Wednesday, March 18, 2015

All New Hyundai Tucson (TL)

2016 Hyundai Tucson

Well, this is quite a surprise for us. After being introduced to the world at the Geneva Motor Show a couple of weeks ago, the brand-new, third-generation Hyundai Tucson (bearing the TL chassis codename) has now arrived to keep the medium-sized  crossover competition heating up and for this new model, it looks like it wants to show how its done.

First and foremost, let's look at the design and looks like this is like a mashup between different cars for this one because the front looks like it came from a Ford Edge while the side view looks like it came from its big brother, the Santa Fe, and the rear view looks like it came from the Jeep Cherokee. This is like a blend of Asian-American cuisine that your parents might cook up for dinner but even though it looks like it's fresh out the boat, the new Tucson is a real looker.

2016 Hyundai Tucson interior

On the inside, it looks like it came from the first-generation Genesis saloon but it was made all in the name of premium on the new Tucson. As for the comfort zone, this 5-seater still never fails to impress. It works well as a family car because not only you can take your kids at the back and go off to different places, say granny's house or a park or whatever the kids want to go, it's convenient and versatile just like any other SUVs do. You can fold down the rear seats to accommodate luggage spaces and with the max boot space of 1,503 litres, that's fit enough to carry two treasure chests you've dug from the beach and some extras.

Connectivity wise, the new Tucson is equipped with the Bluelink 2.0 telematics system which delivers turn-by-turn navigation updates while on the go. You can even use your phone as a carkey to operate the new Tucson wherever you are.

2016 Hyundai Tucson

The normal Tucson retains the e-VGT R2.0 diesel engine connected with either a 6-speed manual or automatic but there's a new version called the Tucson Fever, which is available exclusively in front-wheel drive. The Fever variant comes with the smaller e-VGT U-II 1.7L diesel engine that develops 141PS of power and 34.7kg-m of torque but here's the kicker; this engine is mated with a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox, a first for a Korean SUV. The new gearbox allows a seamless, quick shifting feel unlike any other and thanks to this gearbox, fuel economy is 15.6km/L. That sounds interesting but feels like someone might be expecting to miss out this clever stuff in case if someone lives in a Euro 2 country or in a big nation where Korean SUVs don't have diesels available for some reason.

Another kicker for the new Tucson is that it was honed at the Nurburgring to deliver performance unlike any other. Yep, this is becoming more of an enthusiast's treat and because it's been Nurburgring-trained, you can expect a more sportier suspension setup built to tackle corners in a dignified and sophisticated manner, just like most European cars do.

2016 Hyundai Tucson

The all new Tucson is never far behind with tons of safety features such as the highly clever Auto Emergency Brake, Blind Spot Detection, Electronic Stability Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Static Binding Light, and Advanced SPAS which allows this one to park hands-free.

Because it uses advanced high strength steel on the bodywork, the new Tucson is now lighter and more rigid than the previous model by about 51%.

The all new Tucson starts at 22,500,000 up to 29,200,000 Korean Won, which sounds to be reasonably priced for a crossover of this magnitude but this Nurburgring-trained Tucson looks like its ready for its next destination whether if its today, tomorrow, or the next day.

Available colors: Pure White, Platinum Silver, Pepper Grey, Ash Blue, Ruby Wine, Sepia Topaz, Phantom Black, Ara Blue, and Sedona Orange.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Let's Do The News! (March 18, 2015)



Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- Tropical Storm Betty has been weakened and downgraded into an low pressure area as it approaches 1,120 km east of Casiguran, Aurora. Wind speeds are now 45 kph. According to PAGASA, the LPA will be off from radar within 48 hours but when it remains, it will make landfall to Northern and Central Luzon.

- One of the surviving members of the PNP Special Action Force reveals why they had to give the finger of the killed terrorist Marwan directly to USA's Federal Bureau of Investigation because they had the DNA profile of the terrorist's brother.

- Fourteen senators signed a Senate draft report that claims that PH President Benigno Aquino III responsible for the mishandling of the Mamasapano clash last January, according to Senator Grace Poe.

- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu won the parliamentary elections despite TV exit polls suggesting his Likud party had finished in a virtual tie with the left-of-center Zionist Union.

- The Syrian government claims that they've shot down an American drone near the city of Latakia, President Bashar al-Assad's stronghold in north-west Syria. US officials have yet to confirm this but if confirmed, it would be the first time Syrian forces attacked a US aircraft since the start of coalition strikes against ISIS.

- DID YOU KNOW? The Department of Science and Technology said that they will provide free public wi-fi in the Philippines starting this July. What does that mean? Yes. You can browse the internet and post status updates no matter where you are. But here's the kicker, the internet speed is limited to 256 kbps and it will also have a bandwidth cap per person, meaning a user can expect slower speeds if used too much.

- Umi Sonoda from Lovelive! School Idol Project gets her very own Nendoroid from Good Smile Company and she will be available to you for 3,241 Yen plus tax and she arrives this July.


- The BBC mulls airing the remaining Season 22 episodes of Top Gear including the triple hybrid hypercar battle between the P1, 918, and the LaFerrari, according to reports.

TTFN!!!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Let's Do The News! (March 17, 2015)



Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- As of 1000 hours Philippine Time, Tropical Storm Betty is located about 1,530 km east of Casiguran, Aurora. Max winds/gusts around 65/80 kph and movement is West North West at 20 kph. Within a day, it's 1,030 km East North East of Casiguran, Aurora, and within three days later, it's 270km East North East of Casiguran. Landfall is expected on late Friday at Aurora. This report is according to PAGASA.

- Two nuclear plant operators in Japan are planning to decommission three aging reactors, located in the Fukui Prefecture, in accordance to the government's recommended age limit.

- Tokyo Electric Power Company postponed the project involving making ice walls to keep the groundwater out of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, where it is trying to reduce contaminated water buildup.

- MANILA WATER ADVISORY: Parts of San Juan City will experienced a scheduled water interruption from Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at 2200 hours Philippine Time to Thursday, March 19, 2015, at 0600 hours Philippine Time.

- Onto the updates on the Cyclone Pam aftermath, 24 people are reported dead but the casualty rate is expected to rise from time to time. The hardest-hit Vanuatu is urgently needing food and relief supplies according to officials.

- The Israeli elections are underway as voters are expecting a tightly-fought election between center-left candidate Yitzhak Herzog and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

- A top NASA scientist warned that water supply in California is expected to last for one more year due to the historic drought.

- A new-generation Chevrolet Camaro will be unveiled to the world

Six Nations 2015 - Round Four



The Welsh Rugby Union has once again done a spectacular win against the IRFU in the fourth round of the 2015 RBS Six Nations championship. Thanks to a try from Scott Williams and their impressive defense during the second half, the WRU successfully prevented IRFU's attempt for a Grand Slam and the road for the title is almost at hand for the Welsh.

Highlights:



Meanwhile, England Rugby triumphed against Scotland at the score of 25-13 while France's FFR didn't let the FIR Italia score just one goal and the French have scored 29 points.

The final round begins on the 21st of March, 2015, beginning with Italy vs Wales, Scotland vs. Ireland, and England vs. France. Who will take home the title? Find out soon!

FIA Formula E - Miami



Although halfway through the opening season of the first-ever FIA Formula E Championship, it's proven to be quite an exciting motorsport to watch and on the fifth round, held at Miami, is no exception.

On that race, Nico Prost from e.dams clenched his first win of the season, having managed to beat Andretti's Scott Speed and Audi Sport ABT's Daniel Abt after a 39-lap do-or-die match to find out who's the greatest of the Formula E racers.

Highlights:



On the overall standings, Prost is in the lead by 67 points while Audi Sport ABT's Lucas di Grassi is 7 points behind Prost, and Virgin Racing's Sam Bird is in 3rd place overall by 52 points.

The next race will be held at Long Beach, California, on the 4th of April, 2015.

F1 2015 - Australian GP



The 2015 Formula 1 season kicked off at Melbourne, Australia, where we can expect new twists and turns from our favorite F1 racers, as well as newcomers to the scene.

In the first race of the season, last year's world champion Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes, thanks to his pole position, took his first win of the season, leaving his teammate Nico Rosberg 2nd place and Sebastian Vettel, who is now new to the Ferrari F1 team, placed 3rd. There are only 11 cars finished in Melbourne and the last F1 car to finish is Jenson Button from the McLaren-Honda team.

Report: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/31893665

Next race will start at Malaysia on the 29th of March.

Image: Top Gear

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Bubble Gang - March 13, 2015

On the March 13, 2015 episode of Bubble Gang...

- More lait-lait from Lala Ytera!

- "Aamin ka ba" gags

- Who will survive in TSUGI OR CHURVA?

- A descendant from a famous celebrity knows fashion design.

- Desiree the Binatilya and his pals are going to meet the hottest celebs!



- More words of wisdom from Tata Lino.

- There's a meeting addressing the complaint over a billboard.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Let's Do The News! (March 14, 2015)



Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- Cyclone Pam devastates the south Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu and houses of the nation's capital, Port Vila, were destroyed. Eight people were confirmed dead but UN agencies say dozens may have been killed. Pam has brought winds of up to 270kph and torrential rain.

- Japanese people are now able to travel more quickly between Tokyo to Kanazawa on the Sea of Japan coast as the Hokuriku Shinkansen line opens.

- According to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the PNP's Board of Inquiry cannot impose accountability on Philippine president Benigno Aquino III regarding the Mamasapano clash that killed 44 PNP SAF members last January.

- Sony Pictures Animation cancelled their upcoming Popeye CG-animated movie spearheaded by Dexter's Laboratory's Genndy Tartakovsky.

- The hotel's reopened for more spooky fun times as Hotel Transylvania 2 is ready to open in theaters this late September 2015.

- The 2016 Mazda Roadster will make its first-ever video game debut via a free Forza Horizon 2 car pack coming this 17th of March for the XBOX One consoles.

- BBC will spawn a TV drama based on the ever-popular Grand Theft Auto video game franchise.

TTFN!!!

Disney's Cinderella (2015 film)

Disney's Cinderella (2015 film)

The Disney Princess that started it all has been reborn as Disney's live-action adaptation of the classic masterpiece, Cinderella, promises to deliver a totally new level of magnificence for the moviegoers while keeping the Disney magic alive for many years to come.

Starring the ever-talented Lily James as well as Richard Madden as the Prince, Cate Blanchett as the stepmother, Helena Bonham Carter as the fairy godmother, and many others, this is more than just a live-action adaptation, it's a reimagining of the iconic Disney classic that changes everything what we thought from our heads.

So, what's the story? Ella once had a happy life with her loving family and plenty of animal friends to play with but when her life turns grim since her parents' death and her stepmother and stepsisters treated her like a servant, can she find her courage and kindness to her life filled with sadness and cruelty?

Like I said, this is a reimagining that changes everything we thought about this timeless classic but it still retains some of the classic Cinderella moments we saw, as well as her beautiful transformation. When I said beautiful, it REALLY is beautiful and I'm starting to have my guilty pleasure after watching this film.

I watched that classic cartoon when I was little and I was one of the many youth who think Cinderella has one of the brightest storylines in all of the Disney classics and for this live-action movie, well, even though everything I thought about this Disney Princess has changed, I am still enamored by it because Disney still remembered one of the key mantras of a true Disney princess; finding their courage to get through their troubled pasts and their kindness to be who they really are.

Although flawed, the new Cinderella movie is a must-watch for the entire family and it doesn't really matter who you really as long as you got your Disney side to experience one of Spring's must watched movies of 2015. It takes a little bippity-boppity-boo to give you a slight smile on your face after watching the film.

Oh and I almost forgot, before that movie, there's a Frozen Fever short and in that short, it was Princess Anna's birthday and while Sven, Kristoff, and Olaf prepping for the big party, Elsa has a big surprise for her sister. What was her big surprise for Anna? Well, you have to watch that short by yourself before watching the Cinderella movie.

My rating: 4.9 out of 5.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Suzuki Alto Turbo RS

2015 Suzuki Alto Turbo RS

Remember the Suzuki Alto Works? Yes. It was the kind of Alto that garnered a fresh batch of car enthusiasts because of its sporty appearance and its hot hatch-like handling that proves even kei cars can be a lot fun to drive. Now, fast forward to today and looks like there's a new successor to the legendary Alto Works. It's called the all-new Suzuki Alto Turbo RS and while this is essentially based on the latest generation Suzuki Alto, the car that garnered the crown of being the king of fuel efficient petrol cars, the Turbo RS model changes everything what a kei car should be; light, agile, and a lot more enjoyable to own.

It looks like a normal Alto but the Turbo RS's exterior traces its roots to the legendary Works because it has some of the Works-inspired cosmetic treatments at the front as well as some red accents that will make it a bit more of a juvenile delinquent. Just imagine, if you're going to park it at your nearest coffee shop, they will think you are more of an open window maniac rather than the boy next door.

2015 Suzuki Alto Turbo RS interior

2015 Suzuki Alto Turbo RS interior

The interior looks more like a normal Alto as well but with some red accents and some red stuff at the seats, it really brings out that fresh hot hatch smell to the Turbo RS. You can even see a different speedo made specifically for this model.

2015 Suzuki Alto Turbo RS

The performance-oriented Alto Turbo RS is equipped with the turbocharged version of Suzuki's R06A petrol engine complete with the breakthrough Suzuki Green Technology for fuel-efficiency measures. This engine produces 64PS of power and 98Nm of torque.

The Alto Turbo RS is mated exclusively with Suzuki's 5-speed Auto Gear Shift transmission and if you need a quick refresher, the ASG is Suzuki's new automatic gearbox equipped with an electro-hydraulic actuator that automatically operates clutch and gearshift and by integrating these two, ASG is made to provide unity on the operating device, resulting to an excellent fuel efficiency of 25.6kmpl, easy driving, and fun driving. Best of all, it comes fitted with paddle shifters and when the driver engages the gearbox into Manual Mode, shifting is not so bad, although it can be somewhat a dreadful experience because for us car enthusiasts, changing gears is a freedom of expression that can't be denied. Sadly for the Turbo RS, it's automatic gearbox or nothing. Sigh... I thought they want to make an Alto that captures the magic of the legendary Alto Works from the past but feels like they didn't.

What about handling? Well, for a hot kei car, looks like the Alto tries to redeem itself from its lousy gearbox because thanks to some sport-tuned suspension, ventilated disc brakes, and some Bridgestone Potenza tires built specifically for this model. This is definitely a great car to handle even for beginners when they take one on a track day at Tsukuba. It feels light, agile, and drivers can have as much fun as they like as long as they know how to unleash this hot kei car's potential.

The Alto Turbo RS starts at 1,293,840 up to 1,415,880 Yen, making it one of the most affordable hot hatches to start with. It maybe more expensive than any other kei cars but for a driver's car, this is a great start to your car enthusiast life if you got yourself a driver's license for the very first time.

Available colors: Pearl White, Pure Red, and Bluish Black Pearl 3.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation.

Top Gear's Clarkson suspended, remaining S22 episodes on hiatus


Fans of Top Gear will be saddened that the remaining Series 22 episodes will be put on hiatus because there's a report told that one of the show's presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, was suspended by the BBC over some arguments with one of the show's producers. Some reports say, he punched one of the producers over a meal rage following a day of shooting.

The BBC issued a statement: “Following a fracas with a BBC producer, Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended pending an investigation. No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday. We will be making no further comment at this time.”

Clarkson was infamous for his series of provocative actions through the years. He was warned by the BBC last year that one false move will sack him indefinitely.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Japan's 3.11 tragedy - four years later...


March 11, 2011 - At the Tohoku Region of Japan, a magnitude-9 earthquake triggered a nightmarish tsunami that was more than 10 meters high. Authorities said as of now, over 18,500 people were either dead of unaccounted for while almost 3,000 people died while evacuated from their homes. 

Not only that, it triggered a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, causing radiation fears not only in Japan but the rest of the world.

It's been four long years have passed since the disaster and there are so many lessons learned from the aftermath of the multiple disasters at the Tohoku region.

Some people rebuilt their lives, others have to move on, and a few wanted to stay at that desolate landscape. 

I just really want to know how are the people from the Tohoku region are doing ever since they've survived the March 11 disaster four years ago.