Forza Horizon 3: Tricolore ~ Cante II

Not too long ago, the Holy Trinity of the Italian Supercar hierarchy dished each other to see which is the best. From the Ferrari F12berlinetta, Lamborghini Aventador, to the Pagani Huayra, the clear winner by a complete surprise is a turbocharged V12-powered Pagani Huayra, knowing that Modena's finest can really topple against the establishments. However, the fight between those three is far from over because they are flexing their muscles for more and now, the more powerful versions have arrived for a rematch.

Here they are, the more powerful versions of the three Italian V12 kings; the Pagani Huayra BC, the Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SV, and the Ferrari F12tdf. With all the added firepower in the mix, deciding which of these three is the king will be similarly different from the last time when the normal three V12 machines fought against each other like Roman gladiators.

First, let's start with the Ferrari F12tdf, which is the most powerful of the three. For starters, the tdf name was derived from the legendary Tour de France endurance road race that Ferrari ruled in the 50's and 60's with the 250 GT Berlinetta which won four consecutive editions in a row. With 799 units ever made and sold, this special F12berlinetta features an upgraded version of the same 6.3L V12 engine from the normal F12berlinetta, producing 780PS of power, and when mated to a 7-speed Formula 1 gearbox, it can go from 0 to 100kph in 2.9 seconds and top speed of over 340kph. Apart from the added power, Ferrari reworked on the aerodynamics and the handling to make it more track-focused and more aggressive on the bends. It lapped the Fiorano test track  in 1 minute and 21 seconds, faster than the normal F12.

The Aventador LP750-4 SV, meanwhile, may have 30PS less than the F12tdf, as well as sticking with the 7-speed ISR gearbox rather than double clutches as seen on the Huracan, but with its improved power-to-weight ratio courtesy of its improved dynamics and weight loss (not to mention the removal of the sat-nav) resulted to a 0-100kph time of 2.8 seconds and over 350kph of top speed.

The Pagani Huayra BC's turbocharged 6.0L V12 engine may have the similar power output as the Lamborghini Aventador SV's as well as the same seven-speed automatic gearbox setting but this car is the lightest of the three, with 1,218kg of dry weight, 132kg less than the normal Huayra, courtesy of its new type of carbon fiber that is lighter and slightly stronger than a regular carbon fiber. This extreme version of the Huayra is surely a odd-defying beast that can unleash a typhoon at a mighty swing of a fan.

If you recall a quick comparison a while back at a certain street racing route in the Outback, the Huayra lapped quicker than both the established supercars from Ferrari and Lamborghini. Now, let's find out if the hardcore versions are any better than last time...

And now the results...
2015 Ferrari F12tdf - 2:25.979
2016 Lamborghini Aventador SV - 2:22.075
2016 Pagani Huayra BC - 2:17:337

Once again, the lone gladiator from Modena has toppled against the establishment even with a new set of twists in store for them and the Huayra BC remains the undisputed winner of the three. So, Pagani may have won the battle but the war goes on because pretty soon, the three kings of Italian supercar hierarchy will be showing their upgraded versions of their normal V12 machines of their lineup and they're going to be as good as...other cars can get.

In the meantime, let's give these three a chance to get their wow factor on the Horizon Festival around Down Under because after their long, grueling, battle, they now have the free time to let loose of their hidden talents and potential as cars and since they're having a leisure trip on Aussie roads, it would be the ideal time for these three to get some "extra service."







The F12tdf will be sporting a design heavily inspired from THE IDOLM@STER's Makoto Kikuchi, although the design layout is very similar to the one I made a while back, while the Aventador SV will be wearing a design similar to the Ad Personam personalization done by the Lamborghini Newport Beach dealership, which is very cool, and the Pagani BC wants to cloak itself with some specialized square camouflage.

Anyway, with their respective designs all set to go, the three V12 kings, recharged, are off to see how they perform when faced against different strangers of all kinds...



Although the age of V12 engines will come to an end someday, the rivalry between the three Italian supercar greats will keep on burning for many generations to come as Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Pagani, no matter which path they'll be going, will keep on fighting until the very end. They may not be forever, but their rivalry between these three will surely becoming one of the automotive greats in history.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Fifth hearing of the President Park impeachment case

South Korea's Constitutional Court is holding the fifth hearing of the President Park Geun-hye impeachment case.

President Park's longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil appeared in court as witness, which is the first time the country has had a chance to hear Choi's side of the story in her own words, and not her lawyer's. Choi did acknowledge that she had been to the presidential office for personal reasons but didn't elaborate further as to how frequently she visited. Choi has also denied knowing Kim Ki-choon, the President's longest-serving chief of staff and one of several former presidential aides who are suspected of influence-peddling.

 Meanwhile, acting president and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn met with South Korea's ambassadors to the United States, China, Japan, Russia, and the United Nations today. At the meeting, Hwang said the recent challenges surrounding the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia are very difficult, and underscored the rising North Korean threats. The discussions centered around concerns about the diplomatic vacuum in South Korea, due to the political unrest. Also, tensions with China and Japan, due to the THAAD, and the recent installation of a comfort woman statue, respectively, were given spotlight.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se is expected to discuss these issues and ways to implement the major diplomatic tasks of the year at a separate meeting with the key ambassadors.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (January 16, 2017)

- A party-list lawmaker decided not to implement the controversial "vanity tax" on cosmetic products and beauty services following backlash from netizens. Last week, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe proposed the imposition of 10-to-30 percent vanity tax on cosmetic products and beauty services as an alternative to the VAT implemented on gasoline.

- The first Philippine eagle, Pag-asa, turned 25 years old yesterday. Pag-asa is the first to be produced under the captive breeding program of the non-profit Philippine Eagle Foundation through the combined artificial and natural incubation technique taught by the World Center for Birds of Prey. In 1995, it replaced the maya as the national animal of the Philippines under President Fidel V. Ramos' decision.

- The Catholic Church reiterated their stance against the legalization of divorce in the Philippines suding the feast of Sto. Nino or Child Jesus yesterday. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo warned that divorce would destroy the foundation of families and that children would be the ones to suffer most.

- As the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump draws near, a growing number of Democratic lawmakers who will boycott Trump's inauguration following the Martin Luther King weekend spat between him and Congressman John Lewis that the Trump team tried to tamp down on Sunday. VP-elect Mike Pence and Reince Priebus expressed disappointment in the Georgia congressman's remarks on Trump's legitimacy.

- Meanwhile, Donald Trump said that he will lift sanctions against Russia in exchange for a nuclear arms reduction deal with Vladimir Putin. Trump said he wanted both the world superpowers' nuclear arsenal to be "reduced very substantially."

- Following the resignation of Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, UK's Northern Ireland minister is set to call an early election in the province on Monday. McGuinness stood down in protest at First Minister Arlene Foster's handling of a controversial green-energy scheme, risking political paralysis in the region as Britain plans to leave the European Union. Secretary of State James BRokenshire will be obliged to dissolve the assembly if the Sinn Fein party fails to name a replacement within the 1700 hour deadline.

- Comedian and Late Late Show presenter James Corden will be joining the cast of the upcoming Ocean's Eight film.

- American pop star group Fifth Harmony will be officially performing in Manila on the 5th of April, 2017, part of their 7/27 Tour. Their Philippine leg of their tour will be at the SM MOA Arena on the said date.

TTFN!!!

The Grand Tour - Episode 10

The Grand Tour Episode 10

The tenth episode of Amazon's original motoring show, The Grand Tour, sees the trio coming up with an idea to submerged a scrapped car body under the sea in order to become a new home for the fishes, having drawn inspiration from a certain move done by a certain nation to submerged an old ship to make a new home for fisheries due to the ocean's coral shortage because of the so-called global warming.

With the tropical island of Barbados is the main stage for this experiment, the gang are pulling the stops to turn the scrapped metal into a new aquarium for the fishes. Sadly, the only thing they done so far are messing up the popular vacation spot for tourists. Still, after several ruckus later, as well as having four scrapped cars gone to complete waste, the scrapped Land Rover body managed to be submerged successfully, accomplishing their so-called environmental mission.

Before that, Jeremy Clarkson goes to Wales to try out the brand new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Verde sports saloon and then took it for a spin round the Eboladrome. Then, AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson is the latest casualty of the show's Celebrity Braincrash segment.

Bubble Gang - January 13, 2017 #BGBagongMaid

In the January 13, 2017 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Kasambahay gags

- The vocabulary of boys and girls are examined

- Mas Pinabonggang Sumbong Sumbong Kay Bonggang Bongbong takes on people livestreaming themselves while covering their faces, people reading posts about their favorite celebs and then add greetings, and people taking pics and vids during an emergency situation.

- Men fighting with words

- Hugot lines in magic shows

- Today's Patikim Ni Kim recipe is banana split.

- A movie with a dog slaughtered on it was explained...

- The warrior enters the cafe

- Basa-Basa Pik!

The Honda Civic returns in Japan this summer

In a surprise twist at the recent 2017 Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda announced that the tenth-generation Honda Civic will be available in Japan this summer, marking its return in its home market after its seven-year absence.

We knew this is coming since Honda didn't got the previous model, although the current FK2 Civic Type R was the only ninth-generation Civic sold in Japan since 2015.

The Civic will be offered in sedan, hatchback, and the upcoming high-performance Type R model. The sedan will be made in Japan while the hatchback and Type R will be made in England. The sedan and the hatchback will be powered by a 1.5L VTEC TURBO petrol engine.

The tenth-generation Civic was launched in the USA since late 2015 and then the rest of the world a year later. Japan may have been late to the party but it's great to have the Civic back to where it truly belonged.

URL: http://www.honda.co.jp/news/2017/4170113.html

Things we learned from the Nintendo Switch presentation

Nintendo Switch

When Nintendo announced the Switch last fall, the video game community rejoiced to the latest offering from the Japanese video game giant with new ways to play with Nintendo's next-generation console that can be either a home console, a hand-held, and both, giving them the best of both worlds. 

People who can't wait to be "switched" are still skeptical about what the Switch can do while there are some questions are yet to be answered until the recent presentation reveals...almost everything we need to know about the Switch.

First off, Nintendo announced that the Switch will be launched globally on the 3rd of March, 2017. In Japan, it will be priced at 29,980 JPY, while in the US, it will be priced at 299.99 US Dollars, meaning it is more expensive than the old Wii U and it's similarly priced between the XBOX One and the PS4. What we have here is a stalemate of next-gen consoles offered in the market.

One of the real kickers behind the Switch is that the new console will not have Region Locking at all. I repeat, NO REGION LOCKING IMPLEMENTED. That sounds great news to us and regardless of where you bought that game elsewhere, the Switch plays it all, no matter the region is.

There are three ways to play with the Switch, as demonstrated since the announcement video last year. First, the TV mode, where you can play the Switch traditionally on TV. Then, there's the handheld mode where you can turn the Switch from a home console to a handheld console that you can take it anytime, anywhere. And lastly, the tabletop mode. With three ways to enjoy the Switch, this is the gaming freedom the fans are waiting for. You can even charge it with a USB cable as well. It also works with amiibo figures as well.

The launch game for the new Switch is 1-2-Switch, a fun variety game that makes full use of the JoyCon's capabilities. Later, it will be joined with the brand new fighting game ARMS, Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, and many others as seen in the presentation. Annoyingly, no sign of Smash for the time being.

In the fall of 2017, Nintendo will offer a paid online service on the Switch and what does that mean? Looks like you are going to need a paid subscription to enjoy multiplayer games, giving more reasons why your wallet's not safe from paid online services on those next-gen consoles.

Anyway, after viewing the presentation, let's take note that the Switch is available worldwide starting at the third of March, 2017. Looks like this year will be a great one for Nintendo...whatever that is.

Let's Do The News! (January 13, 2017)

- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took breakfast at President Rodrigo Duterte's home in Davao on the second and the last day of his Philippine visit. Over the course of Abe's Philippine visit, he pledges 8.7 billion dollars worth of business opportunities, private investments, speedboats, and counterterrorism equipment to the Philippines.

- Following the harsh stance posed by former ExxonMobil CEO and Trump's Secretary-of-State pick Rex Tillerson over the South China Sea dispute, the Chinese government reminded the US to reject the "Cold War" mentality, seek partnerships instead of alliances, and respect the ASEAN agreement on South China Sea.

- Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. has relayed to the Indian embassy that the government will strictly enforce President Duterte's policy to end the so-called "5-6" lending scheme practiced by Indian nationals, purportedly to protect the people from unscrupulous activity. Yasay said he told Ramakrishnan Narayana, charge d'affaires of the Indian embassy, as the first vin d'honneur of the President in Malacanang Wednesday that ending this lending scheme is part of addressing domestic problems.

- Thousands of US ground troops have arrived in Poland to serve as a deterrent in Eastern Europe following the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. US and Polish soldiers attended a welcome ceremony at an army base in the western town of Zagan on Thursday. Roughly 3,500 US Army troops began entering Poland last week with armored vehicles and more than 80 tanks.

- Japanese and Russian ministers have agreed to come up with a timeframe around the end of March to implement energy deals signed during President Vladimir Putin's Japanese visit last month. The agreement came in a meeting between Hiroshige Seko, the Japanese Minister for Economic Cooperation with Russia, and Alexander Novak, the Russian Energy Minister, on Thursday. Governments and companies from both countries signed 80 agreement documents based on an economic cooperation plan presented by Tokyo, focusing on energy deals, including gas and nuclear power.

- Takata reportedly agree to the one billion dollar settlement on Friday and expected to include a guilty plea to wire fraud. The fine will include 25 million dollars for a criminal penalty, 125 million dollars to victims of the faulty air bags, and 850 million dollars to automakers affected by the airbags.

- Since New Year's Eve 2016, the popular boy band SMAP broke up after their successive careers and just as last week, they've sent farewell messages to fans. Find out here.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Fourth hearing on the President Park impeachment case

The fourth hearing of the impeachment case of South Korean president Park Geun-hye held earlier today.

Former president as well as a current reporter of a local daily Segye Ilbo, both testified about how the daily were able to obtain documents that detailed the ties between Chung Yoon-hoi, the ex-husband of Choi Soon-sil, and senior presidential officials that led it to run an exclusive report in late 2014.

The daily said it was subject to tax audits and search and seizure raids after the report was published and that the Park administration had ordered the actions.

Meanwhile, a former member of a special investigative team that looked into the Sewol tragedy said based on his ten-year experience working for the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae, the top office can promptly deliver emergency situations to the president's secretaries.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (January 12, 2017)

- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has arrived in Manila for a two-day official visit in the Philippines. Abe landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 around 2:50 PM local time aboard a Japanese Air Force plane from Tokyo. For his visit, Abe is expected to renew Japan ties with the country by meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte and business groups in Manila and Davao City.

- China has reassured its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the region but stressed its "indisputable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and their adjacent waters," part of which Manila claims and calls the West Philippine Sea. The State Council Information Office's policy paper released to media said that "has always been committed to resolving disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation, managing disputes by setting rules and establishing mechanisms, realizing mutually beneficial outcomes through cooperation for mutual benefit, and upholding peace and stability as well as freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea."

- ExxonMobil CEO and US President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Secretary-of-state, Rex Tillerson,  wants aggressive stance against China's island-building activities in the South China Sea. In his confirmation hearing, Tillerson likened China's activities in the South China Sea to Russia's annexation of Crimea.

- US President-elect Donald Trump held his first press conference since July 2015 at the Trump Tower, stressing his administration's mission to correct trade imbalances with other countries and put priority on national interests. He called the country's trade deals a disaster, praised companies, cooperate with Russia, and blaming Democrats. He, as always, denies the recent reports about his sexual activity during his Russian visit. Moments ago, reports told that the Russians have embarrassing personal and financial information about Trump. The media reports say the document in question contains a claim that Russian operatives may have obtained information about Trump.

- US authorities have charged two relatives of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon with attempted bribery. Judicial officials in New York said that they inducted an executive of a South Korean construction firm and his son, a real estate dealer based in New York. The executive is Ban's younger brother. The two are suspected of trying offer 2.5 million dollars to a Middle Eastern official as part of their effort to sell a high-rise building in Vietnam to a Middle Eastern investment funds for 800 million dollars.

- A Japanese broadcaster found an unreleased audio tape of an interview with the late novelist Yukio Mishima. The interview was apparently recorded in February 1970, nine months before the novelist committed ritual suicide in a Self-Defense Force building in Tokyo. He was 45.

- Jaguar's F-Type range has been given a minor change for the 2018 model year, featuring a revised design, new infotainment system, and the world's first ReRun app that combines vehicle data with GoPro video to enhance the driving experience. A special edition 400 SPORT was announced, equipped with a 400PS 3.0L supercharged V6 engine and special extras.

2018 Jaguar F-Type

- The second addition to Phat!'s THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls anime DVD and Blu-ray cover figure range, Kirari Moroboshi and Anzu Futaba, has arrived. Two girls, one figure. What more can you expect? It's now available to order starting at 17,800 Yen plus tax and deliveries will commence this July.

Phat! THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls
Kirari Moroboshi and Anzu Futaba

- Bailey May will portray the role of Daniel Padilla in an upcoming episode of ABS-CBN's Maalaala Mo Kaya.

TTFN!!!

Third-Generation Toyota Vitz (2017 minor change) and Vitz Hybrid

2017 Toyota Vitz

So, the current-generation Toyota Vitz has been around since December 2010 and while the sharper looks captures most baby boomers and millennials alike, its driving can be somewhat "regular". It's been on the block for about seven years and for the second time, the third-generation Vitz has been given a minor change for the 2017 model year.

2017 Toyota Vitz

2017 Toyota Vitz interior

For the 2017 minor change, the Vitz now features a brand new exterior design that keeps it edgier than the previous facelift. First, there's a new, sleeker, front nose that makes it very sleek for a compact hatchback made for baby boomers and millennials alike, and then the rear view has been drastically altered to resemble more of its big brother, the Auris. Although not much has changed on the interior, the lineup is what gets you noticed. You still have a choice of either a 1.0L or a 1.3L 1NR-FKE engine mated with a Super CVT-i gearbox but there's bad news for speedo boys in the world; the RS variant has been sadly deleted from the lineup, which is very disappointing for the speedo boys despite hearing the news that the Vitz will be ready for the World Rally Championship for the first time after 18 years. Sure is sad to see the hotter Vitz go away for the 2017 model year but there's one major addition in the 2017 Vitz range that will get you noticed also and let's cut to the chase; there's a hybrid variant.

You heard it right. There's now a hybrid variant on the Vitz and while it can be questionable to sell it alongside its relative, the Aqua, because both of them are hybrid compacts, it's undeniable proof that no car in Japan is safe from being turned into a hybrid. That's political climate for you. Anyway, the hybrid variant features a 1.5L 1NZ-FXE engine connected to an electric motor and a nickel metal battery, which Toyota keeps on using it on their hybrids rather than the Li-ion batteries most carmakers are using right now. Taking advantage of the THS II and the CVT mated on it, the Vitz Hybrid produces a total power output of 100PS and fuel efficiency of 34.4km/L. In general, that's about 2.6km/L less than the Aqua relative.

Although it isn't as enjoyable as the Vitz you are familiar with seven years ago, its compact sizing makes it good for a daily driver for work and play. The 4.5m turning radius makes it easier to park and easier to get in and out in the narrowest of situations. As for safety, the Vitz offers the Toyota Safety Sense C, comprising of Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Alert, and the Automatic High Beam function.

2017 Toyota Vitz

The Vitz Hybrid starts at 1,819,800 Japanese Yen while the regular Vitz lineup starts at 1,181,520 Yen. Needless to say, while the new exterior design is a major improvement for the aging third-generation Vitz, the fun factor as a compact is already gone and in return, it's still a regular compact with regular tastes that is somewhat too normal for its own kind and with the addition of the hybrid variant, resistance is futile because as Japan keeps on selling more and more hybrids, the definition of "fun" will soon be wiped out from their vocabulary and who can blame them?

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Emperor Akihito announces his abdication at the start of 2019

Japanese Emperor Akihito is set to be abdicated an allow his eldest son to take over his throne at the start of the year 2019, according to reports.

Akihito, aged 83, who succeed from his father Hirohito, who passed away in 1989, hinted last summer that he wants to retire, as his ailing health conditions made him difficult to take his duties.

The Japanese government is making preparations for the nation's first abdication for two centuries as the possibility of the Crown Prince Naruhito taking over is very likely, according to reports. 

The last abdication took place in 1817 when Kokaku announced his abdication and let his son Ninku take over his throne.

Report: http://www.newsweek.com/japanese-emperor-akihito-abdicate-new-year-2019-reports-541490