Season 18 finale of Top Gear featured the BMW M5 F10!

BMW M5 F10 at the Top Gear Test Track

It was fun to enjoy the 18th season of Top Gear while it lasted. We witnessed the boys' struggles at Imola, we've introduced to The Stig's Chinese Cousin, Matt LeBlanc became the fastest star on a reasonably priced car, offroad mobility scooters, behind the scenes of the 2012 version of The Sweeney, Doctor Who meets Top Gear, Ferrari FF vs. Bentley Continental GT V8 on ice, Fisker Karma, Jeremy and James pays tribute to Saab, or we even meet up with the Brutus.

On the season finale of Top Gear, they have finally featured the much awaited BMW M5 F10 with such enthusiasm by Richard Hammond. If that wasn't enough, James May test drives the classic Ferrari 250GT California straight from Chris Evan's garage, Slash is the Star in a Reasonably Priced car, Top Gear goes rallying, and that's it.

That concludes Season 18 of Top Gear but they'll be back...soon. (Summer, perhaps?)

Annabelle Rama appeared on a Gandang Gabi Vice episode?

Gosh, I'm sure most of you already survived watching the March 11, 2012 episode of Gandang Gabi Vice because actress and talent manager Annabelle Rama showed up in front of Vice Ganda.

This is what happened when Petrang Kabayo meets Monster Mom for the very first time and reason why Gandang Gabi Vice is now rated SPG...remains unknown for now.

Still, it was fun to have Annabelle Rama guested on the March 11 episode of Gandang Gabi Vice...

Are you the third-generation Santa Fe?

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe sketch

So, could that be the new, third-generation Hyundai Santa Fe? Some say, it could be it and some say it will be premiered a the New York Auto Show this April. This new model will have a Storm Edge concept, which further evolves the brand's fluidic sculpture philosophy.

So, would that be enough to batter the Sorento R and the Captiva?

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/10/2013-hyundai-santa-fe-previewed-on-twitter-ahead-of-ny-reveal/

On the Edge - Japan's 3.11 tragedy and one year later...

Tohoku region

On March 11, 2011, the Tohoku region from Japan has been heavily battered by the most powerful earthquake recorded in Japan and tsunami following a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant that caused much radiation and misery to many. There are compelling accounts of life before and after the 3.11 tragedy and some honest descriptions of their recovery, full of drama and incident.

Today marks the first anniversary of the massive earthquake and tsunami that destroyed Northeastern Japan but most people who live there are still working hard to recover from this mega disaster. As of yesterday, about 15,854 people died while 3,155 are remained missing. Most of the 340,000 evacuees are living in temporary shelter, mostly from Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefecture.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120311_02.html

When that disaster happened, it seems that Japan has just went to their knees, considering the parts shortage, contamination concerns, power shortages, and most of the bad things happened in Japan. Moments later, it stood up again thanks to the generous support from all over the world.

For those from the Northeastern Japan, we are thinking about you and we wish you all the very best you can. That is my message to them and with one year passed, it seems that the Tohoku region still hasn't get away from their nightmares of last year's but I'm sure they'll find a way.

As a fan of all things Japanese, I surely wish for them to stood up again. The sun is rising for them.

Domo Arigato Mr. Zagato

Students of Top Gear will remember it as the Aston Martin V12 Zagato, the one that was seen on the news portion of one episode of Top Gear after James May test drove the new Aston Martin Virage. A letter from the boss of Aston Martin once said that the Nurburgring is the proving ground for every new Aston Martin model launched and there could be no better than the new V12 Zagato to be tested on that venue. That's why the Nurburgring is James May's least favorite place because there was a reason why most cars are getting uncomfortable because of their sessions at the Green Hell. Anyway, what is the V12 Zagato?

First off, its Aston Martin's endurance racer concept premiered on the shores of Lake Como, Italy at the 2011 Villa D' Este Concours D'Elegance, as a revival of a collaboration between Aston Martin and Zagato since the original DB4GT Zagato.

The V12 Zagato pushing its limits at Catalunya

The Aston Martin V12 Zagato that was featured on Forza Motorsport 4 via the March Pirelli Pack, on sale now, aren't exactly what you supposed to be. This one is rather more of a Zagato racecar rather than the one as seen at the Villa D'Este Concours but never mind. What matters most is that we are finally getting to know more about the Aston Martin V12 Zagato as the stalwart of the March Pirelli Pack.

Basically, it was based on the Aston Martin V12 Vantage and it comes with the same V12 engine that powers the V12 Vantage. However, unlike the V12 Vantage, it's lighter because while the V12 Vantage weighs 3,704lbs, the new V12 Zagato racecar weighs 3,197lbs. so that is a lot of weight-stripping to make it a racebred car that was once tested at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. Naught to 60, it can do 4.1 seconds and top speed, it would go up to 189MPH. For braking distance, it would stop from 100mph to dead at 304.7ft. Those stats only tell half of the story.

There could be no better than the new V12 Zagato to
test through the Nurburgring

A certain lyric from a certain that goes "Secret, secret, I've got a secret" but there are no secrets under the skin of the V12 Zagato. When I tried this one on the Circuit de Catalunya, which of course the venue for this month's Rivals event, the Aston Martin's V12 Zagato's started to come alive. All that racing pedigree coming out after its experience from the Green Hell really pushed the players very hard through temptation, making it an absolute Forza 4 favorite since the Lamborghini Aventador last November, the Monster Sport SX4 last December, the Pagani Huayra last January, and the Audi R18 TDi last February. As for me, I love the Zagato's cornering thanks to its suspension and its rear spoiler to push the back. In fact, I would gladly not going to remove it's spoiler from the upgrade shop because it looks good on it.

The V12 Zagato in its Stig Sessions

Because this is just a racecar that needs some racing livery, most Forza Faithfuls love to spend their time creating unique liveries for the V12 Zagato. What I'm worrying now that there could be someone replicating the "Zig" or the "Zag" that were seen at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring last year. Yep, we're talking about the V12 Zagato racecars that went 5th and 6th in the SP8 class of the 39th ADAC Nurburgring 24-hour race. I'm getting nervous if I see one at the storefronts.

That doesn't matter because this V12 Zagato is all about being the most emotional racing machine ever built as a celebration of the original DB4GT's 50th Anniversary. When it showed up at the Villa D'Este since May 2011, it won the Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes, the award that triumphed the One-77 since 2009. It maybe a V12 Vantage converted into a endurance racer but this one really blows a punch through the opponents on the racetrack. I'm glad I was one of the lucky many to try one.

Paalam Budoy!

So, it was the time to say goodbye to the most inspirational drama for all ages, Budoy.

After BJ (Enrique Gil) and Jackie (Jessy Mendiola) got murdered by some criminal lord, which was later killed by Grace (Mylene Dizon), Budoy (Gerald Anderson) was saddened to the death of two people who've cherished them for their friendship; One who despite they're not related and foresee him as a rival and one who opened his heart and mind all in the name of friendship.

Yep, Budoy has lost two of his most beloved friends, BJ and Jackie, and he's taking custody of Benjo, Jackie and BJ's only child after their marriage.

Moments later, Budoy plans to start his own school when suddenly baby Benjo was abducted by Grace and Budoy trailed through Grace's whereabouts. For Grace, she mistaken baby Benjo as BJ. Budoy tries to persuade Grace until her mind was finally opened up and the authorities arrived and Budoy successfully got baby Benjo back.

A year later, Budoy finally started his own school for the special children, with a little help from his biological mother (Janice De Belen), the one that despite she's not his real mother, he sees her like his real mother.

Budoy ending

And that ends the teleserye, Budoy. Just remember; BE HAPPY, BE THANKFUL, BE BUDOY!

"The Country's #1 Tuna"

What just happened on the March 9, 2012 episode of Bubble Gang?

- Getaway car gags

- Speech gets interrupted when some coach blows his whistle if he sees something disturbing...

50th Foundation Day
Elpido Sumalang Memorial
Highschool

- Mr. Assimo visits the doctor...

Mr. Assimo

- Bureche is playing some video game at night...

Bureche plays a videogame

- Kita sa katawan di ba? Bubble Gang does Century Tuna by spoofing this commercial as Send-Churi Tuna. The country's #1 tuna.

Bubble Gang does Century Tuna

- PICKUP LINES!!!!

1) Pag binaril ako, sana wag sa puso. Kasi nandoon ka.

2) Sana ID ka na lang. Para kahit mawala ka,  alam nila akin ka.

3) Taxi ka ba? Kasi minu-minuto, napapamahal ako sa 'yo.

4) Hindi ko kailangan matulog kung nakaharap ka. Kasi, nasa harap ang pangarap ko.

5) Axis ka ba? Kasi sa'yo lang umikot ang mundo ko

6) Pancit ka ba? Kasi, madilim sa labas

7) Pwede bang tumingan ka sa akin pag nakatingin ak sa'yo? Para mukhang may pagtingin tayo sa isa't-isa.

8) Pwede ba tayo mag-usap? Kasi, masarap maglaro ng patintero doon sa MRT.

(For an announcement from our very own MC Bits and Boy Pick Up: Join a special contest where you can send your videos packed with your own Pick Up Lines at "4th Floor GMA Annex Bldg., EDSA cor GMA Network Drive, Diliman, Quezon City". Be sure to follow Boy Pick Up at Twitter @ogiealcasid for more info and take part of Twitter contests to win Boy Pick Up T-shirts courtesy of FMCC)

- Bubble Gang spoofs "My Kontrabida Girl" as "My Kontrabida Gay".

- Survivor Philippines' Betong guests on an "amazing" sketch where he was a psychic to help out the owner of a dead dog.

- IyoTube in LMFAO's Party Rock Anthem!

- So, what's the verdict on someone who cheated through some cooking showdown? What secret lies on the secret ingredient?

The most dangerous car Rutledge Wood drove it on Top Gear USA

We guess Rutledge and Adam are getting a bit idiotic right now...

Yes, that is a dangerous vehicle but there's something more than that. Time Magazine rated the Chevrolet Corvair as one of the top 50 worst cars of all times due to the rear suspension and the risk of leaking oil like a derelict tanker. That's why it's so dangerous, it was a fit for Top Gear USA's Dangerous Cars episode and it was a choice for Rutledge Wood while Adam Ferrera drove the Ford Pinto, which has a risk for explosions from a gas tank, and Tanner Foust drove a Suzuki S_m_r__, which has a risk for rollovers.

The Chevrolet Corvair is so dangerous that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA was born.

Mind you, this is Rutledge Wood's dangerous car in TGUSA

That doesn't matter if the Corvair's a dangerous ride. By response of the Corvair's appearance on Top Gear USA, Forza Motorsport 4 added this on their March Pirelli Pack, on sale now. However, this here is the Monza version of one of the most dangerous cars in America. The Corvair Monza has a 2.7L engine that produces 140HP of power and 217Nm of torque. It weighs 1,186kg and it has a front distribution of 36%. I should have known that this is the only American-made sportscar that has layout that is common in Porsche sportscars, rear-engine rear-wheel-drive. Now why would Americans no longer making cars with such powertrain? Anyway, in the last model year (1969) over 500 Corvair Monza models were made, making it a rare classic car you wouldn't want to miss one passing by.

At first glance, it wasn't dangerous to drive the Corvair. It's just fine to drive in its stock status but when I tuned it out to the max, it becomes a wild animal, making it dangerous to drive. Oh and there's more. If you max it out using the engine that was sourced from the Corvette ZR1, this would become the most dangerous Corvair to drive on this game. If you're not careful with a fully tuned Corvair, you may end up like this...

See? We told you it's dangerous to drive
if you put some huge engine on it...

Yep, it pays to be one of the most dangerous cars in real life but here in Forza Motorsport 4, it doesn't matter as long as this car will make us laugh. As a Top Gear fan, it was worth driving the Corvair. If they add the Suzuki that Tanner drove it on Top Gear USA on FM4, this should be more interesting to recreate the Dangerous Cars episode on Top Gear USA. Indeed over the next few months, they'll gonna add some more Top Gear-featured cars on FM4.

The Chevrolet Corvair, dangerous in reality, bonkers to drive in Forza 4.

Welcome Back: 2010 Abarth 500 esseesse

It's the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari! Or is it?

Does this look like the Fiat 500C Abarth to you?

So, the Fiat 500 Abarth. An Italian pocket rocket that combines the word "cute" and "cool" in terms of design and performance. Here in USA, it has some bonkers advertisement due to the Seduction commercial as seen on US televisions or also the House Arrest ad starring Charlie Sheen. It lapped the Top Gear Test Track in 1:35.5, knocking down the likes of the Lotus Elise and the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish. Later on, Richard Hammond brought this in (in 500C Abarth Esseesse guise) for the Top Gear hot hatch challenge where the presenters and their chose hot hatch were put in to the test from the maze-like streets of Lucca to the racetrack in Monte Carlo. Well, you got that idea but I'm very glad that this seductive Italian hot hatchback returned on Forza 4. I would never forget the first time I met one.

Players who have one may sometimes try to make mock-ups of the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari or even the Fiat 500C Abarth, the one Richard Hammond drove it on the Top Gear hot hatch challenge. Despite mock-ups, they do look real and I love it.

Still, this is more fun to drive than the Renaultsport Twingo Cup!

Renaultsport Twingo 133 Phase II

2012 Renaultsport Twingo

The much serious version of the recently facelifted version of the Renault Twingo II, the Renaultsport Twingo 133 Phase II, is somewhat bonkers to drive but still not enough to catch up the ferry like what Jeremy Clarkson happened on one episode of Top Gear. Now you may be probably wandering that with this new version, would Jeremy Clarkson's doing the same mistake or misadventure that he done with the old pre-facelifted model? Unfortunately, I can't tell that unless the producers would read my memo and do a "take 2" on the sensible Twingo test, using the facelifted Renaultsport Twingo.

Anyway, for this minor change, the Renaultsport Twingo 133 has a new aggressive face and some new rear lamps to make it more sleek and sporty. If someone say, "Is it green?", just say "No, it's Yellow". Oops, some Top Gear reference on it. Anyway, it comes with a F1-style front splitter, the same way as the Renaultsport Clio (Lutecia) 200. This look recalls Renault's success in Formula 1 and overall, it enhances some aerodynamics.

Under the hood, it comes with a non-turbocharged 1.6L engine that produces 133PS of power and 160Nm of torque. In a normal Sport chassis, it has better road handling but if you went for the Cup chassis, you should know that you've stripped out the airconditioning and audio in favor of lowered ride height and sharper handling. This was made to be more serious and it really has no sense of humor...well almost because it was made to be 99% serious.

Renualt Twingo Gordini RS

2012 Renaultsport Twingo Gordini

2012 Renaultsport Twingo Gordini interior

The new Renaultsport Twingo Gordini adds some style for the sportiest compact car offered for the serious but fun enthusiasts. With the exclusive "Bleu Malte" exterior color, Gordini stripes, 17-inch diamond-effect black wheels, unique interior, and climate control, this variant is all about being unique, being glorious, being Gordini.

My Comment:
With the facelifted Twingo Renaultsport, I should explain that this compact is getting more and more serious but all I want now is the second chapter of Jeremy Clarkson's sensible Twingo test using this new Twingo RenaultSport but the result may end up the same, as in, it won't be catching up through the departing ferry. Of course, most of you said I said that much because this Twingo RS is all about being bonkers. Bonkers to look at, bonkers to feel at, and bonkers to drive at and that is why you should.

Photo: Renault

METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D

METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D

As 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the Metal Gear franchise, the story that started it all returns and for the first time, it's on the Nintendo 3DS.

METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D has the same old stuff you've experienced from the hit 2004 PS2 game (or also from the MGS HD Edition from the PS3 and XBoX 360 if you're playing one), but it has been redefined for the 3DS. The story that started it all goes stereoscopic. So what you should expect. At first, it does feel the same but it you flicker the 3D Depth Slider, you will see that most of your favorite Snake Eater memories come to life in stunning, glasses-free 3D. It's like you're in part of the Operation Snake Eater as "Naked Snake", a soldier who's on a mission to stop a nuclear attack and overall, eliminate The Boss, who defected to the Soviet Union.

Unlike the original which you can pause the game to initiate Survival Viewer, Snake Eater 3D offers some easy access for the players. The top part of your 3DS is showing your gameplay while the bottom part of your 3DS served as your Survival Viewer. You can check the map, change weapons, check the food and animals you've captured, change camouflage and facepaint, and also heal injuries with a series of medicines. The user can also initiate FPS view, TPS view, or Auto Aim feature, for some effective strategies in the battlefield.

The new feature you can find on the Snake Eater 3D is using your photos as camouflage! Use the camera feature on your 3DS to take photos and use them as a camouflage, which sounds original but I wonder that if those worked as cover against your enemies. As remember, camouflage is highly essential in stealth mission.

For an added surprise, Yoshi from the Super Mario series appears on MGS SE 3D! Instead of a Kerotan that once you shoot it, triggers a Kerotan sound, there are several Yoshis around this game. Shoot them all and you'll be rewarded with a Stealth Camouflage at the end. Be warned, finding hidden Yoshis are gonna be tough.

Let's Do The News (March 8, 2012)

Time now for the news and let's start with something...RUBBISH (and I do mean, RUBBISH)

Top Gear Korea

As the blokes from Top Gear Korea are working for their second season, there was a major accident happened during shooting. Firstly, a helicopter just crashed during filming for some Top Gear Korea challenge. Luckily, the pilot and the cameraman survived from the crash.

As Jeremy Clarkson once said that Top Gear has proper accidents. But serious accidents rarely happened on Top Gear. Firstly, Richard Hammond was crashed when he's driving a jetcar back in 2006 and some other time in the past, The Stig crashed the Koenigsegg CCX at the Top Gear Test Track.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/06/helicopter-crashes-in-arizona-while-filming-segment-for-top-gear/

Hmph...Couldn't blame what happened but to those survivors, I bet the pilot was...The Stig because he can survive through massive explosions (or even crashes). The Stig can survive everything, except maybe water because the old Stig drowned to death during his stunt at HMS Invincible.
Now, more rubbishness followed after Top Gear-related accidents...

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Reports say that General Motors halts shipments of the hardcore Camaro ZL1 over potential quality issue. No reason what caused this hold but Chevy spokesman said that it may take a few more weeks.

Scoop: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/07/chevy-stops-halts-shipments-of-camaro-zl1-over-potential-quality/

Okay, wanna tell why? THE ZL1's not powerful enough! IT'S NOT POWERFUL ENOUGH AGAINST THE 2013 FORD MUSTANG SHELBY GT500!!! End of sentence. I hope General Motors got that memo and bump the ZL1's power to beat the GT500 during a quality assesment. Wait hold it. I'm guessing that's a respond when a Top Gear USA Consulting Producer crashed the ZL1 while testing, that's why...

Moving on...

You know that the TOYOTA 86 hasn't been on sale in Japan until April 2012, right? Guess what? Despite that it hasn't been on sale yet, Toyota received 7000 pre-orders for the much anticipated TOYOTA 86, seven times more than the monthly target sales! Guess this model was a success after all, or was it?

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1006842/

Now all it needs now is the TV Commercial for the TOYOTA 86. With Meisa Kuroki taking the center stage for the Subaru BRZ commercial, I wonder if that applied the same.

Now for something that I eagerly awaited for that Apple has launched the new generation iPad! Hold it, it's not called "iPad 3". It remains the "iPad" naming from the first one when it was launched in 2010.

New iPad

Anyway, the third-generation iPad comes with retina display, 5MP iSight camera, iLife, iWork, 4G LTE, best display of 2048x1536 resolution, A5X chip with quad-core graphics, and more. Except this new iPad doesn't have Siri, which sounds bad. Anyway, sales of the new iPad will be commenced this March 16, 2012, at a starting price at $499. Pre-order bookings are open if you want it first, you know.

There's something interesting also during the launch event...SIRI can understand Japanese! Yatta!
Now for most Japanese iPhone 4S owners in Japan, this is great because as announced, there will be an iOS 5.1 update coming soon and now, Siri can understand English, British English, Australian English, French, German, and Japanese.

Scoop: http://www.upi.com/Technology_News/2012/03/07/iPhones-Siri-to-speak-Japanese/UPI-57391331171479/

Now all it needs now is some more lanugage. All it needs now for Siri to speak and understand Thai, Arab, Bahasa, Tamil, Hindu, and most of all...Tagalog. This will make it more interesting.

...And that's the news!