What's in our Car Town garage today? (December 29, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2004 Acura NSX

Shortly after Honda launched their facelifted NSX for the 2002, Acura followed suit for the NSX facelift since 2004 as a 2005 model year. The biggest change is the lamps because they've replaced the old retractable headlights with a fixed squarish headlights to add some style on Honda's only midship sportscar. Midship aside, the NSX is powered by a 3.2L V6 engine which produces 290HP of power and 224lb-ft of torque.

2004 Acura NSX

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454

Ever since General Motors lifted the ban on high displacement on midsize cars, Chevrolet's Chevelle SS 454 herald the rise of the 455-cid mills, even though this car has a 454-cid V8 engine on it. This model could actually have two different 454-cid engines but the best thing to put in the SS 454 is the one with the LS6 engine on it because it comes with the 800-cfm four-barrel on the aluminum manifold, better compression ratio, and tons of enhancements. No other engine had a higher factory horsepower rating than this when it came out in the 70's.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454

2000 Honda Suki's S2000

A custom machine made for Suki from 2 Fast 2 Furios, the sequel to The Fast and The Furious movie where Brian O'Connor teams up with convict Roman to take down a criminal mastermind in Miami. It uses the 2000 Honda S2000 as its base. For a tuner car, it looks stylish, fast, and drop-dead gorgeous, suiting Suki's personality as a street racer. The pink coloring adds a nice touch, too.

2000 Honda Suki's S2000

REMEMBERING 2013 - Part Four

Hello, and welcome to the fourth part of my year-ender called Remembering 2013. I'll be randomly listing stuff that came throughout 2013. From good things, bad things, best things, worst things, whatever you name it, that year-ender list is on me. It's on my head so let's get cracking!

Bee and PuppyCat

In the summer of 2013, the folks at Cartoon Hangover streamed an original web short called Bee & PuppyCat. It's created by Natasha Allegri, who is responsible for the gender-swapped episodes of Adventure Time. 

In case you never heard of it, there was a gender-swapped episode in Adventure Time. There was Fionna the Human Girl, her best pal Cake the Cat, Prince Gumball, Marshall Lee the Vampire King, and the Ice Queen. Long story short but you get the idea.

Anyway, it's about a girl named Bee who got herself sacked from the job and she made a fateful encounter with a celestial being who is a cat? Maybe a dog? Nope, it's PuppyCat, the one who sounded like a Vocaloid.

Even though it's a short, the netizens got hooked over and because of such support, the producers opted to spawn this into a series but they gonna need a lot of backing from the fans so that's why they set up a Kickstarter goal to fund as much as $600,000 to give Bee and PuppyCat a series it deserve.

It was a slow start at the first day but several weeks later and just 6 days to go before the deadline, success at last. They meet the Kickstarter goal. Just as the clock reached zero, 18,209 backers pledged $872,133. With that funding, the series will have just about 8 episodes...I think...

The Office (US) bids farewell

After 9 seasons, it's a fond farewell to everyone at the Dunder Mifflin paper company as the US version of The Office bids farewll. In the final episode, the workers of Dunder Mifflin, past and present, gather for a wedding.

The death of Cory Monteith

Fans of the hit musical TV series Glee were saddened by the news that the actor Cory Monteith, the one who played as quarterback Finn Hudson, found dead at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. The cause of death were supposed to be...drug and alcohol abuse last Summer at the age of 31.

An episode from the latest season of Glee titled The Quarterback bids farewell to Finn Hudson and the staff of the show weren't allowed to use the actor's cause of death to send message about drug abuse and for that, Finn Hudson's death remain unknown. Because of this, the next season of Glee will be the last season...ever. Quite sad, isn't it?

Pagani Huayra is the fastest on the Top Gear track

Pagani Huayra and Richard Hammond

Since Series 19 of Top Gear began earlier this year, Richard Hammond reviews the latest Pagani hypercar, the Huayra. After the review, they lend it to The Stig and in the end, the Huayra is the fastest road-legal and streetworthy car ever to go round the Top Gear Test Track, setting a time of 1:13.8 on street legal, Zonda R-derived Trofeo tyres, beating the previous record of 1:15.1 set by the Ariel Atom V8 in January 2011.

Yes, really. Street legal Pirelli Super Trofeo tyres. Just a response from the scandal claiming that the Huayra cheated on the track but whatever.

Wander Over Yonder

Wander Over Yonder

There's a new show aired on Disney Channel titled Wander Over Yonder. Yes, just another cartoon that looks a bit...well, you get the idea, and surprisingly, it's made by the man behind PPG and Foster's. Again...Craig McCracken, the man responsible for The Powerpuff Girls and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, made this Disney Channel original cartoon. Quite a departure but to me, there's a lot of reason why you should like this cartoon more than the well-established ones.

Wander, the interstellar fellar who loves being happy and helping others, and his best friend and trusty steed Sylvia travel through different parts of galaxy in search of intergalactic fun-packed adventures while messing up Lord Hater, the most evil villain in the universe, and an army of Watchdogs led by Commander Peepers.

Whether if its an encounter with a flesh-eating monster, an asteroid filled with bad guys, securing a package and not open it, ignoring the troll's, well, trolling, or just getting stuff from Wander's bigger-on-the-inside hat, there's nothing more enjoyable than the newest addition to the Disney family.

Liv & Maddie

Liv and Maddie

Another newcomer to the Disney family is the Rooney twins Liv & Maddie in a new Disney Channel comedy series Liv & Maddie. They're both played by a newcomer teen star Dove Cameron.

Phineas & Ferb Mission Marvel

The first ever Phineas & Ferb crossover episode featuring Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor from The Avengers and Spider-Man. In the special episode, the Marvel heroes stand powerless when one of Doof's inators zapped away all their powers and now, it's up to Phineas, Ferb and the gang to get their powers back. One of the most surprising parts in the episode is the special cameo appearance of Stan Lee.

Tokyo will host 2020 Olympics

After much bidding, it seems that after the Rio 2016 Olympics, the next country to host the 2020 Summer Olympics is Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo blitzes Istanbul and Madrid by a long shot, although I felt kinda sad to the Spaniards after their nation got eliminated from the bids. Pity though and since Spain's on the financial brink right now, there's no way that thing could happen.

This isn't the first time Japan had hosted the Olympics because the first time they held the Summer Olympics was in 1964, which is the first Asian nation to host such an event. There was this show called Eagle Sam, which is about Sam the Eagle, the mascot of the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA and oh, the venue that was gonna used for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was featured in the post-apocalyptic masterpiece by Katsuhiro Otomo, Akira

The end of The Eleventh Doctor

In the world of Doctor Who, Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith announced that he will leave Doctor Who for good. Having been around for three years, Matt Smith changed the history of Doctor Who forever. He propelled Doctor Who as the flagship of BBC with thanks to current showrunner Steven Moffat, he was voted Best Actor by Readers of Doctor Who Magazine for the 2010 season, he won Most Popular Male Drama Performance award in 2012 NTA, the first actor to to be nominated for a BAFTA in the role, one who revolutionizes bowties and fezzes as cool stuff, the man who yelled "GERONIMO" in the show, and starred alongside different partners such as Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) and most recently Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman).

Matt Smith was replaced by Peter Capaldi, the guy who's very good at political satires as proven in In The Loop and The Thick of It, at the end of the 2013 Christmas Special titled The Time of The Doctor.

Before he left, he has one thing he just told to us...

THERE'S MORE TO COME IN PART FIVE OF THIS YEAR IN REVIEW! TTFN!!!

The best Bubble Gang moments of 2013!

2013 is coming to a close and on the December 27, 2013 episode, Bubble Gang highlights the best moments of 2013 such as...

10) Tata Lino and Mr. Assimo

9) Mabait na cowboy, tutol sa libingan, and Harlem Shake Bubble Gang-style

8) Ugly man Diego gets leveled up in stuff like Pangit ka Mas Pangit ako, Diary ng isang Pangit, and the segment called ATLIT.

7) News gets messed up in REPORT REPORT, an interview with a vegetable rights advocate,

6) The Bubble Gang Summer Special 2013

5) Boy Basag defeats Boy Pick Up, and Cyber Katipuneros.

4) A Bubble Gang kontrabida named Antonietta, and a drama gets all weather-weather stuff in Bukas May PAGASA Pa

3) After 15 years, Brod Pete and his pals returned to answer life's hardest questions in ANG BAGONG DATING DOON, Secretary De Anim bares all in the name of politics, and pork barrel queen Tina Pulez doesn't know a thing or two in a senate hearing!

2) Stuff from the internet gets acknowledged in the segment called IKAW AT ANG INA.

and the number one Bubble Gang moment of 2013 is...the 18TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL!!!

2013 has been quite a big year for Bubble Gang. From new segments, more messed-up jokes, commercial spoofs, and new faces as well as familiar ones from the best funnymen in the history of Bubble Gang, it has been proven a big year for the longest running gag show in ages. See you in 2014!

Genesis finale

In the final episode of Genesis, Isaak (Dingdong Dantes) risks everything to save his people from an imminent apocalypse but first, he's risking it all to save President Sandra (Lorna Tolentino) and the Filipinos before Former President Ramona (Jackie Lou Blanco) initiates her plan to leave them face the world's end.

Although he managed to save the president, he failed to stop Ramona's evil plans into fruition, therefore, along with the high-ranking officials, Ramona left Earth with the spaceship heading to the mothership.

With nothing left, it seems that all the hope is lost and the impact from asteroid Cerberus is imminent until...a miracle happened.

An asteroid just hit the feared Cerberus asteroid and shattered into meteorites...and hitting the spaceship where Ramona and the high ranking officials on it.

With the spaceship got hit by a meteor and the feared asteroid impact now turned into a meteor shower, the world is saved!

Moments after the world is spared from the apocalypse, President Sandra adressed herself with a speech stating that the salvation of the Earth will serve as the new beginning for those affected from the major calamities.

Isaak finally reunited with his family and that concludes the story of Genesis.

Genesis ending

REMEMBERING 2013 - Part Three

Hello, and welcome to the third part of my year-ender called Remembering 2013. I'll be randomly listing stuff that came throughout 2013. From good things, bad things, best things, worst things, whatever you name it, that year-ender list is on me. It's on my head so let's get cracking!

Mitoy Yonting is the first Voice PH winner

Mitoy Yonting. If my memory serves me correctly, he was once a person who used illegal drugs in his youth years as a band member but now, his life changed forever ever since he became the first winner of The Voice of The Philippines.

The first-ever winner of The Voice of the Philippines is named on the grand finale held at Resorts World Manila and the 42 year old vocalist, is hailed the victor on this reality singing competition. A member of Team Lea, Mitoy garnered 57.65% of votes to beat Team Sarah's Klarisse de Guzman based on the number of votes including iTunes and truetone downloads. Team Bamboo's Myk Perez and Team Apl's Janice Javier were among the Top 4 finalists.

Team GILAS

Despite getting nuked by Iran in the final round of the FIBA Asia Cup, the all-Filipino basketball team, called TEAM GILAS, finally gets a shot at life at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain next year. Since defeating numerous Asian teams, especially those from South Korea, GILAS marked in the history books as the Filipino basketball team to take on the world series. Good luck to the Team GILAS for the FIBA World Cup next year!

Top Gear UK's new reasonably priced car

Series 20 of BBC's Top Gear sees the arrival of a brand new reasonably priced car, the 2013 Vauxhall Astra Tech Line (with Lifetime Warranty...) and to kick off the arrival of the new reasonably priced car, a selection of D-list celebs such as AC/DC's Brian Johnson, Jimmy Carr, David Haye, Warwick Davis, Rachel Riley, Charles Dance from Game of Thrones, Joss Stone, and Mike Rutherford from Genesis to lap this newcomer round the track and something else...

Manila Kingpin kicked Dirty Harry's butt in Manila

Joseph Ejercito Estrada
(photo: Interaksyon)

Just kidding. Just a metaphor because on the recent elections, former PH President Joseph Estrada, nicknamed "Asiong Salonga" for the Manila mayoral race, won the elections and claimed the mayoral seat for Manila, dethroning Alfredo Lim, nicknamed as "Dirty Harry", and this puts to an end to one of the most grueling rivalry of the 2013 elections. If that wasn't enough, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno also won the elections against actor Lou Veloso, who ran with Lim.

The Gwiyomi song



The word Gwiyomi is a South Korean slang for "cute" or "cute person". The Gwiyomi song was composed and performed by musicians Dandi and Hari and it was uploaded since January and released as a digital single a month later. It became the most search term in the Korean search engine NAVER and now, it's spreading like wildfire, something that last year's Gangnam Style and the biblically terrible Harlem Shake can't catch up...

Ogie Alcasid now a Kapatid

Ogie Alcasid bids farewell to GMA7 as he signed contracts with TV5 at Aracama Restaurant at Bonifacio Global City. Ogie Alcasid's official twitter posted a tweet about his new milestone as a Kapatid;

"My friends, I humbly ask you for a prayer as is sign with tv5 this afternoon. Kayo naman lagi ang nariyan and once again I ask 4 yr support"

Aside from being a full-fledged Kapatid, he will also head the network's new music department.

You can see Ogie Alcasid in Tropa Moko Unli and The Mega and The Songwriter on TV5 as part of the Weekend Do It Better Lineup.

Orphan Black

March 30, 2013, hour after Series 7 of Doctor Who returned on BBC America, there is a new BBC America original series titled Orphan Black. Newbie actress Tatiana Maslany stars as Sarah Manning, a woman who was caught by a conspiracy that she was one of the clones. With the help of her clones, Sarah risks everything to solve the conspiracy that lurks behind them.

This show is a huge hit in America and thanks to Maslany's success as Sarah and the Clone Club, she won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.

Tatiana Maslany

Such success prompted BBC America to renew Orphan Black for the 2014 season and expect more plot twists than the first one.

The next-gen consoles

Sony PS4

XBOX One

2013 sees the arrival of next-gen consoles such as the Playstation4 and the XBOX One. With the $100 difference between them, both the PS4 and the X1 are packed with next-generation technology gamers would die for. So, which would you like to have it in your home? That depends but you know what? My cousin has a PS4. Good job on that...

The Royal Baby

Royal couple Prince William and Kate Middleton finally gave birth to a healthy baby boy, who will serve as their future successor. It happened since July 2013 and the whole world awaits the rise of their future heir to their throne. The Royal Baby's name is...George Alexander Louis. Yep. George Alexander Louis is the name of the Royal Baby capable enough to become the future royal successor to Prince William and Prince Charles.

I WILL BE BACK FOR PART FOUR!!!

What's in our Car Town garage today? (December 27, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2003 Bentley Continental GT

This pure British beauty combines the luxuriousness of a premium saloon car with the sportiness of a sportscar, making this ultra-expensive gran tourer doubles as a daily driver, luxury cruising on the city streets and sporty driving on the open roads. The Bentley Continental GT comes with the 6.0L W12 twin-turbo engine mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, which delivers supercar-like performance in a luxury packaging. This is the first time this Bentley was made under the supervision of its new owner Volkswagen ever since they took over the British marque in 1998.

2003 Bentley Continental GT

1963 Aston Martin DB5

This classic Aston Martin needs no description because this is well known to be the famous Bond car a secret agent would drive for. Aston Martin cars and James Bond movies have been hand-to-hand for decades and ever since it showed up in the Bond movie, Goldfinger, it sparked a wondrous partnership between Aston Martin and James Bond. Having one of these feels like you're a secret agent from Her Majesty's Secret Service.

1963 Aston Martin DB5

2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

For its second facelift on the second-generation Subaru Impreza WRX STi, this tuner favorite born from the success in World Rally Championship gets even more fiercer than before, probably thanks to its reworked grille that was inspired from its aircraft roots. Of course, Subaru, the carmaker, was born from its aircraft beginnings as Nakajima Aircraft, but this is no time for history lesson. For the 2006 model WRX STi, it's powered by an EJ25 boxer engine developing 280PS of power, comes with the updated DCCD, and the added wheelbase as found on the JDM Spec C model.

2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

2014 Nissan Serena C26 Minor Change

2014 Nissan Serena

It's a new Nissan Serena! Well sort of. Anyway, the fourth-generation Nissan Serena gets is first facelift after having been around since its 2010 debut. It maybe a worth contender in the MPV market but don't be fooled, the Nissan Serena has been a favorite among Japanese families when it comes to conveniences, fuel economy, and refinement. Now, let's get my 47 Second Science ready.

2014 Nissan Serena

On the facelifted Nissan Serena C26, the exterior design hosts a wide array of changes to keep Japan's favorite MPV updated for more. The front bumper's revised, the headlamps now looking similar to next year's Nissan Elgrand E52 facelift, a new front grille, new alloy wheels, and new LED rear combination brake lamps with an S-shaped design. On the inside, it still looks intact to me. It's still comes with a choice of a 7-seater or an 8-seater. With the 8-seater model, it comes with 14 seat configurations to choose from depending on the scenario the user faces.

2014 Nissan Serena interior

2014 Nissan Serena interior

Nissan said that the 2WD S-Hybrid model, the one with the small electric motor fitted alongside the MR20DD engine, now has improved fuel consumption and how much is it? 16kmpl in JC08 Mode standards. Aside from being more fuel-efficient than the pre-facelifted model, the Serena C26 is now made even safer with the addition of Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), AVM (Around View Monitor) with MOD (Moving Object Detection), Emergency Assist for pedal misapplication and Driver Attention Alert.

2014 Nissan Serena

Because this is the S-HYBRID model, this Serena comes with an ECO Motor which controls Idling Stop and functions as an alternator during deceleration. Of course, it even comes with an Idling Stop System, which shuts down the engine when idle, and restarts in just 0.3 seconds after the brake is released.

The new 2014 Nissan Serena C26 starts at 2,184,000 Yen for the entry-level 20S model up to 3,018,750 Yen for the 20G with the "Advanced Safety Package". For recommendation, Nissan recommends the Highway Star model with the Emergency Brake option for 2,568,300 Yen, the Highway Star model with the Advanced Safety Package for 2,654,400 Yen, and for 2,927,400 Yen, the Highway Star G Advanced Safety Package. What's a Highway Star G you ask? It's the one with the 16-inch alloys on it.

Available Colors: Tiger Eye Brown, Blue Moon White Pearl, Premium Deep Coral, Rose Bronze, Brilliant White Pearl, Diamond Black, Brilliant Silver, Crystal Mist, and Solid White.

Photo: Nissan Motor Company

REMEMBERING 2013 - Part Two

Hello, and welcome to the second part of my year-ender called Remembering 2013. I'll be randomly listing stuff that came throughout 2013. From good things, bad things, best things, worst things, whatever you name it, that year-ender list is on me. It's on my head so let's get cracking!

Lamborghini 50th Anniversary

2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the famed Italian carmaker, Lamborghini, and to celebrate Lamborghini's 50th year, they've gone through demented ways by releasing special models to incorporate that event such as the Lamborghini Veneno, the Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, the Lamborghini Aventador LP720-4 50° Anniversario, and many others.

Boston marathon bombing

Since April of 2013, there has been two explosions occurred during the Boston Marathon bombing. The person, who believed, behind this was a 19-year-old named Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. He and another suspect responsible for the bombing engaged in a gunfight against the cops in a Boston suburb. That other suspect was killed on the shootout earlier. Cops made a door-to-door search all over the Boston suburb until some say that Tsarnaev was hiding in a boat placed in a house's backyard. "We Got Him!": That's what the cops say when they apprehended the suspect and justice is served.

"CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won,"

Juan Dela Cruz

ABS-CBN once aired a fantasy action drama titled Juan Dela Cruz starring Coco Martin, Erich Gonzales, Albert Martinez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gina Pareno, and new actor Aaron Villaflor. In the hit series, a young man is on the quest to protect the human world against the horde of Aswangs using the power of the Bakal na Krus. With the show's popularity, it even spawned a My Little Juan prequel TV drama showcasing the side story that bridges the gap from Father Cito raising young Juan after his mother's death to the death of Father Cito.

The end of Multiply

Multiply closure

Right before the age of Facebook and Twitter, there was once a blogging site called Multiply. Anyone remember this site? Trust me. I started my blogging days back then since 2008. Ah the memories... Okay, last year, we were shocked that Multiply ditched is social networking and content sharing state in favor of being the marketing site for Filipino and Indonesian sellers. However, Multiply closed its doors on May 6, 2013 and ceased business operations at the end of May 2013.

PSY's Gentleman

To succeed from 2012's Gangnam Style, internet sensation and K-POP rapper PSY returns with his latest sensation called GENTLEMAN. Don't be fooled though, this new song became a viral hit, so sensational, it's one of the most-watched music videos on Youtube this year with over 610 million viewers worldwide.

Bugatti's world record reinstated by Guinness World Records

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

Following the sudden announcement that the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport stripped off its world record title due to mechanical issues and being kicked by the Hennessey Venom GT from America, there's a good news that the "fastest production car in the world" title has been returned to the Veyron SS. Good news! A spokesperson said that after several evaluations, Guinness World Records is satisfied that the change to the speed limiter does not affect the fundamental design of the car or its engine.

The end of Playfish



The cause of declining players of the social games from Playfish, an EA-based developer, such as SimCity Social, The Sims Social, and Pet Society pushed the American video game maker to retire those social games on the 14th of June, 2013 as part of "sharpening its focus to provide games for new platforms and mobile". Such decision is not an easy task to make but it's for reallocation of servers and resources to popular social games.

NSA Scandal

The whole world's been talking about the leaked documents from the NSA done by the whistleblower Edward Snowden. It's about the US Government has been using the internet to watch, record, and track huge numbers of normal people from every corner of the globe and gets worse. The government has all of their phone calls, they know where they are, and what they're doing.

Because the US Government is spying on every conversation, it seems that everyone in the US that has a gadget is considered a terrorist, even if they had a smartphone because you know most of the smartphones had cameras on it and it seems that the US Government is taking advantage of it to hound you down even after hours.

The Republicans from the House of Representatives still support NSA surveillance programs, in case you never heard of it. There's a well known theory that because of the House supporting over NSA surveillance programs, the NSA will think that 60 million Americans as well as the foreign immigrants from other countries are terrorists.

Pilipinas o Filipinas?

There are some experts out there suggesting the Tagalog word for Philippines is Pilipinas should be called Filipinas instead.

What does it sound like? Pilipinas or Filipinas? Don't know but that kind of proposal from the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) sure knows that they want to swap the letter F from the letter P. Some say, the use of Filipinas instead of Pilipinas recognizes the country's history and development as a nation.

Here's the clip that sums it up...

iCarly's Sam and Victorious' Cat team up in a new show

iCarly and Victorious maybe consigned to the history books for good but two characters from two shows starred in a brand new show of 2013. Sam Puckett (played by Jennette McCurdy) and Cat Valentine (played by the talented Ariana Grande) joined forces in the newest Nick teen comedy show, Sam & Cat and every week, this show is guaranteed to deliver big laughs for the two familiar faces as their newly-found friendship is tested no matter how big and how messy things would happen. This new show is a hit among teenage girls many.

JOIN ME AGAIN ON PART 3 FOR MORE OF REMEMBERING 2013

DW 2013 Christmas Special

The Time of The Doctor

The 2013 Christmas Special of BBC's Doctor Who titled The Time of The Doctor signals the final journey for Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith. Having him around since The End of Time Part 2, Matt Smith's role as The Eleventh Doctor changed the show's history forever and famed for skyrocketing the fish fingers and custard, jammie dodgers, fezzes, and bowties to the cool wall...apparently.

"We all change. When you think about it, we're all different people all through our lives, and that's okay, that's good, you've got to keep moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be, I will not forget one line of this. Not one day. I swear"

Matt Smith's departure is worth the sad moment for us Whovians, but the arrival of Peter Capaldi as The Doctor is worth the beginning. Looking forward for his maiden voyage when Series 8 starts next year alongside Jenna Coleman as Clara.

For some related topics, here's the video the BBC streamed online. It's another one of Strax Field Report online featurettes where, in this segment, our Sontaran pal Strax explained the outcome about The Eleventh Doctor's regeneration. Here's the clip...

Here's another one with outgoing Doctor, Matt Smith, and Jenna Coleman, talking about his final journey as The Doctor.



The folks from BBC America featured a deleted scene from this episode. You can watch it here.

"And now it’s time for one last bow, like all your other selves. Eleven’s hour’s over now. The clock is striking twelve’s."

REMEMBERING 2013 - Part One

Hello, and welcome to the first part of my year-ender called Remembering 2013. Starting now up until New Year's Eve (that's December 31, 2013 to you), I'll be randomly listing stuff that came throughout 2013. From good things, bad things, best things, worst things, whatever you name it, that year-ender list is on me. It's on my head so let's get cracking!

Seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette

The seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette made a world premiere at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, and the crowd stirred a massive attention over the latest Vette. The new Corvette sees the return of the familiar "Stingray" name, a famed Corvette from the last century. Not only it was revealed in real world but Gran Turismo 5 gets its first access to this car in game. Because of the C7 Corvette's ties with Gran Turismo, it became the cover car for PS3's Gran Turismo 6.

The end of X-Play and Attack of the Show

After 10 years, 1,378 episodes, 6 different sets over 2 cities, and several Morgan Webb hairstyles, X-Play, a popular video game review show with some wit and humor as seen on G4 bids farewell and sign off. Also, Matt Mira, Candace Bailey, and the others open up the studio to their crew and staff for one final episode in the Attack Of The Show studio. Both X-Play and AOTS ended since late January 2013.

Sofia The First

What started is a Disney Junior original movie since 2012 under the "Once Upon A Princess" banner, now a full-fledged Disney Junior TV series. Sofia the First aired on Disney Junior since January 11, 2013 and then aired globally moments after. She's the new girl in crown. What surprised us is the episodes where Disney princesses making special appearances in the show courtesy of The Amulet of Avalor. Sofia's magical amulet lets her talk to animals and in rare circumstances...summon classic Disney Princesses and let me explain...

• In the Once Upon A Princess TV movie, which is the first for Sofia the First, when everyone fall asleep by a spell, her amulet summoned Cinderella.
• Then, in the "Two to Tangu" episode where Sofia and her stepsister Amber finding their way to Tangu Peak, and when the magic carpet they rode caused too much troubles for the princesses, Sofia's magical amulet summoned Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and teachers her how to "tame the wild carpet"
• In "The Amulet and The Anthem" episode when her amulet put a curse on her because of her bragging about singing for the anthem, her amulet summoned Belle from Beauty and the Beast and there's a moral lesson: The only thing you can undo the curse is you.
• Ariel from The Little Mermaid makes an appearance in "The Floating Palace" special
• Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty makes an appearance in the Christmas special titled Holiday in Enchancia

The Meteorite in Russia

The news that shocked me is somewhere in Russia when a meteorite blows itself just before it crash lands on it, causing a massive shockwave strong enough to shatter through glass windows. It's kinda scary but this celestial happening occurred and caught on dash-cam, which perhaps why most Russian drivers had those drive recorders these days.

Metal Gear Rising Revengeance

METAL GEAR RISING REVENGEANCE

Metal Gear fans waited four years for this new spin on the history of Metal Gear saga. With Kojima Productions did very well on the storyboard while PlatinumGames, the demented developed behind Bayonetta, Vanquish, and Max Anarchy (Anarchy Reigns), do some crazy bits on the action, this hack-and-slash game salivated me. It may not be the best Metal Gear game I have ever played and it may not be one of the best games of 2013 but since I played it several times, it is the BEST game I have ever played in ages. Many things are wrong with it but this is definitely THE BEST GAME I'VE EVER PLAYED. Best game ever played...end of discussion.

I even take advantage of the VR Missions DLC, Jetstream Sam DLC, and Blade Wolf DLC as well and it further ups the ante in MGR.


Attack On Titan

This is what I believed to be one of the most talked-about anime of 2013 since last year's SAO. In the hit anime series, Eren Jaeger and the heroic members of the Scouting Legion are on the mission to defend a fortified city against a horde of man-eating titans. It's kill or be devoured on this one. Everyone got hooked on this and I can't believe it's either the gross-looking Titans or the heroic Scouting Legion members are the ones to cosplay for in any conventions. Who cares about it?

THQ's bankruptcy

THQ, one of the most memorable video game companies situated in North America, is bankrupt and of their franchises has a new owner. SEGA accepts purchase to developer Relic, Koch Media now owns the Saints Row and Metro series, Crytek now has rights to the Homefront series, Take-Two now has rights to the WWE video games, and Ubisoft continues the upcoming South Park: The Stick of Truth game.

Threats from North Korea

Ever since the missile launch last year and the successful third nuclear test, which perhaps downsizing is now part of developing nuclear warheads, the whole world's gone haywire over the tyranny of Kim Jong-Un. What's frightening for us is that through the months, North Korea keeps threatening South Korea and the United States by launching a merciless nuclear attack. Not just that, it's the closure of the Kaesong Complex as well as cutting off the hotline that made us worried. With so much about threats from North Korea, we're waiting for their next move...

The Harlem Shake

Early 2013, a viral video craze called the Harlem Shake caused a massive stir to the netizens. First, one guy dances on the clip until "Do The Harlem Shake"...everyone joins the beat! Simple as that. The whole world has different versions of the Harlem Shake...even fictional ones like The Simpsons and Supernatural.

The New Pope

Ever since Pope Benedict XVI resigned from his position due to his old age, the whole world asks who will be the next pope to succeed where he left off. There has been numerous potentials gathered but some warned that the next pope will be replaced will go by the name of "Peter the Roman" according to the Malachy prophecy and if that "Peter the Roman" became pope, it will spell apocalypse. No wonder there was one candidate go by the name of Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana.

Good this that whole this is just a load of tosh as the pope who replaced Benedict XVI is an Argentinian cardinal. Once started as Cardinal Bergolio, hailed as POPE FRANCIS. The reason why the name Francis is chosen is because he's the bearer of the poor in biblical times, making him the right pope for the right people.

With Pope Francis' reign, the whole Catholic world respected him for his humble and simple ways and I love that. He truly understands who are we.

Karen Gillan shaved her hair off...

Karen Gillan at SDCC 2013

Not quite of a bigger deal but former Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan revealed her new look during the San Diego Comic Con 2013. Yep, she had her ginger hair shaved off! Reactions?

Clara Oswald...

Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, is now a full-fledged companion as the second-half of Doctor Who Series 7 is on full-swing with new episodes until it all leads to The Name of The Doctor, the one we find out the truth behind The Doctor and Clara until the cliffhanger ending that shocked the world.

THERE'S MORE TO COME ON PART 2 OF THIS VERY SPECIAL YEAR-ENDER! TTFN!!!

Suzuki Hustler

Crossovers are becoming hugely popular worldwide even for caravanners who are taking on a holiday. Even though they look tough on the outside, they behave like sissies because they have no off-road capabilities that large SUVs do, well some can. Crossovers like the Tiguan, the CX-5, the Forester, the Korando, the Captur, the Koleos, there are so many crossovers all over the place but why would the motoring industry keep on making those? To add to that problem, Suzuki's making a new spin on a crossover category in a form of a kei car...

2014 Suzuki Hustler

This is the first ever kei-crossover from Suzuki, the leader of fuel-efficient kei cars in Japan, and it's called the Hustler. Quite weird to call it the Hustler, eh? Does it do the hustle like the song Do The Hustle? Eh...nope. Not quite.

But first...remember the Daihatsu Terios Kid? 15 years ago, this kei car was made to go offroad but for me, it's not quite being tested for off-road enthusiasts many because it's too small and kei cars aren't made for the job. Well, you can take it on the gravel and the snow but on the rocks, that's a big no for me. Even though it's a small kei off-roader, it's still fit for the holidays. Sadly though the Daihatsu Terios Kid is gone. It was discontinued last year because of numerous theories like its age or its poor sales.

Anyway, let's move on to the Suzuki's so-called kei-crossover known as the Hustler. Does this new kei-car really remind me of the late Terios Kid?

2014 Suzuki Hustler

Well at first glance, the Hustler may have a manly name but its design wasn't quite toughie because just look at it. It feels like the Toyota FJ Cruiser has been shrunken down to bite-sized chunks and I mean look at it, there's some bits from the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa! Eh? A Suzuki wearing some of the Daihatsu's exterior parts?! Yes, really! Look at the headlamps, don't they look familiar?

Well, whatever you do, don't even laugh at this baby crossover sold only for the Japanese market but in the meantime, I'm starting to laugh now. This kei-crossover is too humorous for me! It's like manliness and girliness all wrapped up into one! Oh dear! Anyway, enough laughing for me now. I still get all in a good mood for this curiosity. Anyway, what's on the performance side?

2014 Suzuki Hustler

For a compact packaging, the Hustler's no fool to me. It still behaves like a proper kei car even though it's a crossover in its own right. If you're a daily driver, the Hustler still knows the value of fuel efficiency because it features the same 660cc engine complete with SUZUKI GREEN TECHNOLOGY in the form of ENE-CHARGE and ECO-COOL respectively. Combine these fuel-efficient technologies with the CVT and you'll get 29.2kmpl as calculated by JC08 Mode standards. All seems to be fine but is there some way to enjoy the Hustler? How about the 5-speed manual gearbox? Please note, having a kei-crossover with a manual gearbox can be a bit too corny for me especially when it comes with the turbocharged 660cc engine, again, with SUZUKI GREEN TECHNOLOGY.

A turbocharged engine mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox? Sounds fun to me but if you want a little fun with the Hustler using that configuration, try something more of a big space. How about an abandoned construction lot or a deserted warehouse? That's going to be more fun if you try to mess around with the Hustler.

2014 Suzuki Hustler interior

Aside from making a lot of trouble in deserted areas, the Hustler is still a compact made for the holidays. I know, it's still made for people spending their weekends on the beach or in the mountains or camping or whatever outdoorsmen would do. On the inside, it's still roomy and space for about four people. Not quite a family car but it's still a good car if you want to take your mates out on your day off. Depending on the color variation, the dashboard and the seat lining matches the exterior color regardless of which color you chose.

Also, you can also have an option of a smartphone-integrated sat-nav complete with a rear-view camera on it just to add conveniences while driving a Hustler.

The speedometer kinda took the idea from the girls-only Alto Lapin because why? The speedo comes with some animation in the bottom. They put this just to make it look cute for the Hustler and it has four different animations such as HELLO!!, GO!, I'm READY, and GATE. I could imagine if that little green video game machine could be in that car making some cutesy stuff but no way. This is the real world and four cutesy animation stuff on the Hustler's speedo makes me...bored and annoyed.

So, what's the verdict? It depends on what people react on the Hustler but in case you're looking for the answer to my original question above, I'm afraid that's a terrible no because even though it's made for the weekends, the new Hustler will never going to make the grade similar to the late Daihatsu Terios Kid. It maybe deceased last year but I would rather go for it rather than the Hustler because...it's a bit too cutesy for its tough image. You know what I mean? But as a daily driver's car, the Hustler is not that bad after all even though its fuel economy surpassed the normal Spacia's by about 0.2kmpl.

The Hustler maybe a bit too cutie-patootie for it's image but it's still a likable car. It still has lots of character on it and it's more affordable than any other crossovers because the base model starts at around ¥1,048,950 respectively.

Available colors: Passion Orange White 2 Tone Roof, Summer Blue Metallic White 2 Tone Roof, Candy Pink Metallic White 2 Tone Roof, Phoenix Red Pearl Black 2 Tone Roof, Pearl White Black 2 Tone Roof, Steel Silver Metallic Black 2 Tone Roof, Cool Khaki Pearl Metallic, Urban Brown Pearl Metallic, Pearl White, and Bluish Black Pearl 3.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Ejay Falcon, IHAW NA!

On the December 23, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, the guest of the day is none other than Ejay Falcon. From model to actor, Ejay's been one of the products of the Pinoy Big Brother show ever since he began his role as a housemate. He's been featured in TV shows like Momay and Dugong Buhay.

Let's Do The News! (December 23, 2013)

The big scoop today,

Police complete sketch the NAIA 3 gunman

The National Capital Region Police Office completed the facial sketch of the gunman responsible for the shootout at the NAIA Terminal 3 last week and it will be out soon. The facial composite was made based on the descriptions given by at least 10 witnesses and scheduled to be released today.

Report source: https://www.facebook.com/Bandila.OFFICIAL

A phone charger with the size of a credit card?!

Another news from the world of science and technology as in America, there's an incredible invention called the "Charge Card", a phone charge which has the size of a credit card. Isn't it cool?

Report: http://n5e.interaksyon.com/videos/FFA917EB7B4C44A/charger-kasinlaki-lang-ng-credit-card

LPA spotted in the southern Philippines.

Stay alert folks, because there's an LPA spotted over the southern Philippines and  is bringing the threat of isolated flooding through Christmas Eve. This is really the only area of active weather today and dominates the bulk of the update. Otherwise the Siberian high and the northeast monsoon is keeping things quite across Eastern Asia.

Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uORqmN3z3zY

Firecrackers...

Last week, there was a child who got blown by a piccolo firework somewhere at Tondo, Manila. It happened moments while the Department of Health is on a stringent campaign against the use of fireworks this Yuletide season. Here's the clip...



Hats banned at malls?

The Philippine National Police are targeting against people wearing hats or caps while in the mall for security measures. What is it about and why? Here's the clip...

 

China-exclusive Citroen DS 5LS revealed

Dongfeng-Citroen DS 5LS

It maybe a stretched version of the uber-luxury Citroen DS5 but this sedan version, the DS 5LS, is available exclusively for the Chinese market courtesy of Dongfeng-Citroen. It's 17cm longer than the DS5, measuring 470cm from nose to tail, and because of the fact that the Chinese prefer space at the back more than everything else, the DS5LS fits to that liking.

Report: http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/citroen-stretches-ds5-2013-12-20

FnF7 to be in theaters this April 2015

Announced by actor Vin Diesel, the seventh installment of The Fast and The Furious film will be pushed to the April of 2015. He told from his Facebook page...

"The last scene we filmed together...

There was a unique sense of completion, of pride we shared...in the film we were now completing...the magic captured...and in just how far we've come...

Fast & Furious 7 will be released...

April 10th, 2015!

P.S. He'd want you to know first..."

Report: http://www.topgear.com.ph/features/lifestyle/art/movies/vin-diesel-announces-new-release-date-of-fast-furious-7#

The Powerpuff Girls return in an all-new special

It's been 15 years since The Powerpuff Girls first aired on Cartoon Network since 1998. It's been the crowning glory of Craig McCracken, who's currently busy with Disney's Wander Over Yonder. Good news, though, the girls are back and they're ready to save the world before bedtime...one more time!

The TV special airs on January 20, 2014 on Cartoon Network. Check local listings.



Bravest Warriors S02E04

Jelly Kid dies but who killed Jelly Kid? Find out on the latest episode of the second season of Cartoon Hangover's Bravest Warriors, titled Jelly Kid Forever...if you're a Cold Blooded Dickens.

 

TTFN!!!

Austin & Ally: Turn it Up

Austin & Ally: Turn it Up

With the latest season of Disney Channel's Austin & Ally still turn things up for our favorite singer-songwriter duo of Austin Moon (played by Ross Lynch) and Ally Dawson (played by Laura Marano) along with their pals Dez (played by Calum Worthy) and Austin's personal manager and Ally's best pal Trish De La Rosa (played by Raini Rodriguez) in their cross-country trip to fame and sometimes mischief, not to mention the feels most "Raura" shippers are experiencing ever since...well, you know what I mean but anyway, thanks to Season 3 of Austin & Ally, the second soundtrack of the hit TV series has arrived, jam packed with some tunes you'll be sure to like as much as the first soundtrack of the show.

Yes, more of tunes courtesy of our favorite singer-songwriter tandem, Austin Moon and Ally Dawson, as heard over the course of Season 3 and there's even a track titled Unstoppable sung by Chloe & Halle. Don't tell about that but still, 13 new songs in one unique music CD are sure enough to spend so much fun with your mates listening to the songs heard through the second season of the hit Disney Channel TV series.

Austin & Ally airs on Disney Channel. Check local listings.

TRACK LISTINGS:
1) Upside Down
2) Me and You
3) Who U R
4) Superhero
5) Parachute
6) What We're About
7) Chasin' the Beat of My Heart
8) Stuck on You
9) Redial
10) Steal Your Heart
11) Better Than This
12) I Think About You
13) Unstoppable

What's in our Car Town garage today? (December 22, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1970 Pontiac GTO Convertible

For the 1970 model year GTO, the hidden headlamps have been replaced by four round headlamps exposed on the front view and the grille openings are now narrower. It even comes with an updated suspension courtesy of a rear anti-roll bar used on the Oldsmobile 442 and the Buick Gran Sport. This model features a new optional 455 HO engine, moments after General Motors lifted the ban on engines larger than 400. The convertible version still offers the same updates as the hardtop version but with the roof open, it's worth an enjoyable cruiser on the road ahead.



1968 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona

The reason why some people called the Ferrari the Daytona, although it's an unofficial name Ferrari never used on this classic sports car, is theoretically it's because of Ferrari's 1-2-3 finish in the February 1967 24 Hours of Daytona with the 330 P4. This classic sports car isn't related to the 330 P4 but still one of the top sports cars of the 1970's as voted by Sports Car International. It's powered by a 4.4L V12 engine produces 357PS of power, propels from 0-60mph in 5.4 seconds, and a top speed of 174mph. That's quicker even by today's standards but still impressive. Richard Hammond drove this in the Series 12 episode of Top Gear against James May in an XSR 48 boat in a race through Monaco.



2008 Citroen GT Concept

Citroen, one of the most notable French carmakers in the history well known for their "creative technology", and Gran Turismo, a multi-million selling Playstation series of all time. What happens when you combine the two? The result is the eye-popping Citroen GT Concept. Premiered at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, this concept is the first ever car to be specifically designed to bring the virtual and real worlds together.