Let's Do The News! (February 16, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- Iglesia Ni Cristo's charity walk for the benefit of Yolanda victims broke the Guinness World Record for the longest charity walk, drawing at least 175,000 participants. Congratulations!

- Actress Ellen Page is confirmed that she is a lesbian during a speech at the Human Rights Campaign's THRIVE conference in Las Vegas.

- Volvo's participant to the Australian V8 Supercars race looks pretty interesting...

- According to a report from The Sunday Times, McLaren's brand new 650S supercar, set for next month's Geneva debut, could succeed from the MP4-12C and the V8 turbo engine that powers it, well, it produces 650PS of power output. That's more than what you get from the 458 Speciale or the Huracan LP610-4. I'm not quite sure but for a quick tidbit, F1 racer Jenson Button was contributed to the 650S.

- Volkswagen's Scirocco hatchback gets a light facelift for the 2015 model year.

- G Power tunes a late-model BMW M5 Touring to have a power output of 820PS and a top speed of over 362kph! Now that's what I called a power wagon! They called this the Hurricane RR Touring and what they did to the extinct V10 engine is rigged it with a Bi-Compressor system priced at 8,687 Euros.

- Are you ready? It's almost time to say goodbye to Bridgit Mendler and the rest of the cast as Good Luck Charlie ends with an hour-long series finale titled "Good Bye Charlie" where in the finale, Teddy Duncan heads to college and before that, she has to make one final video diary. Check local listings.

TTFN!!!

Forza 5: The Toyobaru Coupes

Well, I maybe a bit three months late for that but hey, better late than never to have myself an XBOX One and a game of Forza Motorsport 5 so how can I start this? Oh yeah!

YES! Top racers everywhere are wetting their pants down to excitement as Forza Motorsport 5, exclusively on XBOX One, is now in commission and here I am, investigating stuff like...REALLY LOUD STUFF! REALLY FAST STUFF! REALLY SLOW STUFF...ASIAN STUFF...AMERICAN STUFF...EUROPEAN STUFF...AND REALLY PAINFUL STUFF!!!



Let's begin with those Toyobaru coupes in question; the Toyota GT86 and the Subaru BRZ. Since their debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and sales in Japan started in the spring of 2012, these two RWD sports coupes shared one thing they had in mind; to bring a smile on any boy racer's face.

Some myths pointed out that even though they looked the same, the mechanicals are meant to be the same, like Galileo's theory of falling bodies where objects, regardless of size and weight, will fall at the same pace. Sure, they both have the same FA20 boxer engine but the thing is...what's the difference between them? Oh come on, some people pointed out that the suspensions are different between the 86 and the BRZ and to find out, let's head out to my only lab I called the Top Gear Test Track. Let's find out...

First up, the GT86. This is the car Jeremy Clarkson described as one of the best handling cars in ages, probably thanks to those skinny tires that made it a bit less grippy but how does it fare?



So, what about the Subaru BRZ? I'd reckon it could do the same thing...



Both of my drives are complete and I had the result. In the 86, I posted myself a 1:35.580 lap time while in the BRZ, my lap time round the Top Gear Track was 1:33.368? Oh that can't be right...probably because of my iffy driving but if my iffy driving ways were out in the equation, both of these cars would be neck-and-neck but still, there is a main reason why because for the BRZ, they want the suspension to be more matured and more honed for cornering while the 86 wants to be more less grippy and more tail-happy.

Perhaps no wonder both of these cars do participated in different motorsports but nevertheless, I think it's safe to say that both the 86 and the BRZ are a good start to FM5.

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Nine

15th of February, 2014 - DAY 9

Continuing on the Sochi action where I left off; in the Women's Super-G Alpine Skiing, Anna Fenninger from Austria scored a gold medal after achieving a time of 1:25.52 while in the Ladies' Relay 4x5km, the Swedish took home the gold medal.

China scored another gold medal in the Sochi 2014 as Yang Zhou won the Ladies' 1500m finals while at the Men's 1000m Finals, Russia scored a 1-2 finish as Victor An won the match while Vladimir Grigorev placed 2nd place.

Also for Team Russia, Alexander Tretiakov won the Men's Heat of the Skeleton match with the time of 3:44.29.

Kamil Stoch, representing Poland, won the final round of the Men's Large Hill Individual with the score of 278.7 points from the judges and also from Poland, Zbigniew Brodka won the Men's 1500m speed skating.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-9

What's in our Car Town garage today? (February 16, 2014)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car

Thanks to the notoriety deserved from the fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro after its debut as a 2010 model, Chevrolet let this new age Camaro become the pace car for the 2010 Indy 500 and because it has been proven to be quite a popularity, they even made a special edition model based on that particular pace car!

2010 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car

2008 Ferrari California

Premiered at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the new California is the first ever Ferrari that can be used as a daily driver and you can use it on the road no matter what schedule you're on. It has the first-ever 4.3L V8 direct injected engine that develops 460PS of power and 485Nm of torque while mated to a Formula 1-style double clutch gearbox that makes shifting seamless. It's an appealing grand tourer made for those who have an outgoing personality.

2008 Ferrari California

2012 Volvo World Challenge S60

While the second-generation Volvo S60 redefined the meaning of safety in the automotive lexicon, its sporty character really never let it down and as demonstrated by this race car used for the Pirelli World Challenge. These racing machines were driven by Randy Pobst and Alex Figge.

2012 Volvo World Challenge S60

GT6: Cars that are Gran Turismo exclusive - Tommykaira ZZ-S

Today, we're taking a look at another one of the cars that are EXCLUSIVE TO GRAN TURISMO. This Tommykaira ZZ-S is a lightweight Japanese sportscar that is a product from the minds of Tommykaira. Its lightweight composition can be somewhat compared to the British lightweights such as the Lotus Elise and although while the body and the chassis is hand made by Tommykaira themselves, it's powered by a SR20DE engine from Nissan but modified by Tommykaira for added power. Although extinct, the ZZ-S is quite a rarity and legend has it, a small company revived the Tommykaira ZZ as Japan's answer to the extinct Tesla Roadster.

This ZZ-S will run through the Goodwood Hill Climb but at what time will the ZZ-S post?









It posted a 0:56.599 lap time!

This Japanese lightweight sportscar did prove that "less is more" when it comes to this performance. You won't find this car at any game until someone gave me a tip but still...(ahem)...

Tommykaira ZZ-S - A GRAN TURISMO EXCLUSIVE CAR.

Let's Do The News! (February 15, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- Earlier, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) began a charity walk for the benefit of Superstorm Yolanda victims. Although more of a charity walk, this WORLDWIDE WALK is gunning for the Guinness World Record for LARGEST CHARITY WALK (single venue) and LARGEST CHARITY WALK IN 24 HOURS (multiple venues). It's a cross-country walk for a cause but will they do it?

- A few years ago, a Japanese company collaborated with Cie Games for the Asian equivalent of Car Town called Car Town EX. It's like the original one except it's available exclusively for Asian countries including the Philippines. Earlier this year, with Cie Games taking full responsibility of both versions, EX players from Asia-Pacific were shocked that Car Town EX's services will be ending soon. The blue points they had will retain once they switched to the original Car Town but sadly, all their hard-earned cars, decorations, and other stuff will be gone, which is somewhat a bad move for a small developer based in California. What would they do now?

- An infographic, according to our sources, pointed that there could be possible heavy traffics in the Metro in any event one of the 2014 infrastructure projects kicked in.

- Elisa, the singer behind the songs from Kagaku no Railgun, Hayate no Gotoku 2nd Season, TWGOK, and others, will be one of the special guests at April 2014's Sakura Con, marking her 1st arrival at a North American convention.

- Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan returns to the screen as former CIA Agent Devereaux in the upcoming film November Man, based on the late Bill Granger's There Are No Spies, which is the seventh-installment of the 13-part November Man franchise. It also stars Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, Luke Bracey, and Bill Smitrovich. Roger Donaldson served as the director of the film.

- About 1 million units of the Toyota Prius have been recalled recently due to hybrid system problems.

- Asian V8 Championship, the Asian equivalent of NASCAR, will have a premiere at the 27th of February at the Resorts World Atrium while testing starts at March 1 at Batangas Racing Circuit. On the 5th and 6th of April, the first of three two-day motorsport festivals to showcase the new race will be held at Clark International Speedway.

- The Amazing Spider-Man 2 collaborates with the World Wildlife Fund to spread the message encouraging everyone to use their power to become superheroes for the planet. Our favorite friendly neighborhood, Spiderman, will be the first Super Hero ambassador for this year's EARTH HOUR, coinciding with the launch of Earth Hour Blue, a new digital crowdfunding platform for the planet to engage everyone in the annual lights off event, which will be held on the 29th of March, 2014, at 8:30PM.

TTFN!!!

Renault Samsung QM5 Neo and QM3

The QM5 crossover has been around longer than the Brainiacs and this crossover remains a competitive one even though it's becoming less appreciative as time goes by. Made in Korea, sold globally as the Renault Koleos, and uses components from the Renault Nissan Alliance, the QM5 sure knows how to be a global competitor in the world of crossovers but there are only a little people having one of those because of the competition heating up.

2014 Renault Samsung QM5 Neo

For its last-ditch effort to set things right, the Korean division of the Renault Nissan Alliance prepped up a facelifted version of the QM5, a few months after the Renault Koleos got facelifted for the European market. It's called the QM5 Neo and yes, this crossover really want to fight 'till its last breath. So what's for this swan song?

2014 Renault Samsung QM5 Neo interior

For its brand new 2014 QM5 Neo, you can notice the new front face as shown from Renault's design language and this new look can be somewhat summarized as athletic and premium, what the carmaker states. They've also added new stuff like air vents in the central B-pillars so that air, hot or cold, can get through the rear seat passengers without the drama. A tire-pressure monitoring system is added and let's not talk about it because no one sure knows what it is.

On the engine side, here's a plot twist though because the former's 2.5L CVTC engine has been thrown away to the great junkyard in the sky and now the available engines offered were a smaller 2.0L petrol engine and a 2.0L diesel engine. That's it. The 2.0L petrol engine develops 143HP of power, 20.1kg-m of torque, and a power-to-weight ratio of about 10.98kg/hp because the front-wheel drive model with the 2.0L petrol engine weighs around 1570kg. Mated to a CVT gearbox, the fuel economy is just shy about 10.6km/L and CO2 emission of 166g/km.

The 2.0L diesel adds 200kg of weight but it delivers 173HP of power, 36.7kgm of torque, and 13.2km/L of fuel economy, again, thanks to the CVT gearbox. For front-wheel drive models, the power-to-weight ratio is about 9.86kg/hp. Exclusive to the diesel model is an available 4WD option for all-round capability, well as a theory.

Suspension-wise, the QM5 Neo has a front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link suspension to make handling a bit European-ish, and again, as a theory because I suspect, it kinda behaves like an everyday European saloon car for a crossover made by the Koreans. He he he...

Well, I guess that's pretty much enough for the QM5 Neo but because it was priced from about 22,500,000 to 33,100,000 Korean Won, you might think that it's a bit too expensive but what if you want something cheaper than the QM5 but something a bit stylish and more convincing than the QM5 Neo? Well, it's this...

2014 Renault Samsung QM3

Yes, it's a brand new QM3. Unlike the QM5, it's available only in front-wheel drive, just like its Euro equivalent, the Renault Captur. And unlike the QM5, it's powered by a smaller 1.5L diesel engine mated to a 6-speed EDC gearbox.

2014 Renault Samsung QM3 interior

It looks more targeted squarely at today's computer geeks except in my eye, it's much more well behaved and well mannered than the QM5 Neo but for a quick drawback, remember what I told about the Renault Captur a couple of months ago? You don't? Well, never mind about that but no matter how hard I explained about this new model, it's still a proven hit among Koreans everywhere and the first 1000 units were all accounted for since its launch. Quite impressive for RSM, though, but what motivates it?

The price tag for the QM3 began in 22,500,000 Korean Won, similar to the QM5 Neo's starting price and because it's compact and as small as a supermarrow, it's not all that complicated to drive it around the streets of Gangnam. And because it has a fuel economy of 18.5km/L, it's worth being a cross-country companion and by scientific calculations; the 10,000km per year fuel cost, in today's climate, would be about more than a 1,082,000 Korean Won (10,000km ÷ 18.5kmpl x 2000KRW* per Litre). Anyway, forget about maths! Let's conclude it in a simplified manner because in the end, you have a choice between these two crossovers from Renault Samsung.

*estimated but fuel prices may vary.

If you want something more of an all-rounder if you're under the weather, your best bet would be the QM5 because the diesel model has an available 4WD model but if its the sense of the city you're after and if you're a bit of a techie, then you might be off with the QM3. The QM3 maybe less powerful than the QM5 but because it feels so light, you can have a lot more fun in it but not at all. After all, they're can be worth a brain burner if you do the math on both of these.

Photo: Renault Samsung Motors

Bubble Gang 18: The Valentine's Special

On the February 14th, 2014 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Proposal gags...

- A game show contestant feels a bit relaxed, while the game show host feels extremely excited.

Master Showcase

- Mr. Assimo in the flower shop.

Mr. Assimo

- Date night gone wrong

- Uy! Nangangamoy balikan! Bubble Gang does Lucky Me Supreme by spoofing this commercial as LUCKY VI SUPREME!

Bubble Gang does Lucky Me Supreme

- Ikaw at ang Ina takes on...Facebook Likes!

- Dingga Rap continues in the parlor!

- Big life questions answered in mathematical chunks in ANG BAGONG DATING DOON.

- An interview with an old couple.

Atty. Rodriguez and Butch Bonson Jowa

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Eight

14th of February, 2014 - DAY 8

It seems that athletes from all over the European continent are becoming more dominant when it comes to going for the gold medal in various categories over the course of the Sochi 2014 games. The eighth day of the Winter Olympics is no exception as demonstrated by numerous Europeans such as them:

- Sandro Viletta from Switzerland is the winner of the Men's Super Combined Slalom

- Belarusian athlete Darya Domracheva won the Women's 15km Individual

- Swiss athlete Dario Cologna is the winner of the Men's 15km Classic Cross Country.

- Alla Tsuper scored another win for the Belarus as she won the final round of the Ladies' Aerials.

- UK's Elizabeth Yarnold won the Women's Heat Skeleton match at the time of 3:52.89.

Also on this day, Japan scored their first gold medal of this year's winter games as Yuzuru Hanyu won the Men's Free Skating after obtaining the score of 280.09 overall from the judges.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-8

Let's Do The News! (February 14, 2014)

Meanwhile at the studio...

(cheers and applause)

Richard: Right, while we're doing that kind of thing, Good Luck Charlie ends this Sunday night on Disney Channel. It's going to be the last for the Duncan family as Teddy, played by the ever lovely Bridgit Mendler, heads to college. Well, this 4-season-long show never gave up to its last breath without a good send-off.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: So, what's Bridgit going to do now? Live like the rest of other Disney celebs after their show's over and ended up doing bad stuff like what happened to Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez?!

(audience laughing)

Richard: I have no idea what are you talking about. Haven't you?

Jeremy: Well, I'm sure she's going to be all messed up like the rest when their shows from Disney met its maker. Feels like you were once a member of an elite force where in the end, you got terminated for your reckless actions. Same goes to the others so I felt pity for them...

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, news?

James: Yes, indeed. The news and Peugeot launched their new micro-mini car, it's called the 108. Here it is...

2015 Peugeot 108

(oooohh)

Richard: Whoa, that's a neat little hatchback they got here.

Jeremy: Sure is, and I have to say that it looks like a shrunken version of whatever Peugeot hatches we can think of like the 208 and the 308. But the looks are a bit too gaudy for me. It's a bit like Victoria Beckham meets...um...Barbie doll, if you know what I'm saying?

(audience laughing)

Richard: I know, but would you like me to do some faces? I'm sure I'm pretty good at mimicking Peugeot faces around here, you remember that?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Yes but don't. Because I know something even more weird than this Peugeot. It's the new Renault Twingo! There it is! There!

2015 Renault Twingo

Jeremy: I mean look at this face. That's even as cute as those...Chuggington trains.

(audience laughing)

Richard: Thing is though. The new model is now a rear-engine, rear-wheel drive, like a Porsche 911.

(huh?)

Jeremy: Really?

Richard: Exactly. This new Twingo kinda feels like a Porsche 911 on a tight budget and sounds good enough for me.

Jeremy: (clears throat) I'm starting to not like this one because it's got the characteristics of a 911!!!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Oh wait! I know something even worse than that new Twingo!

James: What is it? A front-wheel drive BMW?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Oh! You got me in the middle. It is and the name sounds misleading because they kept the 2-Series name, which we're sure it's the name of coupe versions of the 1-Series hatchbacks. There it is...

2015 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

Jeremy: It's called the 2-Series Active Tourer and I have no idea why they used the 2 Series name because BMW said that it's bigger than the 1-Series but that's just the least of our problems because the biggest problem for this BMW is it's front-wheel drive and I think a front-wheel drive BMW would ruin the brand's reputation of being the ultimate driving machine.

James: So, you're saying that you prefer BMWs to be more rear-wheel drive?

Jeremy: Of course. They always kept their promise not to make a front-wheel drive car.

James: You know the MINI?

Jeremy: Yeah...

James: They're made by BMW and consider them front-wheel drive so in truth, BMW did made a front-wheel drive car. Aren't you worried?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, to show you how problematic this front-wheel drive Bimmer is...here it is...Flappy Bird.

(audience laughing hysterically)

Richard: You still had Flappy Bird with you? I can't believe it you big fat moron.

Jeremy: (plays Flappy Bird) (POW!) See, I can only score 1 point in Flappy Bird. What's the point? How come anyone's good at this stupid game?

(audience laughing)

Richard: Here, let me show you. (playing Flappy Bird) (POW!) Okay, I got 9 points.

James: Let me try... (playing Flappy Bird) (POW!) Darn it! THIS IS HARD!!!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: See? That's what I'm explaining at. Driving a BMW 2-Series Active Tourer gets the same feeling as playing a game of Flappy Bird for a whole week without scoring a single point. Well, almost.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Still, I really hate that game. I'm suck at Flappy Bird. Good thing they've deleted it from the App Store.

Richard: Well, I never played this stupid game. Good thing I never got one.

James: So am I.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, the Department of Education said that they're open to the proposed 4-day school week of the MMDA and that gave me an idea because what if the school week is now 4 instead of the regular 5-day school week. Can you hardly imagine what would they do for one extra day of break?

Richard: Let me guess...three days of stuff to do while there are no classes?

Jeremy: There's more than that because. If it's Friday, kids are wearing PE uniform but when the 4-day school week is implemented, PE day is now Thursday and the only days that have no classes are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Imagine the possibilities, chaps! Imagine!

(audience laughing)

James: Oh wait! I see what you got there. Is it when teens go to mall or to the arcade or do whatever they like on their free time?

Richard: Or if they were blokes, they would rather waste time playing some online PC games at their nearest internet cafe. Right?!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Anyway, that topic is discussable but let's just hope that DepEd should OK to the proposed school week of the MMDA. Come on, kids are itching for an extra day of break. After all, if that come into fruition, it seems that Fridays will be part of the weekends! Yay for weekenders!

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: That's the end of the news and oh, before we can say Valentine's Day to all, here's a brand new trailer for what I'm thinking to be the sequel to last year's MLP Equestria Girls. It's called MLP Equestria Girls 2: Rainbow Rocks. Here it is...

(ooohh)

Richard: Sequel? Of last year's?

James: Equestria Girls?!

Jeremy: Weren't you impressed? Anyway, time for one more stuff before we go. Here it is! Season 2 Episode 7 of Bravest Warriors. The one where Catbug's leadership skills to the test along with those cute critters alongside him. RoboChris included. He he he...



Jeremy: Well, I guess that's pretty much it. That's the end of the news!

The Geekdom's Guide To: Video Diary

HEY YOU! STOP! Before beginning this Geekdom's Guide to Video Diary, let me just say that I'm doing this for Bridgit Mendler and all of the cast and crew of Good Luck Charlie! After all, with this show coming to an end this week, we're going to miss all of Teddy Duncan's video diaries per episode as well as the misfits of the Duncan family.

Video diaries kinda more like writing stuff on your personal diary except this isn't about writing on it. It's about recording yourself on camera explaining about everything what happened today. Some people are making video diaries for themselves, others make one for a special part of the family. Even Teddy Duncan. Every end of a Good Luck Charlie episode, Teddy explains what happened in this episode shortly and concludes with the message GOOD LUCK CHARLIE. Yes, we're referring to that little girl named Charlie Duncan. Isn't she cute?

The best way to create a video diary is simple; best not to use old-school video cameras that does old-tech Betamax or VHS or whatever. Cameraphones or smartphones might be acceptable but the recommendation is a webcam. A laptop with a built-in webcam can be your best bet because they're more convenient than having one without it and waste cash buying some webcam accessories. Whichever you're on, all you need is confidence but don't worry because even nervous breakdowns or sputtering won't do a fatality on your video diary. Give em a little King's Speech trick. That would do.

The most important thing to do with your hard-worked video diary is simple; ALWAYS BACK THEM UP! A portable USB drive is too small for its capacity, even 16 or 32GB won't do a trick. Buy an external hard drive. It maybe big and expensive than portable USB drives but it has enough capacity to save your video diaries, just in case an event a computer with all your hard-worked video diaries gone wrong like for instance, virus attack, crash, or certain human errors. Perhaps any other Vic Reeves-related stupidity...(sigh)

And there we go. Video diaries are fun to preserve life's precious moments. I'm sure you Mendies out there know a thing or two about doing these.

Making a video diary...the geekdom way.

Sochi 2014 Highlights - Day Seven

13th of February, 2014 - DAY 7

So far, with seven days passed on the Sochi 2014 games, the competition's heating up for the participating countries. The winter athletes never run out of their steam when it comes to going for the gold.

Martin Fourcade from France is the winner of the Men's Individual 20km while Justyna Kowalczyk made Poland proud after winning the Ladies' 10km Classic with the time of 28:17.8.

In the Men's Ski Slopestyle Final, it's a 1-2-3 finish for Team USA as Joss Christensen placed 1st while Gus Kenworthy placed 2nd, and Nicholas Goepper placed 3rd.

At the Team Relay Luge competition, Team Germany took home the gold medal with the 2:45.649 lap time.

At the side of China, they did very well at Sochi as Jianrou Li won the Ladies' 500m Short Track Finals and Hong Zhang won the Ladies' 1000m Speed Skating finals.

Details: http://www.sochi2014.com/en/daily-schedule-day-7