Monday, November 11, 2013

Leopaul's Heaven and Hell: The Pocky Problem

Pocky

It's Eleven Eleven today and do you know what day it is? Nope, you're wrong because eleven eleven in the calendar is known as Pocky Day or if you're in Korea, Pepero Day, which is more of a copy cat of Pocky but only Korean. Anyway, while I'm not into the whole Pepero stuff, let's talk about the one thing most geeks often bought at supermarkets or at conventions.

Pocky. Hmmm...What is a Pocky? Well, everyone knows that Pocky is a stick of chocolate and we all love it because, yes, most anime characters eaten one of these. I can't even believe that Pocky is nothing more of every anime otaku's favorite snack and when I search through the Pocky tags, chances are that I might be encountering tons of anime stuff regarding Pocky. Pocky and anime, huh? Too common but this is worth a spit take to me. Why is Pocky is still part of the anime culture? Nobody knows but this is too much for me because whenever I see people at the convention bought some Pocky, I know that Pocky is a "geek food" of today or probably anime that fueled geeks to buy some Pocky.

Anyway, since how did this Pocky stuff began? Well, back in 1966, Glico, the Japanese company behind this, created Pocky and claimed that this is the world's first chocolate stick snack. The concept for this snack is to create a snack with a handle and after numerous trial and error process, Pocky is the first snack that has a handle because why? The lower portion remain uncoated.

Another fact why they called it Pocky is because of the sound full of bite and Pocky was derived by the onomatopoeic snapping sound made while eating it - pokkin pokkin - to the Japanese ear. Well, it all makes sense now why they called it Pocky probably because of that but never mind about that.

For almost five decades, Pocky keeps on evolving and as of now, Pocky not only offers a chocolate or strawberry but in Japan, they have tons of flavors from past to present. I can't think of any flavor Japanese Pocky had but no matter the flavor, it's still a Pocky so let's go deeper to this mystery.

There is a main reason why Eleven Eleven is called Pocky day is because of the stick which resembles the number 11 and along with its brother, Pretz, November 11 every year is Pocky day and in Japan, Pocky and Pretz fans took part on special events to celebrate that occasion. Sounds lovely but here in the internet world, the only thing that is more onto this Eleven Eleven stuff is looking through tons of anime photos with Pocky with it and that's annoying. Gosh...Can I look of just one photo of a real Pocky, not anime-related Pocky stuff? Please... Anime and Pocky don't mix but sadly they do and there's so many stuff that anime and Pocky DID mixed it up.

Back to the Eleven Eleven stuff and here's a fast trivia that on that day, Pocky is the most tweeted brand in the world and in the past, Pocky broke the world record by 1,843,733 tweets within the 24-hour period. No wonder the whole world loves Pocky as much as I do.

But still, the world record recognition isn't the least of my problems here because I'm still in the problem that why anime and Pocky always mixed to the highest magnitude and tell you why, when you see anime characters eating that delicious chocolate stick snack you know as Pocky, you really wanted to have one and when you do, you always think that when you have a Pocky, you really are an anime otaku but...how can Pocky make you an anime otaku? It's just a snack you know, not a prop or some sort of a bargaining material.

Pocky, a Japanese snack that once had a humble beginning, ended up became part of the anime culture because when anime sees Pocky, otaku wants one for the fun of it.

Official Pocky global site:
http://pocky.glico.com/

Japanese Pocky site:
http://pocky.jp/index.html

Glico Thailand site:
http://www.thaiglico.com/

Let's Do The News! (November 11, 2013)

James: Now, the news and hey, how's the final episode of Shake It Up?

(awwww)

James: I know...I know...for the past three seasons, we've seen the misfits of best friends CeCe and Rocky, played by Bella Thorne and Zendaya, as they try to fit through slices of life while being dancers of a variety show. They've grown up, they matured, but the fun still remains.

Richard: Oh really? Over the past three seasons, we've seen misfits backstage, trying to impress their boss Gary, more of Flynn's misfits, rivalry between CeCe and Rocky vs. Gunther and Tinka, school life, family life, career life...

James: And you know that MADE IN JAPAN special last year, right?

Richard: Yeah, international stardom, there's so much that Shake It Up has to offer and sadly, it's goodbye to this show because...well, how was the series finale anyway?

Watching the Shake It Up series finale

Jeremy: It's fine. Ever since Bella got amnesia after an accident at a charity fashion show, Rocky tried everything she can to make her best friend remember or else she might stick to rival Tinka. Anyway, but still, in the end, Bella finally remembered everything and then...poof! Happy ending with a match of production number under the final song in the last episode of Shake It Up titled Remember Me.

(ahhhh)

James: Remember Me...Quite a catchy way to give Shake It Up the send-off it truly deserved. So, I guess this is goodbye to this show, right?

Jeremy: Yes. It's bye-bye to this teen comedy show. Guess Bella Thorne and Zendaya are no longer with us anymore. Speaking of which...why did I bought the calendar in the first place?

(audience laughing)

Richard: You mean the 2014 calendar featuring CeCe and Rocky, eh? Where did you bought that calendar?

Jeremy: At the mall. I just wanted to give CeCe and Rocky the send-off they oh-so richly deserved.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Now, a concerned citizen reported that there's a scammer you should best to avoid and based on what the concerned netizen said, the scammer goes by the name of Carlito Lumibao. Here it is...


Richard: He's the scammer?

Jeremy: That's right. He's a scammer. Based on the description, this con pretends to be an event organizer looking for models to victimize. Some say that he's looking for someone serving as models for car shows and he's asking for cash to make uniforms for models because the uniforms are turtle neck.

James: Wait, he's asking for money from the victims?

Jeremy: Theoretically, yes. Also, he often backgrounds Repsol (B2B) auto show and that's what the source said. There's a warning though...

Richard: What warning?

Jeremy: It says "girls, be careful if you're often into go see". Guess this served as a warning though because B2B, Repsol or LEP is not in any way connected with Carlito Lomibao. Take note, girls. Beware of this scammer if you don't want your money to be...gone in 60 seconds. Get it?

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Okay, the BAFTA LA, which is like BAFTA, only held in Los Angeles, USA. Anyway, this year's event is quite star-studded though and I can't believe there's so much big names showing up in the BAFTA LA. Anyway, for the basics, I have the results, would you like me to read?

Richard: Well, go ahead then.

Jeremy: Anyway...(clears throat)...Benedict Cumberbatch is this year's British Artist of the Year Britannia Award recipient, BAFTA LA Britannia Humanitarian Award goes to Idris Elba, Borat dude Sacha Baron Cohen is the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy, Kathryn Bigelow is this year’s recipient of the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing, Sir Ben Kingsley is the winner of the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment, George Clooney, recently appeared in the space thriller film Gravity, is the winner of the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film, well that's pretty much about it.

James: Glad to say that these stars really did a great job getting those awards and hey, some surprise visitor tries to leave us a message. Look...

Alex Kingston at the BAFTA LA

(audience laughing)

Richard: Who's that?

Jeremy: That's just Alex Kingston herself with a a special note for Doctor Who fans from the BAFTA LA Britannia Awards aired on BBC America. It says...um..."HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARY". Well, I guess she's always one step ahead of us when it comes to say happy 50th birthday to Doctor Who.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Speaking of which, here comes the trailer from the DW 50th special airing this November 23rd globally.



(cheers and applause)

Jeremy: Quite a spectacular feat, isn't it? Man, I can't wait till next week to see this once-in-a-lifetime special. I just really hope I should make it in time because one wrong move, especially when crossing through one of the worst roads, I really have to blame them for missing this once-in-a-lifetime moment!

(audience laughing)

James: Wow, you're pretty determined for that schedule. No wonder you're on a tight schedule. However there's just one thing I really haven't understand...

Jeremy: What?

James: Uh...I got nothing.

(audience laughing)

James: Anyway, while we got hyped over Frederator's Bee and PuppyCat Kickstarter reached the $600,000 goal, I heard of greater news because with almost 15,000 backers pledged almost $700,000, it seems that $700,000 is more than enough to produce seven episodes! Seven episodes! Funded!

(cheers and applause)

Richard: Yeah. Such contributions gone a long way to keep Bee and PuppyCat's adventures soaring to greater heights! So...how many days left?

James: Less than three days left so if you still got the urge to expand Bee and PuppyCat, be sure to back this project while you still can. The address is http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frederator/bee-and-puppycat-the-series and feel free to back this project while you still can.

Jeremy: Yeah. Enough about that because I'm still busy beating my personal best in a game of Minion Rush.

(audience laughing)

Richard: What? Despicable Me Minion Rush?! You're playing that game too?

Jeremy: Yeah. No wonder they got addicted to minions while some trying to vie for a trip to Hollywood at the end of the year.

(audience laughing)

James: Well, carry on beating your personal best with a minion.

(audience laughing)

Jeremy: Shh...be quiet! Must use...hand to eye...coordination...arrgh...arrgh...

James: Anyway, while he's too busy playing Minion Rush for no such reasons, time to end the news.

Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG W222

When the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class W222 was launched a couple of months ago, Mercedes-Benz finally perfected the premium sedan to be fully loaded with tons of cutting-edge technology and the art of sophistication, making it one of the best premium full-size saloons ever made. It maybe too expensive but it takes a lot of bling and flash to bring this luxury grand cruiser come to life. I started to like this new model because in every angle, the new model is inch perfect but sadly, it's too much of a...vatalihootsit. Vatali-what-now?

Whatever, the premium sedan was made not for celebrating its enemies but to humiliate it in the name of science but for this S63 AMG model...this is what happens when Vatalihootsit Day gets down and dirty.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG
If you remember back in 2009, Mr. James May from Top Gear compares the previous model against its V12-powered rival, the BMW 760Li and because it has a lot of features and quicker than the S63, that made The Stig so angry, it went back home. Even a game of Top Trumps made it worse. However, past is past. Let's move on to the brand new model because with the new model, Mercedes-Benz finally took the memo and drop the old model's 6.2L V8 engine and replaced it with a smaller 5.5L V8 BiTurbo engine which produces more power than the BMW 760Li. That's right, while the Bimmer's V12 got 537HP of power, the new S63 AMG has over 50HP more. That means 0-60mph in around 4.4 seconds and top speed normally limited to 155mph. Which means that in the event of a drag race, this turbocharged saloon has the upper edge against the Bimmer.

Sure, it may have a quicker 0-60mph time than the Bimmer but what's like to be driven in the corners? Being a German luxury car with a small V8 engine sounds fine but since this is the AMG model, you can expect this to be ruthlessly dynamic. It maybe a palace in wheels but it sounds and feels like an American muscle car in a mindless kind of way. Since it has 900Nm of torque, even the gentle touch on the pedal could spell the same trouble as atomic bombs. Enjoy this monster too much in a game of donuts and pretty soon, you're going to spend too much on a new set of tires and that's going to be too costly. If anyone of them is playing Twisted Sister's You Can't Stop Rock and Roll, this car knows better because this car loves to rise to the challenge and using the laws of science incorporated in this car to stop rock and roll. So, can't stop rock and roll? You can with a premium saloon that has too much torque. I mean listen to the grumble of the V8 engine. It's ear-shattering enough to stop those glam rockers.

2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

It's all jolly good fun but even though I'm still waiting for a more powerful V12-powered S65 AMG, the V8-powered S63 AMG is proven to be ten times more deadlier than atomic bombs if used in a wrong way and imagine if Dr. Bunhead taking a wheel in one of these...oh yeah. That will mean catastrophe to us and if by catastrophic, it's more worse than blowing himself inside the caravan while messing around with his liquid nitrogen experiment.

There's something bothering about the new S63 and that is the new "magic body control" system that uses sensors that scan the road surface and adjust the suspension depending on the road surface. Which means that when this car detects harsh road surfaces, the magic body control uses whatever suspension setting suitable for the road but it doesn't have to do anything about fixing its refinement to the car. When you ride one of these in the I-5 at around 60mph, it feels like whipped cream on a hot fudge sundae. Something why our car behaves like a kangaroo when it reaches 60mph. Hmmm...

2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG interior

2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG interior

Like the standard model, the S63 AMG still has a class act. It even has a comfortable interior, iPod connectivity that is too gibberish to our senses, rear monitors made for the lucky chaps at the back, and everything suitable at today's tech geeks. It still really is the best premium sedan made for the lucky few and with the price at around € 149,880.50 up to € 152,617.50 for the business-class LWB model, it takes a lot of guts to empty your wallet.

Summing this car up then is hard because let's be honest, being the smorgasboard of the range takes a lot of mass hysteria to generate the raw power of the S63 and if you're a Dr. Bunhead on the road, you're going to make some serious mess out of this luxury car and because with all that big torque coming out from its V8 engine, it takes more than ten sticks of dynamite buried below the cabbage field to cause a minor aftershock. So, would I really want this luxury car just for the fun of it? Because to me, the new model feels like it comes home at four in the morning, smelling of lipstick and covered in lipstick. You have to be bonkers enough to drive the new S63 AMG right until the moment it chewed its tires off in the end.

Available colors: Lackierung, Anthrazitblau, Diamantweiss Metallic Bright, Magnetitschwarz metallic, Cavansitblau Metallic, Iridiumsilber Metallic, Obsidianschwarz Metallic, Palladiumsilber Metallic, Peridotbraun Metallic, Rubinschwarz, and Schwarz.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

SUPERSTORM YOLANDA: Tulong Kapatid Telethon nets P21M in less than 2 hours


Sunday night, TV5 initiated their Tulong Kapatid Telethon for the benefit of those badly affected by Superstorm Yolanda. The telethon will provide financial support to the massive relief, rescue and rehabilitation work led by the Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. In less than two hours, over 21 million Philippine Pesos were pledged.


SUPERSTORM YOLANDA: Death toll now 229


So far, the NDRRMC recorded 229 people died on the Superstorm Yolanda while 9 million people are affected. 45 persons were reported injured while 28 others are still missing. Number of families affected? It's now 2,055,630 (equivalent to 9,497,847 persons).

Report: Interaksyon

Sunday, November 10, 2013

2014 Lexus IS gets the LX-Mode treatment

2014 Lexus IS with LX-Mode accessories

A series of aftermarket parts and accessories from LX-MODE are offered on the brand new 2014 Lexus IS and the series of aftermarket parts and accessories featured a host of new bumper parts, door garnish, side skirts, steering wheel base, diamond line stone that fits the ignition start button and the analog clock in the dashboard, LED backup, LED set, there's loads of it.

Filipino Flash Donaire wins fight against Darchinyan

Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire

Another Filipino takes the spotlight as Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire knocked out his Australian-based Armenian opponent Vic Darchinyan after the ninth round of a 10-round fight. His amazing left hook knocked Darchinyan out and even though his opponent stood up, he's no match against The Filipino Flash and after the fall, the referee called a halt on the ninth round, making it a win for Donaire.

After winning the fight, Donaire expressed his thoughts over the people affected by Superstorm Yolanda.

Report: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/hes-back-nonito-donaire-scores-sensational-tko-victory-against-vic-darchinyan

Image: AFP File Photo

Miss Venezuela wins Miss Universe 2013

Miss Philippines Ariella Arida


Miss Venezuela, Maria Gabriela Isler, was hailed as Miss Universe 2013 while Miss Spain Patricia Rodriguez placed first runner-up, Miss Ecuador Constanza Baez second runner up, our very own Miss Philippines Ariella Arida third runner up, and Miss Brazil Jakelyne Oliveira is fourth runner up.

This recently concluded beauty pageant was held in Crocus City Hall, Moscow, Russia.

The thing is though that with Miss Philippines Ariella Arida part of the top 5, she is the fourth Filipina to be placed on the top 5 since 2010's Venus Raj who placed 4th runner-up, 2011's Shamcey Supsup who placed third runner-up, and last year's Janine Tugonon who placed first runner-up.

Report: http://pep.ph/news/41061/ariella-arida-is-third-runner-up-in-miss-universe-2013-miss-venezuela-wins-crown

(photo from: http://gbtimes.com/lifestyle/miss-universe-2013-contestants-exquisite-evening-gowns)

SUPERSTORM YOLANDA: Yolanda Jokes






While most Filipinos are reeling from the destruction caused by Superstorm Yolanda/Haiyan, netizens are trying to make some Yolanda-related jokes from net especially these:

View image on Twitter
Yolanda meets Janet Lim Napoles


Twitter user Mariella Pandungan (@YhelXDD) got infuriated over PDAF scam queen Janet Lim-Napoles and she really wish that Superstorm Yolanda should get rid of her.

View image on Twitter
Yolanda came like a wrecking ball


Twitter user @chinnychinharry tweeted that Superstorm Yolanda came in like a wrecking ball...a reference from Miley Cyrus' controversial hit song, Wrecking Ball. The nude Miley Cyrus, as seen from the music video, adds a humorous touch to the list of Yolanda jokes.

View image on Twitter
Atom Araullo as Thor

Because of ABS-CBN reporter Atom Araullo bravely covering up the whole Yolanda havoc, some Twitter user done some Photoshop trickery to make this reporter feel like the superhero, Thor. He even captioned it "A-THOR-M Araullo: The Dark Storm". Such humor...

SUPERSTORM YOLANDA: 10,000 feared dead in Leyte due to 'Yolanda' but official death toll at 151



A regional police chief claimed that Superstorm Yolanda killed over 10,000 people in Leyte but so far, the death toll, as recorded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), is now 151. However, the confirmed death tolls are expect to come slowly because of communications still down.

If that claim is correct, Superstorm Yolanda is theoretically Philippines' most deadliest natural calamity, claimed more than the 1976 earthquake and tsunami that killed between 5K to 6K people from the Moro Gulf on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. It could theoretically be more deadly than 1991's Thelma/Uring that killed between 5,101 to 8,000 people.

Source: Interaksyon

SUPERSTORM YOLANDA: Looting of Gaisano mall in Tacloban City


ABS-CBN News posted a short clip of the looting of Gaisano mall in Tacloban City after Superstorm Yolanda/Haiyan rampaged through the area causing havoc to property. Most took advantage of the breakdown and stole goods from stores inside the mall.

Watch it here.

What's in our Car Town garage today? (November 10, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder

Although the Spyder version is about a hundred kilograms heavier than its hardtop equivalent, the Gallardo Spyder still is a fun-to-drive everyday supercar if you want to stand out from the rest. In fact, this car has been reviewed in Top Gear with some enthusiasm by presenter Jeremy Clarkson and when handed to The Stig, it was surprisingly quicker than its hardtop version, which of course irrelevant because the hardtop version was tested in the wet course while the Spyder version went through the track in normal conditions.

2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder


2010 Citroen DS3 Racing

Although drawing some inspiration from the WRC machine that Sebastien Loeb drove in the championship, this limited-edition high-performance version of the DS3 premium compact hatchback is powered by a 1.6L turbo engine uprooted by Citroen Racing, delivering 207HP of power and 275Nm of torque. It may not quite be the best hot hatch but because with all the writings on it, it's a favorite among enthusiasts, even Jeremy Clarkson himself.

2010 Citroen DS3 Racing

2009 Pagani Cinque Roadster

With the Cinque, Pagani managed to wave goodbye to the Zonda with five coupe units but for the Roadster version, five of these models truly wave goodbye to the hypercar that gave birth to the company. Although it is an open-top version of the final farewell for the Zonda, it still comes with the same AMG V12 engine that generates 678HP of power and powerful brakes that has a stopping power from 200kph to a halt in 4.3 seconds. It was the first to feature a new composite material called Carbotanium, a mixture of carbon fiber and titanium.

2009 Pagani Cinque Roadster