Let's Do The News! (August 21, 2017)

- Senator Ping Lacson warns that he will reveal the list of Bureau of Customs officials who have received cash bribery in regards to the smuggled Php 6.4 billion worth of shabu shipment.

- About 499 people have reportedly died in last week's devastating landslide near the Sierra Leone capital Freetown, according to the city's chief coroner. One of Africa’s worst flooding-related disasters in years occurred when the side of Mount Sugar Loaf collapsed on Monday after heavy rain, burying parts of Regent town and overwhelming relief efforts in one of the world’s poorest countries.

- US President Donald Trump to present vision for the country's strategy for the war in Afghanistan, America's longest military conflict. In a prime-time speech to the nation, Trump may announce a modest increase in U.S. troops, as recommended by his senior advisers.

- New Zealand opposition leader, Jacinda Arden, is now embroiled in the second sexism row not even a month after taking the reins of the Labour Party and almost single-handedly reigniting its chances at a national election in September.

- Mercedes-Benz unveiled the Vision Maybach 6 Cabriolet Concept at the Pebble Beach Concours. Underneath its stylish looks comes an electric powerplant that produces 550kW of power output and over 500km of range according to the NEDC.



- General Motors Holden joins Toyota, Mitsubishi, Ford, Isuzu, and Mazda in the first-ever SuperUtes race next year using their Colorado pickup truck.

- Honda is producing new replacement parts for the legendary Beat kei-roadster such as tail lights, license plate lights, heater blowers, seat belts, wheels, tires, and so on.

- ICYMI: THE IDOLM@STER voice actress Azumi Asakura announced her marriage.

- Attack on Titan 2 video game by Koei Tecmo Games is set for early 2018 release, with Omega Force returns to develop the sequel game with new features.

TTFN!!!

2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup - Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race

A weekend before the Great American Eclipse hits their work day, it's "Saturday Night Drive" at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, for the annual Bristol Night Race where history has been made once again in the heat of the Monster Energy NASCAR series.

Bristol Motor Speedway has been a sacred pilgrimage for every NASCAR fanatics in America because with all that swearing and all that crash courses occurred through the years as well as the heated rivalries carved there, what can they say? "It's Bristol, Baby!"

For this year's race, Kyle Busch swept away pole leader Erik Jones to win the race. Right before his Monster Energy series win, Busch took care of both the Camping World series and the Xfinity series races held there, marking his complete sweep of all three NASCAR touring series on a Saturday night.

Busch is the only NASCAR driver to score the three-series sweep in the same week at the same track since seven years ago and now, he's done it again.

Next race is at Darlington Raceway, South Carolina, for the Bojangles Southern 500 race on the 3rd of September.

Riding with the Carnival

For over a year, my sister Elise and my brother-in-law drove a third-generation Kia Sorento for miles after miles, especially my dad and my sister Bea. Whether if it used to go from one city after another or one of our favorite points of interest, this crossover made a special place in our hearts but now, in anticipation of my sister having a third child, her Sorento crossover's replaced with a minivan that is not fit for today's neighborhood but an important charm point for an ever-growing family like hers.

As I'm sure you know, this is the current-generation Kia Carnival (Sedona) but it's a lot different to the Carnival I'm familiar with apart from the looks because what's under the hood is not what it seems.

The Carnival we have here is powered by a Lambda II 3.3L GDi V6 engine, the same engine used in the K7 saloon, producing 280PS of power and mated to a six-speed gearbox. In other words, it's like a Kia K7 with so much seats and space for the whole family like my sister's. In South Korea, you can now avail a V6 Carnival for 35.8 million Korean Won but we live in America, and a localized version of the Carnival, known as the Sedona, doesn't have a fourth-row seats like you get in the land of Koreanovelas. We got just the eight-seater variant, which is less than what the Koreans had but it's very accommodating and roomy indeed.

Anyway, here's a little story. My sister Elise and the family are coming to our cousin's home for her baby's birthday party somewhere in Kent. I told Mom and Dad I should be with Elise and they agreed. When the time came to step out from the house, I am a little excited about getting in to the Carnival. Trouble was the only seat reserved for me is the dreaded third row but thanks to its adjustable second-row seating, even if its occupied by child seats, I can get in and out of the third row seat without question and that's it. One thing that amazed me that this car has Apple CarPlay but I'm too far to try it out and ai wish I want to experience it to myself while on the move.

When it's time to set off, I got the chance to see what is like in a V6-powered Carnival. At cruising speeds, it was nice and comfortable, but in the case of residential speeds or highway speeds, I can feel its jittering vibrations at the back, only slightly, of course. Vibrations aside, despite being a heavy and thirsty car which consumes more than the Sorento we used to have, the powerful V6 Carnival handles like every other car I've been through and while it been through different points of interests my sister and her family had, this van gets from one point to another without a slouch.

After experiencing my first ride with the new Carnival, we arrived at Kent to visit our cousin's house for her baby boy's birthday party. I got pictures I am too happy to show you all.

And there you have it. So, what can I say?

Although big, thirsty, and jittering at high speeds, the V6-powered Kia Carnival feels like it's home even in today's neighborhood where SUVs became a norm in the suburbs. Apart from being spacious and accessible, it's very luxurious and comfortable indeed. In fact, it kinda reminds me of a time I rode someone's Hyundai Starex a decade ago but this is no Starex here. This is the Carnival I'm talking about and looks like we have to spend the whole year with this minivan but when the time comes to replace it, it's my sister's call.

Logan Lucky

What happens when you made a film about two boys staging a high-stakes heist while in a middle of a NASCAR event somewhere in North Carolina? From the folks behind Ocean's Eleven comes a late-summer treat for petrolheads and hillbillies everywhere that you can spit your tobacco gum at while dawdle at the boys' zany misfits of robbing a pile of cash in the heat of a race.

Logan Lucky

Logan Lucky is a high-octane, gum-spitting, laugh riot which features an eclectic cast of characters ever assembled from the Mississippi river. With Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Katherine Waterston, Seth MacFarlane, Katie Holmes, Sebastian Stan, Hilary Swank, and Daniel Craig, an all-star ensemble of brains and brawns makes Logan Lucky a unique laugh riot to see before summer ends.

In an effort to avert their family misfortune, brothers Jimmy and Clyde are setting off to North Carolina to stage a robbery during an epic NASCAR event happening at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Of course, as a heist, things can get messy because with some interesting characters in store for them, life couldn't get even messier than this.

This film marks Steven Soderbergh's return to the heist movie genre and come to think of it, Logan Lucky kind of feels like Ocean's Eleven edited for rednecks just like that old Family Guy joke of a certain science show edited for rednecks with a hint of Mountain Dew on it. From every angle, this film doesn't feel too modern for a comedy heist movie and whether this film reflects American society of today, it feels like you'll end up getting belched by its moonshine-induced madness this film delivers.

Although being a redneck heist movie, this film really is good. In fact, the crowds are raving over how unique and how original this comedy heist film is. In fact, it's a clear sign that the man behind the Ocean's trilogy is back in business and who knew he can assemble a ragtag cast of characters to create a film that packs some crashes, burnt rubber, explosions, beer, BBQ, and moolah, making it a fitting end to the summer blockbuster season no matter how salty or how sour this film is. In fact, no one's going to blame the film's redneck charm point you'd expect from the man behind the hit heist films.

My rating: 3.8 out of 5

Bubble Gang - August 18, 2017 #BGExpress

On the August 18, 2017 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Van gags

- Life in a day at the office

- A different kind of gang war

- Let's play SPELLING BEKS!

- She keeps on calling other men's names...

- Keeping up with their fair share...

- A different kind of hospital

- Basa-basa-pik

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: UN sanctions against NK affects China

 The UN's latest sanctions against North Korea are apparently having an effect on China.

Reports told that scores of trucks carrying seafood from North Korea are being turned back at customs in the northeaster Chinese city of Hunchun after Beijing introduced a ban on seafood, coal, and iron ore on Monday.

It also reported that another ban on bringing in new workers from the North would mean that North Korean restaurants in China will soon be short-staffed.

The state-run restaurants are already reported to have seen a significant fall in customers this year.

Source: Arirang News

Let's Do The News! (August 18, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte revealed that Bureau of Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon had asked to be removed from his post three times. During his speech in Ozamiz City, the president addressed the issue regarding the corruption in the agency he admitted his fault in appointing several BoC officials who became instruments in the smuggling of Php 6.4 billion worth of shabu from China.

- About 80 suspects were killed this week after escalation in the Philippines' bloody war on drugs as police killed at least 13 people in Manila on the third night of an escalation of President Duterte's bloody war on drugs.

- US President Donald Trump denounced the removal of Confederate monuments, echoing white nationalists and drawing stinging rebukes from fellow Republicans in a controversy that has inflamed racial tensions. Trump has alienated Republicans, corporate leaders and U.S. allies, rattled markets and prompted speculation about possible White House resignations with his comments since Saturday’s violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, which came in the aftermath of a white nationalist protest against the removal of a Confederate statue.

- China's top training school for the Communist Party cadres has published a book on President Xi Jinping's experiences during the Cultural Revolution, exhorting party members to learn from the events that drove his “unshaken pursuit of ideals”. The book's release comes as Xi seeks to further cement his grip on power at a key five-yearly party congress to be held this autumn.

- The grandson of the late Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father and ruler of Singapore for over three decades, said he left the city in July after friends expressed concerns he might be detained by the authorities in a contempt of court case.

- The BMW Z4 Concept has been unveiled ahead of its 2017 Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach next week. The concept serves as a preview of the next-generation Z4 which Toyota will share most of its components for its new co-developed sportscar.



- Roy Lunn passed away at the age of 92. Lunn is coined as the "godfather of the Ford GT40" according to Ford. Roy Lunn was born in England and after being an RAF pilot in the Second World War, he worked at AC and Aston Martin before moving to America in 1958 and joining Ford.

- Deep Silver, a subsidiary of Koch Media, will be the publisher of the highly-anticipated Shenmue III game for the PS4 and PC coming in the second-half of 2018.

- Bullet journaling lovers, the Hobo Nikkan Ito Shinbun, makers of the very popular Hobonichi Techo journals, introduced the entire 2018 lineup. New for 2018, the new Hobonichi techo features a selection of 79 covers to add some style to their Hobonichi customization. For those who are planning to buy the 2018 Hobonichi Techo variants in Original, Planner, Cousin, and Weeks can choose a wide variety of covers, some are exclusive to the Hobonichi web store. The Hobonichi Techo 2018 range will be on sale to the general public on the 1st of September but customers can start order one when all shop pages released on the 28th of August.



- Haruka Amami joins Phat Company's THE IDOLM@STER anime DVD/BD cover figure lineup as the last addition to the range. This final addition's ready for order starting at 11,000 yen plus taxes and delivery and arrives this April. Complete the collection now.



TTFN!!!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Tipping a nuke on an ICBM is "red line"

South Korean president Moon Jae-in warned that North Korea would be “crossing a red line” if it put a nuclear warhead on an intercontinental ballistic missile but the United States had promised to seek Seoul’s approval before taking any military action.

Speaking in a news conference marking his 100 days in office, President Moon said he would consider that North Korea is crossing a red line if it launches an intercontinental ballistic missile again and weaponizes it by putting a nuclear warhead on top of the missile. He repeatedly urged North Korea not to "cross the line" but had not previously elaborated what that would constitute. He also says that US President Donald Trump promised to seek negotiations and approval from South Korea before taking any options regarding North Korea.

Meanwhile, with threats of firing missiles to the Pacific island of Guam, the Kim Jong-un regime mulls a possible sixth nuclear test in the works.

Source: REUTERS

Let's Do The News! (August 17, 2017)

- Members of the House of Representatives have recommended the pressing of charges against BOC Chief Nicanor Faeldon over the controversial 6.4 million pesos worth of shabu smuggled from China.

- The Philippine National Police will place checkpoints in Pampanga as they monitor the 1km quarantine zone affected by the bird flu outbreak.

- Philippine National Police Region 3 Director Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino confirmed that they received order to launch a “one time, big time operation” against those involved in illegal drugs activities. Over 32 suspected illegal drug users were killed by cops in different parts of Bulacan.

- Saudi Arabia said it would welcome Qatari pilgrims to Saudi Arabia to perform the haj this season, amidst a feud that severed transport links between the two nations since June. In a statement by the Saudi Press Agency, the Salwa border point would be open for Qatari citizens who wish to perform the annual pilgrimage to pass through with no electronic permissions needed.

- Hyundai showcases their "next generation FCEV" to the public, which is basically a fuel cell electric crossover combining exceptional efficiency, serene styling, and uncompromised performance.

#Hyundai Motor offered an early glimpse of its next generation #FuelCellElectricVehicle - #현대자동차 가 궁극의 친환경차인 차세대 #수소전기차 를 세계 최초 공개했습니다 - #futuremobility #ecovehicle #greencar #fuelcell #SUV #futurecar #HMG #HMGjournal

A post shared by Hyundai Motor Group (@hmg.journal) on Aug 16, 2017 at 7:35pm PDT

-  German chancellor Angela Merkel says that Germany will be joining the ranks of other countries banning the sale of diesel vehicles soon.

- La Luna Sangre actor Richard Gutierrez is charged with falsification of public documents by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

- TV comedian and presenter Vice Ganda issues public apology to Tony Calvento and Calvento accepted Vice's apology.

- Actor Robin Padilla donates five million pesos for the children victimized by the siege of Marawi City.

TTFN!!!

My Aikatsu best five

In celebration of the first part of the Aikatsu Stars! crossover episode celebrating five years of the Aikatsu! franchise, it would be the ideal time for me to jot down the best five from the fantasy world of the Aikatsu franchise.

Aikatsu! series 5th anniversary

For those who are unfamiliar with the Aikatsu franchise, you are not alone, ladies and gentlemen, even moms and dads whose kids want to know about the Aikatsu series. It's an arcade collectible card game part of the Bandai DATA CARDDASS range of machines first launched in October 2012 and spawned its TV anime adaptation, making it a popular cross-media project among little girls in Japan. In the first three seasons, it's all about Ichigo Hoshimiya and her friends, Ran Shibuki and Aoi Kiriya, on their adventures at Starlight Gakuin to become top idols, but when the fourth and final season came, all eyes on Akari Ozora as the star of the show. After the end of the Aikatsu anime in the spring of 2016, its successor series, Aikatsu Stars! comes in and it's about Yume Nijino and Rola Sakuraba taking their first steps at the Yotsuboshi Gakuin to become top idols, just like the elite idol students of this academy known as the S4. This show is currently on its 2nd season as Yume and the gang venturing on the Venus Ark with interesting characters prying their eyes on them.

Think of it like a child-friendly alternative of THE IDOLM@STER and Love Live in every tangible way, that is only when it faces stiff competition against Takara Tomy's Pretty Rhythm, PriPara, and now Idol Time Pripara. When little boys had their fun with Pokemon, Yo-kai Watch, Detective Conan, the Power Rangers, or all of the Kamen Rider heroes, little girls had a choice of either Pretty Cure, PriPara, Cocotama, or this. Aikatsu is very popular among little girls in Japan because they can create their character, collect dresses and accessories, and watch them shine while listening to some very catchy Aikatsu songs that's gonna be the dead of every pre-school teacher playing it on the loop.

Anyway, spare the explanation because after observing through every piece of Aikatsu in existence, let's jot down the best five according to my criteria.

THE BEST FIVE CHARMING AIKATSU STARS:

1) Ichigo Hoshimiya

2) Yume Nijino

3) Akari Ozora

4) Hime Shiratori

5) Koharu Nanakura

THE BEST FIVE MYSTERIOUS AIKATSU STARS

1) Lily Shirogane

2) Elza Forte

3) Risa Shirakaba

4) Yozora Kasumi

5) Sumire Hikami

THE BEST FIVE TOUGH AIKATSU STARS

1) Juri Kurebayashi

2) Rola Sakuraba

3) Tsubasa Kisaragi

4) Mahiru Kasumi

5) Kaede Ichinose

THE BEST FIVE EERIE AIKATSU STARS

1) Yurika Todo

2) Kirara Hanazono

3) Ako Saotome

4) Nina Dojima

5) Nono Daichi

THE BEST FIVE HEARTFUL AIKATSU STARS

1) Koharu Nanakura

2) Hinaki Shinjo

3) Yuzu Nikaido

4) Sakura Kitaoji

5) Hime Shiratori

THE BEST FIVE SLIPPERY AIKATSU STARS

1) Aoi Kiriya

2) Ran Shibuki

3) Yozora Kasumi

4) Rin Kurosawa

5) Sora Kazesawa

THE BEST FIVE BRAVE AIKATSU STARS

1) Juri Kurebayashi

2) Seira Otoshiro

3) Miyabi Fujiwara

4) Rola Sakuraba

5) Tsubasa Kisaragi

THE BEST FIVE SHADY AIKATSU STARS

1) Elza Forte

2) Yurika Todo

3) Risa Shirakaba

4) Nono Daichi

5) Seira Otoshiro

MY TOP FIVE FAVORITE AIKATSU STARS:

1) Yume Nijino

2) Ichigo Hoshimiya

3) Akari Ozora

4) Aoi Kiriya

5) Rola Sakuraba

MY BEST FIVE AIKATSU SONGS

1) Aikatsu☆Step!

2) Idol Katsudou!

3) Move on now!

4) lucky train!

5) Dreaming Bird

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: AFP preps to evacuate Filipinos in Guam, amidst North Korea missile threat

Sourced from DZRH News:

The Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) is prepared to evacuate Filipinos residing in Guam in case North Korea pushes through with its threat to launch a missile attack at the U.S. territory.

AFP Spokesman Brigade General Restituto Padilla explained that they will be rendering all their airplanes and vessels for Filipinos who choose to go back to the Philippines if ever calamity strikes.

“Magpo-provide po kami ng lahat ng available transportation by air at by sea na maaring maging sakayan ng ating kababayan na nais lumikas.” says Gen. Padilla.

While the Philippines is not originally part of the verbal tussle between the United State and North Korea, AFP General Padilla assured that they remain fully prepared for any eventuality.

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

- UBER Philippines, yesterday, filed a motion for reconsideration with the LTFRB and will be resuming and continuing operations until the motion is resolved.

We’ve filed a motion for reconsideration with the LTFRB and will be resuming and continuing operations until the motion is resolved. pic.twitter.com/CNqXc9cjhw

— Uber Philippines (@Uber_PH) August 15, 2017

-  A lawmaker has asked the House appropriations committee to deffer the proposed 27.12 billion peso budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Negros Oriental 3rd District Representative Arnulfo Teves Jr., expressed his deep disappointment over the agency’s lack of action towards environmental issues he raised last year. Specifically the destructive effects of mining in the region of Negros Oriental.

- President Rodrigo Duterte is already prepared with a "plan B" if Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año is banned from being the next DILG secretary. Gen. Año was set to assume his post at the DILG last June, but was postponed  due to the Marawi City crisis.  On October 26, the AFP Chief is also set to retire.

- Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee Senator Richard Gordon and Senator Tito Sotto III agree that there isn’t enough evidence to prove that Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte is affiliated with the 6.4 billion pesos worth of smuggled shabu from China.

- Yesterday, Iraq forces began air strikes on Tal Afar, a town under Islamic State control west of Mosul, according to reports. Iraqi authorities had said Tal Afar, 80 km (50 miles) west of Mosul, will be the next target in the war on the Islamist militant group that swept through swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014.

- Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. With increasing threats from the Trump administration and Republican attorney general, the program has never been in more jeopardy. DACA provides almost 800,000 immigrant youth across the United States with educational and job opportunities.

- BMW will unveil the Z4 Concept at this month's Pebble Beach Concours. The German luxury car company chose to retain the name for the next-generation sports car that will share the same basis as Toyota's Supra successor.



- Zagato has more work to be done with the Aston Martin Vanquish as they unveiled the special Vanquish Zagato Speedster and the Shooting Brake. Like the coupe and Volante, both are powered by a 592HP 6.0L V12 engine, refined adaptive damping, and improved dynamics while incorporating bespoke Zagato styling cues. The Speedster will be limited 28 units but all are sold out. The Shooting Brake, meanwhile, will be limited to 99 units made.

2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster

2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato
Shooting Brake

- Actors David Tennant and Michael Sheen are set to appear to a TV adaptation of the novel titled Good Omens, according to reports.

- Actress Barbara Hershey is set to appear in next year's season of The X-Files

- 007 actor Daniel Craig confirms his return on the 25th Bond film coming this late 2019.

Daniel Craig to return as 007 in Bond 25. The actor confirmed he would play James Bond for the fifth time to @colbertlateshow https://t.co/M7QuirMRqf

— James Bond (@007) August 16, 2017

TTFN!!!