Halloween in Westfield Southcenter

It was one heck of a cloudy afternoon when me, my sister Elise, her baby Irvine, and my brother-in-law Senior went for an afternoon break at Westfield Southcenter and not just any afternoon break because it's Halloween day and in Halloween, most of the people are in costumes. I've seen kids going around the mall in their costumes to do some trick-or-treating and it's not just the kids are into costumes, grown people are joining in the Halloween action.

Bubble Gang - October 31, 2014

On the October 31, 2014 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Dexter...errrrr...Desiree the Binatilya faces some love at the cemetery.

- "Bawal 'to" gags.

- Mr. Assimo in the cafe...

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

- A fateful encounter at a cemetery

- Spirits playing the "possessed" prank...but not as expected as they've hoped for...

- All your questions are answered on ANG BAGONG DATING DOON INTERNATIONAL!

HALLOWEEN 2014: Ideal horror movies to watch

We all enjoy watching some super scary horror movies on the dead of the Halloween night. Most horror flicks include some ghosts, monsters, demons, and most famously, zombies. So, if you have some pals you've invited for a Halloween movie night, what are the best horror movies for you and your pals to watch on Halloween nighttime afterdark?

1) The Child's Play series

Yes, the Child's Play series is notably one of the most scariest films to watch and it's not recommended to watch with the kids because...it's about a spirit of a serial killer possessed through a toy named Chucky. Such gore scored this maniacal ginger-haired killer toy numerous sequels like Child's Play 2, Child's Play 3, Bride of Chucky, and Seed of Chucky. If you want the ultimate wet-in-your-pants thrills, I'd suggest to find yourself the killer DVD collection packed with all the Child's Play movies. Worth the scare, right?

2) The Friday the 13th movies

In superstition, Friday the 13th is considered unlucky, but in horror movies, Friday the 13th is about a killer in a hockey mask named Jason hunting down hapless teenagers. There are 12 movies of this franchise, including the killer Freddy vs. Jason movie where the masked killer meets his match: the man with a viciously long claw named Freddy Krueger.

3) A Nightmare on Elm Street

Anyway, on the subject of Freddy Krueger, this madman is the one to scare for in A Nightmare on Elm Street. There are seven Elm Street films from the first one up to Wes Craven's New Nightmare but deciding which of the Elm Street movie is the scariest and gory is all up to you. It's worth the slash when it comes to your craving for fear.

4) Saw

Hello...I want to play a game. Yes, the sadistic killer known as Jigsaw is notorious for the insane contraptions where most of the victims died while a few managed to survive. The Saw series has been one of my favorite in the horror movie department but sadly for me, I only liked the first two. The seventh and the final chapter was gory but sadly...it really is the end for the franchise, which is sad. Yes, there are seven Saw films from the start to finish and if you're a faint at heart, best to look away while you can because you can't take the gore from such a scary franchise.

5) The George A. Romero's zombie movies

The 2004 version of Dawn of the Dead was fine but has anyone seen the original 1979 version? Well, never mind about that but the George A. Romero zombie movies were the ones that defined the zombie movie trend by storm and the franchise is well known to be "one of the most daring, hypnotic, and absolutely vital horror films of the past decade" (fangoria.com). Whether if it's Dawn of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, Diary of the Dead, Survival of the Dead or Land of the Dead, these zombie movies are more of a treat if you are in the urge for some zombie movie marathon this Halloween with your mates.

6) The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Inspired from real events, Texas Chainsaw Massacre is about a group of teens taking a detour from a road trip to Texas and what happens next is beyond their darkest fears. It maybe a cult favorite but sadly, this genre can be a bit of an overrated for us but if you get the hang of it, then this might be more gory than any other horror movies you know. Be warned though, EVIL WEARS MANY FACES.

7) Scary Movie

If too much horror is on your mind, how about a mixture of horror and comedy to bring you some good vibes on Halloween? Yes, the Wayans bros. made a series of spoof films based on some of the most notable horror movies known to mankind. The latest was Scary MoVie, which is the fifth installment of the film and it spoofs films like Paranormal Activity, Mama, and so much more.

8) Battle Royale

Okay, so maybe not much of a horror but this is definitely one of the most bloody brutal movies made by the Japanese. In a dystopian future where the Japanese economy collapsed, the government established the Battle Royale where a group of school kids kill each other until the only one survived. I was amazed that Tatsuya Fujiwara, the one who played Light from the Death Note movies since 2006, was in that movie but more importantly, this killer Japanese movie is worth traumatizing. I watched the first one and trust me on this, it really shocked my mind till the end of the film.

9) The Conjuring

One of 2013's most scariest movies ever seen by many, The Conjuring was inspired from real events and it's about a group of paranormal investigators called upon to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse. It maybe known to be one of the most terrifying cases the world has ever faced but watching this movie 'till the end will keep you wondering. On 2014, there's a prequel spin-off called Annabelle and just like The Conjuring, Annabelle is still a scary movie to watch and it's not recommended for the faint at heart.

10) Paranormal Activity

Most of the bizarre moments are caught on tape in the series of films where paranormal things happen after dark and caught on tape. The first Paranormal Activity film takes place on a suburban starter tract house where residents were disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but mostly active during the night. In the second installment, Paranormal Activity 2, after Dan and Kristi gave birth to a newborn baby, something demonic is going on after dark. In the prequel Paranormal Activity 3, the chilling moments of young sisters Katie and Kristi were caught on tape for the first time. Paranormal Activity 4, the pre-sequel, takes place five years after the disappearance of Kati and her nephew Hunter, she has returned with a mysterious boy, ready to target new victims caught on tape. The recent film, The Marked Ones, the first ever PA spinoff, centers on the victim named Jesse as he heard horrifying sounds from his neighbor's apartment, only to found out that there's an ancient curse that won't stop until he's dead.

11) The Purge

In a dystopic future, there was an event called The Purge where one night a year, all crimes are legal. Last year's film really was a very frightening experience and because of the frightening success of the last film, they've spawned a followup earlier this year called The Purge Anarchy. Watching both of the Purge films makes viewers experience some serious trauma about the plot where all crimes are legal in one night and how to survive until the end of the annual purge.

12) Ghostbusters

Ah yes, the horror-comedy-action movies about a group of Ghostbusters responding to some paranormal emergencies and ready for action! Who else remember these films as well as the theme song? WHO YOU GONNA CALL? GHOSTBUSTERS! These movies maybe very very old but they're a lot more enjoyable to watch...

Well, there are so many horror movies to recommend you but I guess I'll just stop here. Feel free to decide which horror movie is best suited for your Halloween horror movie night and enjoy the dead of the night with your pals...if you dare.

HALLOWEEN 2014: What should you be wearing for Halloween?

Halloween is here and so many people are getting into the Halloween spirit by, nope, not just candies, but getting their inner character on. Yes, people are dressing as their favorite characters no matter how old they are. You see that's what we love about Halloween because we can be who we want to be.

Because of so many choices, it's time for me to narrow down (sort of) some of the ideal characters you want to dress for Halloween if you want to stand out from the rest...

FOR THE KIDS:

Even today, kids love to dress as their favorite cartoon characters and most shops are offering kids' costumes to dress up with but what to dress as is everyone's guess and I'm listing the recommendations on what to wear for the kids this Halloween:

- Disney characters from the past, present, and future has always been every little boy or girl's favorite for Halloween season. For the boys, the best Disney characters they want to wear are Woody or Buzz from the Toy Story trilogy films, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Aladdin, the seven dwarves from Snow White, Mr. Incredible, Dash, there are so many Disney characters to be for the little boys but because we're in the 10's (that's a decade for 2010's) and now it's 2014, best to dress as this decade's Disney characters such as Dipper Pines from Gravity Falls, Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates, oh, and The 7D. What? You know nothing about The 7D? The new show as seen on Disney XD?! Here's what The 7D looks like if you haven't seen one...

The 7D

These are The 7D: Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy, Dopey, Bashful, Doc, and Grumpy. Think you can dress as one of the 7D? Come on, give it a try. It takes creativity and some shopping from thrift stores to pull one off. Oh and you're planning to have your kid dress as The 7D's Grumpy, make sure you bought a plastic flower pot from the Home Depot. Yes, they look like flower pots but they're unbreakable even when you fall it from a height. It may sound ridiculous but it's what you need to give your kid a Grumpy look.

I almost forgot, are you guys planning to watch the upcoming Disney movie, Big Hero 6, next month? Well, if you have a kid who's chubby, that would be just the perfect bet to turn him into Baymax for Halloween? Hmmm? Don't know Baymax? Time to relook at that trailer:

See that big white character that looked like the Michelin Man? That's Baymax. Sorry if I had to say that but it takes a white fat suit and some mascot trickery to have little chubby kids be like Baymax from the upcoming Big Hero 6 film. Even without the armor main character Hiro Hamada made for him, it still looks good to dress as Baymax.

As for the girls, Disney Princesses are what every little girl wants to be; Snow White, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, Jasmine from Aladdin, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Mulan, Tiana from The Princess and The Frog, Rapunzel from Tangled, and Merida from Brave. That sounds good for the girls but for today's climate, with the success of Disney Junior TV show Sofia the First and last year's Disney movie Frozen, most little girls are ready to be either Sofia, Princess Anna, or Queen Elsa for Halloween. Speaking of the upcoming Big Hero 6 movie, how about telling your little girls to dress as Gogo Tomago and Honey Lemon this Halloween? I know they're too tricky to pull one off but if you have good creativity skills turning your little girls into one of the heroines from the upcoming movie. Yeah, sounds great and if most of the kids fully dressed as the Big Hero 6, trick-or-treating never felt so super.

Aside from that, little girls can dress as other Disney characters such as Doc McStuffins, Sheriff Callie, Nina from the Nina Needs To Go shorts, Mabel Pines from Gravity Falls,

- The 2014 live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may have the most ugliest rendition of the Ninja Turtles but that doesn't stop them to garner some Turtle fans into watching this film, especially when we laugh at Mikey's pop culture references. Good thing some toy stores are offering costumes inspired from the 2014 movie and if you want your kids to dress as one of the Turtles; from the leader Leonardo, hotheaded Raphael, geeky Donatello, and the fun-loving Michelangelo, that's your call. Still, Michelangelo's my favorite because I watched that film last summer and I laughed at his lines. Now I know how I felt upon watching my favorite childhood heroes reloaded.

- Marvel superheroes are every little boys' dream to become one for Halloween. From The Avengers, X-MEN, to Spider-Man, whichever Marvel superhero you want is all up for the little boys but that doesn't stop there because with the arrival of Guardians of the Galaxy, there's no shortage of choice which Marvel hero will be. If you haven't see Guardians of the Galaxy, here's the movie that will serve as your inspiration for the little boys to be one of them...except for Gamora because she's female and little girls can be Gamora.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Like I said, little girls can be Gamora but the boys can be either Star-Lord, Rocket, Drax, or Groot. Well, the first three was fine but for Groot, it's going to be difficult to have your little boy dress as that hulking tree-like creature but you can try that yourself. Gosh...I have a super strange feeling that Guardians' Groot looks the same as Pokemon XY's Trevenant. Get it? Because they both look like trees. He he he...

- Adventure Time may have been with us for four years but this hit cartoon is still doing the rounds for our little kids with some more surprises. Because of Jake the Dog's power to change into things, finding some Jake the Dog-related merchandises is a lot easy especially the Jake suit. Yes, everyone wants to be Jake but they can feel free to dress as main character Finn the Human (or Fionna the Human girl if you have a little girl), Ice King, Marcy, or PB. Word of warning though, Lady Rainicorn and LSP are extremely impossible (due to LR's long body and LSP's...well globby looks and levitation). As for BMO, it takes a cardboard box and some art to pull one off so your kid can be a BMO.

- The DC Universe remains a very popular choice for the little ones. Kids can be either Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Cyborg, The Flash, or any other heroes from the DC Universe.  Feel free to choose which DC hero or villain your kid can be for Halloween.

- The Transformers also remains one of the most popular choice for the kids and thanks to the Age of Extinction film, looks like they still got the touch. Those trick-or-treaters are going to be one of the Autobots or the menacing Dinobots from the movie but I prefer seeing little kids dressed as Optimus Prime or Bumblebee for Halloween. Well, Bumblebee's still my pick because he's a Chevy Camaro and he's cool even with his new look.

FOR THE ADULTS:

Kids dress as cartoon characters for trick-or-treating purposes. We, adults, dress costumes for fun especially when they are going out to the party. In the case of "Everyone let's have fun here", we're all free to be who we are but for me, there are some ideal suggestions on who are you going to be on Halloween.

- Vampire Fashion. No need to be the king of vampires like Dracula and because vampires are so hot thanks to Twilight and Vampire Diaries, the ideal vampire fashion is all gothic and dark. That's right, gothic and dark. The looks that inspired a blood-sucking immortal.

- Because of The Walking Dead and other zombie movies in history, zombies are all the rage and if you are planning to dress as the flesh-munching undead for the party, have enough make-up and some ragged clothes to wear because...that's how zombies look like; wearing ragged clothing with some blood spills, creepy-looking faces, and a scary stance that is a proof of being a flesh muncher.

- Science Fiction is what all geeks and nerds know about and for Halloween, nerds and geeks of all kinds are glad to be either from Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, and any other forms of sci-fi we all know about. Since this is 2014, I'd expect some people will turn up as one of the characters from Star Wars Rebels (except Chopper because he's a robot and we're too small to be like Chopper) or the 12th Doctor from Doctor Who. For those who want to be the 12th Doctor, take a look at what he's wearing:

12th Doctor

Notice the coat he wore. It has some red inner sides while his coat's exterior remains much darker for you to see. It's going to take a lot of luck to find his coat (or some old man's toupee to complete the look)...but if you managed to find it, dressing as the 12th Doctor is no slouch, got it? Also be advised that the Daleks and the TARDIS are extremely impossible to cosplay as and if I say "impossible", I really mean it because it takes some metal (or polystyrene) to create a Dalek replica and insert yourself on it a la Metal Gear's cardboard box, even going on the party as the TARDIS. Heh, good luck going to the party as a Dalek or the TARDIS. They won't see your faces...

- Like what kids do, we can always feel free to dress as a Disney character from the past, present, and the future. For today, I personally recommend dressing as this decade's Disney characters; say Frozen, The 7D, Big Hero 6, Gravity Falls, you name the rest but it's your call. I suspect that in the case of Big Hero 6, one of your pals is chubby enough to cosplay as Baymax. He he he...

- Superheroes. You'll name them, you'll be them. Whether if its from Marvel or from the DC Universe, it doesn't really matter.

- Some people will be wearing as their favorite anime heroes and villains so whether if its Naruto, One Piece, Dragon Ball, SAO, Attack on Titan, or any other anime otakus know, you are always more than welcome. Parties are getting used to those anime otakus nowadays. 

- As for video game characters, well I'd recommend dressing as one of the characters from this year's hottest games such as Destiny, Infamous Second Son, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, The Evil Within, Sunset Overdrive, Lords of Shadow 2, Tomodachi Life, Call of Duty Advanced Warfare, Titanfall, and so much more. Those hardcore gamers really know how to get their game on, even at the outside world dressed as a video game character.

- We love cosplaying as one of the Pokemon characters and while in the age of XY, Pokemon XY that is (from the Pokemon X and Pokemon Y games and the Pokemon the Series XY TV show), I'd recommend cosplaying as one of the characters from this generation. From the main characters, the Kalos Gym Leaders, those Team Flare baddies, the allies (Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor), Professor Sycamore, the Kalos Elite Four, even the Kalos Champion Diantha as well. As for the Pokemon...oh jeez...remember the whole "impossible to cosplay" part? Remember the "mascot trickery"? Some people never learned...and they'll just dress as their favorite Pokemon anyway...even the four-legged ones. Come on...we only have two legs so if you're going to dress as a Pokemon, you have to act like one and if you're dressing as four-legged Pokemons (say Sylveon, Xerneas), you'll gonna have to move on all fours, which is very exhausting...

With the upcoming Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, might as well take the time to dress as one of the Hoenn region characters for a change?

I guess I'll just stop here. Feel free to dress whichever character you want to be and have a happy halloween, folks!

Forza Horizon 2 - Barn Find #04: Ferrari GTO

Now this is what my big plans for the Willys Jeep looks like. I decided to turn the vintage jeep into something more reminiscent of the Filipino equivalent of hot rods that were built in the shed; an owner type jeep. Like hot rods, owner-type jeeps were made from the shed and apart from the steel bodywork they've made, they're using old parts from old cars, mostly sedans, hatchbacks, or whatever. Although while owner-type jeeps look like offroaders, they feel like cars and they don't do off-roads unless if necessary.

Well, there's more to it than that, anyway, want to show how it's made? Huh? What's this? I've picked up a BARN FIND RUMOR? Involving an abandoned Ferrari 288 GTO?



The barn find in question was marked between San Giovanni and Montellino, my next stop for the Horizon Festival, and after venturing through the forest full of trees, I have discovered that the 288 GTO barn find is just 3.6 miles from the Horizon Festival. Just like the rest of the barn finds discovered (so far, it's been three barn finds discovered), if you found it, wait for a couple of minutes or hours until you get the notification that the 288 GTO's restored and then rush to the nearest hub to claim it.






Such a timeless supercar, isn't it? Anyway, the GTO name, derived from the legendary 250 GTO Le Mans racer, was used for Ferrari's berlinetta that was produced from 1984 to 1985 with a total of 272 units produced. Originally, that car was used to compete in the Group B Race series but when they found out that Group B racing was ceased to exist, it never got a chance to race one and as a matter of fact, all 272 cars are made to be road-legal. It was powered by a 2.9L turbocharged V8 engine that produces 395HP of power and 366lb-ft of torque. It's 0-60 was in the upper 4-second range and flat-out, it can do 189mph. It may not be as quick as the legendary F40, the first supercar in the world to break the 200mph barrier, but it's still an impressive car to drive if you're in the mood for savoring that Ferrari nostalgia you've been longing for since...the beginning of time probably.

Speaking of impressive, the road trip to Montellino's on and it's time for me to use that barn find I've recently discovered. See you later!

Let's Do The News! (October 29, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Just when they thought they had a very successful liftoff but it ended in a catastrophic failure. The 14-story autonomous Orbital Sciences supply rocket Antares, contracted by nasa to deliver supplies to the International Space Station, exploded seconds after its launch.

- Ultranationalist cyberactivists are threatening against the village of Sarufutsu over a memorial where 80 Korean laborers died of abuse and malnutrition while building an airfield at the behest of the Japanese military during World War II. It looks like Japan's war crimes from WWII are still lurking around. You might remember that last year, Prime Minister Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine, a shrine where Japanese soldiers who fought during the war were remembered, especially the war criminals, and stirred outrage from neighboring countries.

- As this year's Undas is fast approaching, Makati City will be one of the cities from the Philippines to suspend number coding on the 31st of October while re-routing and road closures are expected.

- While we're anticipating for the upcoming Age of Ultron movie, Marvel announced a third Avengers movie called the Infinity War and it gets better because it will be a two-parter with the first part slated for 2018 release. This is part of the planned 11 Marvel films set to screen in the coming years.

- The seventh Fast and Furious movie is named and it will be called Furious 7.

- Nissan will showcase the Kicks Concept at this year's Sao Paulo Motor Show, hinting at an upcoming Brazil-exclusive model in the future.

Nissan Kicks Concept

- IS THIS THE NEXT FIAT STRADA? Fiat will showcase the FCC4 Concept at this year's Sao Paulo Motor Show also...

Fiat FCC4 Concept

- Wave goodbye to the Audi R8 as for the upcoming 2014 LA Auto Show, they'll be showcasing a final edition before an all new model arrives soon. Called the R8 Competition, the final edition features some racecar-inspired exterior cues while using the R8 V10 Plus as its base. Sadly, it's for USA only and limited to 60 units. Bummer...

Audi R8 Competition

TTFN!!!

Toyota Esquire

For the first time, the current-generation Toyota Voxy and Noah minivans have spawned a triplet to their family and for this triplet, it can be summed up as a fancier version of these two as well as its fancy name to call it Esquire (エスクァイア).

2015 Toyota Esquire

As expected, the brand new Esquire is based on the recently launched Toyota Noah and Voxy minivans, which they were launched since January 2014, although I'm not a hundred percent sure if this is the replacement to the stagnant Isis minivan but contrary to the rumors, the new Esquire, like the latest Noah and Voxy vans, is powered by a 2.0L 3ZR-FAE engine and the hybrid model with the 1.8L engine connected to an electric motor and nickel metal battery. Details on what's what about that will be explained later but first, let's examine the design.

Of course, this new Esquire van differentiates it from the Noah and Voxy vans because while the Noah is a bit more of a soccer mom fave and the Voxy is all about being a sporty minivan, the Esquire features a luxurious look that balances between them although one will notice the overgrown grille that looks like it came from the Crown Majesta flagship. Fancy, isn't it?

2015 Toyota Esquire interior

2015 Toyota Esquire interior

Because the new Esquire is related to the Noah and Voxy, you can expect the same interior layout as seen from these two and depending on the model, the new model can seat up to seven or eight people around you and while it may not be as luxurious as the big brothers, the Alphard/Vellfire and the Estima, the Esquire isn't half bad at all when it comes to spacing, although I would personally go seat at either the front or at the second-row because I still have strong hatred for third-row seats. With all three rows of seating present, there's still enough room for your grocery shopping but when you have more than just groceries, say your stuff you've bought from the garage sale, these seats can be folded for extra luggage. There's also a secret storage at the back but on hybrid models, you'll store less than what the petrol models have due to the battery that occupies it. Bummer but the secret storage is not bad at all judging when you want to store something not even your junior would know.

Just like the Noah and the Voxy, the new Esquire is benefitted from its class-leading interior dimensions thanks to its 1,400 mm cabin height, 360mm of ground clearance, 2nd row 810mm captain seats with Super 4-way Sliding Mode, and 500mm of rear floor (for 2WD models). Also, the sliding doors can be opened at 805mm wider, more than any other JDM minivans in its class. 

2015 Toyota Esquire

Now, the most important aspect for the Esquire; the performance. Because the powerplants were the same as from the Noah and the Voxy, the Esquire comes with a 2.0L 3ZR-FAE engine and the hybrid model with the 1.8L engine connected to an electric motor and nickel metal battery. On the hybrid model, combined power output is 136PS and fuel economy of 23.8km/L, calculated in JC08 Mode standards. As noticed, that's 7.8kmpl more than the Serena's, making it an excellent travelling companion if you want to go from one prefecture to another. For the 2.0L petrol variant, it produces 152PS of power and 193Nm of torque. It even comes with the idling stop system that cuts off the engine when stop and then starts it again when on the move. Fuel economy is 16.0km/L, again, calculated in JC08 Mode standards. Although this family-mover is not half bad, the suspension is not quite suited for a luxury-esque minivan like the Esquire especially when the suspension setup consists of struts on the front and torsion beams on the back, perhaps you really can't tell why this new model feels a bit...cheap.

Prices start at 2,622,857 Japanese Yen (around $27,000), which is more expensive than its Noah and Voxy siblings, but while the Noah is available at Corolla dealerships and the Voxy at Netz dealerships, the new Esquire is available exclusively at Toyota and Toyopet dealerships across Japan so you have a choice between those three.

Available colors: White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Black, Sparkling Black Pearl Crystal Shine, Bordeaux Mica Metallic, Ocean Mint Metallic, and Dark Violet Mica Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

HALLOWEEN 2014: Loser candies to avoid

*This post is a carry-over from one of my last year's Halloween special posts.

Loser Candy

Well, it's that time of the year again when the kids dressed up as their favorites and then head out to the suburbs to get some candy for the fun of it. Of course, being kids, they are too picky and they don't like "loser candy" which is a term as heard from a Gravity Falls episode. The loser candy probability can be somewhat CRITICAL and you'll never know when will loser candy hits you, making your trick-or-treating the worst so what are the "loser candies" you should avoid this Halloween?

1) Sugar-free candy

As kids, they have cravings for sugar coated confectionery but some neighbors think they are concerned because of, well, diabetes or toothache, and what they will do is taking the reversal that is...sugar-free candy. They may look like candies but sadly...no sugar. If you encounter those, AVOID. Oh and if you're diabetic and if you don't want the risk of losing a leg, don't go trick-or-treating. Just saying...

2) Pixy Stix

These powdered candy known as Pixy Stix is far out one of the worst candies to avoid for Halloween because they're far too...well, bland for their taste and sweetness. It's about as rubbish as...drinking unsweetened tea at McDonald's.

3) Chocolate-dipped apples

Come on, no kid in the world wants that. These apples dipped in chocolate on a stick are considered "loser candy" because...no kid of today likes fruits disguised in chocolate. See one of these from your neighbors and AVOID.

4) Hard candy

Whether if it's mint flavored, fruit flavored, or for worse, taste like medicine, this is the one to avoid because there is a risk that your teeth can't handle the hardness. If I were in that situation, I would rather just swallow it rather than biting it.

5) Mounds or Almond Joy

They may look like chocolate but when you ate one of those...(vomiting) Why would they made these piece of crud? Nobody likes those for Halloween!

6) Jelly belly

These beans taste like plastic and no matter the color and the taste of those, they will always taste like plastic. AVOID these loser beans on Halloween.

7) Candy corn

Invented by a Philadelphian, candy corn is made of wax, sugar, and corn syrup. By the looks of it, it looks like a corn's kernel but if you manage to eat one...these candy corns can be a bit blah and makes you as disappointed as a man during the Great Depression. AVOID this loser candy when you see one.

8) Licorice

Licorice is considered a "loser candy" and best to avoid one of these if you don't want your jack-o-lantern get jacked up with a pile of rubbish.

9) Circus Peanut

As Candy from Gravity Falls may say "Circus peanut? This is loser candy!"

10) Wax candy

From wax lips to wax cola bottles, these wax candies are the ones to avoid as well because...who would rather eat some wax or something? Ahem...wax is...like...Wax Museum or Star Wax of polishing wax of whatever...who would eat wax as a candy?!

11) Necco Wafers

These two-centuries old candies are the king of "loser candies" because not only it's old but the chalky taste of those thin candy wafers in a pack makes it the ultimate "loser candy" to avoid this Halloween.

12) Asian candies

WATCH OUT! Some of your neighbors bought out some candies straight from Asian stores. See one of those suspicious-looking candies straight from Asia and AVOID. No kid likes those for Halloween.

There are so many loser candies your neighbors might throw at you but beware...not all neighbors may give you candy but sometimes un-edibles or for worse...FRUITS! If you don't want to wind up in that situation, use science to determine which of your neighbors serve the best candies, which serves "loser candies" or both. Be careful, some may come up with a surprise attack on your jack-o-lantern full of candies.

So there you go, next time when you're out trick-or-treating this Halloween, use the data gathered from this segment and find out which "loser candy" you should avoid from your neighbors.

HALLOWEEN 2014: Tips during the Undas traffic

*This article is a carry-over from one of last year's Halloween special post, although there are some minor changes to keep it in tune with the times. 

All Saints' Day is on November 1st, 2014, which is the day after Halloween. All Saints' Day is a holiday where families visit the graveyard to pay respects for the fallen. However, there's more to it than that because what to expect on All Saints' Day is heavy duty traffic. That's right. Slow-moving traffic that will surely leave you dead after long hours of traffic. No wonder it's a non-working holiday but hey, if you and your family had your ride to the cemetery and expect a very long traffic during UNDAS 2014, what are your best ways to kill your boredom when the annual heavy Undas traffic kicks in?

1) Pack lots of snacks, meals, and drinks on your trip

The heavy traffic on the way to your cemetery will leave you thirsty and starved on the road. The best thing to do is before you leave your home and to the cemetery is to pack enough snacks and drinks on your trip. Either your mom's fully-cooked meal sealed in Tupperware boxes or crisps such as Chippy, Nova, Ding Dong, Tortillios or whatever junk food you know, make sure you have enough snacks while getting stuck in traffic. Oh yeah, as for drinks, stock up on whatever you want; mineral water, soda, sports drinks, iced tea, whatever drink you want but one more thing; NO ALCOHOL. Remember the whole "don't drink and drive" law.

2) Entertainment

Long traffic usually means boredom for the people heading to the cemetery and the best to do is open up your car's radio and set to FM frequency because everybody needs music. Get it? If radio isn't enough, either your portable TV (if you had one), your MP3 player, or your hand held console would do but be sure that it's fully charged before on the go. If possible, bring a mobile charger with you but make sure your car has enough power to charge your gadgets!

3) Servicing

Your car is nothing more of a traveling companion when you need it so it's best to service it before you go. Make sure the parts are working fine as well as the lights, the brakes, the oil, and the electric supply. Oh and if you're brave enough through the high gas prices, be sure to full tank your car. It maybe an expensive solution but if you're not into driving, seek public transportation or hitch a ride with a buddy.

4) Internet connectivity

 A long road away from home usually means one thing, you can't do internet because you're miles away from your home's broadband but not to worry. If you brought your laptop and any other Wi-Fi capable gadgets, make sure that you have a mobile Wi-Fi with you. Make sure that it has enough load (or charge) in order to go internet surfing while on the move. Oh yeah, if you guys made it to the cemetery, be sure to check in from your Swarm! Your friends will notice that you came from a long trip this Undas!

5) Defense

A long trip can be somewhat risky because there are some jologs wanted to steal your ride or doing some kind of a Mad Max-style of attacks. Defensive driving may be unnecessary in an event like this but this can save you and your family from bad people trying to hurt you on your way to the cemetery. If you have long objects surrounded on your car, these can make a vital defense in case some crooks approached you with a gun pointing at you. Keep Calm and Aim for the Head. Time to say rest in peace, crooks!

6) Don't let the kids say "Are We There Yet?"

If you had kids with you on your trip, then you're in bad luck because the only question kids will tell you on your way to the cemetery is the dreaded ARE WE THERE YET? Tell your kids no, stop asking questions, and ask them to play with their toys. Silence is virtue on this trip.

7) Do your All Saints Day...at home

If you're not in the mood to travel, why not do this at home? Make a faux tombstone (out of your cardboard) and be sure to have candles so you can pay respects without travelling through the long traffic!

So there you go, these are the best ways to kill your boredom when the annual heavy Undas traffic kicks in. Have a nice road trip this All Saints' Day!

Let's Do The News! (October 28, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- According to Mexico's Atty. Gen. Jesus Murillo Karam, the testimony of two arrested members of a drug gang had led them to the site of the suspected mass grave as the search for the missing 43 students who vanished after last month's protest continues. Earlier, the second mass grave was found and found none of the students' bodies.

- The US health officials will monitor active health workers who have treated Ebola patients in West Africa under new guidelines that will require them to be checked for symptoms for 21 days but will not require quarantine or isolation.

- It's been a month have passed since the Hong Kong public held mass protests and activists are calling on supporters to gather for an evening rally wearing the masks they've used to fend off against police forces.

- Is this the end of the Mahjong pastime? A Communist party's newspaper from China urged the Chinese government personnel to put an end of the ancient Chinese pastime.

- Philippine President Benigno Aquino III admitted that the Congress delayed the contracting generating sets for the imminent energy crisis in the Philippines.

- Top Gear announced their brand new 2014 original video coming this November 17th. Called "The Perfect Road Trip 2", Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson are going to get things right after last year's "perfect road trip" ended in failure when French authorities banned them from driving on French roads! On this sequel, Jezza and Hamster will be travelling from Venice to the Isle of Capri via Bologna, Siena, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento and Positano on the stunning Amalfi coast.

 

- Mazda to feature a brand new compact SUV at this year's LA Auto Show from the 18th to the 30th of November, 2014. It's called the CX-3 and while it's based on the latest Demio, some say it will have the same engine output from the Roadster/MX-5 Miata ND.

Mazda new compact SUV sketch teaser

- Two characters from the Nisekoi -False Love- anime series, Seishiro Tsugumi and Kosaki Onodera, spawned themselves a Nendoroid version courtesy of Good Smile Company!

Nendoroid Kosaki Onodera

Nendoroid Seishiro Tsugumi

- Liv and Maddie star Dove Cameron is the next Disney celeb to spread a message for Disney's Choose Kindness campaign, telling everyone to "be the light". She said:

“As you may have heard, October is bullying prevention month,” she wrote. “As someone who was bullied all throughout school, this cause is very near and dear to my heart, and I feel honored that I am in a position to help spread the word about this incredible message.”

- Subaru is teasing an STi-version of the Forester crossover, set for its November 25th reveal.

Teaser for the Forester tS

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (October 27, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff won her second-term at the Brazilian elections with 51.6% votes from the public. She has promised to re-unite the Latin American nation and make big changes society demands.

- Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko plans to begin coalition talks after a win for pro-Western parties in Sunday's parliamentary elections. There was no voting in eastern areas, where the pro-Russian rebels took control of it, especially Crimea, which the Russians annexed it last March.

- US President Barack Obama expressed concern about strict quarantines announced by three states for health workers returning from West Africa where the Ebola Outbreak worsens.

- Cabinet ministers from 12 Asia-Pacific nations have called for working-level talks to continue the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and they'll meet again within several weeks. They've issued a joint statement at the final day of the 3-day talks in Sydney, Australia.

- There was an oil leakage from a ruptured pipe from the Sual Power Station and operators from this plant deployed work crews to put a stop to it.

- (yawn) Another pointless KanColle merch announcement as Good Smile Company unveiled a figma of the second Nagato-class battleship, Mutsu, from the most-talked browser game Kantai Collection. (sigh) She'll be deploying at your nearest shops this May with the 6,296 (before tax) Japanese Yen pricing.

figma Mutsu

- The limited-edition Su-47 Berkut Grabacr model kit, part of Hasegawa Hobby Kits' Ace Combat lineup has been revealed and it's ready for its sortie at your nearest hobby stores this mid-November. This model kit is based on the villain plane from Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War and its prequel Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War (belonging to someone with the TAC Name: Grabacr). Pair this one with the F-14A Razgriz plane and you can recreate the final aerial battle from The Unsung War!

Su-47 Berkut Ace Combat Grabacr

- The Insidious saga continues as the first trailer of Insidious Chapter 3 has hit the internet. CHECK IT OUT if you dare.

- Remember the episode from Girl Meets World that tackles more on anti-bullying? Well, the quest of spreading message against bullying isn't over as the cast of the hit Disney Channel TV series are showcased with shirts celebrating Disney's Choose Kindness campaign. Rowan Blanchard, Sabrina Carpenter, August Maturo, and Corey Fogelmanis, each took a photo wearing a shirt with a different positive message.

#BeBrave #BeTrue #BeLoving #BeYou Be unafraid to be exactly who you are. #BeInspired and #ChooseKindness all October pic.twitter.com/tUnSh1GfNE
— August Maturo (@AugustMaturo) October 22, 2014

TTFN!!!

Subaru Legacy - Sixth Generation

The Subaru Legacy is officially in its 25th year since the first one debuted in late 1989. For its 25th year, the Legacy has been regenerated to its sixth generation and while it's okay to look at, it's somewhat not okay to drive one but why?

2015 Subaru Legacy B4

2015 Subaru Legacy Outback

For the first time in Legacy history, the Touring Wagon was been officially axed from the lineup and it was supplemented by the Impreza-based Levorg station wagon, which remains a Japan-only car for now. This means, for the sixth-generation model, it's now available only in the B4 sedan and Outback crossover, which is kind of odd but why would they add a crossover version of the wagon no longer available for this generation?

To make things worse, the new model is now available only with the updated version of the FB25 boxer engine with Lineartronic CVT gearbox. I know that this combo will lead to a fuel economy, as calculated by 14.8kmpl (14.6kmpl for the Outback), which is not bad, but when it comes to driving one, it's going to be one slow trip at a snail's pace. On the flipside, however, both the new Legacy and Outback can bring it on whatever Mother Nature takes on and it doesn't really matter if they're on tarmac, gravel, snow, or whatever because of Subaru's legendary Symmetrical AWD and its boxer engine's low center of gravity. It keeps it as firm as you're glued to your seat by some anonymous prankster but never mind that part. The result is the handling that is not half bad for either a sports saloon or a crossover utility wagon, although the use of double wishbones and struts is a bit old-school for these models. Feels like they're not quite getting through the groove when faced against numerous rivals from a multitude of countries.

2015 Subaru Legacy Outback

2015 Subaru Legacy B4

With safety as its number one priority Subaru, the new Legacy, in B4 sedan and Outback crossover, doesn't come ready for the road without the breakthrough EyeSight ver. 3, which uses stereo cameras for adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and collision warning/prevention. Those technologies were the same thing we found on the Levorg station wagon and this safety technology is second-to-none if you're really careful on how to use it well. I heard that this car won the IIHA Top Safety Pick+ thanks to this option and it's the only Japanese carmaker with IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models for the last five years. There is a well-known fact that 95% of Subaru vehicles sold in the last 10 years are still on the road today and for this new generation, I really had high hopes that it will stay sturdy through the end of eternity and that's good...probably.

There's more because on the Outback, it comes with the X-Mode feature as seen on the current-gen Forester. The X-Mode system keeps the new Outback more stable and more responsive when taking on off-road terrain and with the Hill Descent Control. the new Outback maintains the vehicle’s speed so the driver can focus more on steering. That is just the tip of the technological iceberg.

2015 Subaru Legacy B4 interior

2015 Subaru Legacy Outback interior

Design-wise, the new Subaru Legacy models are more solid and more dynamic than the previous generations, although I find pity for the B4 model because it kind of looked like the Hyundai LF Sonata upon further observation. While the interior isn't what you call premium, it's still not half bad to look at judging by its seats, the legroom, the sat-nav, the paddle shifters, the cup holders, on and on. This is somewhat like when your office cubicle from work meets Starbucks but that's just how the pencil pushers ruin the interior affairs for no reason.

The new Legacy B4 starts at 2,862,000 Japanese Yen while the new Legacy Outback starts at 3,132,000 Japanese Yen so it's not what you called cheap but your Sir Chief would definitely want one for his family at this moment in time even though this new model promises better value for money thanks to its AWD, the optional Eyesight, and its fuel economy not bad for a company car. For now, it's evaluation time. While the Legacy isn't much more fun to drive than the originals and more expensive than its rivals, it's now more mature in the technological stakes judging by the help of Eyesight and X-Mode (only applicable for the Outback), and this is not a half bad car for a start.

Available Colors (B4): Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Venetian Red Pearl, Lapis Blue Pearl, Deep Sea Blue Pearl.

Available Colors (Outback): Crystal White Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Platinum Grey Metallic, Dark Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Silica, Venetian Red Pearl, Tungsten Metallic, Lapis Blue Pearl, Deep Sea Blue Pearl.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries

Forza Horizon 2: Barn Find #03: Jeep Willys MB

When you've encountered a third barn find rumor on Forza Horizon 2, then you'll notice that it was marked somewhere within the vicinity of San Giovanni in western Italy. Recon suggests that it's a few yards near the East Saint-Martin Speed Trap so the barn find in question is nearby.



For recon purposes, I've used the brand new Renault Sport Clio 200 EDC, part of the Mobil 1 Car Pack. You can use any car you want to find the barn find in question but feel free to use whatever means necessary in order to get that treasured machine. Remember, the barn find is located near the East Saint-Martin Speed Trap but if you're new, it's going to take a lot of time until you spot one. If you found one, you'll have to wait for a few minutes until a notification flashed to your screen, meaning that your barn find is now ready for pickup and can be usable in-game.






I've never driven an offroad vehicle that was born for military use by the US Army several decades ago but hey, I just remembered. This military vehicle was once originated the Jeep name although there are some puzzles about the origin of the Jeep word via this car, although it was claimed from the slurring of the letters GP, the military term for General Purpose while others say it came for a character named "Eugene the Jeep" from the Popeye cartoon strip. No one knows what is the true origin of the Jeep term from this vehicle but it doesn't matter because having a machine born from the age of Allies vs. Axis Powers is a collector's item in FH2. Drive it, race it, customizing it, the rest is all up to you to turn this war-born machine into one of the coolest offroaders you can drive through the entire Southern Europe.

Do I have big plans for this Willys Jeep? You'll find out soon in a later post...

Doctor Who S08E10

Doctor Who S08E10

The London Jungle and how did the British capitol plagued with the forest's curse is the main story of this episode from Doctor Who titled "In the Forest of the Night" as The Doctor, Clara Oswald, Danny Pink, and a handful of students are finding out the cause of this. To make things worse, there's a massive solar flare going to engulf the world within a few moments. When The Doctor revealed that the trees saved the world from catastrophes, they're taking advantage of the overgrown forests as a protection against the imminent solar flare. After that, the world is back to the way things were. Now that we learned that trees will one day save us from imminent catastrophes, a good moral lesson to all the tree-huggers out there.

BTS from this episode:



NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW:



This is it! Part 1 of the Series 8 finale! See you next week!

Lexus RC (C10)

2015 Lexus RC

This is Lexus' attempt to take on the A5, 4-Series, and the ATS Coupe and it's called the RC. And if by RC, it kinda sounds like that RC Cola machine we don't really want because like one time you think there's a Coca-Cola machine but turned out it was just a mirage. It's just an RC Cola machine. 

So, before talking about the RC, let's take a look back on the Z30-spec Toyota Soarer, a car that was known worldwide as the first Lexus SC. You see, the Z30-spec Soarer is a good car for a start. You might think this is more of a Supra in fancy clothes and yes it is because speedo boys love to spent a boatload of cash into customizing it, that's why that particular Soarer is a true driver's car because of its fun to drive character right until the Z40-spec Soarer showed up and its reputation ruined.

2015 Lexus RC

What Lexus wanted to have is to capture the spirit of the Z30-spec Toyota Soarer while adapting to today's climate that most drivers currently live in but the main question is, does the new RC feel like the Z30 Soarer? Let's see...

The Lexus RC starts at 5,650,000 Japanese Yen and what you'll get is either a 3.5L V6 engine mated with an 8-speed automatic gearbox or a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine connected to an electric motor and a nickel metal battery while mated with a CVT gearbox. Whichever variant you'll choose, you can opt for an F-Sport model which comes with Lexus Dynamic Handling System, stiffer suspension system, improved brakes, and so much more. If I had a choice, I would always want to go for the V6 model with the F-Sport on it because driving one of these feels like the Soarers of the 90's or so I thought.

2015 Lexus RC

When you're using F-Sport models of the GS and IS for further inspiration, you will notice that the RC is much more like these 4-door Lexus cars in such getup. It's like a trio of male vocals trying to start a boyband to woo the audience with their serenading tunes but this is not made for serenading people, the RC tries to feel like the SC but all those technological gizmos lurking beneath its striking looks can be bothersome even for a novice. For instance, when you engage Sport + on the Drive Mode Selector, it makes the car less comfortable to drive but more sharper to handle in the bends just like what you expect on those Lexus sedans.

It maybe more wonderful to drive and more enjoyable than the daft Lexus SC but when compared against the German aggressors, the Lexus RC is a bit of a low-level threat because the Germans employed the best arsenal to keep themselves faster, smarter, and stronger while the Japanese still focus on making boring cars more boring...a contrast to Tokyo's vibrant energy as a fun city filled with everything an otaku wants. To make things worse, there's a heavier and slower hybrid model which uses the same 2.5L 4-cylinder engine from the Toyota Crown and Lexus IS relatives while connected to an electric motor and a nickel metal battery. While the fuel economy of 23.2kmpl for a two-door coupe is good, the performance figures are a contrast to the RC's sporty looks. It's like when a guy dressed smartly to school but ended up failing with bad grades. What a pitiful sight and this is like a scenario when you think there's a Dr. Pepper vending machine, you're rushing for it but found out it was a mirage...and it's just an RC Cola machine. Get it now?

2015 Lexus RC interior

2015 Lexus RC interior

While the RC may not be the sharpest car to drive at, the interior is highly questionable in the eyes of a connoisseur. Sure, it was carried over from the IS but there's a sneaking suspicion that this is their new uniform interior for Lexus, much like what BMW and Cadillac did when they employ the same interior in different models over and over again but hey, you don't want to swallow that.

Time now for an evaluation: I was hoping for the RC to be the modern-day version of the Z30-spec Toyota Soarer from the 90's and made to look at luxury coupes in a whole new day but it isn't. It maybe sporty to drive and exciting to look at but in the game of softdrinks, they're treating it like an underdog to their game. Although it maybe new but one day, just like that volleyball team representing RC Cola at the SuperLiga Grand Prix, it will triumph against all odds but count me out on this. No one likes a bottle of RC Cola at this time. (sigh)

Available Colors: White Nova Glass Flake, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Platinum Silver Metallic, Sonic Titanium, Mercury Gray Mica, Black, Starlight Black Glass Flake, Radiant Red Contrast Layering, Lava Orange Crystal Shine, and Heat Blue Contrast Layering.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

#ILFullCircle

The battle between truth and lies comes into fruition in the final episode of ABS-CBN's most-talked TV drama, Ikaw Lamang.

Shortly after Natalia (KC Concepcion) was rescued by Isabel (Amy Austria-Ventura), the mother that Franco separated them before the blast 20 years ago, Gabriel Hidalgo (Coco Martin), the son of Samuel Hidalgo, who was killed by Franco Hidalgo (Christopher de Leon), his mortal enemy, is on the run to save Andrea (Kim Chiu) from Franco's clutches. 

When Gabriel was caught by his men, he was beaten up while Andrea tries to stop Franco but if it's time for the final kill, Gabriel escaped through the waters and risen.

Gabriel has saved Andrea, Andrea rushes to safety, and he's taking on Franco for one last battle, a decisive battle that will determine the fate. The battle ends with Franco ruptured by a crane after the fall. Gabriel survived by grabbing an edge and he won. Gabriel rushed to Andrea and Calisto (Nonie Burncamino), the person Samuel trusted several years ago, and told that it's over. Justice is served.

The story ends with Gabriel and Andrea getting married and several moments later...they met at the place where Samuel and Isabel met when they were young. Everything ends but memories never fade away. This concludes the story of Ikaw Lamang.