Forza Horizon 2: Barn Find #03: Jeep Willys MB

When you've encountered a third barn find rumor on Forza Horizon 2, then you'll notice that it was marked somewhere within the vicinity of San Giovanni in western Italy. Recon suggests that it's a few yards near the East Saint-Martin Speed Trap so the barn find in question is nearby.



For recon purposes, I've used the brand new Renault Sport Clio 200 EDC, part of the Mobil 1 Car Pack. You can use any car you want to find the barn find in question but feel free to use whatever means necessary in order to get that treasured machine. Remember, the barn find is located near the East Saint-Martin Speed Trap but if you're new, it's going to take a lot of time until you spot one. If you found one, you'll have to wait for a few minutes until a notification flashed to your screen, meaning that your barn find is now ready for pickup and can be usable in-game.






I've never driven an offroad vehicle that was born for military use by the US Army several decades ago but hey, I just remembered. This military vehicle was once originated the Jeep name although there are some puzzles about the origin of the Jeep word via this car, although it was claimed from the slurring of the letters GP, the military term for General Purpose while others say it came for a character named "Eugene the Jeep" from the Popeye cartoon strip. No one knows what is the true origin of the Jeep term from this vehicle but it doesn't matter because having a machine born from the age of Allies vs. Axis Powers is a collector's item in FH2. Drive it, race it, customizing it, the rest is all up to you to turn this war-born machine into one of the coolest offroaders you can drive through the entire Southern Europe.

Do I have big plans for this Willys Jeep? You'll find out soon in a later post...

Doctor Who S08E10

Doctor Who S08E10

The London Jungle and how did the British capitol plagued with the forest's curse is the main story of this episode from Doctor Who titled "In the Forest of the Night" as The Doctor, Clara Oswald, Danny Pink, and a handful of students are finding out the cause of this. To make things worse, there's a massive solar flare going to engulf the world within a few moments. When The Doctor revealed that the trees saved the world from catastrophes, they're taking advantage of the overgrown forests as a protection against the imminent solar flare. After that, the world is back to the way things were. Now that we learned that trees will one day save us from imminent catastrophes, a good moral lesson to all the tree-huggers out there.

BTS from this episode:



NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW:



This is it! Part 1 of the Series 8 finale! See you next week!

Lexus RC (C10)

2015 Lexus RC

This is Lexus' attempt to take on the A5, 4-Series, and the ATS Coupe and it's called the RC. And if by RC, it kinda sounds like that RC Cola machine we don't really want because like one time you think there's a Coca-Cola machine but turned out it was just a mirage. It's just an RC Cola machine. 

So, before talking about the RC, let's take a look back on the Z30-spec Toyota Soarer, a car that was known worldwide as the first Lexus SC. You see, the Z30-spec Soarer is a good car for a start. You might think this is more of a Supra in fancy clothes and yes it is because speedo boys love to spent a boatload of cash into customizing it, that's why that particular Soarer is a true driver's car because of its fun to drive character right until the Z40-spec Soarer showed up and its reputation ruined.

2015 Lexus RC

What Lexus wanted to have is to capture the spirit of the Z30-spec Toyota Soarer while adapting to today's climate that most drivers currently live in but the main question is, does the new RC feel like the Z30 Soarer? Let's see...

The Lexus RC starts at 5,650,000 Japanese Yen and what you'll get is either a 3.5L V6 engine mated with an 8-speed automatic gearbox or a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine connected to an electric motor and a nickel metal battery while mated with a CVT gearbox. Whichever variant you'll choose, you can opt for an F-Sport model which comes with Lexus Dynamic Handling System, stiffer suspension system, improved brakes, and so much more. If I had a choice, I would always want to go for the V6 model with the F-Sport on it because driving one of these feels like the Soarers of the 90's or so I thought.

2015 Lexus RC

When you're using F-Sport models of the GS and IS for further inspiration, you will notice that the RC is much more like these 4-door Lexus cars in such getup. It's like a trio of male vocals trying to start a boyband to woo the audience with their serenading tunes but this is not made for serenading people, the RC tries to feel like the SC but all those technological gizmos lurking beneath its striking looks can be bothersome even for a novice. For instance, when you engage Sport + on the Drive Mode Selector, it makes the car less comfortable to drive but more sharper to handle in the bends just like what you expect on those Lexus sedans.

It maybe more wonderful to drive and more enjoyable than the daft Lexus SC but when compared against the German aggressors, the Lexus RC is a bit of a low-level threat because the Germans employed the best arsenal to keep themselves faster, smarter, and stronger while the Japanese still focus on making boring cars more boring...a contrast to Tokyo's vibrant energy as a fun city filled with everything an otaku wants. To make things worse, there's a heavier and slower hybrid model which uses the same 2.5L 4-cylinder engine from the Toyota Crown and Lexus IS relatives while connected to an electric motor and a nickel metal battery. While the fuel economy of 23.2kmpl for a two-door coupe is good, the performance figures are a contrast to the RC's sporty looks. It's like when a guy dressed smartly to school but ended up failing with bad grades. What a pitiful sight and this is like a scenario when you think there's a Dr. Pepper vending machine, you're rushing for it but found out it was a mirage...and it's just an RC Cola machine. Get it now?

2015 Lexus RC interior

2015 Lexus RC interior

While the RC may not be the sharpest car to drive at, the interior is highly questionable in the eyes of a connoisseur. Sure, it was carried over from the IS but there's a sneaking suspicion that this is their new uniform interior for Lexus, much like what BMW and Cadillac did when they employ the same interior in different models over and over again but hey, you don't want to swallow that.

Time now for an evaluation: I was hoping for the RC to be the modern-day version of the Z30-spec Toyota Soarer from the 90's and made to look at luxury coupes in a whole new day but it isn't. It maybe sporty to drive and exciting to look at but in the game of softdrinks, they're treating it like an underdog to their game. Although it maybe new but one day, just like that volleyball team representing RC Cola at the SuperLiga Grand Prix, it will triumph against all odds but count me out on this. No one likes a bottle of RC Cola at this time. (sigh)

Available Colors: White Nova Glass Flake, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Platinum Silver Metallic, Sonic Titanium, Mercury Gray Mica, Black, Starlight Black Glass Flake, Radiant Red Contrast Layering, Lava Orange Crystal Shine, and Heat Blue Contrast Layering.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

#ILFullCircle

The battle between truth and lies comes into fruition in the final episode of ABS-CBN's most-talked TV drama, Ikaw Lamang.

Shortly after Natalia (KC Concepcion) was rescued by Isabel (Amy Austria-Ventura), the mother that Franco separated them before the blast 20 years ago, Gabriel Hidalgo (Coco Martin), the son of Samuel Hidalgo, who was killed by Franco Hidalgo (Christopher de Leon), his mortal enemy, is on the run to save Andrea (Kim Chiu) from Franco's clutches. 

When Gabriel was caught by his men, he was beaten up while Andrea tries to stop Franco but if it's time for the final kill, Gabriel escaped through the waters and risen.

Gabriel has saved Andrea, Andrea rushes to safety, and he's taking on Franco for one last battle, a decisive battle that will determine the fate. The battle ends with Franco ruptured by a crane after the fall. Gabriel survived by grabbing an edge and he won. Gabriel rushed to Andrea and Calisto (Nonie Burncamino), the person Samuel trusted several years ago, and told that it's over. Justice is served.

The story ends with Gabriel and Andrea getting married and several moments later...they met at the place where Samuel and Isabel met when they were young. Everything ends but memories never fade away. This concludes the story of Ikaw Lamang.

BVBBLE GANG XIX

GMA's hit comedy gag show, Bubble Gang is now on its 19th anniversary! The TV show's all grown up but the cast didn't and they're still up to their crazy shenanigans as they're doing it big time for the show's 19th year with a little help from special celebrity guests so...what are they up to?

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...revenge posts!

- Bubble Gang does Ariel with Jose and Eugene Domingo!

- Spartan gags!

- ISTAMBAY SA LOOBAN with the Dabarkads!

- Mr. Matapobre encounters some street children on his home!

- Antonietta gets poisoned by Ms. Gloria Romero!

- Celebs seeks help to Tata Lino!

- Marian Rivera takes on a dance-off with the choreographer and the Bubble Shakers!

- KWEK KWEK music video!

- ANG BAGONG DATING DOON INTERNATIONAL with Brod Pete and special participation of Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana!

- Mr. Assimo vs. Pepito Manaloto!

- IYOTUBE with Moymoy Palaboy in Picture Picture featuring the best bite-sized chunks of Bubble Gang!

We hope you enjoyed the anniversary special more than you do, folks! So, happy 19th anniversary to our favorite comedy show in the Philippines (and the world...probably), Bubble Gang!

Top Gear USA: Appalachian Trail

The season finale sees the boys of Top Gear USA taking on an epic adventure to the Appalachian Trail and they only have 24 hours to get through the entire length of the trail...using second-hand cars they've spent five grand on. Tanner has a Mitsubishi Montero SUV (that's the 3rd-generation Pajero to us), Adam has a last-gen Jaguar XJR, and Rut goes for the old Mercedes CL55 grand tourer.

There are some crazy moments occurred during the Appalachian road trip such as Adam summoning a gondola to lift his Jag, cattle encounters in Vermont, the whole Rut Needs To Go part on the road, Tanner wrecking a Saab for a tire change, a race to the train, and Tanner summoned a help from the RV driver to take him and his Montero for a lift.

With a few hours left, the boys gave it all they had to cross the end of the Appalachian Trail and at Trail's end, Adam and Rut made it while Tanner arrived several minutes later.

Forza Horizon 2 - Barn Find #02: VW Type 2 De Luxe

There is a second barn find rumor lurking around the Horizon Festival and the barn find in question is an abandoned VW Type 2 De Luxe, otherwise known as the Kombi, the Bus, the Transporter or my personal favorite, the Sambabus. We like to call it "Sambabus" because it sounds very catchy for the V-dub classic.



The barn find is located within the forests of Montellino. It took a lot of time to navigate through the wilderness and it is found that the barn find is located over 500 yards away from the North Montellino Speed Trap. I've sent my barn find car, the Alpine A110, as a recon to find the VW Bus hidden from the forests of Montellino. What an awesome attempt, a barn find car is finding a fellow barn find car. It's like a soldier rescuing his colleagues in need. A car in help is a car in need.





Several minutes later, the Sambabus has been reborn and while it may not be the quickest one around, it's certainly is a road trip material. Just driving in one of these makes me feel like a hippie again. They think I'm the kind of person who always shouting everyone's causes and spread the word to the world. Yes, that's one heck of a hippie car but the Sambabus has an incredible history as one of the oldest machines in its existence and after VW do Brasil, the Brazilian division that kept building the classic Type 2 Kombi, stopped producing one in December of last year, the Bus lasted for 64 years, that's more than your soccer mom's van! It's a good thing this car fulfilled its bucket list to making Kombi owners and enthusiasts' wishes come true.

I believe the Type 2 V-Dub is a pretty enjoyable car to drive despite being a slow one and when it comes to art, it really shines out to bring creative people some interesting artwork for the Type 2 to show it to the world. You can make eye-catching designs on the Type 2 and share your love of Type 2 Kombis with other FH2 players. Isn't it nice?

Now, will you excuse me, I got a Road Trip Award Party to attend to...and oh, I'll be using this Type 2 Kombi for the road trip. Don't ask why but this will be a fun one for the fun-sized MPV.