Wednesday, November 24, 2010

A real Korean drama happened between North and South...

Check this news:

The revenge between North Korean and South Korea was so deadly, seeing it makes it more like a Korean drama happening.

So tearful...

Can't these two Korean countries stop fighting each other?

This is some kind of a Korean drama, even real...

We, as Filipinos, enjoyed most from South Korea; from Korean stars, singers, products, even cars with diesel engines (CRDi, e-VGT, R-diesel engine). We Filipinos must pray that the fight between North and South Korea must be stopped.

Monday, November 22, 2010

My Top Gear USA first impressions

It was cold Sunday night in Seattle, WA, when I flickered the remote to the History Channel just to watch the pilot episode of the North American version of the hit BBC car magazine show, Top Gear.

The first episode of Top Gear US came out on a good start. There was a challenge between a Dodge Viper and a Cobra attack chopper, a segment called "Big Star, Small Car" invites former astronaut Buzz Aldrin to drive the Suzuki SX4 crossover, and a challenge of the three bulls, that is, three raging Lambos; the Gallardo SuperLeggera, the special edition Gallardo Balboni, and the raging fast Murcielago Super Veloce.

Adam Ferrera, Tanner Foust, and Rutledge Wood are the American versions of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. Oh, and by the way, The Stig also shows up in Top Gear US. The Stig looks more original to the original UK version.

I'm impressed how the North American version of Top Gear turned out to be. Expect see more of them!

Official Top Gear America site:

Toyota New Ractis (NCP120/NCP125)/Verso-S

October 2010, at the Mondial D' Automobile (Paris Motor Show) in Paris, France, Toyota unveiled the Verso-S hatchback that is redesigned to take on other popular hatchbacks from Europe, including Euro-friendly Japanese compacts such as the Honda Fit/Jazz. In Japan, the Toyota Verso-S is known as the second-generation Toyota Ractis!


2011 Toyota Ractis


Now on its second-generation (chassis code: NCP120/NCP125), the new Toyota Ractis is all new ,inside and out, and retains its compact sizing, making it a perfect rival to the Honda Fit/Jazz, Mitsubishi Colt, Suzuki Swift, or even international ones like the Hyundai Getz/Click, Kia Morning/Picanto, BMW 1-Series, Opel Corsa, or even the Ford Fiesta. This new generation is designed to be somewhat European in the eyes of compact car consumers.


2011 Toyota Ractis


There are three styles to choose from the new Ractis (much like the Toyota Mark X's standard, premium, and sports type); the Standard Type (G, X) is the basic Ractis variant suitable for those who want it simple. The Ractis L'epice is designed to be the most stylish Ractis made for those who want a sense of style. The front of the Ractis L'epice looks more like a distorted smiley face. Last, but truly an enthusiasts' choice, is the Sports Type (Ractis S), which features every sporty detail such as the sporty headlamps, standard fog lamps, rear lamps similar to the Ractis L'epice, sporty rims, and a dark interior that is perfect to call the Sports Type the "Euro Answer" for the enthusiasts.

Under the hood, the new Ractis comes with two engine types; a 1NR-FE (1.3-litre) DOHC Dual VVT-i engine and the high performance 1NZ-FE (1.5-litre) DOHC VVT-i engine. The 1NR-FE engine is great for those who needed fuel economy because the fuel economy of this entry-level engine reaches 20.0km/L. For those who want more power than the 1NR-FE engine, the 1NZ-FE engine is truly an adventurers' type because of the power output of 109PS/6,000r.p.m. and the torque output of 14.1kg-m/4,400r.p.m. Most Ractis variants from the standard, L'epice, to the sports type, are equipped with the Super CVT-i for optimized fuel economy. This results for a greater 50% tax cut thanks to Japan's "Eco-Car Genzei" system.
Oh, and one more thing, the Sports Type comes with the paddle shifters that makes it a fun to drive Euro-Japanese compact.


2011 Toyota Ractis interior


The interior of the new Ractis is evolved to make it more European than the odd interior from the previous model. Even with the Ractis' interior evolved to suit the needs for the consumers, the comfort of being a compact car remains the same. The available auto aircon looks even more easier to operate. Cooling down or warming the interior made simpler on the new Ractis. On the driver's view, the new Ractis comes with the new optitron meters. The new available glass roof is the main attraction of the new Ractis. Once you checked inside the new Ractis, you'll never guess what will come next for this Euro-Japanese compact!

My thoughts about the Ractis:
I have a feeling that Fuji Heavy Industries are going to use the second-generation Ractis for their own version called the Trezia. As far as I know, the Trezia will look like this, a Ractis/Verso-S with the Impreza's face.

Anyway, before this Trezia comes out, feel free to enjoy the European goodness in this Euro-Japanese compact that will come out in Europe next year. Who knows, this new Ractis/Verso-S can come to the Philippines soon to take place from the ugly squarish Echo Verso (FunCargo). What comes if the next-generation Vitz/Yaris comes out?

The new Ractis is designed and engineered to be more European thanks to its European performance, European design, and European packaging. The new Ractis is truly a Japanese compact with the heart of Europe.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Sunday, November 21, 2010

K-On!! Character Image CD 1 - 5

With the success of the second season of K-On (K-On!!, 日本名: けいおん!!), Pony Canyon unveiled the second series of the K-On Character Image CD Series. This time, you can experience each of the Hokago Tea Time members' songs at the comfort of your own home. You can start at Yui Hirasawa and end it with Azusa Nakano, whatever floats your desire. Which of these is your type?

1) Yui Hirasawa (CV: Aki Toyosaki)


2) Mio Akiyama (CV: Yoko Hikasa)


3) Ritsu Tainaka (CV: Satomi Sato)


4) Tsumugi Kotobuki (CV: Minako Kotobuki)


5) Azusa Nakano (CV: Ayana Taketatsu)

THE BEST BANG!!

THE BEST BANG!!


Masaharu Fukuyama is much more of a talented TV star thanks to the TV shows, movies, and commercials made his appearance. He's also one of the coolest singers in the J-Pop world.

The best songs from Masaharu Fukuyama are here in this special compilation album packed with all of the favorite MasaFuku songs, including songs heard in Japanese commercials. It's a 4-disc collection of MasaFuku's best songs, keeping all the Masaharu Fukuyama fans craving more from Masaharu Fukuyama himself.

The fourth CD is a single CD, which includes 石塊のプライド from the latest Dunlop Tire commercial, and 心color ~a song for the wonderful year~ from the latest Toshiba Regza ad. Thanks to his endorsements, I guess this extra package scored us with some craving from one of the coolest Japanese personalities.

TRACK LISTINGS:

DISC ONE:
1. 追憶の雨の中/
2. 逃げられない
3. 約束の丘
4. HARD RAIN
5. Good night
6. MELODY
7. All My Loving
8. 遠くへ
9. 恋人
10. Marcy’s Song
11. IT’S ONLY LOVE
12. HELLO
13. Good Luck
14. Message
15. Heart
16. you

DISC TWO:
1. HEAVEN
2. Peach!!
3. Squall
4. Gang★
5. 桜坂
6. 蜜柑色の夏休み
7. 虹
8. ひまわり
9. それがすべてさ
10. 泣いたりしないで
11. RED×BLUE
12. あの夏も 海も 空も
13. milk tea
14. 東京にもあったんだ

DISC THREE:
1. THE EDGE OF CHAOS ~愛の一撃~
2. 明日の☆SHOW
3. 最愛
4. 想 -new love new world-
5. 化身
6. はつ恋
7. KISSして

DISC FOUR:
1. 心color ~a song for the wonderful year~
2. 石塊のプライド
3. 道標 2010
4. 心color ~a song for the wonderful year~ (Original Karaoke)
5. 石塊のプライド (Original Karaoke)
6. 道標 2010 (Original Karaoke)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1


Year: 2010

Filmmaker: Warner Bros.

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe
Emma Watson
Rupert Grint

As we all know, Deathly Hallows is the final chapter of the fan favorite Harry Potter series. Since this final chapter loads a lot of pages, Warner Bros. decided to split the movie adaptation into two parts. Part One was now showing in theaters and Part Two coming this Summer 2011. But first, let's explain how Part One looks like...

As Lord Voldemort gains power and took control of the Ministry of Magic, he's much more unstoppable. But only Harry, Ron, and Hermione can stop him. As the trio of best friends forced to drop out from Hogwarts, they must find the Horcruxes to stop Voldemort before the Dark Lord commence total world domination.

Part One packs a lot of magic and suspense, and also a loss of someone special as someone know it. Anyone noticed it what exactly happened at Part One?

This first half of the finale packs more visual effects most kids of all ages, especially HP nerds and newbies alike, surely love, and also the elements beyond good and evil is all part of this story.

After watching Part One, think you're ready to savor the last eight months of Harry-ism?! Good luck!

Melai's tips to survive the traffic boredom...

The November 20 episode of ABS-CBN's Banana Split superpoked us with another fresh batch of showbiz news from Balitang Siksik Showbiz Edition, some beerhouse end and restaurant jokes, "Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto" with the Banana Split boys, and a game of Huwag Kang Lilingon.

Also, Kuya Keem (John Prats) tells more about parties in "Mga Shorts ni Kuya Keem". Seems someone throwing a wild party, especially some gate crasher (Jason Francisco) showed up. The biggest gate crasher in the party is inventor Igor Stojokovic Krystic (Ryan Bang) with his "pillow in head" invention.

Also crashing the party is our favorite advice giver, Melai Cantiveros, for some tips to help you survive the dreaded traffic condition on M3: Melai Mo Magwork.

5) Be a windshield wiper during traffic conditions. Bring some cleaning utensils, then when traffic's getting worse, your windshield wiping job's getting bright.

4) Establish a mobile "sari-sari" store!

3) If its getting hotter, try to go sun-bathing on the car's hood!

2) If traffic's getting worse, a fast food delivery is an option. Time to order some snacks during a heavy traffic!

1) If you want to go to your destination during a heavy traffic, lock your car and walk through your destination.

"Traffic boredom? Who needs it?" if you follow Melai's top 5 tips on M3!