Saturday, December 14, 2013

"Sulit ng sarap ng Siesta!" #bubblegang

On the December 13, 2013 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Palaboy gags...

- The akyat-bahay gang are stealing something for Christmas.

- Mr. Assimo meets the department store santa.



- More wise words from Tata Lino...

- Bubble Gang does Fiesta spaghetti by spoofing this commercial as SIESTA SPAGHETTI! Sulit ng sarap ng Siesta!



- IKAW AT ANG INA acknowledges...#OOTD

- Who's the first to holdap the victim?!

- Brod Pete and the gang answers all in ANG BAGONG DATING DOON.

- IyoTube in ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS by MARIAH CAREY

- Mr. Assimo vs. the carolers.


Gran Turismo 6: The BMW M4

The Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray, any Group C Le Mans racers, the Citroen 2CV, the Jensen Interceptor, Chaparral, the Dome Zero, there are so many cars that are exclusive to the world of Gran Turismo and when I said "exclusivity" I do mean it and now, another car is joining the list of the Gran Turismo exclusives. It's a soon-to-be-released sportscar made in Germany and set for its 2014 NAIAS premiere. It's also the hotter version of the car I demand GT6 to feature it. What could this car be? Whatever it is...this car's going to get it.









Whatever this new car is, it's going to be as good as it gets and here it is! A Gran Turismo 6-exclusive feature, the all new 2015 BMW M4 Coupe!



Things to know about the BMW M4:

  • This is just a pre-production final prototype model featured in GT6
  • The M4 is a high-performance version of the 4-Series, a coupe derivative of the latest 3-Series
  • This performance model sees the return of BMW's straight-six engine, which in this version develops more than the outgoing M3's V8 engine thanks to the added turbos.
  • It will debut at the 2014 NAIAS this January in Detroit, Michigan.



This new model came here quite a surprise ever since Yamauchi-sensei and the gang took a test prototype in Spain while in a middle of a GT6 launch party at Ronda and at the Ascari Race Resort. While many considered to be more of a twist, some would call it a hidden gem and minutes after BMW fully revealed the new models, Gran Turismo has exclusive rights to feature the M4 in the game, giving players a first drive with the latest Bimmer which sees the revival of the carmaker's straight-six engine. Although this is more of a 4-Series with the added chest hairs and some manliness only a puny boy with no muscles, smells like baby wipes, and listening to some girly Euro pop music would want. Don't tell me, I was just investigating this latest Bimmer, you know.



Well, yes, it's just a 4-Series coupe I demand GT6 to feature it but since this is the mother of all 4-Series which follows the footsteps of its M3 Coupe predecessors, it's no surprise that I now had to drive the latest Bimmer first-handed in GT6 so...how about showing this off at Ascari, shall we?



Unlike any other M Power Bimmers I have tried out over the course of this franchise, the M4 tries to be a different kind of beast or Brainiac judging by its color that matches the shirts most Brainiacs wear. If its Science Abuse you're after, the new M4 tries to be as lairy as Vic Reeves putting rockets on household items and sending them to the sky in the name of science but not for fooling everyone.

The new M4 may be mild at first but even more dynamic when you mess this Bimmer like a hooligan because this is more than just a rear-wheel drive, four-seater, two-door saloon, it's a Brainiac waiting to blow things up in the name of science.



What's bizarre about the new M4 Coupe is, like its 4-door M3 newbie, got electric power steering, for the first time implemented on the BMW M Power cars, which in theory makes it more planted. You can start reveling on the M4's new grit but when things starting to get even more personal, hold on to your hats!

While power steering isn't the only problem I'm facing with, the M4 is armed with...wait for it...well if you saw the number 7 in the gear then well done. It is a 7-speed double clutch gearbox. The 6-speed manual was a standard but the folks of GT6 went for the M4 with the 7-speed DCT on it because of its quicker shifting feel. Well, you get that idea.



So, the M4 is more of a witchcraft thanks to the added power steering which I find it to be very challenging to handle even with the best tires equipped and the 7-speed DCT which is as sharp as the Vicar of Dibley but when it comes to being an all-rounder, the BMW M4 strives to behave like any other high-performance cars do in their spare time. It really is a wolf in sheep's clothing...no wait! BAD WOLF! in sheep's clothing! It maybe messier to start but even messier all the time thanks to its dynamic and challenging nature, probably because of the M Dynamic Mode on the M4. Will it drift? Yes but plenty of smoke, no cider. You can make the car go sideways, which in the case, why would we want to drift the M4 in a mindless kind of way?



Since downsizing is all part of the BMW M regime, the new M4's straight-six turbo engine produces 11HP more power and 110.9ft-lb more torque than the old M3's V8 engine. What's more, thanks to extensive use carbon fiber plastics, it s almost 200kg less than the old M3 Coupe as well and I wonder how does the new M4 stack up against my previous favorite. Safe to say, M3 drivers had no friends since the dawn of time.





Ah, here it is, the old and deceased M3 Coupe, arrived at Ascari to prove who's the boss. Wow, no wonder the M3's V8 engine sounds more like a baritone unlike the M4's straight-six engine which is less than a soprano, more of a leaf blower. Disappointing...



On the straight part of the Ascari track, I try to figure if the added power and the 200kg diet on the M4 would really stack up against the old E93 M3 coupe. It's the moment of truth, folks. When I send these two in the straight...





The BMW M4, with its turbocharged straight six engine and the 7-speed gearbox, does 0-60mph in a theoretical 4.1 seconds, and even though they're both limited to 250kph, the new M4 not only eats the old E93 M3 for breakfast, it feels like the old M3 was just the fly on a rear view mirror!



I was very pleased about the new M4's grit, although I'm starting to think I'm going to hate this car even more than my most hated car of the year, now that it's a Gran Turismo exclusive. If other games coming to get the M4, the M4 has a way of saying "Don't get me! They'll sue you!" because the M4 is a Gran Turismo exclusive, the M4 is a Gran Turismo exclusive, and the most important thing of all, THE M4 IS A GRAN TURISMO EXCLUSIVE. Any questions?

Anyway, no time for bashing, time for a quick back in time about what I do on the BMW M4 on my maiden encounter...



To celebrate the unveiling of the 2015 BMW M4 Coupe, there's a special Seasonal Event where you'll be race against the clock with your BMW M4 round the Nurburgring GP Circuit. Don't worry though, for this seasonal event, the BMW M4 served as the courtesy car and whoever achieved the target time not only receive some cash but also the car itself, if you haven't got one already.



The Nurburgring GP Circuit served as the basis for the F1 German GP and this was made in light of the fiery crash between James Hunt and Niki Lauda at the Nordschleife a few years ago. It was built in 1984 and renovated in 2002. Michael Schumacher holds the lap record at the Nurburgring GP Circuit with a 1min 29.468s lap in 2004. It maybe less than the dreaded Nordschleife but it's still a technical track, making this more challenging for the M4 and trust me, it took me an hour to snag the gold target.









As the progress intensifies, the BMW M4 gets even more aggressive and when times get tough in a track like this, this new and improved sportier model is not giving up without a good fight, unless if you're a girl stabbing your guts with an umbrella. Ohhh...my gu-uts...my guts...



An hour later, I have finally beaten the Gold target time and my lap time on a seasonal event like this is 2:17.745. Not the quickest as you know it but hey, it's the best I can do for my first impression.



So, after all the talk and the drive with the new M4, what can I say? Well, I may find it more of a disappointed about its power steering that makes my handling as catastrophic as a rat rod as well as the 7-speed DCT that keeps me questioning but because of its fun factor and its Brainiac-like behavior that loves to throw caution to the wind, this new model will keep me occupied for hours but not at all. I'm very glad I get my first try on the high-performance version of the car I demand GT6 to feature it. After all, it's just a 4-Series with the added firepower on it but this car made me proud. The M4 made me proud and I made the M4 proud. That is...Freude am Fahren.

Friday, December 13, 2013

Let's Do The News! (December 13, 2013)

The big scoop today...

1) Kim Jong-un's uncle executed

Jang Song Thaek, the uncle of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Un was executed by North Korean authorities for "acts of treachery" calling the leader's family man a "despicable human scum" who was "worse than a dog". The execution of Jang Song Thaek is just one of the scenarios showcasing North Korea's brutality.

Report: http://www.france24.com/en/20131213-north-korea-powerful-uncle-execution-scum-jang-song-thaek/?ns_campaign=editorial&ns_source=FB&ns_mchannel=reseaux_sociaux&ns_fee=0&ns_linkname=20131213_north_korea_powerful_uncle_execution_scum

2) President Aquino flies to Tokyo for ASEAN-Japan summit

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, along with six cabinet members, fled to Tokyo yesterday for a summit meeting with Japan and members of the ASEAN region.

Report: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/93915/aquino-flies-to-tokyo-for-asean-japan-summit

3) Concept One (Wheel Gallery) main office gutted by fire

Main office, showroom of Concept One (Wheel Gallery) gutted by fire

The main showroom of Wheel Gallery, which sells popular CONCEPT ONE rims and located at 318 Santolan Road in Greenhills, was gone into flames. The fire started at around 1:30PM and doused by around 3:30PM. The cause of the fire, some say, is an explosion of an acetylene tank. Post-incident, squatters nearby tried to loot several items in the burned showroom.

Report: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/industry-news/main-office-showroom-of-concept-one-wheel-gallery-gutted-by-fire

4) PSY's Gentleman is Youtube's most watched music video of 2013

Youtube complied the best music videos of 2013 ranging from the highly controversial WRECKING BALL video with Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry's Roar, and many others. The most trending music video of 2013 is none other than PSY's Gentleman. This internet sensation really succeeds where last year's Gangnam Style left off.

Report: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/count-top-10-youtube-music-videos-2013-article-1.1544865

5) Good Smile unveiled Lamborghini Countach diecast

Good Smile Racing Lamborghini Countach
Part of the company's GOOD SMILE RACING brand, these 1:12 scale Lamborghini Countach diecast models maybe as stunning as the real thing but the pricing is worth emptying the wallet as it costs 120,000 Japanese Yen when it hits stores late 2014.

It took two years to develop this seriously amazing model with the use of 3D scanning to match the exact proportions of this V12 Lambo classic.

TTFN!!!

Iya Villania, IHAW NA!

On the December 12, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, the guest of the day was Iya Villania. Iya's well known to be a popular VJ in music cable channel, MYX, and one of the MCs in a Sunday variety show ASAP. Believe it or not, she's raised in Australia.

Meanwhile, more misconceptions that are too embarrassing in MALING AKALA.

What's in our Car Town garage today? (December 13, 2013)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1969 Chevrolet Camaro

In the year 1966, General Motors created what its known to be a competitor against the Ford Mustang, which is known to be the most famous muscle car of all time. The Chevrolet Camaro, a fiery creation from General Motors, sparked the muscle car wars and it was a heck of a battle for these two. Although the first Camaro maybe a bit of a lackluster than the first Mustang in terms of first-year sales and popularity, it offers a wide selection of engine choices, even a big V8 engine on it.

1969 Chevrolet Camaro

2012 Aston Martin Cygnet

Aston Martin makes supercars with big engines on it but when you discovered that they made a posh city car known as the Cygnet, you are beginning to ask why did they make this. Even though it's an Aston Martin, it's still just a Japanese compact in a British posh spice because the Cygnet is based on the Toyota iQ and it's powered by the 1.3L 1NR-FE Dual VVT-i engine that carries 98bhp/6000rpm of power output, 125nm/4400 of torque output, and Euro 5 compliant.

2012 Aston Martin Cygnet

1992 BMW M3

The E36 BMW M3 maybe just a sports coupe from the 90's but this is no headturner as this M3 powered by a straight-six engine is one of the sportiest Bimmers ever made because of its balanced proportions and its unmatched performance most car enthusiasts enjoy. It's also a favorite among track and circuit racers everywhere.

1992 BMW M3

Let's Do The News! (December 12, 2013)

The big news today...

2015 BMW M3 and M4 revealed

2015 BMW M3

2015 BMW M4

BMW pulled the wraps on the new 2015 BMW M3 saloon and the 2015 BMW M4 coupe. Just to let you know, the new M3 is based on the F30 3-Series while the M4 is based on the F32 4-Series. For the new versions, it sees the return of the straight-six engine and it produces more power than the outgoing M3's V8 engine. 431HP engine to be exact for the turbocharged straight six engine. It even has a SMOKEY BURNOUT function which is a bit like launch control except it's the opposite.


Pope Francis is TIME Magazine's Person of the Year

The first Latin American Pope in history, Pope Francis, is quite one of the most respectable personalities since he took the position where Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI left off. No matter the selfies and no matter if there's a little kid hugging him while on stage, Pope Francis always remained friendly to everyone. That's why this latest Pope garnered the recognition as TIME Magazine's Person of the Year 2013

Report: http://www.today.com/news/pope-francis-named-times-2013-person-year-2D11723759?ocid=ansmsnbc11

Tales of Zestiria announced

In celebration of Namco Tales' 20th birthday, NBGi announced the next installment in the Tales of series titled TALES OF ZESTIRIA, coming soon exclusively to the Playstation3 console this 2014.

Report: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-12-12/tales-of-zestiria-game-announced-for-ps3

The Hi-5 gang are coming at the Samsung Hall

Anyone remembered the pre-school show Hi5? Yes, most kids would remember this educational show hosted by five energetic MC's known as Hi5. Presented by Disney Junior Asia, there's going to be a Hi5 House Party show at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura from December 13 to 15, 2013 at 1:00PM, 4:00PM, and 7:00PM Philippine Standard Time. Kids, tell your parents.

TARDIS Garden shed?!

A Doctor Who fan, Clare Lee, has been given a replica of the TARDIS, which turns out to be a garden shed, by her husband. This midwife from Nottingham has lots of TARDIS-themed ornaments uses the model as a shed at the bottom of her garden. However, her TARDIS replica only fits a wheelbarrow and other gardening stuff. Hmmm...something for the back YARD-is...

Report: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2518025/Doctor-Whos-Tardis-used-garden-shed-mother-Nottingham.html

TTFN!!!

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Gran Turismo 6: Let's compare new JDM hatches!

At Gran Turismo, we're always in the forefront of all things JDM but for Gran Turismo 6, I'll be personally testing not one, not three, but four brand new JDM compacts on sale on the market and compare which one is the best. Am I worried? Am I?



First of all, I need some decent racing gear...hmmm...maybe some Simpson Diamondback helmet and some white Alpinestars suit should do but I'm starting to think I remind myself of a certain racing driver. Some say he poops like a dog and he will vomit three times. All we know is...well, you know that guy.

Anyway, here are GT6's newest compacts offered for low prices but only if you're just a casual player like me because hardcore racers go for something more powerful than those eco-boxes...





These are the eco-boxes in question. Four brand new JDM casual hatchbacks for the masses. There's the third-generation Mazda Demio, the pre-facelifted model. Then, there's the Honda Fit RS, the second-generation model. Next, the Toyota Vitz, the third-generation of Toyota's compact hatchback for the global public. And last, the Toyota Aqua, cheaper and more economical than the Prius and the undisputed leader of hybrids' fuel economies.

To find out which of these four new JDM hatches on GT6 is the better, I need to find a track. I might be go for Goodwood but since Toyota Aqua don't sold in Europe as of now, I need something else...



Yes, it's Tsukuba Circuit. Since the days of Best Motoring, it has been the proving ground for cars, domestic or import, sold in Japan and they sent Japan's professional drivers to do the comparison. Ah yes, I do miss Best Motoring and this place holds some memories. Anyway, enough history lesson, onto the comparo test.

The tires will be using for each cars will be default. It's a similar to the one the first time I bought. Then, I turned off their traction control just to let it loose in the track. And finally, I had to inspect that their specs are the same as the day it was bought. Now, time for the comparo!



First up, the third-generation Demio, the one with the tagline "NEW TARGET, NEW DEMIO" but can it set a good target here? This Demio I drove is the Sport model, it comes with a 1.5L engine developing 111HP of power and it's mated with a CVT gearbox, which theoretically, is the compact you may not want to have fun because of its annoying belt-and-pulley nonsense in this car.

The CVT gearbox isn't the least of the problem for the new Demio but understeer it is. You can try fight against its catastrophic understeer but arguably, it tries to hold you back. It maybe more of a sportier drive but it's not as sportier as its European rivals. Still, it manages to set a kickstarting lap time of 1:15.151 round Tsukuba.



Now it's time for the second-generation Honda Fit RS, the only beginner car in GT6 you're only allowed to start your GT6 legacy anew. In my past topic, I said that it's not half-bad but not half-good when you take a spin on it but can the second-generation Fit redeem itself?

This JDM compact is promising because despite it's 30kg more than the Demio, this comes with a six-speed manual gearbox, making my life a little more joyful when I drove it round Tsukuba. I told that this car tend to understeer but turns out, you can fight it. You can fight the understeer of a FWD compact if you have the right footwork (if you're playing on steering wheels) and the right technique to handle with precision.

Having manage to counter-steer through the corners of Tsukuba, the second-generation Honda Fit RS impressed me with a lap time of 1:14.890. Almost a second quicker than the Demio!



Now, how about this? The latest Toyota Vitz? Finally, I got my hands on the only Vitz to admit the Thais that they've picked the wrong Yaris. Why? Short story. Toyota launched third-generation model of Vitz in December 2010, Toyota Thailand forgot the memo, stuck on second-generation model until now, and here we are, on a fateful day, me driving the third-generation Vitz or Yaris. That made me happy to drive the latest version of the Vitz. Toyota Thailand, if you're reading this, you picked up the wrong Yaris because this is the Yaris it supposed to be! Handsome and well known globally.

Anyway, how does the new Vitz stack up? First of all, this Vitz comes with the 1.3L engine generating 93HP of power and it's connected to a CVT gearbox. It maybe sluggish in the acceleration stakes but the thing is, the new Vitz weighs around 990kg, lighter than the Demio and the Fit.

However, despite being lighter than the competition, the new Vitz, in its entry-level F form, tends to understeer and trying to fight it feels like I'm in a Robot Rodeo until my hair gets a bit frizzy because of the humidity. Where did I get that line?

After one lap, the Vitz scored a lap time of 1:16.062 round Tsukuba, which is pathetically slower than the Demio despite its light packaging.



Lastly, the baby Prius in the Toyota hybrid lineup, the Aqua. This hybrid is the most fuel efficient hybrid sold in the market and it's one of Japan's bestsellers by a huge margin. You might be expecting seeing most of these while you're on a walk in downtown Tokyo. Using the updated version of the old powerplant from the first-generation Prius, the Aqua has a fuel economy of 35kmpl back when it was launched. This year, it's now up to 37kmpl. No wonder Toyota wanted to update the Aqua in the name of fuel economy against the competitors vying to snag its fuel economy crown but anyway, enough of the blah blah blah, onto the Tsukuba lap with the Aqua.

The 1.5L engine is connected to an electric motor and a nickel-metal battery. Combined power output is below 100PS and it's mated with the CVT gearbox like most hybrids had. Even though acceleration is sluggish, just like any other hybrids, it's handling is a so-so. I may get some understeer on it like the other compacts I'm comparing but still, not as dull as the Prius.

As for the laptime, even though the combined power is more than the Vitz I used in this comparo, its lap time is a sluggish 1:17.127.

Let's check the results again...

Mazda Demio Sport '10 - 1:15.151
Honda Fit RS '10 - 1:14.890
Toyota Vitz F '12 - 1:16.062
Toyota Aqua S '11 - 1:17.127

So, there you have it. In my GT6 comparo round Tsukuba, the Aqua came dead last, the Vitz came 3rd, Demio come 2nd and the winner, amazingly, is the Honda Fit RS.



For now, time for the Fit RS to enjoy its Goodwood break.

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

The big scoop under the microscopic view today...

1) Leonardo DiCaprio teams up with Venturi for Formula E


Of course, with Titanic actor Leonardo DiCaprio being a longtime hybrid enthusiast, it seems that his fond of eco-friendly cars pushed him a even further as he's collaborating with Venturi as the French carmaker will make the rounds in the upcoming all-electric Formula E Championship.


2) Beware of fake "Tulong Na, Tabang Na" shirts


You all heard the news last night that somewhere in Divisoria, there has been some counterfeit "Tulong Na, Tabang Na" shirts sold and they cost less than the real one, which costs 250 Philippine Pesos. ABS-CBN warned about those fake shirts selling at low prices.

Remember, beware of fakes. The original "Tulong Na Tabang Na" shirt is available at the ABS-CBN Store in Quezon City, and online through Shopinas. They're going to be available at Bench stores as well as Boardwalk as well. Last month, these shirts were available at Ayala Malls.

As always, BEWARE OF FAKES! It won't do any good.

3) Melason Wedding

After three years since their fateful encounter at the Pinoy Big Brother House and became instant sensations as well as struggles in their lives, Melason finally get married! Yes, Melai Cantiveros and Jason Francisco had a wedding ceremony attended by their friends and family in General Santos City.


4) Demi Lovato admits she used to smuggle cocaine through airports

In an interview with Access Hollywood Live, Demi Lovato, who was famed for all things Disney such as As The Bell Rings, Camp Rock, and Sonny with a Chance, said:

 "I couldn't go without 30 minutes to an hour without cocaine and I would bring it on airplanes. I would smuggle it basically and just wait until everyone in first class would go to sleep and I would do it right there."

Believe it or not, Demi couldn't go an hour without using cocaine before she went to rehab as the used-to-be-Disney sensation sought treatment in October 2010 and revealed that she used to smuggle drugs through airports and use it while flying first class. Ouch...


5) Lexus teases new F model...


This is the teaser of Lexus' upcoming F model but what do you think it is? Whatever it is...it could be based on the recently-announced RC sports coupe as seen from the Tokyo Motor Show. Seriously, what's this? Find out this January.


6) Double points for final F1 2014 race?

Looks like the F1 2014 is going to have a lot of twist that what it used to be because reports told that in the final race of the season, points will be times two. That's right, double points for the final race of the season but seriously, WTF?

In old times, this system would have meant two of the greatest drivers never to win a title would have instead won three; Gilles Villeneuve in 1979 and Stirling Moss in 1956 and 1958.

To make things more worse for this season, the numbers system for drivers will be implemented but just 2 to 99 because 1 is reserved for the reigning champ but Vettel's not in the mood for that thing.


7) America's first lady to run an automobile company...

With Mary Barra now positioned as the CEO of General Motors, she's the first businesswoman to run an automobile company in America. Outgoing CEO Dan Akerson believed that she's known as the person who restored order at GM and with that, will GM's new CEO fulfill that promise? Suppose so...


8) GM's Australia production ends in 2017

With the rumor now turned into confirmation, General Motors announced that they will shut down its Australian production in late 2017. That means, 2,900 jobs will be lost over the next four years and the main reason is the strong Australian dollar. Holden's fate remain bleak for now...


TTFN!!!

Michelle Vito, IHAW NA!

In the December 10, 2013's Banana Nite's IHAW NA segment, the guest of the day was none other than the teen actress Michelle Vito. Believe it or not, she's the daughter of the famed comedian Michael V. and she did played the role of Megan from the TV fantasy drama, Aryana.

Meanwhile, more misconceptions in MALING AKALA...

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

SUPERSTORM YOLANDA: Justin Bieber in Tacloban



In case you missed it, the sensational pop idol, Justin Bieber, arrived at Tacloban, Philippines, one of the Philippine areas heavily devastated by last month's SUPERSTORM YOLANDA or HAIYAN. Based on observings, the Canadian pop idol sings the kids of Tacloban Christmas songs, then giving them new shirts, singing the survivor kids a happy birthday song to whoever a surviving child has a birthday, and so much more. Bieb's manager, Scooter Braun, got thrilled over the young children and oh, get this. Bieber kissed a crying baby Yolanda survivor.

This was part of Bieber's #givebackphilippines gig, you know...

Photo source: http://instagram.com/mjmarfori