Let's Do The News! (August 2, 2025)

                               

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

- "It is not the assertion of power by the rulers that defines democracy but the rule of law, the living testimony of the covenant with the people." This is stated in an official statement issued by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) regarding the criticized ruling of the Supreme Court en banc in the impeachment case filed by the House of Representatives against VP Sara Duterte. The IBP said the ruling of the Supreme Court is an important step to defend the law and remind everyone that no government official is immune from accountability.

- A fire broke out at a residential area in Isla de Romero, Quiapo, Manila. The fire is under control.

- The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) says it will further intensify disaster response cooperation.

- US President Donald Trump deployed two nuclear submarines into Russian waters as former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev warned of an all-out war. The US has given Russia until the end of next week to agree on a ceasefire with Ukraine or face harsher sanctions.

- McLaren bids farewell to Formula E after seven years.

- IndyCar team owners pleased over Fox's purchase of a 33% stake in Penske Entertainment.

- Red Bull F1 driver Max Verstappen announced he's staying with the team for the 2026 season.

- The new Shutokou Battle video game will feature Lexus for the first time. The Lexus RC F Performance Package will become a playable car in the game soon.

- The Love Live series' AiScReam song "AI SCREAM!" lyric video reached over 8 million views on YouTube.

- Prices for the original Nintendo Switch consoles in the US have increased due to strict tariffs. The standard Nintendo Switch now costs $340, while the OLED variant is priced at $400.

- One of Lionel Messi's bodyguards was suspended for improper conduct.

- A sex toy was tossed on the court during a WNBA game for the second time this week.

TTFN.

The Naked Gun (2025 film)

Picture this: when Akiva Schaffer and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane are tasked to revive one of the most iconic comedy movies in ages, The Naked Gun, whose actor did they pick? Simple, get the action star Liam Neeson and put him in one big, hilarious sandbox. Yep, here's your answer!

The Naked Gun (2025 film)

Liam Neeson, the action star you're familiar with, has officially joined the world of The Naked Gun in the latest movie, which aims to continue the legacy of its previous installments. In this new-generation Naked Gun film, Neeson takes on the role of Frank Drebin Jr., the descendant of the character originally portrayed by the late Leslie Nielsen in earlier films.

Joining in the fun are Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, and Danny Huston.

While it may feel odd to see Liam Neeson in a comedy role, as he is known for his suspenseful action films, the classic humor reminiscent of Naked Gun is still present. With attractive women, villainous characters, silly gags, and even a quirky beaver, it's everything you would expect from an action-comedy film that aims to make you laugh out loud, so much so that it feels like it's tickling your very DNA.

From beginning to end, it's clear that this isn't truly The Naked Gun; rather, it's Liam Neeson reimagined in a way that feels like a big Family Guy joke. Thank you, Seth MacFarlane. Despite its strange casting, this new Naked Gun movie serves as evidence that comedy is very much alive.

You can skip Amazon Prime's Coming to America 2 or Netflix's Happy Gilmore 2 for this one. This is the revived comedy classic to choose.

Together (movie)

Never in the history of horror movies has there been a film worthy of being called a certified "artisan pick." The new horror movie "Together"—or should we say "To Get Her" (there's the plot twist)—breaks free from stereotypical perceptions to deliver a horror experience grounded in common sense.

Together (movie)

Dave Franco and Alison Brie star in what's known as "the best horror movie of the year". This movie revolves around a couple named Tim and Millie as they're starting their new lives in the countryside until a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to ruin their relationship, even themselves.

Often referred to as the spiritual successor to the cult classic horror film "The Substance," "Together," or "TO GET HER," delivers an unparalleled array of chills and thrills that few horror movies can match. With a series of unexpected twists and turns, this film takes the horror movie experience to the next level. Thanks to Michael Shanks' vision for a straightforward approach to horror, "Together" or "TO GET HER" earns its place as an "artisan pick," offering the excitement and tension one would expect from the genre. 

At last, we have a no-nonsense horror movie that deserves to be called a magnum opus.

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Kebbutan 2

Your favorite Kimetsu no Yaiba fighting game is back and better than ever. Tell your friends, it's time to unleash the Hashira from within once more.

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Kebbutan 2 (PS5)

Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Kebbutan 2 (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Hinokami Chronicles 2), the follow-up to the Hinokami Kebbutan video game, brings fans of the megahit series more demon-slaying action as experienced from the hit franchise. Time to wield the Nichirinto in the comfort of your living room once again.

Featuring a roster of your favorite Kimetsu no Yaiba characters to play as. Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and all of your favorite characters are ready for you, with some that can be unlocked by either progressing through the story mode or with the save data from the first Hinokami Kebbutan game and/or the Kimetsu no Yaiba board game.

In the game's story mode, players can relive the action from the Entertainment District Arc, the Swordsmith Village Arc, and the Hashira Training Arc in chronological order. If you've watched those, you should be familiar with them as you play along with memorable scenarios.

When you're done with story mode, you can enjoy Hinokami Kebbutan 2 your way with offline versus mode against either a CPU-controlled rival or a friend, the ideal party game for those who love the series. If you are Hashira material, you can compete against the world in online battles. There is a new challenge mode where you can tackle challenging battle situations. Are you up for more?

Just like in the previous game, completing various challenges will give you tons of bonus contents, some that can personalize your gameplay experience or just for showing off on your Player ID.

It's time to bring your friends once more because with Hinokami Kebbutan 2 finally arrived, it's time to occupy yourselves with Kimetsu no Yaiba madness over and over. Ready to unleash your inner Hashira again? Here's your chance.

Let's Do The News! (August 1, 2025)

                              

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

- The Freedom of Information Bill, which seeks to make government transactions public, has been re-filed in the PH Senate.

- The PH Department of Tourism plans to give India visa-free status to boost tourism.

- Private hospitals across the Philippines are alarmed over the no-balance billing for government hospitals.

- Former US Vice President Kamala Harris says she has no plans to run for California governorship in 2026.

- California Governor Gavin Newsom laid out his restructuring plans to restore the state devastated by January's wildfires.

- A 76-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of administering poison after children fell ill at a summer camp in Leicestershire, England.

- General Motors pitted the C8 Corvette Z06, ZR1, and the ZR1X against the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The Z06 did it in 7:11.826 while the ZR1 did it in 6:50.763, and the hybrid AWD ZR1X became the fastest American-made road car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6:49.275.

- The BMW M3 CS Touring became the fastest production car to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7:29.490.

- PAC-MAN World 2 Re-PAC, the remake of the PAC-MAN World 2 sequel game, is arriving on September 25, 2025.

- Netflix plans to make two more K-POP Demon Hunters movies, according to reports. A live-action reboot and a musical are under consideration.

- THE BOYZ member Hyunjaw suffers a ligament rupture just three days before the group's comeback.

- Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor lost his appeal against the finding that he sexually assaulted a woman.

TTFN.

Maserati MCPURA and MCPURA Cielo

Unveiled to the world half a decade ago, the MC20 marked the new beginning for Maserati, and as the world is struggling with the new normal, where crossovers are superheroes, this is the antithesis every car enthusiast needs. With its strikingly great styling, driver-focused interior, and quintessentially Italian performance, the MC20 has become every car enthusiast's newest favorite Italian supercar for the time being. Sadly, the MC20 range is gone and in its place lies its all-familiar successor, the MCPURA.

2026 Maserati MCPURA Cielo

2026 Maserati MCPURA

Available in both the hardtop coupe and the open-top Cielo roadster, the Maserati MCPURA picks up where the MC20 left off, with its familiar looks and performance more than enough to drive customers crazy, wishing they could get their hands on either this and the Cielo, both cost under 300 grand.

Like the MC20 it replaces, the MCPURA's styling draws inspiration from the ancient MC12, the comfortable side of the Ferrari Enzo from two decades ago. With looks that can softly kill, its aerodynamics are beyond expectations. Yes, that's a familiar story when the MC20 came a few years ago, except now, the front face has been slightly revised. That's it.

Step inside the interior and you are greeted with its driver-focused cockpit that gives drivers an impression of driving a racing car on the track. Although track-focused in spirit, it's a well-tailored accessory every gentleman should have, especially when it packs a premium sound system and a Maserati Connect feature for their daily driving comforts. That sounds flashy and cheesy, but this is all in the experience of being a high-value Italian sports car that separates the men from the boys.

The Cielo features a two-piece folding glass roof that takes 12 seconds to open or close, and it can turn opaque at the touch of a button. Sounds like a party piece, but the roof-folding mechanism adds 65kg of weight.

The MCPURA range still packs the 3.0L 6-cylinder twin-turbo Nettuno engine bolted to the middle at 90 degrees. It produces 630PS of power and 730Nm of torque, and while mated to an 8-speed DCT, the MCPURA can sprint from 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds and can go all the way to 325kph. This is a supercar performance the Italians can take pride in.

Aside from its supercar performance, the MCPURA's dynamics are worth driving for because underneath, it features a double-wishbone suspension system with active shock absorbers. They can really behave depending on which driving mode you're on, be it on WET, SPORT, CORSA, or ESC OFF Mode.

Driving in CORSA Mode, the MCPURA's almost behaving like a true racing car on the track, but when the driver engaged ESC OFF Mode, this is where you'll need your adult diapers because, in this mode, the MCPURA's going all-out dynamic and it's going to be as crazy as trying to beat your favorite song on the EXPERT difficulty setting. It's struggling at first, but when you are familiarized with it, the MCPURA is a supercar you can't stop until you are fully satisfied with its result.

Also on the dynamics side, the MCPURA really is a lightweight supercar from the start because underneath, it features a composite material monocoque soaked in carbon fiber, and combined with its lightweight materials assembled specifically for this car, it weighs one and a half tons.

The MCPURA may be a reissued MC20 with a revamped front face and nothing else, but like the MC20 it replaced, both the coupe and the Cielo are still every speedo boy's newest favorite Italian supercar for the time being. Add them to your wish list when you're ready.

Photo: Maserati

Let's Do The News! (July 31, 2025)

                              

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

- Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is appealing to the government to transfer the management of flood control systems to local government units, instead of leaving it to national agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

- The Department of Labor and Employment is tackling the possible effects of the imposition of the 19% tariff on PH workers and businesses by the United States.

- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to submit to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. next week a list of all completed and ongoing flood control projects in the country since 2022. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said they are currently compiling data from various District Engineering Offices and Regional Offices related to flood control projects under the current administration.

- The death toll from the three typhoons, Crising, Dante, and Emong, has reached 37, according to the NDRRMC.

- Canada follows France and the UK by announcing a plan to recognize a Palestinian state in September. Canadian PM Mark Carney said the move depends on democratic reforms, including the Palestinian Authority holding elections next year without Hamas. It came moments after the UK announced its support for the recognition of a Palestinian state unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire and other conditions, and a week after France unveiled a similar plan.

- Palestine Action can challenge the UK government's decision to ban it as a terror group, the court rules.

- Mohammed Fahir Amaaz was found guilty of assaulting police officers at the airport in Manchester, UK, last year.

- A man who killed four people in an office building in New York City bought the rifle he used in the attack and the car he drove across the country from his supervisor at a Las Vegas casino, according to authorities.

- The sixth-generation Honda Prelude is set to go on sale this September. It will be powered by the same i-MMD e:HEV powertrain as the Civic.

2026 Honda Prelude

- Chevrolet teases the Corvette C8 ZR1's long-awaited Nurburgring attempt, due tomorrow.

- Cupra halted plans for its US debut. Harsh US tariffs threw a wrench into Cupra's US debut plans.

- Gilbert Arenas was arrested on charges of illegal poker games.

- Showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin was charged with cyberlibel in the Bea Alonzo case.

TTFN.