Dad turns his 86 into McQueen character for his kid

This car-related article, as posted from Autoindustriya, looks quite interesting for our inner kids. A car enthusiast turned his Toyota 86 (GT86/Scion FR-S) into a character from Disney's Cars for his three year-old kid. Lightning McQueen is the main character of the two Disney Cars movies and as that car nut told, he saw pics on the net about cars decorated in Lightning McQueen's livery and he even told that his son would be cool if he rode Lightning McQueen to school.

He enlisted tuner Speedway Engineering to make his kid's dream a reality, well sort of. And aside from mimicking McQueen's looks, his 86 got tuned to have over 300HP of power thanks to the added turbocharging and ECU mods.

Here's the clip that sums it up...



Report: http://www.autoindustriya.net/blogs/father-turns-toyota-86-lightning-mcqueen-son

About Clarkson's PQ17 documentary

A few years ago, Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson made two World War II documentaries aired on the BBC, one is about The Victoria Cross and the other one is about the St. Nazaire Raid (The Greatest Raid of All). Now, in 2014, Clarkson made another documentary related to World War II. This time, this documentary highlights on Convoy PQ 17.

What is PQ 17? Convoy PQ 17 is the codename of the Allied convoy during World War II where in July 10, 1942, the Nazi Germans won while the Allied forces suspended their Arctic Convoys, making it one of the worst war naval disasters in history.

Jeremy Clarkson highlights the journey of Convoy PQ 17 from Iceland to the Arkhangelsk, Russia, showcasing how did this mission sparked one of the biggest failures in the 20th century. Once again, people wanted to learn more about World War II never got bored with it because of Jeremy Clarkson in it.

So, how was it? Did this documentary about Convoy PQ 17 made it interesting?

Dominic Roque, IHAW NA!

On the January 2, 2014's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, the guest of the day is actor Dominic Roque. His recent appearance was from last year's movie, Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay, one of the MMFF 2013 candidate movies.

Meanwhile, we find out what's the difference on what would a SOSYAL and DI SOSYAL do such as getting rid of bad luck in an impending new year, reading a newspaper, and can't come to a party

Proton revealed Honda Inspire-based Perdana, only for Malaysian government officials

2014 Proton Perdana revealed for Malaysian government officials

Last month, Proton revealed the brand new Perdana executive sedan and this new model is based on the final-generation Honda Inspire CP3. However, you can't have one because this executive saloon is only made for Malaysian government officials, even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

Like the previous Honda Accord, the new Perdana comes with either a 2.0L or a 2.4L engine sourced from Honda. Although, it looks identical to the CP3 Honda Inspire, the only differences you'll see are the Proton badges inside and out.

The Malaysian Prime Minster gets himself a one-off stretched version for himself.

Report: http://www.motortrader.com.my/news/new-proton-perdana-delivered-to-prime-minister/

Let's Do The News! (January 2, 2014)

The big scoop today...

Chinese anti-Japan war drama used a BGM from an anime?!

Over the years, China and Japan don't usually get along like they used to ever since the territorial disputes over some island at the South China Sea and not to mention 2012's fiery anti-Japanese protests all over China. Now, there's some further misunderstanding happened and as pointed at one episode of a Chinese anti-Japan war drama "Blue Wolf" where one part of an episode used some BGM from an anime, particularly from the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN Original Soundtrack! Oh China, even when you still hate Japan over the territorial dispute, you still ironically borrow something from them. Hmmm....

Report: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-01-01/anti-japan-drama-ironically-borrows-music-from-anime

Some say: Pacquiao and Mayweather will fight this Fall

There is a rumor circulated from the net and it points out that the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr will happen in the Autumn of 2014. We're not sure but we're awaiting some confirmations from both sides. Stay tuned...

Report: http://www.philstar.com/sports/2014/01/02/1274395/report-mayweather-pacquiao-fight-september

Japan urged to learn English the Filipino way

A columnist from The Japan Times appreciated the way Filipinos learn English and it's hopeful that Japanese will, one day, learn English the Filipino way. As the comment says...

"It’s all in the approach to learning English. The Philippines not only teaches English in its schools but also provides its population with another tool crucial to language acquisition: exposure."

Report: http://bit.ly/1cgW9Ru

Audi to showcase another Quattro concept, with laser headlamps

2014 Audi Sport quattro Laserlight Concept

Another year, another pointless Audi quattro concept, only this time, they borrowed something from the books of their rival BMW; some laser headlamps as seen from the BMW i8 PHEV sportscar. To be showcased at this year's Consumer Electronics Showcase in Las Vegas, this concept car as what Audi says to demonstrate technical "vorspring" on many levels.

Read More: http://www.netcarshow.com/audi/2014-sport_quattro_laserlight_concept/

Solar-powered Ford C-MAX concept

2014 Ford C-MAX Solar Energi Concept

Also at this year's CES, Ford Motor Company will showcase a clever concept car based on the C-MAX hybrid MPV. Known as the C-MAX Solar Energi, this concept MPV showcases what if this car is meant to be powered by sunshine. In other words, solar energy.

Read More: http://www.netcarshow.com/ford/2014-c-max_solar_energi_concept/

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (January 1, 2014)

Yes! People from all over the world are wetting their pants with excitement as we are welcoming the year 2014 crammed with new blogs investigating stuff: really loud stuff, really fast stuff, really slow...stuff..., and really painful stuff!!!

The big scoop today...

North Korean leader warns of nuclear disaster

In his New Year's speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned that the Korean peninsula would be engulfed by a "massive nuclear strike" if war breaks out there again, warning the United States it will not be safe in an event of a conflict. His New Year speech is just another one of Threats from North Korea. The infamous NoKor leader would not beg for peace and vowed to protect the impoverished. He also praised the recent execution of his uncle Jang Song-Taek, labeling him a "scum".

Report: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/77824/n--korea-warns-of-nuclear-disaster-threatens-us

Meteor Shower seen starting New Year's Day

The annual Quadrantid meteor shower will be active in the first seven days of 2014, from January 1 to 7, and may peak from 3 to 4. It hits the Earth's atmosphere at the rate of 40 kilometers per second. Sources say that the incinerated dust are said to be particles apparently derived from the debris ejected by the near-earth asteroid 2003 EH.

Report: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/01/01/1274082/pagasa-meteor-shower-seen-starting-new-years-day

Philippine Standard Time begins now

2014 brings the start of Philippine Standard Time or PhST as people begin synchronizing their watches with the said timezone. Under the new law of Philippine Standard Time Act of 2013, all national and local government offices as well as broadcasting organizations are required to display PhST as provided by DOST's PAGASA, the country's official timekeeper. It goes by the theme of "Juan Time: PinoyAko, On-Time Ako".

Join Juan Time. Synchronize your watch with the Philippine Standard Time (PhST) via: http://bit.ly/SyncPhST. Like Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineStandardTime. Follow us on Twitter: @PhST_DOST.

Pinay wins Miss Tourism International 2013

A Filipina named Angeline Dione Gomez won the Miss Tourism International 2013 pageant in Putrajaya, Malaysia. She defeated 60 candidates to win the crown and title. Congratulations, Angeline Dione Gomez! You made us proud.

Watch: http://n5e.interaksyon.com/videos/0485CA2D700A42A/pinas-wagi-sa-miss-tourism-international

Jeremy and James on showing some festive treats on BBC Two



While the new season of Top Gear may not come for a few weeks, Jeremy Clarkson and James May got something in their pockets for this week on BBC Two and BBC Two HD. On January 2, 2014 at 9:00PM in the UK, Jeremy Clarkson explores the Arctic convoys of World War II in the documentary PQ17: An Arctic Convoy Disaster while on the next day, January 3, James May travels through Britain in his Meccano-made motorbike in James May's Toy Stories: The Motorcycle Diaries.



TTFN!!!

REMEMBERING 2013 - Conclusion

Hello, and welcome to the conclusion of my year-ender called Remembering 2013. I'll be randomly listing stuff that came throughout 2013. From good things, bad things, best things, worst things, whatever you name it, that year-ender list is on me. It's on my head so let's get cracking!

The Brian Griffin plot twist

In the November 24th episode of Family Guy, titled Life of Brian, fans got shocked in the scene where family pooch, Brian, got run over by a car and died. Brian has been a fan favorite since the show began and fans are unhappy over the decision to kill off the our favorite character.

Because of fans demanding to "Bring Brian Back" his death is a cliffhanger and the cliffhanger ends in the Christmas special. Brian Griffin dies and comes back to life...one of the most memorable moments in TV this year.

Joss Carter shot and killed

The November 19th episode of Person of Interest left fans speechless over the death of Detective Joss Carter. The show's creator told that killing off Joss is a hard thing to do but part of shaking things up. Fans are unhappy over the loss of Joss Carter and threatened not to watch this show anymore.

Tara Knowles' murder

The Season 6 finale of Sons of Anarchy sees a drunk Gemma killed her daughter-in-law Tara. Tara's murder left Jax come home and find his wife's dead body.

The Mother is finally revealed

Fans wanted to know who is The Mother in "How I Met Your Mother" since the show began and run on 8 seasons. In the Season 8 ender, the Mother was finally revealed as actress Cristin Milioti. As the episode ends, the arrival of the mystery person said "Hi. One ticket to Farhampton, please".

Dawn of hybrid supercars

When you think of hybrids, you always think of the Toyota Prius. But on the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the tables have been turned with the introduction of two hybrid hypercars; the McLaren P1 and the LaFerrari from Ferrari. If that wasn't enough, 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show sees the arrival of the lighter Porsche 918 Spyder, which served as the fastest hybrid to lap round the feared Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The Epic Split

There was a clip from Volvo Trucks where action star Jean Claude Van Damme performed the impossible in the face of the earth. He performed an epic split while in the middle of two Volvo trucks. This clip became so sensational, it has over 66 million views worldwide!

Sebastian Vettel still king of F1

F1 2013

Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel is still the king of F1 ever since he defended his F1 world champion status for the 2013 season.

The end of the Formula One 2013 season has signals the end of V8-powered F1 cars as next year's season will gone to the downsizing route as all F1 cars will have smaller engines in the form of V6 turbo engines, giving teams some hard time doing some hard work for the 2014 season. Oh yeah, expect this to be messy because of the numbering system and the double points in the final race of next year's season.

The Skyway bus tragedy

In the 16th of December, there was a bus with a plate number UVC-916, which is a Pacita-bound Don Mariano Transit Corp. bus in a form of an Isuzu, fell off the Skyway on a van with the plate number ULX-874. Reports say. This incident occurred at the Barangay Marcelo Green in Parañaque City early morning.

15 Years of Gran Turismo

Gran Turismo 6

To celebrate fifteen years of Gran Turismo, there was a party held at Silverstone since May 2013 and that 15th anniversary offering is none other than Gran Turismo 6. GT6 is the latest installment in the series and it's now available exclusively for the PS3. The latest game features over 1200 cars, new and returning tracks, and regular updates over the course of this game.

So far, the recent cars added in GT6 is Mario Andretti's Hudson, the new BMW M4 Coupe, the Honda/Acura NSX Concepts, the LFA Nurburgring Package and others. Expect more to come next year as well as the next car as part of the Vision GT project!

50 years of Porsche 911

2014 Porsche 911-50

2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 sportscar and for its 50th Anniversary, Porsche done something special for its fabled sportscar that has an engine in the back, they've released different kinds of 911 models such as the special 50th anniversary model called the 911-50, the new 911 GT3, and the new 911 Turbo, among many others.

100 years of Aston Martin

2013 marks the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin and the famed British sportscar maker done something special for the big year. For me, there's nothing more bigger than this...

In celebration of Aston Martin's 100th anniversary in 2013, the Vanquish was airlifted to the helipad of the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.


...there are so many moments occurred in the year 2013 to be listed here but guess I should leave it here.

As 2013 comes to an end, I'm reminiscing all the good things, bad things, best things, and the worst things that I have encountered through the course of the year. And I tried to work out which one I like the best...

On the topic of the telly, I love Sofia the First because she's quite the princess-in-training that remains a unique favorite among the little girls. When a classic Disney princess make a special appearance, that's what truly made me feel all giggly. I also love seeing Clara Oswald on Doctor Who as well and with the introduction of the 12th Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi, I'd expect great things to happen in Series 8 of the show. Uh...I enjoyed watching the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special, the 1DDAY livestreaming with One Direction, the Equestria Girls, Pacquiao Vs. Rios, the Nicki Minaj Kaloka-Like became the winner of IT'S SHOWTIME'S KALOKA-LIKE FACE 2, Juan Dela Cruz, Sanjay and Craig, Hannibal, Siberia, the Phineas and Ferb Mission Marvel episode, the Gravity Falls season finale, the Shake It Up ending, Liv and Maddie, there's too many to list!

However, I wouldn't want Sanjay and Craig because it's a bit too Bob's Burgers-ish. I also wouldn't want Steven Universe because it's a bit too harem for a young boy teaming up with three girls to save the universe. I didn't like Sam & Cat because of Ariana Grande too worrysome for me, Wander Over Yonder because it's a bit too blurry for me, Attack on Titan because it's too freaky, Girls Und Panzer because sometimes cute girls and fearsome tanks don't mix, Free because seeing boys in racing swimsuits isn't my type, I worked out what I have...Bee and PuppyCat.

Although not a TV show and just a web short, Bee and PuppyCat is my favorite. I even demanded the other fans to back its Kickstarter project while they still can. (laughs)

On the topic of music, Psy's Gentleman is my pick. I often listen to this while I was sleeping. The songs I don't really prefer is Wrecking Ball because this is the reason why Miley Cyrus' gone naughty, Fox Song because...what does the fox say? I don't know...it's just some guy in the fox outfit doing some kind of eurodance, Whoops Kirri because it's too much and no wonder it's Vice Ganda's favorite, I worked out what I have...the Harlem Shake...or the Gwiyomi song. That's what tickled my fancies during the course of the year 2013. He he he...

For movies, my top pick would be Despicable Me 2 because of the minions, Frozen because it's a unique Disney movie for the whole family, Pacific Rim because of robots that was heavily inspired by the ones as seen from Japanese anime, Star Trek Into Darkness because of Benedict Cumberbatch playing the baddie, World War Z, This Is The End because it's downright funny, Monsters University because of Mike and Sulley, The Hunger Games Catching Fire, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, The Hobbit: The Desolation of the Smaug because Benedict Cumberbatch playing as a dragon in the movie named Smaug, Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World because of Thor facing off against the dark elves (the ones that look like Teletubbies getting drunk), and that's it.

For games, my top pick is The Last Of Us, Call of Duty Ghosts, Forza Motorsport 5, Gran Turismo 6, Gran Theft Auto V, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Battlefield 4, rain, Grid 2, F1 2013, Saints Row IV, and Metal Gear Rising Revengeance.

What about cars? My pick would be the hybrid hypercars such as the McLaren P1 and the LaFerrari, the 50th anniversary offering from Lamborghini called the Veneno, the Jaguar F-Type roadster, the new Honda Fit because having a hybrid car with a double-clutch gearbox is not that bad, same goes for the Infiniti Q50, which will be sold as the Skyline in Japan next year, the 911 GT3 and the Turbo, but guess what? I know what's my top pick...the Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray.

Yes, I know. This car maybe a pain in my head, but the C7 Corvette is deserved to be the best car of 2013. You should really admire this car by the way it behaves.


With that decided, it's time for me for one final push to the year 2014. I am very happy. So happy, I didn't want to go to sleep until the countdown and when the countdown to 2014 commences...I am ready. Are your New Year's Resolution ready?

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!

Volkswagen Golf VII R

2014 Volkswagen Golf R

Since 2012. Volkswagen launched the all new Golf VII and for us, it's a bit too simple for its own taste. A year later, the range keeps on growing with the addition of the new Golf GTI, Golf GTD, Golf Estate and Golf TDI BlueMotion. Now, the Golf range continues to grow with the addition of the ultimate Golf yet. The R...

The R is the ultimate VW Golf?

Yes. Well, sort of. Anyway, the Golf VII R served as the high-performance version of the Golf VII and sits on the higher position of the Golf food chain, slotting above our fan favorite GTi.

Does it come with a 5-door model?

Yes. Like the previous model, the new Golf R is available in either a 3-door (if you're more of a loner) or a 5-door (if you have friends). Drivers who want a more driver-focused hot hatch would go for the three door while casual drivers would go for the five-door model. Regardless of which, it's still a hot hatch to end all hot hatches. The Golf to end all Golfs.

2014 Volkswagen Golf R

The performance figures...what is it?

The new Golf R comes with a powerful 2.0L turbo engine producing 300PS of power. It may be less than the ultimate king of hot hatches, the A45 AMG, but for the Golf R, it's still more enjoyable to drive. For transmission choices, you can have a 6-speed manual gearbox or an automatic dual clutch gearbox (DSG). Even though they're normally limited to 250kph, I'd recommend choosing the manual gearbox because having a turbocharged monster with the manual gearbox can be a lot more fun. Let's be honest, while the DSG option is quicker than the manual model, the one with the manual gearbox is still enjoyable to drive. There's nothing more fun than a happy Brainiac shifting gears in a 300PS hot hatch, if you know what I'm saying.

2014 Volkswagen Golf R

What about the 4WD system?

The engine may be new but the 4WD system on the new Golf R is pretty much different because it now incorporates the Haldex 5 coupling. Because of the updated 4WD system, you can expect this to be 18 per cent more efficient than the previous model. The torque-split distribution feels a bit different than what it used to be because at start, torque is distributed to the front but if you want things to be more messy, the new 4WD system can run the rear wheels in a split second and all the power goes to the back. If you set the traction control and ESP off, the new 4WD system takes "science abuse" graduated to a whole new level.

How's the interior?

2014 Volkswagen Golf R interior

The new interior is still pretty much decent. It still has lots of equipment, such as sat-nav, climate control, and tons of other stuff to make this hot-hatch a do-all car for day-to-day basis. No wonder the idea of a good hot hatch is to have everything the driver wishes. Sure, hot hatches can be as fun as a supercar but because it has a bigger boot in the back, enough to fit a celebrity in the back, you can leave your worries behind. You can even have seats made of Nappa or Alcantara.

Should I buy one?

Good question, though. The new Golf R starts at 38,325 Euros, about ten thousand Euros less than the A45 AMG so in theory, this hot hatch is a bargain in its own right. But if you don't have that kind of cash, best to stick to the GTi instead but still, the GTi is an enjoyable hot hatch. It's more well-balanced and an overall game-changer in the hot-hatch stakes.

Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer

2014 Opel Insignia Country Tourer

2014 Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer

With the Opel Insignia (Vauxhall Insignia for those living in the British isles) recently had a facelift this year, the whole crowd stir too much attention regarding this latest facelift. For this facelift, there is a new member in the Insignia range. Not only you can get the normal 4-door saloon, 5-door liftback that looks pretty much the same as the saloon version, Sport Tourer, and the hot VXR/OPC version, but now, a crossover wagon is offered under the Country Tourer pseudonym.

Wait a minute, this is just another one of the...

Yes, yes, I know. This is just another one of the crossovers that the carmakers are cashing on and the new Insignia Country Tourer is one of them. Although it looks like an SUV, you won't forget that this is just the Insignia Sport Tourer that had its ground clearance raised and gave it some tough looks. Don't be fooled, this is still a station wagon that is similar to its rival, the Subaru Legacy Outback.

How does it compare to the Outback?

Interesting question though. Although the Outback may have a 2.5L or the soon-to-be-defunct 3.6L boxer-6 engine on it, it still can't match against its clever sophistication that the Country Tourer has to offer. With the 36,990 Euro pricing, it's more affordable than the Outback as well. What you get for what you pay for is a sport utility wagon made by the Germans and offered with a 2.0 SIDI Turbo generating 250PS of power and a 0-100kph time of 7.9 seconds, a 2.0L CDTi diesel engine generating 163PS of power, and a 2.0L BiTurbo CDTi diesel engine mated with a 6-speed automatic producing 195PS of power.

So...

If you scale that up, the one with the 2.0L petrol engine is producing 10PS less than the Subaru Outback's 3.6L flat-6 engine but because it's turbocharged, the Country Tourer would blow a raspberry to the Outback in the straights. Because of its NEDC-calculated combined fuel economy of 12.3km/L, it's a lot more fuel efficient as well.

What about the handling?

Handling-wise, the Country Tourer still behaves like any other sport tourers in this category. The standard Flexride system allows you to change which driving mode suits best like Tour if you're not in the rush or feel comfortable while driving or when you set it to Sport, you're going to mess up someone's coffee drink while facing a tight corner. Gets worse, you'll be feeling like the old man from the Arthro commercial. Ahhh!!!

2014 Opel Insignia Country Tourer

2014 Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer

What's it like on the inside?

On the inside, it's still carries the updated look of the Insignia. You can even have a touch-screen on the more expensive models instead of buttons so if you have squeaky-clean hands, taking control is a no-brainer but let's hope you're not wearing any ski gloves or else, you feel like you're touching the wrong mode.

One thing you might aware is the boot space because unlike the Sport Tourer, the Country Tourer's boot space has a capacity of 540-litres, making it more shallower than the Sport Tourer and less practical as well. Ouch. Who would rather want to put a mountain bike on this? Unless the rear seats are folded flat, of course.

So, what's the verdict?

Although the Country Tourer is topped to be better than the Subaru Outback, it's still a bit lacking because of its luggage capacity, and some chinks behind it. It may have lots of equipment and the 4x4 system works well in any conditions but as a holiday car, I wouldn't care to have one. I would rather chose the Mazda CX-5 instead because it's more efficient and more enjoyable to drive than this.

Seat Leon ST

Ever since the third-generation Seat Leon was launched last year, Volkswagen's Spanish division threw a curve over the new model because with this new generation, which runs on the new flexible MQB platform used on the Audi A3 and the Volkswagen Golf, they now have the opportunity for the Seat Leon to spawn different body styles. Earlier, they've launched a 3-door version called the Leon SC and that was quite a shocker to me because who would really want a 3-door Seat Leon in the first place? We already have an Ibiza SC but why would you want for the bigger Leon SC?

If things are getting much worse for the new Leon, they now have a station wagon version called the Seat Leon ST!!!

2014 Seat Leon ST

Ugh, shouldn't SEAT be enough and content with the existing wagon lineup consisting of the Ibiza ST and the Exeo ST? Oh wait, SEAT discontinued the Exeo range this year so, the Ibiza ST is the remaining Seat wagon as of now, so, with the addition of the Leon ST, it's now back to two. You can now have a choice of two station wagons available for Seat such as the smaller Ibiza ST and the midsize Leon ST. I said it midsize because the Leon ST's sizing, like the new Leon, is just on the right track. Doesn't need to be too big or too little. That will be enough to take the prize.

Where was I? Oh yeah, the new station wagon from SEAT claims to be sporty and practical because in the present climate, nobody wanted a station wagon to be sporty and practical so for this car, it's the best of both worlds...as a theory.

Even though this is just a Volkswagen Golf Variant that was been altered into a Seat, the Seat Leon ST's design looks even more promising than the new Golf Variant because in my eye, the new Golf Variant is a bit too squinty for me.

2014 Seat Leon ST

Because this is the wagon version of the Leon ST, you can expect a bigger boot in the back and it does because even though it's sizing was just right, there's more room with your stuff in the back. This new model is quite a business mixed with leisure if you want to kill some time on the outdoors. With the rear seats folded down, the ST model, it has a capacity of 1,470 litres worth of luggage load, so that's worth enough to fit your balikbayan box at the back. Careful not to overload it like the ones from Korea where they evacuate from the border complex. Quite scary, though.

2014 Seat Leon ST

There is just one catch though because the new Leon ST weighs 45 kilos more than the standard hatchback model but thanks to its systematic lightweight design of the bodyshell, it's the lightest estate car in its class. As for the engine choices, the Seat Leon ST still has the similar choices that most Seat Leons do. You can have a 1.2L TSi, a 1.4L TSi, 1.6L TDI, 2.0L TDi, and if you got more time to kill, a 1.8 TSI engine on the hot FR model, complete with a rather-annoying DSG gearbox which shifts faster than a manual gearbox. A Seat Leon FR with a manual tranny is fine because this gearbox is what expresses our self-expression for shifting gears but with a DSG gearbox implied, it kinda spoils your fun, if you know what I mean?

The FR version of the Leon ST comes with SEAT drive profile with DCC adaptive chassis control. When you set it on Comfort, the suspension makes it softer and making the ride experience is as pleasant as seeing a fat bloke floating on the pool. When you set it on Sport, the suspension gets even harder, more agile in the cornering stakes, and the ride's getting harsher every time when you move about. There's even an optional Dynamic Pack which makes your driving experience with the Leon ST a bit too...professional-grade. Even though if it has the word "Dynamic" on it, the front-wheel drive layout isn't quite easy enough to kill you. It makes the cornering as swift as a game of Wimbledon. Thanks to its multi-link cleverness, if you go for the more powerful versions like the FR, the Leon ST feels as sophisticated as an Emeritus professor of some sorts. I just can't believe that multi-links are getting common these days in today's automobiles.

2014 Seat Leon ST interior

Like many Leons of today, the ST's interior feels pretty much the same as today's model but connectivity aside, it's a so-so for me. It even comes with the SEAT Easy Connect operating system, which allows you to take control of the navigation, entertainment, and vehicle information, isn't quite too shabby either. Having this as an ideal car for the winter holiday sounds pretty hard because, let's be honest, there are so many cars in the market today that combines the practicality of an everyday people mover with the sportiness of a sports car. Even though this new model fits its qualifications, the Leon ST is still more of a Golf Variant than the new Golf Variant but it's still cheaper than the new Golf Variant because of its 16,419 € pricing, almost 3,000 less than the new Golf Variant, so you'll get what you pay for.

Available colors: Blanco, Rojo Emocion, Blanco Nevada, Plata Estrella, Azul Apolo, Gris Pirineos, Negro Universo, Beige Balea, Rojo Montsant, Gris Tecnico, and Azul Alor.

Photo: SEAT S.A.

A 12-inch Catbug plush

A couple of days ago, I went to the Hot Topic branch in Westfield SouthCenter, just in the middle of last-minute Christmas shopping like everyone else does...and I found this...

I bought this recently at Hot Topic. It's a 12-inch Catbug plush from the Cartoon Hangover web series Bravest Warriors.

It maybe a Convention Exclusive but Hot Topic sells the remaining leftovers just for us for a very limited time. Lucky for us because Catbug is one of the cutest cartoon characters known to many. Why is Catbug cute? Ahem...remember the segment that I did before?

He costs around 18.50 US Dollars when I bought him at Hot Topic but luckily, there was a limited-time promotion at Hot Topic where when I buy one, I get one for half-price. I bought him second because the first one I bought is a present to my sister for Christmas. Because of that, my Catbug plush I bought costs 50% less. Talk about holiday savings during the last-minute Christmas shopping, eh?

Awww....look at Catbug! So cute! I really want to hug him so hard! Oh yeah, in case you don't know about this cute critter or about the Bravest Warriors, my suggestion is to watch it only on the Cartoon Hangover website.

So far, the latest episode in Bravest Warriors, now on its second season, is the one with Jelly Kid on it. Anyone watched it yet?

From every angle, you can see that this limited-edition plush that was modeled after Catbug really does look like the real thing and because he's a plush version of what I know to be the most adorable being in the web series, you can hug him whatever you want. You can snuggle him while you're sleeping, or you can take him along on your next trips.

If I'm honest, my Catbug plushie is worth a rarity in his own right, and since I once have a BMO plush at home, I can feel free to pair these two cuties up in my spare time! Pair these two adorable characters and you got yourself the feeling that you've died and went to cuties heaven! Awww...

If you're looking for one of these, best to be hurry because these adorable plushies are for a very limited time so once they're all gone, they're all gone so hurry.

REMEMBERING 2013 - Part Six

Hello, and welcome to the sixth part of my year-ender called Remembering 2013. I'll be randomly listing stuff that came throughout 2013. From good things, bad things, best things, worst things, whatever you name it, that year-ender list is on me. It's on my head so let's get cracking!

The Pork Barrel scandal

The name Janet Lim-Napoles will be remembered forever as the idiot responsible for the controversial Pork Barrel scandal. She once established a fake NGO under the JLN Group of Companies in order to suck billions of government funds. This rogue businesswoman, who was detained at the Fort Santo Domingo for the alleged illegal detention of whistleblower Benhur Luy, her assistant, supposedly connived with other members of the Congress to defraud the public using the pork barrel. Just before the year ends, there are key reminders to remember:

1) Lawmakers will abolish the PDAF, saying it's unconstitutional.

2) Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. were charged with plunder

3) The Million People March at the Luneta Park to protest against the PDAF

4) JLN surrendered to the government

5) The Disbursement Acceleration Program

Phineas and Ferb's Musical Cliptastic Countdown Hosted By Kelly Osbourne

When the summer of 2013 began, Phineas & Ferb fans took part of the special Musical Cliptastic Countdown where they will vote for the best P&F song and late June 2013, the special episode was televised, revealing the top 10 Phineas and Ferb songs.

The winner as voted by you, me, and all the other Phineas and Ferb fans...the greatest Phineas and Ferb song (at this moment in time) is EVERYTHING'S BETTER WITH PERRY!

All the hugs!

BUBBLE GANG 18th ANNIVERSARY

Bubble Gang 18

Bubble Gang, the longest-running gag show that is became a benchmark for every Filipinos worldwide that every Friday night is Bubble Gang night, is now on its 18th anniversary! Yes, it's the show's 18th year and not to worry...while the show's got more matured, the laughs don't get matured because it's always stay the same and should be.

The Chevy Cruze kickflip on Top Gear Korea

There was an episode from Top Gear Korea Season 5 where presenter Kim Jin-Pyo attempts to do a kickflip in a Chevrolet Cruze in front of a live audience! It took several hours to get this one right but for the folks at Top Gear Korea, it was worth the struggle because one fatal mistake will cost them all.

 

Here comes the epic moment to remember...

 

Dark days of Australian car manufacturing

FPV GT

Ford and General Motors' Australian operations are in deep impact because of the current economic climate in the Land Down Under and this is going to be one of the darkest days in Australian automotive history. First off, it's Ford Australia, where in the year 2016, Australian car manufacturing will end as well as their Australian-born Fords such as the Falcon and the Territory. If that wasn't enough, Ford will kill off their high-performance FPV line.

2014 Holden VF Commodore

Not only Ford will have its Australian production cease but Holden said that they will cease their Australian production by the year 2017 as well as production of the Commodore. Holden recently launched the latest VF Commodore earlier this year as well as its HSV counterpart, along with the latest HSV Gen-F GTS, which is powered by the same engine from the Camaro ZL1, making it the most powerful production car in Australia.

BBC axed The Hour

The Hour

After two seasons, the newsroom drama, The Hour, is officially cancelled by the BBC. This show was well known to be the British take of Mad Men but it's different. The Hour is a newsroom drama starring Dominic West and Ben Whishaw. It's set in the 1950's depicting fictional BBC journalists at the old Lime Grove studios in London.

The bad side of Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus used to be a kids favorite ever since she showed up in the TV comedy Hannah Montana, but now, Miley's changed. The Miley Cyrus as we know it is gone and she's now as bewildering as...well, former teen stars. She once do the "twerking" at the music awards, and the most infamous of all...the song WRECKING BALL. Particularly, it was the music video of her song WRECKING BALL that got us noticed because in the music video, Miley Cyrus is nude. Ouch...

This year is proven to be the worst for Miley Cyrus but in a Braniac kind of way because we all love the Wrecking Ball gig. We all make jokes about it and we all enjoy this song so much, it makes us want to come in...like a WRECKING BALL.

Teen Beach Movie

Raura shippers aren't pleased by this but this Disney Channel Original Movie really brings the fun in our summer vacation ever since this DCOM showed up on Disney Channel since July 2013. It stars Austin and Ally's Ross Lynch as Cody and the newcomer Aussie teen Maia Mitchell as Mackenzie. In the movie, Cody and Mackenzie got wiped out to some sort of a beach musical regarding bikers vs. surfers. 

The friendly elevator lady from SM Olongapo

There was a viral video regarding an elevator lady from SM Olongapo happily entertaining the visitors. Her name is Cheridel Alejandro and this elevator lady from the viral video inspired many viewers and drawn positive comments since its upload. Hopefully, this elevator lady will serve as a very good example to us.

The kuya from the McDonalds Philippines commercial

Now here's this person you are familiar of. It's that "kuya" from the McDonalds Philippines commercial. We weren't sure who is that kid but as revealed from an episode of Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho, this kid from the commercial is named Paolo Pingol, a 21-year-old male who was born with a Down Syndrome, a syndrome where a person has too much chromosomes. 

Despite his sickness, Paolo's still got it in the commercial because his attitude was...just right, perhaps no wonder the shooting for the commercial ended with no hassles.  Paolo's currently in Kinder 2, although he has a little difficulty with his handwriting and reading. He even has a tutor teaching him how to do some household chores.

Wow. Do I really look like that guy from the McDonald's commercial?

Tom Clancy's passing

It's a sad farewell to one of the most respectable names in the entertainment world as Tom Clancy, the master behind military and espionage thrillers that has most readers and gamers fond of, died in the age of 66. Clancy is well known for his spy novels, the Jack Ryan stories from Patriot Games to The Sum of All Fears, and video games we know such as Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, and others. The recent Tom Clancy game released so far was Splinter Cell Blacklist while his 17th novel, Command Authority, is out now. There's going to be tons of Tom Clancy-related stuff coming next year such as a movie titled Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, and a new game titled The Division.

 “Boy Whitney” Manlangit is PGT4 Winner

“Boy Whitney” Manlangit, who was noticeable for singing  a Whitney Houston song in YouTube hailed as Pilipinas Got Talent Season 4's Grand Winner, eclipsing the likes of dancer Frankendal Fabroa, D’ Intensity Breakers, Zilent Overload, and drift team Lateral Drift Productions with just 30% of the vote.

Having won the 2 Million Peso grand prize, Roel  “Boy Whitney” Manlangit is joining the ranks of other PGT winners from the past seasons like Jovit Baldovino of Season 1, Marcelino Pomoy of Season 2 and the Maasinhon Trio of Season 3.

THERE'S MORE TO COME IN THE FINAL PART OF MY YEAR-ENDER TOMORROW! UNTIL THEN, HAPPY 2014!