Let's Do The News! (May 25, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- IT'S THE NEW CITROEN DS3!* Sort of. Facelifted version of the first of the Citroen DS range features new LED headlamps, all-new Active City Brake technology, new Euro6-compliant engines and new personalisation options.

2015 Citroen DS3

2015 Citroen DS3 Cabrio

- IT'S THE NEW AUDI A7!* Again, sort of. Audi's four-door coupe features a brave new face, updated software, and new engine powerplants including a new 3.0 TDi ultra.

2015 Audi S7

2015 Audi A7

- The Nissan GT-R returns to Le Mans next year as the Japanese car company confirms GT-R LM Nismo for next year's endurance race.

- For this year's Villa d'Este concourse, Mini has collaborated with Touring, the coachbuilder behind the Alfa Romeo Disco Volante that Jeremy Clarkson drove on TG Season 21, to create a Mini Superleggera one-off EV speedster.

Mini Superleggera Vision Concept

- The Uta no Prince-sama series has a large fanbase as well as an ever-expanding doujin community but game publisher Broccoli issued a warning against doujin groups, saying that they will terminate the distribution of doujin (fan-made) Uta-Pri items, stating that it's copyright infringement. The fans showed violent reactions regarding Broccoli's announcement.

- After a long wait, Frederator Studios' Cartoon Hangover finally streamed the 10th episode of Bravest Warriors season 2. This episode is titled "The Parasox Pub" and the Emotion Lord seeks revenge on Chris. Check it out!

- The YouTube gaming channel, Machinima, streamed all 12 episodes, plus a prologue, on the live-action Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist web series. This web series discovers the secret origin of our favorite Street Fighter characters; Ryu and Ken. Even though this is a web-series, it is also plan to air on TV, on-demand, or on DVD and Blu-Ray in the near future.

- Back to the Senkaku Islands stand-off, the People's Republic of China says that their fighter jets were scrambled in response of the intrusion of Japanese planes.

- A US admiral warns that the worsening maritime territorial rows in Asia may trigger a winner-take-all scenario that the PRC has the upper hand.

- A Filipino was executed in Qatar last month by the Doha Criminal Court for espionage and economic sabotage.

- Doctor Who returns this August 2014! Check out the teaser!

- The Forza Motorsport 5 Season Pass is now extended for two monthly car packs and get this! In advance, the DLC Pack for June is scheduled for May 30, Friday! They moved up the release schedule as part of their gratitude.

- Deep Silver Games, a division of Koch Media, announced Metro Redux; two Metro games (from Metro 2033 to last year's Metro Last Light) fully remastered for the Xbox One, PlayStation4, and Windows PC. Return to post-nuclear Moscow as Artyom in the revised versions of two Metro games based on the best selling novel written by Dmitry Glukhovsky.

- The name of the Superman Vs. Batman movie was finally announced. It will be titled Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and shooting for the epic showdown between The Dark Knight and The Man of Steel is underway.

- Here comes another Equestria Girls Rainbow Rocks short! It's titled A Case for the Bass and...how hard could it be for AppleJack to become a bass?



- Universal announced a movie version of Mattel's Monster High dolls franchise for Autumn 2016 release? AWESOME!

- Check out the official teaser trailer for Disney's new 3D movie, Big Hero 6.



- The Chevrolet Malibu scored the most number of recalls, not the Cobalt and the ignition switch problems that triggered an outrage for General Motors.

- The Infiniti QX70 removed the V8 engine for the 2015 model year, leaving the 325HP 3.7L V6 engine as the only engine available for this model. To compensate, the QX70 now comes with 21-inch dark-finish alloys with matching exterior highlights, paddle shifters, heated and cooled front sport seats and adaptive lighting. The stuff that was originally exclusive for the V8 model (now removed) can now be seen on the V6 model for the first time.

Infiniti QX70

- Factor Aurelio Automobile burst into scene at the 2014 Trans Sport Show at SMX Convention Center. Situated in Laguna, the company takes it name after Kevin Factor, an engineering student at Adamson, and Brendan Aurelio, the owner of Pacita Fibertech. They've showcased two prototype machines; one is powered by a Honda B16A engine and the other is powered by a turbocharged Mitsubishi 4G63T engine. In a report from Top Gear Philippines, Kevin Factor told that these locally-made sportscars are almost done and the reason of why they chose a 4-cylinder engine is because it's easier to service and thanks to the abundance of spare parts.

If completed, it will be cost at a cheap 1.5 to 1.6 million Pesos and for exclusivity; production is limited to 10 units.

TTFN!!!

Forza Motorsport 5: The ultimate BMW touring car

This is the 2013 BMW M Performance M3 Racing, a M3-based touring car that shows how capable BMW is after their two-decade absence in the DTM and their comeback is proven to be a successful one. This M3 touring car is one of the cars you can find on Forza Motorsport 5's Meguiar's Car Pack, now on sale.



When in 2012, BMW returned to the world of DTM with their BMW M3 Touring Car and its comeback is successful thanks to Bruno Spengler winning the 2012 championship as well as naming Augusto Farfus as the "Rookie of the Year".

 

In 2013, BMW Motorsport successfully dominated the DTM season with that year's BMW M3 Touring Car and proved their effort having accumulated five wins, twelve podiums, four pole positions, and four fastest laps in 2013 as well as accumulating their Manufacturer's title win. No other DTM-participated car company comes close.

Overall, BMW drivers in the 2013 DTM scored 369 points, while in the Team competition, BMW Team RBM placed 2nd with 148 points. Augusto Farfus was one of the best-known BMW drivers at the 2013 DTM after finishing as a runner-up at the Driver's championship with 116 points while BMW Team MTEK's Marco Wittmann is recognized as one of the most successful rookies of the 2013 DTM season.



Unlike any other racing machines destined for GT Racing, this M3 Touring Car is unlike any other touring machines I have tasted in Forza 5 because the way it handles is incredibly epic indeed. It feels so easy and it doesn't matter if you're not paying attention because while being focused for GT Racing in mind, those aerodynamics planted on this car really made it as precise as a surgeon's blade as well as its perfect weight distribution that balances the yin and yang from within. Having driven this ultimate touring machine in FM5, it left me a big impression in my face, stating that BMW's return to its touring car racing roots has proven their rivals wrong.

It kinda reminded me of a British sci-fi show that was once axed in the late 1980's but returned in the mid-2000's with incredible results in so many ways. I can hardly imagine why...

"Sarap ng may ice!"

On the May 23, 2014 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Pet shop gags

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...fighting with your boyfriend on the comments section!

- An interview with a motormouth woman

- Bubble Gang does Bear Brand choco by spoofing this commercial as BEAR BLONDE CHOCO! Sarap ng may ice!

- Istambay, Istambay sa Looban, Tambay din pati kababaihan, Lahat ay gustong magpagalingan, Talagang ang laban ay...DIBDIBAN?!

- Usapang Ligaw

- If you have problems with your life, seek help from Tata Lino!

- 101-HELPLINE, What can I help you?

- Once again, Brod Pete and pals answer life's biggest mysteries in ANG BAGONG DATING DOON! Foreigners welcome!

- Why is he reading the letter very angrily?

Forza Motorsport 5: Spirit of LaFerrari

This is the ultimate Ferrari even built, the LaFerrari. Don't let that funny name fool you because this is the Ferrari to end all Ferraris in the history of Ferrari. With the LaFerrari Car Pack, the first DLC pack offered on Forza Motorsport 5, players now had the chance to try out Ferrari's ultimate weapon of mass awesomeness. When I said awesomeness, what I mean, of course, is the high power output provided by the V12 engine and the HY-KERS that made this hybrid hypercar the king of Ferraris.



Supercars are like idols and idols need to be focused on three key concepts; Visual, Vocal, and Dance. In automotive terms, it's the way how it looks, how it sounds, and how it does. Let's start at the Visual department and by the looks of it, it seems that Ferrari didn't seek help to its longtime friend, Pininfarina, for the first time to design the hypercar's beauty from the bare essentials. Even though the name sounds too ridiculous for a petrolhead, the design penned by Ferrari themselves truly shows that it this car really is the alpha of the lineup, despite the fact that it's limited to 499 units, each costing a million euros.



On the Vocal department, despite the hybrid powetrain like you get from the McLaren P1, the LaFerrari sounds like an old F1 car...but only just. In Forza 5, not every exhaust note is textbook but trust me, the vocals that came from the exhaust is as close to the real one as you can get.

In the Dance department, now this is how it gets interesting...



To find out just how good is the LaFerrari is, I went to the Top Gear Test Track and meet up with some old friends from Modena...



What we have here is some of LaFerrari's ancestors through the years. There's the F40 which is known to be the first to break the 200mph mark. Then, there's the F50 which some say it has the V12 engine derived from an F1 car but in reality, the V12 engine shares nothing in common with the one from a F1 car. And finally, the Enzo, it's one of my favorite cars of all time and it's a honorable one because this supercar was named after the founder of Ferrari.

These four Ferrari special machines are now dancing through the Top Gear Track like a swords dance but there can only be one winner but first, let's talk about how they dance at the track.

In the F40, it feels more like a oversized go-kart because of its massive wing on the back but this aerodynamic party piece really get the job done with its clinical precision.



As for the F50 though, one of my least-favorite Ferrari feels more like an F1 car rather than a GT car. It handles like if a boy rushes back home for tea.



Even though Michael Schumacher contributed to this car, the Enzo Ferrari feels more dramatic and as precise like a F1 car which Ferrari draws their inspiration from. I still enjoy driving in one of these because it has some bittersweet memories with it, something that boggles my mind and my heart and I just can't forget how did the Enzo performs on the road ahead.


Now, on the LaFerrari though, the sleek aerodynamic design, the 7-speed double clutch gearbox, the V12 engine from the Ferrari F12, and the HY-KERS really worked its magic. It maybe messy at start but when things starting to come unraveled, the LaFerrari really lives up to the state as the king of Ferraris. When you unleash the full majesty of Ferrari's first-ever hybrid hypercar, you can really let this car do the talking for you.



After a whole session down at the TG Track, I have the results...

F40 - 1:19.692
F50 - 1:19.253
Enzo - 1:18:513
LaFerrari - 1:14.989

So, there you go, folks. The LaFerrari really is the King of Ferraris after all and when it comes to competition, looks like the P1 and the LaFerrari will surely want to bash against each other to see which hybrid supercar reign supreme in the world of Forza Motorsport 5.

Go ahead, give these hybrid hypercars a spin and when you hear the roar of the powerful engines combined with hum of the electric motor, you will surely never regret that both the P1 and LaFerrari really are the Big Bang Theory of motoring because even though they are classified are hybrids, you'll be dying to drive these two rival hypercars!

Second-generation Chrysler 200

2015 Chrysler 200

The last 200 was in the form of a facelifted Chrysler Sebring that promises to be the start of the new Chrysler, hence the new logo, but no matter how hard they tried, the previous 200 didn't fare well against the competition so instead of consigning it to the history books, the newly formed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles launched the new version of the 200 midsize sedan and by the looks of it, the new model is more of a mainstream rather than being a luxury midsize saloon.

So...is this all new?

Well, yes. This is an all-new model rather than just a facelift of the extinct Sebring. Like I told you, the previous 200 is just a lackluster facelift to the Sebring but for this new model, that's a departure from the old one and it's now a potent rival to the Chevrolet Malibu or Ford Fusion...although I'm not so sure about this...

What's it look like?

By the looks of it, the new 200 looks more like a posh Dart but both the Dart and the 200 are in a completely different league because the Dodge Dart is a compact sedan targeted at those who never liked Corollas, Galant Fortises, K3s, Avantes, or any other compact sedans of its class. The Chrysler 200 is made to target the likes of Peugeot's lackluster 508, Hyundai's Sonata, Kia's K5, Chevrolet's Malibu, or any other executive midsize saloon of this class and with this new model, Chrysler is now focused on being a mainstream brand rather than focused on luxury.

What about the interior?

2015 Chrysler 200

The old 200's interior looks more cheap and plasticky rather than being a luxury car on a budget and when I first examine the old one, it was like..."Hey! Why is this sat-nav looks like it came from cheap digicams that I bought from Fry's?" Oh dear... But now on the new 200, the new interior not only looks good as its big brother, the 300, but the new sat-nav system looks as modern as an Android smartphone. The gear lever from the old one is nowhere to be found and it's now replaced with some kind of stuff that you do with Jaguars, and by the looks of it, Chrysler wanted to give the new 200 some world-class inspiration but the only thing I find about the interior is some hint of wine and bread.

So, what's it like to drive?

2015 Chrysler 200

The old 200 is not what you called refined and it feels more like a 1990s American car that an average American family would drive to school, to the shops, to work, and anywhere else. Between you and me, the old 200's platform is a bit of a Far Eastern rubbishness even though that platform the old 200 used came from Mitsubishi themselves. This new one now uses the same chassis as found on the new Dodge Dart, and the crossover looks like the Bulborb from Pikmin, the Jeep Cherokee, and thanks to its multi-link geometry, it's rather good for a sports saloon. It doesn't feel like an American car at all and I'm starting to respect the fundamentals this new 200 had.

In the 200S model, it comes with a stiffened sport suspension so it feels as emotional as a pantomime drama theater without all the drama but for day-to-day use, being sporty isn't what you called comfortable.

Performance?

In the base model, the old 2.4L 4-cylinder engine from the old 200 has been thrown away and replaced by a Fiat-derived 2.4L Tigershark engine developing a modest 184 horsepower. Although the power output may be somewhat lacking against the competition, the fuel economy of 36MPG highway is really the best-in-class for the new 200. If power is your thing, there's also an available Pentastar V6 engine which delivers an impressive 295HP of power output. For the first time, the new 200 is equipped with the 9-speed 948TE automatic, making this the first midsize sedan to use this new gearbox.

Wow...9 gears!!!

Yes, nine gears is a bit too much for the 200 but this new gearbox is made to help this new model achieve such a good fuel economy.

Should I buy one?

2015 Chrysler 200

The MSRP for the new 200 starts at $21,700 for the base LX model and up to $30,195 for the 200C with the available 4WD drivetrain, making it one of the most affordable midsize saloons you can buy. Once more, the new 200 benefits from Chrysler's 60-month/100,000-mile warranty so you'll guarantee peace of mind with this one.

Will there be a...

No. Beginning with the new-generation 200, Chrysler told that there won't be a convertible model because even though the majority of these open-top models were rental cars, it is told that Chrysler will stop making an open-top version of the new 200. Even its Italian counterpart, the Flavia, is out of favor as well.

 Available colors: Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Black Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Crystal Blue Pearl Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Clear Coat, Lunar White Tri-Coat Pearl, Velvet Red Pearl Coat, and Vivid Blue Pearl Coat.

Photo: Chrysler Group LLC

Ridge Racer 20th Anniversary Remix

Ridge Racer 20th Anniversary Remix

Since the original arcade version debuted in November 1993, Ridge Racer is well-known as one of the longest-running racing franchises in history with over 25 releases on arcade, home and portable consoles, PC, mobile, smartphones & tablets from around the globe.

Last 2013, the Ridge Racer series marked its 20th anniversary and to keep Namco's racing franchise well-commemorated for the fans of this series, the 20th anniversary remix album has been released. With collaboration with Namco Sounds and Sweep Record, this two-disc compilation showcases 20 years of Ridge Racer by placing some of our favorite Ridge Sounds from the past 20 years.

We love the techno-style music heard throughout the Ridge Racer series so we wondered what would it be like when we put all our favorite stuff in this two-disc compilation. Some tunes just fizz a bit, others glow in interesting ways and some just go out with a bang. Lots of stuff from the Ridge Universe means it will take some time for you to enjoy the best of Ridge Racer over the past 20 years and it's the best time for some reaction.

The first CD features remixes of some of our favorite Ridge Racer tunes and as a bonus, there's the Ridge Racer USA Mix made in collaboration between Namco's Ridge Racer and SEGA's DAYTONA USA. You might remember that when the Hornet car from DAYTONA USA was offered on the PSVita version of Ridge Racer as a DLC. The second CD features three non-stop medley tunes as handpicked by Ridge Racer composers Hiroshi Okubo, Ayako Saso (SamplingMasters AYA), and Shinji Hosoe (SamplingMasters MEGA).

The 20-page booklet features a message from the staff from the Ridge Racer franchise. Then there is the 20-year history of the Ridge Racer franchise ranging from the F/A Racing of the first Ridge Racer, the Assoluto Fatalita of Rage Racer, Assoluto Bisonte of R4: Ridge Racer Type 4, Rivelta Mercurio of Ridge Racer V, Soldat Raggio of Ridge Racers, Soldat Meltfire of Ridge Racer 6, Kamata RC410 of Ridge Racer 7, Lucky & Wild Evolver of Ridge Racer 3D, up to the Kamata SYNCi of the PSVita Ridge Racer. A bite-sized chunk of the best of Ridge Racer. After that, the long list of Ridge Sound made by the composers of Ridge Racer over the past 20 years, and all about the mascot characters in the series.

For 20 years of powersliding at high speeds, this franchise never gets old, especially the high-speed BGMs as heard throughout the franchise and I believe that this is worth getting it.

TRACK LISTING:

Disc 1 - Remix Tracks:
1) Tsui Tsui The 20TH Anniv. Mix
2) Disco Ball (RR 20th Anniv. Mix)
3) Drive U 2 dancing (AJURIKA Remix)
4) EUPHORIA (RR 20th Anniv. Mix)
5) Move Me (RR 20th Anniv. Mix)
6) Grip (RR 20th Anniv. Mix)
7) Quiet Curves (J99 Remix)
8) Volcano Vehicle (RR 20th Anniv. Mix)
9) SLIDING BEAT (RR 20th Anniv. Mix)
10) ROTTERDAM NATION (RR 20th Anniv. Mix)
11) PLANET (RR 20th Anniv. Mix)
12) Ridge Racer (RIDGE RACER USA Mix)

Disc 2 - Nonstop Audio/ Presented by RIDGE CITY FM 76.5MHZ

1) DJ Mixed by Hiroshi Okubo
Open Up You Window / Ridge Racer 3D
LUCID RHYTHMS / R4-Ridge Racer Type 4-
SILHOUETTE DANCE / R4-Ridge Racer Type 4-
SILVER STREAM / Rage Racer
Night Stream / Ridge Racers
Floodlight / Ridge Racer 6
Supercruiser / Ridge Racer 7
EXH* NOTES / Rave Racer
Galactic Life / Ridge Racer 6

2) DJ Mixed by Ayako Saso
Scream / Ridge Racers 2
Samurai Rocket / Ridge Racer V
Into The Lead / Ridge Racer (PlayStation®Vita)
Disco Ball / Ridge Racers
Purple Sky / Ridge Racer (PlayStation®Vita)
Tek Trek / Ridge Racers
Future Driven / Ridge Racer (PlayStation®Vita)
Run Pac-Man Run / Ridge Racer 6
Nitro Mantra / Ridge Racer
Highway Fusion / Ridge Racer 6
Floodlight / Ridge Racer 6
Explorers / Ridge Racer 6

3) DJ Mixed by Shinji Hosoe
Jump In and Go (opening) / Ridge Racer 6
Drift Psychosis / Ridge Racer 6
Stream Of Lights / Ridge Racer 3D
Heart Of Hearts Remix / Ridge Racers 2
Rotten7 Remix / Ridge Racers 2
Rolling Glider / Ridge Racer 3D
Combustion / Ridge Racer 7
Aberration / Ridge Racer 3D
Rareheroes / Ridge Racers
Dr.Mad's Gone / Ridge Racer 3D
Valley of the Mind / Ridge Racer 6
Warp Trooper / Ridge Racers
Rotterdam Nation Remix / Ridge Racers

For English-speaking customers: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/SRNS-2001

Nissan to stop producing Z34 Fairlady Z Roadster this Fall

It's a sad day to the Z enthusiasts in Japan that there was a report told that Nissan will stop producing the Z34-spec Fairlady Z Roadster (known worldwide as the 370Z Roadster) this September 2014.

The Z34 Fairlady Z Roadster was launched in Japan since October 2009 and it was facelifted alongside its coupe equivalent since July 2012. Sadly as of April 2014, about 798 units of the open-top Z34 were sold in the midst of Japan's 8% sales tax hike that was implemented last month.

Also, the 2015MY Nissan Fairlady Z (Z34) Nismo will be on sale to the Japanese market this summer.

Related Information URL : http://m.car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140522_649716.html

Let's Do The News! (May 22, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- In cased you missed it; Laguna governor ER Ejercito was disqualified due to the supposed overspending of his campaign at last year's elections.

- The Philippines and Vietnam, two ASEAN nations, announced their cooperation against China's territorial abuse.

- A martial artist surrendered himself during a fight because he might feared that his blow might put his already-battered opponent to the hospital.

- The W205 MB C-Class now gets an Estate model with added room on the back.




- Caleb Johnson is the winner of this season's American Idol.

- A former party-list representative was arrested as violent protest spurs through Makati City, where the World Economic Forum for East Asia is held.

- General Motors, currently in hot water over the mass recall, officially developing new seatbelt system that won't let your drive without putting your seatbelt, in response to the Click It or Ticket campaign.

- Continuing on the bad case of GM's mass recall, over 218k of Chevrolet Aveo models from 2004-2008 model years (from Kalos to Gentra of GM Daewoo years) were recalled over fire-prone lighting problems.

- Janel Parrish from Pretty Little Liars will be narrating for the audiobook version of The Journeys of John and Julia: Genesis, written by Aurelia.

- Shooting for the 2015 Disney Channel Original Movie, Descendants, has begun in Vancouver, Canada. It stars Dove Cameron as Mal, Booboo Stewart as Jay, Cameron Boyce as Carlos De Vil, and Sofia Carson as Evvie.

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (May 21, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Dodge and SRT are proudly present their most powerful Challenger yet. Meet the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT with the newly-developed and supercharged Hellcat 6.2L HEMI V8 engine. It's the most powerful engine ever made by the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

- Check out the teaser for Mercedes-AMG's brand new sportscar that is heading our way soon...

 

- WALANG HIMALA! Legendary actress Nora Aunor is now 60 years old!

- Who is this? McDonald's revealed their brand new mascot named Happy but by the looks of it, he looks rather creepy.

- President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China warns Asian nations about strengthening military alliances to counter China, saying this won't not benefit regional security.

- John Kaufman is the winner of NBC's The Voice Season 6.

- Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskly are the winning pair in the season finale of ABC's Dancing With The Stars after their outstanding performance that left the audiences rocked with praise.

- Brenna D'Amico will be playing the role of Jane, the Fairy Godmother's daughter, in 2015's Disney Channel Original Movie, Descendants.

- Check out Zendaya's music video for the song "Too Much", to be seen in next month's DCOM, Zapped! Zapped premieres June 27th, just before the premiere of the new series Girl Meets World.

You can never have too much of Zendaya!



- From May 22 to May 25, 2014, the 2014 Trans Sport Show features the brightest and the hottest machines in the world of motoring. It happens tomorrow up until Sunday at the SMX Convention Center, perfect if you're looking for something to spend your last days of summer this year!

TTFN!!!

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 62

A few days ago, Shigeaki Miyazaki (better known as ASKA from a fabled duo CHAGE & ASKA) has been arrested for drug possession. Last year, Chage (real name Shuji Shibata) and Aska delayed their reunion concerts for health concerns. Some reports noted that Aska's using drugs but the singer denied the claims. Now, the 56-year-old singer secretly possessed drugs in violation of Japan's drug control laws.

After his arrest, it seems that Walt Disney Studios Japan is delaying the release of the Blu-Ray/DVD collection of anime movie works by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. If that wasn't enough, the collection will no longer have the Chage and Aska song titled "On Your Mark". They're also stopping shipments of the 2005 Studio Ghibli special shorts DVD, which also comes with the same song.

Universal Music announced that they're suspending shipments and recalling goods by Chage and Aska, especially those goods by Aska himself, following his arrest.

Listen up Subarists, you may be familiar with Chage and Aska as those who did commercial songs for Subaru models in Japan, namely the Impreza and the Vivio kei-car, from the 90's. In this Driving Music segment courtesy of yours truly, car enthusiasts from all over Japan should better hunt some Chage and Aska songs heard from Japanese car commercials in the past so before those corporations start pulling out some Chage and Aska hits following Aska's arrest, find those songs while you can. Here are the list...

1) No No Darlin' by Chage & Aska

2) WALK by Chage & Aska

3) Sons and Daughters by Chage & Aska

4) なぜに君は帰らない by Chage & Aska

5) Say Yes by Chage & Aska (not from a Subaru commercial but actually, it came from a Mitsubishi Grandis commercial since 2004)

6) DO YA DO by Chage & Aska (again, not from a Subaru commercial but it came from a Toyota Sprinter Carib commercial since 1990)

Find these songs before they're removed forever following Aska's arrest and they can make a great addition to your driving music playlist! Perhaps that's the reason why it's called DRIVING MUSIC, I'm hunting for songs came from car commercials from around the globe.

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.

Sewol Tragedy: Owner defied orders

Yoo Byung-eun, the de-facto owner of the sunken Sewol ferry, has once again defied orders to come in for questioning over his possible involvement in last month's maritime disaster. The prosecutors are guessing if the owner might smuggle himself out on Saturday in a believer's car, a religious retreat and farming firms complex that Yoo's family owns in the Gyeonggi-Do province. They suspect that Yoo hides out at his followers home in Seoul and the guessing comes from traces of telephone communications between him and his followers. He's believed to have a dozen of borrowed phones.

Source: Arirang Radio

Atom Araullo's response to Lourd de Veyra's tweet

Moments ago, we saw TV5's showbiz reporter, Jun Sabayton, interrupted ABS-CBN reporter Atom Araullo while he was in a middle of a report about DepEd's Brigada Eskwela. Now, something's trending going on around here post-encounter.

Lourd de Veyra (the Radioactive Sago Project member, TV5 reporter, and the dude from the Word Of The Lourd shorts) tweeted like this; "Boss @atomaraullo Sorry ha. We need the ratings" but the ABS-CBN reporter slams them by his response "Karangalan ko ang mahaplos ng pinakawalang kwentang showbiz reporter" (It's been honored to get touched by this nonsense showbiz reporter). That tweet reached 348 retweets and 637 favorites.

Report: http://n5e.interaksyon.com/top/0B7431ECFEEA407/1001/sagot-ni-atom-araullo-sa-tweet-ni-lourd-de-veyra-trending

Man kills daughter, made her death his profile pic

This is one of the most shocking crime news that you have never witnessed before and this crime news is from the Philippines. Somewhere in Quezon City, there was once a man who mercilessly killed his own 7-year-old daughter because of his depression. He was motivated to killed his daughter when his wife unknowingly left to Canada earlier this month. A witness, who turned out to be the sister of the suspect, told that in the first attempt, he hid his wife's passport somewhere in the house and then, in the second attempt, his wife left the country discreetly. Unknowingly, he was threatened to kill his daughter if his wife leaves the country for good.

The crime occurred when his 7-year-old daughter was sleeping and his sister heard that there was some hysteria going on around in the house and when she saw his daughter, she tried waking up but then, she noticed a couple of stabs in her body.

And then, the news gets worse; he used his daughter's death as his profile pic on Facebook just to show it to his wife. Right now, he was imprisoned at the Quezon City Police Station 5 Fairview and charged for parricide.

Source: TV5, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Let's Do The News! (May 20, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- ANALYSIS: Student-loan payments are most struggled by borrowers by 11.5%, as illustrated by this chart courtesy of the Pew Research Center.

Source: http://pewresearch.tumblr.com/

- Numerous school officials, teachers, parents, students, community residents, and other education stakeholders gathered yesterday in numerous public schools all over the Philippines for the annual Brigada Eskwela campaigned by DepEd. With most schools in the Philippines will be reopened on Monday, June 2, 2014, signalling the start of School Year 2014-2015, the Brigada Eskwela is a yearly tradition to help public schools prepare for the opening of a new school year. For this year, the Brigada Eskwela is focused to keep schools safe from natural calamities; mostly floods.

- The new series, Girl Meets World, starring Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter, is coming next month on Disney Channel. The digital single, Take On The World, which serves as the theme song of the new series, is now available on iTunes!

- Philippine Airlines revealed their new Airbus 330-300 HGW (high gross weight) jet to the general public.

- Time for some science breakthrough; Australians develop a new Twitter tool to monitor the world's emotions.

- In a twisted kind of way; reporters Luchi Cruz-Valdes (TV5), Korina Sanchez (ABS-CBN), and Mike Enriquez (GMA) were battered by an issue linking these three reporters to Pork Barrel Queen Janet Lim Napoles.

- Also, another set of lawmakers are listed in the Napolist. Who are these? Find out by clicking here.

- The Philippine Volcanoes are setting their standards as they've reached 52nd in the international rugby world ranking. Such performances include a win against Sr Lanka in the Asian 5 Nations in Colombo at the score of 26-25.

- The 2014 version of Godzilla scored a $38.5 million earnings on its first day, more than Captain America: The Winter Soldier or The Amazing Spider-Man 2. It's so successful, the folks behind the reboot wanted to make another one!

TTFN!!!

When two reporters collide...

When two reporters collide

In case you didn't see that thing coming, TV5 reporter Jun Sabayton, while he was doing a showbiz report, made an unlikely encounter with ABS-CBN's Atom Araullo while he was doing a coverage about the DepEd's Brigada Eskwela initiation. He said "Mabango ba si Atom Araullo?" (Is Atom Araullo fresh?) as when two reporters from two different networks collide in the same area. Those viewers didn't expected that the unlikely moment will happen, right?

To see that clip: http://bit.ly/1jyi68d

Let's Do The News! (May 19, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Say hello to the updated 2015 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO. It's got a new face and for the first time, an optional 7-speed automatic gearbox.

- In case you missed the 2014 BAFTA, here are the list of this year's winners;

TELEVISION ACTOR IN 2014 - Sean Harris (Southcliffe)
TELEVISION ACTRESS IN 2014 - Olivia Colman (Broadchurch)
TELEVISION COMEDY AND COMEDY ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME IN 2014 - A League Of Their Own
TELEVISION CURRENT AFFAIRS IN 2014 - Syria: Across The Lines (Dispatches)
TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES IN 2014 - Broadchurch
TELEVISION ENTERTAINMENT PERFORMANCE IN 2014 - Ant and Dec
TELEVISION ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME IN 2014 - Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
TELEVISION FACTUAL SERIES IN 2014 - Bedlam
TELEVISION FEATURES IN 2014 - Long Lost Family
TELEVISION FELLOWSHIP IN 2014 - Julie Walters
TELEVISION FEMALE PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY PROGRAMME IN 2014 - Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd)
TELEVISION INTERNATIONAL IN 2014 - Breaking Bad
TELEVISION MALE PERFORMANCE IN A COMEDY PROGRAMME IN 2014 - Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd)
TELEVISION MINI SERIES IN 2014 - In The Flesh
TELEVISION NEWS COVERAGE IN 2014 - ITV News At Ten: Woolwich Attacks
TELEVISION RADIO TIMES AUDIENCE AWARD IN 2014 - Doctor Who: Day of the Doctor
TELEVISION REALITY AND CONSTRUCTED FACTUAL IN 2014 - Googlebox
TELEVISION SINGLE DOCUMENTARY IN 2014 - The Murder Trial
TELEVISION SINGLE DRAMA IN 2014 - Complicit
TELEVISION SITUATION COMEDY IN 2014 - Him & Her: The Wedding
TELEVISION SOAP AND CONTINUING DRAMA IN 2014 - Coronation Street
SPECIAL AWARD - Cilla Black
TELEVISION SPECIALIST FACTUAL IN 2014 - David Attenborough's Natural History Museum Alive
TELEVISION SPORT AND LIVE EVENT IN 2014 - The Ashes 2013 - 1st Test, Day 5
TELEVISION SUPPORTING ACTOR IN 2014 - David Bradley (Broadchurch)
TELEVISION SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN 2014 - Sarah Lancashire (Last Tango in Halifax)

- Also, in case you missed the 2014 BillBoard Music Awards, here are the list of this year's winners;

Top Rock Album: Imagine Dragons, "Night Visions"

Milestone Award: Carrie Underwood

Icon Award: Jennifer Lopez

Top Rock Song: Lorde

Top Billboard 200 Album: Justin Timberlake, "The 20/20 Experience"

Top New Artist: Lorde

Top Country Artist: Luke Bryan

Top Female Artist: Katy Perry

Top Streaming Artist: Miley Cyrus

Top Country Song - Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly, "Cruise"

Top R&B Song: Robin Thicke, "Blurred Lines"

Top Artist: Justin Timberlake

...for complete list, CLICK HERE!

- IN CASE YOU REALLY REALLY MISSED IT: The first housemate to be evicted from the Pinoy Big Brother house in PBB ALL IN is Chevin Cecilio. Because of his lowest final percentage of votes, Chevin is the first to be kicked out from the PBB house, leaving Loisa and Maris safe for now.

- Disney celeb Zendaya will come to China at the end of this month to celebrate the grand opening of Millions of Milkshakes branch in the capital city of Shanghai.

- The McCLAIN sisters (China Anne, Lauryn, and Sierra) will be performing at the 2014 Move Your Body campaign sponsored by Wat-ahh!, a company dedicated to teach kids the advantages of drinking water.

- Three months ago, four people were killed after the tread separated on a decade-old SUV tire. Just how dangerous is an aging tire? This report explains why.

- So far, only 128 victims of the 1970's Martial Law were filed for compensation.

- Controversial TV personality Willie Revillame denies rumors about selling most of his properties due to gambling.

TTFN!!!

Wow Mali Pa Rin! - May 18, 2014

On the May 18, 2014 episode of WOW MALI PA RIN...

- SHOWBIZ NA PULIS - IISA-ISAHIN, PUNTO POR PUNTO, SASAGUTIN, LIVE!!!

- LAKAS SIGNAL - Need a better reception on your phone? Approach to your nearest person!

- ANAK NG FU - In this episode's ANAK NG FU, Mr. Fu sends out two competitors to take a selfie with some unsuspecting people in a prank called SELFIE SELFIE!

- TAMBULAGA - Beware of the siyokoy!!!

- TARANTA SA TARANTULA - It's arachnophobic armageddon!!! Is anyone got bitten by a spider?

- COMPRESS COMPRESS - Care to take a group shot with some fat people?

Some say: New Toyota minivan will be named ESQUIRE

2014 Toyota Noah

There is a rumor going around in Japan and this time, the rumor states that Toyota will launch a new minivan tentatively called Esquire. The minivan in question will be based on the recently launched Toyota Noah and Voxy minivans, which they were launched since January 2014. Some say, the Esquire will be launched at the end of 2014, serve as the replacement to the stagnant Isis minivan, and it will be available as a hybrid-only minivan.

The latest Noah and Voxy minivan had a hybrid variant which comes with the 1.8L engine connected to an electric motor and nickel metal battery, which leads them to a a fuel economy of 23.8km/L, calculated in JC08 Mode standards. If the statements are confirmed, the Esquire will have that same hybrid powerplant as those Noah and Voxy minivans.

Source: http://car-research.jp/toyota/esquire.html

The 20 most memorable machines in the Ridge Universe

This week, there's a 20th anniversary special music CD to celebrate 20 years of Namco's high-octane, powersliding, racing video game franchise known as Ridge Racer. But what's the most memorable machine in the franchise in the last 20 years?

20 years of Ridge Racer

The first installment of the Ridge Racer series was launched in 1993 as an arcade and at the end of 1994 on the Sony PlayStation console. Of course, 1994 is the year the PlayStation was born in Japan and 20 years on, the legacy still lives on. It is one of the most anticipated games in the decade and in this game, players get to choose one of 10 racing machines and there are four ways to play this game; either solo or two-player.

Anyway, no time for brief history lessons, time for me to celebrate it's (too-late or advanced?) 20th birthday to the Ridge Racer series by showcasing 20 of the most memorable machines you can only see in the world of Ridge Racer.

1) F/A Racing (Ridge Racer/Ridge Racer Revolution) - It is one of the most memorable machines when the Ridge Racer game was born. 20 years later, you can still enjoy the F/A racing under its real name, the Kamata Fiera, in other installments of the series.

2) 13th Racing (Ridge Racer/Ridge Racer Revolution) - The devil car in the first game. Harder to corner, but one of the quickest in a straight line.

3) Gnade Esperanza (Rage Racer) - Known to be as the sequel to the popular RIDGE RACER franchise on the PlayStation, Rage Racer delivers arcade-style racing at the comfort of their homes. This is the first time the mascot character, Reiko Nagase, made her appearance in this installment. Of course, the only beginner car to start in Rage Racer is the Gnade Esperanza, a two-door saloon car that is somewhat reminiscent to...either the first BMW M3 or a Mitsubishi Diamante...well, it's a mash-up but it's still the one to start if you're playing Rage Racer.

4) Age Abeille (Rage Racer) - Before the Abeille was the Ridge Racer equivalent to the real-life Renault Clio V6, because of its midship-engined rear-wheel drive powertrain that you expect from it, the first Abeille was basically more of a lookalike to the real-life Renault 5 Turbo hatchback but what made me surprised that it is one of the best handling cars in Rage Racer.

5) Lizard Bayonet (Rage Racer) - Long before the Bayonet is labeled as a Danver, it was labeled as the Lizard Bayonet in Rage Racer and by the looks of it, it's the equivalent of the Chevrolet Corvette C3 in real-life.

6) Lizard Hijack (Rage Racer) - Yes, there was a pickup truck in the Rage Racer game but don't underestimate the looks of it because it's a muscle in the straights but in the corners, you need to be highly focused as well as the gear change because it's MT ONLY and it takes a skilled driver to send this pickup truck to the corners.

7) Assoluto Fatalita (Rage Racer) - The Fatalita served as the cover car of Rage Racer and it's essentially built for speed and nothing else. Handle this stuff with care.

8) Lizard Bulldog (Rage Racer) - It's definitely one of the scariest of the secret machines in Rage Racer and apart from its boxy hot-rod shape, it's the rumbling sound of its engine that really is the work of the devil.

9) Assoluto Squaldon (Rage Racer) - Forget the Bulldog, this is the ultimate of the secret machines in Rage Racer and one of my favorite stuff about the Squaldon is the demonic whine when you put your foot down on the pedal. It's definitely one of the quickest machines on the straights especially The Extreme Oval.

10) Assoluto Bisonte (R4: Ridge Racer Type 4) - Actually it's the Bisonte with the RT Solvalou livery is what got the crowds enjoying. Even though it was classified as a HARD difficulty setting in the RRR Grand Prix, the RT Solvalou is most picked by players because it's focused on power and when you watched the intro, the RT Solvalou Assoluto Bisonte is the star of the show. Judging that the front view looks more like an Aston Martin, it's one of the most beautiful machines in the game.

11) Age Ecureuil (R4: Ridge Racer Type 4) - Don't let the small size fool you with this special machine. Yes, it maybe small in size but what makes it is its incredible handling and its ridiculously fast top speed.

12) Rivelta Mercurio (Ridge Racer V) - The arrival of Playstation2 in the new millenium welcomed the first Namco game in this console and that is none other than Ridge Racer V. This is the only game in the franchise that has the Rivelta machines in it; namely the Mercurio and the Solaire. The Rivelta Mercurio, the one that looks like the Mitsubishi GTO in reality, is the hero car in RRV.

13) Himmel EO (Ridge Racer V) - Mostly picked by players in RRV, the Himmel EO is simply the equivalent of reality's Porsche 911 because the engine's in the back and because of its rear-engined rear-wheel drive drivetrain, the handling of the EO is remarkably mild but menacing.

14) Kamata Angelus (Ridge Racer V) - The devil car that was known as 13th Racing was given a name, the Rivelta Crinale (later known as Soldat Crinale in later installments), and it was now rivalled by an angel car known as the Kamata Angelus. In RRV, the Angelus looks more like a Ferrari F40 but when you put your foot down, the exhaust note's as lyrical as a harp and it's definitely one of the best handling of the special machines. While the Crinale is focused on speed, the Angelus balances speed and handling into one.

15) Soldat Raggio (Ridge Racers) - In late 2004, the Sony PSP was launched in Japan and in tradition, every new console or portable game has a Ridge Racer dedicated to it and the PSP game, Ridge Racers, gives players the freedom to play wherever they go. The thoroughbred V12 Italian stallion, the Soldat Raggio, is the hero car of the game and even though I find this car to be tricky to handle because of the drift type is Dynamic, it's one of my favorites in the game.

16) Soldat Meltfire (Ridge Racer 6) - When the XBOX 360 was launched in Japan in 2005, this is Namco's first offering for this console. Ridge Racer 6 introduces a new generation of gameplay thanks to the modernized graphics, online connectivity, challenging races that pits players to the test, and a wide array of machines that can be unlocked as they progressed to the game's World Xplorer mode. The Meltfire, which is loosely the equivalent of the Ferrari F430 in real life, the hero car of the series and one of my favorites.

17) Monstrous (Ridge Racer 6/Ridge Racer 7) - The Monstrous is notably one of the most wicked machines in the world of Ridge Racer and it's definitely one of the most mysterious machines ever existed in the franchise. At first, it looks more of a luxury limousine but when the driver hits the nitro, it's becoming more of a reminiscent of something that you saw from most sci-fi movies. Scary, but unique...

18) Kamata RC410 (Ridge Racer 7) - When the Playstation3 was launched in late 2006, the folks from Bandai Namco Games welcomed the arrival of the PS3 with their launch title of the console known as Ridge Racer 7. While it has some of the cars from X360's RR6, RR7 features customization, better online connectivity, UFRA Special Event DLC, and of course, tracks and cars exclusive to the game, including the hero car, the Kamata RC410. Yes, it's that one that look like...well, you know but forget about what I told, it's one of my favorites in this game and I spent hours driving with it in RR7.

19) Lucky & Wild Evolver (Ridge Racer 3D) - The Nintendo 3DS was launched in the first quarter of 2011 and one of Namco Bandai's launch title is Ridge Racer 3D. In RR3D, this game now comes with muscle cars in the lineup, especially the Camaro-lookalike hero car, the Evolver. Yes, I said it because they're really do look-alike but like any muscle car driven, the Evolver is pretty much tricky to master because it's too dynamic but with practice, the Evolver will surely behave like what every hero cars would do.

20) PAC-MAN - Yes, PAC-MAN maybe a character but in the world of Ridge Racer, he's a special machine to get and he's been in numerous installments starting from; R4, Ridge Racer V, Ridge Racers, Ridge Racer 6, Ridge Racers 2, Ridge Racer 7, Ridge Racer 3D, and the PSVita Ridge Racer game (under the PAC-MAN SP machine based on the SYNCi). Eat 'em up!

What's in our Car Town garage today? (May 18, 2014)

What's in our Car Town garage today?

1986 Ford Aerostar

Long before any other family-friendly Ford MPVs launched from USA and around the world, there was the Aerostar, a family MPV which shares its underpinnings from the Ford Ranger and the Ford Bronco. It was Ford's first attempt to create a multipurpose vehicle as a response from Chrysler developing their own line of minivans but little did you know that the Aerostar was one of the most aerodynamic vehicles developed by Ford since the SVO Mustang and the Lincoln Continental Mark VII because of its drag coefficient of 0.37.

1986 Ford Aerostar

2006 VW New Beetle

Even though the Golf succeed the Beetle as the "people's car", the Beetle is still one of the most popular machines in history thanks to its unique design and just before the 90's end, Volkswagen gave the Beetle their own modernized look and they called it New Beetle. Although it looks just like the original one, it now utilizes the same platform as the VW Golf.

2006 VW New Beetle

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 10th Anniversary

In the year 2003, Jeep released their flagship version of the off-road ready Wrangler called the Rubicon, which is named after one of the most gruelling off-road trails in the world. 2013 marks the 10th anniversary of the Rubicon model so Jeep celebrates its 10th birthday with a special model which pushes the envelope on one of the most off-road capable vehicles you can buy. Available in 2-door and 4-door Unlimited model, the Rubicon 10th Anniversary model features special equipment to keep it on par with the ultimate Wrangler ever made.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
10th Anniversary

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

The Trans Am Performance and Appearance Package was offered on the first-generation Pontiac Firebird for the 1969 model year, the one where the Firebird gained its looks from its big brother, the GTO. For 1969, most Firebirds are offered with either a 350 cu in V8 or a high-powered 400 cu in (6.6L) V8 engine with the optional Ram Air IV that generates about 345HP of power output. There were 689 hardtops and 8 convertible models of the 1969 Firebird Trans Am models were made, making it one of the rarest machines you can find on the roads.

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am