Let's Do The News! (April 10, 2025)

                                

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- Fifty-eight barangays in six local governments in Negros Occidental were affected by ash from the Kanlaon Volcano, which erupted on Tuesday morning, April 8, according to Raul Fernandez, the regional director of the Office of Civil Defense for Region VI.

- P/BGen. Elmer Ragay has been removed from his position as chief of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) following the kidnapping and murder of businessman Anson Que and his driver, as reported by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has issued a warning to foreigners against participating in political activities.

- Approximately 2.5 million passengers are expected to travel to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) during the Holy Week.

- The Department of Social Welfare and Development advises individuals affected by the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano to follow evacuation protocols.

- The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has confirmed the attendance of several cabinet members in the hearing on the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Based on the official guest list released by Senator Imee Marcos' committee, Justice Secretary Boying Remulla, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac are confirmed to appear later in the investigation.

- A Philippine Airlines flight made an emergency landing at Tokyo's Haneda Airport following smoke pouring into the plane's cabin. Along with this confirmation, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured that all passengers and crew of PAL PR102 are safe. The plane's doors were reportedly opened for ventilation and it is currently undergoing inspection.

- Four-time Le Mans winner Yannick Dalmas is named Grand Marshal for the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race this June.

- A new My Happy Marriage anime was announced after the end of the Season 2 finale.

- The Netflix reality game show, The Devil's Plan, returns this May 6 for its second season.

- ADOR announced strong legal action against the infringement of NJZ's rights.

- The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics added 50m Freestyle, Breaststroke, Butterfly, & Backstroke to its program. The women's Water Polo team quota is now bumped to 12 for the sake of gender parity for the first time in the sport's history.

- In Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino finals, Petro Gazz beats Creamline.

TTFN.

My FM Log: Stowing at High Velocity

The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 and the Lotus Evora GT430 are the time-limited prize cars of Forza Motorsport's Velocity Tour update. Having obtained these prize cars, let's get to know them before stowing them at High Velocity. Get it?

Stowing at Low Velocity is the Lotus Evora GT430, obtained from clearing the update's Open Class Tour until the April 9, 2025 deadline. 

Unveiled in the summer of 2017, the Lotus Evora GT430 is top-billed as the most powerful V6-powered Lotus road car ever made.

Apart from the aerodynamic upgrades compared to the previous Evora GT410, the Toyota-sourced 3.5L V6 supercharged engine is recalibrated to produce 430HP of power and 325lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, it sprints from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds and has 190mph of top speed.

The GT430 is offered also with the road-oriented Sport variant, which ditches its large wing and front splitter, resulting in 10kg weight loss and an improved top speed of 196mph, making it the fastest Lotus road car at the time of its release.

Stowing at High Velocity is the Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4, obtained from clearing the Velocity Tour until the April 30, 2025 deadline.

From its 1971 debut to 1990, when it was replaced by the Diablo, the Countach is no doubt The Greatest Lamborghini of All Time. Because of its crowning glory, Lamborghini decided to create a 21st-century remake of the icon using bits and bobs from the Sian.

The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4, unveiled in the summer of 2021, is a modern take on the legendary Lamborghini Countach that made headlines at its 1971 Geneva Motor Show debut. 

The reborn Countach uses components from the already sold-out Sian, and its 6.5L V12 engine is armed with an electric motor and a supercapacitor, generating a total output of 808hp. It can go from 0-100kph in 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 355kph. 

All 112 units were sold out before its world premiere.

With their quick introductions done, let's drive these two around Bathurst before stowing them at High Velocity. Yeah, I know.

Stow & Go. When they ask you to stow them at high velocity, the only way to go is, you guessed it, high. Welcome to the High Mile.

Enjoy your new rides!

Let's Do The News! (April 9, 2025)

                                 

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The reciprocal tariffs announced last week by US President Donald Trump, targeting US-bound foreign imports, came into immediate effect recently. Experts warn of price hikes aplenty as countries worldwide, especially those from the European Union, are taking drastic measures to counter the US reciprocal tariff situation.

- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is calling for volunteers to help repack family food packs (FFPs) for distribution to families affected by the Kanlaon Volcano.

- The LTFRB has approved over 1,000 special permits for passenger buses to operate during Holy Week.

- The PH Department of Health allays fears of an aggressive bacterial infection.

- PH Vice-President Sara Duterte joined in commemorating the Day of Valor today, April 9. It also commemorates the bravery of Filipinos during World War II in the Battle of Bataan which carved an important page in the country's history.

- The Qatar Government assures the return to normal life of Filipinos released after arrest for illegal protests.

- Audi will reveal the sedan version of the A6 C9 next week.

- The smart #5 Brabus was unveiled. It will be armed with a 100kWh battery, capable of producing 646PS of power and a 0-100kph time of 3.8 seconds. It will have up to 540km of driving range.

2026 smart # Brabus

- Girl group (G)I-DLE confirmed for their May comeback.

- Actor Manuel Masalva is in a medical coma after his Philippine visit.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (April 8, 2025)

                                

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Kanlaon Volcano had an explosive eruption, according to PHIVOLCS. The volcano erupted around 0551 hours Manila Time.

- According to Salvador Panelo, the camp of Kitty Duterte, one of former PH President Rodrigo Duterte's daughters, is pleading to the Philippine Supreme Court regarding a petition for habeas corpus for the former president.

- The COMELEC released its recent show cause order against Pasig congressional candidate Christian Sia regarding his utterance during a campaign activity.

- A BJMP vehicle carrying a Chinese PDL got ambushed in Cavitex with one jail officer hurt.

- University of Manila's law school ordered closure over Bar Exam failures.

- Colossal Biosciences announced it has revived the dire wolf, an animal popularized by the Game of Thrones franchise.

- The United Kingdom has relaxed the rules on electrified car sales for the 2030 deadline.

- General Motors showcased a Corvette UK concept penned by designers from the car company's new UK design studio.

Corvette UK Concept

- Park Bo Young announces her first physical fan meeting in seven years.

- ABS-CBN Studios' TV drama anthology series Maalaala Mo Kaya returns as a limited series this April 24th on iWantTFC and two days later, on A2Z, Kapamilya Online, and Kapamilya Channel.

TTFN.

Let's Do The News! (April 7, 2025)

                               

                                        

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Office of the Executive Secretary has released a list of cabinet members who will be allowed to attend the third Senate hearing regarding the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The list includes Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, PNP General Rommel Marbil, and others.

- The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has advised voters to ignore text blasts campaigned by political candidates using emergency alert systems.

- The MMDA's clearing operations will continue even during Holy Week.

- The Philippines' fighter jet purchase plan from the US is just a response to issues it faces with China, says Malacañang.

- The PH Department of Agriculture implements a temporary ban on importing poultry products from Belgium due to the bird flu outbreak.

- Over 200 cars were destroyed when a blaze erupted at a distribution center in Tanauan City, Batangas. The Bureau of Fire Protection suspects that "Spent Bleaching Earth" chemicals and extremely hot temperatures may have caused the blaze.

- The PH Department of Transportation has clarified that the US has not issued any travel advisory against the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other airports in the country. This follows news on social media that an advisory was posted at the Sacramento International Airport in California, but the post was from 2018. Because of this, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon immediately wrote to the US Transportation Secretary Administration (TSA) to clarify the said digital announcement displayed at the Sacramento International Airport in California. The US Transportation Secretary Administration (TSA) confirmed that the advisory was incorrect and immediately removed it.

- McLaren will expand into "new product categories" under new ownership.

- Nintendo delays pre-orders of the Switch 2 consoles in the US amid impending reciprocal tariffs imposed on global imports to the US.

- The list of Baeksang Arts Awards 2025 nominees was announced.

- Alex Ovechkin sets a new NHL all-time goal-scoring record with 895 goals.

TTFN.

A Minecraft Movie

Touted as one of the greatest video games of recent times, the world of Minecraft comes to life on the big screen, and things couldn't be more cubic than this.

A Minecraft Movie

Starring Jack Black (The Super Mario Bros. Movie), Jason Momoa (Aquaman, Fast X), Danielle Browns, Emma Myers, and Sebastian Eugene Hansen, A Minecraft Movie brings the iconic video game phenomenon to life, showcasing iconic moments that made Minecraft....well...Minecraft.

In this movie, siblings Henry and Gabrielle get tangled up with the financially-ruined pro gamer Garrett "The Garbage Man" and Dawn into the Overworld, a mysterious world where creativity is the key to survival. They team up with the legend who calls himself "Steve" as they protect the Overwolrd from the threats from the Nether and get back home. Simple, right? Well, you get the picture.

Bringing iconic Minecraft moments to life, especially featuring the deadliest creatures like zombies, the creeper, and the ever-dangerous Enderman, is no easy task for the creators of the movie adaptation. However, hard work often pays off, right? Well, almost. 

With its emotional moments, comic mischief, and signature Minecraft elements, this creativity has made it one of the must-watch family movies of the spring season. It appeals not only to those who have been playing Minecraft for years but also to newcomers who have always wanted to experience the game during their spare time.

The Overworld is open. Are you in?

2025 NASCAR Cup Series - Goodyear 400

The "Too Tough To Tame" track is the next stop for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series with the Goodyear 400. With their throwback looks on, the drivers are going all out to survive the Darlington mayhem.

As the green flag waved, the race known as "Too Tough To Tame" began. In the first stage, Kyle Larson experienced a spin, followed by Carson Hocevar's troubles, which included sliding out and then being hit by Riley Herbst. William Byron won Stage 1, while in Stage 2, Larson went to the pits for repairs. Byron claimed another stage victory at Darlington. The climax of the race proved to be "too tough to tame," featuring Josh Berry's misfortune and a dramatic spin by Kyle Larson.

After a chaotic Sunday that is "Too Tough To Tame", Denny Hamlin wins the Goodyear 400 of the NASCAR Cup Series!

The next race is at Bristol, Tennessee for the Food City 500 this Palm Sunday, April 13th, 2025.