Let's Do The News! (November 14, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte skipped a major summit between ASEAN leaders and the UN chief due to the Philippine leader's full schedule, according to Palace officials.

- Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said he discussed human rights and extrajudicial killings in his meeting with President Duterte, who is particularly sensitive to these issues. He also said that his nation is committed to finding solution to the nation's garbage dumping issue.

- The United Nations chief has expressed alarm over the tragic plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar in remarks before Aung San Suu Kyi.

- The Philippines and the USA issued a joint statement following the bilateral meeting between President Duterte and US President Donald Trump at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.

- A veteran US senator criticized US President Donald Trump for failing to raise the issue of human rights in his first bilateral meeting with President Duterte.

- Emirates Airlines collaborates with Mercedes-Benz for an S-Class inspired First Class Suite in the Boeing 777.



- The Nayva autonomous shuttle got involved in an accident with a semi truck.

- The Boys over Flowers TV drama will spawn a Filipino remake. In addition, the cast of the Meteor Garden remake is announced.

- Check out the trailer of The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, coming in cinemas this December 20th.

TTFN!!!

Best and worst of Alola Pokemon

Gearing up on Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon, which releases this Friday worldwide, it's time for me to get a lowdown on the best and worst of Alola Pokemon as seen in Sun and Moon. Take note, I will only cover those from the Alola PokeDex because the Alolan Pokemon are the stars of the Sun and Moon games so if you're looking for something other than Alola, sorry to disappoint.

Anyway, after a year of having fun with the Sun and Moon gig, from games and TV show, it's time for me to give you the best and worst of Alolan Pokemon, beginning with...

THE CUTEST

1. Rowlet - I have my reasons why I think Rowlet is one of the cutest of the Alola Pokemon, probably because it kinda reminds us of LoveLive's Kotori Minami. Yes, that Kotobirb, and that is why I chose it as my starter when I first played Pokemon Moon. To my amazement, Rowlet is Ash's first Pokemon in the Alola region, which makes it very interesting to have one.
2. Pikachu - It would be total waste not to put the world's famous Pokemon to the list of cutest Pokemon in the Alola Region but a normal Pikachu is topping the list of Pokemons that can use their exclusive Z-moves. Such case is the Catastropika Z-move, which uses Volt Tackle as its base, but don't worry, Catastropika's fame as the best Z-move has ended thanks to Ash's Pikachu's Z-Move, the 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. Only those who witnessed Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You got the chance to witness this Z-move in the game.
3. Litten - Anyone who picked Litten have one major purpose, they love cats, and I understand that because one look and you'll know, little kids going to start squeezing around and yell "kitty!" I admit, Litten is a cute little kitty and it's so cute, Ash has one in the TV show.
4. Togedemaru - Ever since they introduced Togedemaru to the world, all I can ever imagine is a cute little bouncy ball I can make use of when used as a ball for any kind of ball game. Anyway, it may be rude to use it for a ball game joke but I always fell in love with Togedemaru's cuteness that keeps on bouncing like a ball. No wonder Sophocles has one in the TV show.
5. Rockruff - It maybe a Rock-type but Rockruff's got some puppy power to charm the fans. Yes, I know, shooting rocks was its puppy power but I always want to cuddle on this little rocky puppy.

THE PRETTIEST

1. Primarina - I have to admit, Alola never runs short on the prettiest Pokemon and one such is Popplio's final evolution form, Primarina. Not only it looks pretty to look at but its devastatingly powerful Oceanic Operetta Z-move is what captivates players.
2. Alola Ninetales - A normal Ninetales is a Fire-type Pokemon. This Alola Ninetales is an Ice-and-Fairy Pokemon and its sheer beauty won my heart, although I am having difficulty getting the one with the Snow Warning ability that works with the Aurora Veil move. Trust me, it's everyone's recommendation but while not used in battles, Alola Ninetales is a beauty that can be tamed.
3. Pheromosa - Bearing the Ultra Beast code word Beauty, Pheromosa combines beauty with speed and power no one saw it coming and I have to say, I have fallen victim to Pheromosa's charms and ferocious powers a true Ultra Beast possess.
4. Tsareena - There is one crazy idea about why Tsareena is one of Alola's prettiest because it's not just the looks that lures the eyes of trainers. It's the Queenly Majesty that sets Tsareena apart from the competition. With the Queenly Majesty set, it nullifies any Pokemon that uses priority moves, even Fake Out or Golisopod's First Impression attack.
5. Oricorio - Oricorio is known to have four different forms depending on which nectar it feeds on but the prettiest is the Baile Style and the Sensu Style Oricorio.

THE SCARIEST

1. Mimikyu - Despite being feared as the "anti-Pikachu", the Disguise Pokemon won the hearts of many fans. For me, I'm not a big fan of Mimikyu because one; Team Rocket's Jessie has one, and second; whatever Pokemon Team Rocket had is SERIOUSLY NOT CUTE. I had my reasons, especially I keep hearing about horror stories about Mimikyu from the Rotom Dex about what's behind the disguise.
2. Salazzle - Anyone who took Kiawe's trial in the game will never forget two things in the middle of spot-the-difference game; a hiker and a Totem Salazzle jumping behind the hiker. That moment startled me, and even for a normal-sized Salazzle, I can still experience the trauma of that toxic lizard Pokemon popping up from nowhere, just to scare the butts out.
3. Alola Muk - I always believe Muk is one of the scariest and in the case of Alola Muk, it's about as frightening as one of the blob monsters from Super Mario Sunshine.
4. Xurkitree - One of the Ultra Beasts, the one bearing the UB code name Lightning is very frightening indeed by the looks of it and files show that this Ultra Beast absorbs electricity into its body to power the serious shocks it gives off.
5. Type: Null - This synthetic Pokemon is what made me intrigued and scared the most because when you read the secret files hidden below the depths of the Aether Paradise, the hidden truth behind the so-called Type: Null is shocking indeed, especially the fact that it wears a mask to control its powers. A young chap named Gladion called it Silvally and as observed in the games and in the TV series, this synthetic Pokemon is fierce in its tracks and later, the now-named Silvally unmasked itself and demonstrated its RKS System that changes the type of its Multi Attack.

THE TOUGHEST

1. Golisopod - The true beauty of Golisopod is not just to its attack and defense because this Pokemon only possess the powerful First Impression attack which only works in the first turn of its battle. Couple that with the Life Orb and it really wants to do its First Impression again right after its Emergency Exit ability.
2. Palossand - Durability is Palossand's specialty and when used in Double Battles, having a Palossand paired with a Water-type Pokemon, favorably a Greninja with a Water Shuriken on it, the surprisingly defensive trick works rather well because with a bit of Water Shuriken landing on a Palossand and a bit of recovery with Shore Up as well as a hint of Amnesia, this Palossand is as durable as steel, even for a Ground-Ghost type.
3. Tapu Bulu - The Guardian Deity of the Ula'Ula Island, Tapu Bulu is known for being one of the toughest Pokemon ever challenged because of its high attack and defense and because of its ability that triggers a grassy terrain from the beginning, it will keep coming back for more due to the terrain's healing properties. When coupled with very powerful attacks like Megahorn and Wood Hammer, it can really crush the competition like a demolition job.
4. Snorlax - The sleeping Pokemon we are familiar with comes with a hard-hitting Z-move for those who preordered it. With the Snorilum Z crystal and Giga Impact on Snorlax's paws, this Pulverizing Pancake can obliterate any opponent in one fell swoop, as long the opponent's not Rock, Ghost, or Steel.
5. Pyukumuku - It maybe as small as a Shuckle but Pyukumuku's excellent in the defensive stakes and when coupled with the Innards Out ability, which is its specialty of course, looks like someone will have the last laugh.

FAVORITE NEW POKEMON PER TYPE

• Bug - Golisopod
• Dark - Incineroar
• Dragon - Kommo-o
• Electric - Togedemaru
• Fairy - Primarina
• Fighting - Bewear
• Fire - Alola Marowak
• Flying - Toucannon
• Ghost - Decidueye
• Grass - Rowlet
• Ground - Alola Dugtrio
• Ice - Alola Ninetales
• Normal - Silvally
• Poison - Salazze
• Psychic - Lunala
• Rock - Lycanroc
• Steel - Solgaleo
• Water - Brionne

FAVORITE Z-MOVE SEQUENCE

1. Ash's Pikachu's 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt
2. Pikachu's Catastropika
3. Gigavolt Havoc
4. All-Out Pummeling
5. Inferno Overdrive
6. Primarina's Oceanic Operetta
7. Snorlax's Pulverizing Pancake
8. Guardian of Alola
9. Supersonic Skystrike
10. Decidueye's Sinister Arrow Raid

Are you ready to return to the Alola Region? Pokemon Ultra Sun and Moon is coming to the Nintendo 3DS this November 17 and experience the biggest Alola adventure that is better than the original. Oh, and be sure to watch the Pokemon Sun and Moon anime series every Thursday nights on TV Tokyo right after Aikatsu Stars!

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Sea feud, North Korea tackled in Duterte's meeting with Brunei, Australia

Sourced from The Philippine Star;

The tension in the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea maritime dispute were raised during President Rodrigo Duterte’s bilateral meeting with the leaders of Brunei and Australia.

Duterte met separately with Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit Sunday night.

In his meeting with Bolkiah, his first engagement with a fellow leader after he arrived from Vietnam, Duterte emphasized that the tensions in the Korean Peninsula could be diffused through dialogue.

“It must be resolved through dialogue and must not affect the lives of people in the neighboring countries,” Duterte was quoted by a Malacañang statement as saying.

Duterte said China holds the key to resolving the rising tension in the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea has been testing a ballistic missile, raising concerns among its neighbors who called it a threat to regional peace. Under the leadership of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, the rogue state boosted its nuclear capabilities despite the economic sanctions imposed on it by the United Nations.

ASEAN foreign ministers have raised concerns over North Korea’s activities and called for a “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner."

Duterte also assured Bolkiah that he is ready to help fellow ASEAN countries in distress including those facing terrorist threats. He also promised to further strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and Brunei.

The Philippine leader also praised Bolkiah for his "extraordinary service to humanity" and thanked him for the assistance to disaster-hit areas. He thanked Bolkiah for hosting a number of Filipinos in Brunei and treating them as his own.


“I consider it an honor for my country and for myself that you (Bolkiah) have recognized the importance of our mutual relations, the strong bonds between our two countries," Duterte said.

URL: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/11/13/1758516/sea-feud-north-korea-tackled-dutertes-meeting-brunei-australia

Let's Do The News! (November 13, 2017)

- President Rodrigo Duterte highlighted security and drug problems at the 31st ASEAN Summit. In his opening speech at the two-day gathering at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Duterte emphasized that the meetings were an "excellent opportunity" to talk about a host of regional issues that continue to nag the region.

- ASEAN countries and China move forward with the negotiations on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, stressing that such progress will not be taken for granted. According to the draft statement, the ASEAN member states and China maintained their commitment to maintain peace, stability, freedom of navigation and overflight over the disputed South China Sea.

- Soldiers found 30 assorted firearms somewhere near Marawi yesterday. Major Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. of the Western Mindanao Command said on Monday that the arms cache was discovered by Army personnel, acting on tips from vigilant residents.

- Repsol Honda Team's Marc Marquez is named the winner of the 2017 MotoGP championship.

- Fernando Alonso confirms his stay at McLaren for next season and he is set to race at the Daytona 24 Hours this January.

- The ultimate Corvette, the ZR1, returns on the seventh-generation Corvette and in this new model, it's powered by a new LT5 6.2L supercharged V8 engine producing 755HP of power and 969Nm of torque while mated with a choice of 7-speed MT or for the first time, a 8-speed AT that sends the king of Corvettes to a 210mph top speed. It comes with the optional ZTK Performance Package which comes with a giant front splitter with carbon fibre end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and specific tuning for the chassis and Magnetic Ride Control dampers. It arrives this Spring 2018.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

- Just announced at the end of TEKKEN World Tour, Noctis from Final Fantasy XV is joining the list of special guests pummeling the best fighters on Tekken 7! He's set to battle this Spring 2018 as a DLC.

- Jurassic World writer Derek Connolly is reportedly set to be the writer of Sony Pictures' live-action movie adaptation of Metal Gear Solid.

TTFN!!!

2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup - Can-Am 500

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup enters to its penultimate race at Phoenix Raceway where the Championship 4 is finally assembled and all set for the big finale happening at Homestead-Miami next week. In this penultimate round, everyone's fighting to get the last spot in order to advance to the final round of this season.

Kyle Larson won the first stage of the race but on Lap 104, his car suffered engine problems and he was therefore out of the race. Then, Jimmie Johnson's hopes for a title ended in shambles when he made an accident at turn 4 at lap 148 followed by Bayne on the 226th, Buescher on the 247th and Whitt on the 258th. Denny Hamlin won the second stage of the race but he was out of the race when he was crashed at the third turn in Lap 275.

At the end of the 312-lap race, Matt Kenseth wins the race but Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch are named the Championship 4 and they are all set for the grand finale happening at Homestead-Miami for the Ford EcoBoost 400 on the 19th of November.

Who will win the 2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup? Find out next week as this finale will decide the match once and for all.

F1 2017 - Brazilian GP

Interlagos is the battle arena for the Brazilian GP, which serves as the penultimate match of the F1 2017 season before the big finish at Abu Dhabi but because this is Felipe Massa's home country, this place is jam-packed with his countrymen as they wave goodbye to Massa's F1 career as he will retire from Formula 1 after this season. While it all sounds touching for a hero's farewell in Brazil, this penultimate battle really means something in store for the fans.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel is named the winner of the Brazilian GP while Mercedes-AMG's Valterri Bottas placed 2nd. To make this race a bit interesting, Lewis Hamilton, who was recently the world champion at this season, tries to fight Kimi Raikkonen for the podium finish after his pit-lane start but in the end, he ended up in 4th place while Kimi's in the podium with 3rd place. Other finishers include the two Red Bull Racing drivers, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, and Sergio Perez respecitvely.

Those who couldn't make it to the end are Esteban Ocon, Kevin Magnussen, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Brendon Hartley due to either went off the course, crashes, or mechanical issues.

Don't miss the F1 2017 finale happening at Abu Dhabi on the 26th of November! Of course, even though Hamilton's the world champion after this season, the final round will be everyone's race so watch for it!

F1 2017 - Mexico GP

In a country that was heavily battered by deadly earthquakes recently, the Mexico GP race of the F1 2017, held at the Autodromo Hnos. Rodriguez, shows that the race must go on while showing the Mexican audience the true spirit of coming together as they are there to witness this glorious moment, where a winner is crowned despite all odds.

The starting part of the race became a disaster for Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton as his car suffered a punctured tire and it's not just Hamilton, it's Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel whose problem is on the front of his car, forcing both of them to get their cars fixed at the pits. In the sixth lap, Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo is out of the race when his car faced mechanical failures during a pit stop.

Also out are Renault's Nico Hulkenberg and Brendon Hartley from Toro Rosso because of mechanical failures.

Max Verstappen from Red Bull wins the Mexico GP followed by Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel but the big news is that after his ninth place finish, Lewis Hamilton is crowned the 2017 Formula 1 World Champion for the fourth time.

With Hamilton now crowned the victor of the season, the last two races will be everyone's guess for the drivers as the penultimate race will be in Brazil on the 12th of November. Until then, congratulations to Lewis Hamilton for becoming the four-time F1 world champion. When this season is over, I hope you'll show your driving experiences to everyone on GT SPORT soon.