Monday, December 14, 2015

Jubilee of Mercy: More Holy Doors opened

The Extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy kicks off today at the Vatican City with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Jubilee of Mercy logo

Continuing on the ongoing Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy which began on the 8th of December and onwards until the Feast of Christ the King in November 20th, 2016, the Holy Doors of the Basilicas of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, and of the Cathedrals of the World.



During the opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, a mass occurred and Pope Francis stressed that despite concerns in light of recent violence that engulfed the world, we must not give into sadness. He spoke of the Holy Door not just here but for the Cathedrals of the World.

Following the opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls was opened by Cardinal James Harvey, the Archpriest of the Basilica. It was a simultaneous opening of the Holy Doors as part of the Extraordinary Jubilee.

With the Holy Door of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside-the-Walls opened, Pope Francis is expected to enter during the ecumenical service on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on the 25th of January next year.

The next Holy Door will be opened at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on New Year's Day.

Further Reading:

Sunday, December 13, 2015

COP21 concludes with the Paris treaty



After weeks of negotiations from the world's top leaders at the COP21 Climate Conference in Paris, they have managed to conclude the climate conference by adopting a new global framework known as the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is a global framework that will commit all nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, be it economic superpower or emerging country alike.

This agreement calls for the world to make efforts to keep the global temperature rising to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-Industrial Revolution levels. It also promises nations to bring global emissions to none within the year 2050.

For every five years, all nations must submit their reduction targets to the UN for a reevaluation.

The Paris Agreement marks the first time all nations are expected to reduce emissions since the 1997 Kyoto Protocol that required developed countries to do so, except for emerging ones.

Further reading:

1) COP21: Climate deal 'final draft' reached in Paris - BBC News
2) Final draft of climate deal unveiled in Paris - CNN.com
3) Global Climate Change Pact Approved at COP 21 Conference in Paris
4) COP21 ends with adoption of Paris Agreement - News - NHK WORLD - English

Forza Motorsport 6: Smells like Calais

Continuing on Forza Motorsport 6's tribute to Australian motoring, there is another classic Australian muscle car added to the roster courtesy of the Mobil 1 Car Pack. It's another Holden and this time, it's a VL Commodore Group A SV, the car that signalled the birth of Holden Special Vehicles division.

vl

Ever since the collaboration between Holden and racing driver Peter Brock ended, Holden needed someone to create a new performance division and that's what Tom Walkinshaw Racing turned in and with that, Holden Special Vehicles was established, succeeding where the Holden Dealer Team left off.

Based on the VL Commodore saloon, the SV is a special model featuring a special bodykit courtesy of TWR, which reduces drag by over 25% over the previous HDT SS Group A. The 5.0L V8 engine, producing 241HP of power, has been improved to withstand racing conditions.

It was limited to 500 units, due to homologation regulations, and it's only available in Panorama Silver exterior color, but due to demand, an additional 250 units were made.

After many failed attempts in racing since its 1988 motorsport debut, a race-spec VL scored a win in the 1990 Tooheys 1000 by Win Percy and Allan Grice, as well as the 1990 Nissan Sydney 500 by Perkins and Tomas Mezera in a privately entered car.

vl (2)

Although I am not familiar with the VL Commodore, I had an unquestionable feeling that I'm starting to enjoy the VL Commodore when I spent so much time driving one. Although this is a road-going touring car heavily inspired from its motorsports involvement, driving one smells and feels like I'm in Calais. Yes, and some might say there was such thing as a VL Calais in the real world, this hardcore VL Commodore feels like I'm as close as I can get to Calais but this isn't Calais though because I'm in Bathurst and while in Bathurst, its dynamic character makes it very tricky to handle but at the hands of skilled drivers, driving one of these is as enjoyable as reminiscing its motorsports past and its remarkable feats that the legendary Tom Walkinshaw invested in spawning these machines and give birth to the HSV as we knew it.

Speaking of which, I need to compare it to a modern equivalent to the car I'm driving and find out just how close are these two Aussie saloons.

ss

To some people who may have noticed that this is just an American saloon known as the Chevrolet SS, you haven't seen the rest of it because the fact is, the Chevrolet SS is basically a Holden VF Commodore rebadged and sold in the USA in the same way the deceased Pontiac G8 did to the Holden VE Commodore. Let's remember though, this is built in Australia so that matches the qualifications of a comparo I set up with. Without further ado, let's compare the classic Aussie muscle versus its modern-day equivalent.


Look at those Australian-born cars, feeling at home at their home ground and since they're having the best time of their lives, these Aussie cars think that the Land Down Under never felt so alive for them. Anyway, no time for being sentimental because it's onto the results. The SS did it in 02:46.983 while the VL Commodore Group A SV did it in 02:57.726. So there's an eleven second gap between them but never mind though because even though the VL Commodore did it eleven seconds slower than the modern-day VF Commodore....errr....Chevy SS, I am glad that I have driven another Aussie greats in FM6 and I'd expect more like these because with Australian car production is nearing its end, there's nothing like a better time than paying tribute to Australian motoring.

Mmmm....This VL Commodore smells like Calais...

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Things we learned from the 2015 Tekken Finals

Photo: Official Bandai Namco US Instagram (@bandainamcous)

With the latest installment of the hard-hitting Tekken franchise, Tekken 7, is in full swing in the arcades and while we're still waiting for the PS4 version to arrive soon (yes, really), the best of Tekken gamers from around the globe sharpen their skills on playing Tekken 7 and then work their way up to this year's Tekken World Finals, where the grand winner will receive 3,000,000 Japanese Yen in cash and more.

We have learned that a gamer named Nobi from Japan has named as the grand champion of this year's Tekken finals after winning the final round against South Korean Tekken player knee, but that win is more than just experiencing the best of Tekken veterans blowing the competition on Tekken 7. There are some huge announcements happened in the World Finals and get this; Bandai Namco announced a major update on the Tekken 7 arcade game called FATED RETRIBUTION.

In the FATED RETRIBUTION update, not only new characters, outfits, and graphic updates are added to the mix but there is one special guest appearing on the latest update on Tekken 7. Yep, it's Akuma (Gouki) from the Street Fighter games and this ultimate baddie is raising hell on Tekken 7. You have been warned.

It's coming soon at your local arcades near you. Most Tekken fans can't contain their excitement over the major update on Bandai Namco's hard-hitting fighting franchise ever made and so are we.

So, GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE, ladies and gentlemen.

Kalyeserye's aftermath of losing the mansion

Photo: Official Eat Bulaga
Facebook page
It was a sad day for Lola Nidora and her sisters as well as Yaya Dub because on the recent Kalyeserye segment on Eat Bulaga, the girls got evicted from their beloved mansion because of the dreadful court order. They packed themselves up alongside the Rogelios and they have left the mansion for good. With the mansion no longer part of Lola Nidora's life for now, the Kalye's Angels have ventured out to find a new home. Of course, even though Alden Richards' very busy in the Broadway Centrum, he remains faithful and trustworthy to Lola Nidora, her sisters, and Yaya Dub.

So, what will the lolas and Yaya Dub do now? Will they be able to find a new place called home? Will they be able to recover themselves after series of setbacks that dragged them down to their knees? Keep watching Eat Bulaga every weekdays for more Kalyeserye antics.

#BubbleGang - December 11, 2015

On the December 11, 2015 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Frankenstein gags

- Doing double.

- More Patok Taktiks are examined.

- Juancho Trivino takes on TSUGI O CHORVA!

- Staying outside? He will see about that...

- Every good star has a great stage-cousin.

- The not-so-ideal couple arrived at the reunion.


- Battle of the NGOs.



Friday, December 11, 2015

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 72



Hi, person who's busy searching for commercial songs,

Due to a copyright claim, your search query has been blocked in some countries. This means it's time now for another round of DRIVING MUSIC, but it will be limited to my choosing.


Search query: hyundai tucson 2016 commercial song, jaguar commercial song, jeep renegade commercial song 2015, mercedes benz advert song 2015, mini cooper commercial song, nissan x trail advert song 2015, volvo commercial song freedom, 2015 ford fusion commercial song, acura commercial song wild horses
Includes: Audio content
Claimed by: the commercial itself

Why this can happen:
 - Your search query might contain copyrighted content.
 - Copyright owners can choose to block your query that contain their content.

10) SHE ~SENIOR DREAMS by 阿川泰子 - from the Isuzu Piazza Japanese commercial

9) Feeling Good by Avicii - from the Volvo USA XC90 "Our Idea of Luxury" commercial

8) Wild Horses by Bishop - from the Acura TLX commercial

7) Melody Fair by Bee Gees - from a 1995 Suzuki Alto Japanese commercial

6) Come Prima by Tony Dallara - from a 1991 Mitsubishi Minica Japanese commercial

5) Where Does My Heart Beat Now by Celine Dion - from a Mitsubishi Eterna commercial

4) The One and Only by Chesney Hawkes - from a Honda Integra Japanese commercial

3) Private Sunday by Casiopea - from a Daihatsu Charade Japanese commercial

2) Lost It To Trying by Son Lux - from a Nissan UK X-TRAIL "Your Story Starts Here" commercial

1) 愛にこだわれ  by 平井堅 - from a Toyo Tires Japanese commercial

Driving Music from Leopaul's Blog is the segment where solves every car enthusiasts' questions about the title of the song of car commercials...with the risk of MATCHED THIRD PARTY CONTENT on their status. Acknowledge or dispute, it's your choice.

Let's Do The News! (December 11, 2015)



- PAGASA said that the low pressure area monitored outside the PAR has been strengthened into a tropical depression, which will the Philippines this Saturday. To be called Nonoy, the tropical depression was located 1,440km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with max sustained winds of 55kph. It is likely to move west northwest at 20kph. PAGASA is expecting one more typhoon hitting the country before the year ends.

- The National Bureau of Investigation said that there is really a tanim-bala scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport but those behind it are not organized as a syndicate. The NBI's findings contained in its report was submitted to the Department of Justice as well as filing charges against six airport personnel, two Office for Transportation Security personnel, and four officers of the police Aviation Security Group in connection with the extortion scams.

- At the COP21 climate conference in PAris, the French Foreign Minister has presented a new draft agreement which requires most nations to submit reductions targets for greenhouse gas emissions once every five years and adopt measured to achieve their goals. It also allows developing nations to contribute resources voluntarily as well as financial assistance.

- To support the US-led airstrikes against the Islamic State militants in Syria, the German military sent two Panavia Tornado fighter jets, a tanker jet, and a transport aircraft with 40 advance troops on board at a Turkish air base near Syria.

- An American Islamic group in Washington received an envelope containing white powder, forcing most of the employees to evacuate temporarily from the group's headquarters. According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, about 10 employees evacuated the office while police examined the powder, which found out to be harmless. The envelope even comes with a hate letter. Since the Paris attacks and the San Bernardino shootings, hatred on Muslims in America is becoming belligerent, even more belligerent is presidential candidate Donald Trump's anti-Islam remarks that sparked outrage.

- A British BMW dealer has sold a defective BMW M3 which is broadly similar to the one that Jeremy Clarkson used on the 22nd season of Top Gear several months ago.

- The last McLaren P1 hybrid hypercar has been produced. The 375th and the final P1 has roled of the production line.


- Shortly after the Return of the Roar TV special last month, Disney officially confirmed that The Lion Guard TV series will premiere this January 15th with the first episode where main character Kion faces off against a villainous crocodile Makuu, voiced by Blair Underwood.



- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga kalyeserye, the day of reckoning in Lola Nidora's mansion is here...and it struck on the dinner table where Lola Nidora, Tidora, Tinidora, Alden, and Yaya Dub spent their last lunch at. According to Lola Nidora, the court order revealed that...they're officially evicted from this mansion! Gulp... So, tune in tomorrow on Eat Bulaga and find out the aftermath of Lola Nidora, AlDub, and the gang's eviction from their mansion!

TTFN!!!

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Let's Do The News! (December 10, 2015)


- US President Barack Obama indirectly criticizes Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for proposing a ban on Muslims entering the United States. Ever since the San Bernardino shootout last week, Americans are becoming weary about terrorism. A recent poll found out that 65% of likely Republican votes support Trump's proposal for banning Muslims. The Obama administration warned that repeated remarks against Muslims could deepen the divide in US society.

- Meanwhile, over 300,000 people in Great Britain have signed a petition to ban US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from visiting the country ever since his anti-Muslim remarks that grew more criticisms.

- Meanwhile, back to the San Bernardino shootings, an FBI official said that the couple behind the shootout last week was influenced by extremism years ago. It is revealed that Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik were radicalized before they started dating each other online. Before they were engaged, the suspect couple were talking about jihad and martyrdom as early as the end of 2013.

- French authorities have identified the third suspect who died in the Parisian attacks last month. Based on the DNA test, the third attacker identified as Foued Mohamed-Aggad from the eastern city of Strasbourg. Aggad went to Syria with his brother and a group of friend in 2013. Most members of the group were arrested last year after returning to France.

- The Malacanang Palace is positive that most of the solons will approve the dormant Bangsamoro Basic Law before their December 16 Christmas break.

- The US Government turned over to the Philippines the first of over a hundred armored personnel carriers to boost the nation's poorly-armed forces. According to the US Embassy, the APC are being given at no charged following a request by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The first 77 vehicles arrived Wednesday in Subic Bay while the remaining will arrive later this month.

- The Forest Pokemon Sceptile joins the roster in the latest update for Pokken Tournament. With its combination of speed and offense, Sceptile can launch an array of devastating attacks both physical and long-range. When its Mega Evolution's engaged, this is one heck of a Pokemon you'd really shouldn't mess with.



- Lovelivers, rejoice! Two new Love Live figures have been unveiled by Good Smile Company! First off, completing the range of μ's in their training outfit, here's a Nendoroid of Nico Yazawa in her training outfit. Order books are now open for her with her pricing starts at 3,241 Yen plus tax. She will arrive this June. Also, there's a figma of Maki Nishikino now open for pre-orders. She's priced at 5,370 Yen plus tax and arriving this June.

figma Maki Nishikino
Nendoroid Nico Yazawa
(Training outfit)

- A more lightweight Lotus Exige Sport 350 was unveiled with 112lbs of weight lost, resulting to a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 170mph.

2016 Lotus Exige Sport 350

- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga kalyeserye, today marks the 21st weeksary of AlDub and what's the gift for AlDub? Of course, couple jackets! One for Alden and one for Yaya Dub! Sounds wonderful but doubts still ensue for Lola Nidora regarding yesterday's fiasco about getting evicted from her mansion this week. Lola Nidora has something to say tomorrow at her mansion but what important announcement we will expect? Tune in next time and find out!

TTFN!!!

There's something hidden in the Mona Lisa portrait



Looks like the world got shocked over the shocking discovery by a French scientist regarding what's hidden underneath the legendary Leonardo da Vinci painting of Mona Lisa.

An expert known as Pascal Cotte has spent the decade observing the hidden mystery behind the legendary Mona Lisa painting using science and technology, well, reflective light technology to be fairly exact. A reconstruction shows there was an hidden image of a sitter looking off to the side, which shows no trace of her enigmatic smile, which puzzled most art lovers for over five centuries.

The Louvre Museum, where the legendary painting was portrayed, have no comments as of now because his claims was not part of the scientific team. His claims regarding what's hidden behind the painting are controversial and have divided opinion among experts.

Comments? Well, it maybe as mysterious as the one we saw on The Da Vinci Code but it's even more bizarre than the City of Death arc of Classic Doctor Who. Anyone remember that?  Well, you get the idea.

Report: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35031997

THE IDOLM@STER MUST SONGS

This is where the THE IDOLM@STER 10th Anniversary celebration come in full circle because 10 years of IDOLM@STER songs come together in a very special PSVita game made in collaboration with the iconic Taiko No Tatsujin rhythm games. This is THE IDOLM@STER MUST SONGS, a celebration of 10 years of IM@S songs come together in a very special Taiko No Tatsujin game for every IM@S veteran or newcomer will enjoy.

THE IDOLM@STER MUST SONGS
(Red Version)

THE IDOLM@STER MUST SONGS
(Blue Version)

Ideally, there are two versions of MUST SONGS, Red and Blue, and each version contains a different playlists commemorating 10 years of THE IDOLM@STER. The red version features the first IM@S songs recorded since its July 2005 debut till 2010 while the blue version features songs heard from the 2nd Vision era as well as heard from the anime series and live performances up to the present day. But either way, this Taiko no Tatsujin game gives players a brilliant way to discover the history of THE IDOLM@STER franchise and enjoy hit songs as heard from the franchise. There's also special appearances of rival idols such as 876 Pro's Dearly Stars as well as Jupiter and elite idol Leon as seen on One For All.

In Live Festival, there are different set to playlists to master and most of the playlists are heavily inspired from the games, anime series, and live events alike. Pick one and Dodonggadon like you always do in a Taiko no Tatsujin game. If you done well in any of the playlists, you'll receive in-game cash suitable to unlock playlists as well as purchasing some extras to customize this game from the coordinates, sound effects, and many many others. Keep increasing your Produce Rank and you can buy more and more items that will fit your liking. Kinda reminds you of Shiny Festa except a thousand times more manageable, I dare say?

Let's not keep this observation a bit longer, okay, but rest assured that MUST SONGS is the ultimate history lesson in the history of THE IDOLM@STER. Ever since its debut in 2005, THE IDOLM@STER has been transformed into one of Bandai Namco's most successful titles to date. From the long list of games, the anime series, the movie, the live events, the music CDs, no one comes close when it comes to the historical back catalog that made us salivated.

THE IDOLM@STER MUST SONGS is now available for PSVita for 5,700 Yen (plus tax).

Genesis EQ900

Genesis, once used as Hyundai's premium saloon, has now spawned into a standalone luxury brand in the same way Citroen did with DS Automobiles, showing that it's the ideal moment to separate the men from the boys when it comes to cars. Yep, separating luxury cars from the mainstream line of cars in the pursuit of dominance. With the so-called "Genesis Motors" now a luxury car brand for Hyundai Motor Company, the first Genesis car in the lineup is the flagship replacement to the Hyundai Equus. It's called the EQ900.

2016 Genesis EQ900

Known to be South Korea's take on MB's S-Class and BMW's 7-Series, the new Genesis EQ900 emphasizes sovereignty over style, and from every angle, you can see that its sovereign feel as a flagship saloon truly matches the dynamism similar to European premium full-size saloons. You can really tell whoever has one does mean business on the city streets and on the open road. Because it focuses on Genesis' "Human-Centered Luxury" philosophy, the new EQ900 promises to breathe a new life out of the luxury car stakes, delivering cutting-edge technology and a more lively driving feel to indulge with.

2016 Genesis EQ900 interior

So, what to expect about the EQ900's design? From every angle, the design looks rather excellent for a premium saloon made by the Koreans and while you can expect a hint of Hyundai on the front side, the rear side is somewhat similar to the S-Class or rather a Cadillac XTS but anyway, that design adds a striking feel to the EQ900 and as for the interior, it's well crafted and well luxurious. From an array of gadgets implemented on all sides, a Nappa leather, wooden trim, Lexicon Sound System, and many other conveniences in store, the EQ900 is well-qualified to be a chauffeur-driven vehicle if you can afford to hire a driver as well as being a car to be driven by yourself. No one can resist the temptation of the EQ900's comforts once you step inside.

2016 Genesis EQ900

The Genesis EQ900 is available with three different engine choices ranging from V6 3.3-liter T-GDI (370PS); V6 3.8-liter GDI (315PS); or V8 5.0-liter GDI (425PS), all mated with an 8-speed automatic with lock-up torque converter. The V8 model (which is also used on the Quantum model of the Kia K9) can go to 0-100kph in 5.7 seconds thanks to its massive power and torque, but the first-ever 3.3L V6 T-GDi engine is what really keeps the EQ900 very amused and because this is turbocharged, it will take 0-100kph in 6.2 seconds and capable of 80-120kph overtaking maneuvers in 13.0 seconds. That sounds like a lot but with the automatic gearbox at hand, looks like it's going to be a tough slob on the long drive ahead.

Of course, this is still a rear-wheel drive saloon, but the EQ900 is also offered with HTRAC all-wheel drive system, which electronically controls torque split between the axles depending on which driving conditions the driver is on, providing a well-stabled ride on slippery conditions and allows the driver to select different driving modes, Smooth on rainy weather we're having but not brilliant in terms of thrashing about because of being too grippy.

Like newer Hyundais of today, the new EQ900 is well-honed at the Nurburgring to deliver unprecedented handling similar to European premium saloons and thanks to its multi-link suspension paired with either High-Performance Dampers or the Genesis Adaptive Control Suspension system, the EQ900 feels livelier to drive with and well suitable enough for escaping conflicts while having a wealthy client at the back seat. Sounds fit for a car chase scene in a spy movie but not now because let's move on to safety.

Because of the "Human Centered Luxury" ideology, the safety features offered on the EQ900 promise to be less compromising from its rigid body frame, which is the strongest in its class, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Active Blind Spot Detection (BSD) and Driver Attention Alert, to Smart High Beam Assist and Around View Monitor.

2016 Genesis EQ900
The EQ900, the first of the Genesis luxury brand from Hyundai, starts at 71,700,000 to 114,900,000 Korean Won (estimated $61,000 to $97,200), which sounds very expensive for a Korean-made car of that size but it's surprisingly less expensive than the recent BMW 7-Series.

This is just the start because, by next year, it will be sold as the Genesis G90 overseas, including in major markets like North America, China, and the Middle East. The Genesis lineup will be expanded next year with the facelifted second-generation Hyundai Genesis rebranded as the Genesis G80, made to compete against the next BMW 5-Series and MB E-Class, as well as Genesis' take on BMW's 3-Series and MB's C-Class called G70. A luxury crossover and a replacement to the Genesis Coupe will come out later and all Genesis models will be launched by the end of the decade. This is going to be one heck of an ambitious goal set up by the Korean automotive giant and we can't hardly wait what surprises will pull on the sleeves of Hyundai's luxury Genesis Motors brand.

Available colors: Marble White, Platinum Silver, Gold Scent, Fine Titanium, Cosmo Grey, Neptune Blue, Tan Brown, and Onyx Black.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company