Ford Explorer meets JabbaWockeeZ

Hey! Remember the champions of America's Best Dance Crew known as JabbaWockeeZ? Oh yes, I remember them since they made special guesting on Banana Split since the summer of 2010 in the Philippines! Heh, looks like I remember these "figures of our imaginations", and seems that JabbaWockeeZ are letting us knowing how does the new Ford Explorer's new 3.5L V6 engine differs from the previous generation's V8 engine.

Ford Explorer meets JabbaWockeeZ

I Heart Japan, Pare!

It's been awhile since "Sinking of Japan" gotten real since Friday, March 11, and the disastrous results made us worried about their future. We Filipinos are often hooked in everything Japanese, we love their gadgets, their anime, their cars (especially the surplus once), everything that what makes us like everything Japanese. We even gotten ourselves the controversial JPEPA that ties these two countries together.

I think I felt sad of seeing this happened, as much as having myself crying upon hearing the song "Bumuhos Man ang Ulan" sometimes. I just can't sleep tight every evening 'till midnight because I'm still longing for the Japanese people who suffered.

I posted some GT5 pics of everything JDM in Gion, Kyoto, to show how much I missed Japan so much because this is how Japan-holics we are and I strongly believed that they need us more than we need them. Since Japan is JDM, and tough men like JDM, we couldn't help but pray for Japan always. I always remember the acronym for JAPAN; Just Always Pray At Night. We are always pray for Japan to heal its wounds.

Subaru WRX STi 4-door (GVB)

Honda CR-Z

Honda Insight (second generation)

Toyota Prius (third generation)

Lexus LFA

Nissan GT-R (R35)

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R33)

Mitsubishi i MiEV

Nissan Fairlady Z/370Z (Z34)

Lexus IS-F RM

For a little something for our miseries for them, a song called "Bumuhos Man ang Ulan", the theme song of the 2011 remake of the smash-hit Korean drama, Green Rose. Once I listened to this, I would end up crying over and over again. Heh, guess whoever put this song as a "Personal BGM" on GT5, they would end up crying while driving JDM. (Sniff)

As always, we heart Japan, pare!

Some summer escapades with James Bang, Mommy Dionesia Poohkyaw, and Magic Singh!

Hot version of James Bang's boss!

James Bang just got lucky this time. He scored himself a hotter version of his boss. Anyway, his latest James Bang mission is to help someone who's having troubles with barbells.

He's having barbell problems

Yep, he's the guy having trouble lifting up the barbell. James Bang's here and one gadget figure this out, the RUBBER JACKIE!

Rubber Jackie

James Bang clinged the Rubber Jackie to the barbell, lifting up, and up, and...OUCH!!!

OUCH!!!

OUCH! The Rubber Jackie was a flop, but his boss showed up and she said to him; CONGRATULATIONS. So is it mission accomplished? Indeed it is!

Got hit by a Mitsubishi Montero Sport!

"Are you OK?"

There was episode 3 of Mommy Dionesia in Love, where some guy captured the heart of Mommy Dionesia Poohkyaw and his name was Paolo or Papa P. Well, looks like Mommy D. got lucky but Papa P. got hit by a Mitsubishi Montero Sport! Another ouch moment in Banana Split history. Turns out Papa P. got hit by Mommy D's driver! You probably remember him from the first episode. Huh, another flop for Mommy Dionesia Poohkyaw's love life.

If Magic Singh kissed the card of your choice,
he kissed you!

Another kick-in-the-pants magic trick from Magic Singh! His latest magic is simple; you pick the card, and he'll take control of your body using the card that is similar to the card of your choice! For instance, if Magic Singh kissed the card of your choice, he kissed you. Also, if Magic Singh punched the card of your choice, he punched you. MAGIC!

Launch date of the 2012 Honda Fit Shuttle hits a snag

2012 Honda Fit Shuttle and
2012 Honda Fit Shuttle Hybrid

Those Japanese customers who are anticipated to the launch of the 2012 Honda Fit Shuttle gotten themselves a bad news upon hearing this;

"3月11日に発生した東北地方太平洋沖地震により被災されました皆様に、心よりお見舞い申し上げますとともに、早期の復旧をお祈り申し上げます。

3月17日（木）に予定しておりましたフィット シャトルの発表を延期させていただくこととしました。

新たな発表時期については後日ご案内させていただきます。ご了承ください。 

なお、3月18日（金）～21日（月）にHondaウエルカムプラザ青山にて予定されていた、フィット シャトル関連イベントについても延期させていただきます。"

Source: Teaser Site

To translate this; Since the earthquake happened in Japan since March 11, 2011, Honda decided to cancel the launch of the Honda Fit Shuttle. Originally this car will be launched to Japan this March 17, but because of the disaster, Honda decided to postpone the launch. The new launch date and sale date will be decided by Honda soon once the situation is back to normal. Also, the debut fair (March 18 -21) for the Fit Shuttle at Honda Welcome Plaza will be delayed as well.

Honda will bring them the new launch date of the 2012 Fit Shuttle soon once if the situation in Japan is completely back to normal.

SIDE NOTE: Because of the disaster, we'll have to wait a little longer... (-_-) 

Need tapis? Alpha Bert's here!

LAPIS into TAPIS

Summer's almost here in the Philippines, and there was another Alpha Bert episode on Banana Split Daily Servings earlier. A woman yells because there's no towel in the bathroom. Alpha Bert's here and he'll give her something different than a towel. The word is LAPIS, replace L with T, and the word is TAPIS!

Art Throb's balloon flower

Art Throb's balloon heart

Kuya Art, the Art Throb, invited the kids to learn how to make unique shapes using a long balloon. The Art Throb made a flower and a heart from a long balloon. Made me cheered up. (^u^)

Motorcycle rider holdapper

Another gagged photo showed up on Banana Split's Ang TV Patrol, regarding a "motorcycle rider holdapper" reported by Jason Francisco. Is that a cartographic sketch? Hmmm? Looks weird.

iPad 2

Apple iPad 2

When the Apple iPad came on sale in April 3, 2010, Apple ushers in to the new category of "portable tablets" that later on other companies making their own tablets that have something that the iPod can't have.

The missing camera function is just one of the main weakness of the iPad, forcing them to buy some tablets with the camera function, causing the first iPad to go belly down on the sales chart. To resolve this, Apple made a major minor change to the iPad, and this iPad is leveled up as iPad 2.

This iPad has progressed, and now has two built-in cameras attached in front and back. With the new camera, this new iPad can now take pictures everywhere and perform FaceTime with your friends and family. Once more, the iPad 2 can do almost everything that its predecessor can't do, such as a faster A5 chip, faster graphics, longer battery life, LED-backlit display, multi-touch, advanced iOS 4, instant on with the push of the home button, 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity, new accelerometer that recognizes your every move, AirPlay, new Video mirroring, and AirPrint.

Sold separately are the stylish Smart Covers available for the iPad 2 to bring protection and style without the bulk. The iPad's Smart Cover comes in 10 colors and finding which color that suits your personal preferences is up to you.

More info: http://www.apple.com/ipad/

MY COMMENT:

The iPad has progressed and it's got a camera as seen from the latest iPod Touch and iPhone! Cool! Think of it as an enlarged version of the iPod Touch, even better. Great things come in large packages for this one! With sales of the iPad 2 started on most North American markets in March 2011, I hope that Power Mac Center, official Apple retailer of the Philippines, sells this latest iPad upgrade and let those tech junkies do with the new camera function of the new iPad 2! This is the next big thing for Apple!

Photo: Apple Inc.

Audi A6 Fourth Generation

The Audi A6 is progressed. With its new design, new interior, new features, this premium midsize sedan is ready to progress against the likelihood of the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, or even the Buick LaCrosse (known in South Korea as the GM Korea Alpheon).

2012 Audi A6

The A6's exterior design has progressed and heavily inspired from the styling cues from the eccentric Audi A7 Sportback. Although it was inspired from an eccentric Audi fastback, the sedan look of the new A6 doesn't seem to be eccentric, even with the same side view from the previous 3rd generation model and the rear view heavily inspired from the latest-generation Audi A8. The progressed design really brings out the "Vorsprung durch technik" catchphrase and the executives will be salivated over the A6's brand new look.

2012 Audi A6 interior

Also progressing on the new A6 is the interior as well. Even though the new interior looks similar to the Audi A7 Sportback, it still has some of the technological features offered to bring out the future to the drivers, like the available MMI navigation plus system that features real-time navigation when they need it.

There are various driver assistance systems offered on the new A6. First of all, there were three cameras attached; the front, the back, and infrared that is useful for night driving. Next was the sensors attached at the front, side, and back, then there was also two special sensors; the crash sensors and this one sensor some of them don't understand what it is; the SARA sensor which automatically activates the ESP and Audi pre-sense basic. These cameras and sensors are highly essential for parking, cruise control, and crash response, making it more safer to drive than other European premium medium-sized sedans. This is how safety is progressed.

By the time the new A6 sedan arrives this March 2011, the available 2.8L FSI, 3.0 TFSi, and 3.0 TDi engine are available as of press time and there will be a "hybrid" version available very soon. The 2.8L FSi engine is the most fuel efficient of the line-up because not only it comes with the CVT, but the fuel consumption of 7.4 Liter/100 km as well. The most powerful variant of the new A6 for now is the 3.0L TFSi engine because of the high-revving power output of 300PS and it reaches 5.5 seconds on the 0-100km run. It consumes 8.2 Liter / 100km of fuel, making more frugal to go further.

My thoughts about the A6:

I guess luxury has progressed for the new Audi A6 just how the latest Audi A8 and the Audi A7 Sportback progressed its luxury status thanks to its "Art of Progress" this premiere German luxury car maker wants to achieve and become the Alpha of the luxury car brands. The sedan version is the only new A6 available and sales start this March following with the Avant variant this Autumn 2011. An allroad variant is unlikely to happen but I believe that Audi may not bring the allroad variant of the new A6 due to the previous generation's low reception. This looks more choppy to expect for me.

Still, the progressed design doesn't look more choppy to me, because it has the styling cues the predecessors failed to achieve. I'm glad the progressed design made it into something special. The new Audi A6 makes a perfect fistfight against the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Lexus GS, Buick LaCrosse, or GM Korea Alpheon.

Photo: Audi AG

Madali lang, just name it!

Good thing we're saved by the laughs offered from the 3/12/11 episode of ABS-CBN's Banana Split, such as;

- Fresh showbiz updates on Hot Issue

- Summer time activities jokes spoiled our near-summer vacation for fun

- "Madali lang, just name it!" They made us guess who's that celebrity by offering us some clues while listening to some upbeat song

- some dances

- Ryan Bang goes "educative" as Professor Ryan Valkswagen in a segment called Ryan's English 101.1, where we get to know what's the translation of these English words, such as "Barking" and "When there's a will, there's a way". Never realized that "Barking" means "hari ng inuman"!

- Another new game on Banana Split called Just Draw It! It's like a game of Pictionary!

Dodge Grand Caravan Fifth Generation Minor Change

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan

2011 Dodge Grand Caravan interior

If the revised Mk.5 Chrysler Town and Country made it more like an Americanized Alphard, then the revised Mk.5 Dodge Grand Caravan made it more like an Americanized Vellfire for sure. The sporty character of the Dodge Grand Caravan appeals younger buyers looking for some stylish minivans and this latest minor change made it more aggressive to appeal more adventurous buyers.

Armed with the revised front face packed with the new Dodge signature grille, it is pretty much to say that the revised Mk.5 Dodge Grand Caravan packs a punch to bring out its true potential of being the most stylish minivan ever made for the American clients. Good thing the new grille got it more astonishing than the boring front from the previous pre-facelift model.

Four grades are offered on the 2011 Grand Caravan such as the Express grade that is the basic grade with introductory features, Mainstreet grade that is an advanced version of the Express grade, then the luxurious Crew grade packs with everything premium, and the sporty R/T grade that carries the same features from the Crew grade and adds more sportiness on the outside to inside.

No matter which grade you are on, you can still get the standardly new Pentastar V6 3.6L engine that delivers the fuel economy of 17/25mpg. Power output is 283hp/6400rpm and it comes with a 6-speed AT.

My thoughts about the Grand Caravan:
The powerful face of the facelifted Mk.5 Dodge Grand Caravan brings out the eye of the tiger to the young drivers, under the new Dodge concept of Never Neutral. I guess I can't tell which of the two minivans, the Chrysler Town and Country/Grand Voyager and the Dodge Grand Caravan, can capture more minivan buyers from North America. The Chrysler Town and Country is built for luxuriousness and the Dodge Grand Caravan is designed for sporty elegance. It's up to you to decide which of these two is your pick.

Photo: Chrysler Group, LLC.

Chrysler Town and Country/Grand Voyager Fifth Generation Minor Change

2011 Chrysler Town and Country

2011 Chrysler Town and Country interior

The revised fifth-generation Chrysler Town and Country (known in Europe as the Chrysler Grand Voyager) brings this American take of Hyundai Grand Starex to a completely new level of premium luxury. The exterior sports a new trademark Chrysler grille, complete with the new Chrysler logo that is truly "Imported from Detroit", despite this minivan was made in Ontario, Canada but it truly has the heart of its Motor City citizenship. The side view can be somewhat similar to the Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 because of the silver side panels complete with the letters "CHRYSLER" spelled it out. The rear view is mildly revised complete with the new Chrysler badge on it and the letters "TOWN AND COUNTRY" spelled it out on the silver paneling. The new design makes it more luxurious and fit for a celebrity to get inside its charming minivan.

Judging from its VIP looks, the Mk.5 Town and Country minor change sports the only engine available in its range; the all-new Pentastar V6 3.6L engine, which boasts 283hp/6400rpm of power output and the EPA estimated fuel economy of 25mpg highway. It is available only with a 6-speed automatic transmission with Electronic Range Selection.

The interior was refreshed, making it more premium than the previous pre-MC model that is somewhat plain to look at it. Complete with the new redesigned analog clock, new optitron meters with information display, Two Overhead 9-Inch Video Screens (one in the 2nd row, and another one in the 3rd row), heated steering wheel, Super Stow 'n Go 2nd and 3rd row seats, Infinity Audio System, HDD Navigation System, Uconnect Voice Command, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and Backseat TV (plus one year subscription to SIRIUS), and Nappa leather-trimmed seats, rest assured that this is much more premium than the Hyundai Grand Starex Limousine, Toyota Alphard, and the Nissan Elgrand combined.

My thoughts about the TnC:

The refreshed Chrysler TnC Mk.5 is much more of an American Alphard because of the luxurious features offered. What we're going to miss is the Swivel 'n' Go seats but why the heck Chrysler Group, LLC dropped the Swivel 'n' Go for the revised Mk.5 Town and Country?

Anyway, the revised Mk.5 Chrysler Town and Country is much more better than the Hyundai Grand Starex, Toyota Alphard, and the Nissan Elgrand E52. The Koreans and Japanese are going to be upset when they encounter this. Thanks to the premium features, including two 9-inch rear monitors attached on the 2nd and 3rd row seats, needless to say that this fun to have someone watch two movies and enjoy their first-class flight to school, to work, or back home. Not only targeted for the soccer moms, but also the VIPs who are in need of luxury minivans. It should be arrived soon in Europe as the Lancia Grand Voyager soon.

Let's hope CATS Motors bring this latest minor change to the Philippines soon and I bet both the revised TnC and the Alphard go head to head on this category!

Photo: Chrysler Group, LLC.

SP1 - A very special Ferrari we wish to have

Ferrari SP1 meets Tsukuba

The special prancing horse gallops through Tokyo

Some Ferrari fans don't know what is the Ferrari SP1, but for those who didn't know how this car exists, the Ferrari SP1 is a special Ferrari F430 designed for the number one Ferrari enthusiast in Japan and also the chairman of some Ferrari Club in Japan, Mr. Junichiro Hiramatsu. Designed by Leonardo Fioravanti, former Pininfarina chief stylist, this one-off special has some of the characteristics a common Ferrari don't have according to Hiramatsu-san. Only one car exists and it belongs to Junichiro Hiramatsu himself because this is a tailor-made special F430 model that revives the tradition of creating special Ferrari cars for very special clients since 1958, and this special Ferrari was created in 2008.

Striking elegance of the SP1

Beauty in the beast

We, die-hard Ferrari fans, can't get our own SP1 in real-life (because this is the "only" Ferrari exists and it belongs to a Japanese client), but in Gran Turismo 5, we can sample the first Ferrari from the Special Projects programme, created to meet the demands of very special clients, mostly Ferrari collectors, to create one-of-a-kind Ferrari cars for them. The Ferrari SP1 is listed as a Premium Tier car and it costs 1,500,000 Credits.

Blitzing through Fuji Speedway

Upon getting behind the wheel of Junichiro Hiramatsu's special Ferrari, it felt like this is more like the 430 Scuderia I drove on this game. Upon tuning Mr. Hiramatsu's SP1, it reaches 630HP, weighs 1208kg, and its Performance Points is 589. I'm pretty sure its up to you to decide how to tune your own SP1 in GT5, from the LSD, Suspension, and Brakes. It pays to discover the SP1's true potential on your own perception and your own ideas.

Racing through the corners of Suzuka Circuit

The Ferrari SP1 may be a one-off special, but it's still a Ferrari included in the game. We can't have our own in real life but in GT5, we can. Since this is a Premium Tier car, you can swap its rims and colors and do a Photo Travel with this car. The reason why I pictured this car in Japanese locations such as Suzuka, Fuji Speedway, Tsukuba, Tokyo, and Kyoto, is because to show how Japanese is this Italian one-off special. A fitting take for Mr. Junichiro Hiramatsu's special Ferrari made me jealous to have one of these...

"96 calories, 100% sarap!"

Phew! Despite all the worldwide messes happened on our lives, we're glad that only the laughter from the March 11 episode of GMA's Bubble Gang saved us all, like;

a) Graduation gags sacrificed our togas for laughs

b) Tagalog-speaking news with English translation is more hilarious to see on the BALITANG NEWS sketch! "I'm Electronic Ignition reporting" LOL

c) Bubble Gang does Lucky Me Chicken Sotanghon Lite! They gagged this commercial as Lucky Vi Supreme Chicken Sotanghon Lite! 96 calories, 100% sarap!

Bubble Gang does Lucky Me Supreme!

d) A hold-up gone "Twenty Pesos" problem at the dark.

e) Do graduates suffer from superstitions? I don't think so...

f) Cheche and Bureche meets Chacha (Gwen Zamora), a softie but toughie.

Cheche and Bureche meets Chacha

g) We guess this woman is too choosy for something...

h) Before retiring a maid, something foul is happening...

i) A puppet on a court hearing? This looks crazy...

j) IyoTube with Moymoy Palaboy and Roadfill

k) SWEET! Another Misspelling Gee! Check out the words misspelled by the contestants!

1) Requirement - Requrremente

2) Specimen - Easepeecayman

3) Protein - Purootane

4) Choir - Tschooaireeye

5) Geometry - Idiometry

6) Amputate - Iamphoohtousetaremphthy or Ampte