Let's Do The News! (December 17, 2025)

              

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

- Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte has submitted a new request for travel clearance to the House leadership to travel to the Netherlands and Australia from January 3–January 30, 2026. According to Atty. Jose Marmoi Salonga, Executive Director of the Office of the Secretary General, Congressman Pulong's stated reason for the travel clearance was to visit his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is incarcerated in The Hague.

- Dengue cases in Quezon City have risen by 35%

- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) files backtracking in connection with the Bondi Beach shooting.

- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced that the rehabilitation project on EDSA will begin on December 24, 2025.

- US President Donald Trump defends his chief of staff following the taped interview between them leaked all over the media.

- The United Kingdom will rejoin the European Union's Erasmus student exchange scheme, six years after the Brexit deal.

- The European Union may cancel the 2035 ban on ICE-powered cars.

- Kaylee Countryman will represent Toyota Gazoo Racing Haas F1 Team in the 2026 F1 Academy season. Countryman will compete in the ART Grand Prix-operated car, marking her second season in single-seater racing.

- F1 will return to Portimao in the 2027 season.

- Project Rally One is set to enter the WRC from 2027. Project Rally One is set to design, build, and homologate a WRC27-spec car for the start of the championship's next regulatory era.

- Jaguar will unveil its 4-door EV GT car in the Summer of 2026. It will be a production version of the controversial Type 00 Concept with a 1000hp EV powertrain.

- The Perodua Traz was unveiled.

- Ford scrapped its EV plans as it shifts focus to hybrids and petrol-powered vehicles.

- The Shinbi's House 10th anniversary movie will hit South Korean cinemas this January 2026.

- Since the launch of the Mission Creator update in Grand Theft Auto Online, Rockstar Games has suspended multiple accounts due to user-generated missions that reference Charlie Kirk's assassination, P Diddy's arrest, and police brutality against Black Americans, among others.

- Boy group ATBO announces their disbandment.

- NBA's expansion decision will be made in 2026.

- Famed Filipino voiceover Jefferson Utanes passed away at the age of 46.

- The Kingdom's TV drama series casts Derek Ramsay and Cristine Reyes.

TTFN.

Sixth Generation Suzuki Wagon R (2026MY facelift)

Currently on sale for eight years, the sixth-generation Suzuki Wagon R has gained a minor change for the 2026 Model Year, proving that this kei car is still in business and it's still leading in terms of efficiency.

2026 Suzuki Wagon R

Starting at 1,430,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the facelifted sixth-generation Wagon R is a clear reminder that you don't count this one out yet because this latest update is packed with revamped styling, interior, and fuel efficiency that can make today's Daihatsu Move look like a millennial's cellphone.

2026 Suzuki Wagon R interior

The new Wagon R features a front design that resembles the current Solio, while the rear lamps have also been updated. Inside, it introduces a new steering wheel and a revised center instrument display, all while preserving the same level of space and comfort as the previous model. However, the boot space is limited to just one suitcase when the rear seats are in use. Folding down the seats will create more room for items, such as those for a garage sale and other belongings.

Equipped with the R06D 660cc petrol engine, the Wagon R's fuel economy is a class-leading 25.1km/L for the 5-speed manual FF variant and 24.2km/L for the CVT FF variant. Coupled with the mild hybrid setup and the CVT, it gets 25.1km/L of fuel efficiency as well. Such class-leading fuel efficiency proves that the Wagon R is still the leader of the pack. The only sad news is the deletion of the turbo variant. Boo.

The updated Wagon R's safety features now come with the Dual Sensor Brake Support II, as well as improved safety features.

Despite sacrificing its turbo variant, which is a real bummer for us, the updated sixth-generation Suzuki Wagon R, with its new style, interior, and improved fuel economy, reminds us that it's still leading the business.

Available Colors: Silky Silver Metallic, White, Pure White Pearl, Bluish Black Pearl 3, Denim Blue Metallic, Nocturne Blue Pearl, Lucent Beige Pearl Metallic, and Velvet Dark Red Pearl.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Let's Do The News! (December 16, 2025)

             

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

- Philippine President Bongbong Marcos named Atty. Anna Liza Logan as the new Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian confirmed that the DPWH has submitted revised adjustment factors to be used for government infrastructure projects. He said they are currently studying and verifying the data submitted by the DPWH.

- Maritime Industry Authority or MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan clarified that MARINA's participation in the International Maritime Organization or IMO is of great benefit to Filipino seafarers. She said this is particularly in the aspect of safety, rights, and welfare of passengers, especially in the operations of seafarers in the country.

- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has confirmed that the father and son suspects in the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday, December 14, traveled to the Philippines. Immigration Spokesperson Dana Sandoval identified the suspects as Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, both Indian nationals. Recently, Australian news outlets have referred to the Philippines as a "terrorist hotspot." The attack occurred during a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach, resulting in 15 fatalities. Sajid Akram was killed in the incident, while Naveed Akram survived and is currently in critical condition. The two gunmen had visited the Philippines the previous month to engage in what they described as "military-style training" before the incident.

- Nick Reiner, the son of the late director Rob Reiner, was arrested on suspicion of the death of the said director and his wife.

- UK flights linked to Jeffrey Epstein carried British alleged abuse victims, according to reports.

- Washington State flood warning remains in effect until further notice. The warning remains in Renton's Cedar River, Auburn's Green River, and others. Minor flooding is occurring and forecasted. At 10k cfs, the Green River is flooding surrounding low areas. A flow of 9000 cfs feet on the Green River corresponds to a Phase 3 Flood in the King County flood system. A high wind forecast as well as rainy forecasts are worsening the situation.

- Honda is launching its Heritage Works in 2026, offering parts for classic models like the first-generation NSX.

- Marvel is warning the public against anyone attempting to leak trailers for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie by posting anti-piracy PSAs before films, concluding with a countdown.

- Disney forced YouTube to remove AI-generated videos featuring Mickey Mouse, Deadpool, and Star Wars characters after sending a cease-and-desist letter to Google. This follows Disney's $1bn OpenAI deal for licensed AI use of its characters on Sora.

- Park Na Rae personally addresses recent issues in her video message.

- Tom Brady has advice for Patrick Mahomes, as he faces ACL surgery.

- Zsa Zsa Padilla is returning her Lifetime Achievement Award that she won at the 38th Aliw Awards. Zsa Zsa said, "I was still dumbfounded by how the awarding was handled. To be dismissed so abruptly after supposedly being ‘honored’ was shocking and embarrassing. What was the point of being there with our families? So, Aliw, please do better."

TTFN

My GT7 Log: Know Your Legends - Renault Espace F1

Let's get to know about the legendary cars that are hard to get in Gran Turismo 7's Legend Cars, not only because of their extreme rarity that appears once in a blue moon, but also their outrageous price tag that takes almost forever to save one. Today, let's get to know about the Renault Espace F1, a bizarre concept car that mashes between an F1 car and a second-generation Espace MPV.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Renault Espace, which debuted in 1984, Renault developed an extraordinary concept car known as the Espace F1. This car combines the drivability of a concept vehicle with the design of the second-generation Espace MPV.

The Espace F1 was created in collaboration with Matra and the Williams F1 Team. It maintains the shape of the second-generation Espace but is expertly crafted with aluminum and carbon fiber, featuring unique racing aerodynamics. Under the hood, it is powered by the same 3.5-liter V10 engine that drove the FW14B, the winner of the 1992 Formula 1 season. This impressive engine produces 788 horsepower, allowing the Espace F1 to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in less than three seconds, with a top speed of 316 kph.

Let's unleash the Espace F1 around the Goodwood track, see if one of our Gran Turismo favorites still has it. Let's roll the tape.

I did it in 1m11.890s. Although not my best effort, this racing minivan's still got it. First playable on GT2, now playable in GT7. This Espace F1 still has it.

What other hard-to-get legendary cars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.

What to see at the 2025 MMFF?

Come December 25, 2025, a film festival of nothing but original Filipino movies will be showing in cinemas across the Philippines. Yes, the Metro Manila Film Festival is back for its 2025 edition. Eight entries will clash for the title, and while this year's edition is dominated by dramas and few are comedic in manner, this year's edition marks the return of the Philippines' most terrifying horror movie franchise ever.

2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entries

So, what movies are showing in Philippine cinemas during the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival this Christmas Day?

• I'MPERFECT - This G-rated romantic film is about two people with Down Syndrome. It stars Krystel Go and Earl Amaba. It was directed by Sigrid Bernardo and produced by Nathan Studios.
• SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL: EVIL ORIGINS - Shake, Rattle & Roll is finally back in the MMFF with this newest installment, where the terrifying past, present, and the post-apocalyptic future are plunged into evil. The beginning of it all, the countdown to disaster, and the end of humanity. The legend of fear returns.
• Call Me Mother - Comedian Vice Ganda stars in this family comedy-drama movie that also stars Nadine Lustre, Lucas Andalio, Klarisse de Guzman, Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Esnyr Ranollo, River Joseph, and Shuvee Etrata.
• Love You So Bad - Dustin Yu, Bianca de Vera, and Will Ashley clash each other's relationships in this rom-com made in cooperation with ABS-CBN Film Productions, GMA Pictures, and Regal Entertainment.
• Bar Boys: After School - The sequel to the 2017 movie stars Carlo Aquino, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, Kean Cipriano, and Odette Khan. This movie picks up a decade after the end of the first movie, where the boys' reunion went south upon hearing that their teacher had fallen gravely ill and was abandoned by her own family.
• Manila's Finest - Piolo Pascual and Enrique Gil star in this period crime story set in the pre-Martial Law era.
• Unmarry - Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo star in this gripping drama movie about two divorcees, struggling with their separate divorce cases, who made a fateful encounter at a law office.
• Rekonek - This movie, directed by Jade Castro, is about six different families struggling without internet, ten days before Christmas.

The 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival begins on Christmas Day, December 25. During that week, all eight films will be shown in every cinema. Which film are you excited to watch?

Let's Do The News! (December 15, 2025)

            

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

- The Armed Forces of the Philippines condemned China's recent aggressive action at Escoda Shoal. According to the AFP, the injury of three Filipino fishermen and the damage to two ships should not be considered an ordinary incident at the West Philippine Sea.

- Independent Commission for Infrastructure Chairman Andres Reyes neither confirmed nor denied the alleged resignation of commissioner Rossana Fajardo.

- AGAP Party-List Nicanor Briones denies his involvement in the flood control issue after the congressman recently headed to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) hearing.

- Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Sunday of Advent in his recent mass.

- Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife were found dead in their LA home

- Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai was found guilty of national security offences.

- ICYMI: The Trump administration is requesting a five-year social media history for foreigners.

- Police has detained a "person of interest" after the recent shooting at Brown University, according to Rhode Island officials.

- The second limited edition Jeep model of the Twelve 4 Twelve series, the Wrangler Whitecap, was unveiled.

2026 Jeep Wrangler Whitecap

- A male staffer for HKT48 was treated after being stabbed.

- Bushiroad is discontinuing the Bushiroad Games label after two years.

- A TV series adaptation of the 2024 MMFF entry, The Kingdom, is in the works. The TV series based on the movie is a project of MQuest Ventures and APT Studios. It will soon air on TV5.

TTFN.

Doctor Who Series 10 Original Television Soundtrack

After nearly a decade of waiting, the original soundtrack for the 10th series of BBC's Doctor Who TV show has finally arrived. The 12th Doctor's final chapter has come to the TARDIS jukebox, and it's about time...and space.

Doctor Who Series 10
Original Television Soundtrack

With original score courtesy of long-time DW music scorer Murray Gold, this original soundtrack covers the 2016 Christmas Special, the rest of Series 10, and the 2017 Christmas Special.

From his encounter with a mysterious vigilante to his fateful meeting with Bill Potts, his blind confrontation with the Monks, and a showdown against the two Masters, his journey culminates in a final adventure where the 12th Doctor teams up with the 1st Doctor to save the world. Each track from the season captures these thrilling moments, making it a must-listen for any wannabe Time Lord.

Fans have eagerly awaited this original soundtrack since the conclusion of The 12th Doctor's adventure. Now that it is available on physical CDs, digitally through iTunes, and streaming on Spotify, they finally have the opportunity to enjoy the background music from that exciting season. Better late than never, as they say.

Your TARDIS jukebox just got a new addition. A long-awaited addition...

TRACK LISTINGS:

DISC 1

THE RETURN OF DOCTOR MYSTERIO

01 A Doctor for Christmas

02 You’re a Superhero

03 Harmony Shoal

04 The Flight of The Ghost

05 Next Stop, New York

06 Brace for Impact

07 Saving the Day

SERIES 10

08 The Professor

09 Trapped in the TARDIS

10 Escape from Earth

11 The Deadliest Fire in the Universe

12 Keep Your Memories

13 The Vardies

14 No Humans

15 The Calorimeter

16 Frost Fair

17 Moving On

18 Feeding Time

19 Bill

20 Out of the Woodwork

21 The Tower

22 Zombies in Space

23 Fighting the Suits

24 The Executioner

25 Divine Intervention

26 Finding the Veritas

27 Oath of a Time Lord

28 Calling the Doctor

29 Times of Crisis

30 Arrival at the Pyramid

31 Judgement of the Monks

32 The World That Never Was

33 Memory Crimes

34 Holding on to Hope

35 Rescue Mission

36 Whatever it Takes

37 The Band Back Together

38 It Has to Be Bill

39 Glimpse of Freedom

40 Missy’s Remorse

DISC 2

SERIES 10

01 The Countdown

02 The Story in the Stone

03 Lost Legion of the Ninth

04 The Colony Ship

05 This Was a Bad Idea

06 Oldest Friend in the Universe

07 A Matter of Time

08 Operation Exodus

09 Genesis of the Cybermen

10 Scarecrow Cybermen

11 Parallel Evolution

12 The Solar Farm

13 Time Enough

14 The Doctor Lies Still

15 I Will Not Change

TWICE UPON A TIME

16 The Original, You Might Say

17 Chamber of the Dead

18 A Doctor of War

19 Daleks on Villengard

20 The Long Way Round

21 Doctor, I Let You Go