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

- In an act of defiance against extrajudicial killings, Senator Leila de Lima filed a bill which defines extrajudicial killing and provides for its penalty amid the high rise of killings of drug suspects. The Senate Bill 1197 seeks to strengthen the Commission on Human Rights, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police in investigating extrajudicial killings.

- Meanwhile, a bill seeking the creation of a Philippine mental health council and a national mental health care delivery system has been filed by the House of Representatives by an Ifugao solon to promote mental health protection and improve mental health services in the Philippines.

- A recent Pulse Asia survey shows that President Rodrigo Duterte's trust rating slightly fell by 5% from 91% in July to 86% in September. Results of the nationwide "Ulat ng Bayan" survey released on Wednesday showed a more pronounced "ambivalence toward presidential performance in his first three months in office."

- 14 people are reportedly killed on the attack of a Shia shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan. The attack occurred on Tuesday evening when the shrine was crowded with worshippers there to observe the holy day of Ashura. The gunman exchanged fire with security officers, but was later shot to death.

- In the race to the November 2016 elections, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton rallies with former Vice President Al Gore while sharply criticizing her Republican foe Donald Trump over his stance on climate change. Meanwhile, Trump continues to lash out against Republican leaders, highlighting rifts within the Republican Party less than one month before Election Day.

- Toyota Motor Corporation announced that it had decided to start a study toward a cooperative relationship with Suzuki Motor Corporation.

- In his attendance at last weekend's New Yorker Festival, 007 actor Daniel Craig responded the question on his role's future, saying, “As far as I’m concerned, I’ve got the best job in the world. I’ll keep doing it as long as I still get a kick out of it. If I were to stop doing it, I would miss it terribly.” About last year, after the success of the latest 007 film SPECTRE, Craig lashed down some harsh comments about continuing his James Bond role but in truth, he's taking a little break from the James Bond franchise, which he's done, working on a heist film Logan Lucky with director Steven Soderbergh.

- Actor Robin Padilla believes that the late Dick Israel was a victim of "medical marijuana oppression."

- Eat Bulaga's Alden Richards confirms that he and Maine Mendoza will make special appearances in the upcoming Enteng Kabisote film.

- The first trailer of the 2017 Power Rangers film is now up and running.  Check it out.

TTFN!!!

Seat Ateca

This is known to be as SEAT's first ever crossover utility vehicle in history and because this is the first in SEAT's lineup, the new Ateca is a solid all-rounder that fits through everyone's lifestyles at work or at play. Be it a daily driver or a weekend getaway vehicle, the Ateca is all about multitasking at a crossover's pace. So then, what's it all about the Ateca?

2017 Seat Ateca

At first glance, the new Seat Ateca looks like a jacked-up Leon with some sorts but in reality, it's basically a Tiguan underneath so you might expect the similar behavior you can expect from the latest VW Tiguan only this time in Seat's perspective.

2017 Seat Ateca interior

2017 Seat Ateca interior

The inside is just typical SEAT from within but if you're very busy digging deeper on the Ateca's interior, you can spend most of the time toying around with its ambient lighting, class-leading space for some bare necessities before setting off from one point of interest after another, five-seater capacity which is typical for a crossover, Full Link connectivity, and some concessions of comfort and convenience that balances what you can work and you can play. Nothing says mixing business and pleasure in a very unique and clever packaging so it's like a nice stay at a very posh condo in the city.

2017 Seat Ateca

Because the Seat Ateca's riding on the same platform used on the VW Tiguan, you can expect the Ateca to behave just like the Leon as if the new Tiguan behaves like a Golf. MQB relatives, if you know what I mean, but that's just the first half of it because the biggest key point of the Ateca is the available 4Drive system, which uses a newly made multi-plate coupling with hydraulic actuation and electronic control. Seat says that it reacts quickly on different driving situations and in general, the Ateca's four-wheel drive system is a great all-rounder that can be taken anywhere, rain or shine.

Under the hood, the Ateca offers a wide array of engine choices such as a 1.0L TSi, a 1.4 TSi, 1.6L TDi, or a 2.0L TDi engine. They are varied with different configurations, you know. Meaning if you want something powerful, you should go for the 2.0 TDi engine, which produces 190PS of power and 400Nm of torque, or if you want something economical, there's a 1.6L TDi ECOMOTIVE engine that delivers a claimed CO2 emission of 111g/km. Gearbox of choice? Depending on the variant, it can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG.

As a technologically advanced crossover, the Ateca comes with a wide array of tech such as Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Top View cameras, Park Assist 3.0, Emergency Assist, and High Beam Assist.

Should you buy it? The SEAT Ateca starts at 20,440 Euros, which is five grand less than its relative crossover, the VW Tiguan, making it a good value for those who can't afford the latest VW Tiguan. With that kind of pricing, SEAT's first SUV makes it a healthy competitor in the world of compact crossovers and if the underdog is taking its first steps in this category, so be it.

Available colors: Azul Mediterráneo, Blanco Bila, Rojo Pasión, Blanco Nevada, Plata Brillante, Gris Rodium, Beige Capuccino, Marron Mato, Azul Lava, Verde Jungla, Naranja Samoa, and Negro Magico.

Photo: SEAT, S.A.

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

- Before President Rodrigo Duterte leaves China for a state visit, he would set aside the Scarborough Shoal for now but vowed to ask the Chinese government to allow Filipinos to fish in the disputed sea. Duterte is schedules to visit China from the 18th to the 21st of October to strengthen ties between the Philippines and China, which have been strained by the sea dispute.

- According to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the annual joint military exercises of Philippine and American armed forces in the country might be suspended next year, following President Duterte's recent pronouncement. Lorenzana said the agreement on the Balikatan exercises is subject to change yearly and it has yet to reach the agreement on the joint military exercises for the 2017, which the parties are supposed to sign in November.

- A low pressure area will intensify into a tropical cyclone within 24 to 72 hours, according to PAGASA. The weather disturbance is expected to bring cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over eastern Visayas and Caraga. Flash floods and landslides are possible within the area.

- Despite petitions against hosting next year's Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines following series of issues, the Department of Tourism believes that the country and willing to host the pageant. The government's decision to accept the Miss Universe Organization's offer to stage the pageant has an "over whelming support among Filipino women and their families, according to the department.

- German police apprehended a Syrian refugee, bringing an end to a manhunt launched by the discovery of explosives in his apartment. The 22-year-old male was arrested by police, acting on a tip-off that he was at the home of another Syrian in Leipzig. Police are now investigating his possible links with the Islamic State group.

- Paul Ryan, a top Republican and speaker of the House of Representatives says he will not defend or campaign the party's presidential nominee Donald Trump. He made the comment during a conference call with Republican lawmakers on Monday.

- The United Nations has appealed for an estimated 120 million dollar aid for Haiti, which was battered by Hurricane Matthew and is grappling with a worsening cholera outbreak, The violent storm moved north over the Caribbean and wreaked havoc on coastal nations last week before making landfall in the US South, bringing storms and heavy rain

- BMW will unveil the new-generation 5-Series this 13th of October.

- Michiyuki Kawashima, the lead vocalist of Boom Boom Satellites has passed away. Kawashima's been fighting his 4th brain tumor relapse.

TTFN!!!

FIA Formula E 2016-2017 - Hong Kong

The 2016-2017 season of the FIA Formula E Championship has kicked off in Hong Kong, where new and returning drivers are beginning the start of a long battle to the top spot of the rankings in this zero-emission electric car racing franchise, which is now on its third season.

On the winners' circle, e.Dams' Sebastian Buemi kicked off this season with a win followed by ABT Schaeffler's Lucas Di Grassi, despite problems with his car, who placed 2nd, and Mahindra's Nick Heidfeld who placed 3rd.

Highlights:

The next race will be at Marrakesh, Morocco, this November 12th.

F1 2016: Japanese GP

Photo: Associated Press

So, with Mercedes got their constructor's championship title at the end of the Japanese Grand Prix of the 2016 Formula One season, the heated debate between the team's drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg is becoming a key topic of this season and Japan has been the turning table between the two.

With the tables turned, Rosberg is named as the winner of the race while Hamilton, despite his poor start, managed to finished third following a close-combat endgame between him and Red Bull rookie Max Verstappen, who finished 2nd.

Following Rosberg's win, the gap between him and Hamilton is now up to 31 points (313 vs 280) and with four more races this season, there's no telling when will the tables turned between them, perhaps some luck that will even the odds. So, the next race will be on the USA this 23rd of October.

Forza Horizon 3: A Wooden Opportunity

I only have two barn finds left two find and I've been given two choices; one that won't take me a lot of time to wait but can be downright slow or the other that is a gorgeous keeper to drive but takes a lot of time to wait before it's restored. Truth be told, I've gone for the first choice.

Care to see what that is? Let's find out...

That super rare barn find in question is a Ford Super Deluxe, one of the post-WWII Fords ever made in history, and this one's woody in terms of appearance. If by woody, it IS woody just by looking at the wooden sides that make it very unique for a vintage post-war car in America. Historians told that this is known to be the last of the all-wood-bodied cars before the steel transition at the end of the 1940s and although as extinct as the dinosaurs from prehistoric times, this fossil unearthed from the barn is a clear reminder of why we love cars as much as our grandparents do in their time.


Although it is a slow car, with only 90 horses produced on a big V8 engine, it's a car worthy to take on an adventure if you have free time away from your festival duties, All it needs now is to play yourself a nice song from your grandma's music collection to soothe yourselves but not so much.

Having enjoyed myself driving the classic woody wagon, I spent some extra time at the festival driving one of these bad boys I mentioned here.



See this Willys Jeep I drove? I made it to look like how an owner-type jeep behaves, only this time in offroader duties, just like old times huh? Driving a war machine used for American troops during the second world war and reemerged into a commoners' favorite that takes on all shapes and sizes.

As I recalled, this machine originated the Jeep name although there are some puzzles about the origin of the Jeep word via this car, although it was claimed from the slurring of the letters GP, the military term for General Purpose while others say it came for a character named "Eugene the Jeep" from the Popeye cartoon strip.

With driving now, explanation later, I took this little owner-type jeep I made myself for a spin around a rainforest on a misty day to see how adventurous and thrilling a classic jeep can be. Things get a little muddy out here...



Man, I love a good adventure driving post-war classics out on the Australian open roads and while I'm having a blast driving these American post-war classics, I still have some unfinished business to do because the journey continues...

Let's Do The News! (October 10, 2016)

- A French newspaper calls Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte a "serial killer president" because of his bloody war on drugs, sparking protests from his supporters. The French daily Liberation's front-page report is the latest criticism from the foreign media of the Duterte administration's war on drugs, which has drawn international flak for human rights violations and alleged extrajudicial killings that killed 3,700 suspects as of now.

- The Moro National Liberation Front has scored the Office of the Ombudsman for reviving a 15-year-old graft case against its founding chairman Nur Misuari. The MNLF website said the case against Misuari was dismissed by former ombudsman Aniano Desierto. The MNLF claimed the revival of the case came after President Duterte announced that he would issue safe conduct pass to Misuari.

- Convicted drug lord Jaybee Sebastian believes that the recent riot at the New Bilibid Prison might have been caused to prevent him from testifying before the House Committee on Justice, which is investigating the drug trade at the penitentiary. Sebastian, testifying before the panel, said that retired Chief Inspector Clarence Dongail, an inmate, started the riot where he was stabbed and another inmate was killed.

- US Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump sized each other again in their second presidential debate held at the Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri. The recent debate is at a town hall format where undecided voters got the chance to ask them questions regarding today's issues. As usual, the two trade insults against each other different issues but in the end, Clinton proved she's worthy.

- Ten people in the US are killed after Hurricane Matthew made landfall in the southern part of the country on Saturday. The hurricane brought strong winds and heavy rain to Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.

- Ethiopia declared a state of emergency as anti-government protests turn violent. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn gave a televised address on Sunday, saying he needs to ensure the safety of its citizens. One week earlier, police fired tear gas at protesters in the southern state of Oromia, triggering a stampede that killed over 50 people.

- 140 people are reportedly killed when an air raid struck on a funeral in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. Saturday's attack targeted those mourning the death of a senior member of an anti-government group. Fierce fighting continues between the Yemeni government troops and rebels.

- Tesla's Autopilot software is facing some backlash not just here in America but also abroad as the US state of California and the European country of Germany are facing problems with Tesla's autonomous driving software.

- Germany wants all combustion engine vehicles to be banned within the year 2030 and this could potentially spread throughout the European Union.

- The title of the 2016 Doctor Who Christmas Special was named as "The Return of Doctor Mysterio" and it will be aired on Christmas Day 2016. Also, the first trailer of its spinoff drama series Class is now up and running. The new show will air on BBC One next year alongside Doctor Who so check out both of the clips and which one are you excited for.

TTFN!!!