BVBBLE GANG XIX

GMA's hit comedy gag show, Bubble Gang is now on its 19th anniversary! The TV show's all grown up but the cast didn't and they're still up to their crazy shenanigans as they're doing it big time for the show's 19th year with a little help from special celebrity guests so...what are they up to?

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...revenge posts!

- Bubble Gang does Ariel with Jose and Eugene Domingo!

- Spartan gags!

- ISTAMBAY SA LOOBAN with the Dabarkads!

- Mr. Matapobre encounters some street children on his home!

- Antonietta gets poisoned by Ms. Gloria Romero!

- Celebs seeks help to Tata Lino!

- Marian Rivera takes on a dance-off with the choreographer and the Bubble Shakers!

- KWEK KWEK music video!

- ANG BAGONG DATING DOON INTERNATIONAL with Brod Pete and special participation of Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana!

- Mr. Assimo vs. Pepito Manaloto!

- IYOTUBE with Moymoy Palaboy in Picture Picture featuring the best bite-sized chunks of Bubble Gang!

We hope you enjoyed the anniversary special more than you do, folks! So, happy 19th anniversary to our favorite comedy show in the Philippines (and the world...probably), Bubble Gang!

Top Gear USA: Appalachian Trail

The season finale sees the boys of Top Gear USA taking on an epic adventure to the Appalachian Trail and they only have 24 hours to get through the entire length of the trail...using second-hand cars they've spent five grand on. Tanner has a Mitsubishi Montero SUV (that's the 3rd-generation Pajero to us), Adam has a last-gen Jaguar XJR, and Rut goes for the old Mercedes CL55 grand tourer.

There are some crazy moments occurred during the Appalachian road trip such as Adam summoning a gondola to lift his Jag, cattle encounters in Vermont, the whole Rut Needs To Go part on the road, Tanner wrecking a Saab for a tire change, a race to the train, and Tanner summoned a help from the RV driver to take him and his Montero for a lift.

With a few hours left, the boys gave it all they had to cross the end of the Appalachian Trail and at Trail's end, Adam and Rut made it while Tanner arrived several minutes later.

Forza Horizon 2 - Barn Find #02: VW Type 2 De Luxe

There is a second barn find rumor lurking around the Horizon Festival and the barn find in question is an abandoned VW Type 2 De Luxe, otherwise known as the Kombi, the Bus, the Transporter or my personal favorite, the Sambabus. We like to call it "Sambabus" because it sounds very catchy for the V-dub classic.



The barn find is located within the forests of Montellino. It took a lot of time to navigate through the wilderness and it is found that the barn find is located over 500 yards away from the North Montellino Speed Trap. I've sent my barn find car, the Alpine A110, as a recon to find the VW Bus hidden from the forests of Montellino. What an awesome attempt, a barn find car is finding a fellow barn find car. It's like a soldier rescuing his colleagues in need. A car in help is a car in need.





Several minutes later, the Sambabus has been reborn and while it may not be the quickest one around, it's certainly is a road trip material. Just driving in one of these makes me feel like a hippie again. They think I'm the kind of person who always shouting everyone's causes and spread the word to the world. Yes, that's one heck of a hippie car but the Sambabus has an incredible history as one of the oldest machines in its existence and after VW do Brasil, the Brazilian division that kept building the classic Type 2 Kombi, stopped producing one in December of last year, the Bus lasted for 64 years, that's more than your soccer mom's van! It's a good thing this car fulfilled its bucket list to making Kombi owners and enthusiasts' wishes come true.

I believe the Type 2 V-Dub is a pretty enjoyable car to drive despite being a slow one and when it comes to art, it really shines out to bring creative people some interesting artwork for the Type 2 to show it to the world. You can make eye-catching designs on the Type 2 and share your love of Type 2 Kombis with other FH2 players. Isn't it nice?

Now, will you excuse me, I got a Road Trip Award Party to attend to...and oh, I'll be using this Type 2 Kombi for the road trip. Don't ask why but this will be a fun one for the fun-sized MPV.

Cadillac ATS Coupe

Two years ago, Cadillac launched their entry-level luxury sedan called the ATS. It was positioned below the CTS and this car was a potent threat against the Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4, and the BMW 3-Series. It was a good car for a start but it kinda doesn't live up to its world-class reputation because it's just too plain for a sports saloon to give the Germans a good rambling.

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe

Fast-forward to today and Cadillac not only offered a facelifted ATS saloon but they've added a coupe version for the very first time and the brand new ATS Coupe could be America's answer to the BMW 4-Series and the Audi A5. Does it got what it takes to be as good as the Germans?

First and foremost, it looks like the ATS saloon but for the coupe version, it only has two-doors. Yep, two doors but that's not the end of it because what made us noticed that the ATS Coupe is the first-ever Cadillac to feature the new logo as seen on the Elmiraj concept from last year's Pebble Beach. That's right, what you're looking up here is the new face of Cadillac. The laurels are gone and that new, laurel-less or wreath-less Cadillac crest logo looks a bit chubby if you ask me. Anyway, never mind about the new logo, let's talk more on the important aspect on the new ATS Coupe; the way it moves.

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe

The top-of-the-line model comes with the 3.6L V6 engine with Variable Valve Timing delivers 321HP of power and 275lb-ft of torque. That's quite impressive but for those who wanted something more exciting, there's the 2.0L turbo engine that delivers 272HP of power and 295lb-ft of torque. That turbocharged engine is something I would definitely want to have because even though it has more torque than the V6 engine, that turbo makes it a lot more exciting to drive and best of all, all turbocharged models come standard with the 6-speed manual while the 6-speed auto is optional although that gearbox is standard for V6 models.

So, how does it compare against its foes from Germany? Let's look at the stats. The ATS Coupe with the 2.0L turbo engine starts at $37,995 so it's a thousand dollars less than the BMW 4-Series and the Audi A5 using the same engine. When it comes in power, that 272HP output from the ATS Coupe's 2.0L engine makes it a best-in-class. Sounds good but there's a catch; the ATS Coupe can be somewhat heavier than its German rivals so that's a downside but that's not the least of my problems.

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe interior

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe interior

One of the biggest problems is the interior and if you're in the driver's side, you will be flummoxed by the typical Cadillac interior which is like Cadillac interiors are the new BMW interiors because they kept on using the same dashboard over and over with no originality whatsoever. It was like cartoon characters kept on wearing the same clothes all the time. Gosh, all that sweat really comes out from them but there's also a bigger problem on the interior and it's the access to the back seats. Getting in is fine but getting out is a worrisome experience and it takes a broomstick to slip through like butter. If you want to get through the rear seats, best to stay slim or you won't get through the rear seats. So, bad mark for the ATS Coupe there.

What about handling? The original ATS saloon was honed on the Nurburgring to find out just how good this is and for the coupe version, it's not so bad judging by its low center of gravity, wider tracks, stiffer suspension, and the electric-assist, speed-sensitive premium steering that is well responsive when it faces a corner. It even has the Magnetic Ride Control which keeps the car more stable and more enjoyable to drive. That's not a bad car to drive for a start but that chassis isn't beyond BMW levels so calling it world-class can be somewhat a lie and a propaganda for the less knowledgable.

If I have an evaluation, the Cadillac ATS Coupe really has the best-in-class performance that will pounce its rivals on the trot as well as its value for money but its handling dynamics can be somewhat a bit mild and the interior is not what I hoped for. While the dashboard is a bit stale, access to the rear seats is nightmarish. I wouldn't want to be on that spot like what I faced when my parents had an old BMW 3-Series Coupe but for going solo, the ATS Coupe is not half bad at all. You can spend a weekend on this one and cruise to your heart's content.

Available colors: Black Diamond Tricoat, Radiant Silver Metallic, Crystal White Tricoat, Silver Coast Metallic, Phantom Gray Metallic, Majestic Plum Metallic, Red Obsession Tintcoat, Opulent Blue Metallic, Black Raven, and Dark Adriatic Blue Metallic.

Photo: General Motors

Toys R Us pulling out Breaking Bad toys

Toys R Us pulling out Breaking Bad toys

Breaking Bad may have ended long ago but that Heisenberg fever still rages on even with its upcoming spin-off featuring Saul is on the works right now. I can't even believe that the phenomenal TV show that ended last year spawned an array of toys and other merch to keep that Heisenberg spirit alive.

Annoyingly, some mother from Florida complained about a sale of Breaking Bad figures on America's popular toy store Toys R Us, especially the Walter White toy with a detachable sake of cash and a bag of meth. She made a petition that demand Toys R Us to remove all Breaking Bad toys from the store and on their website. She thinks that such toys are a dangerous deviation from family friendly values and as of now, her petition grew to about 8,000 signatures.

Bryan Cranston, the actor who played Walter White in the hit TV series, tweeted this message in response to the Florida mom demanding the removal of Breaking Bad toys from Toys R Us.. There are some adult figure collectors joining in the fray as some guy in California staged a counterattack petition to keep those Breaking Bad toys and as of now, 3,000 signatures were collected.

Gosh...figures from violent TV shows, even the ones ended long ago...why would they want to sell it on a toy store full of kids stuff? Isn't that a little too absurd?

Report: http://www.therakyatpost.com/world/2014/10/22/toys-r-us-pulls-breaking-bad-dolls-website-shelves/

Eating at Mizuki Buffet at Tukwila

Earlier, me and my family went to some kind of Japanese buffet that is located somewhere in Tukwila, WA. It feels like that King Buffet we occasionally eat but very different.

It's called Mizuki Buffet and it's located near a movie theater somewhere in Southcenter Parkway, Tukwila, WA.

On Mondays to Thursdays, they're open from 1530 to 2200 hours Pacific time. For the commoner, that's 3:30PM to 10:00PM Pacific time. On Fridays, their closing time is 30 minutes more and on weekends, they're open from 11:00AM to 10:30 PM. That's 1100 to 2230 hours to you.

We've been greeted by this statue of an ancient Japanese shogun donned in red armor.

Look at the way this buffet serves. It's well organized and easy to be distingushed by the customer choosy enough to eat a food of their choosing. There is a catch that when you're getting another meal, you'll have to get a new plate. Sounds different to the one we occasionally eat in Renton, but no matter because this is the first time I've been in this place.

Here is my meal and it looks delicious but  you have to be aware on the sacred rule of eating in the buffet: Eat all you can till your stomach refuses.

Their soda orders do come with a free refill! Sounds good and bottomless too! so it's best to go with that drink of choice but I just went for the Diet Coca-Cola because I'm often binge drinking on those. Sorry...

Me and my family are enjoying the delicious meals served in Mizuki Buffet. If I have an evaluation, I would say I want to eat here again occassionally and I love it more than the King's Buffet in Renton because it's bigger and well-organized. I don't care about the pricing but what matters most is I want to eat here again as I please.

Mizuki Buffet
17950 Southcenter Parkway
Tukwila, WA 98188
Website: http://www.mizukibuffet.net/

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

The big scoop today...

- Back at the Hong Kong protests, student leaders said they're not take part in further talks with the government after accusing authorities of failing to make offers to finish those long-term protests that plunged the central.

- South Korea's Defense Ministry says they've pulled down a 43-year-old Christmas Tree that North Korea viewed as a propaganda warfare.

- Most of the government facilities in the Philippines are ready to take action if the Ebola Outbreak strikes through the nation, according to the Department of Health.

- Chinese-Filipino entrepreneur Antonio Tiu told a Senate hearing  that he paid an 11 million Philippine Peso downpayment for the controversial property in the Batangas province, which has ties to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

- According to the World Health Organization, a serum made from the blood of recovered Ebola patients could be available within weeks in Liberia, one of the countries worst hit by the virus.

- The United States defence department said they're observing a video that came from ISIS appearing to show militants in control of US weapons intended for Syrian Kurdish fighters. Some of 27 bundles in question containing small arms, ammunition, and other forms of weaponry. The Pentagon will be checking the truth behind this video...

- The state of Michigan bans Tesla cars to be on their roads as House Bill 5606 or Anti-Tesla bill was signed into law, meaning that all Tesla cars are banned on Michigan roads, even Detroit. Take that, Tesla!

Tesla Model S

- The iDOLM@STER ONE FOR ALL gets its 6th DLC Catalog, on sale this 28th of October! For this DLC catalog, EX Episode 2 is added with more solo performances with your favorite 765Pro idols. Check out your favorite idol's ULTIMATE APPEAL and while you're at it, you can score more points easily! They're divided into three sets. Set A consists of Haruka Amami, Ami Futami, Mami Futami, Ritsuko Akizuki, and Takane Shijou while Set B consists of Chihaya Kisaragi, Yayoi Takatsuki, Iori Minase, and Hibiki Ganaha and Set C consists of Azusa Miura, Yukiho Hagiwara, Miki Hoshii, and Makoto Kikuchi. Each set costs 1,667 Yen plus tax but if you want them all, the complete set will cost you 4,612 Yen plus tax.

Mirai Kasuga from The iDOLM@STER Million Live mobile game will be making a special appearance in this DLC catalog. Also, there are new outfits rolling out in this catalog such as Stelagard BDU, Wonder Marine Voyage, Windmill Lantana, Schoolgirl Wear, Halloween Tricker, My Baby's Breath, Lakeside Pansy, Monochrome Cowgirl, and Twinkle Sparkle. Last but not least, new songs rolling out such as Fate of the World, またね, キミはメロディ, and 魔法をかけて！

765Shop Catalog Vol. 6

- J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter spinoff, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, will be spawn as a trilogy of films with the first one set for 2016 showing while the final chapter will be spawn into two parts with the first one due in 2018 and the second one in 2020. We can't wait to get to know about the origins of the monsters from the Harry Potter universe.

- Takara Tomy added Scyther and Banette to their Pokemon XY Moncolle lineup and each will cost 330 Yen when they come out later this month.

Takara Tomy Pokemon XY Moncolle Banette

Takara Tomy Pokemon XY Moncolle Scyther

TTFN!!!

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

The big scoop today...

- Strong rains are pouring over the streets of Metro Manila and other neighboring areas on a Tuesday afternoon.

- Senator Nancy Binay condemned the Senate blue ribbon committee for being "one-side" and for giving preference to requests made by admin senators.

- The Supreme Court rejected the appeal of Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Gregory Ong to avert the earlier ruling dismissing him from his workforce.

- Embattled South African blade runner Oscar Pistorius has arrived at the courtroom to discover whether he faces imprisonment for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. Judge Thokozile Masipa heard the prosecution call for a minimum 10-year imprisonment against a defence argument for community service and house arrest. Pistorius was convicted of homicide but cleared of murder.

- To celebrate BMW's recent win at the recently concluded 2014 DTM season, they've revealed a special edition M4 DTM Champion Edition painted in DTM colors in tribute to the winning car. Only 23 units will be made and it's quite a coincided because 23 is the number of the M4 DTM racer Marco Wittman drove on.

BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition

- I Didn't Do It actress Olivia Holt won this year's Teen Role Model Award at the 2014 Industry Dance Awards!

- IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Glalie (オニゴーリ) and Steelix (ハガネール) will get their own Mega Evolutions in the latest announcement from Pocket Monsters Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 3DS game, due next month. Mega Glalie features a Refrigerate ability to turn Normal-type attacks into Ice-type attacks while Mega Steelix, benefitted from its high offensive and defensive power, has a Sand Force ability so when Sandstorm kicks in, Steelix gets even more stronger and the use of its Iron Tail move will deliver a serious damage to its opposition.

Mega Glalie

Mega Steelix

- Slightly Mad Studios and Bandai Namco Games delayed the launch of Project CARS, one of the most anticipating racing games for next-gen consoles, to March 2015. The delay was done to position away from the competitive holiday scene dominated by household names while the team behind this game are working for some quality improvements.

Project Cars

- Merlin's Colin Morgan will star in the upcoming AMC TV show, Humans, the American remake of the Swedish sci-fi drama Real Humans.

- IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Filipina teen Marlisa Punzalan was crowned the winner on the 6th season of THE X FACTOR AUSTRALIA. That's another Filipino who won on The X Factor from a different country since...that OFW caregiver named Rose Fostanes who won in the Israeli version of the said reality show. That impressed us all.

TTFN!!!

Honda's Odyssey is now 20 years old!

The Honda Odyssey first launched in the 20th of October, 1994, to the Japanese market and sold worldwide a few moments later. During the days of the Japanese economic crisis in the 90's, when the government imposed severe constraints on the vehicle's size and overall concept, the Odyssey is made to be a smaller minivan that was well received in its home market. 2014 marks the Honda Odyssey's 20th birthday and lets check out five generations of Honda Odyssey in honor of its 20th anniversary.

1st generation/RA1-RA5 (1994-1999) - The first generation was more of a taller estate wagon rather than the minivan when it was launched in the 20th of October, 1994, and it was offered with either a 2.2L or a 2.3L VTEC engine while mated with a 4-speed gearbox. In October 1997, the Prestige version was offered and it's powered by a 3.0L V6 engine developing a measly 200HP of power.

1st-generation Odyssey (1994-1999)

2nd generation/RA6-RA9 (1999-2003) - Right before the rise of Y2K, the Honda Odyssey has been regenerated for its 2nd generation and for this generation, this is nothing more of an updated version of the first on but it's 85mm longer and 10mm wider than the previous model. The engine choices were a 2.3L 4-cylinder engine and the 3.0L V6 engine now producing 210HP of power output. Available transmission types were either a 4-speed or a 5-speed AT. There's even a flagship Absolute model introduced as well,

2nd-generation Odyssey (1999-2003)

3rd-generation (2003-2008)/RB1-RB2 - The 3rd generation Odyssey is now more sleeker and more dynamic than the last model. Introduced in autumn 2003, it was the first time this generation features cruise control. The V6 engine was thrown away and it's offered only with a 2.4L engine where in the Absolute model produces 200PS of power. Aside from the 5-speed automatic available for 4WD models, it was the first time this generation is equipped with the CVT gearbox for fuel efficiency purposes.

3rd-generation Odyssey (2003-2008)

4th-generation/RB3-RB4 (2008-2013) - While essentially an improved version of the last model, the fourth-generation Odyssey is all about being a stylish family mover in all the right places. Although the CVT is now the only gearbox available, the 4th generation Odyssey is powered by a K24A (four-cylinder DOHC i-VTEC) engine that produces a power output of 127kW(173PS)/6,000rpm, torque output of 222Nm(22.6kg-m)/4,300rpm, and fuel economy of 13.2km/L based on Japan's 10-15 Mode Scale. The Odyssey Absolute uses the same K24A engine but produces a power output of 151kW(206PS)/7,000rpm, torque output of 232Nm(23.7kg-m)/4,300rpm, and fuel economy of 11.4km/L. Most FF models come with a CVT while 4WD models come with a 5-speed Automatic Transmission. Both the Odyssey Absolute and the Odyssey Absolute 4WD come with a flappy-paddle 5-speed AT as well.

4th-generation Odyssey (2008-2013)

5th-generation/RC1-RC2 (2013-onwards) - Launched last year, the fifth-generation Odyssey has now been transformed from once a target against the Wish and Premacy into a flagship minivan which targets against the Nissan Elgrand and the Toyota Alphard. Even though it's bigger than the predecessors, the new model is the first ever Odyssey to feature dual-sliding doors. It features a brand new 2.4L i-VTEC engine made under the EARTH DREAMS TECHNOLOGY banner and for the Absolute model, which is the top-of-the-line model for the new Odyssey, it promises class-leading fuel economy of 14.0km/L in JC08 Mode standards.

5th-generation Odyssey (2013-present)

In celebration of the Honda Odyssey's 20th anniversary, they've launched a special edition model based on the flagship Absolute model. For the special edition model, it features Berlina Black-colored opening front grille, fog light ring, black chrome rear emblem, 20th anniversary emblems on the sides, special 17-inch aluminum wheels, special color combination sheet on the insides (prime x smooth fabric), and a special violet-colored lighting meter.

Honda Odyssey Absolute 20th Anniversary

The special edition model starts at 3,356,400 Japanese Yen (around $34,000).

Report: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1937127/

The 2014-2015 Seattle International Auto Show

A few days ago, we went to the CenturyLink Field Event Center to take part at the annual Seattle International Auto Show to check out a whole array of new and exciting models on display for the Washingtonian motoring public. For me, I spent the whole time taking pics on the best cars displayed on the show just for the fun of it.

For the rest of the pics: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.727907717302829.1073741977.119605654799708&type=1&l=4704411c5d





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