Let's Do The News! (February 8, 2017)

- Former Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. has asked the Sandiganbayan to junk the plunder case against him in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. He also asked the court to declare "void" all previous proceedings in connection with the case. The motion came three days before the scheduled first day of the trial of the case on Thursday.

- The Department of Justice issued an immigration lookout bulletin against 20 political consultants of the National Democratic Front following the cancellation of peace talks. The government peace panel has formally written a notice of termination of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front.

- The Department of Justice has yet to decide who among the suspects of the Jee Ick Joo murder case last year can be enrolled in its witness protection program. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the joint inquiry of the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation would need to be concluded before the DOJ could determine the people who would be admitted as state witnesses.

- US President Donald Trump said that he will take the legal case over his temporary travel ban to the Supreme Court if necessary. Trump told reporters that his administration will take the case "through the system" as his executive order is very important to ensure the country's security.

- Two players from the New England Patriots, the team that won the Super Bowl LI last Sunday, will boycott a customary visit to the White House due to their opposition against President Trump. Devin McCourty reportedly told that he did not feel that he would be accepted in the White House, "with the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices." while Martellus Bennett expressed his opposition to Trump and told reporters that he would not go to the White House and people would know why.

- 19 people are reportedly killed from a suicide attack outside the Supreme Court in Kabul, Afghanistan. Police say the apparent suicide bombing occurred in a parking lot used by court employees as they were heading home.

- The Tokyo metropolitan government and Shibuya Ward conducted a disaster drill in case of a massive earthquake struck public transport and strands vast numbers of people. The drill took place outside Shibuya Station and involved crowds of people, including foreigners, who were unable to return to their homes or lodgings,

- Japanese defense authorities are proceeding with offshore work in Okinawa to relocate a US military base in the southern prefecture. The Japanese government plans to build a new facility there to replace the US Marine Corps Futenma Air Station, currently located in a densely populated district.

- A Japanese high court has upheld a four-year prison sentence for a South Korean male behind the blast in the Yasukuni Shrine in November 23rd, 2015. Public prosecutors said Jeon Chang-han took metal pipes stuffed with gunpowder into a restroom at the shrine and detonated them. The explosion destroyed the restroom's ceiling.

- The new-generation Ford Expedition full-size SUV has been unveiled prior to this week's Chicago Auto Show. It features an aluminum bodywork, 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engines, a host of safety tech, and the brand new Terrain Management System.

2018 Ford Expedition

- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Hitachi Automotive System announced plans to establish a joint venture company for the development, manufacture, and sales of motors for electric vehicles. The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding and will proceed to conduct discussions for the establishment of the new agreement set to be inked next month.

- Some of Japan's popular anime characters were named as ambassadors of Japanese culture and set to be appeared on licensed Tokyo 2020 Olympics merchandise.  Such characters are Astro Boy, Sailor Moon, Crayon Shin-chan, Luffy from One Piece, Naruto, Jibanyan from Yokai Watch, Goku from Dragon Ball Super, and Maho Girls Precure's Cure Miracle and Cure Magical.

TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: North Korea's planning a satellite launch

North Korea's state run media said that leader Kim Jong Un plans to launch a stationary satellite as an immediate goal of the country's space development program.

The North's satellite launch are widely believed to be a cover for their intercontinental ballistic launch possibility.

It is said that Kim Jong Un has decided to develop new rockets, and they will be launched at the time and in the place decided by the Workers' Party, according to the newspaper Rodong Sinmun, as well as being a sovereign nation with a legitimate right to launch satellites.

Last September, North Korea conducted a ground test of a new engine believed to be developed for long-range ballistic missiles. Then, in January, the Korean Peninsula threatened to launch an ICBM.

Source: NHK World

Let's Do The News! (February 7, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte said that TV presenter Kris Aquino appealed to him through a text message not to send her brother, his predecessor Benigno Aquino III, to jail. The said appeal came after Duterte said he is keen to reopening the investigation on the Mamasapano incident, where 44 SAF members were killed two years ago.

- Despite the president's orders for an "all-out war", peace talks between the Philippine government and communist rebels to end nearly five decades of conflict are still in their table. Last weekend, Duterte ordered scrapping a ceasefire with the New People’s Army saying the “terrorist group” was making “huge”, unacceptable demands despite government concessions. Clashes have erupted in several places and some top rebels have been arrested but Defense Minister Delfin Lorenzana said talks were possible.

- A Philippine mining industry body said it will file a freedom of information request on Tuesday to press the government to release the results of a mining audit, following an order to close over half of the country's mines. DENR Secretary Regina Lopez last week ordered 23 mines to shut permanently, even though a team that reviewed an audit of 41 mines had recommended suspensions and fines for environmental violations, rather than closure, reports told.

- Over 120 people died in a avalanche that was triggered in a mountainous region straddling between Afghanistan and Pakistan but the death toll will increase later on. Heavy snow has been falling over the region since last week, blanketing the Afghan capital Kabul.

- The Israeli parliament has passed a law allowing the government to confiscate private Palestinian property in the West Bank, where Jewish settler's homes already stand. The legislation states that the government will compensate Palestinian owners of land where Jewish settlers' homes have been built, and the property will become state-owned.

- The US government has submitted additional legal briefs to a federal appeals court challenging a federal judge's ruling to enforce an nationwide block to President Donald Trump's immigration ban. Last weekend, a federal district court in Seattle suspended Trump's executive order, following a request from the State of Washington.

- A special research boat commissioned to protect the endangered river dolphins has set sail on the River Irrawaddy in Myanmar. Irrawaddy dolphins are critically endangered due to the river's poor quality and other reasons. The dolphin population is now estimated at just over 60. Research on the dolphins will be done jointly by an international non-governmental wildlife conservation group and the Myanmar government.

- The long-awaited Dodge Durango SRT has unveiled prior to this week's Chicago Auto Show debut. This high-performance version is powered by 392ci HEMI V8 engine producing 475HP of power and 470lb-ft of torque while mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and specially-developed four-wheel-drive. It's capable of doing 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.

2018 Dodge Durango SRT

- Citroen will showcase their C-Aircross Concept at next month's Geneva Motor Show, previewing a crossover vehicle in the lineup as well as its next-generation technology.

Citroen C-Aircross Concept

- The Playseat Car Pack for Forza Horizon 3 is coming tomorrow, featuring seven new rides such as the Aston Martin DB11, Honda Civic Type-R FK2, Vauxhall Corsa VXR, and many others.

- The stars of last year's Touken Ranbu Hanamaru anime series, Kashu Kiyomitsu and Yamatonokami Yasusada, are joining the Nendoroid Co-de lineup. These guys are ready for orders starting at 2,963 Yen plus tax and will be delivered this June.

TTFN!!!

Forza Horizon 3: The Royals

It's been a few years ever since Forza became the first and only racing game to feature Rolls-Royce starting with the Wraith, then followed by the Dawn, its open-top equivalent. With the two Rolls-Royce royalties in Forza Horizon 3 spending their lap on luxury around Down Under, how can anyone indulge with these heavyweight handcrafted royalties that appeals only to the rich and famous? Not everyone can indulge in the splendor feel of the Rolls but are you one of the privileged few who are sedated by the Spirit of Ecstasy?





The Wraith is known to be a step away from being one of the chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royces and destined to be the most exquisite grand tourer that can be driven freely for the driver with big ambitions. Apart from its dramatic artisanship that crafted its signature Rolls-Royce design inside and out, the Wraith is powered by a 6.6L V12 engine that produces 624bhp of power and 800Nm of torque, while mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. It does 0-60mph in four and a half seconds and top speed electronically limited to 155mph.

The Dawn, meanwhile, is known to be the open-top version of the Wraith and while it features the similar artisanship elements from the Wraith, it features an electronically-activated soft-top roof that silently opens or closes in just over 20 seconds at a cruising speed of up to 50kph. Although, it features the same twin-turbo V12 6.6L engine as the Wraith, the Dawn produces 61bhp less than its hardtop equivalent but it's recorded as the most powerful open-top Rolls-Royce to date. While this car is not made to outsmart against its open-top equivalent because it's less powerful and heavier, its elegance in cruising speeds is nothing to be ashamed of and the taste of grand touring with the Dawn is worth the wine and bread best served in the golden platter.

Both the Wraith and Dawn are exquisitely too royal to be playing rough or perhaps they want to join the fun here in the Land Down Under because between you and me, they're taking a leisure break from being pampered on posh European streets like kings and queens and that's why I'm here to give a little twist to these royal visitors.





To spice things up, both the Wraith and Dawn are festooned with Rolls-Royce's Bespoke customization while I handle their workout routine to get themselves ready to race against other heavyweights in the Land Down Under. For the Wraith, it's been fashioned with the Chief Inspector Morse-inspired design courtesy of the Rolls-Royce Bespoke customization process while the Dawn is catered with the Marina look that was last seen from the Pebble Beach Concours a few years ago.

So, while they're wearing Bespoke colors (spoiler alert: I replicated them from Rolls-Royce's Bespoke design), both these royal knights of Goodwood are here to show them that they can battle with pride and prestige, I think...

Time to get the cameras rolling because there's never been a knight's tale untold in the Australian Outback.


So, these Rolls-Royces may not do racing but they sure know how to battle with their pride and prestige as Goodwood's finest and they sure know how to play rough with their full deck of cards at their disposal.

After their stint, these Rolls-Royces wanted to spend some more time here and looks like I'll be keeping in touch with both the Wraith and the Dawn in case I need them but for now, I'm expecting more arrivals later as I'm passing the time here in the Land Down Under.

Let's Do The News! (February 6, 2017)

- PNP Director-General Roland "Bato" Dela Rosa clarified that the reported "Korean Mafia" who is allegedly behind the Jee Ick Joo murder case has yet to be confirmed. Dela Rosa said that they will conduct thorough investigation regarding mentioned group composed of huge crime groups targeting rich Korean nationals in the Philippines.

- Typhoon Bising has slightly intensified while already inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. PAGASA told the typhoon was last spotted 415km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

- US President Donald Trump is set to meet alliance leaders in Europe in May during a phone call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Trump was elected on a pledge to push NATO members to increase their funding to the western alliance to ease the financial burden on the United States.

- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is facing a threat from his ruling party as a prominent member of Australia’s government is set to defect to form his own conservative party. An opinion poll published on Monday showed that support for his coalition had slipped to the lowest since he took power 17 months ago and that his Liberal-National coalition would easily fail if an election was held now.

- Queen Elizabeth celebrates her Sapphire Jubilee on Monday, commemorating 65 years since she took the British throne. A 41-gun royal salute will take place in central London to mark the occasion.

- Scientists warned that the crop-destroying caterpillar known as the armyworm has quickly spread across mainland Africa and could reach tropical Asia and the Mediterranean in the next few years, threatening agricultural trade. The caterpillar destroys young maize plants, attacking their growing points and burrowing into the cobs.

- The new Opel/Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer has been unveiled ahead of next month's Geneva Motor Show debut. It will also be sold in Australia as the Holden Commodore Sportwagon next year.

2018 Opel Insignia Sports Tourer

- Another teaser trailer for this year's season for Top Gear is out.

TTFN!!!

Six Nations 2017 - Round 1

Rugby's Greatest Championship, the RBS 6 Nations, returns for the 2017 season with six of Europe's finest rugby teams from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy sizing each other up for the Grand Slam title.

The Wales Rugby Union (WRU) are off to a great start after crushing the FIR Italia in their home turf Stadio Olimpico at the score of 7-33. It is said that after giving way to the Italians on the 1st half with seven points, Leigh Halfpenny propelled the WRU to a comeback win by scoring 30 points on the second half. No comeback win in the world of rugby is as sweeter as the Welshes.

Meanwhile, Scotland defeated the IRFU at the score of 27-22 while England Rugby won the battle against the FFR at the score of 19-16.

Highlights:


The next match is set on the 11th to the 12th of February as FIR Italia takes on IRFU, WRU takes on England Rugby, and FFR versus Scotland.

Driving Music Vol. 74

After a long hiatus, the Driving Music segment has been rebooted, retooled, and refueled in the pursuit for more driving musics, songs heard from car commercials from around the world. You thought this segment has ran out of gas for numerous reasons but oh no. It's refuelled, probably by either petrol, diesel, biofuel, hydrogen, or now electric if I may, and it's back for more!

Annually, the Super Bowl brought us a plethora of Big Game ads the world have witnessed, especially car commercials aired during Game Day. For Super Bowl LI, after the Patriots staged a successful comeback against the Falcons, time to jot down the car commercial songs heard during Game Day. Ready?

1) I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free by Nina Simone - from the 2017 Ford Go Further commercial

2) Stay Alive by Jose Gonzales - from the Michelin commercial

3) It's Alright by Matt and Kim - from the Buick Game Day commercial

4) Clouds, The Mind On The Wind (Re) by Ezio Bosso - From the Alfa Romeo USA Game Day ad

5) Move Your Body by Sia - from the Lexus USA Game Day ad

6) Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler - from the Kia USA Niro Hero's Journey ad

7) Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf - from the Mercedes-AMG GT C Game Day ad.

...and that is it. Hope you've enjoyed the game as much as enjoying the big game ads!

Patriots made a comeback win after first Super Bowl overtime

The 51st Super Bowl match held at nrg stadium on Houston, Texas, became one of the most thrilling Super Bowl matches in history as the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots size each other up in the biggest American football event in history.

In the first half, the Atlanta Falcons have dominated the game at the score of 21-3, but when the second half came and with Patriots' star player Tom Brady unleashed, the Patriots are slowly tipping the odds at their favor until both teams scored 28 points, prompting the first ever Super Bowl overtime in history. No Super Bowl match has ever triggered an overtime until now.

In the first overtime in Super Bowl history, the Patriots required one touchdown to win the Super Bowl...and they did. At the final score of 34-28 post-overtime, the Patriots done the biggest comeback in the season.

With the Patriots won the Super Bowl LI, the star quarterback Tom Brady is named MVP after numerous passes that propelled his teammates to score their way to victory.

Congratulations to the New England Patriots for your successful comeback and becoming Super Bowl LI champions!

The Grand Tour S1 Finale

The Grand Tour S1 Finale

After twelve weeks of delivering high-speed thrills, hijinks, and everything we love about all things Clarkson, Hammond, and May, Amazon's original series, The Grand Tour, concludes their first season with a big finish about the past against the present of the world of motoring.

First up, Jeremy Clarkson and James May settle the score on the future of automotive by pitting a petrol-powered VW Golf GTi against a eco car PHEV called the BMW i3 while taking a scenic road trip to a bar in Devon.

Then, May's in New Forest to tackle the dirtiest job of all; winching an offroad vehicle when it's stuck in the mud.

Richard Hammond, meanwhile, pits the Porsche 918 Spyder and the legendary Bugatti Veyron in the streets of Dubai, and then tries to learn how to drift a car while competing against aspiring drifters; one is a handicapped and the other is underaged.

Man, what a ride that was for The Grand Tour after 12 weeks of delivering the best that the world's favorite motoring TV trio has to offer. From America, Europe, Africa, to the Middle East, from fast cars to old cars, from good to worst, this show made everything possible in the world of motoring and with the end of the first season, we may never know what will they do next until they return later this year.

Until then, see you soon!

Bubble Gang - February 3, 2017 #CecilioSasumanIsBack

On the February 3, 2017 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Idol gags

- Meet an idiot who does stupid things professionally.

- More Patok Taktiks examined.

- The boy with the "T Defect" is back with a rap!

- More news for moms in Balitang Ina.

- Services just a push of a button on the intercom!

- A sad suicidal fate...

- Patikim Ni Kim goes donuts!

- A chested conversation

- Basa-basa pik!

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

- Former Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima and former PNP-SAF Commander Getulio Napenas are banned from leaving the Philippines following the Sandiganbayan 4th Division's Hold Departure Order against the two amid facing Graft and Usurpation of Powers. This order was signed by Associate Justices Reynaldo Cruz, Zaldy Trespeses, and Alex Quiroz.

- The Bureau of Customs has raised alarm against smuggling of agricultural products with the recent discovery that unscrupulous traders added India in the list of best sources of red onions and other farm yields. Commissioner Nicanor E. Faeldon said that the uplifting of BOC's vigilance of farm product imports was triggered by the bust of a 15-million peso worth of smuggled fresh red onions from India.

- Vendors are no longer allowed to peddle their goods in Raon and Evangelista, Quiapo, Manila amid paying dues to the Manila City Hall. The move came after a group of vendors revealed that the alleged extortion activities of Chief Inspector John Guiagui, chief of Plaza Miranda PCP. According to one of the vendors, Maj. Guiagui was fuming mad at them after their group revealed his alleged illegal collection of dues, amounting to Php3,000 per week for 10 vendors.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of provoking this week;s escalation of fighting in the eastern part of the country. In eastern Ukraine, shelling has continued between pro-Russian separatists and government forces since Monday. At least 10 people have been killed since then and dozens wounded, including civilians, on both sides.

- US President Donald Trump vows tough negotiations with other nations, including allies, on immigrants and refugees. Trump justified his executive order to temporarily ban the entry of people from 7 countries in the Middle East and Africa. It also suspends acceptance of all refugees. Also, following a violent protest against one of his supporters at University of California, Berkeley, Trump suggested federal fund cuts to the said university.

- Former Republican California governor and action star Arnold Schwarzenegger has hit back after US President Donald Trump mocked his viewer ratings for a reality TV program. Last month, Schwarzenegger became the new presenter of The Apprentice, the show Trump hosted for more than the decade. Trump called him a "total disaster" when ratings went right down after the action star took his place but Schwarzenegger responded by posting a video on Twitter. He suggests that they "switch jobs" so that "people can finally sleep comfortably again."

- New US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson began his first day of the job and called for unity among the staff of his department. Tillerson said he knows the presidential election was hotly contested and that not everyone feels the same way about the outcome. But he added State Department officials cannot let their personal convictions overwhelm their ability to work as one team.

- Action star Liam Neeson will star in an upcoming action thriller Hard Powder

- The Skoda Octavia RS receives a a new 245 variant, featuring a more powerful four-cylinder TSI engine that produces 245PS of power and 370nm of torque, resulting to its 0-100kph time of 6.6 seconds.

2018 Skoda Octavia RS 245

- Our favorite figure skater Yuri Katsuki from the breakout sensation of 2016, Yuri!!! on ICE, is now a Nendoroid! You can now order him for just 4,167 Yen plus tax and will be delivered this July.

Nendoroid Yuri Katsuki

TTFN!!!

Fun with the 12th Doctor's Second Sonic Screwdriver

Any Doctor Who fanatics who wish to resume cosplaying as the Twelfth Doctor but afraid that they didn't had his latest Sonic Screwdriver can rest easily because the folks from Character Options/Underground Toys made us a toy replica of The Twelfth Doctor's Second Sonic Screwdriver and I have it here. Let's take a look...



It took me over thirty dollars to buy this latest replica of the newest Sonic Screwdriver from the show but it's fair to say that it's money well-spent on this hard-to-find toy replica that you can make use of it on your next Doctor Who cosplay.



Look at this new look. So archaic, so blue, and so just like any other Sonic Screwdrivers from the past five decades of Doctor Who. Fans had a glimpse of the new one at the end of the Series 9 finale of Doctor Who, titled Hell Bent, after The Doctor and Clara bid each other goodbye and gone through separate ways. Because this is a new sonic screwdriver, how The Doctor make use of the new one remains unclear and as the latest series is coming this year, let's see how much screen exposure this new one can get.



The latest Sonic Screwdriver compared to the previous Sonic Screwdriver during the Matt Smith years. New look, same functionality.



For the first time in a Sonic Screwdriver replication, it emits not one but two different colors!



I know that anyone who want to resume cosplaying as the Twelfth Doctor can finally have this brand new toy replica based on the latest Sonic Screwdriver but feels like it's too late to explain about because with news that Peter Capaldi leaving his titular role at the 2017 Christmas Special, meaning that this new toy will be as meaningless as the imminent departure of the lead actor from the longest-running TV show in the universe. The "useless" part was just the hunch but the lead actor from the show? That's real stuff because you heard it from the man himself during an interview and while I find it very sad to see him go, it's best to make use of this new Sonic Screwdriver toy as cosplaying as the 12th Doctor for one, last time, will be the biggest sendoff offering for him.

In the meantime, I made a little video of this toy. Check it out and be sure to find one at your nearest stores if they had one.