My FM Log: Messing with Battista

Wouldn't be hardcore to have an electric hypercar named after a WWE legend? In Pininfarina's case, it is.

This is the electric hypercar in question, the Pininfarina Battista. They named it after a WWE wrestler and true to its name, this is one electric hypercar you don't want to mess it, especially when it's in the Forza Motorsport game.

Pininfarina is renowned for collaborating with major carmakers such as Ferrari in terms of car designs. With the legendary design firm spawned its automotive brand, Automobili Pininfarina, they've used most of its design know-how to create an all-electric hyper GT, the Battista.

With only 150 units built and sold, this pure electric hyper GT is the single most powerful road-legal car ever designed and built in Italy. Powered by four electric motors that independently distribute power to each wheel, granting torque vectoring to its 4WD layout, as well as its Rimac-sourced 120kWh liquid-cooled battery pack, the Battista produces 1,900hp and 2,300Nm of torque, capable of sprinting from 0-100kph in less than two seconds and a top speed of at least 350kph.

Former Formula 1 driver Nick Heidfeld was involved in the development of the Battista, saying it's “beyond anything I can imagine” during track tests at Nardo.

Having my first dibs on Battista, I find this electric hypercar to be arduous because while it possesses straight-line speeds, the braking, and the handling are the challenging parts because no matter how early or late my braking is, it always ends up out of bounds. It understeers while going through the corners as well as oversteering while going to the corner too fast, proving that this EV hypercar is not for the weak-minded. Trust me, I've tried it and it's too complicated to handle Battista.

To test the challenging dynamics of Battista, I went to Hockenheimring, which was recently added to Forza Motorsport's Version 3.0 update, and see if it's true to the name itself. Battista. Let's wrestle.

Having wrestled with Battista around Hockenheimring, I did it in 1m49.365s, which is the best that I can do. I tried my best but my best wasn't good enough to beat Battista.

For an all-electric hypercar with the wrestler's name, it goes to show that you don't want to mess with Battista. You mess with him, he'll crush you flat.

BATTISTA!

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: The Eat Bulaga of yesteryears is dead and gone!

The first week of 2024 is met with spiraling results but there's one piece of news that rocked Philippine television, a seismic shift nearly four-and-a-half decades in the making.

Friday, the fifth of January, 2024, saw the TVJ trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey De Leon, win the copyright infringement and unfair competition cases against TAPE, Inc. and TV network GMA over the rights of the Eat Bulaga! trademark, meaning neither TAPE nor GMA Network has the right to use the Eat Bulaga or EB trademark.

TAPE's Eat Bulaga rebranded as Tahanang Pinakamasaya!
while TV5's E.A.T. is now EAT...BULAGA!

As a result of the ruling, the January 6, 2024 episodes of both noontime shows saw drastic changes. The old Eat Bulaga! that Filipinos know, under the thumb of TAPE Inc., has been rebranded as "Tahanang Pinakamasaya!" while the TV5 EAT... variety show has been renamed as "EAT...BULAGA!", a seismic shift in Philippine television nearly four-and-a-half decades in the making.

Purist Dabarkads around the globe welcomed the biggest news in Eat Bulaga history, pleasing the move as "justice" for all the fans who became part of the TVJ experience since the end of July 1979, and to celebrate Eat Bulaga's return to TVJ, they've started its simulcast airing on CNN Philippines for Saturday episodes. Of course, CNN Philippines used to be RPN-9 and RPN-9 is the first channel where Eat Bulaga first aired in 1979 so it's like a homecoming for TVJ.

Those loyal to the Dabarkads' code of honor knew it was right, bringing the EB naming back to where they truly belonged; the legendary trio who came up with the concept, not the company who calls the shots.

The war that started last year with the feud between TVJ and TAPE has finally found the endgame it truly deserved. I have to say, I'm very pleased that the Philippines' favorite TV trio fought hard to claim what's theirs and won, proving that the fight for redemption is a long and bumpy road ahead. It's arduous but hey, at least we now know the answer.

For the first time in nearly 45 years, Filipinos never experienced such a radical change in EB history. The "old" Eat Bulaga, the one under TAPE control, is now dead and gone while the "new" Eat Bulaga, the EAT one aired on TV5 with the trio that gave birth to the brand, is now using the brand that truly belongs. In other words, the "old" Eat Bulaga on GMA-7 is now "Tahanang Pinakamasaya!" and the EAT TV5 show is now called "EAT...BULAGA!"

The next time someone asks what happened to Eat Bulaga, this is the answer. Need to say it again? Tahanang Pinakamasaya is how TAPE killed Eat Bulaga and the TV5 EAT show is Eat Bulaga, born again as the "new" Eat Bulaga. 

If it is July 30, 2024, the day Eat Bulaga celebrates its 45th birthday, you know which show will celebrate. It's the TVJ one, not the TAPE one. TAPE killed Eat Bulaga and TVJ brought Eat Bulaga back. Remember that.

Let's Do The News! (January 6, 2024)

                                               

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The US Supreme Court will decide in the coming days whether to bar Donald Trump from running for the presidency. This comes after Trump asked the SCOTUS to reverse the Colorado ruling that barred him from running for the presidency in the state.

- The petition to strip Paula Vennells's CBE title in the wake of the Post Office scandal is signed by half a people, according to reports.

- The 2024 Formula E season canceled the Hyderabad E-Prix, which was supposed to be scheduled for February 10th as the 4th round of Season 10. The cancellation comes following a decision by the MAUD, under the control of the Government of Telangana, not to fulfill the Host City Agreement signed last year.

- Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue was named The Ring Magazine's 2023 Fighter of the Year award.

- Brazil soccer legend Mario Zagallo dies at the age of 92. Zagallo reached the World Cup final a record five times, winning four, as a player and then a coach with the Brazil team. The first to win the World Cup both as a player and a manager.

- The Dominican Republic judge ordered the conditional release of Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco while he is investigated for allegations he had a relationship with a 14-year-old girl and gave her mother a car and thousands of dollars in exchange for her consent, according to reports.

- Veteran actor David Soul passed away at the age of 80. Soul famously played Hutch in the TV series Starsky & Hutch.

- ICYMI: TVJ won the copyright infringement and unfair competition cases against TAPE, Inc. and TV network GMA.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: Tricolorus Extremus

I respect the Italians because their supercar-building status made them the nuclear power of the motoring world. In Forza Horizon 5, I've been greeted by three of the most extreme Italian track superweapons ever made. All three of them are DLC cars, sadly.

Are these number codes? I think not.

These are the Italian track superweapons in question; the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12, the Pagani Huayra R, and the Ferrari FXX-K Evo. These de-restricted weapons of mass velocity are armed and ready to shake, rattle, and roll to the extremes.

Let's begin with the Ferrari FXX-K Evo, the most extreme version of the LaFerrari-based FXX-K, and yours to keep if you got the Car Pass. Although the V12 hybrid powerplant remains the same, meaning it still pumps out 1050PS of power output while torque output is over 900Nm, the FXX-K Evo features improved aerodynamics resulting in 23% improved downforce, improved drag resistance, improved dynamics, and more.

Next up is the Pagani Huayra R, part of FH5's Italian Exotics Car Pack currently available. Essentially the finale for the Huayra hypercar, this track-only version, with only 30 units made and sold, is powered by the naturally-aspirated 6.0L AMG V12 engine producing 850PS of power while mated to a 6-speed sequential gearbox.

Lastly, the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12, also part of FH5's Italian Exotics Car Pack currently available. With only 40 made and sold, this track-only superweapon made by Lamborghini Squadra Corse is powered by the same 6.5L V12 engine as the Aventador but it pumps out 830PS of power output, 20PS less than the Huayra R. It is mated to a 6-speed X-track sequential gearbox, which doubles as a structural element within the fully carbon-fiber chassis, with the pushrod rear suspension installed directly on it for better weight distribution.

With their introduction made, it's time to find out which of the three track nukes is the deadliest behind the wheel and with that, it's off to the Horizon Mexico festival grounds to conduct...this nuclear test. Let's roll the tape.

And now the results...

Essenza - 1m03.130s

Huayra R - 1m00.878s

FXX-K Evo - 59.326s

It looks like Scuderia Ferrari is still the top dog in the Italian supercar arms race after all. The FXX-K Evo is the definite proof that you don't want to mess with Maranello's mightiest.

The FXX-K Evo, Huayra R, and the Essenza are proof that Italy is the motoring nuclear superpower because these weapons of mass velocity are like an explosive mix of, let's say, Capsaicin, Pitaya Dragon, and Golden Cheese. If you mess with them, they'll hit you to the extreme. Approach with extreme caution with these track nukes behind the wheel. Their mind-blowing performance and dynamics are too much for puny humans behind the wheel.

Go ahead, take a spin with these three if you are heroic enough. The results will shock you through the earth's core.

CASE CLOSED.

Let's Do The News! (January 5, 2024)

                                               

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The PH Department of Health has reported 15 new fireworks-related injuries, bringing the total to 600.

- The PH Department of Education welcomes GSIS and Bureau of Treasury's move for insurance coverage for public school buildings nationwide. DepEd noted that Through the GSIS-BTr collaboration under the National Indemnity Insurance Program (NIIP), it has secured “critical assistance” in the provision of comprehensive insurance protection for public school buildings.

- The Department of Transportation denied rumors of a projected 50-peso minimum fare for modern jeepneys. DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista maintained that the primary consideration for any fare increase in public transport is the cost of fuel, gasoline, or crude prices, not the modernization of public utility vehicles.

- The House Committee on Energy will carry out an investigation next week on the massive blackout that greeted Panay Island to start the new year.

- UK PM Rishi Sunak appears to rule out the May general election suggesting it will be in the "second half of the year".

- Aircraft wreckage at Tokyo's Haneda airport was removed following the collision of a JAL flight and a Japan Coast Guard aircraft last Tuesday night.

- Mourners gathered in Lebanon for a funeral of the slain senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri, who was killed in the Israeli offensive.

- The White House revealed newly declassified intel showing that North Korea "provided Russia with missiles for the Ukraine war".

- Islamic State claims responsibility for the twin bombings in Iran that killed 84 people.

- Penang will experience a four-day scheduled water supply interruption starting from January 10.

- BELIFT LAB's new girl group I'LL-IT announced that Youngseo will not be debuting with the group. I’LL-IT was formed from the audition program “R U Next?” in September of last year. With Youngseo’s departure, the girl group will be debuting with the five members Wonhee, Minju, Iroha, Moka, and Yunah.

- The agency of the late actor Lee Sun Kyun warns the public against false information regarding the actor's death.

- According to reports, a fire at Tyreek Hill's home is because of a child playing with a cigarette lighter in a bedroom. An accidental fire, the Davie (Florida) Fire Marshal said.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: Community Day Classic (PART 1)

The Community Choice series update in Forza Horizon 5, running through the whole month of January,  features fan-voted events and challenges as well as a cesspool of returning cars from past installments. What a way to kick off the new year with a blast from Horizon's pasts.

So, the Hot Season Playlist of the FH5 Community Choice series update features an old McLaren supercar and a Bond car. What are these, you may ask?

First up is the McLaren MP4-12C, which can be yours after hitting 20 points on the Community Choice Hot Season Playlist. It's the first all-new McLaren model since the F1. Purely McLaren inside and out, the 12C is powered by a 3.8L V8 Twin Turbo engine that produces 592hp and 442ft-lb of torque while mated to a 7-speed SSG. Apart from the engine, the 12C features Carbon MonoCell, a first in a segment, as well as a Proactive Chassis Control system, double wishbone suspension with coil springs, a Brake Steer, and many others. If you have seven and a half minutes to spare while taking a break at the Ring, this is the McLaren for you.

Lastly is the Aston Martin DBS, which can be yours after hitting 40 points on the Community Choice Hot Season Playlist. Based on the DB9, the DBS is the replacement of the V12 Vanquish that is powered by a six-liter V12 engine producing 510hp and 420ft-lb of torque while mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Inside the world of 007, the V12-powered DBS appeared in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.

Let's give these classic supercars a quick spin with the 12C battling against other modern supercars in a re-enactment of the streets of Cairo, Egypt, while the Aston Martin DBS drives through the touge roads at the dead of night without rolling over just like what happened in Casino Royale. Let's roll the tapes.

Job well done to these two, that's all I can say.

Next week, let's tackle the Koenigsegg CCX and the Lykan HyperSport at the Storm Season Playlist of the Community Choice update. Insert Fast and Furious joke at the latter, please.

Let's Do The News! (January 4, 2024)

                                              

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The PH Department of Health advised the public against a message claiming a new COVID-19 wave in Metro Manila, attributed to St. Luke's Medical Center. It states that "there is no credible evidence or official announcement" from health authorities over the COVID-19 surge at a certain hospital.

- PH President Bongbong Marcos declared January 9 a special non-working holiday in Manila to celebrate Traslacion.

- Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo will visit Manila next week to meet President Bongbong Marcos as Widowo winds down his final term as the leader of the largest Muslim-majority nation.

- According to sources, over 17,000 Grade 11 students enrolled in state universities and colleges, and local universities and colleges might be displaced once these institutions comply with the CHEd order for them to stop offering senior high school programs next school year.

- Donald Trump appeals to the US Supreme Court to reverse the Colorado ruling barring him from running for presidency in the US state.

- Prince Andrew is among high-profile figures named in newly released court documents detailing connections of sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. Also named in the dozens of files are Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, though neither is accused of illegality.

- Iran vows harsh response after two scores killed in blasts near the tomb of slain Iran General Quasem Soleimani.

- The Teasing Master Takagi-san TV drama will air on TBS this March 26th.

- Actor Kang Kyung Joon responds to reports of being sued for adultery.

- 28-year-old Luke Humphries defeats 16-year-old Luke Littler 7-4 to win the World Darts Championship finals.

- Miami Dolphins' Tyreek Hill and his family are safe after his home caught fire.

- Kansas prosecutors dismissed three felony charges related to accusations that Jackson Mahomes, the brother of Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, grabbed a woman by the neck and kissed her against her will.

- Francoise Bornet, the woman in the famous Paris kiss photo, dies at the age of 93.

TTFN.