Lexus LBX

Lexus's first-ever compact crossover, the LBX, looks more like a glorified Toyota Yaris Cross but there's something more about this entry-level Lexus crossover.

2024 Lexus LBX

Starting at 4.6 million Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the first-ever Lexus LBX is ironically slightly more expensive than its big brother, the UX, but being the glorified Toyota Yaris Cross it was meant to be, the LBX prefers to keep it modest on the city streets even though it was classified as a luxury vehicle.

2024 Lexus LBX

Beginning with the design, the Lexus LBX is sized like its Toyota Yaris Cross derivative, making it easy to live with and park at its pace. With the front view reminiscent of the LM, the side view is highly reminiscent of today's Honda Fit and the rear view can be easily mistaken for an Aston Martin DBX so yes, it's classified luxury crossover from scratch but despite its luxury status, the LBX feels right at home at typical Japanese suburbs because of such sizing.

2024 Lexus LBX interior

Asked about the interior, the LBX adopts the Tazuna concept approach applied in "new normal" Lexus vehicles, giving it a more minimalist approach. Behind the wheel, the LBX features a 12.3-inch TFT liquid crystal meter, a rather flashy HUD with touch tracer operation, and a 9.8-inch touch display audio, among others. As expected on a new normal Lexus, the controversial e-latch inside door handles are present, which is good until the car battery dies, rendering these handles inoperable, and leaving you trapped. Bad mark for Lexus there.

On the spacing side, this five-seater features foldable second-row seats, giving it 330 liters of boot space for FF variants when not using a 2-tier deck board. The extra two-liter under-deck storage gives slightly more space for goodies when needed.

2024 Lexus LBX

The LBX is powered only by the 1.5L Hybrid Dynamic Force powertrain where the 1.5L M15A-FXE engine is connected to a 69kW electric motor and a Bipolar Nickel battery from the Aqua, producing a system power output of 136PS. Because all variants are mated to a CVT, the LBX's front-wheel drive variant can go up to 27.7kmpl of fuel economy under WLTC Mode standards while AWD variants get 26.2kmpl.

Running on the same GA-B platform as the Toyota Yaris Cross, the Lexus LBX behaves rather well on all walks of life even though it's a tad regular to drive on the open roads or with the AWD system that fits well on either tarmac, gravel, or snow. 

As for safety, the Lexus LBX is equipped with the evolved Lexus Safety System + and advanced parking assistance as well as Lexus Teammate Advanced Drive (Congestion Assistance), Lexus Teammate Advanced Park (with remote functionality), and Advanced Park remote functionality, among others.

It may be a glorified Yaris Cross that is slightly more expensive than its big brother, the UX, but the Lexus LBX is an entry-level crossover that prefers to be modest and down-to-earth not just on city roads but almost everywhere. Tackling through all walks of life and getting the job done is what the LBX does best, albeit not as exciting as expected, but still, it's all about keeping it plain and simple the Lexus way.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

SPYxFAMILY OPERATION DIARY

What does Anya Forger's best day ever look like? Only way to find out with this fun and relaxing video game from the world of SPYxFAMILY.

SPYxFAMILY OPERATION DIARY
(Nintendo Switch)

SPYxFAMILY OPERATION DIARY is a fun and relaxing video game from the world of SPYxFAMILY where players help little Anya Forger make her best day ever by taking part in a series of fun-filled activities and mini-games.

Reminiscent of the Wario games, OPERATION DIARY is packed with 17 various minigames to play with ten can be played with two players. From helping her pet dog Bond get away from a giant peanut monster, beating classmates in a game of trumps, hack-and-slash enemies as Yor, or a nice game of bowling, these minigames are fun for everyone, making it the ideal party game with your friends and...yeah...family.

Aside from the minigames worth turning this SPYxFAMILY video game into a party game for everyone, OPERATION DIARY gives players a chance to experience the Forgers in their hobbies and pastimes such as going to the aquarium, the beach, the park, or various points of interests.

If you need an anime game that is both relaxing and enjoyable at the same time, why not spend time with the Forgers in this SPYxFAMILY game?

OPERATION DIARY is now available on the Nintendo Switch and coming soon to PS4/PS5 this 2024.

Doctor Who 2023 Christmas Special

The 15th Doctor's maiden voyage kicked off in the 2023 Christmas Special of BBC's Doctor Who, where he and his new companion, Ruby Sunday, are dealing with a group of mischievous creatures wreaking havoc over the Christmas season.

Doctor Who 2023 Christmas Special

HOLD IT! Ensure you have already watched the episode before my quick review. Come back here when you have already watched it.

Let's Do The News! (December 25, 2023)

                                       

Your daily round-up of today's news...

- The Department of National Defense stays on alert for a peaceful and secure holiday celebration, according to Gibo Teodoro. The defense chief also thanked the DND personnel and all the military and civilian personnel composing its five bureaus for serving the public up to the farthest corner of the country, despite being away from their families and facing the threats to their lives.

- According to the Philippine National Police, about 19 firearm and cracker-related incidents were recorded during the holiday season but said the Christmas Day celebration is generally peaceful.

- Pope Francis appeals for peace in Gaza during his Christmas Eve mass. The Pope said that Jesus' message of peace is being drowned out by what he called the "futile logic of war".

- Police in Serbian capital, Belgrade, fired tear gas on crowds protesting at alleged fraud in last week's general election. Opposition activists say the government manipulated the elections won by the ruling party. President Aleksandar Vucic says the allegations are "rubbish and lies".

- Nijigasaki High School Idol Club's Nijiyon Animation shorts return for a second season this April.

- K-pop boy group ATEEZ will release four new music videos this January.

- Eastern Michigan apologizes over a player's sucker punch against a South Alabama player in the back of the helmet, leading to a postgame brawl following the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday night.

- Billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe agrees on a deal to buy a 25% stake in Manchester United for about 1.25b pounds.

TTFN.

My FH5 Log: SUPER SECRET SANTA

The Winter Wonderland series update on Forza Horizon 5 challenged players to send as many gift cars as possible to hit two desired targets containing two "New to Horizon" cars such as the Gordon Murray T.50 and a Super Secret Car that is Secret...until now.

This is the Gordon Murray T.50 given to players after hitting the 50% mark at the series update's Secret Santa campaign. 

With only 100 units made and sold, the T.50 is the true spiritual successor to the legendary McLaren F1. It features a signature 3.9L natural aspiration V12 engine made in cooperation with Cosworth, producing 663PS power and 467Nm of torque while mated to a 6-speed MT. Because it weighs 986kg, the T.50 has a weight-to-power ratio of 207kg/100PS.

Aerodynamics aside, the GMA T.50 features a controversial rear-mounted 400mm fan that actively manages the body's airflow, balancing drag and downforce at various speeds. It also interacts with a pair of active rear spoilers, generating more downforce when needed.

Lastly, after hitting the 100% mark in the Secret Santa campaign, the secret car is revealed as the Aston Martin Valkyrie, the hypercar that is as close as you can get to a Formula 1 car.

Spawned from the collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing as the AM-RB-001 project, the Valkyrie is a hybrid engine-wielding hypercar that features F1-inspired, space-age aerodynamics that makes it capable of taking corners at over 3.3G, as well as carbon blade designed by space shuttle engineers made it capable of impossible performance even at 220mph, Apache-inspired hydraulics, extensive use of lightweight materials, and a naturally-aspirated 6.5L V12 engine developed by Cosworth mated to an F1-derived KERS, producing a total power output of a whopping 1139HP, making it the most powerful Aston Martin road car ever made.

Only 150 of these units were made and sold.

These Secret Santa prize cars are like the past and the future because if the T.50 is a celebration of the past, thanks to the theory that this is the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1, the Valkyrie is what the future of hypercars will be; advanced, fast, and space-age witchcraft straight from sci-fi. Either way, they're fast enough to blow your head off at such intimidating speeds, and always ready for the climax.

Speaking of climax, let's find out which of these Secret Santa prize cars is superior, the celebration of the past or the shape of future hypercars. Because this is the Winter Wonderland series update, the clash between the T.50 and the Valkyrie takes place at the time-limited Winter Wonderland Circuit for a one-lap time attack. As always, the fastest time wins.

Let's roll the tape.

And now the results...

T.50 - 0m59.860s

Valkyrie - 0m58.425s

It's a razor-thin result! Although the futuristic F1-inspired Aston Martin Valkyrie is more powerful than the neo-classic GMA T.50, the gap between them is nearly a second apart, probably because of the technical segments the Winter Wonderland Circuit possesses. Still, it's a win for the Valkyrie, the prize car gifted to all FH5 players after hitting the 100% mark at the Winter Wonderland Secret Santa campaign. Yay.

The GMA T.50 and the Aston Martin Valkyrie are two incredible supercars that have been making headlines for quite some time. Although the Valkyrie is slightly faster than the T.50, the choice between these two supercars comes down to personal preference and which feature set resonates with you the most.

I hope you enjoy driving the two Winter Wonderland Secret Santa prize cars as much as enjoying the holidays in Horizon Mexico.

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

What to see at the 2023 MMFF?

It's Christmas break again, which means, no school until the start of the new year. Hooray. As everybody's going out for the long weekend, and traveling places, there's only one thing that needs to be on every vacation playlist; watching movies from the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival.

2023 Metro Manila Film Festival entries

So, what movies are showing in Philippine cinemas during the 2023 MMFF?

- Family of Two (A Mother and Son's Story) - This family-focused drama stars Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards. It was directed by Nuel Naval. This movie sees Richards playing the role of Mateo, a young man moving to Singapore to pursue his ambitions, only for his mother Maricar (played by Cuneta) to learn his true intentions the hard way.

- (K)AMPON - A horror movie that stars Beauty Gonzalez and Derek Ramsay. In this movie, a couple adopted a little girl, only to learn her terrifying secret that could spell doom for them.

- Penduko - Matteo Guidicelli steps into the role of Pedro Penduko in the newest version of the iconic comic book character. Recruited by a shadowy group known as Hatinggabi, the young Pedro Penduko's destiny reveals more as he progresses through his battle against the forces of evil.

- REWIND - Showbiz couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes star in this romantic drama crafted by ABS-CBN FILM PRODUCTIONS and directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar. Dantes plays the role of a man who witnessed his wife's death in a car accident. He was given a second chance to live with her just one more moment, but with a twist; he had to die in place of his wife.

- Mallari - It's another horror movie that slips into the list of MMFF 2023 entries. It stars Piolo Pascual, Gloria Diaz, JC Santos, Elisse Joson, Janella Salvador, and Mylen Dizon.

- Firefly - GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs' first MMFF entry, an adventure movie, stars Alessandra de Rossi, Euwenn Mikaell, Yayo Aguila, Cherry Pie Picache, Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Max Collins, Epy Quizon, and Dingdong Dantes.

- GomBurZa - Dante Rivero, Cedric Juan, Enchong Dee, and Piolo Pascual star in the untold story of the three Filipino priests involved in the country's revolutionary war against the Spaniards. Provided by Jesuit Communications and Saranggola Productions, this movie is directed by Pepe Diokno.

- Broken Hearts' Trip - Starring Chrisitan Bables, this light-hearted comedy-drama is packed with colorful gay characters facing heartbreaks setting off on their healing trip.

- Becky & Badette - Comedy legends Eugene Domingo and Pokwang are crashing the school reunion in this hilarious comedy movie directed by Jun Robles Lana. 

- When I Met You In Tokyo - Starring Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon, this romantic drama is about two ordinary people who find love in The Land of The Rising Sun.

The 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival starts this Christmas Day, December 25, and this is the only time of the week when all ten films will show in all cinemas during the duration. Which film will you watch?

SPYxFAMILY The Movie CODE: WHITE

The anime sensation of 2022, SPYxFAMILY, centers on the life and times of Agent Twilight, who is on a mission to prevent an all-out war, but to do so, he teams up with a psychic named Anya and an assassin named Yor and then formed themselves as the Forger family. As the whole world enjoyed the Forgers' little adventures, the time's come to shine on the big screen with their first movie adventure.

SPYxFAMILY The Movie
CODE: WHITE

Arrived in time for the holidays, the Forgers have arrived at the big screen with SPYxFAMILY The Movie CODE: WHITE. In their first movie escapade, Loid Forger is on a race against time to stop a terrorist plot before it sparks an all-out international conflict. So much for the cooking lesson Anya's taking at the Eden Academy in the hopes of getting another star, the family vacation to the Frigis region, and her accidental swallowing of a suspicious-looking confectionary that could threaten global balance.

Packed with chills, speed, drama, suspense, family values, and romance, not necessarily in that order, this movie pushed the Forgers into incredible heights right until the climax that proves that SPYxFAMILY is becoming one of the all-time anime greats in the age of the new normal.

Whether you enjoy Loid's action-packed moments, Yor's down-to-earth shenanigans, or the best of Anya Forger, along with the signature moments in store, this movie is SPYxFAMILY at its best and you can't hide away from the endless conversations this movie generates.

This is SPYxFAMILY at its glorious core.