Let's Do The News! (September 13, 2014)

Things we learned today:

- UPDATES ON TYPHOON LUIS: According to PAGASA, the typhoon was estimated at 411km East Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. Max winds/Gust: 95/120kph. It was forecasted to move West Northwest at 17kph.

- Ace trainers, take note: more Mega Evolutions are unveiled on the upcoming PokeMon OR/AS game for the Nintendo 3DS as Camerupt, Sharpedo, and Gallade gained their mega evolutions.

- Chevrolet issues a stop-sale on 2015MY Corvette C7 Stingray models because of the imminent malfunction with the driver's side airbag. Some had problems with the parking brake cables.

- US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit the country of Egypt tomorrow despite the efforts of the government to form a broad coalition to take down ISIS extremists.

- The US Air Force will soon be deploying their combat support airmen under a revised rotation model to help improve the service manage mission and training requirements. The new Air Expeditionary Force construct, due at the start of October 2014, tackles on different methods to deploy more Agile Combat Support airmen with their units and standardize dwell times across the Air Force as much as they can.

- Did you know: Korean superstar Lee Min Ho's advertising fees in China are now higher than Andy Lau's?

- Yesterday, two F/A 18 Hornets from the US Navy were crashed after a collision while operating at sea. They were operating aboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier. One pilot was rescued while the search for the missing pilot continues.

TTFN!!!

Bubble Gang - September 12, 2014

On the September 12, 2014 episode of Bubble Gang...

- The effects of people after watching ANG DALAWANG MRS. REAL!

- Elevator gags

- Lala Ytera meets Mr. Assimo!

- The Tolpu Bros. are addressing a complaint from a pregnant mother who's been dumped by her husband in T3 NYO!

Den Tolpu

Berwin Tolpu

Daffy Tolpu

Maritess Carvajal

On the Phone: SPO2 Maangan

Cha Cha Buensa

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...the ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE!

- Mr. Matapobre investigates an ugly person in the photo!

- Drunk mister's trying his honesty to slip through his misis!

- More wise words from Tata Lino!

- Looks like you went to the wrong doctor!

- One final checkup before the separation...and death!

Let's Do The News! (September 12, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- Typhoon Luis has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and expect heavy rains in Metro Manila by Saturday afternoon due to the hanging habagat. It was last observed 1,050km east of Virac, Catanduanes, and it has maximum winds of 45kph and is forecast to move west northwest 30kph.

Typhoon Luis

- Teen superstars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla will guest on an episode of ABS-CBN's hit TV series, Be Careful With My Heart, this Monday.

- Despite the ongoing port congestion, the Department of Trade and Industry told that the prices of canned and processed goods will not be affected especially those noche buena items to be served on the oncoming Christmas.

- According to retired General David Petraeus, US President Obama's plan to liberate against the ISIS extremists in Iraq and Syria is a good starting point and this operation should go like clockwork. This will soon put an end to the war for good.

- Part of the ceasefire agreement sealed earlier this month, the government and pro-Russian separatists have exchanged captured prisoners during the Ukraine Crisis.

- French president Francois Hollande will be visiting Iraq as his country is ready to launch imminent airstrikes against ISIS extremists.

- Imagine a scenario when JDM cars are moe girls....Well, there was this. The Japanese automotive news site Autoc-one.jp featured a cleverly unusual mobile game that will hit Japanese iTunes Store and Google Play this Autumn 2014. It's called Syanago Collection and this mobile game lets you enjoy with girls modeled after fully-licensed cars such as the Honda Fit Hybrid, Toyota Passo, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Mazda Axela Sport, Nissan Leaf, and so much more.

- Can't believe it's been 12 years from now since Xenosaga first launched on the Playstation2 since Winter 2002. Should Bandai Namco be doing a remaster on the trilogy? Sadly, the blokes from BNGI have a message to the faithfuls of this classic JRPG. They said that if such release would be profitable but unable to find the right market size that will pay for the development fee needed to create an HD version. Bummer.

- The top animators from Disney and Dreamworks Pictures are working on an independent hand-drawn steampunk cartoon film called Hullabaloo. This will be a crowdsourced project in the making and this is an effort to bring 2D animation back on the table and encourage girls to explore science and adventure.

TTFN!!!

Remembering 9-11 (13 years ago)

September 11, 2001.

I was in school at that day, but I'll never forget the images I saw on the news that day.

Terrorists hijacked four jet airliners filled with passengers. They crashed two planes into the World Trade Center in New York City, while a third plane hit a wing of the Pentagon, the American military HQ, in Washington D.C., and a fourth airplane crash landed somewhere near Pittsburgh. According to reports, over 3,000 people died. It was a tragic day that engulfed the world.

Even in today's times, the pain and the radical changes since 9/11 are still in our minds today and we are still very unsure what possible consequences will be facing on us if the world keeps on changing.

Let's Do The News! (September 11, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- In preparation for the battle against the ISIS, US President Barack Obama has been given a green light on airstrikes on Syria.

- In case you REALLY missed it, numerous internet companies have been slowing down for a day as a protest to save the internet's net neutrality against the FCC's decision to charge sites for speeds.

-The Mitsuoka Himiko, the Mazda Roadster/MX-5 Miata in Morgan Roadster's clothing, has a special edition model called the Himiko Crazy Timer, featuring a special exterior look. Only 20 units will be available, each costing 5,994,000 Japanese Yen (around $59,950).

Mitsuoka Himiko Crazy Timer

- Roland Kruger, the senior vice president from BMW, is named as the new CEO of Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand, replacing the outgoing Johan de Nysschen who is now the head of GM's Cadillac brand.

- Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is named as the chairman of Italian sportscar maker, Ferrari, as Luca di Montezemolo steps down. The end is only just the beginning...

- The Mini Oxford Plant has built their 3,000,000th car in history and it's a 5-door Mini Cooper S with a special UK flag paint job.

3 Millionth Mini

- Senator Antonio Trillanes IV wants the "overpriced" Makati building contractor, Hillmarc's Construction Corp., the one that bagged the controversial Makati City Hall 2 parking building project, to be placed under a "provincial blacklist".

- With the imminent power crisis in the Philippines next year, President Benigno Aquino III announced that he will be seeking additional powers to ease the problem.

- Niel Perez, a police officer, is named as the winner of Misters of the Philippines 2014 and he'll be representing his country at South Korea for this year's Mr. International, a pageant for the best males worldwide.

- The San Miguel Oktoberfest starts tomorrow at the Greenfield District Central Park, Mandaluyong City! Beer and music will rain down on the spectators for fun and expect great performances from some of the Philippines' biggest bands!

TTFN!!!

Daihatsu Altis (AVV50N) Minor Change

2015 Daihatsu Altis

Following the launch of the new 2015 Toyota Camry minor change, it looks like its equivalent from Daihatsu, the Altis, is not far behind as it follows suit as well.

Just like what you expect from the Camry minor change, the 2015 Altis features a slim front grille, LED-infused headlamps, and a large trapezoidal lower intake on the bumper with integrated fog lamps. On the back, you can also expect a rear bumper and a chrome strip that bridges the rear lamps.

2015 Daihatsu Altis interior

2015 Daihatsu Altis interior

Like the Camry, the 2015 Daihatsu Altis' improved interior features a new backlit instrumental panel with 4.2-inch TFT display between the dials, a revised steering wheel with three spokes, and a new centre console. It even comes with a SD navigation system as well.

It still comes with the 2.5L 2AR-FXE engine connected to an electric motor and a nickel metal battery while mated with a CVT gearbox. Running on petrol engine alone, it produces a standard 160PS/6,000rpm of power output, and 213Nm(21.7kg-m)/4,000rpm of torque output, but running on the 2JM electric motor, it produces 105kW of power and 270Nm of torque. When both the engine and motor are in place, combined power output is 205PS. Simple as pie as it works. Fuel economy? 23.4km/L on JC08 Mode scale.

The suspension's been improved for added comfort and high-speed stability. The NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) has been reduced thanks to the added insulation material within the front doors and underneath the carpet.

The 2015 Altis is only available with the HYBRID 'G Package" variant and it's priced at 3,413,782 Japanese Yen.

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Grey Mica Metallic, Dark Steel Mica, Attitude Black Mica, Red Mica Metallic, True Blue Mica Metallic, and Dark Blue Mica Metallic.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Toyota Camry AVV50 Minor Change

2015 Toyota Camry

Last 2011, the Toyota Camry luxury midsize saloon has been transformed into a hybrid-only saloon and the first hybrid saloon to introduce the 2AR-FXE engine connected to an electric motor and nickel metal battery. Three years later, the hybrid saloon from Japan has now been given a minor change so what's new?

The 2015 minor change Camry features a slim front grille, LED-infused headlamps, and a large trapezoidal lower intake on the bumper with integrated fog lamps. On the back, you can also expect a rear bumper and a chrome strip that bridges the rear lamps.

2015 Toyota Camry interior

2015 Toyota Camry interior

On the interior, it features a new backlit instrumental panel with a 4.2-inch TFT display between the dials, a revised steering wheel with three spokes, and a new center console. Aside from the cosmetic changes on the interior, there have been some hardware changes on the interior such as the implementation of Toyota's T-Connect SD navigation system.

If you're new here, what is T-Connect? T-Connect is Toyota's new telematics service along with sat-navs compatible with this and a smartphone app.  In addition to the voice controls, T-Connect allows third-party apps to be downloaded to the navigation system. There's an online help service that integrates and improves the functions the G-BOOK currently provided. In short; T-Connect from Toyota features interactive voice response, service for downloading apps to the sat-nav, improved online help, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

2015 Toyota Camry

You still have the 2AR-FXE (2.5L DOHC Dual VVT-i) engine loaded with Toyota Hybrid System II, which produces a standard 160PS/6,000rpm of power output, and 213Nm(21.7kg-m)/4,000rpm of torque output while mated with a CVT gearbox, When switched on EV mode, the 2JM electric motor is operated and it generates 105kW of power and 270Nm of torque. When both the engine and motor are in place, the combined power output is 205PS, that's more than its rival, the Honda Accord Hybrid, would do. The fuel economy is 23.4 km/L on the JC08 Mode scale but for those who opted for the 16-inch wheel option, fuel economy is improved to 25.4km/L. Hmmm...How come there's a trick for this?

In terms of mobility, the suspension's been improved for added comfort and high-speed stability. The NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) has been reduced thanks to the added insulation material within the front doors and underneath the carpet.

Safety-wise, the Camry is available with the optional Pre-Crash Safety System, Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Assist, and automatic high beam which automatically switches on the headlamps when the area is too dark or if it's nighttime.

The 2015 Camry hybrid sedan starts at 3,207,600 Japanese Yen.

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Grey Mica Metallic, Dark Steel Mica, Attitude Black Mica, Red Mica Metallic, True Blue Mica Metallic, and Dark Blue Mica Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation