My Top 10 ICE-powered JDM Executive Midsize FF Sedans

The third-generation Mazda 6 will go down in history as the last JDM D-Segment front-wheel-drive saloon to be powered by internal combustion and with production ending this April, this race is now sadly extinct due to the never-ending rise of crossovers and SUVs.

The third-generation Mazda 6 is the last JDM FF
executive midsize saloon to be powered by internal combustion

As this species is set to be extinct in the springtime, it's time for me to jot down my top 10 JDM executive midsize front-wheel-drive sedans powered by internal combustion.

10) Sixth-generation Toyota Camry - At the end of 1996, the Camry Gracia was launched in sedan and estate variants. The Gracia is the luxury alternative to the Camry and it served as the replacement for both the Camry Prominent and the US-built Scepter. With the fifth-generation Camry's production ending in the summer of 1998, the Camry Gracia took its place and it was known as the sixth-generation Camry when it was facelifted in 1999. This is the last Camry to have a V6 engine offered in the Japanese market. A year later, Daihatsu sold the Toyota Camry as the Altis.

9) Suzuki Kizashi - Originally meant to be a US-exclusive model, the Suzuki Kizashi went on sale in Japan in the fall of 2009. With styling inspired by the three concepts, the Kizashi is powered by a 2.4L petrol engine producing 188PS while mated to a CVT with Manual Mode. The Kizashi is the last Suzuki sedan offered in Japan and production ended in 2015.

8) Seventh-generation Honda Accord - Launched in 2002, the seventh-generation Honda Accord features a sleeker design compared to its predecessor as well as improved dynamics. It was the first to feature Honda's Internavi Premium Club service, providing drivers the fastest route to their target destination. Powering the seventh-generation Accord is a choice of a 2.0L and 2.4L mated to a 5-speed AT. The Euro-R variant is powered by a 220PS 2.0L engine mated only with a 6-speed MT. This generation marked the last time to feature the Euro-R grade. The seventh-generation Accord was exported in Europe, in the US as the Acura TSX, and in Oceania as the Honda Accord Euro.

7) Nissan Cefiro A32 - Launched in 1994, the Nissan Cefiro A32 eschews its predecessor's FR layout in favor of a stable FF layout with comfortable driving in mind. Powering the Cefiro A32 is a choice of three VQ V6 petrol engines from 2.0L, 2.5L, to 3.5L. All are mated to either a 5-speed MT or a 4-speed AT.

6) Eighth-generation Mitsubishi Galant - Launched in late summer 1996, the eighth and final generation Mitsubishi Galant is no doubt one of the best-looking executive midsize saloons at that time with the sporty 4WD VR-4 variant the most aggressive-looking. It even spawned an Aspire twin two years later. The eighth-generation Galant is the first production car to be powered by a Gasoline Direct Injection engine for improved performance and fuel economy. It won the 1996 Japan Car of the Year award.

5) Sixth-generation Honda Accord - Launched in September 1997, the sixth-generation Honda Accord incorporates the Honda DNA through this D-segment executive midsize saloon, hence the car's slogan. Joining alongside the sixth-generation Accord is its Torneo twin and both of them are powered by a choice of 1.8L and 2.0L VTEC engines. In 2000, both the sixth-generation Accord and the Torneo received a minor change and gained the sporty Euro R variant powered by a 2.2L VTEC engine mated exclusively with a 5-speed MT.

4) Honda Inspire CP3 - Debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the CP3 Honda Inspire is powered by a J35A 3.5L i-VTEC PGM+FI V6 engine that produces a power output of 280PS and 342NM of torque. This engine comes with Variable Cylinder Management that shuts half of its cylinders. Coupled with the 5-speed AT, it has a fuel economy of 9.9km/L based on Japan’s 10-15 Mode standards. 9.6km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. Production ended in 2012, making it the last pure V6-powered Honda saloon ever made.

3) MAZDA6 (GJ) - Launched in 2012, the third-generation Mazda6, formerly known as the Atenza, is the first Mazda saloon to be powered by the SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine mated to a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT, a first for a JDM Mazda in the SKYACTIV era. In addition, the Mazda6 is powered by a 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine and the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo System. The Mazda6 was facelifted twice with the recent one in 2019 when Mazda decided to drop the Atenza naming in favor of the Mazda6 naming.

2) Nissan Teana J32 - Launched in 2008, the second-generation Nissan Teana is powered by a choice of a 2.5L and a 3.5L V6 engine mated to an XTRONIC CVT. Carrying over from the first-generation model, the Teana J32 comes with a signature front ottoman seat on the passenger side.

1) Nissan Teana J31 - Launched in 2003 as the replacement for the Cefiro, the Teana is Nissan's luxury premium midsize sedan that slots between the Skyline and the Cedric/Gloria sedans. While the styling is rather contemporary for a luxury sedan, the Teana's turning point is its luxurious interior which is about as cozy as the sofas and chairs you bought from the IKEA store. The Teana J31 is sold in South Korea as the Renault Samsung SM5 and SM7, and in other countries as the Renault Safrane.

It's a sad day in the world of motoring as there will be no more internal combustion-powered front-wheel-drive JDM executive midsize saloons on sale in the Land of the Rising Sun. If you want an executive midsize FF JDM saloon, you'll be going to make do with the hybrid ones. Actually, there are only two; the Lexus ES and the upcoming Honda Accord e:HEV.

Domo arigato, ICE JDM FF executive midsize sedans. They have served their purposes and now they're officially extinct because of SUVs. Although they're gone, they'll be never forgotten. 

The list of cars you can't fully take ownership

The first-ever Toyota electric crossover, the bZ4X, has arrived but the bad news is, you can't own it. You'll have to lease it to drive it for a month, which is kind of a bummer decision Toyota made. Following the launch of the bZ4X, it's time to take a trip down memory lane with the list of cars you can't fully take ownership of, which is a headache for speedo boys.

2023 Toyota bZ4X

GM EV1 - Launched in 1996, the GM EV1 is the first mass-produced and purpose-designed electric vehicle that was made after a widespread reception from the 1990 Impact Concept. It features a three-phase alternating current induction motor with an IGBT power inverter that produces 102kW of power and 149Nm of torque. The EV1 was available for lease only in Los Angeles, California, and Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. However, the leasing programs have been expanded to San Francisco, Sacramento, and parts of the US state of Georgia. Production ended in 1999 and most of the vehicles have been returned to the company with most being crushed and others becoming non-working museum displays. The controversial discontinuation of the EV1 became the turning point of the documentary movie "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

Honda FCX - Launched in the autumn of 2002, the FCX is a three-door compact hatchback that uses a fuel cell powertrain that produces 60kW of power and 272Nm of torque. The FC STACK, meanwhile, uses an improved version of its fuel cell powertrain that produces 20kW more. It was available for lease only and throughout its three-year lifespan, it was leased by 5 or 6 customers from Japan.

Honda FCX Clarity - Launched in 2008 and available for lease only, the FCX Clarity is the production version of the 2006 FCX Clarity Concept and it's a stylish four-door saloon that features a newly developed fuel cell electric drivetrain that produces 100kW of power and 256Nm of torque.

Honda Clarity Fuel Cell - Launched in 2016, the Clarity Fuel Cell takes place after the FCX Clarity left off. Although slightly larger than its FCX Clarity predecessor, the Clarity Fuel Cell is powered by a solid polymer-type fuel cell stack mated to a 130kw electric motor. It was available for lease only in its first year and then after that, it went on sale to the general Japanese public until it was discontinued at the end of September 2021.

Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid - Based on the Honda Accord Hybrid CR6, the plug-in hybrid variant uses the same 2.0L i-MMD powertrain as its normal hybrid counterpart but with the addition of the 124kw electric motor capable of 70.4km/L of PHEV fuel consumption and 29km/L of hybrid fuel consumption. Unlike its hybrid counterpart, the Accord Plug-in Hybrid is available for lease only until it was discontinued in 2016 with only 238 units produced. No one knows what happened to these cars.

Chevrolet Captiva Sport - The Chevrolet Captiva Sport is a rebadged Opel Antara that replaced the Saturn Vue following General Motors' decision to ax the Saturn brand for good. Unlike its Saturn Vue equivalent, the Captiva Sport is only available as a rental car, but good thing General Motors didn't take it back like what they did to the EV1 as they're sold as used cars in good condition. Production of the Captiva Sport ended in 2015 and the Chevrolet Trax took its place.

Kia Ray EV - The Ray EV is the electrified version of the Kia Ray compact minivan that, unlike its petrol-powered equivalent, is not sold to the Korean public as it is available only for rental or car-sharing purposes. Its electric powertrain gave the Ray EV a mileage of up to 139km in city driving mode and 91km on public roads, making it restricted for city driving purposes. It is the first mass-produced electric vehicle made in South Korea and the only light electric vehicle released in South Korea. It was discontinued in 2019.

Toyota C+pod - Launched at the end of 2020, the C+pod is a two-seater electric compact car that focuses mainly on mobility. It has a permanent magnet electric motor that powers its rear wheels and it's good for 150km in one full charge based on WLTC mode standards it will take about 5 hours to fully charge via a 200V electrical outlet. It was available only for corporate users, LGUs, and other organizations in its first year and it was expanded to the general public a year later for lease only.

Toyota bZ4X - The recently-launched Toyota bZ4X is the production version of its namesake 2021 concept car unveiled at the 2021 Shanghai Motor Show. It is available for lease only via KINTO starting at 107,800 Yen per month. With the exterior design nearly drawing inspiration from its namesake concept as well as its minimalist interior design fit for five people, the bZ4X has two configurations with the FF variant good for 559km (512km) while the 4WD variant is good for 540km (487km) in one full charge, based on WLTC mode standards. In addition, the bZ4X is packed with safety features such as Pre-Crash Safety, Blind Spot Monitor, and Toyota Teammate Advanced Park.

...and these are the list of cars you can't fully take ownership of. It's a shame you can't own it to drive it. Boo.

The top 10 Nissan sedans

Nissan is reportedly discontinuing the production of the Cima and Fuga flagship sedans, leaving the V37 Skyline sedan the only Nissan sedan Japanese people will buy as the company shifts its focus to crossovers and SUVs, which is a bunch of BS because the only Nissan SUVs available for Japanese people are the Kicks, the X-Trail, and the Ariya.

With the V37 Skyline the only Nissan sedan you can buy, it's time for a trip down memory lane to list down the ten best Nissan sedans ever made. 

2020 Nissan Skyline

10) Nissan Infiniti Q45 - Yes, Nissan did introduce the Infiniti marque in Japan at the end of 1989 with the Q45. Although this is basically called the Infiniti Q45, it was sold in Nissan dealerships until 1997. Donning the "Japan Original" tagline, the Infiniti Q45 features a unique badging on the front and a handcrafted interior inspired by Japanese aesthetics, showcasing its Japanese roots. Under the hood, it's powered by a VH45DE 4.5L engine mated to a 4-speed automatic.

9) Nissan Fuga Y51 - Launched in late 2009, the second-generation Fuga features a sleek and sporty exterior design as well as a classy interior full of tech and conveniences. It was offered in a choice of a 2.5L, a 3.7L, and a 3.5L hybrid powerplant mated to a 7-speed automatic, which makes it more engaging to drive than a Lexus GS450h. The Fuga Y51 spawned a long-wheelbase variant under the Cima name but only the hybrid variant is offered. Fair enough.

8) Nissan Cedric/Gloria Y33 - Launched in 1995, the Y33 Cedric and Gloria luxury sedans look daintily similar to their Y32 predecessors, apart from retaining their boxy looks, but they have refined dynamics as well as implementing dual airbags on a production vehicle. To recall, the Cedric is focused on being a proper luxury car while the Gloria is focused on being the Cedric's sporty alternative. Either way, speedo boys enjoyed both of these cars, especially when modified to their VIP looks. Slammed, big wheels, stance, expensive car jewelry, flashy exterior colors, and the odd-looking ornament attached to the rear-view mirror.

7) Nissan Skyline V37 - Launched in late 2013 and going on sale a year later, the V37 Skyline is basically a Japanese version of the Infiniti Q50 sold globally. Only the 3.5L HYBRID variant was available at launch and then followed by the 200GT-t variant, which is powered by a Mercedes-Benz-derived 2.0L turbo engine mated to a 7-speed AT.  It had two facelifts during its tenure with the second facelift a big one. Not only did it bring the Nissan badge back to the V37 Skyline, but it was also the first to introduce ProPilot 2.0 semi-autonomous driving aids as well as the first-ever 400R variant with the 400PS V6 3.0L Twin Turbo engine.

6) Nissan Cefiro A31 - The first-generation Nissan Cefiro was launched in the autumn of 1988 and it's powered by a choice of either a 2.0L or a 2.5L engine, mated to either an automatic or a manual gearbox. Speedo boys love the A31 because being the sedan version of the S13 Silvia, they found its use as a drift car for use in pro-street racing events or for showing off in the parking lot on a late Saturday night with lots of modifications in it.

5) Nissan President PGF50 - The second-generation Nissan President is basically an LWB version of the Cima F50 that has been peppered with ultra-luxury features on the passenger side. Like its short wheelbase cousin, the second-generation President is powered by a VK 4.5L V8 engine that produces 280PS of power and 451Nm of torque. Not bad for an ultra-luxury Nissan flagship sedan that time forgot.

4) Nissan Primera P11 - The second-generation Nissan Primera was launched in 1995 as well as its sporty Camino variant. It boasts a multi-link suspension to make it as easy to drive as a European car. It's no wonder the Nissan Primera became a worthy competitor against rival touring cars like the Honda Accord, the Renault Laguna, and the Opel Vectra. Thank you, TOCA.

3) Nissan Teana J31 - Launched in 2003 as the replacement for the Cefiro, the Teana is Nissan's luxury premium midsize sedan that slots between the Skyline and the Cedric/Gloria sedans. While the styling is rather contemporary for a luxury sedan, the Teana's turning point is its luxurious interior which is about as cozy as the sofas and chairs you bought from the IKEA store. The Teana J31 is sold in South Korea as the Renault Samsung SM5 and SM7 and in other countries as the Renault Safrane.

2) Nissan Skyline ER34 - The ER34 Skyline sedan was launched in Japan in mid-1998, months before the coupe version and the almighty GT-R followed later. While the R34 GT-R became one of the most iconic Japanese sports cars to come out from the Heisei era, it seems that the originator became long forgotten. It's rear-wheel-drive, it has four doors, it has a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, and it's a balls-out drift machine. You may remember that a tuning company called Blitz turned the ER34 Skyline sedan into a D1GP drifting machine.

1) Nissan Sunny B13 - Okay, you get the point. Why did I put the Sunny B13 at the top of the list? Although it's not as exciting to drive as a four-door Skyline, it's by no means one of the most reliable Japanese sedans made in the early 90s. It's so reliable, that even the Mexicans loved it until it was removed from Nissan's Mexico lineup in 2018. Still, it remains one of the most reliable go-to sedans to be used on a daily basis, be it for work or for road trips.

...and these are the ten best Nissan sedans ever made. It's a shame that the V37 Skyline will be the only Nissan sedan available for the Japanese people while Nissan offers cool-looking sedans in other countries, especially China and the US. Signs of the times, am I right? Blame the SUV frenzy for the diminishing sedan lineup, which is basically a weak point of Nissan because it doesn't have the capability to match Toyota's massive SUV lineup, it only relies on potential strong sellers for the Japanese masses such as the Kicks, the X-Trail, and the new Ariya electric SUV.

Unless Nissan tries to match global levels to its lineup offered for the Japanese people, it won't be as great as Toyota's, and worse, it may end up in the same fate as the Ford Motor Company; going sedan-less, which is bad.

The 10 best Pengsoo moments

August 8 in South Korea is Pengsoo day because for the young South Koreans, it marks the birthday of everyone's favorite giant penguin creator, Pengsoo, the star of EBS's hit TV show, Giant Peng TV. In honor of Pengsoo Day, let's jot down the top 10 best Pengsoo moments.

Pengsoo

10) After moments of sleeping in the props room since he first went to EBS, the folks from a Korean steel company built Pengsoo's new crib located at the top of the EBS main lobby. Pengsoo's own crib is everything this penguin wanted. He even invited some popular EBS characters to check it out as well.

9) Park Jae-Young and Pengsoo ruined the puzzle after an argument and now they're spending the rest of the day re-piecing them back. With the entire EBS heard about what happened, the whole team got their back and their support made them finished the puzzle together!

8) Pengsoo and his friends began making carp bread and sell it to everyone in honor of Pengsoo's Golden Button award. Because Pengsoo's carp bread is so popular, it gain the attention of Yu Jae Seok, a TV presenter from MBC, and Mr. KMJ, the boss of EBS.

7) Pengsoo's guest appearance in a SBS TV series, Stove League. A certain Giant Peng TV episode showcases what's Pengsoo like to appear in a hit K-drama series.

6) Pengsoo reunites with his old kindergarten friends, Beom the otter and Ttogi, a mascot for Greenpeace Korea. As the trio off to a outing, they come face-to-face with Dooly, a classic Korean cartoon character, and they had a lot of fun as well!

5) Pengsoo pays a visit to one of Korea's biggest TV networks. He enjoys getting to know the folks working at that station as well as the shows until the big crucial moment that Pengsoo is offered to stay at a fancy secret room in exchange of working with them. Pengsoo sadly accepted the offer but because he missed his time at EBS, our favorite giant penguin ran away from the network and chasing his Peng TV crew.

4) A certain organization wants Pengsoo to create a PSA combating smoking. Pengsoo accepts the challenge and because his PD, Park Jae-Young, is late for work, his punishment is...being the cigarette in Pengsoo's anti-smoking PSA shooting!

3) Pengsoo comes face to face with the K-Pop girl group TWICE as part of his road to Billboard. During his visit, the TWICE members taught Pengsoo the tools of the trade. They even taught him how to make Dalgona coffee as well!

2) Two Pengsoos in the dead of night? In the Halloween episode, when his then-manager Park Jae-Young left the building, Pengsoo encountered another Pengsoo?! Scary! The fake Pengsoo is chasing the real Pengsoo and when things get rough, the fake Pengsoo got Park Jae-Young! Desperate, the two Pengsoo battle each other until the real Pengsoo wins the fight!

1) EBS News reporter Lee Dong-Hyun tries to unmask Pengsoo, Unanswered Questions style. After moments of sneaking behind Pengsoo, not to mention the hilarious closet prank Pengsoo pulled on him, the newscaster meets Pengsoo in person to find out who this penguin is and after numerous analysis, Pengsoo is confirmed (?) that he's 99.99% penguin.

As our favorite giant penguin is now eleven years old, expect more misadventures to come from Pengsoo and the team because the whole Korea, the world rather, won't know what happens next when this giant penguin plans something big! Expect more surprises, more drama, and more laughs from our favorite giant penguin from EBS!

Happy Pengsoo Day!

Giant Peng TV airs on EBS 1TV every Monday and Friday at 7:45PM Korea Standard Time. New episodes added on the official Giant Peng TV YouTube channel after it airs.

The top 100 Mazdas (10-1)

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda Motor Corporation and to celebrate the Japanese carmaker's centennial anniversary, it's time to jot down the top 100 Mazdas ever made, from production cars, concept cars, new cars, old cars, Japanese ones, overseas-only ones, relatives, everything Mazda that made an impact over the last 100 years.

Mazda 100th anniversary

Welcome to the final part of this special list commemorating Mazda's 100th anniversary this year and with the top 100th to the 11th already listed, with some of you unhappy with this list because some Mazdas deserve better, the last ten slots of this list will be the cherry at the top of the cake, I promise, and whichever Mazda will be called the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), I'll give you a little story after this.

In the meantime, here is the final 10 of this list. Which Mazda will be the top dog? The leader of the pack? Let's find out!

10) Eunos Cosmo - Launched in 1990, the Eunos Cosmo is a luxury grand tourer that competes against the Subaru Alcyone and the Toyota Soarer. Featuring a contemporary and unique exterior styling and a futuristic interior, the Eunos Cosmo is powered by a choice of 13B and 20 Rotary Engine, all mated to a 4-speed automatic.

9) RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT - When Gran Turismo Sport and Mazda joined forces, Mazda created a racing version of the RX-VISION Concept. Made to comply to the game's Group 3 regulations, the RX-VISION GT3 CONCEPT is Mazda's commitment to the world of e-sports, especially at GT SPORT. They've even held contests to commemorate the  race car's in-game arrival as well.

8) RX500 Concept - Built to commemorate Mazda's 50th anniversary in 1970, this concept car features a rotary engine first introduced in the Cosmo Sport as well and a bullet-shaped body for aerodynamics. Known trivia that this concept first introduced the upswing doors before the Lamborghini Countach, making this concept car the originator of scissor doors.

7) RT24-P Racecar - Unveiled at the 2016 LA Auto Show, Mazda's RT24-P is served as their DPi contender at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, starting at the 2017 season.

6) LM55 Vision Gran Turismo - The LM55 is Mazda's entry to the Vision Gran Turismo project and it made an appearance in Gran Turismo 6. Their Vision GT entry portrays the future of a rotary-powered racecar that serves as the spiritual successor to the 787B, the racing machine that earned its Le Mans victory.

5) Mazda Roadster ND - Launched in 2015, the fourth-generation Roadster (known in the world markets as the MX-5) takes full advantage of Mazda's SKYACTIV Technology while still incorporating the classic Roadster recipe inherited from past generations. It is powered by a choice of a 1.5 and a 2.0 (exclusive to the Roadster RT variant).

4) VISION COUPE CONCEPT - Appeared at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, the Mazda Vision Coupe Concept showcased "Mazda elegance" at its very best, previewing a whole new approach for designing Mazdas in the future.

3) Mazda Cosmo Sport -  Launched in 1967, not only this car cemented the popularity of Mazda as a small but influential carmaker, but became consigned to the pages of automotive history because of the rotary engine that became the trump card of Mazda when it comes to stay alive in the globally competitive automotive sector. It is sold in some markets as the 110S. When others can't embrace the idea of a rotary engine due to the scratching problems that caused poor seal durability, Mazda is the only carmaker in the world that made the impossible possible with thanks of the idea of employing a graphite-aluminum alloy seal. Not only that, the problems of excessive oil consumption and a lack of low-end torque were taken care of, thus led to the commercialization of cars powered by rotary engines.

2) Efini/Mazda RX-7 FD3S - First introduced in 1991, the FD3S RX-7 succeeds where the FC3S Savanna RX-7 left off. It's powered by a 13B rotary engine with twin sequential turbochargers producing up to 251HP of power. It gained numerous changes through the years and as production ended in 2002, a final edition Spirit R was introduced. Despite its discontinuation, the FD3S remains the best sportscar for speedo boys worldwide, even if it featured in Initial D and The Fast and The Furious.

...and the number one Mazda in the top 100 list is...

1) 787B - Why is it wise to call the 787B the greatest Mazda of all time? It's because it's the first for Japan to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991 and the first and only rotary powered racer to win such feat. Powered by a R26B rotary 4-rotor engine, it produces up to 690HP. Apart from that, it features carbon fiber frame for lightness and rigidity. It made its Le Mans debut in 1990 but failed. The next year, an improved version was unleashed and the #55 787B, with Bertrand Gachot, Johnny Herbert, and Volker Weider behind the wheel, accomplished the impossible feat.

...and that is the end of the list of top 100 Mazdas.

For a century, Mazda is one of the most highly-respected car companies in the world. From being the first and only carmaker to sell a rotary-powered car to showcasing their most good-looking car in the world, from winning the most awards to being the hot term in the street scene, Mazda has been impressing its worldwide audience because of its uniqueness that made it feel like, and I'm going to say it because of personal experience, the Nintendo of the automotive world. No matter which car you'll going for, you'll be always ended up meeting someone driving a Mazda because they think they're the coolest to drive, the coolest to own, and the coolest to keep. 

There is no escaping from the Mazda elegance, no matter how hard you'll try to evade from it because it will always come back and play with you for the rest of your lives. Sounds scary but true because this is the Mazda way because they're always have a penchant of stealing spotlights from the big-shots.

Happy 100th anniversary, Mazda!

The top 100 Mazdas (20-11)

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda Motor Corporation and to celebrate the Japanese carmaker's centennial anniversary, it's time to jot down the top 100 Mazdas ever made, from production cars, concept cars, new cars, old cars, Japanese ones, overseas-only ones, relatives, everything Mazda that made an impact over the last 100 years.

Mazda 100th anniversary

Picking up where the last one left off, let's continue the list from numbers 20 to 11.

20) Mazda Atenza (Third generation) - The third-generation Atenza, launched in 2012, is the first Mazda in the Japanese market to feature the SKYACTIV-MT manual gearbox. Available in sedan and wagon, the Atenza features a wide variety of engines available, with the cream of the crop being the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine, a strong selling point to this model. When renamed as the Mazda 6 in 2019, it gained a SKYACTIV G 2.5T engine.

19) Mazda Familia (Eighth Generation) - The eighth-generation Familia, launched in 1994, features a more contemporary styling fit for the typical motorist. It is available in sedan and three-door NEO hatchback.

18) Eunos 500 - Launched in 1992, the Eunos 500 served as flagship model before the 800 took over a year later. It uses the same underpinnings as the Cronos and it is powered by a choice of 1.8L 4-cylinder, 1.8L V6, and a 2.0L V6 engine.

17) Mazda 3 (Fourth generation) - The fourth-generation Mazda 3 marks a new chapter to the company's near-centennial history when it was first launched in the spring of 2019. Available in sedan and hatchback, the new Mazda 3 features an evolved styling, driver-focused interior, improved dynamics, and a choice of engines, including the game-changing SKYACTIV-X engine, a petrol engine that works and behaves like a diesel without all the drama.

16) Mazda MPV (Second Generation) - The second-generation Mazda MPV served as the successor to the Efini MPV and it's the first time a Mazda minivan like this uses dual sliding doors. It was launched in 1999 and got facelifted twice.

15) Mazda RX-8 - Following the demise of the RX-7 in 2002, its spiritual successor, the RX-8. was launched a year later after wide reception from its 2001 concept that prompted Mazda to produce it. It is powered by the Renesis 1.3L rotary engine that produces less power than the RX-7 but still sounds like it. It featured a unique suicide door setup. Production ended in 2012 and to bid farewell to the last rotary-powered Mazda ever built, they've made a final edition Spirit R just like its predecessor. Little known fact that to promote the car, it made an appearance in X2: X-Men United.

14) Eunos Roadster - Launched in 1989, the Roadster is the first of Mazda's Eunos brand and marks the beginning of the Roadster story. With its small engine, rear-wheel drive, lightweight body, and sporty handling, the Roadster (known in the world market as the Mazda MX-5) is highly respected by speedo boys worldwide because of its relatively superior handling.

13) Mazda Roadster NB - Replacing the Eunos Roadster, this second-generation Roadster, launched in 1998, is the evolution from the previous model while retaining the classic handling recipe. For this generation, it now dons fixed headlights rather than retractable ones while following the same styling from its predecessor. 

12) Savanna RX-7 (SA22) - The Savanna RX-7 was first launched in 1978 as the replacement to the Savanna RX-3. It runs on Mazda's SA platform and powered by a 12A rotary engine. A turbocharged variant was added in the facelift in 1983. Tokusatsu fans will notice that this car was used by Shaider's sidekick, Annie, and then used by the UGM crew in Ultraman 80.

11) Savanna RX-7 FC - The FC3S Mazda Savanna RX-7 succeeds where the SA22 left off. Launched in 1985, it's powered by the turbocharged 13B rotary engine that produces 185PS of power. It got facelifted in 1989. The FC3S made an appearance in Initial D  as Ryosuke Takahashi's car of choice and Wangan Midnight as The Legendary FC, which is tuned by Hayashi and driven by Koichi Kijima.

...next time is the last one as I am jotting down the final 10 on the list of the top 100 Mazdas. Is the speedo boys' favorite on the list? Is your favorite on this list? Check back soon!

The top 100 Mazdas (30-21)

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda Motor Corporation and to celebrate the Japanese carmaker's centennial anniversary, it's time to jot down the top 100 Mazdas ever made, from production cars, concept cars, new cars, old cars, Japanese ones, overseas-only ones, relatives, everything Mazda that made an impact over the last 100 years.

Mazda 100th anniversary

Picking up where the last one left off, let's continue the list from numbers 30 to 21.

30)  Mazda CX-5 (Second-generation) - The second-generation Mazda CX-5, launched in 2017, follows the same recipe as the previous generation model. Kodo design, check. SKYACTIV technology, check. i-ACTIVSENSE, check. G-VECTORING CONTROL, check. The list goes on.

29) Mazda CX-30 - This midsize crossover uses the same stuff as the fourth-generation Mazda 3.

28) Mazda Atenza (Second Generation) - Launched in 2008, the second-generation Atenza comes in three different styles; a sedan, a station wagon, and a Sport liftback. Sadly, no MAZDASPEED in sight. Bummer. The US-spec version is different and it uses a V6 engine.

27) Mazda Axela (3rd generation) - The third-generation Axela, launched in 2013, features three different powertrains to choose from; petrol, diesel, and hybrid (a first for Mazda, sedan only). Little known trivia that the hybrid sedan variant uses the same Hybrid Synergy Drive stuff from Toyota.

26) MX-30 - The MX-30 is the company's first electric crossover which features the same Freestyle suicide doors as the RX-8. It is believed that it will come with a rotary engine for range extender purposes.

25) RX-VISION CONCEPT - Showcased at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, the RX-VISION envisions the future of sportscars while incorporating the next-generation SKYACTIV-R rotary engine, which proves that Mazda is still dedicated to revive the rotary engine, even though it will take several years from now to fulfill that revival dream.

24) Mazda Demio (4th gen) - The fourth-generation Demio, launched in 2014, draws its inspiration from Hazumi Concept in terms of design, while incorporating engaging and economical SKYACTIV Technology powertrains. The one with the SKYACTIV-D diesel engine made the Demio the best seller and thanks to such powertrain, it won the Japan Car of the Year.

23) Mazda Roadster NC - Launched in 2005, the Roadster NC incorporates the "one car, one driver, one feeling" slogan from its commercial, following the same recipe from the previous model while delivering a different kind of driving experience. It won the Japan Car of the Year at launch.

22) Shinari Concept - Showcased in 2010, the Shinari Concept previews Mazda's new KODO -Soul of Motion- design philosophy. A new design direction that is more distinctively Mazda than the previous Nagare designs.

21) Mazda Bongo Friendee - Launched in 1995, the Bongo Friendee is a family-friendly minivan that comes with an optional extra that allows the Bongo Friendee to become a campervan, which is great for camping trips.

...next time, let's jot down numbers 20 to 11 on the list of the top 100 Mazdas. Check back soon!

The top 100 Mazdas (40-31)

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda Motor Corporation and to celebrate the Japanese carmaker's centennial anniversary, it's time to jot down the top 100 Mazdas ever made, from production cars, concept cars, new cars, old cars, Japanese ones, overseas-only ones, relatives, everything Mazda that made an impact over the last 100 years.

Mazda 100th anniversary

Picking up where the last one left off, let's continue the list from numbers 40 to 31.

40) Mazda Axela (2nd generation) - The second-generation Axela is the first Mazda to use the economical start-stop technology called i-stop, which shuts down the engine when stopped and then starts again when it sets off. It's available with a choice of sedan and hatchback. The facelifted model in 2011 became the second Mazda to come with SKYACTIV Technology.

39) Mazda Atenza - Launched in 2002, the Atenza is the replacement of the Capella and it was first to incorporate Mazda's Zoom-Zoom philosophy. It was available with a choice of a sedan, station wagon, and a 5-door Sport hatchback.

38) Mazda BT-50 - Launched in 2006, the Thai-made BT-50 served as the replacement to the Fighter pickup truck and it's powered by a choice of petrol and diesel engines.. It is available in a choice of Regular, Freestyle, and Double Cab.

37) Mazda BT-50 (Second Generation) - The second-generation Mazda BT-50, unveiled at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show, delivers a more improved driving experience compared to the previous model while delivering a more striking impression thanks to its Nagare looks. Like the previous model, it was made in Thailand alongside its Ford Ranger relative.

36) Mazda CX-8 - The CX-8 is a luxury crossover, launched in late 2017, is served as the replacement for the trio of minivans such as the MPV, the Biante, and the Premacy. It offers three-row seating, a first for a JDM Mazda crossover. At launch, only the 2.2L SKYACTIV-D engine was offered but months later, it added a SKYACTIV-G 2.5T variant to the range.

35) Mazda CX-5 - Launched in 2012, the CX-5 crossover SUV is the first production Mazda to incorproate the Kodo design language first seen on the Shinari Concept. It was the first to be powered by a SKYACTIV-D diesel engine.

34) Mazda Sentia (Second Generation) - The second-generation Mazda Sentia was launched in 1995 and it's powered only with a 3.0L V6 engine producing 200PS of power while mated to a 4-speed automatic. The suspension is multilink at all sides for cornering equivalent of European imports. Did you know that the Kia Enterprise luxury sedan in 1997 was actually based on this car?

33) Furai Concept - Mazda envisioned a rotary-powered racecar in the form of the Furai Concept, which is based on an American Le Mans Series machine. It was quite a beauty to look at this concept racer but sadly met its demise when it caught fire while testing by a certain car magazine several years ago.

32) Eunos 800 - The Eunos 800 served as the flagship sedan of Mazda's Efini brand when it was launched in the fall of 1993. It was the first to come with the Miller Cycle engine.

31) Mazda MPV (Third-generation) - The third-generation MPV has gone upscale when it was launched in early 2006. The 2.3L petrol engine can be specified with either natural aspiration or a direct injection turbo engine for better performance. It was sold in some markets as the Mazda 8.

...next time, let's jot down numbers 30 to 21 on the list of the top 100 Mazdas. Check back soon!

The top 100 Mazdas (50-41)

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda Motor Corporation and to celebrate the Japanese carmaker's centennial anniversary, it's time to jot down the top 100 Mazdas ever made, from production cars, concept cars, new cars, old cars, Japanese ones, overseas-only ones, relatives, everything Mazda that made an impact over the last 100 years.

Mazda 100th anniversary

Picking up where the last one left off, let's continue the list from numbers 50 to 41.

50) Mazda Persona - Launched in 1989, the Persona is an executive midsize saloon that goes under the slogan "Interiorism" because of the unique rear seats.

49) Mazda Tribute (2nd gen, US-spec) - As the Tribute got replaced by the CX-7, the US-version soldiered on with a second-generation model based on the second-generation Ford Escape.

48) Mazda Premacy (3rd gen) - The third-generation Premacy, launched in the summer of 2010, features a more swooping design and uses the same fuel-efficient i-Stop as the second-generation Axela. There's even a Nissan version of it called the Lafesta Highway Star as well a year later.

47) Mazda CX-4 - The CX-4 is a China-only crossover that draws inspiration from the Koeru Concept from the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.

46) Mazda Demio (3rd gen) - The third-generation Demio, launched in 2007, sets the new standards for compact hatchback with its styling, interior, performance, and packaging. It runs on the same platform used on the Ford Fiesta. The 2011 minor change, meanwhile, became the first Mazda to use the revolutionary SKYACTIV Technology in the form of the SKYACTIV-G 1.3L petrol engine.

45) Mazda Axela - Served as the replacement for the Familia in 2003, the Axela is a compact midsize sedan and hatchback that competes against Honda's Civic and Toyota's Corolla. It was sold globally as the Mazda 3.

44) Mazda Familia (7th generation) - Launched in 1989, the 7th generation Familia is offered in a choice of three body styles, a four-door sedan, a three-door hatchback, and the five-door Astina (the one with retractable headlights).

43) Mazda MX-6 - Launched in 1992, the MX-6 is a front-wheel drive sports coupe that replaced the Capella C2. It served as Mazda's specialty car at that time and a decent rival to the Honda Prelude.

42) Mazda Bongo (2nd Generation) - Little did you know that the first-generation Kia Bongo of 1980 was actually based on the second-generation Mazda Bongo van of 1977? The question answers by itself but anyway, the second-generation Bongo was offered in a choice of a a van and a truck and it was quite a workhorse for the hardworking Japanese entrepreneurs in their time.

41) Mazda Lantis - Launched in 1992 and based on the 8th generation Familia, the Lantis is offered in a choice of a four-door sedan and the five-door coupe.

...next time, let's jot down numbers 40 to 31 on the list of the top 100 Mazdas. Check back soon!

The top 100 Mazdas (60-51)

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda Motor Corporation and to celebrate the Japanese carmaker's centennial anniversary, it's time to jot down the top 100 Mazdas ever made, from production cars, concept cars, new cars, old cars, Japanese ones, overseas-only ones, relatives, everything Mazda that made an impact over the last 100 years.

Mazda 100th anniversary

Picking up where the last one left off, let's continue the list from numbers 60 to 51.

60) Mazda CX-9 - The three-row CX-9 is based on the CX-7 crossover and it's sold worldwide but not in Japan. Shame.

59) Mazda CX-9 (Second-generation) - The second-generation Mazda CX-9 is the first Mazda to be powered by the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine. Like the previous model, it's sold worldwide but not in Japan. Shame again.

58) Mazda Proceed Marvie - The Proceed Marvie is the PPV equivalent of the Proceed pickup truck.

57) Mazda Familia (Ninth-generation) - The ninth-generation Familia features a robust MAGMA body, resulting to be the safest Familia ever built. It is offered in four-door and a five-door S-Wagon variant.

56) Mazda Tribute - The Tribute is Mazda's crossover utility vehicle that is part sportscar, part SUV. It was launched in 2000 until it got replaced by the CX-7 in 2006. Little did you know that the first-generation Ford Escape uses the same stuff as the Mazda Tribute.

55) Mazda CX-7 - Served as the replacement for the Tribute, the CX-7 is a crossover utility vehicle that draws inspiration from the MXCrossport Concept.

54) Eunos Presso - The Presso is the three-door fastback coupe from Mazda's Eunos brand. It's powered by a 2.0L V6 engine which produces not so much power but it's surprisingly nippy to get this fastback moving.

53) Mazda AZ-Offroad - The AZ-Offroad is a rebadged Suzuki Jimny

52) Mazda Verisa - Launched in 2004, the Verisa is a classy alternative to the second-generation Demio with a well-crafted interior fit for fashionistas.

51) Mazda Demio (Second-generation) - The second-generation Demio was launched in 2002 and it incorporates the same Zoom-Zoom look as the first-generation Atenza, launched in the same year. It still retains the boxy look from the previous model. It's sold worldwide as the Mazda 2.

...next time, let's jot down numbers 50 to 41 on the list of the top 100 Mazdas. Check back soon!

The top 100 Mazdas (70-61)

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda Motor Corporation and to celebrate the Japanese carmaker's centennial anniversary, it's time to jot down the top 100 Mazdas ever made, from production cars, concept cars, new cars, old cars, Japanese ones, overseas-only ones, relatives, everything Mazda that made an impact over the last 100 years.

Mazda 100th anniversary

Picking up where the last one left off, let's continue the list from numbers 70 to 61.

70) Mazda Biante - Launched in 2008, the Biante is a minivan made to compete against the Toyota Noah, the Nissan Serena, and the Honda StepWGN. Sadly, it didn't fare well against the competition and it was laid to rest in 2018.

69) Mazda Premacy (2nd gen) - The second-generation Premacy was launched in 2005 and it featured sliding doors. As the Mazda MPV went upscale for the third-generation model, this second-generation Premacy is now the cheaper alternative to the third-generation MPV. It sold overseas as the Mazda 5.

68) Efini MS-9 - The Efini MS-9 is served as the flagship model of the Efini brand from Mazda and it's based on the first-generation Sentia.

67) Sentia - The first-generation Sentia was launched in 1991 as the flagship saloon for Mazda. It served as the replacement for the Luce.

66) Mazda Luce (1st gen)

65) Mazda Demio (1st gen) - The first-generation Demio was launched in 1996 and under the basis of "small and big", this small compact really delivers big space at the back. It was made to compete against the Toyota Starlet and the Nissan March.

64) Mazda Capella (2nd generation)

63) Mazda Premacy (1st gen) - The first-generation Premacy was launched in 1999 as a cheaper alternative to the second-generation Mazda MPV.

62) Mazda Etude - The Etude is a three-door hatchback coupe derivative of the sixth-generation Familia.

61) Mazda Familia (sixth-generation) The 6th generation Familia was launched in 1985 and it features a more conservative styling compared to the previous model. It's offered in a three-door hatchback and a four-door saloon respectively. It even comes with the optional Full Time 4WD system as well.

...next time, let's jot down numbers 60 to 51 on the list of the top 100 Mazdas. Check back soon!

The top 100 Mazdas (80-71)

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda Motor Corporation and to celebrate the Japanese carmaker's centennial anniversary, it's time to jot down the top 100 Mazdas ever made, from production cars, concept cars, new cars, old cars, Japanese ones, overseas-only ones, relatives, everything Mazda that made an impact over the last 100 years.

Mazda 100th anniversary

Picking up where the last one left off, let's continue the list from numbers 80 to 71.

80) Mazda Proceed Levante (2st gen) -The second-generation Proceed Levante SUV is basically a rebadged second-generation Suzuki Escudo SUV.

79) Mazda Washu Concept

78) Mazda Ibuki Concept- This 2003 concept car is a modern interpretation of the first Roadster (MX-5) but it served as the inspiration of the third-generation Roadster launched in 2005.

77) Mazda Kusabi Concept

76) Mazda MXMicro Sport Concept - This concept hatchback from 2004 served as the inspiration of the Verisa compact hatchback.

75) Mazda MXCrossport Concept - This concept SUV served as the inspiration of the CX-7 launched in 2006.

74) Autozam Clef - The Clef is a four-door Autozam that is the brother car of the Efini MS-6 and Mazda MX-6.

73) Mazda Cronos - The Cronos is a Capella-based saloon that was sold in the world market as the Mazda 626.

72) Mazda Familia (5th Generation) - The fifth-generation Familia, launched in 1980, made a drivetrain switch from the predecessors ' rear-wheel drive platform to front-wheel drive platform to make it feel as civilized as any other car in its class.

71) Efini MS-6 - The Efini MS-6 is basically the five-door hatchback brother of the Mazda Cronos

...next time, let's jot down numbers 70 to 61 on the list of the top 100 Mazdas. Check back soon!

The top 100 Mazdas (90-81)

2020 marks the 100th anniversary of Mazda Motor Corporation and to celebrate the Japanese carmaker's centennial anniversary, it's time to jot down the top 100 Mazdas ever made, from production cars, concept cars, new cars, old cars, Japanese ones, overseas-only ones, relatives, everything Mazda that made an impact over the last 100 years.

Mazda 100th anniversary

Picking up where the last one left off, let's continue the list from numbers 90 to 81. And sorry for the months-long delay. This world health concern really gets the better of both of us.

90) Autozam Revue - Mazda's Autozam brand gave us their smallest four-door saloon fit enough for the tightest of city streets. It's called the Revue and despite its small size, its practicality is known the world over.

89) Mazda Navajo - Made for the North American market, the Mazda Navajo is a three-door SUV that is basically a rebadged Ford Explorer when it went on sale in 1991.

88) Mazda Laputa - A rebadged Suzuki Kei, this is rather a controversial Mazda kei car with a rather controversial NSFW name not suitable for all audiences.

87) Mazda Proceed Levante (1st gen) - Part of the Mazda Proceed lineup, the Levante is basically a rebadged Suzuki Escudo SUV.

86) Mazda Spiano - The Spiano is basically a rebadged version of the Suzuki Alto Lapin

85) Autozam Carol - The Carol name was revived as a three-door little hatchback sold under the Autozam brand. It was available with a power canvas roof.

84) Mazda Porter - Launched in 1968, the Porter is sold either a two-door pickup truck or a three-door van. It's a tiny little LCV powered by a 360cc petrol engine mated to either a 3-speed or a 4-speed MT.

83) Mazda Porter Cab - Launched in 1969 to 1989, this is the bigger brother of the Porter kei truck. Early models are powered by a 360cc but in 1977, it's been increased to 550cc following revised kei car regulations.

82) Mazda 121 (DA) - The DA-spec Mazda 121 was sold as the Ford Festiva in US and Japan and in Korea and other markets as the legendary Kia Pride. The DA-spec Mazda 121 is sold only in three-door hatchback but the Korean-made equivalent spawned five-door and four-door Beta versions in addition.

81) Efini MPV - Before the Efini brand surprised us with the FD RX-7, they made a three-row multipurpose passenger vehicle called the Efini MPV. It was made to compete against the likes of the Mitsubishi Chariot and the Nissan Prairie.

...next time, let's jot down numbers 80 to 71 on the list of the top 100 Mazdas. Check back soon!

Remembering 2018 - Top 40 things I learned in 2018 (PART 4)

Welcome back to the special year-ender where I jot down some of the top 40 things I learned throughout the year 2018 not just in news but also in cars, television, video games, sports, everything based on my interests.

Here we are, the last ten numbers of this year-ender. Let's end this right now!

10) North Korea changes heart - At the start of 2018, the world shocked that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un wanted to have summits with South Korea and USA. That sounds like a ruse but the historical Inter-Korean Summit between him and South Korean leader Moon Jae-in carried on and despite all the setbacks, the planned US-NoKor summit at Singapore carried on last June. So far, progress of North Korea's denuclearization remains slow for now.

9) FIFA World Cup Russia - In June of 2018, the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 event has became one heck of a rollercoaster sports fans got into. There has been some controversies, heartbreaks, sense of humor, upsides, downsides, it's everything this match had from start to finish. In the end, France wins the 2018 FIFA World Cup and that match became one heck of a controversy given Russia's drastic sports records that sparked numerous sports governing bodies but with them out of the way, it turned out to be the best World Cup in ages and the Les Bleus fought all the way to the very end.

8) PyeongChang 2018 - For almost three weeks of February, the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics showcased the world's best athletes competing in various winter sports in different venues stretching across the hosting South Korean county. It's not just about the spirit of competition but also the coming together of different sides torn between conflicts and internal affairs. At the end of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, the biggest winners are the Norwegians having dominated almost every single event of the Games than every other nation participated..

7) Motorsports in 2018 - From retirements such as Fernando Alonso and Craig Lowndes, to switch of teams for the next season such as Kimi Raikkonen going for Sauber, to surprise comebacks such as Sebastian Loeb in WRC, this year is memorable in the world of motorsports and that's more fireworks than killing Jean Eric-Vergne's "balls" in the pit lane after that historic 1-2 finish in Formula E. Cue laughing emojis.

6) Anime in 2018 - From new favorites such as Pop Team Epic, Cells at Work, Goblin Slayer, Golden Kamuy, and SSSS.GRIDMAN, to returning faves such as Cardcaptor Sakura, Attack on Titan,  and My Hero Academia, 2018 has been a big year in anime. On the children's side, it's been headlined with Inazuma Eleven's 10th anniversary, Yo-Kai Watch's 5th anniversary, and the road to Precure 15th anniversary. Not to mention that this year's shoujo anime lineup got dominated by pink haired ones like Aine Yuki of Aikatsu Friends!, Mirai Momoyama of Kiratto PriChan, and most famously Cure Yell of HUGtto Precure. In the tokusatsu side, we've been blown away by the heroic efforts of Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patranger, Ultraman R/B, and recently Kamen Rider Zi-O. Movies, the biggest hitters of 2018 are Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer, Mirai no Mirai, Pokemon the Movie: The Power of Us, and the most explosive of all, Dragon Ball Super Broly.

5) Video games in 2018 - While battle royale games dominated the video game genre for 2018, the biggest hitters of the year are the 2018 remake of God of War as well as Red Dead Redemption 2.

4) Entertainment in 2018 - Chinese version of Meteor Garden TV series, two main characters from two Walking Dead shows bid farewell, the arrival of the 13th Doctor, Alden Richards as a superhero, Maine Mendoza being "Daddy's Gurl", new ASAP format courtesy of Regine Velasquez-Alcasid after her dramatic network transfer, Marvel movies such as Black Panther, Infinity War, and DP2 reigned box office charts, Netflix cancelling Marvel series, Elseworlds crossover special, Mickey Mouse's 90th birthday, that's a lot to list or sum up about entertainment in the year 2018.

3) Big year for the 48 sister groups - The AKB48 franchise marks 2018 a big year because of popular additions to their 48 sister groups such as Vietnam's SGO48 and most famously, Philippines' MNL48.

2) Miss Philippines wins Miss Universe 2018 - December 17's Miss Universe pagent in Thailand made headlines because for the first time in history, a transgender was represented in this year's pageant and it's none other than Miss Spain Angela Ponce. Despite not being at the top spot, she really made headlines for being the first transgender to compete in Miss Universe and that really is a rule-changer the world's looking forward to. The biggest headline of the pageant is, for the fourth time, Philippines won Miss Universe as Catriona Gray takes home the crown, eclipsing the likes of Tamaryn Green of South Africa and Sthefany Gutierrez of Venezuela, especially Vietnam's H'hen Nie and Puerto Rico's Kiara Ortega.

1) Goodbye Broadway, Hello APT! - For nearly four decades, the longest-running noontime variety TV show in Philippine history, Eat Bulaga, has became the staple of every Filipino household with its rousing and engrossing segments with engaging hosts, including the so-called Holy Trinity of Eat Bulaga; Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III. In anticipation of the program's 40th anniversary, Eat Bulaga has moved to the newest home studio, the APT Studios, located across the Marcos Highway, Cainta, Rizal, and opened its doors to all of the dabarkads here and around the world.

...and there we are. Another year passed, another year comes. The year 2018 has been quite a disastrous year for us all but despite whatever Murphy's Law throws on us, there has been some ups and positiveness that lead us to greater happiness throughout the year and as we approached to a new year, looks like Murphy's Law is starting to kick into maximum overdrive.

Think about this; the Brexit, the end of the Heisei era, this year is where everything changes radically and nothing in this world will ever be the same again. It's going to behave like...either Akira or Blade Runner. What? They're both movies set in the year 2019, which explains a lot.

As long as we are prepared for whatever Murphy's Law throws on us, we can still survive this brave new year ahead and whoever survives the year 2019 is everyone's guess.

May God bless the world and have a Happy New Year.

Remembering 2018 - Top 40 things I learned in 2018 (PART 3)

Welcome back to the special year-ender where I jot down some of the top 40 things I learned throughout the year 2018 not just in news but also in cars, television, video games, sports, everything based on my interests.

Let's get on to numbers 20 to 11 of the list. Ready? Okay, let's go!

20) Mercedes bids DTM goodbye - After over three decades of dominating the Deutsche Touring Meisterschaft, Mercedes-AMG bids Europe's popular motorsport series goodbye and what better way of giving the carmaker a proper sendoff is by having Gary Paffett dominating the season, which is also his last following his announcement that he'll be taking part at this season's ABB FIA Formula E. With Mercedes' departure from DTM, the remaining carmakers Audi and BMW are bracing for next season's turbo era as well as a joint race between them and the Super GT machines.

19) 4-peat and 4-game-sweep - Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers made history again as for the first time in NBA history, these two teams faced each other at the NBA finals for the fourth time in the row. No rival teams ever attempted this and with the teams became history makers but the biggest history maker of the NBA finals is the Golden State Warriors made a four-game sweep against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

18) Kings of the Ring - The Nurburgring made two headlines this year as the new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ smashed the production car record at 6:44.97, while the 919 Hybrid Evo set the fastest ever lap time of 5:19.55. Period.

17) FK8 Civic Type R vs. the world - The FK8-spec Honda Civic Type R made some headlines by smashing front-wheel drive lap records in Silverstone, Magny-Cours, Hungaroring, Estoril, even Spa-Francorchamps.

16) Carlos Ghosn arrested - Carlos Ghosn, the man who saved Nissan from the brink of bankruptcy and formed the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi alliance , made headlines of the world of motoring this 2018 for he was arrested by Japanese authorities over suspected under-reporting of his corporate salary by several hundreds of millions of yen. His arrest led to Nissan and Mitsubishi ousting him from his post and days later, he was arrested again for recent allegations of aggravated breach of trust earlier today, diminishing chances of his impending release on bail.

15) Roselia replacing two members - 2018 has been proven to be a tough year for one of the girls band from the BanG Dream! franchise, Roselia. Following last year's announcement that Yurika Endo will be retiring from her seiyuu career, her role of Lisa Imai will be succeeded by her replacement, Yuki Nakashima. Moments later, Satomi Akesaka announced her retirement as well from her Rinko Shirokane role due to hearing problems, therefore at the Vier concert, her replacement, Kanon Shizaki, was named.

14) 2018 US Midterm Elections - The 2018 midterm elections in America has been heavily dominated by female candidates who are either with or against the Trump administration following numerous issues facing America such as the migrant caravan, the troops pullout, the environmental rollbacks, the trade wars, the Mueller probe, every single issue that rocked the great nation. In the end of the midterms, Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives while Republicans retained their control of the Senate.

13) Toyota wins Le Mans for the first time - History has finally made at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which is part of the 2018-2019 WEC Superseason as Toyota Gazoo Racing proudly waved the Japanese flag by honoring their first ever Le Mans win in history. The #8 Toyota Gazoo Racing TS050, piloted by Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso, Formula E driver Sebastien Buemi, and Kazuki Nakajima, made a historic victory at Le Mans while the #7 TS050 managed to place 2nd place with a lap behind it. This marks the second time a Japanese carmaker won Le Mans since the legendary Mazda 787B and the first time a Japanese driver became part of the Le Mans-winning team.

12) Ken Block's last Gymkhana ride - Celebrating ten years of the Gymkhana videos that burnt the internet like rubber, the latest installment of the Gymkhana video series, titled Gymkhana TEN: Ultimate Tire-Slaying Tour, sees Ken Block in his farewell tour by ripping the world in five different machines, including the new Hoonitruck, in five different locations from Sweden, Detroit, Mexico, Texas, and Los Angeles. Although this epic Gymkhana video is Ken Block's last, word from the mouth that the Gymkhana clips will move on at the hands of its new driver as demonstrated at the end of Gymkhana TEN.

11) Porsche's 70th anniversary celebration - 2018 marks Porsche's 70th anniversary and to commemorate this epic celebration, the German sports car maker went through exciting ways and means to demonstrate the best of Porsche such as taking the 919 Hybrid Evo for a spin round the world, bringing Porsche fans together, the Rennsport Revival at Laguna Seca, leading to the unveiling of the new generation Porsche 911 (992).

...to be continued in PART 4.

Remembering 2018 - Top 40 things I learned in 2018 (PART 2)

Welcome back to the special year-ender where I jot down some of the top 40 things I learned throughout the year 2018 not just in news but also in cars, television, video games, sports, everything based on my interests.

Let's get on to numbers 30 to 21 of the list. Ready? Okay, let's go!

30) The brawl at the FIBA Qualifiers - The 2nd of July at the Philippine Arena sees the unprecedented brawl between GILAS players and the Australians in the middle of the 3rd quarter of the FIBA qualifiers match. Although GILAS was defeated by Australia's Boomers, the fight seen round the world causes so much disdain to the world of sports and most Philippine basketball players felt ashamed by the reputation.

29) Thank you Voltron - Dreamworks' Voltron: Legendary Defender is one of the most-watched animated shows on Netflix and after eight seasons, the story of the group of Paladins protecting the galaxy as Voltron came to an end.

28) Goodbye, Adventure Time - After eight years and ten seasons, Cartoon Network's hit animated show, Adventure Time, has ended and the series finale, aired last September, sees Finn and Jake trying to prevent an all-out Great Gum War and save the Land of Ooo once and for all. We all going to miss the smash-hit TV series among with its colorful cast of characters in it.

27) Sinclair merger derailed - The controversial merger between Sinclair Broadcasting, which is one of the largest network company that controls local networks across the United States and also opposed for its pro-Trump agenda, and Tribune Broadcasting was derailed by the Federal Communications Commission following numerous opposition from activists against htis controversial merger and other companies dropped out from that matter.

26) US dropped out of Iran deal - US President Donald Trump announced his nation's dropout from the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal and began reimposing sanctions against Iran, a move that sparked fury from the European Union. Trump warned his trading partners that anyone making business with Iran WILL NOT make business with the United States.

25) No more Ford sedans - Ford officially announced that they are dropping out passenger vehicles from their lineup, with the exception of the Mustang, to focus more on their crossovers and trucks. In addition, they are dropping the number of core platforms to five flexible architectures.

24) Big name obituaries - The year 2018 bids farewell to the biggest names we know, including singer Aretha Franklin, Arizona Senator John McCain, former US President George H. W. Bush, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenburg, and so on, making the obituaries of 2018 too many to list.

23) Abe remains Prime Minister - Last September, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won his re-election bid as Japan's Prime Minister, making him Japan's longest-serving Prime Minister and realize his dream of reforming the constitution.

22) Vietnam's first carmaker - At the 2018 Paris Motor Show, Vietnam's first carmaker called Vinfast, made its world premiere with their first two vehicles, both based on BMW vehicles, such as the LUX A2.0 sedan and the LUX SA2.0 crossover.

21) Canonized as saints - Slain El Salvador Archbishop Oscar Romero and Pope Paul VI with five others are now canonized as saints during a Mass at St. Peter's Square since mid-October.

...to be continued in Part 3.

Remembering 2018 - Top 40 things I learned in 2018 (PART 1)

2018 has been quite a disastrous year for most of us, hence the main reason why the kanji for "disaster" was hand-picked by the Japanese but it's not just the floods, the quakes, and the fires that made this year disastrous, it's the fickle politics, obituaries, and some crazy moments that drove this world even madder than it is last year, but despite all the negativity occurred throughout the year, there has been some positive moments that made 2018 a great year for some.

So, with the year comes to a close, let's slow things down and jot down some of the top 40 things I learned throughout the year 2018 not just in news but also in cars, television, video games, sports, everything based on my interests, if you know what I mean?

40) Boracay closure - In late April, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte shut down the Philippines' popular tourist destination, Boracay, for six months because of the "cesspool" comments the strongman leader said a few months ago, prompting holiday makers look somewhere else to spend their summer vacation.

39) US Embassy in Jerusalem - Fulfilling one of US President Donald Trump's campaign promises during the 2016 elections, and despite the bloodshed in Gaza, the controversial move of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has been done and it's opened in mid-May 2018, fuelling concerns that the United States are tipping the Middle East into more worrisome effect. The embassy move tarnished the United States as the mediator between Israel and the Palestine State and there will be major consequences following the move.

38) General Data Protection - The new EU data protection regulation went in effect late May 2018, giving people from the European Union more control over how data is reached. Companies worldwide are getting express consent to collect personal info or face hefty fines. Following the implementation, The New York Times were one of the sites blocked in most European countries while Google and Facebook are accused for breaching GDPR laws following the infamous Cambridge Analytica incident.

37) Trade Wars - Once started as US President Trump implementing tariffs on imported steel and aluminum quickly escalated into an all-out trade war between the United States and China, two rival economic superpowers, which rocked world markets.

36) Goodbye, WUG! - Announced last summer, the Wake Up, Girls are saying farewell as the official website announced that they will disband by March 2019 after their final live performance. The Wake Up, Girls starred in two anime series, a film, and a WUG zoo spinoff.

35) The worst final race weekends of Danica Patrick's career - Female racing driver Danica Patrick bids farewell to motor racing following his breakout career in both IndyCar and NASCAR but her last race weekends in her career wasn't really the sendoff she wished for.  One, her final Daytona 500 race ended in a crash. Two, her final Indy 500 race ended in a crash as well.

34) The reborn American Idol - After years of hiatus, American Idol has returned in its new home, ABC, and in the rebirth of the hit reality singing competition, aspirants are energized to take on the competition but in the end, Maddie Poppe is named the winner of the American Idol 2018 finale. She's the first grand winner since American Idol went back on air.

33) Chief Justice Sereno ousted - Voting 8-6, the Supreme Court of the Philippines has ruled to oust Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as head of the judiciary since mid-May 2018. The Court has granted the quo warranto petition filed against the ousted Chief Justice.

32) Hyundai's new fuel-cell crossover - Hyundai made a fuel-cell crossover that claims to be one of the most important breakthrough in the history of the rapidly-growing South Korean carmaker. It's called the Nexo and it's powered by an electric motor that churns out 154PS of power and 395Nm of torque, which is more than the old Tucson FCEV it replaces, capable of reaching a top speed of up to 179kph, similar as a Japanese car can go. Second, the Nexo's got three fuel tanks, capable of carrying 6.33kg/156.6L of total capacity, resulting to a driving range of 609km.

31) US Gymnastics doctor sentenced - In late January, former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to life imprisonment for abusing young female gymnasts who were entrusted to his care. The women who brought Nassar to justice became one of the driving forces of the ongoing #MeToo and #TimesUp movement and because they brought so much impact to the lives of female athletes, they even got a special award at the ESPYs.

...to be continued in part two.

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If you know this secret message above, that means "THE TEN BEST GRAVITY FALLS MOMENTS". Now, moving on...

Image: Disney

After a four-year run, Disney's hit animated TV show, Gravity Falls, reaches its climax on President's Day (February 15, 2016) with a one-hour finale where the Pines and the rest of the Gravity Falls residents staged a resistance to save the world from the clutches of Bill Cipher and end the Weirdmageddon once and for all. That's right, it's payback time and it's time to take back the falls.

Before witnessing the liberation of Gravity Falls this Presidents' Day, time to honor the impending liberation by listing down the ten best moments in Gravity Falls history, the moments when we saw the Mystery Twins at their very best.

1) The pilot episode will always be the most memorable moment in Gravity Falls history and this is the episode we should all deserve an awkward sibling hug at the end of the day. In the first episode, we saw Dipper and Mabel arrived at Gravity Falls to spend their summer vacation with their Grunkle Stan, only to find out that this place holds so many paranormal mysteries. The gnomes are just the start of the Mystery Twins' quest to solve the mysteries of this mysterious town and also the zombie. the hat that Dipper wore throughout the show, and the grappling hook Mabel got.

2) In the "Double Dipper" episode, Dipper has a lot to do on his list while the Mystery Shack throws a wild party. He wants to spend the night with Wendy but complicated things set them apart until Dipper encounters a mysterious copy machine that makes copies of himself but sometimes, more isn't better because the Dipper copies are having a mind of their own. Like paper, the Dipper copy can get dissolved by anything liquid, even water.

3) Who wants a Lamby Lamby Lamby? I do! I do! In the episode "The Inconveniencing", in order for Dipper to save Mabel and a bunch of teenagers, including Wendy, he has to confront against the ghosts running amok from the abandoned convenience store. Those ghosts as it turned out to be an elderly couple died from a heart attack after being attacked by teenagers after banning them from the store. To do that, the ghosts asked him to do a funny dance and that's how Dipper got to do the Lamby Lamby Dance. With the costume set, he's doing the dance to please the ghosts, setting everyone free. Still a good moment to enjoy than getting high on Smile Dip that Mabel had. THE FUTURE IS IN THE PAST! ONWARDS, AOSHIMA!

4) If you can have one video game character come to life and become your bodyguard, who will it be and why? That's the question that comes to mind when Dipper summoned a video game character named Rumble McSkirmish from Fight Fighters when he tried to use the so-called "ultimate power" combo. Originally, he wanted to have his video game character to give Robbie a good kicking but when bad things happened, it's up to Dipper to stop Rumble. Those video game references on it really got my inner geek going.

5) Their first encounter against the demon named Bill Cipher in the Dreamscaperers episode is the turning point while Dipper, Mabel, and Soos, work together to stop Bill from entering the biggest secret of Grunkle Stan's mind that would spell doom to the Mystery Shack. Because they're at the dream world, anything is possible to defeat Bill. After defeating Bill, they've succeeded to save Grunkle Stan but Gideon used force to take over the shack. In the first season finale titled "Gideon Rises", just when all hope is lost to regain the shack from Gideon, Dipper and Mabel thrown everything they got to defeat Gideon. In the end, Grunkle Stan exposed the truth that Gideon's a fraud and the shack is back in business. The biggest mystery remains is what's under the shack that Stan's working on?

6) Into the Bunker sees a much tougher Wendy while the gang is exploring under the mysterious bunker to further investigate who is the author behind the mystery journals. This is the very episode that Dipper told the truth about his feelings for Wendy and who can blame them?

7) In the episode Society of the Blind Eye, Dipper and Mabel believed that Old Man McGucket is the alleged author of the Mystery Journals and he was one of the many people whose memories wiped out by a cult known as the Society of the Blind Eye, led by Blind Ivan. With the help of Old Man McGucket, the gang investigate the mysterious cult and then take them out for good, especially when it comes to wiping out the leader's memory. It is believed that the gadget used by the cult to erase everyone's mind is an invention of McGucket himself during his youth but McGucket's not responsible for the mystery journals. Question is who?

8) This is where the biggest secret in Grunkle Stan's life is uncovered as in the episode "Not What He Seems", he was captured by government agents, trying to uncover the truth behind the anomalies surrounding Gravity Falls. As for Dipper and Mabel, they're uncovering what's under the shack, which is none other than the portal from another dimension which one of the journals claimed that it will trigger the end of space and time. In the end, the portal didn't triggered cataclysm but it unleashed a mysterious figure who looks just like Grunkle Stan.

In the episode "A Tale of Two Stans", the man in question is the real Stanford Pines, the six-fingered man behind the journals while the Grunkle Stan as we know is actually Stanley Pines. Viewers witnessed how the twins' tales unraveled to the very story we are seeing it now. With the truth uncovered, government agents surrounded the Mystery Shack but one of the real Stanford Pines' inventions managed to slip past through the agents. In the end, Ford demanded Stan that when this summer's over, he wants his name back and shut the Mystery Shack forever.

9) Dipper and Mabel's 13th birthday is drawing near and in the episode titled "Dipper and Mabel vs. the Future", viewers find out that living an imminent teenage is harsh as they thought. Mabel wants to throw a big birthday party but all is grim when their birthdays will happen at the end of summer, Wendy warns that high school life is harsh, and her friends are leaving. As for Dipper, he's working alongside Great Uncle Ford to investigate a mysterious UFO which contains a special adhesive that will one day save time and space. The end of the episode is rather shocking because not only Mabel learned the truth about Dipper's, she was fooled by Bill Cipher, who used Blendin Blandin's body, and unleashed Weirdmageddon.

10) The demon known as Bill Cipher ruled Gravity Falls with an iron fist upon unleashing the ultimate terror known as Weirdmageddon and with most of the residents as well as Great Uncle Ford and Mabel held captive by Bill, only a handful of survivors such as Dipper, Wendy, and Soos must survive the nightmarish reality. The first part of the Weirdmageddon is very weird and very terrifying but the storyline keeps getting hotter and hotter as viewers witnessed how will Dipper survive the onslaught to save his sister and in due course, the world. In the second Weirdmageddon chapter, Escape from Reality, the trio entered Mabel's Bubble and while the two got succumbed into their temptations, Dipper tries to expose the truth inside this bubble and that meant going on court to reveal how much the twins bonded each other for bad times and good times. From awkward, now sincere, the bonds between the twins are stronger than ever.

Now that the twins reunite and the shack's intact along with Grunkle Stan and the handful of survivors, including the Multi-Bear, on it, will they take back the falls and win the battle against Bill?

Don't miss the one-hour finale of Gravity Falls airing this Presidents' Day (February 15) on Disney XD! Check local listings.

CHRISTMAS 2014 - Best movies to watch for Christmas

Nothing beats having a Christmas break by watching a Christmas movie regardless of any genre you're choosing. Whether if it's action, comedy, drama, kids, or whatever, those Christmas-themed movies are sure to warm the movie buffs at home during their Christmas vacation. If you've been given a choice, it's time for me to suggest the best Christmas movies to watch during your Christmas break.

1) How The Grinch Stole Christmas - I'd recommend the one which stars comedian Jim Carrey in it. In this hilarious adaptation from a Dr. Seuss classic, Jim Carrey plays the titular role of everyone's favorite grump who tries to ruin Christmas in Whoville.

2) Home Alone - There's been numerous installments of this film but the first one is always the best one. This all-time classic is about a kid named Kevin who is left home-alone by his family when suddenly, a duo of burglars are trying to steal something from Kevin's house. It's up to Kevin to defend his house from the bad guys before his family returns home. The trap parts in the movie are usually an all-time favorite for those who've seen that classic movie several times.

3) The Santa Clause - The Santa Clause trilogy of films feature Tim Allen (the guy who voiced Buzz from the Toy Story movies) as the titular character who saves Christmas.  The first film is about a divorced dad who steps into the role as Santa Claus while the second film sees Santa find his new love interest or else he'll never be a Santa Claus ever and the third film sees Santa Claus come face to face with his arch-enemy, Jack Frost.

4) elf - This hilarious Christmas movie stars Will Ferrell as Buddy, who was raised by elves when he crawled through Santa's bag of toys when he was a baby. Now, he seeks his true self when he lands to New York City.

5) A Christmas Carol - I'd recommend the Disney version which stars Jim Carrey as Scrooge. Every year, Ebeneezer Scrooge is getting meaner and meaner until his day of reckoning is nigh. He encounters three ghosts who will witness his past, present, and his grim future, and he has to change his ways before his grim future came true. This is a life-changing film for those who are feeling a bit bah humbug on the holidays.

6) National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - The Christmas installment of the National Lampoon franchise sees the Griswold family taking on a Christmas holiday with disastrous and hilarious results.

7) Jingle All The Way - Action star Arnold Schwarzenegger shows his fun side in this hilarious action comedy where he, as the businessman, is fighting against a horde of Santas just to get his son a Turbo Man toy.

8) Fred Claus - Vince Vaughn stars as the unexpected brother of Santa Claus who is the total opposite of him in this hilarious and heart-warming comedy film that is surely sprinkle you some laughs for the holidays.

9) Tokyo Godfathers - Japanese animated film about three estranged people encountered an abandoned baby in the trash during Christmas Eve and set off on an adventure of a lifetime where they have to correct their past wrongdoings.

10) A Nightmare Before Christmas - This all-time animated classic made by the eccentric Tim Burton is about Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who is on a quest to save Christmas until he took an unexpected turn that caused the little kids suffering nightmares. Although the animation's a bit odd, the soundtrack and the musical sounds very good for an all-time Disney classic.

11) Miracle on 34th Street - This legendary holiday movie is all about believing in Santa, even if the main character is a mall santa under the name of Kris Kringle. I know this movie is all black-and-white because it came from 1940's but this legendary holiday movie still asks the age-old question: Do you believe in Santa Claus?

12) Die Hard 2: Die Harder - It's a little odd why we put this film on the list but this is sure fire enough to add some testosterone to your Christmas movie-viewing pleasure. It's the Christmas season when a ragtag group of terrorists attacked an international airport and it's up to John McClane (Bruce Willis) to stop this threat before putting innocent lives in jeopardy.

...there are so many Christmas-themed movies to list but the rest is all up to you so while you're still relaxing during the Christmas break, enjoy watching some Christmas-themed movies that suit your preference. Enjoy the holiday break!