Let's Do The News! (November 19, 2014)

Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- ADD THIS TO THE KASINDAK-SINDAK LIST: A dashcam video from Russia captured a mysterious bright orange flash. What could it be? Another meteor strike? Military exercise? Or a possible space weapon?! No one knows how that strange flash occurred in the Urals.

- Speaking of space weapon, a mysterious Russian satellite called the Object 2014-28E is being tracked by space agencies, raising fears that a potential space weapon is on the loose.

- Meanwhile in Hong Kong, pro-democracy protesters are clashing with the police after their barricades were cleared away. 3 officers were injured while 4 protesters were arrested according to officials.

- Japanese PM Shinzo Abe announced that he will dissolve the Lower House on Friday for a general election.

- The House of Representatives denied the provision to grant value-added tax exemption to businesses that will use power-generating facilities to help avert the imminent energy crisis in the Philippines.

- A gay bull may sound more of a Family Guy cutaway joke but did you know that there is such thing as a gay bull at all. Although this gay bull in question from Ireland is going to the slaughterhouse for not doing well, a worldwide appeal spared this gay bull's life.

- The Mazda CX-3 compact crossover was revealed at the LA Auto Show recently and it's ready for its on-sale date in Japan this spring.

2016 Mazda CX-3

- The seventh DLC Catalog for the PS3-exclusive The iDOLM@STER ONE FOR ALL game is coming this 25th of November. For this seventh DLC catalog, expect a brand new scenario where the 765PRO ALL STARS are on a nationwide tour, donning their ウィッシュオールミラクル outfit and performing their latest song for this scenario titled 虹色ミラクル. Aside from that, Shizuka Mogami from The iDOLM@STER Million Live mobile game will be making an appearance on this catalog. You want new outfits? This latest catalog has them all! New outfits include スターライムセレナーデ, ワイヤードマリオネット, ホーリーナイトギフター, ファンシーペチュニア, ハピネスルピナス, ノルディックブルーベリー, リリーオブグレン, クリーミーラズベリー, フォーチューンクローバー, レイニースズラン, and スネーキーショーガール. Lastly, expect new songs on this catalog such as 静かな夜に願いを・・・, マリオネットの心, 神さまのBirthday, and relations.

765SHOP CATALOG Vol.07

- The first-ever VW Golf R Variant was unveiled and it's powered by the same 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine from the hatch version, delivering 296HP of power to all four wheels and connected with a 6-speed DSG gearbox.

2016 Volkswagen Golf R Variant

- A brand new trailer for the upcoming Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb movie hits the web. Go check it out!

- To celebrate the grand opening of the new and improved Pokemon Center Tokyo Branch (now called Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo) next month, visitors will receive either a Shiny Charizard holding a Charizardite Y or a Shiny Pikachu before the 16th of January next year. A copy of either Pokemon X, Y, Omega Ruby, or Alpha Sapphire version is required.

TTFN!!!

Toyota Prius α/Daihatsu Mebius -2015 minor change-

2015 Daihatsu Mebius

2015 Toyota Prius α

Toyota's hybrid MPV, the Prius α (Alpha), along with its Daihatsu equivalent, the Mebius, has been updated for the 2015 year and for this minor change, these hybrid MPVs have been given slightly new updates from the outside and on the inside as well as new features. Let's cut this analysis short, okay?

2015 Daihatsu Mebius interior

2015 Toyota Prius α

The exterior of both the Prius α and the Mebius are slightly refreshed with a keener look that looks like it finished having its beauty rest for the time being. Aside from the new front look, the Prius α and the Mebius are the first cars to come with the world's first Bi-Beam LED Headlamp. This energy-efficient headlamp is an optional extra employs low beam and high beam lighting in one source. Also, to keep it safer on the roads, they've employed the new Lane Departure Alert and Pre-Crash Safety System as well.

On the inside, the multi-information display has been updated with improved texture and visibility to the drivers' eyes, Although there's not much difference between the post-MC to the pre-MC model, both the Prius α and the Mebius are different from their number of seats. While the Prius α is available in either a 5-seater and the 7-seater, the Mebius is available only with 5 seats.

In five-seater configuration, the luggage capacity is around 535L but when the rear seats are folded, it's now doubled to 1,070L. Apart from that, there's a deck under tray as well for those who have some other stuff to store.

Performance remains the same from the 2ZR-FXE hybrid engine which provides a standardized 99PS/5,200 rpm of power output and 142Nm/4,000rpm of torque output. When both the electric motor and the engine on mobile, power output churns out a total of 136PS of power. Fuel economy is 26.2km/L on JC08 mode standards and they're both mated with a CVT gearbox.

The Prius α starts at 2,479,091 Yen (around $25,000) while the Mebius starts at the same price as the Toyota version.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation/Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Let's Do The News! (November 18, 2014)

Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- Hong Kong authorities begin clearing out a protest site near government offices after the high court granted an injunction. They're removing barricades outside Citic Tower in the Admiralty area of this country while the high court also authorized to remove the second protest camp in Mong Kok.

- At least four people were reportedly killed and seven injured in the attack on the Jerusalem synagogue. Police believed to be a terrorist attack as two men are armed with axes and knives and carried out an attack in the Har Nof neighborhood.

- Japanese PM Shinzo Abe mulls dissolving the Diet's Lower House as he's seeking public support for his plan to postpone the scheduled consumption tax rise within the next three years.

- The House of Representatives' energy committee has been given a green light on the resolution granting President Benigno Aquino III's emergency powers.

- Senator Bong Revilla Jr. returned to jail after numerous medical tests he received at St. Luke's Medical Center.

- Ford unveiled their biggest threat to the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 for their LA Auto Show debut this week and they're resurrecting the GT350 name as the Mustang's track-focused machine.

2016 Ford Mustang GT350

- Ken Block's Gymkhana 7 is now streaming! Check it out!



- Chitoge Kirisaki from Nisekoi gets her very own Beach Queens figure, set for her May 2015 debut!

Beach Queens Chitoge Kirisaki

- Toyota's first ever fuel-cell vehicle now has an official name and it's called MIRAI. Toyota's first ever FCV will take orders on the 15th of December this year starting at 7,236,000 Yen (around $73,000) which is too expensive for a future eco-car.



- DID YOU KNOW? Ateneo De Manila Universities are offering courses on the evolution of Philippine teleseryes.

- R5 unveiled their music video for their second single "Smile"! Check it out R5-ers!



TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (November 17, 2014)

Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- The brutal killing of US aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig by the ISIS is, what US President Barack Obama described, as "an act of pure evil". Kassig, age 26, is the fifth Western hostage to be killed by Islam extremists.

- The Japanese economy has been harshly fell for the second consecutive quarter, leaving the world's third largest economy in a state of recession. The nation's GDP fell at an annualised 1.6% from July to September, less than the forecasted 2.1% rise.

- Troubled Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. has arrived at St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig after the Sandiganbayan approved him to undergo overnight medical tests.

- Earlier, the vice mayor of the town of Villaba in Leyte, named Claudio Martin Larrazabal, was shot down to death by two hostiles earlier today.

- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. recalled over 170k vehicles worldwide after reports about a new casualty linked to the recent Takata airbag crisis.

- As the whole world is waiting for the arrival of the much-anticipated Pocket Monsters Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire game, check out this web-exclusive anime short from the official PokemonCoJp Youtube page. You good in there?



- The phenomenal boyband One Direction will have a TV special coming to NBC next month!

- The Audi A1 supermini has been facelifted and expect newer three-cylinder engines for this 2015 minor change.

- ABS-CBN's new TV drama series, Bagito, is now on air but one of the stars of the show, Ella Cruz, felt uneasy over an intimate scene with Nash Aguas, who played as the titular main character of this recently aired program. She might worried that what happened on her character might happen to her on reality. Bagito stars Nash Aguas as the titular character who ended up growing up to be a teenage dad and Alexa Ilacad among many others. Most of these were teen celebs and Goin Bulilit alums.

- Solange Knowles, the sister of former Destiny's Child member Beyonce, has been married to Alan Ferguson at the Holy Trinity Church in New Orleans.

TTFN!!!

Audi TT Mk3 (Typ 8S)

The folks from Audi have been waiting for this since...well, eternity, knowing that their favorite coupster, the Audi TT, is about to regenerate, and after moments of waiting, this is it. The Audi TT has been regenerated to its third-generation and it's going to be the most advanced TT to date.

2015 Audi TT

2015 Audi TT Roadster

So what is it, then?

This is the all new, third-generation, Audi TT. It comes with two different flavors; the hardtop coupe and the roadster which is somewhat heavier than the hardtop version due to its extra bracing and strengthening.

Which TT should I choose?

It depends on how much you have in your wallet. If you're a bit too serious, go for the hardtop, but if you're going for an open-top ride, go for the roadster but due to Europe's dropping temperatures, I'm afraid that the roadster version will have to wait in the garage unless you have its roof closed and prepped up with very warm clothing. Still can't take a joke? Whichever TT you'll choose, you'll be getting to know more about the new TT thanks to its new tech, new engine choices, and a completely new platform.

Hey...isn't the new TT wears the MQB outfit from the Golf?

That's right. Like any other cars from the VW family tree, the new Audi TT is outfitted to its bare skin with VW Group's breakthrough MQB platform. If you don't know about it, let me give you a quick refresher. MQB or Modularer Querbaukasten is a revolutionary platform from VW Group where the engine is transversely mounted and it's flexible enough to allow individual models to have a variety of wheelbase, track and external dimensions. This new TT fits to the new platform like butter.

How does it perform?

2015 Audi TT

2015 Audi TT Roadster

Let's call it mild and tangy because the new TT feels like it's not so hard to drive although this car might face some understeer woes because of being too much grip. Because most of the models ranging from the 2.0L TFSi and the 2.0 TDI ultra come with the front-wheel drive powertrain, the only model I'm interested with is the 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic model. This is the best pick for the normal TT models while the hotter TT S models are standing by until the snow thaws and the flowers bloom.

With the quattro all-wheel drive system, the new TT feels like it firmly grasps through the corners without the drama. Although it feels a bit okay for the driver but it doesn't have the lairy attitude that your would expect from its RWD opposition or from its big brother, the Audi R8. Furthermore, even with the quattro on it, this car doesn't burn your tongue badly like extra hot sriracha sauce. It tastes like...hmmm....sweet and spicy pancit canton. Mmmm...

How about the inside of the new TT

2015 Audi TT

The inside now looks a bit questionable although the new TT's interior is more driver-focused than any other sportscar in existence. You will notice that the sat-nav is now on the speedometer and this is as confusing as the Ferrari 458 or the F12berlinetta. Of course, you can't have both the speedo and the navigation system in the same place via instrumental panel and if you're wandering where the CD player is...don't because the CD player is nowhere to be found. It's kinda harsh that this is made from one of the carmakers who believe that the age of compact discs or CDs is approaching its Revelation due to the fast-changing technology. It's like killing Saturday morning cartoons from broadcast TVs and feels like our lives are a bit empty without stuff we remember when we're young. Kinda harsh, isn't it?

Cost?

The new TT starts at 35,000 Euros for the Coupe version and 37,900 Euros for the Roadster version. In fact, you can charge more for engine choices, optional extras, and accessories but even if you're not going for it, the TT is less costly to own than the big guys like the Jaguar F-Type, the Lotus Evora, the Porsche Cayman, and many others. Don't think of getting too excited to have one because...it feels too mild for the pros but if you're a bit too intermediate, try this one for a change.

Available colors: Brillantschawz, Ibisweiß, Vegasgelb, Florettsilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Monsungrau Metallic, Mythosschwarz Metallic, Nanograu Metallic, Scubablau Metallic, Tangorot Metallic, and Daytonagrau Perleffekt.

Photo: Audi AG

Super GT 2014 finale

Twin Ring Motegi, the setting for the final round of the 2014 Super GT Season and on the season finale of Japan's much loved touring car race, racers are on their final leg and they're fighting themselves through the finish line, whenever it takes.

After spending their last 53 laps to reclaim themselves as winners and survivors of this season, it's time to find out who won at the final round.

In the GT300 category, the winner goes to the #11 GAINER DIXCEL SLS driven by Katsuyuki Hiranaka and Bjorn Wirdheim while 2nd place goes to the #31 OGT Panasonic PRIUS driven by Morio Nitta and Koki Saga and 3rd place goes to the #4 GOODSMILE HATSUNE MIKU Z4 driven by Nobuteru Taniguchi and Tatsuya Kataoka.

In the GT500 category, the cream of the crop, it was the #23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R, driven by Tsugio Matsuda and Ronnie Quintarelli, that came first followed by the #37 KeePer TOM'S RC F, driven by Daisuke Ito and Andrea Caldarelli, and the #18 Weider Modulo NSX CONCEPT-GT, driven by Naoki Yamamoto and Takuya Izawa.

Time for the overall standings...For the 2014 Season, the GT500 champion for this season is the #23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R, driven by Tsugio Matsuda and Ronnie Quintarelli and the GT300 champion for this season is the #11 GAINER DIXCEL SLS driven by Katsuyuki Hiranaka and Bjorn Wirdheim.

Highlights:
 

This concludes the 2014 Season of the Super GT championship.

17th Annual Christmas in Seattle Gift & Gourmet Food Show

On the weekend, me and some of my family went to the Washington State Convention Center where we take part at the 17th Annual Christmas in Seattle Gift & Gourmet Food Show. This is the first time I've ever attend to this annual Christmas bazaar.




More pics: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leopauldelr/sets/72157649318019011/

My video highlights: