Let's Do The News! (February 16, 2013)

River's Diary

Right, what's the news today you spoiler-laden TARDIS journal?

Meteorites and Asteroids

I've been awakened by a frightening news that there was some meteorite explosions happened somewhere in Russia and that lead a thousand people injured but no one died by a meteorite explosions. Scientists said that the meteorite explosions happened in Russia has no connection to the Olympic pool sized asteroid that makes a nearest near-miss distance between Earth. I know it's so scary and that made me restless to think about it. Our Father, Lord in Heaven, Hallow Be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Done, Thy Will Be Done...

Story: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/55184/video--meteorite-casualties-in-russia-rise-to-1000

Oh no, you can bring your media from abroad

Yesterday, there was an article about the Congress passing on the law that prohibits Filipinos from bringing home copies of books, CDs, and DVDs from abroad and the President's got until March 2013 to either sign or veto the law that strangles our right to bring our pasalubong to our friends and family. Oh no, the press said that you are always welcome to bring home more copies of books, compact discs, and digital video discs under a new copyright law that was approved last December. This was a clarification after a journalist blogger wrote about the new RA 8293 that takes away every Filipino's right to bring home kinds of media from abroad.

Story: http://www.ipophil.gov.ph/index.php/20-what-s-new/134-ip-code-amendment-gives-filipinos-better-access-to-copyrighted-works-from-abroad

Chevrolet SS revealed

2014 Chevrolet SS

Pontiac G8 fans, rejoice because its spiritual successor, the Chevrolet SS, has been revealed in production guise and a rebadged version of the 2014 Holden VF Commodore. Its Stock Car version will make its first appearance in NASCAR's DAYTONA 500 match, which signals the first of the NASCAR 2013 Season.

The new SS will be powered by a 6.2L LS3 V8 engine that develops 415HP of power and 415lb-ft of torque while being mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission that can initiate manual shifting via paddle shifters. The SS is one of the quickest sedans in the market because its 0-60mph time takes about five seconds.

It will be on sale in Fall 2013 and I think this new SS will arrive in the Middle East soon as the replacement to the Chevrolet Lumina.

Story: http://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2014-ss/

Gallifrey One 2013

The biggest Doctor Who convention in the USA, Gallifrey One, returns and this year promises a bigger one because the year 2013 is the year to celebrate Doctor Who's 50th anniversary. Running from February 15 to 17, 2013, at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport Hotel, Gallifrey One promises bigger surprises for the American Whovians in LA. Also, there has been special guests from Doctor Who arrived. Guests include Freema Agyeman (DW Companion Martha Jones), Anjli Mohindra (Rani Chandra from The Sarah Jane Adventures), Frances Barber (Madame Kovarian from DW Series 6), Shaun Dingwall (who was Rose's father, Pete), Ian McNeice (who's Winston Churchill from DW Series 5 and 6), Sylvester McCoy (The Seventh Doctor), Neve McIntosh (who was Madame Vastra, the Silurian ally of The Doctor as seen on Series 6 and The Snowmen special), Dalek voice actor Nicholas Briggs, Mark Sheppard (who was Canton Delaware III from Series 6 opener), Daphne Ashbrook (Grace Holloway from the Doctor Who TV movie), Dan Starkey (who played our favorite Sontaran Strax), and many others.



IN THE MEANTIME....LET'S ALL DO THE HARLEM SHAKE, EVERYONE! (I still don't know what Harlem Shake is...)

Renaultsport Clio/Lutecia IV 200 EDC vs. Peugeot 208 GTi

2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

Welcome everyone to the brand new Renaultsport Clio RS 200 EDC. Renault claims it that this is the most technologically advanced Clio ever made for the enthusiast and by far out of being the most confusing Clio ever made even though it was based on the fourth-generation Clio (Lutecia in the Japanese market).

At first glance, it's no longer a three-door because Renault thrown the world a curve by making it available exclusively as a five-door model and that seems to be odd to be a hot hatchback that turns into a family-oriented machine. How did that happened? Five doors? That seems inappropriate for a car like this and for the worse of it, the hot-hatch favored 6-speed manual has officially dropped and replaced by a dual-clutch transmission called EDC that some say it's relatively quicker to shift than manuals. I know, that's how dual clutch transmissions work but seems to me that it's getting a bit more advanced than being an old-school hot hatchback suitable for the top dog.

There's also another transition to the new Clio because the naturally-aspirated 2.0L engine has now been thrown away for good and replaced with the 1.6L DIG TURBO engine that you may normally find it in the Nissan Juke but for the Renaultsport Clio though, this produces about 200PS of power and 240Nm of torque. 200PS? That's the same as the old 2.0L NA engine it replaces and that could only mean one thing...This new model ain't even BOVVERED. Zero to 100kph takes about 6.7 seconds and flatout in 225kph, meaning that this car is faster than the old model and despite the added doors, this car is 36kg lighter!

2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

Even with a downsized engine and the transition to a dual-clutch transmission that can be operated via paddle shifters, the new Clio RS 200 EDC really ain't even BOVVERED at all and the way it handles the corners, it sure knows how to corner very well. No matter the kind of corner is, this car ain't even bovvered. It kinda reminded me of a character that ain't even bothered. Face? Look? Bovvered? I AIN'T BOVVERED!!!! He he he he....That gets me all the time. And oh! Something tells me about this new model though. In a coming weeks, there's an app on the Renault's R-Link system and this app mimics the sound of several high-performance engines and plays them back via the car's own loud speakers. There were seven noises available while the three noises were made specifically for this model. There was the Alpine A110 noise which mimics the glory road of the legendary Alpine machine, the Renualt 8 Gordini that mimics the sound of the legendary Gordini, and then the Nissan GT-R noise that brings the sound of Godzilla to the Clio. That seems cool and you can even amuse your friends with that. Ho ho!

2014 Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC

Surprisingly though, this new Clio RS 200 EDC, just like its normal Clio brother, has all of the gadgets that you'll find it more addicting if you're a tech savvy kind of driver and with the new version of the R.S. MONITOR, this is a serious negotiator when you're using it on track days.

Overall, I can always forgive about those transitions, I'm starting to fall in love with this high-performance version. The Renault R-Link is what grabs my attention because I'm a tech-savvy kind of person and this made me addicted to it while thrashing around the new Clio RS EDC on the road or on track days. Guess I'm getting myself a Little Man Syndrome because that car made me turned into a kid in my mind every time I'm getting obsessed with this car.

However, if there's something even more addicting, I wonder, how come there's another hot hatch that is about as addicting as the new Clio RS? Talk to this hot hatch that I'm going to feature it...

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi

This new Peugeot 208 GTi seems to be somewhat an upperclassman's choice if he didn't like the Renault Clio RS EDC. Sure, it has the same 1.6L turbocharged engine as the Clio but unlike the Clio RS that has the dual-clutch, the 208 GTi's best served with an old-school 6-speed manual transmission. Unlike the Clio RS EDC, the 208 GTi is 3-door only and that's what I called it a proper hot hatchback. Amazingly though, while the Clio RS does 225kph, the 208 GTi does 230kph, that's about 5kph quicker than the Clio RS EDC!

The reason why the 208 GTi is quicker than the Clio RS EDC is because it's lighter. With a compact sizing, it seems that the term "small and light" is best describes it. Seems that the 208 GTi tries to win my heart better than the Clio RS EDC and you know what, this car says that it tries to capture the magic and the essence of the legendary 205 GTi, the hot hatch that made Peugeot jumped through a shot of fame in motorsports.

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi interior

By the moment you drive the 208 GTi, you'll get the sort of feeling that it tries to learn the moves that the 205 GTi does in the past decades. Because this car signals the return of the GTi marque on Peugeot and not to be confused on the VW GTi, this would be the trump card for PSA Peugeot-Citroen to get things right in the midst of poor performance in sales, shares, and marketing since the Euro Debt Crisis hit hard on European carmakers. However, can the new 208 GTi work? Spoilers...

2014 Peugeot 208 GTi

You've been given a choice; the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC is a tech-savvy high-performance road runner that is good enough for everyday use because of its five-door exclusivity and it's a track-eater that feels like here comes Pac-Man eating every dot in a maze. The 208 GTi from Peugeot though, it's a very serious machine made for the very serious enthusiast who sometimes his seriousness may wore off completely and become completely nuts when he got enslaved by its tech-savvy gadgetry and performance. So, the question is, which of these two French hot hatches is your pick? You decide...

"Chocolatiest Ever!"

On the February 15, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Dating gags for those who were spending Valentines

- COMING SOON: The drama's too ugly to cry on... Pangit ka...mas pangit ako

- Mr. Assimo at the laundromat

- Tata Lino's here again to help your life's problems

- Bubble Gang does Bingo cookie sandwhich "Swerti Pimple" commercial by spoofing this ad as DINGO! Chocolatiest ever!

- Brod Pete and friends once again answering your questions on ANG BAGONG DATING DOON!

1) "May nasusulat po ba tungkol sa Chinese New Year?" Best to refer to this song of the year;

TONIGHT, WE ARE YOUNG. SO LET'S SET THE WORLD ON FIRE, WE CAN BURN BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN.

2) "Ano po ang mga alam niyo pang maling terms?"

a) Highway - Because Highway supposed to be high but why it was flooded. Good thing the term "Edsa Highway" was been renamed as "Edsa Avenue".

b) What's the difference between Boulevard and Avenue? Avenue is a fancier way to say Boulevard because when shortened, Ave sounds fancy while Boul is a bit lame, weird, awkward...That's why Avenue is a fancy word even when shortened.

c) As we know, we used the word "admit" when the patient's in the hospital while "discharge" when the patient is out of the hospital, then in airport terms; "arrival" is when someone's arrived in the airport and "departure" is when someone's out in the airport. And then, in hotel terms, you have to "check in" and "check out". Maybe "arrival" is supposed to be FLY IN and "departure" is supposed to be FLY OUT.

d) In news regarding car accidents, the word tumaob is used but what if a car involved in a car accident is rolled upside down? That's not tumaob, it's supposed to be tumihaya!

 3) Pusong Bato was sung by a band called Alon but the band name is a bit confusing because it came from the word alone. Alone (pronounced ah-lon) refers to just one but how come it's a band name? ALON? Guess some Bisaya's doing this. What's next? POSONG BATO? Let's find out...

DI MO ALAM DAHIL SA'YO
AKO'Y HINDI MAKAKAIN
DI RIN MAKATULOG
BUHAT NG IYONG LOKOHIN
KUNG AKO'Y MULING IIGIB
SANA'Y DI MAGING KATULAD MO
TULAD MO NA MAY PUSONG BATO

- Whose liar is the best liar? Sinungaling, SINO GALING?

- James Wang was questioned by cops on the robbery case

- IyoTube in Where Have You Been

Forza Horizon: Devon GTX reward

Gone for a scavenger hunt

This is the fourth out of the five Season Pass bonus cars offered on Forza Horizon and the Devon GTX is the Season Pass bonus car for the month of February. Although not a huge fan of this car probably because economic downturns and recessions killed the hopes of producing the Viper-based supercar, the Devon GTX is just one of the supercars that are not desperately impractical. Besides, the V10 engine really packs a lot of punch and that gut-wrenching performance on the Devon GTX really gives you a POW right in the kisser! POW RIGHT IN THE KISSER! POW RIGHT IN THE KISSER!! Okay, okay, kinda enough about that bit...

2014 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

2014 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

What you're looking up here is a Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, the Nissan equivalent of the third-generation Mazda Premacy that was launched in 2011. But now, for the 2014 Model Year, it comes with the same PE-VPS engine and the 6-speed dual-clutch transmission that you get in the 2014 Mazda Premacy SKYACTIV. This means that it will still have the same JC08 Mode-rated fuel economy of 16.2kmpl as well!

PE-VPS engine

Mazda's SKYACTIV-DRIVE transmission

There's also the top-of-the-line model for the Lafesta Highway Star called the SUPREMO and exclusive features for the Supermo model includes shift switch on the steering wheel, ASCD, automatic anti-glare rear view mirror, Jacquard leather, piano black paneling, 205/50R17 89V tire and 17-inch rims, side turn lamp, chrome door panels, and tailpipe finisher.

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1309737/

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: Filipinos bringing home forms of media abroad is a violation?

I once read an web article my Facebook buddy just shared a few days ago and when I read it, seems that I am one of the many Filipinos haven't informed that the Supreme Court just passed a law that prevents Filipinos bringing home forms of media (Books, CD, DVD, MP3, well, you get the rest) abroad and that's somewhat a question sought to amend the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines or Republic Act 8293.

Section 190 of the RA 8293 letting us bring home CDs and DVDs abroad because it's a right specifically granted “to persons or families arriving from foreign countries” but seems that the new law, which requires the President's signature to complete it (but I hope it won't), everything's changed because by the time Mr. President signs this, it will ban most Filipinos bringing home books, CDs, DVDs, or other forms of media from abroad and that's worse for those who have these as pasalubong for the kids. Yeah, that seems bad for us and gets worse...

Worse thing about this law is this...if you bought a gadget from abroad and if you modify your device to remove restrictions, you will be charged as Copyright Infringement. What? Does it mean that I would violate that law if I jailbreak my iPhone, or modifying other gadgets (say make the PS2 or XBOX 360 region-free)? Is downgrading a PSP or putting a Homebrew on it also a form of copyright infringement?

Back in 2002, I didn't realized that my dad bought me a Playstation2 during my return to Muntinlupa after staying with Daddy in Seattle during my vacation. I was so happy that I have a console that is much more better than the Sega Dreamcast. Heh, Dreamcast is rubbish by the way but still I respected this console when my Dad bought it during my child years, 2001 to be exact. You see there was this odd story that I am going to share it to you because here in the Philippines, an original PS2 game will cost me about thousand pesos or about the equivalent of your Meralco or PLDT bill you often pay it on your nearest Bayad Center while a bootleg PS2 game or what we called it PIRATED costs about the same as a gasoline that fuels your car.

Well, yeah, I really admit it because I went for the cheap ones because sometimes an original copy of a PS2 or X360 game is too pricey. It's like paying bills to Meralco or PLDT if you know what I mean. Well, since Sony discontinued the Playstation2, guess we won't be seeing one of those again and all that's left was some bootleg copies of PC games, which this ain't BOVVERED for those in the Philippines who have home PCs. Sometimes, if there's something cool, something that the bootleggers can't hold on one of those, I sometimes call my dad to buy one for me. Then, when me and my siblings went to the USA in late 2005, I bought some more, especially a SpongeBob game on the GameCube and some Nickelodeon games on my old laptop. I am relieving my youth days just so you'll know but hey, nobody's bovvered even when the Optical Media Board's raiding every store that infringes copyright, say a store vendor in a Divisoria that sells pirated DVD or CD.

I've been watching news about the OMB raiding through malls, night markets, wet markets, and any other establishments selling every unauthorized copies and the source of it. I sometimes ain't even BOVVERED by those news despite the fact that we bought those pirated copies for low prices. Even though we have pirated CD's, DVD's, VCDs, PS1 games, PS2 games, and others, I still ain't even bovvered, well okay, pirated CD's, DVD's, and VCD's only were the ones I am really BOVVERED because audio tracks have low quality, DVD contents incomplete, and pirated VCDs felt like it was recorded on the theater. Isn't it weird? Pirated VCDs felt like it was recorded unexpectedly on cinemas!!!

I also observed that in some parts of the neighborhood, you'll find something that says it will cost you one peso for one MP3 song and it was like what the heck is that but I'm not so sure if these like it came from illegal downloading sites or something else. I have no idea where did that came from and how would a lucky chap makes profit of selling MP3 songs for a peso. In the days that it's a bit complicated to make an iTunes account in the Philippines, this is the habit that most Filipinos are doing. Going through the neighborhoods and pay a peso for an MP3 download to listen to their MP3 players.

Well, enough about that super long story and back to the topic on why did the Congress erased our right to bring home music, movies, and books from abroad. Anyway, I was on the part where modifying a gadget will charge them copyright infringement. A penalty, if on the first offense, will slam me three years on jail or pay a 150,000 Peso fine while in the third or subsequent offense, nine years in jail and P1.5 million pesos of fine.

There's more; if you were leasing out a space, say you're operating a mall, to someone who infringes copyright, you can be liable. Also, if someone else downloaded music from the Internet and shared the file with you, and then uploaded it onto your technological device and listened to it, you could also be held liable if the download site was one that the US recording and movie companies have been trying to shut down. Mostly common was file-sharing sites. Let's remember, the US Justice Department taken down Megaupload, a file-sharing site, last year because of copyright infringement that takes a massive toll to the US music and movie industry. Also, several Japanese idiots were arrested for uploading unauthorized content via Share program. If you were downloading a site that the government deems this to be unauthorized, you'll be liable.

Those new amendments on the RA 8293 may sound scary as it seems and seems that it robs our freedom worse than the Anti-Cybercrime Law that some say it has the nickname of "Cyber-Dracula" because it brings fear to innocent lives. I mean come on, bought from a foreign country for personal use is a violation? Oh no. This is not a violation, it's a right. Besides, nobody's going to make money out of it or making unauthorized copies out of it. Well, what about gadgets bought from a foreign country but modified to remove restrictions? Well, that's a BIG SCARY problem most of the people are facing with.

Heh, there goes the memory of the Senior Project paper I made when I was in High School and this time on Seattle's Cleveland High. My senior project involves on cybercrime and I did include the illegal file-sharing or torrent stuff on my topic. Oh well...Long story short...

Gosh, I'm getting scared by this. If that law was signed, I swear that most dads will not be able to buy those kind of pasalubongs to the kids or something for personal recreation. Oh geez...

Let's Do The News! - Valentines Day! (February 14, 2013)

JM: Now let's do the news and as the prologue to the Chevrolet SS via the new Holden VF Commodore heats up, the prologue continues with this, it's the Holden VF Commodore SSV Concept...

Holden VF Commodore SSV Concept

...again, this is a preview for the upcoming Chevrolet SS/Holden VF Commodore/Vauxhall VXR8 but the SSV version features some sporty credentials that made the next Commodore look good right until the point that will come to America soon as the Chevrolet SS, the car Americans called it the successor to the axed Pontiac G8, which was made in Australia. While we have no details about the specs of the next Commodore, guess we just have to wait this month to further delve deep to the VF's underbelly. Stay tuned.

Happy Valentines Day!

JC: Anyway, guess we've been surrounded by some Valentine's Day gifts, although when we say gifts, we do call it a landfall. Feels like it's HOARDING: BURIED ALIVE if you know what I mean...

(audience laughing)

RH: Right, let's look at what the guys giving them to the girls for Valentines. Oh!

JC: What's that?

RH: Some chocolates. Mostly a well preferred Valentine's Day gift to the girls. All too common but for us, it's too rubbish, let's look at something else.

JM: Uhh...how about this? I guess this is much more of a perfect Valentines Day gift to someone else's dates.

JC: Hey buddy. That's a Porsche Design handbag. Imagine if the ladies holding this Porsche handbag, they're going to hold it in the wrong direction, just like the 911 where the engine is on its buttocks.

(audience laughing)

JM: Ooh, look at me! I'm holding a 911 handbag on the wrong way!

(audience laughing)

RH: Guys, would you mind stop mocking around with this Porsche Design handbag? We're on to some Valentine's Day Gift Guide you know, not some mumbo jumbo stupidity we're doing all the time.

JC: Okay, okay, enough about that. Let's have a look....All right! Now this is a good one! It's an Adipose stuff toy!

RH: Oh God...

(audience laughing)

JC: It's a stuff toy for those who are having a big fat Valentines and...

JM: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Are you trying to make them feel uncomfortable. I mean hey, someone out there knows Doctor Who and when you're going to gift him or her an Adipose stuff toys, they might think that your Valentine's gift to him or her is fat. More importantly, the fat that walks away...

(audience laughing)

JC: Well yeah, I know. They're just aliens made of human fat as you seen on Doctor Who but this stuff toy is just so cute. The only stuff that I think is much cuter than a swarm of Adipose babies is Harukasan from Puchimas.

JM: Harukasan?

RH: Oh my gosh...

(audience laughing)







JM: You mean Harukasan from Puchimas, the super-deformed equivalent of Haruka Amami from the IDOLM@STER franchise?

JC: Yes, exactly. And I mean, when you look at Harukasan's, this is a million times more cuter than a swarm of...Adiposes.

JM: Yeah, right. More cuter than a bunch of Adipose and aren't you forgetting something?

JC: What?

JM: Haruka-san multiplies herself when she's doused by water. Even the rain would turn a single Harukasan into a swarm of Harukasans...and the numbers keeps on growing when it's wet!

RH: Yeah! Wait, what? Harukasan multiplies herself when she's splashed with something water?

JM: Uh-huh...

JC: Something tells me....When it's raining outside and if Harukasan's outside...Uh-oh...

JM: Yeah. It's an uh-oh. Here goes a swarm of Harukasans!

JC: NOOOO!!!!!



One hour later...

JC: Anyway, good thing they didn't bother our Valentines Day gifts. Gosh, how does a Harukasan being so much trouble in big numbers, anyway?

JM: Uh hey! Look! This is just another one of those Valentines Day gifts that is just perfect for the ladies and this one's from Ferrari! It's a Ferrari gold bracelet! I mean look at this!

RH: Yeah. This ain't bad. If I see a stranger coming to our neighborhood, driving a Ferrari, I would probably attack him for sure...

(audience laughing)

JC: Wha....?

RH: You see, Ferraris kinda like the Speedo of the car world and as the line says that if a stranger comes to his neighborhood wearing a speedo, he would probably attack him for sure...

(audience laughing)

JC: What if someone who drives a Ferrari wearing speedo?

RH: Well, I would beat him to death that's for sure....

(audience laughing)

JC: Very well then. If you are a Ferrari driver who wears a Speedo, look out because this guy's gonna beat you to death. Watch out!

(audience laughing)

JC: Speaking of which, there's a gift waiting for you, shorty.

RH: Really, where's it from?

JC: It's from a fan and it says "Happy Valentine's Day". That's it...

(ooohh)

RH: Wow, someone must have kind enough to send me a Valentine gift....

JM: Why don't you open it up and see what's inside..

(opening gift)

RH: Hmph....

JC: What is it?

RH: That's a...that's a ARTFX PVC figure of...Asuka Kazama from Tekken Tag Tournament 2....

(audience laughing)

JC: Well, you like it?

RH: Hmmmm....Thanks but I got this...I have pre-ordered Lili, which she'll come this April...

JM: Oh...Guess Hammo's showing too much interest over the fighting ojousama of the Tekken series...

(audience laughing)

JC: But...um...ugh...oh...come on! At least you'll going to like it...And um..here's a gift for the slowest man in the world...

JM: Thanks um....what's that?

JC: A Souffle Girl T-shirt. Hope you'll might be interested with...

(audience laughing)

JM: Thanks and oh...here's a little Valentines Day gift for all your trouble!

JC: Weeee!!!!! What is it? What is it? What is it? (paused)

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(audience laughing)

Why are you giving me this? A music CD from the Tweenies?

JM: That's for giving me a Souffle Girl shirt you loonie...

(audience laughing)

RH: Anyway, that's it for that and have a look at this, this is the second of the Aston Martin Centenary models and this time it's the turn of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage SP10

JM: Yes, indeed. This is the Aston Martin V8 Vantage SP10 and this is the first time we've expected a proper supercar made by Aston Martin because it's been mated with a 6-speed manual transmission, something that supercars hardly use it these days.

RH: Indeed and everything about the SP10 is all black inside and out, meaning that this is the best looking V8 Vantage, yet.

JM: Yeah but, there's a problem. Even though it's available in coupe and convertible variants, the SP10 is available exclusively in European left-hand drive markets, meaning IT'S NOT AVAILABLE IN THE UK WHATSOEVER.

(audience laughing)