Thursday, August 5, 2010

Nissan Dualis Type II

Most of you know that the JDM Nissan Dualis' latest facelift is more plain than the Euro-spec version (the Qashqai) because the front face of the JDM version carries the Murano-style grille while the European-spec version gets the revised front. Sounds weird, but can Nissan Motor Philippines or Universal Motors bring has a chance to bring the Nissan crossover that is a hit from Europe?

2011 Nissan Dualis facelift
Since its Japan debut in 2007, the Nissan Dualis is the only crossover that appeals younger buyers with its European flair, appealing design, and modest performance you can even imagine. When the Qashqai gained the new face a few moments ago, the JDM Nissan Dualis does not match to the European version because now, the grille is somewhat similar to the Z51 Murano. This also applies to the American Nissan crossover called the Rogue.

What completes the Dualis is the main aspects such as the MR20DE engine, XTRONIC CVT-M6, Eco Mode for fuel efficiency, and the ALL MODE 4X4 that has a wide variety of modes depending on the current terrain. With these features, the Nissan Dualis performs just as other crossovers do.

My thoughts about the Dualis:
Nope, this is not the Dualis I have expected for because what I want to see is the face as seen in Europe, but why using a Murano grille for the Dualis' latest minor change? Never mind, the only question comes up in my mind is, can NMPI or UMC has a chance to bring the Dualis to our shores or not? While we currently having the X-Trail, the Murano, and the Patrol Royale, maybe this crossover can be a worthy addition, and it will raise the bar against the upcoming Mitsubishi ASX.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Monday, August 2, 2010

So the mystery shampoo was... the newly improved Pantene, right?

A few weeks ago, I bump into the teaser ads regarding the so-called mystery shampoo.

Most women from around the globe, including the Philippines, want to know what is this mystery shampoo. They want to know what it is....

A week before the revelation of the mystery shampoo, I bump into this ad.



Yep, epic fail. Same thing happened in India since the mystery shampoo Indian women didn't think it was Dove Shampoo that is the mystery shampoo.

How did Filipinas got fooled by the mystery shampoo revelation that was just the Sunsilk Damage Repair range? It was still July, the shampoo has to reveal on August 1.

Now, in August 1, during a commercial break at ASAP XV, the mystery shampoo is revealed as the new Pantene Pro-V range. The new range comes in three variants suitable for a woman's hair types. It can prevent split ends, treats tangled hair, and reduces hair fall. Every variant comes with a shampoo, conditioner, and the new Treatment item. Those three are surely come in handy for every Filipina.

Visit the site:

If you are ready, go to your nearest groceries and supermarkets (think Mightee Mart, Shopwise, Ultra Mega, Makro, and any store you visit) and see for yourself.

Don't worry, a sachet is on the way!

Video: P&G Philippines, Unilever Philippines (via YouTube)

Sunday, August 1, 2010

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun Official Visual Book

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
Official Visual Book


The official visual book from the girls' day out spin-off of To Aru Majutsu no Index, To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (日本名: とある科学の超電磁砲), packs a bunch of pics from Mikoto "Biribiri" Misaka, Kuroko "Judgment Desu No" Shirai, Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten. These high quality pics are sure enough to satisfy more Railgun-ism with them every page.

Also added are the sequences from the opening and closing themes, episode guides, plus a special DVD that has a little something from Episode 13.

This visual book is always a best pick for Railgun fans who want to keep this as a fine souvenir from this girls' day out spin-off!

Nissan Elgrand E52

Imagine yourself, an owner of a second-generation Toyota Alphard, trying to get inside the Alphard. Before getting inside, you might hear something strange. It is not the Cocoon AI weapon trying to attack you, but the heart and soul of a Cocoon AI weapon, in the new Nissan E52 Elgrand, trying to blow away your Alphard in pieces.







Destined as an elite luxury minivan targeted for royalty, the new Elgrand will surely blow away the aging Honda Elysion and the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, just how the Cocoon readies its main cannon. The new Elgrand is reverted from being an RWD van into a FWD van, sacrificing this drive-train for greater riding comfort for the rich and famous Japanese tycoons, including the Diet members. That is the reason because the new Elgrand shares the platform used from the Z51 Murano and the J32 Teana.







The great fight between the Alphard and the Elgrand would be rather be set to its extreme difficulty. While the Alphard has a Vellfire twin, the Elgrand has two body styles to bring elite customers whose side are they on. The XG variant is the base variant for the Elgrand, providing a simple detail that shows its modest level, recommended as a budget-level Elgrand among families. The Highway Star variant, on the other hand, sets the E52 Elgrand's luxury to its elite level. This variant is truly a Cocoon-at-heart, even without the primary weapons that the Cocoon had such as Gatling guns, hedgehogs, missiles, and the main cannon. If both the XG and the Highway Star variant did not suit your battle-scarred potential, Autech Japan come up with the field upgrade version of the Elgrand, called the Elgrand Rider, now on its E52 basis. The Autech-upgrade Elgrand Rider is truly a force to be reckoned with, especially standing up against the Toyota Vellfire.







The new Nissan Elgrand E52 is not mostly comes with the heart of an armored vehicle but the interior is a fit for royalty status because of the premium amenities offered inside this luxury war machine. On the interior side, the E52 Elgrand offers the finest features fit for the elite Japanese tycoons to spend hospitality beyond reasons. The new Elgrand still carries seven or eight passengers, showing that this war machine can still accommodate more infantry units as for the previous E51 Elgrand. On the comfort zone, if you chose the Highway Star Premium variant, the E52 Elgrand offers a triple-ottoman 2nd row seats that offer three modes of comfort on the 2nd row seats, imagine how rich people spend their Japanese summer days with these seats, especially armed with the optional sunroof. For entertainment purposes, the E52 Elgrand comes with the rear entertainment system with an 11-inch monitor and the Bose 5.1 ch Surround Sound. Speaking of the comfort, you might use this to watch your recently bought Zettai Karen Children OVA inside the E52 Elgrand, or even the Silent Hill movie.







Like most military vehicles offering high-tech features, the new Elgrand offers a wide array of high-tech features such as the one-touch switch that opens doors, luggage underbox to hide your firearms, one-push side sheet to automatically folds the third row seats, the innovative Around View Monitor, and the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Under the hood, the Elgrand comes with either the basic QR25DE engine or the high-end VQ35DE engine. The 2.5L variant has a fuel economy of 11.6km/L while the 3.5L V6 engine offers a power output of 280PS /6400rpm. It is good to know that both of these variants are armed with the XTRONIC CVT for optimized fuel efficiency.

My thoughts about the Elgrand:
With the Elgrand facing against the Alphard and the Vellfire, expect to see those Toyota twin vans exploded because the new Elgrand reached its ultimate level, a level that the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire could not achieve. In my product of fantasy, when the E52 Elgrand is escorted by troops, an armored vehicle, a tank, or an attack chopper, this "King of Minivan" is unstoppable on its tracks. With the exterior painted with its war colors, the new Elgrand's interior is a hospitable treat that feels like, smells like, and hears like Outer Heaven. For those planning to buy and for those who owned the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, you can expect a heavy battle when facing against the new Nissan Elgrand E52. With so many luxury cars offered that could be treated like war machines such as Toyota's Land Cruiser, Crown Majesta, Audi's A8, and Volkswagen's Touareg, the new Nissan Elgrand will shine in the battle of the flagships, because it is not just a palace on wheels, it is a battleship on treads.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Hyundai Avante MD (Elantra Mk.V)



Since its world premiere at the Busan International Motor Show at BEXCO, the Avante (known worldwide as the Elantra) received an eagerly awaited full model change after spending four years with the previous Avante HD (while this platform still be used on the Avante LPI Hybrid, now on its 2011 model year) that was based on the axed Kia Cerato.

Being a true rival to the Kia Forte seems to be a trump act to follow, the new Avante is now better than the best thanks to the Wind Craft concept as part of Hyundai's fluidic sculpture philosophy and the brand's first GDi 1.6L engine that makes the Avante the best Korean eco car manufactured.

What is Wind Craft?
As part of Hyundai Motor Company's design philosophy "fluidic sculpture", the new Avante MD's exterior is biased on the Wind Craft concept design. If we want to know why Wind Craft is described on the Avante's exterior is, it is simple. Try examining the front face, the new Avante is somewhat similar to the latest Tucson ix crossover, and if you look closely to the back, the Avante is much more of a miniature version of the Sonata YF. With the Wind Craft design concept, the new Avante provides a strikingly aggressive look that scares away the Kia Forte for good. This applies the same as the interior as well.



What is the GDi 1.6L engine?
For the first time in Hyundai Motor Company's history, the new 1.6 GDi engine equipped on the new MD Avante made this compact car a true fuel-efficient eco car that is worthy enough to prove that even Koreans create eco cars more than Japanese car makers do. About this new GDi engine, the power output is 140PS/6300 rpm that has more power than the Kia Forte's 124PS found on the 1.6L engine. By gaining a eco car status, the new Avante's fuel economy reached to a modest 16.5km/L, which means that fuel economy is also greater than the Kia Forte's 15.2km/L found on the 1.6L engine. This is how so many reasons Koreans are ready to switch to the new Avante thanks to its advantages of a true eco car.

My thoughts about the Avante:
When Japanese car manufacturers focused on creating eco cars, Koreans are never left behind making eco cars targeted for its fuel efficiency. With the new GDi 1.6L engine equipped, the new Avante shines on the battle of the eco cars that makes car manufacturers as participants of the Battle of the Brains. I am truly sure which car manufacturer has the brains to create fuel-efficient cars. Look around them, Honda has the CR-Z, Nissan has the March, Mitsubishi readies the i-MiEV, and other brands readying their fuel-efficient eco cars to show which has the brains. The new Avante truly has the potential of being a staunch eco car targeted for the masses and if that is enough, the Philippines might have a chance of getting the Avante as the Elantra and if I price it, the new Avante will cost 1.8 million Pesos as I speak.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Bongbong strikes back! (and some kidnapper gags to follow)

That night's Bubble Gang episode...

Kidnapper gags, a family never accepts their father's death, weird hair growth on some areas, spoilers at the emergency room, little boys playing action figures in a weird kind of way, seventh Sabi-Sabi episode focused on "probinsyanong lalaki" protecting "probinsyanong babae" from three men seducing on the "probinsyanong babae", and a Sleeping Beauty story revamped with a king inviting a Japanese-speaking Prince Charming (played by guest star Jacky Woo) to wake the princess (Ruffa Mae Quinto) from a slumber that only be awakened by an... alarm clock!

Also, Bonggang Bongbong (Michael V) is back on a segment called "Sumbong Sumbong Kay Bonggang Bongbong" where the most annoying stuff gets featured and warned. In this segment Bongbong warns about a techie showing-off his iPad, women speak in gay lingo, and a person wears an eye contact even without an eye difference.

Moymoy Palaboy and Roadfill gone Jejemon in the IyoTube part where the Jejemon song is played.

Remember what Bongbong said "dito kayo mag-sumbong, diretso pa ang aksyon!"

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Misshitsu No Sacrifice


What lurks in a mystery organization called Foundation? What is a Foundation? How can you find a truth behind the shadowy organization?

Misshitsu No Sacrifice tells the tale of five young girls trying to find the truth behind the Foundation, while they are relying on themselves. On this game, it starts more of a visual novel with full voice. There will be decisions to make during the visual novel part. After the part, there is a search part where you have to solve puzzles around the corner. Some might be simple, but some can be extremely difficult, requiring more time to solve a tricky problem such as codes, arrangements, locks, and everything else lurking around you.

Once you're done you might be able to move on to a next chapter, but advancing might be complicated because there are certain conditions before advancing on the next chapter. There are various endings on this game depending on the stage and the characters (Miki, Asuna, Olga, Chloe, and Jitka) on this game. Find out what ending's worth it!

You'll begin on the Miki chapter, then when you're done, you might be able to play the next Miki chapter or choose from either the Asuna chapter, the Olga chapter, the Chloe chapter, or the Jitka chapter respectively. Each character will be based on the task you will do on this chapter. Remember the difficulty because it would be somewhat hard to finish this chapter by numerous clues.

CAST:

Kei Shindo as Miki, a young girl whose an athletic dream was abolished by an accident.

Eri Kitamura (Ami Kawashima from Toradora!) as Asuna, we first encounter her covered in blood.

Shizuka Ito (Hinagiku Katsura from Hayate No Gotoku!) as Olga, an honor student, posing as a leader of the group.

Yukana (C.C. from Code Geass) as Chloe, a computer hacker.

Asuka Ogame as Jitka, a mysterious Slav girl.

The end of Subic's finest racetrack

A certain news published in Top Gear Philippines' official site:

A year since the death of Pocholo Ramirez, one Philippine Motorsports legends, marks the end of the racetrack where he and his family established a few years ago and this track bids farewell this year. As Subic International Raceway draws to an end, this racetrack is holding an event called "Last Lap".

July 30 - Practice Laps

July 31 - The most successful car clubs in the Philippines come together on this track. Also, pro drifter David Feliciano shows his drifting skills on the track. Races on this date includes the Philippine Touring Car Championship, Miata Cup, Circuit Showdown and Run What You Brung series.

August 1 - 5:30PM - Time to say goodbye

I hope that whoever visits the Subic International Raceway on the final weekend would make it memorable. Hope you guys take a picture to make it your personal memorabilia to post it on your Facebooks. 


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Zettai Karen Children Starring Collection



So sir/ma'am, you got a hold on all things Zettai Karen Children, from CDs, DVDs, costumes and everything. Does your heroism increased ten-fold? Think again before gaining the insignia of "Zettai Karen" enthusiast. You may not complete all of these without this kind of CD. Zettai Karen Children Starring Collection is a character cover CD thanks from the R&D of Geneon Universal Entertainment, compiles the best character songs made possible by the Zettai Karen Children cast, including drama CD songs for some Zettai Karen enjoyment.

It's an all-star cast, from Kaoru Akashi, Aoi Nogami, Shiho Sannomiya, Koichi Minamoto, Kyosuke Hyobu, Naomi Umegae, Syuji Sakaki, Oboro Kashiwagi, The Double Face, and the rest. This character cover CD is truly a "Haidaraaaa!!"-worthy experience, and if we say "Haidaraaaa!!" we truly mean it sir/ma'am. From two discs and a total of 22 tracks, Zettai Karen Children Starring Collection is just more than enough to satisfy your craving over your favorite characters.

Track Listings:

DISC ONE:
1. NO !!!!(明石 薫 starring 平野 綾)
2. 瞬間少女(野上葵 starring 白石涼子)
3. さわってViolet(三宮紫穂 starring 戸松 遥)
4. I'm Here(皆本光一 starring 中村悠一)
5. 自由という名のRestriction(兵部京介 starring 遊佐浩二)
6. 半分子猫シンフォニー(梅枝ナオミ starring 藤村 歩)
7. Romantic Workaholic.(賢木修二 starring 谷山紀章)
8. プロフィールもnot解禁っ(柏木 朧 starring 浅野真澄)
9. フェイスはダブルの歌心(ザ・ダブルフェイス starring 中尾衣里&佐藤利奈)
10. あのね、オトコノコ(花井ちさと starring 福原香織)
11. シュ・ビ・ドゥ B.A.B.E.L. (桐壺帝三&柏木 朧 starring 小杉十郎太&浅野真澄)

DISC TWO:
1. ひまわり(明石 薫 starring 平野 綾)
2. 3 Shinin' 3(野上葵 starring 白石涼子)
3. 濃密ウィスパー(三宮紫穂 starring 戸松 遥)
4. You’re Freedom ! (皆本光一 starring 中村悠一)
5. God Breathless(兵部京介 starring 遊佐浩二)
6. 703 SENSATIONAL(梅枝ナオミ starring 藤村 歩)
7. Snatch(賢木修二 starring 谷山紀章)
8. ア・ブ・ナ・イ Jewelry Heart(澪 starring 釘宮理恵)
9. のよっ!うぉー禁とーく(マッスル大鎌 starring 三宅健太)
10. 職場恋愛おぼえていますか?(谷崎潤一&梅枝ナオミ starring 家中 宏&藤村 歩)
11. 微睡Gravy Lips(蕾見不二子 starring ゆかな)

My Comment:
Yes, if you lock your eyes on this character CD, you might end up saying "Haidaraaaa!!" and henceforth going to buy it to listen from the songs done by your favorite characters. LOL. You may not intent saying "Haidaraaaa!!" unless you listen it to enjoy it because Zettai Karen Children Starring Collection makes a fun addition from your ever-growing anime music CD collection. For a limited time you may buy both the Starring Collection and the All The Best in a bundle that grabs them all after the OVA's launch, Zettai Karen Children Ultimate Songs. Hurry up and buy it because there are a few in stock.

Zettai Karen Children All The Best



The case says it all, Zettai Karen Children All The Best CD features all the opening and closing theme songs of the hit 2008 anime previously aired on TV Tokyo, Zettai Karen Children. Zettai Karen Children focuses on the action-packed story of Koichi Minamoto and the three cute but terrible heroines sent out by B.A.B.E.L., called as The Children, in their fight against evil ESPers trying to commence world domination. With a compilation of twelve Zettai Karen songs, including No Surrender by Yuichi Nakamura, Koji Yusa, and Kisho Taniyama (who lend their voices as the guys from Zettai Karen Children, Koichi, Kyosuke, and Syuji) and two theme songs from the Zettai Karen Children OVA (Zettai Karen Children Aitazosei! Ubawareta Mirai?), which the opening is titled Seventh Heaven by The Children (Aya Hirano, Ryoko Shiraishi, and Haruka Tomatsu lend their voices as The Children, ranging from Kaoru Akashi, Aoi Nogami, and Shiho Sannomiya) and the closing theme is titled ...Out of Control... also sung by the guys from Zettai Karen Children.

Track Listings:

1) Over The Future (1st Theme Song sung by Karen Girl's)
2) Zettai Love x Love Sengen (1st Closing Theme by The Children)
3) Datte Daihonmei (2nd Closing Theme by The Children)
4) Over The Future (The Children version)
5) MY WINGS (2nd Opening Theme by Karen Girl's)
6) Break+Your+Destiny (3rd Closing Theme by Yuichi Nakamura, Koji Yusa, and Kisho Taniyama)
7) MY WINGS (The Children Version opens from Episode 46)
8) Zettai Love x Love Sengen (Karen Girl's Version closes Episode 46)
9) No Surrender (by Yuichi Nakamura, Koji Yusa, and Kisho Taniyama)
10) Soushunfu (4th Closing Theme by The Children)
11) …Out of control… (OVA Ending Theme by Yuichi Nakamura, Koji Yusa, and Kisho Taniyama)
12) ☆Seventh★Heaven☆ (OVA Theme Song by The Children)

My Comment:
Sir/Ma'am, these 12 tracks truly relieving the whole Zettai Karen adventures while relieving the newly released OVA, now on sale, for keeps. If those can't keep you entertained, try Zettai Karen Children Starring Collection, sung by the entire cast of Zettai Karen Children (sold separately). With these combos, I'm sure these can make a perfect souvenirs from your anime music CD collection.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Toyota Hiace/Regius Ace Type-III

Toyota Hiace/Regius Ace 2011MY


As a favorite among Philippine families, tycoons, celebrities, politicians, and the rest of the people, the Toyota Hiace (also sold in Japan as this or Regius Ace) shows that this Japanese-built commuter van does it all aside from being a limousine, a school service, a taxi, or everything else we, Filipinos, do with this Toyota van.

Now, in 2010, the fifth-generation Toyota Hiace/Regius Ace received a second facelift, calling this the Type III version of the fifth generation Hiace. Since its Japanese debut in August 2004, and entered Type II since August 2007, this Hiace keeps getting better and better and I cannot help myself getting a hold of this latest minor change.

The only thing that changed in the Type-III version of the Toyota Hiace is the new front bumper and the redesigned headlamps. The new front look truly brings the new Hiace a good stance, but still too redundant to tell if this new face suits every Philippine entrepreneur among its rival vans, including the Foton View, the Toyota Hiace clone with the Alphard's front face.

While the Regius Ace only offers in van form, the Hiace comes in three forms, the van variant for family use, the wagon variant that is perfect as a taxi, and the commuter variant that makes it a perfect school service, good enough to bring the kids heading to school. Choosing which Hiace variant suitable for you depends on your outcome of your perception and if that goes well, the Hiace makes it your perfect companion for your business.

Both the new Hiace and the new Regius Ace comes with the new 1KD-FTV engine. This 3.0L diesel turbo engine has a power output of 144PS/3,400r.p.m. and a torque output of 30.6kgf・m//1,200~3,200r.p.m. Both of these vans also offer with either a 2.0L DOHC VVT-i or a 2.7L DOHC VVT-i gasoline engine. As for the transmission, either the 4-speed automatic or the 5-speed manual transmission is available for the Hiace and Regius Ace.

My thoughts about the Hiace/Regius Ace:
With Japan offering the latest facelift of the fastest-selling Hiace van, I guess we cannot wait if Toyota Motor Philippines, Inc., would bring the revised Hiace to our shores soon. With its facelift, can the new 3.0L diesel turbo engine succeed from its commercial van rivals? I hope that this new engine is good enough against the Nissan Urvan Escapade for sure.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Trick X Logic

A cunning mystery game for the PSP that leaves players spend 100 hours of game play solving the most out of the mystery novels unsolved by many. In this game, you will read one mystery novel, then what you will notice that you may use the mystery novel's storyline to solve by choosing a sentence that somewhat connects to this mystery novel. You can carry up to five sentences to carry your thesis. If one sentence relates to the sentence carrying the same reason, thought, and feeling, you will be able to combine these two related sentences into one complete thought or thesis. This trick is somewhat to be called the "Hirameki System". It is not going to be easy mastering the Hirameki system because it takes a few hours to read the entire mystery novel and create complete thesis statements. It looks challenging for a newbie, but for those who are interested in mystery novels might find "Trick X Logic" challenging but fun.

Trick X Logic divides this mystery-solving game into two seasons sold separately. Season One (Now On Sale) features the first four mystery novels ranging from the expensive figure case to a trespassing case. Season Two (Debut this September) features novels 5 - 10 with added difficulty and challenge, ranging from the Hamlet case to the alibi. Your brain is the only weapon to master the world of "Trick X Logic", do whatever it takes to read the whole mystery novel, and find a complete thought, statement, and thesis of this mystery novel with the "Hirameki System". I know it is not easy, but do whatever it takes to solve it.