYPE GOLD II

Toyota Vellfire Golden Eyes II
Toyota brings the gold back to our two favorite luxury MPVs, the Alphard and the Vellfire. For the Alphard Type Gold II special model, it comes with a gold Alphard emblem, smoke colored plating on the grille and the back door garnish, TYPE GOLD II emblem, smoke plated fog lights, special aluminum wheels, gold metering, gold wooden trim, Alcantara seats, and so much more. On the Vellfire Golden Eyes II, same gold wooden panels but you can expect the same gold headlamps from the last Golden Eyes model. Expect the Golden Eyes II emblem on the back.

They both start at around 4,070,000 Japanese Yen and comes with a 2.4L and a 3.5L V6 engine.


Japanese bookstores to retain KuroBas items despite threats

Despite the ongoing threats against Kuroko's Basketball, most of the Japanese bookstores like Kinokuniya, Sanseido, Junkudo, and Miyawaki decided to keep those because they want to uphold freedoms of expression. However, a report from Yomiuri TV news program aired a report on the ongoing threats and showed some of the threat letters sent to convenience stores, newspapers, and TV networks. Not only it singled out KuroBas but they disparaged manga related to pirates, ninja, and gourmet. Wait a minute...


TTFN!!!

HALLOWEEN 2013: What to wear on a Halloween party?


Welcome to the special HALLOWEEN 2013 segment of Leopaul's Blog, the segment that sucks blood to live like what vampires do.

On this segment:

Teenagers enjoy throwing the biggest Halloween parties at home and of course, if you want to be part of the party, you need to be stand out from the crowd. Maybe the costumes you'll be wearing will give you the attention guests deserve so what to wear on a Halloween party?!

1) Vampire fashion

Well, forget about Dracula, everyone knows that thanks to Twilight and Vampire Diaries, vampires are hot. So hot. Rather that dressing up as Dracula, think of the vampire fashion you'll be wearing. Gothic and dark, it's all vampire fashion to us so the more punkish and dark your clothes are, the more attractive you'll become to inspire the look of a blood-sucking immortal.

2) Zombies

Zombies are so in right now thanks to The Walking Dead so if you are planning to dress as the flesh-munching undead for the party, have enough make-up and some ragged clothes to wear because...that's how zombies look like; wearing ragged clothing with some blood spills, creepy-looking faces, and a scary stance that is a proof of being a flesh muncher. Mmm...brains...

3) Science Fiction

Whether if its Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, or any other forms of sci-fi stuff any geek would think of, you are always more than welcome to be. Word of warning though, being R2D2 or a Dalek is impossible. Oh yeah, word of warning though...DON'T YOU DARE DRESS YOURSELF AS A TARDIS. A TARDIS is a thing, not a character. Well, Idris is the Tardis so you're suppose to be her. Think about it folks, if you're going to be the TARDIS for the party, be warned that it's gonna take a cardboard box and blue paint to do it. That's annoying, isn't it? I REPEAT, A TARDIS IS NOT A CHARACTER so don't dare to cosplay as that.

4) Cartoon Characters

Classic or modern, it's your pick. Like in previous installments, deciding which cartoon character you'll be dressing as for the party is hard work and there are some characters that are uniquely impossible to cosplay like Lady Rainicorn (because she's long and it takes some dragon dancing tricks to do it), Lumpy Space Princess (because of her appearance impossible to mimic unless mascot trickery), the imaginary friends from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, oh and those from that new cartoon I watched called Wander over Yonder. There are some or few cartoon characters impossible to cosplay so don't even try. Oh and don't even think about dressing as humanized versions of animal characters...even Pokemon. Kigurumi...that's what they suppose to be.

If you're planning to be Dipper Pines for the party...this is worth the shot because it takes a blue vest, red shirt, and some black-ish shorts but what about the hat? WeLoveFine has one. As for Mabel...hmmm...how to mimic the sweaters she wore in the series? Well, it's all up to you...

5) Video Games

You love video games, so do we! Dress up as your favorite video game heroes and villains at the party so your guests will know that you had your game on! Oh yeah! Get'cha head in the game!

6) Anime characters

Some people who are going to the Halloween party will be wearing as their favorite anime heroes and villains so whether if its Naruto, One Piece, Dragon Ball, SAO, Attack on Titan, or any other anime otakus know, you are always more than welcome. Parties are getting used to those anime otakus nowadays.

7) Monsters

Monsters from horror movies are what every hardcore faithfuls want to be for the party so if you're going out as a wolfman or a headless man or a white lady or a manananggal or demons...it's your call. Be whatever monsters you want for the party.

8) Killers

Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Chucky, Jigsaw, there are so many notorious killers as seen from horror movies and whichever horror slashers you'll be guaranteed a more killer look when you come to the party. Oh and safety first before you go. You don't want to scare the partygoers away with your weapons, which in case just props rather than real ones.

So there you go...these are the best stuff to wear when you're coming for the Halloween Party with your mates. Time to get your scare on and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! Boo-hoo!!!! 

Amy Perez, IHAW NA!

Amy Perez is well known to be part of the Palibasa Lalake cast, one of the presenters at MTB, and every Filipinos call her Tyang Amy. With her returning to ABS-CBB, she's the guest of the day at October 30's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment.

Meanwhile, the difference between Sosyal and Di Sosyal such as calling on a low-batt phone, passing the crisps, and watching TV.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: The story so far (10/30/13)


The story so far from the Korean Peninsula:

- A 21-member delegation from the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee made a rare visit to the Kaesong Complex.

2) Top military officials of South Korea and USA launched the sixth installment of their military cost-sharing talks