9th Generation Chevrolet Malibu

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

For some unknown reasons, Chevrolet's midsize saloon, the Malibu, has now been regenerated for its ninth generation and for this generation, the new Malibu introduces some industry firsts, including the Teen Driver Feature, but more of that later on.

First off, let's examine the new design for the new Malibu and some people might think this is somewhat more alienating than attractive rather than the previous model. While the new look is rather unpleasant for a midsize saloon, it's aerodynamically sculpted in every corner to deliver its dramatic presence that once you drive it on the road, you don't really care if this car's a head turner or not.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu interior

2016 Chevrolet Malibu interior

The same story goes to the interior because while this is basically an improvement over the previous model, it looks somewhat as complicating as a bizarre-looking dress a certain fashion model would wear it on a fashion week. Despite the bizarre-looking dashboard, it's rather comfortable to sit on it but sometimes, when you hear some noises outside, it feels kinda bothersome because while this promises to have the same level as luxury cars, it feels very cheap for a new model.

Connectivity aside, the new Malibu, like any other Chevys, come with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity and as a first, it is available with the choice of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Use caution, however, because only one at any one time can be used. If it's iOS, go to CarPlay. If it's Android, use Android Auto. Don't care what kind of smartphone you're using at, as long as you pick the right hardware for the new Malibu to run into.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu

At launch, the new Malibu offers two turbocharged engines, which sounds very promising for a midsize saloon. Most models come with the 1.5L ECOTEC engine with Variable Valve Timing, Direct Injection, and Automatic Stop/Start that can get up to 37MPG highway, but on the top-spec Premier model, it comes with the turbocharged, 250-horsepower 2.0L ECOTEC engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which is not too shabby for the new model. Word from the mouth is that a hybrid version is underway with mileage is expecting up to 48 mpg city and 45 mpg highway.

Because the new Malibu is a step ahead to the future, it's been given a host of high-tech safety features at all sides and now, it's time to explain the new Teen Driver Feature. Suppose if you're lending the keys to the new Malibu to your teenager who recently got his or her driving license for the first time, you advise them that there are rules in driving and you told them to come back in time for tea. That's why the new Teen Driver feature kicks in. By setting a PIN code to the MyLink, the Teen Driver allows you to limit the settings before handing them over to your teenage son or daughter. It includes muting audio when they're not fastened their seat belts, giving audible and visual warnings when going over the predetermined speed limits, set limits on music volume, and informing the parents if safety features were triggered.. That's parenting done right.

The new Malibu starts from 22,500 to 31,795 US Dollars, which sounds very reasonable when compared against other family midsize saloons in its class, but with all that tech induced in this car, the new Malibu feels like a class apart, well despite the dynamics that doesn't feel like a European saloon. Yes, the Americans will be the first to know when they're driving this car but do we expect this new Malibu to arrive in other countries like the previous model did? Well, because it looks more American, chances are too slim for now.

Available colors: Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Mosaic Black Metallic, Champagne Silver Metallic, Butte Red Metallic, Blue Velvet Metallic, Nightfall Gray Metallic, Autumn Bronze Metallic, Crystal Red Tintcoat, and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat.

Photo: General Motors

Let's Do The News! (December 2, 2015)

- Senator Grace Poe saidd that the decision to be disqualified by the COMELEC was an "obvious and conscious" effort to remove her from the list of presidential candidates for the May 2016 election. She admits that she is expected to lose in the disqualification case filed against her before the COMELEC.

- Working-level talks on the COP21 climate conference forum in Paris, France, got off to a rocky start as opinions from the world leaders are divided including whether to make the new global framework on efforts to curb climate change that will replace the Kyoto Protocol after 2020.

- An explosion occurred near a railway station of Istanbul, one of Turkey's largest cities. Police are suspecting that the incident could be an act of terrorism. It happened near the Bayrampasa station during the height of the evening rush hour on Tuesday.

- Russia's economic sanctions against Turkey continues and this time, they're banning Turkish food imports beginning January of next year. Imports of 17 items include tomatoes, onions, tangerines, and frozen chicken are on the list.

- An American military aircraft was spotted at Clark Air Base and AFP chief of staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri said that those C-130 cargo plane and the P-8 patrol aircraft are part of a maritime security training with US forces.

- The FEU Tamaraws won the final game of this year's UAAP season at the score of 67-62 against the UST Growling Tigers. It is their first UAAP title after ten years.

- Mr. Switzerland Pedro Mendes is helmed as this year's Mr. International 2015.

- The Mobil 1 Car Pack on Forza Motorsport 6 has arrived and headlining this month's DLC Pack is the Koenigsegg One:1 megacar alongside Mercedes-AMG's brand new C 63 S Coupe, and some other racing legends such as the 1990 Chevrolet #30 Douglas Shierson Racing Lola T90/00 and the 1991 Mazda #62 Mazda Motorsport RX-7. Car Pass owners can get it for free!



- Four ultra-powerful cars are coming on the Real Racing 3 app game for the latest December 2015 update. Beginning now, take on a special event to win the track-only Aston Martin Vulcan. Then on the 10th of December, win the Lamborghini Huracan on the special Tame the Storm event. On the 24th of December, take on the Reign Supreme Race Off event to win Koenigsegg's plug-in hybrid hypercar known as the Regera. And on the 3rd of January, take on the third installment of the Speedrush TV special event to win the McLaren 12C Spider.

- In case you missed the recent Eat Bulaga kalyeserye, the Kalye's Angels and Yaya Dub announced that they will gonna have a party to make the kids happy this Yuletide season! One twist for sure, Alden found the long lost ring inside Baste's toy car! Keep watching Eat Bulaga ever weekdays and find out!

TTFN!!!

Let's Do The News! (December 1, 2015)

- Yesterday, ever since since Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte got proclaimed as the presidential candidate for the May 2016 elections, he used a swear word in referring to Pope Francis after getting caught in a traffic jam during the papal visit last January. The Catholics are furious against Duterte for "cursing" at Pope Francis. Even Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas lambasted Duterte, saying that he grieve in great shame. Meanwhile, Duterte defended himself that the Pope will soon understand his remarks as the Pope is compassionate.

- Philippine officials concluded their case against China over their maritime disputes at the South China Sea as Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said whatever is decided by the tribunal would have an impact on the nation's fate, the region, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

- Russian leader Vladimir Putin has denounced Turkey again over its downing of a Russian warplane and refused an offer to meet up with Turkish leader Erdogan for talks on the sidelines of a climate conference outside Paris.

- South Korea's intelligence agency said that North Korea has failed in test-launching an SLBM (submarine-launched ballistic missile) on Saturday. It was highly likely that the North attempted the test in the Sea of Japan off the eastern city of Wonsan.

- The Chinese yuan currency has been added to the International Monetary Fund's basket of major currencies and the central bank of the People's Republic of China has welcomed their decision as this promises better improvement in the global currency system and produce the best results for China and globally.

- Bugatti finally announced that their Veyron replacement will be named "Chiron" and it will be unveiled at next year's Geneva Motor Show.

Bugatti Chiron teaser

- Incoming Top Gear presenter Chris Evans announced that the rebooted Top Gear will air on the BBC this May 2016.

- Amazon's newest "spokesperson" Jeremy Clarkson explains the future of Amazon's new drone delivery service called Prime Air.

- The new Porsche 911 Turbo range gets a 20HP boost from its 3.8L flat-six engine!

2016 Porsche 911 Turbo

- BBC confirms that the title of the Doctor Who 2015 Christmas special is "The Husbands of River Song" and an official image has been made public, with The Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi (possibly assuming that he's now holding a brand new sonic screwdriver, we presume?), and River Song, played by Alex Kingston, up against King Hydroflax, voiced by Greg Davies.

THe Husbands of River Song

TTFN!!!

F1 2015 finale

Image: Getty Images

The epic finale to the 2015 season of Formula One, held at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit, may not be one of the best F1 races to date but this is probably one of the most memorable races to remember for the year 2015 because it's a "Won More Time" for the Mercedes F1 team. They're the first to raked 12 one-two finishes over their record of eleven, they scored the most points in a single season, and once again, Lewis Hamilton is named as the world champion.

Sure, Rosberg may have won the Abu Dhabi GP but Hamilton is always the king of the hill when it comes to winning the world title once again. Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen from Ferrari had excellent performance this season but they have to keep up next time, too. As for the Williams F1 team, they have done well this season, although room of improvement is still a priority if they want to be better next year.

So, that concludes the 2015 season of the Formula One world championship. Although it may not be the best season so far, the rivalries are still a top priority and next year should be more promising than the 2015 season. Until then, see you next season.

Let's Do The News! (November 30, 2015)

- It's the first day of the COP21 climate change conference in Paris, France, and negotiators from 195 countries will try to reach a deal within two weeks aimed at reducing global carbon emissions. However, the world's poorest countries say they fear being left behind in the push for a new treaty. For security purposes, police have locked down the conference center in Le Bourget, closing roads for the leaders' visit.

- Davao mayor and presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte named the senatorial candidates he will be endorsing for the May 2016 elections. His senatorial lineup includes Sarangani representative Manny Pacquiao, Martin Romualdez, Samuel Pagdilao, Roman Romulo, former senators Ping Lacson and Migz Zubiri, former MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino, and OFW advocate Susan Ople.

- According to international organizations, about 870,000 refugees and migrants mainly from the Middle East and Africa have reached Europe so far this year.

- The Turkish government is proceeding with a return of a body of a pilot of a downed Russian fighter jet. The Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu told a news conference that the body was brought to the capital city Ankara from Hatay in preparation for the handover in Russia.

- According to a certain human rights organization, the Islamic State has executed over 3,500 people since declaring its own state in June of last year.

- Last weekend, in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 78 finals, the UST Tigers leveled the score after a 62-56 win against the FEU Tamaraws. The third and final game is set on Wednesday, 3:30PM, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

- Looks like the science of autonomous driving may soon be placed in the world of motorsports as coinciding with the 2016-2017 season of the FIA Formula E, the committee behind this has announced its plans to set up a global racing series for self-driving racing machines called RoboRace, where the best automobile manufacturers and universities came up with their own autonomous racing machines and let their best real-time algorithms and AI technologies do their talking.

- A new and more powerful Audi R18 Le Mans Prototype was unveiled and its set to race at next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.

2016 Audi R18

- The mother of Angelica "Pastillas Girl" Yap was shot dead last night at Caloocan City last night by an unknown assailant caught on CCTV video when he shot her at the right part of head.

- You may remember that last Friday, Bubble Gang aired a 20th anniversary special episode titled "I AM BUBBLE GANG" where viewers get a glimpse of the history of Bubble Gang from its first airing to the present times with memorable cast, skits, spoofs, characters, and so much more. Now, check out the PEPTalk interview with comedian Michael V. about how did the Philippines' longest running stayed fresh for two decades.

TTFN!!!

Doctor Who S09E11

Doctor Who S09E11

The recent episode of the ninth season of Doctor Who, titled Heaven Sent, sees The Doctor taking on a mysterious place alone to find some answers while unknowingly pursued by a mysterious creature.

Wow, it's been a while ever since the death of Clara but finding the answer  for The Doctor takes more than just living, dying, and repeating.

Live, die, repeat. The Doctor is pushing himself to the edge of tomorrow until he broke the barrier and led him to a certain place...which we didn't know that The Doctor has landed on Gallifrey.

What a shocker this episode is. We witnessed The Doctor made it his way to Gallifrey for some answers but the truth will be revealed in the Season 9 finale airing next week. Be ready for it.

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW:

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Shooting Brake

For those who couldn't afford a more luxurious estate in the form of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Shooting Brake, there's a cut-price alternative to that and it's in the form of the CLA-Class, one of the most affordable Mercedes-Benz cars to start with.

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Shooting Brake

Here it is. It's called the CLA-Class Shooting Brake and while this is basically an estate version of the CLA-Class saloon, you can't really tell apart from its looks, performance, and the added practicality of most sport tourers in Europe get. With prices start from 29,810 to 45,660 Euros, you can really afford one for less than twice the price of CLS-Class Shooting Brake. No wait, you can buy two of these for the price of one CLS Shooting Brake. Quite a bargain, right?

But this is still a CLA-Class, meaning that it's still a front-wheel drive car (with an optional 4MATIC) and while it's not as aggressively sporty as other saloons from Mercedes-Benz, it remains one of the most civilized cars to drive. You can drive one on the city streets and on the open roads as well and thanks to its 595 litres of load capacity, there's still more room to fit most of your tailgating snacks on your next soccer match. How's that for practicality?

Like the sedan version, the Shooting Brake has a wide range of petrol and diesel engines available, with the most powerful variant in this model comes with the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine generating 211PS of power and 350Nm of torque, while mated with a 7G-DCT. It does 0-100kph in 6.8 seconds and top speed limited to 240kph.

2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG Shooting Brake

If you're in the mood something hotter than your neighbor's station wagon, there's a Mercedes-AMG CLA45 Shooting Brake. Heavily inspired from its cousins, it comes with a 2.0L turbo engine generating 360PS of power and 450Nm of torque. When mated with a 7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT, it does 0-100kph in 4.8 seconds and top speed normally limited to 250kph. Yes, your suburban neighbors will get shocked when you have a sport tourer with that much power on your next grocery trip.

Anyway, back to the normal Shooting Brake, it's surprisingly comes with the cutting-edge gadgetry which some find it useful on their driving trips. There's COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS with autonomous braking to prevent rear-end collisions, ATTENTION ASSIST, which detects drowsiness, Mercedes connect me, and so much more.

While the new CLA Shooting Brake priced more than its saloon equivalent, it's surprisingly twice the price less than the bigger CLS Shooting Brake so it's definitely a head start if you're in a mood for a luxury car for reasonable prices. If you got one of these, safe to say that you can enjoy the city life as recommended by someone you knew personally or online.

Photo: Daimler AG

There's no giving up for AlDub in latest Kalyeserye!

Photo: Official Eat
Bulaga Facebook page

In the latest Kalyeserye segment of Eat Bulaga, we all though all hope is lost when Yaya Dub is heading on another place while Alden Richards is going to marry Cindy Kournikova just for the sake of her family's businesses in Russia but miraculously, AlDub never gave up hope as they finally managed to meet each other once again backstage!

What happened to Cindy? Well, while she was going downstairs, getting ready for the wedding, she got tripped and when she regained consciousness, she got amnesia! Wow!

While Cindy completely forgot who she is, we were going to see Alden and Yaya kiss each other but eventually, the big hoking horn honks and everyone's on a standstill.

The story of AlDub's getting more exciting than ever and let's expect more of them every Weekdays on Eat Bulaga!

Skoda Fabia Mk.3 Combi

2015 Skoda Fabia Combi

2015 Skoda Fabia Combi

Notably the estate version of the third-generation Skoda Fabia, the Combi still does the same behavior as expected from the hatchback variant even though it has a bigger boot space fit enough for your groceries. Sure it maybe a sport tourer in its own right but the Fabia Combi, like the hatchback equivalent, feels somewhat average. It may not be brilliant to drive but it's not quite dull either.

On the inside, it's still feels just like what you expect on the hatchback version. It maybe bland to look at but it's surprisingly comfortable and you can feel relaxed while you're at it.

In terms of boot space, it's surprisingly the biggest in its segment with its 530L boot capacity (1,395L with the back seat folded), which is 25% more than the previous Fabia Combi. That's big enough to fit a bucket full of fishes after your fishing trip with your friends or family.

Like the hatchback equivalent, the Combi model features high-tech safety features such as Front Assistant with integrated City Emergency Braking Function and the Multi-Collision Brake, Driver Activity Assistant, Speedlimiter, Hill-Hold Control, and electronic tyre pressure monitor. Apart from the safety features, it also comes with the available SmartGate function which works like your smartphone as well as the new MirrorLink where your smartphone can be easily paired and use specific apps that both your phone and the car had.

Under the hood, the Combi comes with a 1.0L MPi, 1.2 TSi, and the 1.4 TDi. The most powerful in the lineup for now is the one with the 1.2 TSi engine developing 110PS of power and 175Nm of torque. With the 7-speed DSG equipped, 0-100kph takes about a moderate 9.6 seconds and a top speed of a not-so-much 199km/h.

Should you buy one? Well, the Fabia Combi starts at 267,900 Kč, which is 28,000 more than the hatchback version but it remains a smart buy for first-timers everywhere who are looking for some practical sport tourer for a reasonable price.

Photo: Skoda Auto a.s.

I AM BUBBLE GANG - 20th anniversary special

The year 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the Philippines' longest running comedy gag show aired on GMA, Bubble Gang, and to commenorate such an extraordinary feat in the history of Philippine television, they've aired a special episode titled I AM BUBBLE GANG, which is covered by the GMA News and Public Affairs team, highlighting the best of Bubble Gang's 20 year history of blowing laughter to the Filipinos worldwide.

Viewers got the chance to see Michael V in his transformation as one of his iconic BG characters, witnessing how this show began as a concept, the ups, the downs, cast testimonies, and so much more, all in the name of Bubble Gang's 20th anniversary.

It's been an honor to have a show like this to last for twenty years and here's hoping that for a longest running show on Philippine TV, we want this show to keep on chewing for longer and fresher as long as there's every Filipino who can't get enough of Bubble Gang.

Until then, happy 20th anniversary, BG!

Forza Motorsport 6: Aussie legends

Australian cars...even though they're reaching the imminent end of car production in the Australian mainland, the world of Australian motoring has so many memories cherished by car enthusiasts living Down Under. The most important of all in the history of Aussie motoring is the long rivalry between General Motors Holden and Ford of Australia because when these two makers got involved in the world of motorsports, the argument about which car maker is the best became a living legend. What we have here is the selection of the best Aussie muscle cars that are heavily involved in the world of Aussie motorsports.



First up is the XB Falcon from Ford. The XB-spec Ford Falcon is the second phase of the third generation of Ford's Australian-made model, which features minor cosmetic differences from the previous XA model. The XB Falcon features different body styles from a saloon, an estate, a ute, a van, and many others. Engine configurations include a 200ci 6-cylinder, a 250ci 6-cylinder, a 302ci V8, and a powerful 351ci V8. Depending on the engine choices, it can be mated with either a 3-speed MT, a 4-speed MT, or a 3-speed AT.

There are numerous special editions of the XB Falcon, including the John Gross Special, which is named after the race driver who won the 1974 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 Touring Car race at Bathurst.

In its involvement in motorsports, a driver named Allan Moffat drove a Falcon to victory in the 1974 Sandown 250 using a GT hardtop model as well as the 1976 Australian Touring Car Championship in the same model and the 1977 Australian Touring Car Championship, using both the XB and the XC Falcons.

The XB Falcon gained fame for being featured as the Pursuit Special in the first Mad Max film in 1979. It was even featured in Eric Bana's documentary, Love the Beast, highlighting his beloved XB Falcon on his 25-year journey.



And now, straight from FM6's eBay Motors Car Pack, is one of the most famous Aussie muscle cars created by Holden for the sole purpose of taking on touring car races against Ford Falcons. It's a Holden LX Torana A9X.

The LX-spec Holden Torana is basically a second phase of the third-generation Holden Torana and this A9X version is a limited-edition model aimed at winning in the Australian Touring Car racing and at the annual Bathurst 1000 touring car race.

Based on the SLR 5000 four-door saloon and the three-door SS hatchback models, the A9X features special features such as a rearward-facing bonnet scoop, rear disc brakes, heavy-duty axles, and a heavy-duty 10-bolt differential. The 308ci OHV V8 engine remains untouched.

Touring car legend Peter Brock put the A9X on the motorsports map by winning the 1977 Hang Ten 400 at Sandown but lost its debut Bathurst race in 1977 by Ford Falcons driven by Allan Moffat and Colin Bond. Later, the A9X was refined and led Peter Brock and Bob Morris to victory in the 1978 and 1979 Australian Touring Car Championships as well as the Bathurst 1000 races.

Both these cars are fierce rivals in the history of the Australian Touring Car Championships. Both are Australian-made, have V8 engines in the front, rear-wheel drive in the back, and some racing pedigree hidden beneath their body styles. Looks like I'm onto something here because what am I going to do with these two is to take them around the Top Gear Track and see which car became dominant in the world of Aussie motorsport history. Your worst nightmare, huh? It's like Peter Brock versus Allan Moffat if you ask me.



In the end, I have the results. The Torana A9X did it in 1:35.396 while the XB Falcon did it in 1:33.772, which means that in the end, Ford remains a dominant force in the world of Aussie motorsports but it's still everyone's argument. Sometimes Ford, sometimes Holden, but in the end, it's all about bitter rivalries that will keep on fighting till the very end.

Let's Do The News! (November 27, 2015)

- In the aftermath of a Russian aircraft shot down by the Turkish forces, causing tensions between the two nations, Russia is set to impose wide-ranging economic sanctions against Turkey. This includes the suspension of plans to build a nuclear plant in Akkuyu and of those to lay a gas pipeline between the two nations.

- Meanwhile, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan demands the Russian government to apologize.

- In the third day of the hearing at The Hague, an expert witness for the Philippines' case against the People's Republic of China said that their reclamation and fishing activities in the West Philippine Sea caused "close to catastrophic" damage to the coral reef system.

- After several months of denial, Davao city mayor Rodrigo Duterte finally formalizes his presidential bid for the May 2016 elections.

- The first two units of FA-50PH fighter jets from South Korea en route to delivery for the Philippine Air Force took off to Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

- The twists are looming in Eat Bulaga's Kalyeserye right now and with Alden and Yaya Dub going to give up on their precious moments, what will tomorrow's episode be the outcome? Is Alden going to marry Cindy? Is Yaya Dub going to another country to do some studying? Will this be the breakup we don't really want? Find out tomorrow!

- Clear the desk, producers! There's a brand new figure courtesy of Good Smile Company's Phat! modeled after THE IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls' Anastasia donned in her LOVE LAIKA outfit. You can book one now for 9,000 Yen (plus tax) and she'll be arriving at your desk this June.

Phat! Anastasia LOVE LAIKA Ver.

- Actor Dingdong Dantes to attend the United Nations' COP21 Climate Change Forum in Paris, France?

- Cesar Montano's reaction to his four-minute kiss with former adult video star Maria Ozawa for the horror movie Nilalang, which is the entry to next month's MMFF, says it was a religious experience.

TTFN!!!