Tuesday, January 10, 2012

2012 North American Car of the Year is... the Avante and the Evoque!

2011 Hyundai Avante


2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The Hyundai Avante/Elantra MD and the new Range Rover Evoque, hailed as 2012 North American Car of the Year as announced on the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan. Congratulations to Hyundai and Land Rover for such wins!

PRESS RELEASE:
Hyundai Elantra, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Win North American Car and Truck of the Year


DETROIT, - The Hyundai Elantra is the 2012 North American Car of the Year and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is the 2012 North American Truck of the Year.

The winners were revealed Monday morning at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show.

The winners were chosen by a jury of 50 automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

The awards are unique in the United States because instead of being given by a single media outlet they are awarded by a coalition of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.

The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding new vehicles of the year. These vehicles are benchmarks in their segments based on factors including innovation, comfort, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

It is the second win for Hyundai. In 2009 the Genesis won. The Sonata was one of three finalists last year.

It was the first win for Land Rover although Land Rovers were finalists twice before.

The jurors gave the Elantra 174 points, the Passat 161 and the Focus 155.

The jurors gave the Evoque 254 points, the CR-V 142 and the X3 94.

"The Hyundai Elantra is sporty, yet sensible. Luxurious, yet affordable. Spunky, but safe. The Elantra is a series of paradoxes and every one is another argument for the latest, impressive entry in the Hyundai lineup," wrote Jayne O'Donnell, a member of the jury from USA Today.

Another juror, Alex Taylor, of Fortune magazine, wrote: "Range Rover successfully charts a new direction for the venerable SUV trailblazer with a fresh design and advanced thinking about environmental issues."

Domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year 10 times. Japanese automakers have won three times. European automakers have won four times. A Korean automaker has won twice.

Domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year 12 times. Japanese automakers have won four times. European automakers have won three times.

This was the 19th year of the awards and it was the strongest showing by European automakers in 15 years with BMW, Land Rover and Volkswagen each having finalists. In 1997 Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and BMW were the three car finalists with the winner being the Mercedes SLK.

To be eligible a vehicle must be all new or substantially changed. The jurors considered dozens of new vehicles before sending their ballots to Michelle Collins, a partner at Deloitte & Touche early in December.

On December 15th the three car and truck finalists were announced. But only Ms. Collins knew the winners until she handed over envelopes today to Tony Swan, editor-at-large at Car and Driver magazine and a member of the awards' organizing committee. Mr. Swan announced the winners.

This is the 19th year of the awards, which were inspired by the "Car of the Year" in Europe.

They are administered by an organizing committee and are funded with dues paid by the jurors. There are no paid positions. Automakers do not pay to have their vehicles considered or to use the awards in ads.

The "2011 North American Car of the Year" was the Chevrolet Volt.

Last year's "2011 North American Truck of the Year" was the Ford Explorer.

MORE INFORMATION: More information on the awards -- including names of the jurors, previous finalists and winners -- is available at: www.northamericancaroftheyear.org.

Suzuki XA Alpha Concept has one thing...

2012 Suzuki XA Alpha Concept


As seen on the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo, the Suzuki XA Alpha Concept is an off-roader design study that questions one thing...

Is this the next-generation Jimny or is it something else? Something's bothering us now...

Busou Shinki Character Song & Special Radio Rondo Vol. 3

Busou Shinki Character Song & Special Radio Rondo Vol. 3


Welcome everyone to the third volume of the Buso Shinki Character Song & Special Radio Rondo lineup that is surely to be the best one since the last two volumes. Why? Because this includes character songs from newer models such as Eukrante (Emiri Kato), Ianeira (Marina Inoue), Estoril (Mariya Ise), Jillrivers (Yoko Hikasa), Zelnogrand (Ryoko Shiraishi) and Fubuki (Yukari Fukui), which makes Volume 3 so special because of the voices you are already familiar with since Battle Masters Mk.2 on the PSP.

Here on disc two, there are remixes of those character songs that can be somewhat enjoyable and on disc three, another Special Radio Rondo hosted by Kana Asumi and Eri Kitamura for you to spill out some fun at the comfort of your own home.

Busou Shinki Character Song & Special Radio Rondo Vol. 3 is a Konamistyle exclusive CD and it is available for order at: http://www.konamistyle.jp/item/71135 under the designation of LC-2073~5.

Monday, January 9, 2012

A Mother's Story

A Mother's Story


This movie titled A Mother's Story was been shown in theaters across the North America and Europe and it captured the hearts not only the OFW's but also the Filipina mothers who find life abroad very complicating. This movie is as inspiring as the 2008 drama movie, Caregiver. This is the TFC Original Movie but now for the first time, A Mother's Story is now in the Philippines and most Filipino families are now ready to see Pokwang in a very different perspective in this touching movie.

You sure know that A Mother's Story is more like Caregiver but for Pokwang, she's a visionary portraying the role of a mother who was an OFW in the USA. Surely it was a very difficult experience for her as an OFW but with all of the struggles she faced several moments ago, how can she cope up with her family despite her struggling moments as an OFW?

Yes, this movie is a bit painful to watch but it served as an inspiration to our mothers. Once you watch this movie, you have finally realized how life was if you were like Pokwang, a mother who separates her family for working overseas but found out that working abroad can be a very painful, traumatic experience and how did your family react after years of your loss. Well, you get the point but hey, there are some appeal points to consider on this movie especially the part when Pokwang said to the daughter, played by Xyriel Manabat. "My mother is beautiful, doesn't she? Maganda ang nanay ko. Hindi naman di ba?"

My Verdict: COOL (if you're a mother)

Driving Music (What is the name of the song on car commercial?) Vol. 23

First of all, you, a petrolhead, had a New Year's Resolution. You promised that "you will not ask everyone what is the song from a car commercial" but however, your New Year's Resolution failed, especially if you're an idiot from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who yelled "song for the veloster commercial oh yeah".

When a new year comes, those petrolheads' attitudes never changed. They just started the year 2012 with one common question straight from the car enthusiasts' mouths: What is the name of the song on car commercial?

Therefore, I'm starting this year with another batch of five Driving Musics (Car Commercial Songs) for everyone to shut up and listen to those...just before another Senate hearing about the SOPA BILL takes place...

5) 黄昏のビギン by Naomi Chiaki - from the 2011 Toyota ReBORN commercial starring Takuya Kimura and Takeshi Beat

4) Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins - from the 1997 Toyota Caldina Japanese commercial. Also heard from the 2010 Subaru Trezia Japanese commercial.

3) Run by B'z - from the 1998 Nissan Avenir Japanese commercial

2) あじさいのうた by Yuko Hara - from the 1987 Daihatsu Leeza Japanese commercial

1) Movin On Without You by Utada Hikaru - from the 1999 Nissan Terrano Japanese commercial

...and that's how I start the year right by attacking those idiots who stopped at nothing to keep asking me what's the song from a certain car commercial, and that's good because I don't want people to block the internet traffic that is much worse than caravans and bendy buses. Better refrain from asking what's that song, otherwise, I am making some decisions...

HEY WHAT'S THIS? Turbocharged Veloster?!!!

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo


Back in 2011 NAIAS at Detroit, Michigan, the Hyundai Veloster made a world premiere and it later went on sale at South Korea since March 10, 2011, making this the first of Hyundai's new Premium Youth Lab brand. It is limited to 18,000 units to keep its premium image. Later on, in the summer of 2011, the Veloster DCT Pack was unveiled, making this the first Hyundai to come with the new dual-clutch 6-speed paddle shift transmission. You should know that the Veloster made an appearance on the City Hunter Korean drama starring Lee Min-Ho.

Guess what, at the 2012 NAIAS at Detroit, Hyundai will premiere the all new Veloster Turbo, packed with a different face and the all new 1.6L Turbo GDi engine that produces 201HP of power and 196lb-ft of torque. No additional information was given and surely South Korea won't be selling that, yet...

Wow Mali pranks - January 8, 2012

Forget about the whole "It's More Fun in the Philippines" stuff that sparked fury. There's something more fun than this. With pranks offered on the January 8, 2012 episode of the nation's favorite prank show, IT'S MORE FUNNIER IN WOW MALI!

1) Statue Handshake - NLEX-finding gal, stays still after handshake!

2) The Doray Alaskadora song!

Uno! Dos! One-Two-Tres-Vamos!
Doray Alaskadora
Atrevida, Usyusera, Etchosera
Doray Alaskadora
Contrabida, Mahadera, Espanyola

Iyong Puting Damit
Ay Iyong Ingatan
Pag nakita ni Doray
Ay Tiyak Titintahan
Tsinelas ay Ingatan
Wag na Wag bibitawan
Pag nakuha ni Doray
Tiyak ikaw mawawalan
Uno! Dos! One-Two-Tres-Vamos!

Tindero at Tindera
Tinda niyo'y matibay ba
Alisto lang kayo
At si Doray parating na
Pagtawa ay pigilan
Pag si Doray at nandyan
Pag ngipin mo'y nakikita
Ikaw ay bubunutan
Uno! Dos! One-Two-Tres-Vamos!

Doray Alaskadora
Atrevida, Usyusera, Etchosera
Doray Alaskadora
Su nombre es Doray!

3) Hatsing Statue - This girl's about to sneeze, almost...

4) Sgt. Alaskador - ATTENTION! Sgt. Alaskador commands his own platoon to humiliate you!

5) The troops are chanting to...make you feel uncomfortable!

6) Miss - This lady just "missed" it because she mistakes men as women!!!!

7) Star Confusion - Celebs like Nina Ricci Alagao and Rosanna Roces got themselves "!!!" in another Star Confusion.

Nina Ricci Alagao

Rosanna Roces

8) Guess shopping at the ukay-ukay seems to be somewhat complicating...

9) Utal kong Hoodlum - Looks like this lady learned something from watching too much Lokomoko's Talentado Familiy segment because of that utal character on it!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

More Awesome Lokomentados!

What just happened on the January 8, 2012 episode of Lokomoko?

- Fiesta gags

- The Lokomentado crew carefully examine about what's what with Jose Manalo...

- Tanong Ko Lang Kulang...Ang coconut oil, galing sa coconu;, ang olive oil, galing sa olive; eh ang baby oil, saan galing?

- Awesome Marie Chan is back for another Awesome Show and this time, she talks with experts dealing about Philippine geographies.

- The Lokomentado crew asks about what's what with Sugar Mercado

- Tanong Ko Lang Kulang...teethbrush ba ang plural ng toothbrush?

- Whose Line Is It Anyhow?!

1) Kayang kaya kong patulugin si Manny Pacquiao! - Sleeping Pills

2) Tulad ko ay di biro, maghapong nakayuko, di naman makatayo, di rin makaupo - Kuba

3) Sabit lang kayo ng sabit sa akin! - Sampayan

4) Di tao, di hayop, may pakpak at naninipsip ng dugo - Napkin with wings

5) Titigil lang kayo kung namumula ako - Traffic Light

6) Hindi ako tsismoso, pero alam niyo ba ang balita? - Dyaryo

7) Nakakainis naman, dikit kayo ng dikit sa akin! - Pandikit

The Car Show got canned!

The Car Show


Guess there is some bad news for the car aficionados from USA because a show titled "The Car Show" hosted by comedian Adam Carolla, motoring journalist Dan Neil, former NBA player John Sally, and Matt Farah, got canceled and no longer returned for the next season.

This show was premiered last year on SPEED as the direct rival of Top Gear USA. Now I don't know when will TGUSA come back but the question is, is Top Gear USA may end up the same fate as The Car Show?!

IDOLM@STER x Pasela Collaboration

IDOLM@STER x Pasela Collaboration


Okay, time now for the news. As you may know, Pasela restaurant teams up with THE IDOLM@STER for their special menu based on the 2011 anime adaptation of the hit 2007 video game that spawned a sequel since February 2011. This starts at January 10 to 31, 2012 and those who ordered those special iM@S menus will receive an exclusive coaster with images of their favorite 765PRO idols.

What can you say? If you're living in Japan and find a Pasela restaurant that featured this by January 10 to January 31, 2012, you might be lucky to be part of it because what they offered there is Azusa Miura's Wedding Pudding, Yukiho Hagiwara's "Digging a Hole" Pie Stew, Chihaya Kisaragi's Debut Number "Blue Torinku", Miki Hoshii's Onigiri Basket, Hibiki Ganaha's Goya Chanpurū??, Iori Minase's Gorgeous Celeb Strawberry Milk, Ritsuko Akizuki Produce "Kiwi Gelée Soda", Makoto Kikuchi's Special! Black Vinegar and Mixed Berry Health Drink, Takane Shijō's Extra-Large "Ramen", Yayoi Takatsuki's Family Bean Sprout Festival ~Plus Yakiniku Man~, Ami and Mami Futami's Twin Pineapple Float and more.

Dear my friend, the Huayra...

When the all new 2012 Pagani Huayra included on Forza Motorsport 4's January Jalopnik Pack, it sparked fury on our hearts and we are now very confused but happy to try out the successor of the legendary Zonda. At first, I thought that this car was an EA exclusive, just like, well you know. Thanks to some research, the Pagani Huayra was included at some game titled "Asphalt: Injection" and therefore stripped off its EA exclusivity, making this exotic had a mind of its own. Hey, if it weren't for that Asphalt game, Forza Motorsport 4 never thrown everything they had to include the Huayra. Heh, heh.

As speculated at a News portion at some episode of Top Gear, presenters like Jeremy Clarkson and James May find it very hard to pronounce the Huayra name. They go like roaring and pretty soon if a new series comes this year, they will end up the same fate as the Koenigsegg CCX.

A peek through the Huayra's interior

Enough chitter-chatter, now I am very happy to meet up with the Huayra again on a different game. As a fact, the Pagani Huayra was named after the South American god of wind. One look at the Huayra and I'm sure your mind will be blown away. If I had to choose between the Ferrari FF, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and the Pagani Huayra, what would it be? The Ferrari FF was my choice because of its 4WD drivetrain mixed with classic Ferrari handling but nope, it wasn't powerful enough for my tastes. On the Huayra, it used the teachings from the Pagani Zonda R but it wasn't easy to handle than the Pagani Zonda Cinque and the flaps are too hideous. I was fine about the twin flaps at the back that raises when I corner or brake hard but the Huayra not only have those but it has flaps at the front! Flaps at the front? What the heck, Mr. Pagani? But still, it was worth the power thanks to its Mercedes-AMG M158 V12 engine that doesn't know its real power and torque figures but it is said it is greater than 700PS and 1,000Nm.

The Stig spends some hard time listening to Chihaya Kisaragi's
character song while driving the Huayra at the Top Gear Test Track!

What so fun is the font on the speedometer because the font was so similar from the speedometer of the car most Koreans used to have...A DAEWOO STATESMAN!

The 2012 Pagani Huayra may have lost just a few teachings from the Zonda R when it comes to handling but the speed is just fantastic. This one is part beast, part beauty, an epic grand tourer that embodies the passion for excellence. However, it wasn't worth it for the Huayra and in fact, I'm back to where it all started. I still prefer the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 because it was perfect in terms of handling and acceleration. The Huayra, on the other hand, only focused on top speed and acceleration, leaving handling as its low priority. Can the Huayra need to be get it right in order to become a street fighting machine? I'm afraid I can't ask.

BANANA SPLIT CLOWN IN A MILLION UPDATE 1/7/12

Here it is! The final round of Banana Split's Clown in a Million! The moment we've been waiting for! On this final round, we witness how did the final four; Mimi Aringo, Karen Dematera, Tekla, and Leo Priscilla, spend their last solo performances doing absolutely hilarious for the sake of becoming the Clown In A Million Grand Champion.

And now, the judgment everyone's been waiting for!!!!

4th place goes to....LEO PRISCILLA!

Leo Priscilla

3rd place goes to...SUPER TEKLA!!

Super Tekla

2nd place goes to Mimi Aringo

and the BANANA SPLIT GRAND CHAMPION IS...

KAREN DEMATERA!!!!

Karen Dematera

Congratulations Karen Dematera! Welcome to the Kapamilya team! You deserve the crown!

Thanks for being part of it!