Friday, June 11, 2010

The New Saab 9-5

Since Spyker bought the Saab brand from General Motors during the Global Financial Crisis, and Spyker reinvigorates the Swedish brand, we can see that Saab is the "Militaires Sans Frontieres (Soldiers Without Borders)" of the automobile industry, and the second-generation Saab 9-5 is their outer heaven or so we love to call it.



Once they call it a "phoenix rose from the ashes", we call it the Outer Heaven of Sweden, since Spyker Cars resurfaced the near-death Swedish car brand. Slated to be on sale this year, the new 9-5 proves to its Scandinavian brothers how worthy to be called a soldier without borders. To examine the true phantom beauty of the Saab 9-5, the exterior combines the aptitudes of the sports car and the luxury car to become the perfect sedan that has everything the potential men have to try it.

The interior has a commanding presence that is well suited for a well-mannered executive who are out from their mother bases, I mean, their businesses from day to night. The cockpit is designed to be more combat-ready, like how Saab dedicated to produce fighter jets, thanks to its heads-up-display, optional navigation system, instrumental clusters, and climate control. There is also an available rear seat entertainment system to cool down stressed executives, great for those who want to watch some war movies or even listen to some classical songs tempted to ease out their war stress.

Straight in the eyes of an car enthusiast, the new 9-5 offers several engines to choose from, such as the 2.0L turbodiesel engine, 2.0L turbo engine, and the flagship 2.8 V6 engine. There might be an 1.6L turbo engine and the 2.0-litre BioPower E85 engine available soon. Most 9-5 variants are six-speed semi-automatic equipped but do not let your boss caught you playing with the paddle shifters! The new 9-5 may come with an optional Saab XWD for the best all-wheel-drive experience.

My thoughts about the 9-5:

Can you declare Spyker Cars a heaven or hell for Saab? Its neither heaven nor hell, its Outer Heaven for Spyker Cars gaining ownership for Saab and the true meaning of Militaires Sans Frontieres would be right under the Big Boss of Saab Spyker Cars, Victor Muller himself. The new Saab 9-5 makes a formidable foe against its potential rivals such as the Nissan Fuga, Kia K7, Toyota Crown and Mark X, Lexus IS and GS, and the MB E-Class. It may also pick a fight against the new BMW 5-Series for its outer ops.

As expected, the new Saab 9-5 is worthy to be called a soldier without borders because it drives without borders.

Monday, June 7, 2010

The reasons how an automobile manufacturer disappears....

Hey car addicts,

As you realize, one of readers might question me that how does one carmaker dies?

In my opinion, there are numerous reasons how a single carmaker dies, and how it will affect owners of the cars built by the now-extinct brand...

1) Because of the economy

2) Because of sales

3) Because of some issues

4) Because they don't want it...

Just ask the American brands such as Plymouth, Eagle, Geo, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer and now, Mercury. These are the American car brands who already bitten the dust due to the severe economy, sales, and some different issues.


We are sure we are going to miss these car brands... even premature ones like the Pontiac Vibe, Pontiac G8, and the Mercury Milan Hybrid..... (sniff)

Sunday, June 6, 2010

SEAT Ibiza ST



Rewind back at the 2009 IAA from Frankfurt, Germany, and when you step nearby to the Seat IBZ Concept Car, it made other enthusiasts triggered many questions that could that be the Sport Tourer variant of the Seat Ibiza. In reality, this is the Seat Ibiza ST, which is recently unveiled at the 2010 International Auto Show in Geneva, Switzerland. Based on the fourth-generation Ibiza, this new addition to the Ibiza range, consisting of the regular, FR, and Cupra, is built for spacing purposes as European families brace themselves for the long summer vacation, meaning they are ready for more fun outside.

The Ibiza ST is more of a stretched version of the Ibiza 5-door, just how Renault's Megane do for the estate variant. When it comes to pricing, the Ibiza ST's pricing is barely cheaper than the Renault Megane Estate, but as for the styling cues, we can give it to the Renault Megane Estate because it is more stylish than the Ibiza ST.

The Ibiza ST still retains the plain Ibiza interior, only this time, as a tourer, spacing is top priority for the Ibiza ST, but would that be enough for an European family to pack it all for the long summer vacation? In fact, it could have a possible chance to bring every summer vacation preparedness stuff and the kids before beginning the super-long weekend trip all over Europe.

The Ibiza ST has an array of Volkswagen-engineered engines available such as the entry level 1.2L engine, 1.4L engine, 1.2L TDI diesel engine, to the high-end 1.6L TDi CR engine. Choosing which engine type depending on performance, ecology, and style, can be a challenging task for the first-time buyer of the Ibiza ST, but only the customer can pick the right engine for the right journey. Depending on the variant, the Ibiza ST may get the following features necessary for their trip such as the Electronic Stability Program, Anti-Lock Braking System, rain sensor with anti-dazzling mirror, and tire pressure warning. You will be glad to have it on your European summer trip.

My thoughts about the Ibiza ST:
When the European summer is near, meaning European kids are getting out from school and parents packing up for the super-long weekend with the kids, the Ibiza ST is the perfect addition to the list of family movers needed to begin the long European summer excursion from town to town. Kids are going to enjoy playing "I spy" all over again while the Ibiza ST travels across the road from left, right, up, down, round and round. With the driving style seems too bland for the Ibiza ST, it is almost not so fun to drive with this grand touring sports wagon, unless if the Ibiza ST tries to make room against the Renault Megane Estate and the Subaru Legacy Touring Wagon. Glad if this is engineered for the European families preparing for the super-long vacation.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

See what Ogie's holding at...

Ogie, as one of the rich kids, has an iPad

Recent episode of Bubble Gang showing another one of the "Rich Kids" sketches titled "Mayamang Raliyista" or Wealthy Protester in English. As I can see in this sketch is some familiar stuff Ogie Alcasid (the guy who was spoiled brat Angelina, or even Desperadas 2's Lugaluda) holds. Seems odd to me that what kind of stuff he's holding as if it was paper, notepad, or something else....

Oh, wait! He's holding some kind of iPad!



(Nosebleeds) Geez, makes me jealous that I want to have that kind of iPad because Angelina...I mean... Lugaluda... I mean.... Ogie Alcasid has one!

Even Showtime's Vice Ganda has one!

Take note, you can find the iPad at your nearest Power Mac Center dealers all over the Metro Manila.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Blur

What happens when you combine the elements of some mature racing games that is more of a simulation and fantasy racing games which power ups are the main basis?

With the slogan "race like a big boy", Blur combines the best of both worlds. Combining racing and combat is the best description on what this game is about. In Blur, you can take control of some of the coolest cars ever made, from Japanese tuners, Euro hot hatches, sport utility vehicles, muscle cars, and exotics. When you are behind the wheel, you are ready to race against other racers from across the globe, thanks to online multi-player system.

Power-ups are the essential tools in Blur, which players find it more useful to blow away the competition. Imagine yourself playing Blur with your friends, it turns out it's not a racing game, its a racing-fighting game where may the best racer lives! Sure, these power-ups come in handy, like blasting some orb-like attack to your opponents, leave a trap to fend off drivers behind, gain a speed boost, blow away nearby opponents, and repair your car on the track. There are so many power-ups to use in Blur. Experiment on trying various power-ups but remember, you can only carry three power-ups on the race.

Fans are the main point in Blur. If you win races, you will gain more fans, and if you gain enough fans, you can unlock various features that makes it more interesting to play the game, such as unlocking different vehicles.

My thoughts:
The cars used in Blur are not just ordinary racing cars, but they are the perfect war machines. Turning a racetrack into a war zone is just perfect, making Blur the ultimate racing game with war-like elements thanks to power-ups that makes it more addicting. Play by yourself, play against three friends, or even play against the world's best Blur players to see how battle-ready you are. Whatever it takes, Blur lets you race like a big boy.


STRAP ON YOUR SEAT BELTS, GET YOUR RACING MACHINE, ER.. I MEAN, YOUR RACING WAR MACHINE ON, AND RACE LIKE A BIG BOY!

Now on sale and available on PS3 and XBOX 360.

What is Party Pilipinas truly means for me...

Back in 1997, GMA aired a noon-time party that comes in Sundays known as SOP (an acronym of Sobrang Okey Pare) to compete with the long-running ASAP of ABS-CBN. I think both of these shows were enjoyable but it depends on which channel you are on.

But suddenly, due to the show's very bad ratings cannot compete the ratings of ABS-CBN's ASAP (now ASAP XV, commemorating its 15th year), 2010 would be the end of GMA's Sunday afternoon party show. Sure, it broke my heart for realizing it.




Makes me wonder how SOP got discontinued after 13 years of non-stop enjoyment with our favorite Kapuso stars, especially Regine Velasquez, Jaya, Ogie Alcasid, and Janno Gibbs.

The final concert truly saddens every Kapuso fans from across the world, but leaves us a decent smiley face. Makes me wonder how did that happened....

March 2010 saw a revision for GMA's Sunday afternoon party as SOP hosts; Regine, Jaya, Ogie, and Janno reprising their hosting talents to the newest Sunday afternoon party known as PARTY PILIPINAS.




HEHE, gotta admit that the theme song is great. Anyway, as for a fan of Pinoy television, I think Party Pilipinas can be a decent successor of SOP with new staff, new surprises and the same hosts. 

That's right, same hosts (Regine Velasquez, Jaya, Ogie Alcasid, and Janno Gibbs) do the party in this new Sunday afternoon party, with chunks of artists welcomed to this show including Mark Bautista and Rachelle Ann Go. This is odd because both of these were from ASAP, but why did they are switched sides?

There are so many newbies in the new show, including the Pinoy boy-band called XLR8 and the all-girl group known as Eurasia.

Looks OK to me, but is it cool or plain if you ask yourself?

Monday, May 31, 2010

Here Comes the Bride



Year: 2010

Filmmaker: Star Cinema, Octoarts Films, Quantum Films

Cast: Angelica Panganiban, Eugene Domingo, Tuesday Vargas, Jaime Fabregas, John "Sweet" Lapus

A bride for the wedding, a judgmental ninang, a Bisaya-speaking yaya, a womanizing old man, and a gay beautician, I mean, image stylist. After a certain car accident during the eclipse, their lives have changed for now. OMG! What's going on with them?

Here Comes The Bride centers on five people stuck on each other's bodies. Angelica Panganiban (Rubi, Banana Split) plays the role of Stephanie, the bride who is ready for her big day, the wedding. Eugene Domingo (Comedy Bar) plays as Precy, the ninang who is very judgmental. Tuesday Vargas (Bubble Gang, Lokomoko U) plays the role as Medelyn, the Bisaya-speaking au pair or yaya hired by the parents of the son, who is the ringbearer of the wedding. Seems that the kid hated Yaya Medelyn so much. Jaime Fabregas (May Bukas Pa) plays as Stephanie's grandfather, Bien. John "Sweet" Lapus, on the other hand, plays the role of a gay beautician, I mean, image stylist, Toffee. Also appearing on the movie are Cherry Pie Picache as Stephanie's mom, Tom Rodriguez, Timothy Chan, and some extras, including Kuya Kim Atienza!

It seems weird for a gay image stylist stuck inside a woman's body who is the bride for the wedding set at the fictitious Virgin Beach resort, but for me, it seems hilarious, even the recognizable "Apir Apir Apir" part on this movie. Here Comes the Bride pokes fun at the audience not just the characters, but also the storyline that questions them what are they doing on other people's bodies? With the bride, as the ninang, stuck at the mental correction, the ninang, as the yaya, getting more judgmental, the yaya, as the lolo, speaks some Bisaya, the lolo, as the gay beautician, truly lives it up to his newly young body, and the gay beautician, cue the line please, "Ninang, there's a gay man inside my body!", I'm assuring that this movie is definitely hilarious to watch and memorizing the "Apir Apir Apir" part from this movie a hundred times!

APIR APIR APIR! A high-five for the staff and cast of this movie!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Tokimeki Memorial 4 Vocal & Stories Vol.1 and Vol.2

Tokimeki Memorial 4 Vocal & Stories Vol.1


Tokimeki Memorial 4 Vocal & Stories Vol.2
The Tokimeki Memorial 4 Vocal & Stories features character songs from your favorite heroines from Tokimeki Memorial 4 (日本名: ときめきメモリアル4), a hit dating sim game that was a part of the Tokimeki Memorial franchise and it was launched at December 2009. It even features a mini audio drama that explains more from your favorite characters such as Maki Hoshikawa (CV: Asuka Ogame), Tsugumi Godo (CV: Sayuri Yahagi), Aki Koriyama (CV: Umeka Shouji), Miyako Okura (CV: Misato Fukuen), Itsuki Maeda (CV: Emiri Katou), Yu Satsuki (CV: Juri Takita), Rui Nanakawa (CV: Kaori Mizuhashi), Elisa Dolittle Naruse (CV: Kanako Tateno), Fumiko Yanagi (CV: Yuka Iguchi), Kai Ryukoji (CV: Chie Matsuura), and Rhythmy Kyono (CV: Kana Hanazawa).

These are surely come in handy to hear your favorite characters singing and indulge with their audio drama right at the comfort of your living room. Feel free to enjoy listening with the best girls from Tokimeki Memorial 4.

TRACK LISTINGS:

Tokimeki Memorial 4 Vocal & Stories Vol.1:
01 君とメモリアル
02 めくってスキ!?キライ!?
03 キミとわたしのChemistry
04 夢はデコレーションケーキ
05 水の中のうさぎ
06 It's my Revolution
07 バイノーラルストーリー:ていすと・おぶ・しょーとけーき
08 バイノーラルストーリー:放課後の実験室(はーと)忘れ物は机の下に?
09 バイノーラルストーリー:水もしたたる?

Tokimeki Memorial 4 Vocal & Stories Vol.2:
01 七色のSeason
02 萌え萌えはっぴぃDAYS
03 純情可憐乙女だっCHA
04 DOKI*DOKIラブモード
05 夢路の先
06 Love is a Melody
07 バイノーラルストーリー:お気に召すまま
08 バイノーラルストーリー:漫才・恋の勝負はお手の物
09 バイノーラルストーリー:萌えきゅん☆指南

Loko-Jejemon-Moko!

Hey! Remember last week's episode of Bubble Gang where there is a Jejemon sketch on foot?


That was pretty funny, huh?

Now, the third Lokomoko series, Lokomoko U, can't escape the Jejemon madness, in a form of a quiz show sketch called "j3j3mOn K00w1z b33h" (Jejemon Quiz Bee) hosted by Tuesday Vargas and Empoy!


Seems the Jejemon madness slip through one of my favorite gag shows. Speaking of which, there is a Jejemon song given Lokomoko U viewers their first listen.

Crazier than the Talentadong Family sketch and the Nursery Chrymes gags, the Jejemon sketch truly captured me in the glimpse of Jeje-madness!

Seems the Jejemon-ism is now a part of their weekly humor right now. ROFL.

To Aru Kagaku No Railgun Original Sound Track 2: Moment



It's here, the second part of the original sound track from the To Aru Majutsu No Index spin-off, To Aru Kagaku No Railgun. Composed by I've Sound's Maiko Iuchi (after hours of Biribiri fans reminisce back the first half of Railgun), the second wave of the anime's BGMs covered most of the second half to the final battle. In addition, the TV-sized version of Level 5 Judgelight by fripSide and Real Force by Elisa are included to this original sound track. If you want to hear the full versions of these two songs, you can buy them separately as a maxi single CD.

This second part is truly perfect to complete the entire memory of watching all Kagaku no Railgun episodes which stars none other than Mikoto Misaka (the electromaster fans love to call her Biribiri), Kuroko Shirai (Misaka's crazed roommate who calls Misaka her onee-sama), Kazari Uiharu (the computer genius) and Ruiko Saten (Uiharu's roommate, which fans find her an interesting character) in their dramatic events, pulse-pounding action, and some laugh-till-you-drop moments among them.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Yumeiro Patissiere My Sweets Cooking

Yumeiro Patissiere My Sweets Cooking

Mmmm...mmmm...good. That DS game based on the Yumeiro Patissiere manga and anime, Yumeiro Patissiere: My Sweets Cooking, never been tasted this good but this game makes it a perfect gift for a little girl who wanted to be just like the aspiring Ichigo Amano, the story's main character, in her quest to be the best pastry chef.

If you have a dream to be a pastry chef, just like Ichigo Amano, Yumeiro Patissiere My Sweets Cooking, is good game for you. It features more than 100 sweets recipes to cook, from the milfeulle (sounds tasty), milk crepe (yum), choco fondue (yummy), tiramisu (hey, I'm familiar with that pastry) and more.

You can also use the Wi-Fi to get more ingredients and recipes to grow your collection, but doing everything on this game seems to be a hard act to do if you want to inspire your pastry creativity. I guess this game would be a perfect birthday gift for your daughter (who aged from 6 - 10) or for your wife, your girlfriend or your best friend.

Don't tell them to someone who's taking HRM! Results not typical for them.

Renault Wind

Renault Wind


If you are an avid French car enthusiast and if you stumble across the newest compact roadster from Renault, called the Wind, you might have a ratio of 60:40 for stating that the Wind looks more of an successor of the sporty Renault Spider.

These chances can be proved wrong because the Renault Wind is not the successor of the super-sleek Renault Spider and it is the cabriolet version of the second-generation Renault Twingo compact. Look closely all over the Wind,the front was derived from the Twingo and the rear butt looks more of a shrunk Megane Coupe-Cabriolet. If looks can be deceiving, the Wind can open or close the top in 12 seconds. That is eight seconds quicker than the Lexus IS C.

For your information, the Renault Wind is a two-seater roadster accompanied with a decent-styled interior, which finds it not so bad in the eyes of a sports car aficionado. What really confuses me about the Wind is the strap that you can find it on the inside. It was like "wow, what was that for?" but you will find out when you get inside the Wind. If you are a music lover, there is good news, USB/iPod connectivity is available on the Wind to listen your recently downloaded songs while taking a spin on the French Riviera. It also has Bluetooth connectivity as well.

Two available engines are offered on the Renault Wind such as the 1.2-litre TCe 100 turbo engine and the 1.6L 16-Valve engine developed by RenaultSport Technologies. The TCe 100 engine variant has the power output of 100HP and torque output of 152Nm while the 1.6L 16-Valve engine delivers a high-performance 133HP of power and 160Nm of torque.

My thoughts about the Wind:
I can observe that the two-seater Wind has a bright potential to prove that this is better than the latest Megane Coupe Convertible. You can personalize the Wind any way you want with the choice of exterior colors and interior combinations to suit your styling preferences. Be warned, the Renault Wind is not the next Renault Sport Spider, this is the first of its kind in which its bright future would be over the future.