Let's Do The News! (January 4, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte has designated the Presidential Communications Operations Office as the lead agency in the implementation of the freedom of information program in the executive branch. The president signed EO 2 which implements the FOI in the executive branch three weeks after assuming office in July. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued MO 10 which takes the PCOO to oversee implementation of all FOI and e-FOI programs for all government agencies int he executive branch.

- China confirmed that its aircraft carrier has for the first time conducted drills in the South China Sea with a formation of other warships and fighter jets, a move that could raise concerns among its neighbors. The Defense Ministry said several J-15 fighter jets took off and landed from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Liaoning on Monday. China's first and only aircraft carrier sailed into South China Sea last week.

- Vice President Leni Robredo said she denies rumors that former US ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg had left a "blueprint" to oust President Duterte. Robredo said that she and Goldberg only talked about bilateral relations between the two countries during their meeting.

- One of the award-winning entries from the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival has been recalled due to animal cruelty issues. The FPJ Memorial Award for the film, Oro, was stripped due to its graphic depiction of a dog being slaughtered in one scene. Senator Grace Poe called on the organizers to look into the matter of whether a dog was actually butchered as part of the filming of the movie, in violation of Animal Welfare Act (RA 8485), which protects the welfare of animals.

- The newly-elected US Congress convened on Tuesday. The majority Republicans intend to review President Barack Obama's health care act. In the first session, the Republican Senate Budget Committee chairperson submitted a bill to repeal the health care act but Democrats want to maintain the care act. It remains to be seen when president-elect Trump will review the act as he pledged during his election campaign or search for common ground with Democrats.

- US President Donald Trump picked veteran negotiator Robert Lighthizer as his trade representative. Lighthizer was the deputy trade representative in the Reagan administration and played a key role in negotiating bilateral trade deals for a range of products, including steel and crops.

- Turkish security authorities are reportedly investigating 8 people under detention in connection with Sunday's deadly shooting rampage at a nightclub in Istanbul. They are suspected to be linked to the Islamic State group. On Tuesday, Turkish media cited security officials as saying the attacker flew from Kyrgyzstan to Istanbul with his wife and two kids on the 20th of November. Right now, the state of emergency implemented in Turkey has extended to three months.

- Ford has officially announced that they will make hybrid versions of the Mustang sportscar and the F-150 pickup truck by the end of the decade as well as electrified vehicles.

- Faraday Future has unveiled their first production EV called the FF91 at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Showcase event in Las Vegas. The FF91 features a 200kW fast charging capability, 500 miles per charge, and a 130-kWh battery pack with 783kW of range (1050hp and 378 mile range.

- Interesting seiyuu news though; Rina Satou announced her marriage and her baby boy, then Mikako Takahashi also announced her marriage, and Ayana Taketatsu switched agencies.

- The Rockstar Energy Drink Car Pack for Forza Horizon 3 is now available. This month's car pack features the long-awaited arrival of the BMW i8 as well as the Bentley Bentayga and others.

TTFN!!!

FH3 Blizzard Mountain: Body Harvest

As you venture through the winter wonderland of Forza Horizon 3's Blizzard Mountain, you may have encountered news that a hidden treasure is lurking somewhere through the frozen landscape. No ice queen in sight, not even a yeti you may ask, but rather something special that you can't wait to get your hands on. So, let's find out what that mystery thing is hidden through the winter wonderland.

So, what could it be?



Hmmm....This looks new. This classic SUV is not very familiar to me, as if it came from a company I'm not familiar with. Let's see...hmm...what is that barn find I found in Blizzard Mountain...aha! That barn find I found on Blizzard Mountain is known as the International Harvester Scout!

Long before International was known for making big rigs for American roads, they made offroaders just like Isuzus in Japan. Since the late 50's. they want to create a Jeep CJ rival and then in 1960, the Scout was launched as a 1961 Model Year. There are two variants made for the International Harvester Scout. First, there was the Scout 80 that was distinguishable from its sliding windows, 152cu 4-cylinder engine, fold-down windshield, vacuum windshield wipers, and the logo in the center of the grill. Then, there's this; the Scout 800, which features basic improvements from the 80 as well as the choice of different engines such as an optional 196 4-cyl., 232 6cyl, 266 V-8, & 304 V-8 from 1969 to 1971. Production ended in 1980.

If you put this one near the classic Ford Bronco, you can really see why this two look closely similar judging by its exterior design. It may bear close resemblance but this unheard offroader deserves to get some credit to the ones who found it in the cold front because its offroader skills are not to be ignored for a legendary American machine.

To be honest, it takes guts to master this offroad machine because while it was forged from the working-class men who want to take on the iconic Jeep, how you'll live it up to the Scout's untapped potential is up to you and you're going to need some skills on handling the Harvester Scout as a great offroader that can survive through nature's madness.

Care for a little sample?



I know, I went a little hasty at first but it's a trial and error procedure. Try and try until I succeed. But anyway, the Scout's untapped potential as an offroader was clearly demonstrated and this legendary machine from the great American country is staying with me!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Trump criticizes China over North Korea

US President-elect Donald Trump criticized China for not doing more to stop North Korea's nuclear and missile development.

Trump dismissed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's claim that his country was in the final stages of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile. The president-elect tweeted that "it won't happen."

The North Korean leader made the claim that in his annual policy speech on Sunday. The ICBM is said to have a range that reaches the United States.

Trump also tweeted that China has been taking out massive amounts of money and wealth from the US in trade but won't help with North Korea.

Source: NHK World

Let's Do The News! (January 3, 2017)

- A warship from Russia's Pacific Fleet arrived in Manila in time for a maritime exercise with the Philippine Navy. Reports told that the Russian vessels are in the Philippines for a "goodwill visit." President Duterte has been expressing his desire to forge stronger ties with Russia as part of his administration's independent foreign policy.

- A bill to put up LGBT desks in police stations will be on the House floor soon, with its author saying a law is needed to make the help desks a permanent part of the Philippine National Police. Filed by Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto, House Bill 2952 seeks to amend parts of the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act mandating the creation of women's desk that will also serve lesbians' gays, bisexuals, and transgenders if the bill is passed into law.

- Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno has likened redundant fiscal incentives to "pork barrel" as he cited the need to review tax perks that have led to significant losses of state revenues. Diokno said tax incentives have resulted in revenue losses equivalent to 1 to 2 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

- Islamic State militants have claimed responsibility for the attack on a nightclub in Istanbul during the New Year's celebrations that killed 39. In the latest in a series of ISIS-linked attacks in Turkey, revelers at Istanbul's Reina nightclub were attacked by a gunman in the early hours of Sunday morning. Turkish police continue the manhunt against the gunman behind the attack.

- A US presidency expert warned President-elect Donald Trump about his Twitter use. The expert said Trump's policy directions are hard to predict, and his Twitter posts are the only clues but cautioned that announcing policies via Twitter can cause confusion. He called it problematic that Trump used the platform to announce nuclear polices and to criticize China.

- Chrysler will showcase their Portal Concept at this week's CES in Las Vegas, which is created by millennials, for millennials, and featuring semi-autonomous technology that can be upgradable.

2017 Chrysler Portal Concept

- Online eSports Racing Game, iRacing, will feature Porsches, making it the fourth game franchise to feature the famed German automaker since EA exclusivity ended last month.

- Benedict Cumberbatch will officially reprise his Doctor Strange role in the upcoming Thor Ragnarok film.

TTFN!!!

FH3 Blizzard Mountain: Attack on Titan Warrior

No, there are no titans attacking Blizzard Mountain as they knew it but there is one attacking this frozen wonderland and it's basically American. Yes, there is Nissan on it but don't be fooled because this is the Titan Warrior Concept, a specially modified Titan XD that conceptualizes its tough off-road capability and one of the stars of FH3's Blizzard Mountain.

Back at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, Nissan launched the full model change of their full-sized pickup truck sold only to the North American market, the all new Titan XD. A year has passed since its debut and Nissan showcased a tougher take on their latest-generation model, called the Titan Warrior Concept.

Created by the Nissan Design America team, the Titan Warrior Concept pushes the Titan XD to uncharted heights courtesy of its Project Titan crowd-sourced customization that swnt two US military veterans representing Wounded Warrior Project on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in Alaska. It pays tribute to Nissan's heritage of off-road racing and adventuring that dates back to its Baja days to the Paris-Dakar Rally treks.

Just like the Titan XD it was based upon, it's still powered by the same Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine. but it's been given some extensive suspension upgrades and its signature durability as expected on the Titan XD.

Sure, this maybe a concept truck made by the red-blooded Americans as well as retired veterans who served for the free world but it feels like you're driving a normal Titan XD but with some offroad perks that will help you survive the attack on Blizzard Mountain, not even the so-called climate change can drown you like waterboarding.

Given the chance, I am fully prepared to survive the attack on Blizzard Mountain with the attack on Titan Warrior Concept, no matter the odds. Titans, GO!

So, I may have survived the attack on Blizzard Mountain but feels like I'm not ready to survive the attack on the Titan Warrior Concept, even though underneath is concept looks is basically a normal Titan XD, sold only for the Americans with their love for all things fast food, Republicans, and cars like this. So, how about those Republicans? Wait, what did I just said? Never mind but if you are prepared to survive the attack on Titan Warrior, then GO! Titans GO!

Let's Do The News! (January 2, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to name this month the 21 persons who will comprise the new and expanded Bangsamoro Transition Commission. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is at the same time awaiting the resumption of formal talks with government soon and also looking forward to the appointment of BTC members, as this could pave the way for the crafting of the new Bangsamoro Basic Law.

- Meanwhile, President Duterte sees a loophole in the current Constitution that is supposed to have safeguards against the declaration of martial law in the country. He believes a sitting president may decide on his own if the findings of the legislature and the judiciary about martial law declaration contradict each other. There are provisions stipulating that martial law declaration is subject to review by both Congress and the Supreme Court, but Duterte said this could lead to a crisis if they don't agree with each other.

- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday expresses condolences to President Duterte over the casualties and damage due to Typhoon Nina. The Chinese Embassy in Manila said that Xi sent to Duterte his condolences which also extends to those affected by the typhoon. Over 5.1 billion worth of damage to agriculture and infrastructure was incurred by Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol, according to the latest NDRRMC report.

-The Department of Labor and Employment reported that electricians and other construction workers would be highly in demand in the next five years. DOLE's Bureau of Local Employment director Dominique Tutay said the country is not producing a sufficient number of skilled construction workers and noted that of the 80,000 construction workers, only 24,000 are actively looking for employment.

- An assailant believed to have been dressed in a Santa Claus costume opened fire at a crowded nightclub in Istanbul during New Year's celebrations, killing at least 39 people and hurt less than 70 others in what the province's governor described as a terror attack. The attacker, armed with a long-barreled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian outside the club at around 1:45 AM yesterday before entering and firing on people partying inside.

- The new UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres began his new stint and he may have difficulty gaining cooperation from the new US administration to be led by Donald Trump. Guterres says he plans to serve the most vulnerable and pledges to tackle issues such as poverty, women's rights, and refugees.

- The Islamic State militant group still maintains its fighting capability despite having lost control of large areas in Iraq and Syria. Relevant countries are coordinating efforts to slash their financial sources and keep the fighters isolated.

- Tyrus Wong, the man behind the artwork that inspired the Walt Disney animation film Bambi died in his California home on December 30th. He was 106. Wong was born in a farm village in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong in 1910. He emigrated to the United States with his father when he was nine. After studying art at a California college, he took a job with Walt Disney in 1938.

TTFN!!!

The Grand Tour - Episode 7 & 8 (Namibia Special)

The Grand Tour Namibia Special

Call it a Christmas special you may ask like what Top Gear did in the past but the first-ever two-part special of Amazon's Original Series, The Grand Tour, is more than just a Christmas special. It's about three boys exploring through the Namibian landscape using beach buggies that were based on classic Beetle chassis. 

James May's beach buggy bears a close resemblance to the original beach buggy while Jeremy Clarkson's buggy, meanwhile, is powered by a V8 because of his love for power, and Richard Hammond's buggy has a roof and offroad parts on it.

Throughout this epic two-parter, the boys and the buggies are trying to survive the harsh roads and elements in this thousand-mile journey to prove that beach buggies are the best. In the end, turns out that despite everything they gave, they proved themselves wrong, knowing that beach buggies aren't the best.

Still, the first-ever Grand Tour special shows that the boys can still explore through the ends of the earth just like during their Top Gear heydays, no matter how good or bad things are until the conclusion that defines the turning point of history.