VIDEO: Pinoy student builds life-size BB-8 from household materials

MANILA, Philippines - A 17-year-old Physics student from De La Salle University (DLSU) successfully recreated a smartphone-controlled life-size BB-8 using household items and Arduino circuitry.

Angelo Casimiro with his latest project: a smartphone-controlled life-size BB-8.

PHOTO CREDIT: YouTube/Techbuilder

According to a report by Gadget Match, the young Filipino behind the fully functional BB-8 is Angelo Casimiro. He wasn’t much of a Star Wars fanatic yet the latest movie, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, inspired his latest project.

“When I saw BB-8 in the movie, it was like love at first sight. He was just so adorable! BB8’s spherical design also intrigued me, how it worked,” he told Gadget Match.

Coming from a family of scientists, Casimiro became interested in electronics because of his grandfather. Since the age of 4, Casimiro has been building DIY gizmos and gadgets and has been making DIY tutorial YouTube videos for almost 5 years. A National Robotics champion, Casimiro has participated in several international competitions such as the International Robotics Olympiad and the Google Science Fair.

In order to build BB-8, he used some items commonly found in the house such as a Christmas ball for the eye, an old router antenna for the antenna, a deodorant cap for the mic as well as roll-on deodorant balls for BB-8’s mechanisms. Casimiro had to shell out $120 for the project, which is still cheaper compared to Sphero’s miniature BB-8 Droid.

Casimiro’s creation rolls, patrols and makes droid sounds similar to the one in the movie and its Sphero counterparts. However, it doesn’t respond to voice commands yet and doesn’t have hologram capabilities.

Compared to his other projects, the droid isn’t as useful and practical yet it can be used to make spherical vehicles. Since his creation will be featured on TV soon, Casimiro is working to improve the droid’s stability.

The young Filipino inventor considers BB-8 as his favorite project yet he still has projects lined up for his channel including The Portable Fridge Lunchbox, The DIY Bluetooth Boombox and The Portaverter (220v power bank). In the future, Casimiro intends to mass manufacture a Filipino-made solar-powered car.

“I get the ideas from things around me. I’m just thankful God gave me a mind creative enough for the knowledge I have for making things,” he added.

Here’s the full DIY tutorial to build BB-8.


-Mini/The Summit Express

How did 'Pilipinas Got Talent' (PGT) Season 5 fare in TV ratings

MANILA, Philippines - The brand new season of the hit talent show 'Pilipinas Got Talent' (PGT) debuted strongly in national TV ratings, data from Kantar Media says.

PGT Season 5 is among the most watched programs on weekend, hitting 25.5% vs. GMA-7's Celebrity Bluff which got 12.1% last Saturday (January 23) and 24.5% against rival’s 12.9% for Wanter President documentary program last Sunday (January 24).

Kapamilya, wagi sa TV ratings ang pilot episodes natin noong weekend. Maraming, maraming salamat!!! #PGT5 pic.twitter.com/l8UUDHndEj

— Pilipinas Got Talent (@OfficialPGT5) January 25, 2016

Kantar Media reveals that PGT ranked as no. 3 nationwide behind other Kapamilya programs 'Dance Kids' and 'Maalaala Mo Kaya' (Saturday) and on fourth spot nationwide last Sunday.

NOTE: Other ratings provider AGB Nielsen has yet to release the Mega Manila ratings for PGT 5.

Read more at http://www.pep.ph/guide/tv/22985/how-did-aldubebprewedding-and-showtimeforallseasons-fare-in-ratings-game#48ATClxZ7pdcifXY.99

Hosted by Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano, the local adaptation of the worldwide hit franchise introduced a new set of judges. Joining resident judge and certified star maker Freddie “FMG” Garcia in the panel are award-winning versatile actress Angel Locsin, “astig” idol Robin Padilla, and the phenomenal box-office star and comedian Vice Ganda.

This season also marks the first time the judges will use the Golden Buzzer. On Sunday, Padilla was the first judge to use the golden buzzer, pressing it for acrobatic duo, Power Duo. They will go straight to the semi-finals.

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VIDEO: 'Power Duo' gets first Golden Buzzer on Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) 5

The popular “Got Talent” franchise first made its debut on Philippine television in 2010, when siomai vendor Jovit Baldivino was named the first grand winner. In 2011, it returned for the back-to-back seasons 2 and 3 won by singer Marcelito Pomoy and singing trio Maasinhon Trio, respectively. In 2013, online singing sensation Roel Manlangit was named the grand winner of PGT’s fourth season.

Japan's Royal Couple to arrive in Manila on Tuesday

MANILA, Philippines - Their Majesties, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan are set to arrive in the soils of Manila tomorrow, January 26, as part of their peace pilgrimage which aligns well with the sixty-years of celebration of the restoration of diplomatic ties between Manila and Tokyo.

President Benigno Aquino III with their Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko during his state visit in Japan last year. Photo credit: Malacañan Photo Bureau

Now 82, the Emperor of Japan's Hesei period together with the Empress will be arriving in the country tomorrow until Saturday. The visit of the royal couple in the country will be their first being Japan's figureheads as the two were just crown prince and princess when they first visited in 1962.

Imperial visit in Laguna

The Imperial Highnesses will be gracing events in Manila on January 27 and 28 including a visit at the Heroes' Cemetery before heading to the towns of Caliraya and Los Banos in Laguna on January 29 to pay their respects to the war memorial erected for the unsung Japanese and Filipino war veterans. The two royalties will leave the country back to Japan on the 30th.

Japan wants to reinterpret its constitution, will there be a Japanese version of VFA soon?

The state visit of the Japan's imperial head provides a glimpse of what the Philippines and Japan had become six decades after reestablishing their friendship. The visit as also being rumored, may be also view as part of Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s strategy to consolidate the force that the two countries were able to forged over the past as Abe has been very keen to reinterpret the pacifist constitution of Japan to allow itself to flex its military muscle beyond the boundaries of its waters particularly in the shores of Manila.

It can be noted that the Philippines has been generously receiving various forms of grants from the Japanese government ranging from financial, technological and social aids. The two countries were also discussing the possibility of crafting a 'VFA-like' agreement in which Japan will be able to provide the transfer of military equipments to strengthen the 'pacific block of force' that might be able to counter mainland China's aggressiveness and rising influence. This revitalization of bilateral relations is clearly evident as the Japan's defense minister will also visit the country this summer.

PNoy to welcome the Imperial Highnesses

President Aquino is set to welcome the royal visitors upon their arrival. There will be no political agendas that will be discussed during the visit as their Majesties are only representing Japan as symbolic leaders, abiding by the post-war constitution recommended by the United States.

Prior to this, Aquino was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, the highest honor being given by Japan to its citizens or to leaders of state as a testament of genuine friendship. Aquino was also given the opportunity last year to deliver a message to the National Diet, the equivalent of the House of Congress in the Philippines.

Almost a million people died during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines. The imperial visit hopes to ease the painful memories that the war inflicted on its living Filipino victims of the war. As of the moment, there are still living war veterans and comfort women who are still asking for forgiveness and justice from the atrocities they suffered during the three-year Japanese rule in the country. -Michael Santiago/The Summit Express

Will Philippines host Miss Universe 2016 pageant?

MANILA, Philippines- After the controversial and highly talked about victory of Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe president Paula Shugart has revealed that now is the perfect time to hold the prestigious Miss Universe Pageant in the Philippines.

Is 2016 the perfect year for the Philippines to host the prestigious beauty pageant?
PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Miss Universe

The world-renowned beauty competition was first hosted by the country in 1974. It was last held in the Philippines twenty years later, in 1994.

Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Shugart said: “For years, I’ve talked about someday having the pageant here. I do know with Pia (Wurtzbach) right now, the entire worldwide focus is on the Philippines. I think it’s a great opportunity. I would love to be able to make it work. We’ll see.”

During the homecoming press conference for Wurtzbach on Sunday, January 24, Shugart commended the Miss Universe title holder for being graceful and philosophical. Emphasizing that Wurtzbach has a way of seeing things, Shugart believes she will be a better person by the end of the year by listening to the Pinay beauty queen.

Shugart also revealed that Wurtzbach will be doing a lot of travelling worldwide as well as in the United States. Wurtzbach, who will be an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, will have the opportunity to speak to young women to make sure that they make educated decisions.

Steve Harvey to Host this Year’s Miss Universe Pageant?

Addressing reports that Steve Harvey will host this year’s Miss Universe competition, Shugart admitted that Harvey would love to come to the Philippines and host the pageant.

“I think he’s the one person that’s really feeling this more than anybody, what happened. I know he really wants to and I know we would like him back so I’m sure he probably will,” she said.

Harvey, who hosted the Miss Universe Pageant last year, made headlines after mistakenly announcing Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner. In the most jaw-dropping moment on TV in 2015, Harvey apologized and owned up his mistake forcing Gutierrez to give up the crown to Wurtzbach, the rightful owner. -Mini/The Summit Express