Let's Do The News! (October 26, 2015)

-  About a hundred people are hurt when a high-speed ferry boat heading for Hong Kong crashed with an unknown object. Maritime authorities say that the crash occurred after 1800 hours Hong Kong Time last Sunday as it travelling near the island of Lantau west of Hong Kong carrying 163 passengers and 11 crewmembers.

- South Korea's defense ministry says its navy fired warning shots at a North Korean boat that crossed into the waters in the Yellow Sea last weekend. A North Korean patrol boat crossed the de-factor maritime border near Yeonpyeong Island and retreated back after a South Korean vessel fired five warning shots.

- The Kurdish authorities have uploaded a video of a hostage being freed from the Islamic State in Iraq on a recent joint operation with the US Special Forces. The footage was caught on cam attached on a soldier's helmet, showing US and Kurdish troops raiding the facility in the dark, rescuing the hostages.

- The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant says that they will complete the construction of underground walls to block contaminated groundwater from seeping into the sea. Construction began three years ago and these shield walls are 780 meters long and extend 30 meters underground.

- Catholic bishops called for a more merciful Church for cohabitating couples, homosexuals, the divorced, and the civilly remarried, backing Pope Francis' call for a more welcoming Catholic Church. The document adopted by the bishops emphasizes the role of discernment and individual conscience in dealing with difficult family situations, in a win for liberal bishops.

- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas plans to mildly change the color of the common 100 peso bill in the coming months and phase out older paper bill designs. The new color of the 100 peso bill is mauve and circulation will commence at the start of 2016, enough to help the public distinguish a P100 bill from a P1,000 bill.

- The Mitsuoka Ryugi, a Toyota Corolla in a Rolls-Royce getup, has a special Yamato variant which is limited to 15 units, featuring a choice of black or white exterior paint, red seats, special 17-inch wheels, and more. Prices start from 3,412,800 to 3,823,200 Yen.

- In case you missed it, Disney announced that there's going to be a sequel to the DCOM Descendants in the works!

- Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that the American electric car giant's self-driving Autopilot technology is approved for global use.

- Last Saturday's AlDub event, called Sa Tamang Panahon, gained over 39.5 million tweets, a new record!

TTFN!!!

BMW 7-Series (G11/G12)

2016 BMW 7-Series

There has been no car in the world had generated much hype as the brand-new BMW 7-Series because for this brand new generation of everyone's favorite premium full-size saloon, the new model ushered in the new age of BMW and when I said new age, I mean apart from the chassis codes which is the first BMW to bear the G-codes, hence the chassis code is classified as G11 or G12.

2016 BMW 7-Series

First, let's talk about the design because while this is mostly the evolution of the signature BMW design, I find its new look to be not bad at all, although I find its front and back design to be somewhat a mess. The side view looks crisp but when you look at all sides, there's no telling how good or how bad this new model is but everyone will still accept it with mixed reactions because no matter how it looks, this is still the car worth the wait.

2016 BMW 7-Series interior

One of the biggest strengths of the new 7-Series is its interior. In the past, most BMW interiors are all uniform, they look the same regardless of which BMW you are on, and no matter which BMW you are on, you will still be greeted by their monotonous interiors. For the new model, the traditional BMW interior has been fully evolved from the ground up and there's more because there has been numerous features up for grabs such as the world's first gesture control system where your hand gestures take control of the newly updated iDrive system. Of course, it may take some time to master the gesture control because there are some few kinks that needs to be fixed.

On the back, passengers will be greeted with the host of features such as the incredible Panoramic Sky Lounge LED roof, Rear Executive Lounge Seating Package, rear entertainment system, and a detachable 7-inch Touch Command tablet that activates climate, music, communication, lighting, and more. Now, it's getting more personal than ever, I dare say?

2016 BMW 7-Series

Underneath the new 7-Series is BMW's first ever Carbon Core frame that is lighter, stiffer, and stronger than its predecessor, resulting to much better handling, fuel economy, ride, and much more. The use of sustainable materials upon making its unique space-age frame really makes this new model a class apart from its rivals for good. As for the choice of engines, the new 7-Series is available with a 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo petrol engine, a 5.0L V8 twin turbo engine, or a 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo diesel engine. All models are mated with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. There's going to be a plug-in hybrid model for next year but we'll leave it out at a moment.

The range topping 750Li with the said motor produces 450PS of power and 650Nm of torque. It can go from 0-100kph in less than five seconds and top speed electronically limited to 250kph.

Because this is a high-tech premium saloon, there are some high-tech features fit for your driving pleasure on the new 7-Series including driver assistance system from BMW ConnectedDrive but the features that made the new 7-Series stand out is its BMW Laserlight derived from the BMW i8 and the coolest feature of all: the first-ever Remote Control Parking that can be operated via your car key.

2016 BMW 7-Series

The new BMW 7-Series starts at 81,900 up to 107,500 Euros, which sounds like a lot but less expensive than Mercedes' S-Class, making it a hard bargain for wealthy buyers, mostly business tycoons or potentia special agents from a certain organization. Anyway, looks like every car enthusiasts in the world are well and truly desperate to see one of these on the roads.

Photo: BMW AG

Doctor Who S09E06

Doctor Who S09E06

Ashildr, played by Maisie Williams, has resurfaced from another time as a masked bandit known as the Knightmare in the latest episode titled "The Woman Who Lived". In this episode, The Doctor made a fateful reunion with Ashildr while taking on a risky heist that will cost both of their lives. That heist is nothing more of an elaborate plot from an alien lion man named Leandro, the last of the Leonian race. He wants to get his amulet, which is unique to his defunct home planet, and want someone's death to activate the amulet to open the doorway to another world. That death could be none other than the execution of Sam Swift, played by Rufus Hound. Good thing, The Doctor and Ashildr managed to use another "immortality charge" to save Sam from his impending execution and in the end...the Leonians killed Leandro for his failure.

No one knows where will Ashildr pop up next until a selfie pic of Clara and her star student pinpoints where Ashildr is but there's more of Ashildr's immortality mystery for many moments to come.

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW:

Forza Motorsport 6: The legendary Honda RA300

Now, here's a legendary grand prix machine I'm particularly keen about. The Honda RA300. Part of Forza Motorsport 6's Logitech G Car Pack, this legendary machine has a well-known legacy and commands your upmost respect.

Built in collaboration with Lola Cars, the RA300 is Honda's legendary Formula One racing machine that was introduced halfway through the 1967 season and served as the successor to the RA273.

Like the RA273, the RA300 is powered by a 3.0L V12 engine, but its chassis was designed by Lola, hence gaining the nickname "Hondola" by the motoring public. The Lola-derived chassis is lighter and better to handle than the previous one and such result recorded its first win at the Italian Grand Prix with John Surtees behind the wheel.

It is the only F1 car in Honda's history to win a Grand Prix in the first place and on the only lap it would ever lead.

I'm no fan of classic cars but this Japanese F1 machine from its glorious past feels very novel even though it was emerged at the time where all Formula One cars in the 20th century focused on speed beyond all else. When you hear the noise of its V12 engine, that sound really takes you back to the 60's and trying to master this legendary machine requires precise driving skills because since this is a 60's racing machine car, you have to focus on your senses on when to accelerate, when to brake, and when to corner. With practice, the RA300 isn't a bad classic machine to drive if you have great taste among historic racers and its heritage it carries.

I decided to give the RA300 one lap round Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which now comes with a 2014 track revision of the Grand Prix circuit which is shorter than the old 2008-2013 layout of the GP track but the final corners on this new revision requires precise driving skills if drivers want to make it out alive and race to the checkered flag. Without further ado, here goes my lap round Indianapolis in a legendary Honda F1 car.



After a lap round the 2014 revision of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Circuit, I have established my personal lap time of 01:33.670. Not the quickest I have done but I had fun discovering the essence of the legendary Honda RA300, the only F1 car in Honda's history to win a Grand Prix in the only lap it would ever lead.

The world is all one in #AlDubEBTamangPanahon

Photo: Official Eat Bulaga Facebook

Truly, the world is all one when everyone at the Philippine Arena, at home, at a viewing party, or abroad witnessed the biggest AlDub event of a lifetime when Alden Richards and Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza finally made it "Sa Tamang Panahon".

It was a star-studded cast with all the Eat Bulaga presenters as well as the Kalyeserye characters present to unleash their own brand of joy to the mass audience and it all builds up to the arrival of AlDub. Too bad no kiss occurred but that's fine by them to see these two finally close to each other having managed to survive through tons of challenges in their never-ending quest for forever. Of course, no event is too colorful without Lola Nidora, Tidora, Tinidora, Duhrizz, Rihanna, Frankie, the Rogelios, the Bernardos, and the Quandos present.

It's a dream come true to witness AlDub matured through the weeks and thanks to the viewers like you, forever truly exists.

Of course, there's one major problem we've faced at the end of the AlDub event because Lola Nidora finally grabbed the diary of secrets from those riding in tandem and she was going to rush to the Dabarkads until the background noise goes a big truck-like honk honk honk. It was a close one but this is the ultimate AlDub experience every AlDub Nation will never forget.

As of right now, over 22.2 million tweets are recorded, less than the tweets regarding AlDub's date at Lola Nidora's mansion, but it's still growing, you can count on it.

If you miss this once-in-a-lifetime AlDub event or if you want to watch it again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owqZ1tjNaW0

Anyway, with "Sa Tamang Panahon" finally in fruition, looks like the world of AlDub is about to change so keep watching Eat Bulaga for more kalyeserye antics!

Most powerful storm recorded hits Mexico

Image: NOAA via AP/Getty Images

A storm that is being described as the most powerful hurricane ever recorded, known as Hurricane Patricia, wreak havoc on the Pacific coast of Mexico as it moves north. The storm packs powerful winds and heavy rainfall, comparable to Hurricane Katrina, which hit the southern US ten years ago and killed over 1,800 people.

When it made landfall on Friday evening as a Category 5 storm, the fiercest, it had sustained winds of 165mph. Hours later, it weakened to a Category 4 storm packing winds of 130mph and as of right now, it became a Category 2 storm with 100mph of sustained winds.

Despite the downgrade, the National Weather Service warned that it's still a strong hurricane. Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto said that initial reports confirm that the damages have been minor to those corresponding to a hurricane of this magnitude.

The hurricane landed 55 miles west-northwest of Manzanillo, which is home to Mexico's largest container port on its Pacific seaboard.

Meteorologists shown that when Patricia is a Category 5 hurricane, its catastrophic sustained winds of 200mph and pressure of 879mb are beyond compare to 2005's Katrina and Wilma and 1992's Andrew. It's intensity is comparable to Superstorm Yolanda/Haiyan, which hit the Visayas part of the Philippines two years ago. Haiyan had 195mph sustained winds when it made landfall.

Right now, reports of casualties since Patricia's landfall are yet to be determined.

More info: http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/24/americas/hurricane-patricia/index.html

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: Why I love AlDub

Come tomorrow, the world is all one because of the biggest AlDub event of a lifetime and everyone's fighting to get their seats taken for the biggest and grandest moment they will surely never forget. Although some people couldn't make it had a chance to see it live on television, which is very nice because that big Filipino network known as GMA are very nice to the AlDub Nation so much, they decided to show the big AlDub event to the world and smash records like how many AlDub-related tweets recorded enough to ruin the entire internet.

Before I'm taking part to this biggest celebration every AlDub Nation's dying to see it, let me take the time to ask one thing that...why I'm in love with the AlDub love story,

In the beginning, well, the 16th of July to be exact, when Lola Nidora is busy with the whole Problem Solving segment in Eat Bulaga, and when Alden Richards became one of the Eat Bulaga presenters for the whole "That's My BAE" contest, this is where the love story between Alden and Yaya Dub begins and as weeks have pass, nothing is more tastier and more sweeter than seeing these two DubSmash each other until Lola Nidora plots some conniving ways to separate them. That signalled the birth of the term "Kalyeserye", where Juan can witness every moment after moment regardless of which barangay the presenters are on and so is Yaya Dub.

Through the weeks, we've been introduced by some of the wackiest characters in the Kalyeserye gig. From Lola Nidora's henchmen mostly called Rogelio, Frankie Amoy Arinolli, Duhrizz, Tidora and her Bernardos, Tinidora and her zombie friends called Quando, the mayor doma named Rihanna, Isadora, and many many others, those hilarious characters are spicing up the AlDub love story and no matter what stuff Lola Nidora throws at these two, there's no stopping them, not even the plywood that can separate them.

At first, I thought it was a stupid idea, seeing these two untalkative lovers use some sound bites, mainly from other shows, movies, and songs, to communicate each other. I might think that Yaya Dub could be a robot because robots tend to have recorded messages on their hard drive and play it randomly and that's some conspiracy worthy of Ford Pines himself. Oh, and if you don't know who in the world is Ford Pines, you guys didn't watch Gravity Falls because he's the long lost twin of Grunkle Stan and the six-fingered man behind the mystery journals Dipper's desperate to find out. Anyway, no time to inject Gravity Falls stuff on this article, well in case Mabel's going to spill it anyway for fun, back to my newfound love for AlDub because like I said, I thought this is a very stupid idea for a TV network to pull such a gig but as weeks pass by, their kalyeserye idea DID WORK...BRILLIANTLY.

Because Kalyeserye became a very brilliant gig full stop, they decided to be part of the show before it ends and now, it became a Filipino tradition to have their TVs set to Eat Bulaga and then wait before the Kalyeserye portion airs. It starts with a honk honk, well, a normal car honk honk, and then the drama unfolds until the big truck horn honks, signalling the end of another Kalyeserye day and pick it up on the next day. Simple as that.

It's not just the love story I like the most about the AlDub shindig, it's the sound bites they pulled off. From the Chinese (vietnamese, I presume?) sound bite I don't really know what that is to the fabled Pabebe Girls (wonder how will the original Pabebe Girls react upon using their infamous dialog for AlDub antics) sound bite, nothing is more so than their favorite songs playing in on their mouths.

Because of that, most songs like Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud (Lola Nidora calls it Darling I), Twerk It, Bryan White's God Gave Me You, BIGBANG's Fantastic Baby, and many others including the ladder-laden Mambo No. 5, are now stuck in every AlDub Nation's heads right now, even me. They even manage to create fanmade AlDub playlists just for the heck of it. But hey, not only most foreign songs made the cut to the AlDub gig, there are some almost-forgotten OPM hits came alive because of AlDub. 

One thing I'm particularly keen about is the song that goes "Naniniwala na ako sa forever, pag mula nang makilala kita" and that song is question is sung by none other than the love team known as JaDine (James Reid and Nadine Lustre). Odd because why would AlDub DubSmashed a song done by the Kapamilya love team famous for their on-screen antics at their TV drama On The Wings Of Love?

Maybe AlDub wanted a piece of it until JaDine gets furious enough to meet them face to face in the same way why Bryan White's going to the Philippines and wants a piece of it to AlDub. Looks like I am as suspicious as that guy from Ancient Aliens.

Another thing why there are some wanted a piece of it is the blind date segment from It's Showtime called "Nasaan Ka, Mr. Pastillas?" where a handful of males trying their shot to date the internet sensation they called her Pastillas Girl. We thought it was a clever way to win back fans succumbed from the AlDub menace but guess what? You lose, boy. Your Twitterserye plans don't work because more and more will always plugged their heads to AlDub as long as they like. Too bad I find the whole Pastillas stuff boring and it was only outclassed by the TV show starring Nadine and James.

A rivalry between JaDine and AlDub is like...um...a choice between IDOLM@STER and Love Live. If you pick something that has more appealing, more fan base, and more firepower than any other, you are going to be on that side but your allegiances might change like a drop of a hat. Does that make you feel like you're a double crosser or being double crossed for all the wrong barrels? Hard to believe I am one of the few idiots who can double cross a certain fan base but hey, that's life. You can't fast-talk your way out until someone knows your dirty secret much like my younger sister who found out that an IM@S fan like me had a piece of Love Live in my room. Yep, I'm a double crosser bu that's all in the name of intelligence and reconnaissance. Something what a 00 Agent from MI6 would do going undercover as a talent producer for a certain talent agency.

In the end, I have a choice. Should I go for the burger steak or a chicken fillet ala king? JaDine or AlDub? I'm pretty sure, I already know my choice is so don't etching me because if you're going to ask which side I am on, it would be nobody because there are some who turned out to be double crossers but since I'm not a big JaDine fan because I got bored with OTWOL, I'd better stick with the AlDub because all of their shenanigans are well and truly payed off to become the national couple of the Philippines and soon the world.

Anyway, that's enough for it. I need to go now. I have to be fully prepared for the big AlDub day tomorrow. Yo, Buddy? You still awake? Thanks for reading and see you soon.