Monday, January 26, 2015

Miss Colombia is named Miss Universe

Photo: Getty Images

Paulina Vega, a beauty queen representing her country of Colombia is named as Miss Universe in the 63rd annual Miss Universe Pageant held at Miami's Florida International University. She was the first Colombiana to gain the title for over 5 decades but she's the fifth out of the last seven Miss Universe winners hailed from South America. She edges out the likes of Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell, Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha, Miss Netherlands Yasmin Verheijen, and Miss USA Nia Sanchez.


NOTE: Sadly, our very own Miss Philippines MJ Lastimosa couldn't make it to the top five but she's so pleased that she's part of the top ten semi-finalists. Oh well...

New Toyota Alphard and Vellfire (H30W)

2016 Toyota Alphard

2016 Toyota Vellfire

Toyota's flagship MPVs are now regenerated for their brand new generation and the brand new Alphard and Vellfire are now ready to aim for the luxury minivan spotlight that was taken from the likes of the Nissan Elgrand and the Honda Odyssey. Yes. The luxury minivans coveted by most ASEANS are back with a brand new look and features that will surely beg to have one until Toyota gives a go to send Japan's top-notch minivans to those greedy ASEANs. Oh, and if you don't mind, don't bother telling the differences between these two because mechanically, they're the same cars with different faces just like the Noah and Voxy.

Yes, they're different in their exterior designs, and to sum things up, here's what you can expect on the outside of these two. On the new Toyota Alphard, which is now on its 3rd generation, the front face now looks like it came from the latest Toyota Crown saloon. The new Vellfire, meanwhile, has a front face that looks like it came from the Nissan Dayz, the Highway Star version. The faces are different but they have a completely new side view that looks more streamlined and the rear view that looks like it copied the Elgrand's rear for whatever reasons. Although they look like they're a distorted mess, both the new Alphard and the new Vellfire's design really make the cut above the rest of those Japanese luxury MPVs.

2016 Toyota Alphard interior

2016 Toyota Alphard interior

2016 Toyota Vellfire interior

2016 Toyota Vellfire interior

The interior has been the grand stage for both the Alphard and the Vellfire and for this latest generation, it has been given a major overhaul to make it as luxurious as possible and it did. The dashboard looks like it took from the Land Cruiser Prado but it pushes all the right buttons as planned. As for the sat-nav system, it's now integrated with Toyota's T-Connect telematics system first applied on the recently facelifted Camry last year.

If you never know what that is, T-Connect is Toyota's new telematics services along with sat-navs compatible with this and a smartphone app.  In addition to the voice controls, T-Connect allows third-party apps to be downloaded to the navigation system. There's an online help service that integrates and improves the functions the G-BOOK currently provided. In short; T-Connect from Toyota features interactive voice response, service for downloading apps to the sat-nav, improved online help, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Both the new Alphard and the new Vellfire are available with the choice of a 7 or 8 seater but those who prefer the seven-seater might come in for a treat because depending on the variant, it can be offered with three ottoman seats, one in the passenger side and the other two on the second-row seats. They can be adjusted forwards or backward and between you and me, there's no other luxury MPV that would have done such, having an ottoman seat on the passenger side that can be adjusted forwards or backward so you can feel like you're the boss.

For an added surprise, the new models now come with the first-ever cargo area under the third-row seat sliding mechanism. You can store up to 148 liters of storage under the floor and the deck board can be folded into three sections to provide both a sliding third-row and under-floor storage.

There's also the first-ever Smart Entry and Push Start System which automatically opens the sliding door as the user approaches after setting up a reservation and can be locked automatically after it closes.

There are so many conveniences you can find on the new Alphard and Vellfire such as the available rear-seat entertainment system, the JBL Sound System, and many more.

2016 Toyota Alphard

2016 Toyota Vellfire


The cheaper versions have increased the size of their 4-cylinder engines from the former 2.4L to 2.5L! With added displacement comes with added performance because this 2.5L 2AR-FE engine produces 182PS of power and 235Nm of torque. Couple that with the Super CVT-i (with 7-speed manual mode) and an idling stop feature and you can expect up to 12.8km/L of fuel economy as calculated by JC08 Mode standards.

The top-of-the-line models still come with the same 3.5L V6 engine that produces 280PS of power and 344Nm of torque while mated with a 6-speed Super ECT. Fuel economy is a thirsty 9.5km/L.

On the hybrid models, the hybrid system has now been reworked and it now features the same 2AR-FXE 2.5L Atkinson-cycle engine as seen from the Camry while connected with two electric motors, generating a total output of a modest 197PS of power output and an improved fuel economy of up to 19.4km/L, depending on the variant.

Apart from the engine choices, the new Alphard and Vellfire now come with a revised bodywork made of high-tensile strength steel for added rigidity as well as a new double-wishbone rear suspension just like the ones you found on your Honda Odyssey. This results in comfortable mobility and added stability while reduced NVH results in a quiet ride while in motion, giving these minivans the touch and class of a flagship premium saloon.

The new Alphard and Vellfire start at 3,197,782 up to 7,036,691 Japanese Yen (around $32,000 to $71,000). Yes. You can afford one more than the Nissan Elgrand for now and you can take advantage of the new features that the rival minivans of its class don't.

Available colors (Alphard): White Pearl Crystal Shine, Luxury White Crystal Shine Glass Flake, Silver Metallic, Grey Metallic, Black, Sparkling Black Pearl Crystal Shine, and Greyish Blue Mica Metallic

Available colors (Vellfire): White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Grey Metallic, Black, Sparkling Black Pearl Crystal Shine, Burning Black Crystal Shine, and Greyish Blue Mica Metallic.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Second-Generation Volvo XC90

The Volvo XC90. When it was launched over a decade ago, it was their first attempt to take on luxury SUVs from Germany but as when time pass by, even with numerous improvements to keep it afloat, the XC90 has been decaying for so long and no matter how time passed by, the XC90 still looks pretty much the same. Now, for the first time, the XC90 finally got the regeneration it deserves and OH MY GAS! It looks perfect to look at.

2015 Volvo XC90

Well, here it is. They've all been waiting for this moment to come. This is the all-new Volvo XC90 and Volvo really mean it about the "all-new" phrase because it REALLY is all new.

First, the exterior design is brand new and this is the first to carry Vovlo's new signature look as well as its new Volvo logo in the front. No longer the male sign logo, it's now pointier than ever for a Volvo. The headlamps are now wearing the Mjolnir, or Thor's hammer for those who are gibberish about the M-word and although it wasn't more of a Mjolnir as we hoped for, this new look will be the forefront of future Volvo designs.

The new XC90 is armed with a brand new platform which is stronger and lighter than the previous platform the first one used. Because of this new platform, next-gen Volvos are looking forward to wear such a breakthrough platform but Volvo remains mum on this because they are on a "slow and steady" progress on rebuilding the Swedish carmaker, which became the pioneer of safety since the second-generation S60 of 2010. Apart from its new platform, the new car is now sharper and stable than ever thanks to its double wishbone front suspension and a new lightweight integral link rear axle. The air suspension is an optional extra and when you have it, it can be adjusted into five different modes, be it high or low depending on the road conditions.

2015 Volvo XC90 interior

On the inside, the new XC90 is now more high-tech than ever and because this car focuses more on the future rather than the past, everything's digitalized now and bad new for those music lovers, the CD player's nowhere to be found. Instead, you'll find this big screen dashboard just like you saw on the Tesla Model S. On this dashboard, you can take advantage of the built-in wi-fi hotspot, real-time navigation system, Bluetooth connectivity, and so much more. The interior's pretty harsh for us because it was the first to see the future when all cars doesn't have CD players anymore and replaced by those...things. Looks like the end of the CD era's fast approaching, don't you think and pretty soon, we won't be relying on physical media anymore and that's kinda sad.

Anyway, forget the harsh word because the interior is now as luxurious as a new Range Rover and because it's now longer and taller than the previous generation, getting inside in one of those is like having a first class trip to your office and way back home. It also works as a family car because it can seat up to seven people but if you're a little grumpy and if your mother asks to seat at the back, this is one thing you would pray that this will not happen to you unless you have a newborn crybaby and a child seat that adds your misery of having your parents force you to seat at the back. Ugh...

2015 Volvo XC90

All engines in the new XC90 are 2.0L and at launch, you can have either the twin-turbo 225HP D5 or the twincharged 320HP T6 but later on, you will be able to take on the top-of-the-line T8 Twin-Engine model. Yes. there's a PHEV that is way beyond compare than your average PHEV because with the combination of the T8 engine and the electric motor, over 400HP of power and 640Nm of torque is produce. That's four times more than what your Outlander PHEV had! And no matter which engine choice you'll pick, it's mated with Volvo's 8-speed Geartronic transmission, which isn't so bad for an everyday car.

2015 Volvo XC90

Because safety is the forefront of Volvo, the new XC90 is now fully prepared with the next-generation of safety features as well as two of the world's first safety technologies. There's the run-off road protection which detects what comes next on the road and the front safety belts are tightened to keep occupants in place. Lastly, there's the auto brake in intersections when in the event the driver turns in front of an oncoming car, it automatically halts this car full stop. There are so many safety gadgets loaded in this Volvo but I can't tell what are those or this will be one heck of a snoozefest but with all of these features, this new model believes the future really is now thanks to science. Very clever but car enthusiasts weren't so sure whether they like this car or not now that it becomes a car that feels like it's been made from the future and it's been made to avoid accidents once and for all. Hmmm...

The new XC90 starts at 554,000 Krona (or around 60,000 Euros estimated), which is more expensive than any other Volvos in the lineup but that's more affordable than the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. That's one luxury SUV you can afford on.

The new Volvo XC90 isn't just more of a full model change, it's about rebuilding the Swedish carmaker into new and exciting ways and I can expect big things for Volvo for now.

Photo: Volvo Cars

Saturday, January 24, 2015

#BubbleGangBuking

On the January 23, 2015 episode of Bubble Gang...

- Buking gags

- Istambay, Istambay sa Looban, May Bagong Salta sa 'ting Tambayan, Lalaking Champion daw sa Kantahan, Di Rin Siya Aatrasan sa...PORMAHAN?!

- IKAW AT ANG INA takes on...the Networking Business!

- One of Don Cantoni's associates felt the tense...

- Spoof trailers!

Anak Salabat
Atsuete
Inspector Budget


- More meddling from Lala Ytera!

- The choir's gone out of tune.

- Some lucky prisoners running some other establishments in the prison!

Welcome to Fabulous Bilibit Prison


- More words to live by from Tata Lino!

  • Ang eyebugs, pag malaki, ipagmalaki mo yan dahil sa lahat ng bagay, yan ang tunay na pinagpuyatan.
  • Totoo ang forever pero makinig ka ng mabuti. Wag kang maniniwala pag wala kang brilliante.
  • Ang crush mo, para hindi ka makalimutan, utangan mo siya. Tapos, huwag mo siya bayaran.
  • Marami sa kabataan, maraming kalokohan. Dadaanin ka sa matamis na usapan. Text mo sakin ang address mo para madaanan kita. Ako'y matanda pero mapagkatiwalaan!
- One woman's habit of taking a botox takes on a completely different turn.

- Who killed Rizal? Go read a book, please...

- Granny knows best...

Friday, January 23, 2015

Let's Do The News! (January 23, 2015)



Welcome back. Here is your current sitrep:

- King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dies at the age of 90. It's just been confirmed by the royal officials due to his lung infection. Abdullah took over the kingdom ten years ago but faced health problems in recent years. His 79-year-old brother, Salman, was named the new king of KSA.

- Former Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra was impeached over the rice subsidy scheme. The top legislators of Thailand have voted to impeach her and ban her from politics for five years. Keep that in mind that Yingluck was ousted last year before a military coup ousted her government.

- The mother of Japanese journalist Kenji Goto, one of the reported journalists held captive by ISIS, has called on the militants to release her son. She said that the held journalist is not a threat to the Islamic State. A purported member of ISIS threatens to kill the captive journalist and another man unless a ransom is paid within 72 hours.

- Meanwhile, Japan PM Shinzo Abe urged the Cabinet to do whatever they got to save the two Japanese nationals taken hostage by ISIS militants.

- Town officials told the Sandiganbayan that they didn't receive the agricultural and livelihood kits promised to them by the foundations linked to PDAF scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

- Actor Edgar Allan Guzman leaves TV5 with no reason why.

- Jessie's Cameron Boyce will star on the upcoming Disney XD comedy series Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything, coming this summer.

- Ford confirms unveiling of their next-gen Focus RS this February.



TTFN!!!

Tales of Zestiria

Tales of Zestiria

Since the first ever Tales of game launched in late 1995, the Tales of series from Namco has been the forefront of Japanese RPG history. As the franchise keeps evolving into new and exciting ways that will keep JRPG fans longing for more tales, fans will really keep looking forward for the series' 20th year this 2015.

Bandai Namco kicks off the Tales series' 20th birthday with the brand new addition to the Namco Tales family and it's called Tales of Zestiria.

According to the people behind the scenes, the latest installment of the long-running Tales franchise is classified as an "RPG where passion lights up the world" and because 2015 is the Tales of's 20th birthday, they want this latest installment to be the template for the series' future just like what other past Tales titles done for the fans worldwide. For this new chapter in Tales history, Tales of Zestiria will hopefully garner a new set of fans, old and new alike, thanks to new and exciting features as well as the storytelling which has been the forefront of the Tales of series.

Amazingly, Tales of Zestiria is a hybrid game because not only it has the main game on it but also comes with the complete TV mini-series of the same title, serving as the taste of what lies ahead of the main character Sorey and his allies on their epic journey to save the world from an imminent threat, so you can experience the dramatic storyline that you can expect once you start the game and go on an epic journey as Sorey and his friends.

The battle system has been evolved from the past Tales of games and now, TOZ features a brand new "Fusonic Chain - Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS)" which gives the series' real-time battle system a whole new overhaul and features a gauge that allows characters free battle to their heart's content and effects such as healing and blowing away enemies are usable. Also, this battle system comes with the brand new "Kamui" feature and don't tell them what that is because this feature lets Sorey join forces with Heavenly Beings such as Lailah, changing his form and unleash a barrage of powers to blow away the opposition. Now this is a strategic work players need to master if they want to survive the battlefield.

Aside from new ways to battle, there are other ways to do on foot as well. You can engage in a chat sequence (which is kinda like the skit part from past titles), clear obstacles, accessorize your characters with new outfits and accessories, engage in optional subevents, test your battle skills on the colosseum, and so much more. There are so much to do while you're taking a break on the main quest or if you need a little boost on what lies ahead.

There are DLC contents heading your way on Tales of Zestiria, as well as collaboration ones from Evangelion, Capcom's Sengoku Basara, God Eater 2, and of course, The iDOLM@STER. Expect more DLC items heading your way, especially those that can make a match not just for Sorey, but also Rose, Leilah, Edna, Alisha, and more!

So, how come we sum this game up? Well, while this game remains available only to Japan while Bandai Namco awaiting their decision for its global debut, the latest chapter of the Tales of series sees this franchise grow into new and exciting ways that fuels not just Tales veterans but also newcomers as well. There's so much to love about TOZ and we think that's enough for that.

Overall, Tales Of Zestiria is definitely the best present for the series' 20th anniversary since 1995's Tales of Phantasia.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Japan's prototype stealth aircraft becomes playable in Ace Combat Infinity

ATD-0

Once as Japan's experimental aircraft that made headlines on the press, now became a playable aircraft in the PS3-exclusive free-to-play Ace Combat Infinity game as Bandai Namco Games released this month's update to their F2P flight shooting game where over 2 million players have been downloaded this game.

For whatever reasons, it's been named as the ATD-0 and according to the in-game description, it features technology such as a sensor, avionics, and a weapon system allowing it to obtain data from the battlefield. In-game, Japan's prototype fifth-generation fighter jet can be armed with 4AAM, QAAM, and SAAM, if the player levelled up this plane's performance crucial on surviving the aerial warfare. For the first time, players can get their hands on Japan's prototype fifth-generation fighter jet that caused headlines from Japanese media.

Also on the January update, three fan-favorite Ace Combat original fighter jets have been added to the list such as the X-02 Wyvern from Ace Combat 04 Shattered Skies, ADF-01 FALKEN from Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, and the ADFX-01 Morgan from Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.

Due to the addition of the Morgan on the Standard Aircraft lineup, two special Morgan planes previously appeared last year have been renamed as ADFX-01 -Pixy- and ADFX-01 -Block1-. There has been no changes to their performance or capabilities. Up until March 4, 2015, those two special Morgan planes are available on the Special Supply Items Catalog for a limited time only. If you haven't got either of the two special Morgans and if you got enough Special Supply Tickets, now's the time to do it!

There's a new Special Raid Mission for this month's update and for a limited-time, engage on the brand new Satellite Interception special raid mission where you and your fellow pilots are tasked to destroy the SOLG (the military satellite from Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War) before it smashes to the ground. Remember the time The Ghosts of Razgriz destroyed the SOLG and saved the Osean capital city Oured at the finale? Time to relive the epic moment when you had the chance!

Lastly, there's now a HARD difficulty on the Pipeline Destruction online co-op mission. Be prepared because the enemy forces stationed on the so-called Troia Route now come with extreme firepower.

More improvements and corrections have been made on the January update but be sure to check it out once you're prepared for your next sortie!

Details: http://ace-infinity.bngames.net/news/