Let's Do The News! (January 13, 2016)

- In case you missed US President Barack Obama's final State of the Union address; CLICK HERE for the full transcript of his address.

- South Korean military fired warning shots after an unidentified flying object from North Korea was seen flying close to the border. Reports told that it was a North Korean drone. It is the first time shots were fired in a standoff between the two Koreas following the nuclear test a week ago. Meanwhile, South Korean president Park Geun-hye calls help for the People's Republic of China, the North Korea's only ally, to help punish Pyongyang's recent nuclear test with the strongest possible international sanctions.

- PHIVOLCS recorded four minor quakes occurred in Davao Occidental, Eastern Samar, and Occidental Mindoro. No reports of damages or casualties are reported.

-An official from the Malacanang Palace told that over two billion pesos worth of funds is still available for the implementation of the Reproductive Health law this year. Philippine President Noynoy Aquino proposed an appropriation of 3.275 billion pesos for the implementation of the RH Law this year but during the bicameral conference on the 2016 General Appropriations Act, the House of Representatives succeeded in trimming the reduction to one billion.

- Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares warned that the Philippines may become an easy target of the United States' enemies, including the Islamic State militants, due to the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement. In a telephone interview with a news program, Colmenares said that the petitioners against the agreement are set to file a motion for reconsideration against the ruling of the Supreme Court upholding its constitutionality. The agreement would allow American troops to access to existing Philippine military facilities.

- Amusement park corporation Six Flags Entertainment Corp. announced that they will be opening a Pacific Rim-themed attraction at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California. Giant robot fans, rejoice!

- Director Michael Bay confirmed that he will be directing the fifth Transformers movie but insists that this fifth installment will be the last Transformers movie he'll be directing with.

Even though Lovelivers will be spending the final days of μ's, companies big and small are still not giving up without a fight to get their presence be known to μ's, The latest of the Love Live! collaboration is a family restaurant called COCO'S. Starting 19th of January for a limited time, those who purchase a special menu at COCO'S will receive special Love Live gifts.

- Celebs from the once legendary Sampaguita Pictures' films reunite at the wake of late presenter German "Kuya Germs" Moreno.

- Lea Salonga confirmed that she will be making a guest appearance in an upcoming episode of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (January 12, 2016)

- The Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division rejected the urgent motion of detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada to attend the wake of late German "Kuya Germs" Moreno for lack of merit. The rejection comes after the anti-graft's first division denied detained Senator Bong Revilla's plea to visit the late presenter's wake.

- The Supreme Court affirmed the temporary restraining order issued against the disqualification cases against Senator Grace Poe. The high court also ruled to consolidate her petitions against the disqualification cases before the COMELEC.

- US President Barack Obama's final State of the Nation Address seeks to frame the choice facing Americans as they will decide which presidentiable will become his successor at the upcoming November 2016 elections. For his final speech to both chambers of Congress, he will speak the public to give voice to themes that Democrats can embrace to their campaigns to replace him and win back control of the Congress.

- Pope Francis lays out his case for emphasizing a more merciful Catholic Church in his first book titled "The Name of God is Mercy", which describes God's never ending quest of mercy for all. This 100-page book is published this week in 86 countries as part of the ongoing Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.

- Thirty people are reportedly killed in multiple terrorist attacks in Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq. First, an armed group detonated a car bomb at the entrance to a shopping mall in a Shia-populated area, then there was a shooting spree, and then there was a car bomb detonated near a market in Baghdad. The Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for the attacks.

- The People's Republic of China continues it military reforms as part of President Xi Jinping's apparent efforts to maintain firm control over the armed forces. Last month, a rocket force in charge of nuclear weapons was establish, as well as a strategic support force responsible for responding to cyber warfare. The military's four headquarters responsible for staff, politics, logistics, and armaments were disbanded and replaced by fifteen new agencies.

- South Korean military is stepping up their military preparedness near the demarcation line with North Korea against further provocations following its recent nuclear test. According to the chairman of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the recent nuclear test is likely to push ahead with further sudden provocations to turn the current situation around, urging the SoKor armed forces to be combat ready.

- At the 2016 North American International Auto Show, the Lexus LC500 sports coupe was unveiled, packed with the same 5.0L V8 engine derived from the Lexus F models, namely the RC F and the GS F.

2017 Lexus LC500

- Aston Martin teases their all-new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine that will be coming soon this year,

- In response to numerous Star Wars fans complaining about why there is no such thing as a proper figure of heroine Rey from The Force Awakens film, Hasbro and Walt Disney are preparing to launch a line of Rey-themed toys for the very first time.

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 6: The lone SuperGT ronin

Now, here's the car straight from Forza Motorsport 6's Ralph Lauren Polo Red Car Pack that some others find out to be rather controversial rather than amusing; a SuperGT machine that emerged as the two-time GT500 champion despite its flaws; a #1 NISMO MOTUL AUTECH GT-R.



So, what's it all about?

The GT500-class NISMO GT-R is on its second year since its introduction in the 2014 Super GT season alongside updated versions from Toyota's Lexus and Honda. For eight rounds, the 2015 season of the Super GT race series has been quite a thrilling feat for car enthusiasts everywhere who just can't get enough of Japanese (or foreign) touring cars racing through Asia's finest racetracks. For the GT500-class, the winner of the 2015 Super GT season is the #1 MOTUL Autech GT-R, driven by Tsugio Matsuda and Ronnie Quintarelli.

In the season finale of the 2015 Super GT series held at Twin Ring Motegi on the 15th of November, 2015, the #1 MOTUL Autech GT-R emerged from 12th place to finish 2nd place. By displacing the ranking leader, the #12 Calsonic IMPUL GT-R, driven by Hironobu Yasuda and Joao Paulo de Oliveira, they secured their second GT500 championship in the row. Thanks to this impossible feat in the 2015 Super GT season, it became Matsuda's second championship win in a row following on from last year and as for Quintarelli, he has taken four SUPER GT titles after combining this consecutive wins with those of 2011 and 2012.



Ever since the Forza franchise stepped inside to the world of XBOX One, the franchise decided to start the whole franchise from scratch, meaning some parts of the game will be disappeared. One such stuff is the SuperGT cars as well as Japanese tracks because the producers don't find the Japanese stuff as seen during the XBOX 360 years to be quite suitable for the next generation, therefore they were booted out during the development of FM5.

Here we are on FM6, still no sign of the good Japanese stuff like the ones they've enjoyed it from the past until one SuperGT car emerged from the shadows like a ronin. So, why would the producers featured a SuperGT car in a game that doesn't feature Japanese racetracks? No one knows why but whatever the situation, it's fun to check out the lone SuperGT ronin by ourselves, although I don't find driving one to be quite enjoyable in-game.



Of course, we don't have any Japanese tracks in the current generation of the franchise but instead, I want to try out this GT500-class Nissan at Silverstone because most of the Nissans involved in motorsports love to check things out, making it the ideal place to see how good last year's SuperGT winner lives up to its reputation as the two-time champion.



I managed to do a 2:14.611 around the whole Silverstone track and while not as fast as any other drivers do, I am more than happy to get to know more about the ronin who left its home nation in search for new challenges on foreign soil, although I don't find the move of putting a SuperGT in the current Forza generation to be rather amusing unless the producers decided to bring back Japanese tracks in FM6.

Big news in store for Aqours!

Love Live! Sunshine!!

2016 may be the final year for the ever famous μ's from the Love Live! School Idol Project franchise but this year is just getting started to the second generation school idol unit known as Aqours since their debut single went on sale in October of last year. Sure, we got a glimpse of their maiden single last year but we still want to know more about the members of Aqours even further.

Guess what, there were big news in store for the new generation of school idol unit as according to the recent livestream, the Love Live! Sunshine!! will get a TV anime this Summer 2016. Sounds a bit of an early treat for Lovelivers worldwide but this upcoming anime will be the best chance to know more about Aqours better; Chika Takami, Riko Sakurauchi, Kanan Matsuura, Dia Kurosawa, You Watanabe, Yoshiko Tsushima, Hanamaru Kunikida, Mari Ohara, and Ruby Kurosawa.

Apart of Aqours' upcoming TV debut on the second half of this year, Lovelivers just received some more information that they'll be featuring on an upcoming update of the Love Live! School Idol Festival app game. We're not sure why but let's hope that the Aqours members Lovelivers will soon be getting on their smartphones will be full-voiced just like the μ's members.

On the 27th of April, 2016, Aqours will release their soon-to-be-titled second single. We don't know why but this next single will be the next step to getting to know more about Aqours better.

For Nicovideo viewers everywhere, Aqours will be running their regular Niconico webcast beginning on the 22nd of January, 2016.

With these big news washing the Lovelivers away like a tsunami, the new generation of school idol unit's performance is just getting started and everyone's very excited to be part of the Aqours experience much as what they did to μ's in the past years.

Let's Do The News! (January 11, 2016)

- The Commission on Elections en banc filed before the Supreme Court its 50-page comment on Senator Grace Poe's appeal on one of the petitions to disqualify her, in compliance to the directive of the high tribunal. In the TRO issued and amended late last month, the SC asked the COMELEC to submit its comment regarding Poe's disqualification case. According to COMELEC, Poe has to manifestly show that they committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it promulgated its resolution.

- The Supreme Court upheld Smartmatic's eligibility for the lease of 23,00 optical mark readers to be used by COMELEC for the May 2016 elections. In a 41-page decision filed last month, the high court dismissed the petition assailing the poll body's resolution in June last year, which allowed Smartmatic to bid for the 2.2 billion peso contract that the firm eventually bagged.

- The Arab League ministers have condemned Iran, accusing the country of intentionally inciting sectarian strife and interfering in the Arab nations' internal affairs. At the emergency meeting held in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday, the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister told his colleagues that Iran failed to protect its diplomatic mission.

- France has marked one year since the deadly attack in the offices of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket that killed 17 people. A large memorial was held at Republic Square in the center of Paris on Sunday. French president Francois Hollande joined thousands of people including relatives of those killed a year ago as well as last November's Paris attacks.

- An American B-52 bomber plane has flown over the Osan airbase near Seoul, while escorted by US and South Korean fighter jets in response to the recent nuclear test done by North Korea. According to officials, the bomber, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, was dispatched from Guam.

- A production version of Infiniti Q60 coupe has unveiled before its 2016 NAIAS debut this week. It will feature Infiniti's brand new 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine as seen on its Q50 saloon counterpart.

2017 Infiniti Q60

- The Chrysler Pacifica name has been resurrected as the replacement of the Town & Country minivan. It's been offered with a petrol variant powered by a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine and for the first time, a hybrid variant with the same V6 engine connected to a 16kWh li-ion battery.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica

- Some say, action star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is making a Fast and Furious-like TV spinoff for Fox television.

- Legendary rock star David Bowie passed away at the age of 69 after succumbing to cancer.

- In case you missed the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, here are the list of winners;

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA: The Revenant

BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL: The Martian

BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE: Alejandro G. Iñárritu (The Revenant)

BEST ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA: Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant)

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA: Brie Larson (Room)

BEST ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL: Matt Damon (The Martian)

BEST ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL: Jennifer Lawrence (Joy)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE: Sylvester Stallone (Creed)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE: Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)

BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE: Aaron Sorkin (Steve Jobs)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG: Writing's on the Wall from 007: SPECTRE

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: Disney's Inside Out

BEST MOTION PICTURE - FOREIGN LANGUAGE: Son of Saul

BEST TV SERIES - DRAMA: Mr. Robot

BEST TV SERIES - COMEDY: Mozart in the Jungle

BEST TV MOVIE OR LIMITED-SERIES: Wolf Hall

BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES - DRAMA: Jon Hamm (Mad Men)

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES - DRAMA: Taraji P. Henson (Empire)

BEST ACTOR IN A TV SERIES - COMEDY: Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle)

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES - COMEDY: Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex Girlfriend)

BEST ACTOR IN A LIMITED-SERIES OR TV MOVIE: Oscar Isaac (Show Me a Hero)

BEST ACTRESS IN A LIMITED-SERIES OR TV MOVIE: Lady Gaga (AHS: Hotel)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A SERIES, LIMITED-SERIES OR TV MOVIE: Christian Slater (Mr. Robot)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A SERIES, LIMITED-SERIES OR TV MOVIE: Maura Tierney (The Affair)

TTFN!!!

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: Remembering the Master Showman

Kuya Germs

I know, I did missed the news that the Filipino showbiz legend German "Kuya Germs" Moreno died because of cardiac arrest last Friday at the age of 82. I didn't know that despite his old age, he was as energetic as ever not just as a legendary presenter on Philippine TV but as a kind-hearted producer giving birth to the freshest talents.

Before I was born, my parents remembered Kuya Germs for his eclectic performances not just as a legendary presenter but as an actor who appeared in numerous TV shows and movies. When I was existed, I'm starting to grew fondly on how Kuya Germs managed to see his energetic self in action. 

Behind the scenes, while he was not doing his acting career, he shifted himself as a talent producer, discovering good talents to raise with since That's Entertainment. Of course, I am not familiar with the show That's Entertainment because I haven't been born yet, but in my reading of Philippine showbiz mentality, that show has spawned numerous legendary celebs, most of which we know today.

Since his death, numerous celebrities across the Philippines had paid numerous tributes to the legend known as the Master Showman, the presenter who will be admired for his "Walang Tulugan" concept and be remembered for his lifetime achievements he done in the world of Philippine showbizness.

From being a janitor in a theater in Manila to the legendary presenter, actor, and talent manager, Kuya Germs will be longly remembered by us, Filipinos, for many generations to come and as for me, I have to give a heartfelt thanks to the legend that shaped the Filipino showbizness forever.

Thank You, Kuya Germs. (1933-2016)

The Cute Wall (Volume Ten)

Now, the moment of truth is time because it's now time to do...THE CUTE WALL!



(applause)

Yes, we're back after a hiatus and it's a new year, right? So, who would you want to start with?

Komasan

Say, buddy, who the heck was that?

Ah, that's Komasan from Yokai Watch.

Komasan? You mean THE Komasan from Yokai Watch?

Exactly!

So, tell me. How much do you know about this yokai?

Well, not much. Apparently, he has a brother named Komajiro

Komajiro

(ooohhh)

So, Komasan and Komajiro, let me guess, they are brothers, right?

Yes. You know this one time, when I watched this show for the first time, there were shorts of Komasan and Komajiro venturing through the city to find a living, they've faced so much hardships just for the sake of themselves.

Indeed. They're just Yokais venturing in the city. If I had to evaluate their cuteness, I had to say they're rather fine by me. At this rate, I wanna hug them as much I wanna hug Jibanyan.

Yes, I know. So, where should we put them?

Let's put Komasan and Komajiro in the cute spot, if you know what I mean?

CUTE it is, then.

(audience laughing, then applause)

Noibat

Who's that Pokemon?

(audience laughing)

It's a Noibat. What's wrong? Afraid that one of the Noibats will bite your butt off?

(audience laughing)

Now, look what you did. You scared anyone in the wall. Anyway, tell me more about this Noibat.

There was this one episode when the gang help Gym Leader Korrina looking for a Mega Stone for her Lucario until a horde of Noibats swarming in. One of the Noibats landed on Serena's face, the other bit Clemont's butt. Some, grabbed Pikachu's ears. Well, you get the idea. But there was also this episode where a Noibat hatched from an egg and became part of Ash's Pokemon entourage.

I see. Wait. You said one of the Noibats bit Clemont's butt in one episode? Wish I want one because someone's butt is going to be bitten off by a Noibat.

And what might have be?!

(audience laughing)

Never mind, but in the meantime, I'll just put it in the NAKAKAGIGIL spot.

Okay, then. I thought you're just planning on something something....

(audience laughing)

Yes. I am planning on something something because if I had a Noibat, I want to use it on...

POW!!!

(audience laughing)

Wha....what was that?

Croagunk

Oh, sorry. I should have noticed that we had a Croagunk loitering around this segment.

Croagunk?! The Toxic Mouth Pokemon that tends to Poison Jab Brock when he falls in love with a lady in the Diamond and Pearl TV show?!

Yes. Yes it is. And now, he Poison Jabbed you.

(audience laughing)

Ugh.... You, don't do it again, okay? No Poison Jabbing on unexpected persons, okay? Consider yourself SERIOUSLY NOT CUTE.

(audience laughing)

That's what I think it is?! SERIOUSLY NOT CUTE? For a Croagunk that Poison Jabbed you in your butt?

Indeed. That's the biggest punishment I ever gave it to Croagunk. Man, how many Pokemons do we have to meet up on this segment?

Well, since it's Pokemon's 20th anniversary this year, expect hordes of Pokemons coming at this segment anytime soon.

(audience laughing)

The Lion Guard

Who are those?

They're the main characters of Disney Junior's newest TV series, The Lion Guard, due to air this month. There's the main character, Kion, who is a cub, and then they're Kion's friends who will work together as a team. There's Fuli the cheetah, Beshte the hippo, Ono the egret, and Bunga, who is a skunk and a nephew of Timon and Pumbaa.

Let's cut it short, okay? I once saw the special last year and I was adored by the bravery they've committed to explore, rescue, and protect.

Kinda like...

Shhh....shhh...shhh... Kids are looking forward to this new show this month.

Yeah, right now, there's slew of merchandising in store for them.

Exactly! But there's just one thing between these little critters...

What?

(whistling)

You're kidding...

What I said was...I don't find them to be cute.

(audience laughing)

I kid you not. I don't find these critters to be cute so...It's a NOT CUTE for the young heroes of the new show.

(audience laughing)

We Bare Bears

Huh? Who are those bears?!

Hey, you haven't met Grizz, Panda, and Ice Bear from Cartoon Network's new show, We Bare Bears.

I saw those bears doing all kinds of stuff in their bear cave and in the city, why would you want to evaluate how cute are those? I don't find these bears to be cute...

(audience laughing)

Well, I think someone else knows...

Whatever. Even though there is someone who think these bears are cute, I don't find them to be cute. They're....boring.

(audience laughing)

What are you doing, little man?!

I'm putting in the place where you can't reach it!

(audience laughing)

I'll put in the CUTE spot just so you can't reach it. Ha ha ha!

(electrical buzz)

What?!

Classic Top Gear moment! I managed to hit the kill switch!

(audience laughing and applause)

Ooh! What's this? The boys from IM@S Side M? Wow, can't believe he's been on the first ever Side M concert last month.

What are you doing?

Seriously not cute, seriously not cute, seriously not cute, not cute for Pierre, SERIOUSLY NOT CUTE!!!

(audience laughing)

Can I come down now?

Hmmm.....Ice Bear says no.

(audience laughing)

Time for the recap!

SERIOUSLY NOT CUTE:
Raichu
Whisper
Minion
Nico Yazawa
Takane Shijou
Azusa Miura
Makoto Kikuchi
Anzu Futaba
*Croagunk
*Touma Amagase

*Shota Mitarai

*Hokuto Ijuin
*Teru Tendo
*Kaoru Sakuraba
* Tsubasa Kashikawa
*Kyouji Takajou
*Minori Watanabe
*Kyosuke Aoi

*Yusuke Aoi
*Shiki Iseya

*Haruna Wakazato

*Hayato Akiyama
*Jun Fuyumi
*Natsuki Sakaki

*Rui Maita

*Chio Hazama
*Jiro Yamashita

NOT CUTE:
Dopey
Kwazii
Minion
Amethyst
Rin Hoshizora
Hibiki Ganaha
Minami Nitta
Ranko Kanzaki
Miku Maekawa
*Kion
*Fuli
*Beshte
*Bunga
*Ono
*Pierre

CUTE:
Pichu
Plusle
Minun
Pachirisu
Emolga
Dedenne
Mokona
Mog
Catbug
Bashful
Froakie
Fennekin
Harukasan
Stuffy
Tunip the Vegimal
Minccino
Piplup
Sylveon
Queen Delightful
Axew
Jibanyan
Minion
Serena's Pancham
Umi Sonoda
Eli Ayase
Hanayo Koizumi
Maki Nishikino
Nozomi Tojo
Miki Hoshii
Yukiho Hagiwara
Iori Minase
Ritsuko Akizuki
Anastasia
Kanako Mimura
Chieri Ogata
Miria Akagi
Rika Jougasaki
Kirari Moroboshi
Riina Tada
Rin Shibuya
Mio Honda
*Komasan
*Komajiro
*Grizz
*Panda
*Ice Bear

NAKAKAGIGIL!!!:
Pikachu
BMO
Bijou
Poof
George
Happy
Chespin
Doc McStuffins
Mabel Pines
Sofia
Cottonee
Minion
Oshawott
Star Butterfly
Honoka Kousaka
Kotori Minami
Haruka Amami
Yayoi Takatsuki
Chihaya Kisaragi
Ami Futami
Mami Futami
Uzuki Shimamura
*Noibat