Let's Do The News! (October 10, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- The US Embassy in Manila put most of the Americans on high alert in the Philippines after police arrested three men linked to terrorist networks plotting to bomb most parts of the Philippine capital. Last October 5th, the police have arrested three members of the Rajah Solaiman Movement whose hideout were under surveillance for months.

- According to a US report, human rights records from the People's Republic of China continued to grow worse in key areas over the past year and limits on free speech and assembly are growing.

- Former leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, age 83, has been hospitalized but he's determined to fight for his life. Gorbachev is the last leader of the Soviet Union when he took power in 1985 and instituted the sweeping political and economic reforms known as glasnost (openness) and perestroika (rebuilding).

- Over 87 million Philippine Pesos of deposits from Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. has been found as the investigation over his charge for plunder and his involvement at the PDAF scam continues.

- As the Hong Kong Protests still rages on, most of the student protest leaders have called on supporters to stage a major rally later on after the HK government cancelled planned talks.

- As the whole Philippines are on the watch on PNP National Director General Alan Purisma, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago wished to the Philippine president Benigno Aquino III that he should "kick Purisima upstairs so that he will leave the PNP alone.”

- Aston Martin, the premier British sports car maker is coming to the Philippines and to be distributed by the newly established Aston Martin Manila. The newest PH distributor of Aston Martin has been forged by Bridgestone PH president Marc Tagle and Marc Soong. They'll be bringing most DB9, Vanquish, Rapide, and Vantage models on the Philippine market next year.

2015 Aston Martin Vanquish

- Naruto fans, don't fret because even though the manga ends as well as "The Last - Naruto The Movie", there's still more hope because next year, there's going to be a stage play that is part of an ongoing post-end projects.

TTFN!!!

2014-2015 Japan COTY finalists announced

Last year, the Volkswagen Golf VII was the first imported car to win the Japan Car of the Year, edging out the likes of locally-made bests especially the Honda Fit. It was one heck of a twist happened in the history of Japan COTY when an imported car, especially German, won this award that is solely for Japan-made cars. I have no idea why most Japanese people love the new Golf very much.

Now, for the 2014-2015 Japan COTY, the top ten finalists have been announced and the winner will be named at the 13th of October, the final day of the Tokyo Motor Fest 2014. So, who are the ten finalists vying for the top spot?

1) Toyota Noah and Voxy

2014 Toyota Noah

2014 Toyota Voxy

2) Nissan Skyline V37 (Infiniti Q50)

2015 Nissan Skyline 200GT-t

3) Honda N-WGN

2014 Honda N-WGN

4) Mazda Demio

2015 Mazda Demio

5) Subaru Levorg

2015 Subaru LEVORG

6) Suzuki Hustler

2014 Suzuki Hustler

7) Mercedes-Benz C-Class W205

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

8) BMW i3

2014 BMW i3

9) Jeep Cherokee

2014 Jeep Cherokee

10) Peugeot 308

2014 Peugeot 308

These are the finalists but who will be crowned the 2014-2015 Japan Car of the Year? Find out soon...

Report: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1926490/

Let's Do The News! (October 9, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Most of the American central bank policymakers are concern about the current economic situation regarding the economic slowdown and the strong dollar as minutes of the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting last month were released. The labor market conditions continue to improve but the workforce is underutilized.

- South Korean prosecutors indicted the former bureau chief of Sankei Shimbun on suspicion of libeling SoKor president Park Geun-Hye.

- A bomb scare forced Katipunan's Miriam College to suspend their classes.

- Two ace pilots from the Philippine Air Force, Brigadier General Raul Del Rosario and Colonel Guillermo Molina Jr. have been promoted.

- Toyota's Prius Alpha MPV has been given a minor change for 2015.

Toyota Prius Alpha 2015 minor change

- Fans of the Metal Slug game would know that the main character tank of the game, called the SV-001/I Metal Slug, has spawned a 1/24 scale model kit from Wave. It will be available this January for 4,800 Japanese Yen.

SV-001/I Metal Slug

- Porsche reveals the 911 Carrera GTS range which features an uprooted version of the 3.8L boxer-6 engine that develops 424HP of power and a top speed of over 190mph. It can be fitted with either a 7-speed manual or the PDK gearbox.

2015 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

- In an Autoblog-exclusive report, the Formula Roadshow returns to Jerusalem, Israel, after series of conflicts.

- This is the Hyundai Aslan, the production version of the AG concept sedan as seen from the 2014 Busan Motor Show and pre-orders are open for this premium saloon that sits between the Grandeur and Genesis. It will be powered with either a 3.0L or a 3.3L GDi engine.

2015 Hyundai Aslan

- Disney celeb Olivia Holt has signed a contract deal with Disney Music Group's Hollywood Records.

TTFN!!!

WARNING: Superstorm Vongfong reaches Japan on weekend

Superstorm Vongfong was intensified into the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane on the cusp of Category 5 status, as it heads through the Western Pacific Ocean toward Japan. Its maximum sustained winds is at least 155mph and it's heading through Japan, a nation that is still reeling from the aftermath of Typhoon Phanfone over the weekend, this coming Sunday. This is known to be this year's most powerful storm since last year's Superstorm Haiyan which has max winds of 230kph and 315kph gusts before it caused havoc in the Visayas part of the Philippines.

The northern Ryukyu Islands will be the first to feel the wrath of this superstorm as early as Saturday or Saturday night while the worst impacts across mainland Japan are expected from Monday to Tuesday and expect devastating winds and strong rainfall.

Report: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/07/super-typhoon-vongfong_n_5947470.html

Super GT 2014: Thailand

The first ever SUPER GT race to be held at Chang International Circuit in Thailand was a spectator-worthy experience for the Thai petrolheads who turned out to be big fans of the SuperGT race and for the first ever race in this new circuit, which is the seventh round of this 2014 season, the #36 PETRONAS TOM'S RC F, driven by Kazuki Nakajima and James Rossiter, is the winner on the GT500 class while on the GT300 class, the winner goes to the #3 B-MAX NDDP GT-R driven by Kazuki Hoshino and Lucas Ordonez, the first ever Nissan GT Academy graduate.

Highlights:

So far, the #36 LEXUS TEAM PETRONAS TOM'S is in the lead on the GT500 standings while the #4 GOODSMILE RACING & TeamUKYO is still standing at the top of the GT300 standings. The final race will be at Twin Ring Motegi on the 16th of November. Who will win the Super GT 2014 season? See you next month!

Let's Do The News! (October 7, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Japan's next-gen weather satellite, the Himawari 8, was successfully launched into initial orbit as scheduled. The rocket was lifted off at precisely 2:16 PM Japan Standard Time from the Tanegashima Space Center in southern Japan. It will be placed in a geostationary orbit about 36,000 km above the Earth and operations will commence next year.

- So far, 54 people died in the Mt. Ontake eruption that occurred on the 27th of September, 2014, the worst volcanic eruption in Japan for over seven decades.While 12 people remained missing at that time, the Japanese government had deployed a thousand police officers, firefighters, and SDF personnel to continue their search and rescue ops.

- US Vice President Joe Biden apologizes for remarks on Syria, clarifying that he didn't mean to criticize Washington's allies in the Middle East for the response to the battle against ISIS.

- The Belgian defense ministry commenced their first air strike against the ISIS in Iraq on Sunday. An F-16 fighter jet conducted the raid on the Islamic State extremists after spotting the group's unit fighting against Iraqi troops.

- As the Ebola Outbreak continues to worsen, US President Barack Obama will consider heightened airport screenings and other measures to prevent the spread of the Ebola disease.

- The Philippine Government is committed to spend billions of Pesos in funds for the creation of the politically autonomous Bangsamoro entity.

- The first Forza Horizon 2 DLC Pack has announced and for tomorrow's Mobil 1 Car Pack, there are six new cars rolling out such as the Jaguar F-Type Coupe, SRT Grand Cherokee with an 8-speed gearbox, Renault Clio RS 200 EDC, VW Scirocco 16v, Maserati 300 S, and the 1988 BMW M5. It's free for Season Pass holders.

The Forza Horizon 2 Mobil 1 Car Pack

- The Angry Birds are getting a movie this 2016! Be prepared because the birds are ready to crash the big screen!

- REPORT: The Naruto manga series which spawned a massively popular TV show, numerous movies, and an array of merchandising rights, is reaching its climax next month. Looks like the ninja saga has come to a gripping climax.

TTFN!!!

Forza Horizon 2: Challenge Stradale accepts the challenge

This is no ordinary Ferrari 360 because this is the 360 Challenge Stradale, a hardcore version of the 360 Modena that weighs less and more aerodynamic than the normal 360 because of carbon fiber door panels, removed carpets, carbon ceramic brakes, titanium wheel bolts, dual rear floor with F1-inspired flows, slightly longer nose, slightly modified sills, slightly necked boot and the rear is higher than the front. The 3.6L engine that powers it is raised to 425BHP, resulting to a 0-60mph time of four seconds.



I won this car from my first showcase event on Forza Horizon 2. It was the one where I have to race against an aerobatic squadron in the open roads of Castelleto. It was a close one but I'm glad I got my hands on this hardcore 360 that is pre-tuned to take on the next championship. I've even got the chance to use it on the road trip to Nice, France.



The 360 Challenge Stradale maybe old but it still work very well in the Southern European landscape in Forza Horizon 2 and I spent several hours showing its true capabilities as a full-blooded Ferrari by taking part in championship events suitable for its kind as a Modern Supercar but first, the 360CS needs to be dressed for the occasion...



Its make-up transformation is done...well sort of. The 360 Challenge Stradale is now ready for the event and notice this shiny gray paint on the outside, it gives out that luster and a more dramatic feel to my Challenge Stradale. I've even added some black stripes to give out that contrast. If I have time for evaluation, looks like my Challenge Stradale looks dramatic enough to cruise around the roads of Southern Europe and for racing, it wants to play rough like most cars do here.

Speaking of play rough, the 360CS is ready to take on the championship it was assigned to and it's time to show how the 360CS can do like an ace!