Remembering 2016: Best of Anime

There has been a strewth of new and returning anime shows throughout the year 2016. From ice skating, to idols, to the edge of tomorrow, to video game-based animes, you name it, you tell them how good  (or bad) this year's anime offerings are and regardless on which way you're watching those shows, you are glad that you are a fan on those anime shows offered in 2016.

In this final part of this yearender, time to jot down the best 16 anime shows of 2016.

1) KONOSUBA - The hilarious adventures of teenager Kazuma Sato and would-be goddess Aqua are highlighted in this anime series where the unlikely duo embarked on a quest to a mysterious world overrun by the powerful demon king.

2) Bakuon! - Targeting bike enthusiasts who love to hit the open road with their fast bikes, this anime centers on the life and times of Sakura Hane, a schoolgirl who became part of her school's bike club and then set off on an epic road trip across Japan with their motorcycles.

3) Mahou Shoujo Nante Mouiidesukara - This bizarrely fun anime series is about an average girl named Yuzuka Hanami who encountered a mysterious creature named Miton and told Yuzuka that she has the makings of a magical girl. Sadly, when Yuzuka transforms, her costume's only a swimsuit.

4) Aikatsu Stars - Served as the successor of the Aikatsu franchise, this new series ventures on the life and times of Yume Nijino, a young girl whose dream is to follow the footsteps of her idol, Hime Shiratori, who was part of the Four Star Academy's elite group of students known as the S4.

5) High School Fleet - A certain someone believe that the main reason why she likes this anime so much is because TrySail did the songs on this naval anime series about a young girls named Akeno on her journey to become one with the Blue Mermaids. This anime is set in a near future when tectonic plates shifted, causing Japan to lost almost all of its land due to submergence, prompting the rise of coastal and marine cities.

6) Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World - This hit anime series of 2016 is about an average schoolboy named Subaru, who ended up on another world and encountered a mysterious girl he rescued. To repay the debt, Subaru is on an adventure to help the mysterious girl find something she's looking for, and that meant he's pushing himself to the edge of tomorrow.

7) Love Live! Sunshine!! - The Love Live Sunshine TV show aired from July to September of 2016 and it centers on the origins of Uranohoshi Girls High's school idol group, Aqours, comprising of Chika Takami, You Watanabe, Riko Sakurauchi, Ruby Kurosawa, Yoshiko Tsushima, Hanamaru Kunikida, Dia Kurosawa, Kanan Matsuura, and Mari Ohara, and how this school idol unit was formed in the hopes of picking up where the famed school idol unit μ's left. There has been some joy, sadness, disgust, anger, and fear felt throughout the show and regardless of the emotions, fans worldwide finally understand who the Aqours really are.

8) New Game! - This slice-of-life anime series centers on the life and times of Aoba Suzukaze, a high-school graduate who enters her life as part of the game company that created her favorite game and working for their upcoming sequel.

9) Mob Psycho 100 - From the creator of One Punch Man, this explosive anime series is about a young man who didn't realize that he has psychic powers and tries to hide his powers from the world until chaos ensues and made him the marked man because of his psychic powers.

10) 91 Days - This suspenseful crime drama anime centers on an town made infamous for the black market sales of illicitly brewed liquor and highlights on the 91-day chronology of the two ill-fated men named Avilio and Nero.

11) Girlish Number - This anime is about Chitose Karasuma, who begins her life anew as a seiyuu filled with dreams, hope, and ambition, although unaware of the harsh reality awaits her voice acting career. With friends and rivals, Chitose's seiyuu life is one heck of a ride for her and this anime is very relative for the voice actors and voice actresses of today.

12) Magical Girl Raising Project - The anime series centers on the life and times of Koyuki Himekawa, a huge fan of magical girls, who was chosen to become the new Magical Girl Snow White of the popular social game until the game has turned into a deathmatch where 16 magical girls are battling themselves until the winner is named.

13) Sound! Euphonium 2 - Sequel to last year's anime series, this anime continues the life and times of Kumiko and her brass band colleagues continue their journey following their win at a certain band competition in Kyoto, facing old pasts and new challenges Kumiko may come across.

14) Pokemon Sun & Moon - A day before the launch of the Sun and Moon games, an anime adaptation of the newest installments was aired on TV Tokyo. In this new series, Ash and his longtime Pokemon Pikachu are venturing through the Alola Region as...yes, a student of the Pokemon School. Throughout this journey, Ash must take on a new kind of challenges throughout the Alola Region while meeting new friends, enemies, and Pokemon.

15) Touken Ranbu Hanamaru - The first of the anime projects based on the popular browser game franchise, this series is about the stories of the Hanamaru days of a certain group of Sword Warriors in a certain citadel. Set in a distant future, it centers on the life and times of men who are forged from swords doing their usual stuff before dispatched through history to stop the History Retrograde Army from altering history. You heard that?

16) Yuri!!! On Ice - Considered as one of the best animes of 2016, this inspirational sports anime is about a Japanese figure skater named Yuri Katsuki, whose life changed forever when a veteran Russian skater Victor Nikiforov became his coach and...um...well, long story short but everyone in the world got hooked on this breakout sports anime show with some "boys love" stuff aboard.

...and there you have it. After all, with so many stuff happened in the year 2016, good or bad, I'm very glad that this year has finally came to an end and turning the page to the year 2017 with new hopes, new challenges, new troubles, new crises, and endless possibilities that will keep the world loud enough to be heard. After all, it's a loud, loud, loud, loud world after all. Everything is possible but if you believe in your faith, your destiny, your luck, and yourselves, here's hoping we can survive the year 2017 unscathed and overcome all our fears here, now, and for many years to come.

Until then...HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017!!!

Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC (W213)

2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC Estate

2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 4MATIC

Car enthusiasts can't hardly wait to get their hands on AMG versions of the latest W213 E-Class but hold it right there. Before you can get your hands on the more powerful E63 AMG, which now comes with the similar 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine as seen on the more powerful AMG GT R, you need to get to know about the AMG version of the new E-Class in the form of the first-ever E43 4MATIC.

Since the SLC43, AMG threw a curve to the world by introducing the 43 moniker, which is a sacrilegious part of their all-out war to ensure that all AMG models are turbocharged, which is a positive and negative thing for the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz. The truth is those cars bearing the 43 moniker are consider to be half-blown AMGs, an entry point for performance car enthusiasts to enter the world of AMG without the hassle of risking their tootie-booties on the road and track. The new E43 is considered as Stage 1 of an AMG-powered E-Class before the more powerful E63 AMG arrives later on. Available in both saloon and estate variants, the E43 is powered by the 3.0L V6 twin turbo engine producing 367PS of power and 520Nm of torque while mated to a 9G-TRONIC gearbox. It can get through 0 to 100kph in 4.6 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph.

As an AMG, the E43 comes with a dedicated sports suspension based on AIR BODY CONTROL for better dynamics as well as the AMG Performance 4Matic system, resulting to a much milder dynamics that won't cause a scorched earth policy on your tootie-booties, although its your arms that feeling the policy because of its grippy characteristics. It can be fun to drive on the track but it's very mild and menacing to throw through the curve and yes, you get some understeering. What this car needs is some patience and with enough patience, you can be sure that you'll be able to uncover the hidden potential of these cars before you can graduate yourselves to the more powerful E63, which is available sadly on a saloon basis. Sorry.

Anyway, the new Mercedes-AMG E43 starts at 75,089 Euros for the saloon and 77,856 Euros for the estate. Sounds very expensive but they are the starting points to understand an AMG-fied W213 E-Class before graduating to the E63. Enjoy your maiden voyage on those!

Photo: Daimler AG

New Mini JCW Clubman (F54)

2017 Mini JCW Clubman

Following the arrival of MINI's brand new and even larger than life Clubman, the one that doesn't even care even when parked alongside the five-door Mini except it has longer wheelbase and the signature doors at the rear apart from the loss of the previous model's club door from the previous model is gone, nothing says taking winter by storm by giving the Clubman a much hotter John Cooper Works model to spruce things up for the new Clubman.

Like any other John Cooper Works models, the new JCW Clubman is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L petrol engine generating 231PS of power and 320Nm of torque as well as race-derived dynamics but unlike today's JCW Minis, the new JCW Clubman comes with the ALL4 control system, which adapts to the road with the ideal blend of power distribution between the front and rear wheels. With its all-weather capabilities and when mated with either a 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed Steptronic gearbox, it can get through 0 to 100kph in 6.3 seconds, making this a quick small wagon built to tackle just about anyone who's feeling under the weather.

While this is a quick Clubman full-stop, it still feels as bulky and mild as today's Mini and even when given with a sports suspension, Brembo sports brake system, Servotronic, and any other features fit under its body, it feels very easy to drive on track days but not good enough to squeeze through tight gaps on cities with tight spots that are deemed to difficult to squeeze through and takes a lot of reversing to squeeze it without damaging it.

If you're consider using it as a car fit for your next night out with your mates, it's still the same Clubman trait fit for you and your friends and because the rear space is slightly more than a normal three-door Mini hatchback, you can fit most of your shopping mall hauls while keeping your pals happy before going to the next point of interest after another, as long as they're not bothered by its sport-tuned suspension that gives them the jitters when you get through the bumps.

The JCW Clubman starts at 37,750 Euros and while this slightly too much for a hotter version of the Clubman, it doesn't hurt to have one in your garage if you want to take a break from driving fast cars on the open roads because if you got some social life with your pals, it doesn't hurt having a hot Clubman until one of yours got bothered by its race-inspired dynamics that will mistake you for a go-kart driver by any day.

Photo: Mini

Remembering 2016: Best of Video Games

You are right and I was wrong. I once believe that the year 2016 would be a great year ever for video games and it can't possibly get better than this but then it did. From a remake of a classic horror shooter, a futuristic battle of the heroes, a band of brotherhood tagging along on an epic road trip of a lifetime, an interstellar warfare of infinite proportions, and new ways to catch and befriend monsters on the go, this year brought us the best and worst in gaming.

So, let's jot down the 16 best games of 2016.

1)  Biohazard 0 HD Remaster - Remastered version of the 2002 prequel chapter of the Biohazard (Resident Evil) saga, fans of the hit survival horror franchise return to the untold chapter that is set before the first one as players take the role of STARS Bravo Team member Rebecca Chambers and escaped convict Billy Coen, taking advantage of their abilities while surviving through the nightmare that uncovers the hidden truth behind the beginning.

2) Quantum Break - By the creators of Alan Wake, Quantum Break offers a unique blend of third-person shooting, decision making, and a live-action drama that pushes the boundaries of time and space for storytelling games available for Windows PC and XBOX One,

3) Uncharted 4: A Thief's End - The long-awaited fourth installment of the ever-popular Uncharted action games developed by the same folks that brought you the popular Crash Bandicoot games sees a much darker turn for treasure hunter Nathan Drake. Sam, his brother, re-emerges and asked Drake to save his life and offer him a quest he wouldn't resist. That meant he's on the search for the long lost treasure of Captain Henry Avery and with his brother, they'll venture through different parts of the globe to search for the legendary treasure.

4) DOOM - The first-person shooter legend is back and for 2016, the legendary FPS game Doom gets a whole new modern twist to this one helluva shooter game that caused a stir on millions of gamers since the original Doom went out on the PC in the mid-90's. Now made for PC and new-generation gaming consoles such as the PS4 and XBOX One, the new Doom is going to be the bloodiest offerings in the summer. Apart from the new storyline as well as multiplayer madness, the new Doom is now more fun than ever thanks to the brand new DOOM SnapMap feature, where players can create maps and objectives, and then share it to the world for them.

5) Overwatch - Blizzard's latest offering is a first-person multiplayer game that is becoming one the most popular games ever launched. In this game, players can choose as one of the heroes while teaming up with other players in series of multiplayer missions that will test their skills and their cooperation against rival teams.

6) THE IDOLM@STER Platinum Stars - While this is mainly a sacrilege for purists everywhere, this PS4-exclusive game marks the new beginning for Bandai Namco's decade-long franchise about raising idols to become superstars. Platinum Stars sees a bold new turn for the 765PRO ALL-STARS as they're undergoing a training camp and you're in charge of nurturing all 13 idols to its true potential. Just like One For All two years ago, Platinum Stars allows players to raise their favorite idols such as Haruka Amami, Yayoi Takatsuki, Makoto Kikuchi, Chihaya Kisaragi, Ritsuko Akizuki, Azusa Miura, Yukiho Hagiwara, Iori Minase, Ami and Mami Futami, Miki Hoshii, Takane Shijou, and Hibiki Ganaha. How you'll live it up to your favorites' expectations is all up to you.

7) Tales of Berseria - The latest mothership title of the two-decade-long Namco Tales franchise, Tales of Berseria, breaks the tradition of past Tales titles because for the first time in Tales history, a heroine will be the star of the new game, under the name of Velvet, a young woman who has a thirst for vengeance following a string of tragic events. Exclusively for the Playstation consoles, PS4 and PS3, this new installment is a Tales game unlike any other, giving a fresh new spin to the two-decade-old franchise that wowed millions of fans, new and veterans alike.

8) Pokemon Go - Since its announcement last year, Pokemon GO is one of the most anticipated smartphone app games the world has ever faced and even though this is one of the many ways to honor Pokemon's 20th anniversary, Pokemon GO gives millions of Pokemon fans from across the globe the chance they've been waiting for; capture Pokemon in the real world just as what they did on video games. As of right now, Pokemon GO offers over a hundred Pokemon as seen on the Red/Green/Blue/Yellow games or as I like to call it, Pokemon that came from the Kanto region. You start off with one of the three starter Pokemons; Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle, and then set off to catch and train Pokemon. As you catch more and more Pokemon, you can level up your trainer and as your trainer level goes high, you can gain access to more powerful items that will be a great use on your journey. Because of such popularity and criticism, we can expect more to come in the Pokemon Go app and in due course, more Pokemon to catch in the real world.

9) Forza Horizon 3 - The Horizon Festival goes Down Under in this latest installment of the Forza Horizon series and unlike any other Horizon Festivals you've been through since the first one, Forza Horizon 3 puts you in charge of Horizon Australia as your goal is to make this Horizon Festival a success while driving a roster of fast cars on Australian roads, a dream come true for the discerning petrolheads living the life of the location ubiquitous for shooting promo videos and commercials on new cars.

10) Assetto Corsa - Following the success of the PC version, Kunos Simulazioni were pleased to bring the popular racing simulator game to PS4 and XBOX One consoles. Following the release of the console versions, the developers behind it announced that they will be bringing Porsches in-game via DLC. Of course, all versions will get these DLC packs based on Stuttgart's finest but the PC versions get them first, followed by PS4, and then (uncertainly) for the XBOX One.

11) Titanfall 2 - Sequel to the 2014 hit game, the latest chapter is offered not just on the XBOX One, but for the first time (and to the annoyance of many Titanfall fans) on the PlayStation4. From its dramatic solo-player storyline and its high-octane multiplayer gameplay, it takes guts to master their pilot and titan skills to overcome this new kind of battlefield.

12) Battlefield 1 - Not to be confused to the original Battlefield Bad Company game, Battlefield 1 aims players a shot through time to relive the First World War in many ways to enjoy this game while blending historic fact and surreal fiction in the most spectacular way while delivering the same Battlefield thrills as the other installments.

13) Call of Duty Infinite Warfare - The classic Call of Duty action as experienced in most games boldly goes where no warfare has gone before as Infinite Warfare brings the surreal warfare action into the solar system. With the intense solo-player campaign, enjoyable multiplayer, and the Zombies game most fans loved, this franchise has already evolved to the maximum level.

14) Pokemon Sun & Moon - This is the biggest birthday gift to honor 20 years of Pokemon. In this new installment, players emerge through the tropical Alola region where they can catch, trade, and battle new Pokémon around the region, pass through trials, avert a major threat, and become the island challenge champion.

15) FINAL FANTASY XV - The long-awaited installment from the hit JRPG franchise gives a new start for new and returning fans many. Because of the extensive advertising used to promote this game, it even features two prologues to up the ante such as the KINGSGLAIVE FINAL FANTASY XV film and the BROTHERHOOD FINAL FANTASY XV anime series. As Prince Noctis and his friends, he's on an epic grand tour in the world of Eos in search of many secrets while racing against time to save the Kingdom of Lucis from the uprising that marked him dead alongside his father, King Regis.

16) Yokai Watch 3 Sushi/Tempura/Sukiyaki - The latest installment of Level 5's hit video game franchise marks the game's debut of new American Yokais such as USAPyon, Tomnyan, K. Koma, K. Jiro, and many other new Yokais, including King Enma and Nurarihyon. In these new installments, Keita Amano (Nate Adams) and Jibanyan are going to the USA while Inaho and USAPyon stay in Japan in search for more yokais doing annoying habits. With two worlds, two heroes, new yokais, one story, what could possibly go wrong?

There are many good games ever launched in 2016, but let's leave it here.

Ferrari GTC4Lusso

About five years ago, Ferrari rattled the supercar world with the FF, featuring Ferrari's very own four-wheel drive system which the power is distributed between the left and right sides of the rear and front axle for superior grip unlike other 4WD sports cars. In terms, it's not like the Nissan GT-R you're familiar with. Now, Ferrari's first 4WD sportscar has been given a fresh new look and a new name. Meet the new GTC4Lusso.

2017 Ferrari GTC4Lusso

This new Ferrari GTC4Lusso looks almost nearly identical to the old FFit replaces but there's one major difference you should know about. Like the LaFerrari, the 488 GTB, and the F12tdf, the new GTC4 Lusso joins to the new batch of Ferraris that are no longer Pininfarina-designed and they are designed in-house by the Ferrari Styling Centre, thus resulting to a new front face and the new taillight design that really differentiates it from the old FF, which is Pininfarina-designed.

The biggest change ever happened on the GTC4Lusso is that it now comes with two different variants types for the first time. First, there's the one with the 6.3 L F140 V12 engine that produces 690PS of power 697Nm of torque, resulting to its 3.4 seconds of 0-100kph time and 345kph of top speed. Apart from the engine upgrade, Ferrari's four-wheel drive system has been revised, promising better handling even on low-grip surfaces and superb stability and responsiveness in all conditions, making it a multirole full stop. The second one, and this is the obvious bunch, there's now a rear-wheel drive GTC4 Lusso with the same 3.9 L F154 V8 twin turbo as the 488 GTB, producing 610PS of power and 760Nm of torque, that's more torque than its V12 equivalent but it's close because of its 3.5 seconds of 0-100kph time and 320kph of top speed.

So, a choice of either a four-wheel drive V12 model or a new rear-wheel drive turbocharged model sounds more of a hunch by some but if anyone can drive both of these variants, it's easy to feel the difference between the two. On the one with the four-wheel drive system and V12, you can see that all that added power from its V12 engine and its brand new 4RM-S really shows that it has gained a lot after five years but better get yourself focused because while this new four-wheel drive system keeps the car within reach on any road surfaces, your numbness while driving is not relevant because it takes guts to wrestle this kind of machine on the snow and on the beach. On the one with the rear-wheel drive and V8 turbo engine on it, the multirole has became a fighter because while it lost its ability to get through slippery road conditions, its weight loss results for some added challenge for the driver who demands more. Best to stay focus while driving this one though because if things get rough, start praying because on the scale of easy to extreme, this is way higher than extreme because being rear-wheel drive, wheelspin starts and oversteering is very likely and you need to have a decent strategy to master this new kind of GTC4Lusso.

Well, if you got three hundred grand in your bank account, now's the perfect time to get yourself interested with the GTC4Lusso, regardless of which variant you'll choose. If you want some all-weather driving, go for the one with the 4WD and V12 on it, but if you are a driver who demands more, try the lesser one with the V8 and rear-wheel drive. Yes, the one with the V8 and rear-wheel drive can be considered the lesser one but to those who experienced it and braved through its torture, they believe that the one with the V8 engine and rear-wheel drive is more enjoyable and yes, you can turn it into a smoke grenade for the fun of it as long as you don't live in the Oceania where turning cars into smoke grenades is against the law.

Photo: Ferrari

Remembering 2016: Best of Sports

Last minute failures, last minute successes, historic wins, historic firsts, scandals, retirements, returns those are the many things that changed sports in the year 2016 and it has been one heck of a ride for athletes from all corners of the world.

So, what are the 16 best of sports in the year 2016?

1) The 50th Super Bowl match is by no means the most historic of all the past Super Bowl matches since the first Super Bowl occurred in the 60's and with the match between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers, this was one heck of a match that, of course, will be written in the American football history books. At the score of 24-10, the Denver Broncos won the historic match against the Carolina Panthers, all thanks to their questionable but rough offensive and defensive strategies pulled by the Broncos' finest players. The Panthers did well but they were lacking much effort, even for the star player Cam Newton himself.

2) Having returning from the 0-3 deadlock against the Alaska Aces, the San Miguel Beermen shows that it ain't over until they snagged the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup title. At the seventh and the final game, the San Miguel Beermen made a historic comeback from a 0-3 hole to win the best-of-seven title series. Thanks to the efforts of the team's finest including Chris Ross, Arwind Santos, and June Mar Fajardo, their latest win marks the 22nd in the franchise history. The team now scored three of the last four championships in the PBA.

3) After a 13 year drought, the England Rugby team won the Grand Slam title at the 2016 RBS 6 Nations championship.

4) In what was supposed to be his final battle before he supposedly retire from position to pursue his senatorial status, Manny Pacquiao's third and final match against Tim Bradley truly is his final battle before his inevitable retirement from his career. The two boxing adversaries faced each other twice and they did it for the last time as these primed fighters thrown everything they got to ensure that this trilogy reached its climax. At the end of this 12-round battle to what is known to be Pacquiao's last fight of his career, the fighting pride of the Philippines won the match against Bradley...twice via unanimous decision.

5) The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters triumphed the PBA Commissioner's Cup championship after Game 6 victory against the Alaska Aces at the score of 109-92 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Apart from the team's unorthodox win, Elasto Painters' Paul Lee was named as MVP for his four 3-point shots and finished with 20 points scored.

6) Farewell to The Greatest. Muhammad Ali, an Black American boxer who was legendary for his unbiased fighting style that defeated some of the most mightiest boxers in his career, passed away at the age of 74. Born as Cassius Marcellus Clay in January 17, 1942, Ali is a native in Louisville, Kentucky and he began his boxing career at the age of 12. The reason why he changed his name to Muhammad Ali is because he joined the Black Muslims. Ali became a legend ever since he defeated some of the most mightiest boxers in his career such as Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman, but all the endless fights he endured cost him his life and suffered some head injuries. Because of his "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" fighting style, his career record consists of 56 wins, five losses, and 37 knockouts.

7) The rematch between the two teams at the 2016 NBA Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, became one heck of a catch up to the seven-game fight for the title. We all thought that it would be the Warriors' time to shine to score another win but following the 3-1 deficit, looks like the Cavaliers are fighting back to score enough wins to take on the seventh and the final game of the 2016 NBA Finals. Had Lebron James, the Cavs' ace in the hole, didn't sacrifice himself by slight injuries to trigger a foul, the Warriors would have given the edge to prevent them from scoring its historic win. Well, because of LeBron James, the Cavs scored their first major championship for the city of Cleveland since the Browns in 1964.

8) The doping scandal has been the main topic on the year 2016 and it hit the Russian athletes very hard, thanks to the World Anti-Doping Agency's revelations that state-run doping in Russia is the main reason why Russian athletes kept winning so many games than any other countries.  Despite the lack of evidence, the publication led on the ban on Russian athletes from taking part in international competitions including the Rio 2016 Olympics and a ban on all Russian Paralympic Team from participating in the major sports event of 2016.

9) While the Rio 2016 Olympics is floured in an endless wave of controversies, it became one of the biggest events occurred in the South American country. After two weeks of all the joy, sadness, disgust, anger, and fear everyone around the world felt upon witnessing the Rio 2016 Olympics, Team USA scored the most medals than China, UK, and controversially, Russia, therefore they are the proud winners of the Rio 2016 Olympics. Believe it or not, Hidilyn Diaz from the Philippines won the silver medal on weightlifting.

10) For the first time since 1908, the Chicago Cubs scored their very first World Series win against the Cleveland Indians despite the opponents' 3-to-1 lead. At the score of 8-7, the Cubs made history.

11) "Prince" Albert Pagara faced his first career loss after being KO-ed by Mexican Cesar Juarez at the eighth round of the "Fists of the Future" match

12) Six out of seven games, more than enough to put the epic close battle between the two PBA teams; the Barangay Ginebra and the Meralco Bolts, to a conclusion and with a very close score of 91 to 88, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel team made a saved-by-the-bell victory to clinch the Governor's Cup title. One of the most epic parts in the final moments of this game is when the clock is nearing zero while both of the teams scored 88 points each, a miraculous last-second three-point shot from BGSM's number 32, import player Justin Brownlee, made the final seconds of the game into a historic achievement for BGSM after a close match against the Bolts.

13) Everyone thought that after defeating Timothy Bradley a couple of months ago for the third and final time, we might imagine that this is really the end for Manny Pacquiao's boxing career now that he's spending his life as a politician in the Philippine Senate, but seeing him defeating Jessie Vargas, a world welterweight champion, proved us wrong. Very wrong.  Pacquiao tries to prove that the legend still lives in a 12-round fight held at the Wynn Las Vegas, Nevada, and by winning via unanimous decision, this is a definite proof that the legendary Manny Pacquiao still lives, even though he's on a very different position for himself.

14) It was the 13th of April, 2016, when LA Lakers' Kobe Bryant played his last game against the Utah Jazz with them until his retirement. Fans of the legendary Black Mamba are savoring the best for last and Kobe's 60-point finale, that propelled the Lakers to a win against the Jazz, made his name consigned to the basketball history books. He will be remembered by fans as one of the all-time legends in the history of NBA.

15) The 79th season of the UAAP sees the La Salle Green Archers' rise to dominance from their first loss in 17 games. With the powerhouse of Ben Mbala, Aljun Melecio, and MVP Jeron Teng, the Archers' win against the long-time rival Ateneo Blue Eagles shows that they're still the kings of the UAAP.

16) Following last year's loss, the San Beda Red Lions are roaring back in the 2016 National Collegiate Athletic Association championship and after their victory against the Arellano University Chiefs via an 83-73 win in Game 2 at the MOA Arena, the Red Lions achieved the redemption they truly deserved to get back the NCAA crown.

Of course, there are many great sports stuff ever happened in the 2016, but let's leave it here.

Aston Martin DB11

2017 Aston Martin DB11

Served as the replacement to the DB9, Aston Martin's brand new grand tourer, the DB11, marks the new chapter of the British sportscar maker's centennial history by peppering in some new and familiar elements an Aston would offer.

2017 Aston Martin DB11

Starting with the way it performs and for the first time in Aston's centennial history, the first ever DB11's V12 has now been miniaturized and turbocharged so this brand new 5.2L V12 Twin Turbo engine produces 608PS of power and 700Nm of torque, capable of getting through 60mph in less than four seconds and onwards to over 200mph, while mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox that doesn't behave like the jerkier double clutch gearboxes of today's sportscars. Although the turbocharged engine sounds too artificial but the power output is smooth for a grand tourer. Take it on the open roads and you can see that the new DB11 behaves in a serene grace with a sunnier disposition. You can really tell why this car is mainly focused for this kind of job because while this is a serene grand tourer full-stop, breaking its limits on the track is the harshest thing to do.

Yes, the DB11 maybe a luxury grand tourer but as a sportscar, it's about as shameless as slashing the Neo-Victorian dress into the shortest skirt possible. Because this car comes with Electric Power Steering and Torque Vectoring, breaking the DB11 beyond limits is something you are daring to accomplish at, no matter which racetrack you're going at. While this car is not designed to break lap times in a jiffy, it's still an enjoyable experience to understand what the new DB11 can do for you.

2017 Aston Martin DB11 interior

2017 Aston Martin DB11

So far as styling, the DB11's design balances the things that are right with the things that are wrong. Sure, the design is rather an improvement compared to the DB9, there's still wrong about how it looks. The rear view isn't the least of the problem but the interior is what puzzles anyone because it looks like a normal car interior with a sat-nav sourced from Mercedes-Benz due to its newly-found partnership. While this maybe called a sportscar, the interior doesn't look sporty for some and it feels as common as compacts on the city center.

The biggest problem with the DB11 is its pricing and with prices start at 154,900 Pounds, that sounds very costly to own but on the upside, you can afford one if your budget couldn't afford those ultra-expensive Italian exotics, especially Ferrari's F12berlinetta. Despite its high price, the DB11 marks a smooth renaissance for Aston Martin and it signal the start of something new for the British carmaker but it's going to be a risky challenge now that UK is no longer with the European Union by majority. Let's see how far can this new Aston can go to this new world order.

Photo: Aston Martin