THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS VIEWING REVOLUTION Yes! Party Time!!

THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS
VIEWING REVOLUTION Yes! Party Time!!

Launched since late last year, THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Viewing Revolution is one of the launch titles for the PlayStationVR for the PS4 console and in their first VR outing, in collaboration with Maihama Amphitheater,  fans can enjoy live concerts of their favorite Cinderella Girls at the comfort at their own living room using the PlayStationVR. Although sacrilege by iM@S purists, most would say its a dream come true to jump into the new kind of Cinderella Girls experience and as a reward for becoming part of the Viewing Revolution, there's a new single featuring the theme song of the PSVR launch game.

Yes! Party Time!! is the theme song of THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls Viewing Revolution and in this CD, not only the game's theme song is featured but also two songs as heard in the game such as GOIN'!!!, and アタシポンコツアンドロイド. If you enjoyed these songs in the Viewing Revolution game, you can listen these songs with your own ears rather than your own eyes. Still, it's all part of the Cinderella Girls craze you and I are currently craving on if you're in the mood for all things iM@S.

TRACK LISTINGS:

1) Yes! Party Time!!（M@STER VERSION)　

2) GOIN’!!!

3) アタシポンコツアンドロイド

4) Yes! Party Time!!（M@STER VERSION) オリジナル・カラオケ

5) Yes! Party Time!!（VR VERSION)

Let's Do The News! (January 24, 2017)

- The Jee Ick Joo murder case is far from being resolved three months after his kidnapping and apparent murder, and the recent arrest of one of the prime suspects in the case. A commotion even ensued last week at the NBI HQ in Manila, when the wife of Senior Police Officer 3 Ricky Sta. Isabel, who is being accused as a key figure in Jee’s kidnap-slay, saw that one of the police officers taking him into police custody was someone he had mentioned in his affidavit.

- Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre still has a lot of explaining to do about the fifty million peso bribery scandal involving his former officials at the Bureau of Immigration, senators said at the start of the senate inquiry into the issue yesterday. The possibility of his involvement came out during the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing where former officials gave conflicting statements on how they got hold of the fifty million pesos from retired police general Wally Sombero.

- President Rodrigo Duterte compared himself to his newly American counterpart, Donald Trump, when it comes to his attitude, but he believes that Trump should not be underestimated. The two latest leaders both use tortured metaphors and known for their harsh comments, among other characteristics. Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, who attended Trump's inauguration last weekend, said Trump's protectionist stance is similar to Duterte's independent foreign policy.

- Meanwhile, the Trump administration vows to defend territories that are in international waters, including the South China Sea issue. Responding to a question about China's claims over islands in the disputed area, press secretary Sean Spicer says that "we are going to make sure we defend international territories." Apart from that, President Trump signed a presidential memorandum formally withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, as promised from his campaign, then providing military assistance to Egypt.

- The World Health Organization warned nations to keep an eye on outbreaks of bird flu, stressing that fresh infections have been reported in birds in nearly forty countries since November.  According to WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in poultry or wild birds have shown a steep increase. She said the WHO has been put on high alert by the rapid geographical expansion of the outbreaks and the number of virus strains currently co-circulating.

-  Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto vowed that his country will neither confront or submit to the United States under the Trump leadership. Pena Nieto was speaking before business and political leaders in Mexico City on Monday against a backdrop of US President Donald Trump's high profile criticism of his country. Pena Nieto said "the solution is dialogue and negotiation" while pledging to protect national interests and not yield to criticism from the United States.

- Bernie Ecclestone was reportedly removed from his position as the head of Formula One following leadership shuffle planned by the new owners of F1. Liberty Media. He will be replaced by Chase Carey, who was appointed F1 chairman after the Liberty Media deal. Apart from that, F1 veteran Ross Brawn and former ESPN marketing executive Sean Bratches will have an undetermined post in the F1 executive structure.

- Action star, former Republican California governor, and reality TV show host Arnold Schwarzenegger collaborated with an Austrian company Kreisel Electric to create an electrified Mercedes G-Class SUV during an event in Kitzbuehel. He even took a test drive of this electrified G-Wagen as well as orchestrated it for Kreisel to install the electric powertrain, resulting to a electric hunk of metal with 186 miles of driving range.

- Fans of THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls should take a look at this brand new Full Swing Yell Yuki Himekawa figure courtesy of Kotobukiya. This brand new figure is yours to order for 11,000 Yen plus tax and will be delivered this June.

Full Swing Yell
Yuki Himekawa

- For Love Live Sunshine fans, there's the new Riko Sakurauchi figma, available for pre-orders starting at 5,833 Yen plus tax and delivers this July. This is the second addition to the new Love Live Sunshine figma range starting with Chika Takami and there will be more to come soon.

figma Riko Sakurauchi

- Tekken 7 will be heading to PS4 and XBOX One this June 1st and for PC users (via Steam) on the next day. This latest installment features console-exclusive extras such as "The Mishima Saga" Story Mode, as well as bonus extras including a special code to unlock Eliza as well as special Fated Retribution accessories for your favorite fighters.

TTFN!!!

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

Korea's Constitutional Court is holding the eighth hearing in the impeachment trial of President Park Geun-hye. Kim Chong, the former second vice minister of culture, sports, and tourism, appeared in court this morning as witness. 

Kim is suspected of hiring people to posts in the sports and culture sectors that were recommended by Choi Soon-sil, the woman at the center of the ongoing scandal. Kim said that he didn't know Choi was acquainted with the president and added he received direct orders from former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon on sports-related issues.

Prime Minister and acting leader Hwang Kyo-ahn addressed the nation today in an hour-long press conference, where he put extra emphasis on national security and economic revitalization. Prime Minister Hwang vowed full defense readiness against any North Korean threats and said South Korea will continue to rein in Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions via a strong alliance with the new Trump administration in the US. Nothing that North Korea's nuclear and missile threats are ever-present, Prime Minister Hwang stressed that Seoul is committed to deploying the THAAD missile defense system as soon as possible to protect the nation and its people. The prime minister also pledged to stabilize people's livelihoods and manage potential risks against rising uncertainties.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (January 23, 2017)

- House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is backtracking on his call for PNP chief Director Gen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa to resign amid the controversial kidnap-slay of a Korean businessman. In a radio interview, Alvarez said Dela Rosa should just devote his undivided attention to the task of eliminating rogue policemen. Alvarez made the statement after President Rodrigo Duterte said there is no need for Dela Rosa to resign and that he still enjoys his full trust and confidence.

- Back to the Jee Ick-joo murder case, detained SPO3 Ricky Sta. Isabel confessed to his participation in the crime and pointed to superior in the PNP as the alleged mastermind behind the kidnapping and killing of the Korean businessman. Sta. Isabel has implicated Superintendent Rafael Dumlao of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group and Senior Superintendent Allan Macapagal of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group.

- An American missile destroyer arrived in Subic Bay on Monday for a brief port call. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer John S. McCain is deployed to the US 7th Fleet at the AO as support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. During its Philippine visit, the crew will participate in community service projects and sporting events, according to the US Embassy in Manila.

- Israel has approved the construction of new homes in Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem. The Jerusalem city hall approved the building permits for 566 units on Sunday, days after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 war while its occupation since then has not been international recognized. Palestinian authorities condemned this latest attempt, crushing hopes for an independent Palestinian state.

- In his first week of office, US President Donald Trump will start talks with Mexico and Canada to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. Trump spoke on Sunday at a White House ceremony to swear in his senior officials, including Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. Trump said his team is going to "do some great things over the next 8 years." He urged them to devote themselves to "the national good." Meanwhile, Trump has invited Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on February.

- 15 people died as tornadoes ravaged the southeastern part of the United States. Severe weather over the weekend brought powerful twisters and storms at the states of Georgia and Mississippi, causing damage to numerous homes, roofs, cars, and felled trees.

- French left-wing voters cast ballots on Sunday in the first round of the Socialist Party's primary to choose a candidate for the presidential election. Seven candidates competed in Sunday's first-round voting, including 3 from satellite left-wing parties. Former Education Minister Benoit Hamon topped the poll with former Prime Minister Manuel Valls right behind him. The winner is expected to face an uphill battle against rightist rivals in the 2-round presidential election scheduled for April and May.

- Subaru will unveil the brand new XV, based on the latest Impreza, on March's Geneva Motor show.

- British sportscar company, Zenos, is reportedly bankrupt.

- Kunos Simulazioni, developers of the critically-acclaimed Assetto Corsa racing simulator game, will be taken over by Digital Bros.

TTFN!!!

Second-Generation Audi Q5 (Typ FY)

Slotted below the bigger Q7 full-size SUV, the Audi Q5 is a luxury midsize crossover that appeals more than your auntie's luxury crossover in terms of numerous capabilities this crossover can do and for this second-generation model, there's no denying that the all-new Audi Q5 can pinpoint every potential capabilities that your auntie's crossover can't, especially when your auntie started to own a Mercedes GLC per se. So, will your auntie prefer this one more than the GLC? Let's see...

2017 Audi Q5

The previous Q5 launched in 2008 is basically an Audi A4 with a big body that does nothing more to appease the outdoorsman but rather than the yuppies who prefer taking it on the city centers rather than national parks for business and leisure. For this new model, though, it's becoming personal because apart from the Q7-inspired design that matches its blood with the other Audi SUVs, the new Q5 is all about business and usual, day and night, rain or shine, clean and dirty, no matter the odds.

2017 Audi Q5 interior

2017 Audi Q5 interior

You have to admit that the new interior is basically an improvement compared to the previous model and while it is slightly more spacious than the last one, it's more surprisingly high-tech than ever, meaning millennials can toy around with the features as much as they want before setting off or going out. One such thing is the new MMI with smartphone connectivity that works well with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, giving plenty of reasons to stay connected while on the road, as long as your aware of your surroundings. The new interior looks so promising but the second row seats is somewhat questionable because while you are trying to get inside, it's worth the try to squeezing yourself while getting indulged by that new car smell until some sweaty boys occupying the whole second row and it takes a Febreze to stave them off.

2017 Audi Q5

2017 Audi Q5

At launch, the new Q5 is powered by either a 2.0L TFSi petrol engine or a 2.0L TDi diesel engine, mated with either a six-speed manual, or a seven-speed S tronic gearbox, depending on the model. For now, the most powerful in the range is the 2.0L TFSi with 252PS of power and 370Nm of torque, capable of reaching 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds and onwards to 232kph. The most efficient one is the 2.0L TDi with 4.9L/100km of fuel economy.

Unlike the previous one, the all new Q5 features a brand new platform that is similar to the one used on the latest VW Tiguan, meaning that it's now more nimble and more durable compared to the last one and by utilizing the new quattro drivetrain, it's now more capable to handle situations than ever, making it an all-weather multirole that you can take it anywhere as long as you're curious to drive it. Although, the newly updated dynamics on the new Q5 is quite impressive when you consider it, it doesn't feel as sporty as what the name hoped for and it feels...pretty much more like your auntie's crossover on the weekends.

Keeping up with the demands of times, the new Q5 features a wide array of driver assistance and safety systems. Apart from applying some of the many driver aids that makes it as civilized as an autonomous car of the next decade, the new Q5 comes with the predictive efficiency assistant that allows the driver save fuel by specific information on the car's surroundings. Sounds mind-boggling if you ask but it can be somewhat bland and drivers like to drive the way they like.

The new Q5 starts at 39,500 Euros and by surprise, it's amazingly more affordable to buy than the Mercedes GLC, your auntie's next favorite luxury crossover. Although it's less expensive than the Benz, the new Q5 behaves pretty much like your auntie's luxury crossover, only with the slight difference that makes her want to switch cars. Since the new Q5 is built in Mexico, the current American administration will be unhappy about this one because the dreaded 35% tariff will make this new model more expensive than the last one when it hits the US, unless some measures have to be taken to slip through this new kind of mess. Nevertheless, with less to worry about the new American climate, the new Q5 can have its lush in European soil because this is an Audi and Audi is German whether you like it or not.

Source: AUDI AG

xXx: The Return of Xander Cage

xXx: The Return
of Xander Cage

At long last, the long awaited installment from the xXx action films sees the long awaited return of action star Vin Diesel before he gets his inner gearhead ready for the upcoming The Fate of the Furious film. For the third xXx, Vin Diesel reprised his role of Xander Cage, the extreme athlete turned secret agent who eats danger for breakfast and...poops it out for dinner.

Coming out from his self-imposed exile, Xander Cage is on a mission to recover a deadly weapon codenamed Pandora's Box, which controls the world's military satellites. However, he is not alone as he's going to form a new team of daredevils to get the job done while getting caught in a conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of the government. This movie also stars Donnie Yen, Deepika Padukone, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, Toni Collette and Samuel L. Jackson.

After 12 years of waiting for this new film since 2005's State of the Union, and with putting Vin Diesel back to the role fit for his action star role, this long-awaited installment sees more high-octane thrills that feels like a mix of James Bond and The Fast and the Furious. Believe it or not, it really is a mix of Bond and Fast and Furious and with all that espionage stuff and death-defying stunts really lives up to his name as xXx, this thriller is all about getting your adrenaline running up until the end of this bravado action flick loaded with explosions, Although this is basically an explosive thriller that celebrates the return of the most hardcore action hero in the history of action films, this is definitely not for the faint at heart because with so many explosive stunts in store for the film, it feels like a walking disaster zone that gives anyone the trauma they'll never forget but those who are brave enough to see it shows that this is a manly movie for the manliest of men.

It's good to have xXx back after a decade of waiting and while we wait for Vin Diesel's high-speed performance in The Fate of the Furious soon, it's best to make do with his Xander Cage role in this film. Still, it's the second best thing to see more of Vin Diesel's extremeness as one of the most death-defying action heroes in cinematic history.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5

Bubble Gang - January 20, 2017 #BGWanted

In the January 20, 2017 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Wanted gags

- At last, a fast food chain that serves hot women and food!

- This hipster loves old-school stuff.

- When one sense is recovered, another sense needs recovery.

- More news for moms in Balitang Ina.

- Istambay, Istambay sa Looban, May Bagong Manghuhula Sa Bayan, Pag Bumasa Siya Ng Kapalaran, Bibilib Kahit Sinong...HULAAN!

- The drunken truth.

- Quicksand!

- Basa-basa pik!