Saturday, August 28, 2010

Heiwa to Kazuhira no Blues - What is it all about?

I saw something added on the line-up of MGSPW items:


If I look down on that page, I noticed that Peace Walker will have a Drama CD as what Hideo Kojima announced earlier that month. It's not just a Drama CD, they'll also have two character songs included, plus BGMs never before released in the Original Soundtrack.

Two character songs will be led by Akio Otsuka (as Snake) and Tomokazu Sugita (as Kazuhira "Kaz" Miller), so if you guys haven't heard of it, this will come out on this CD this fall.

Akio Otsuka, as Snake, will sing "Showa Blues" and Tomokazu Sugita, as Miller, will sing "Minato no Yoko Yokohama Yokosuka", making fans more interesting.

Hope I can pre-order that CD...


....Baklang Grasa once again...

Last night's Bubble Gang hit us with gags telling them "why did they stopped doing things in the bed?", a news report regarding some we called it "kontra sarili", how do soldiers say when one soldier is down, a little girl meets an orphaned little girl, abducted woman hiding in the closet (?), MoyMoy Palaboy and Roadfill gone heavy metal on IyoTube (please tell me what title of the song played on that segment), a puppet for a make-up, and some MMK-style drama.

On that night's episode, you've guessed it, another Oily and Greasy misfit in Baklang Grasa. In that part, Oily and Greasy compete in a beauty pageant (that is, oh come on, a pageant for beggars, LOL).

Guess Oily and Greasy never been funny than the highly intellectual beggars from "Muchas Grasas".

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Suzuki New Swift (ZC72S)

2011 Suzuki Swift (ZC72S)

Slated for Japanese sales this September, the sixth-generation Suzuki Swift (Third-generation in the JDM category) was made to be an honest eco-car not just for Japan, but also for the rest of Asian and European markets. While the Swift Sports variant is just an issue of the past, most Suzuki enthusiasts will have to make do with just the regular version. The Swift's exterior was just an improved look of the previous generation with the side view that is similar to the Nissan Juke. On the rear view, the new Swift achieved a sexier curve, leaving the Toyota Passo and the Nissan March wave their white flags because the new Swift's attractive design beats the odds of these Japanese compacts.

On the inside, the Swift uses the interior found on Suzuki's medium sedan, the Kizashi. Once you get inside on the new Swift, you might have a split-second decision which is which because the Swift's interior is similar to the Kizashi. Who knows, this Kizashi-style interior will be outfitted to future Suzuki models as we say it.

With its styling cues, the new Suzuki Swift comes with the breakthrough K12B engine that produces a power output of 91PS/6,000rpm and the torque output of 12.0kg・m/4,800rpm. When armed with the 5-speed manual, the fuel efficiency will be 21.0km/L but with the CVT equipped on the new Swift, the fuel efficiency reaches to an optimum 23.0km/L. Not bad for an eco-car, outwitting the fuel efficiency of the Toyota Passo, but not well enough to fight the Nissan March because its fuel efficiency is way beyond compare.

My thoughts about the Swift:
With this compact having just the decent details, and with the Swift Sports variant coming very very soon, this Swift was made to be a decent competitor to the new Toyota Passo and the new Nissan March. Think about it, will Suzuki Philippines bring the new Swift here? The answer has a 60:40 fold, it may or it may not come but this compact is a perfect alternative to the Toyota Yaris and the Honda Jazz (Fit in other countries). Oh the contrary, you do not need to show her how the Swift's paddle shifters work, because she knows how you handle the new Swift well. The new Suzuki Swift will be available in Japan this September and the rest of the world sometime.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Gemballa re-birth

Despite Uwe Gemballa's whereabouts still unknown yet, Gemballa starts over from day one thanks to the new owner named Andreas Schwarz.

Full scoop:

AWWRIGHT! It's good to have our favorite Porsche tuner back on track thanks to its replacement owner.

With Gemballa's back, they're now working on tuning more Porsche cars, as well as the new Cayenne models.


I wonder what will the new Gemballa do with the new Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid? Find out soon!

...and oh, it's good to have the Gemballa brand back, despite the owner still missing.


Photo: Porsche

Kaichou Wa Maid Sama! Maid Latte Songs

Kaichou Wa Maid Sama! Maid Latte Songs

Don't worry, it's not the omuraisu with the words Misaki Ayuzawa squirted it out with ketchup and says ウザイ (uzai, annoying) in front on the TV sets, this is way better than her trademark tsundere omuraisu. Geneon Universal Entertainment presents the Maid Latte Songs from the hit anime, Kaichou Wa Maid Sama! (日本名: 会長はメイド様!) This CD is packed with six Maid Latte songs that will bring listeners straight to the Maid Latte and take a gander on Misaki Ayuzawa's tsundere omuraisu. First track led by Misaki Ayuzawa (CV: Ayumi Fujimura), the second will led by Satsuki (CV: Aki Toyosaki), number three will led by Honoka (CV: Kana Asumi), track four will led by Subaru (CV: Kana Ueda), the fifth will led by Erika (CV: Mariya Ise), and the last will be all of the Maid Latte maids. Does it ring a bell? Maybe I would take an order of one omuraisu and tell her to write down how does she feel and it will say ウザイ (uzai, annoying). This is a must-have for the Maid-sama fan.

Letter from a teenager regarding the bloody terror happened since August 23 (and a big thanks to...)

August 23, 2010. This date marks the bloody terror of a hostage taker (a former cop) taking siege on the bus full of Chinese tourists from Hong Kong. Now that Hong Kong issued a travel warning against the Philippines (would other countries follow the same fate as Hong Kong?), most people, local and foreign, would never forget such a bloody terror that sparked a worldwide attention.

Hours after the bloody terror, a Filipino teenager wrote a letter regarding what would the Philippines happen after the incident.

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…

And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE

Sincerely yours,

Reigno Jose Dilao


Just what he said, we, Filipinos, are not like the ex-cop turned hostage taker, and we are apologizing for the loss. It's not our fault.

Despite all this, on the lighter side, I would like to give thanks to Ms. Philippines, Maria Venus Raj. She was one of the top 5 contestants of the Ms. Universe pageant happened yesterday at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.


Hmm... 4th-runner-up. Not bad. Still, she was one of the top 5, which Ms. Mexico, Jimena Navarrete took the no. 1 spot and henceforth she's the champion.

(Clap...Clap...Clap...)

At least Ms. Philippines made it on the top 5! Hooray!

From a bloody hostage crisis, to a Philippine beauty made it on one of the top 5 candidates, here's to show that in the Philippines, there is beauty outside the battle.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Melai's tips to prevent carjacking....

On last night's Banana Split; a showbiz edition of Balitang Siksik covered most on the latest in Philippine showbiz or spoofing it, jokes involve on robbery and hardware store, another Pinoy-Italian-Japanese sentence-swapping on Tongue Tarang Tongue, and Melai Cantiveros' crazy tips to prevent carjacking on the segment called M3: Melai Mo Magwork. On that segment, Melai told us five crazy but working tips to prevent a bad case of carjacking.

5. Find an old car and paint it like a cop car. (Would that be possible?)

4. Park a car next to a car more expensive than your car. (Eh?)

3. Place a fake bomb on the car. If a carnapper hijacks a car, he might run away, thinking there's a bomb ready to blow! (If I own a car, where would I buy such a novelty item?)

2. When you leave a car, be sure to bring the steering wheel with you. (Hey, you quoted that part from Mr. Bean)

and 1. Wear fishnet stockings on your head and when the carnapper tries to steal it, he thinks you were one of the carnappers. (Eh? But how?)


Those tips are weird but M3 (Melai Mo Magwork) if used effectively.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

MINI Countryman

MINI Countryman

It may be its first crossover utility vehicle that defies the MINI nameplate, but the MINI Countryman is built for the most active people who are getting used to their active lifestyles, especially from work.

The design of the MINI Countryman was based on the MINI Crossover Concept as seen on the 2008 Mondial D' Automobile at Paris, France, taking a new approach from the MINI lineup consisting from the original, the cabriolet, and the odd-looking Clubman. If looks can be distinctive, the MINI Countryman has three different forms; the base One variant offers an entry-level experience, suited for the starters while the Cooper variant offers a balance of sportiness and cuteness inside and out. The flagship Cooper S variant offers the best looks and it comes with MINI's first ALL4 four-wheel drive system, which brings excitement to the next level.

To add fun for the MINI Countryman, the interior comes with the multi-functional center rail that allows its amenities to be slided, great for those who are hungry for sushi and ask them for your order, then slided for you. Aside from the center rail, the MINI Countryman is the first MINI to have five doors for easy access.

On the MINI One Countryman, this base variant comes with a petrol (98 PS) engine, and the diesel (90 PS) engine. The Cooper variant also comes with the petrol (122 PS) engine and the diesel (112 PS) engine. The flagship Cooper S Countryman is available only with the high-performance, turbocharged, direct-injection, four-cylinder petrol engine with 184 PS of power output.

Most car enthusiasts prefer the Cooper S variant because of such sporty performance thanks to the turbocharged engine but for those who are interested in eco-cars prefer the MINI One variant because of its fuel efficiency.

My thoughts about the Countryman:


From the airport, the countdown before the baby's unexpected jingle, the sushi bar, to sheep's clothing, this MINI is all-round fun no matter which situation you are facing while having fun with the brand's first dedicated crossover utility vehicle. If I would choose between the MINI Countryman and the BMW X1, I would rather switch to the X1 because of the luxury amenities offered. If the pricing is the issue on these two, the MINI Countryman is a winner because of the suggested retail price of 20,200 Euros for the MINI One Countryman to 29,440 Euros for the MINI Cooper S Countryman with ALL4. This car will be on sale all over Europe this September and as expected, the MINI Countryman will come to our shores if MINI Global City announced when this crossover would come to our shores. I am sure that this crossover will come late next year or sooner.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Kaichou Wa Maid Sama Character Concept CD Series

With the Maid-sama manga and anime shared a decent success for both teens and adults, Geneon Universal Entertainment spreads the Maid-sama enjoyment with these Character Concept CDs based on the perception of our favorite Maid-sama characters, from Misaki Ayuzawa, Takami Usui, and the rest.

The Maid-sama storyline changes quickly, as so from the comments coming out from the fans. With these Character Concept CDs, fans will be tremble themselves for more Maid-sama fun as from what they saw on TV. There are different Maid-sama sides to take place with your faithful ears, something to chill out from watching Maid-sama episodes.

1) School Side features a audio drama and two songs fresh from Misaki Ayuzawa (CV: Ayumi Fujimura) with Sakura Hanazono (CV: Kana Hanazawa) and Shizuko Kaga (CV: Yu Kobayashi)

Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama Character Concept CD 1 - School Side

2) Maid Side features another audio drama and songs from Misaki Ayuzawa again and Aoi Hyodo (CV: Hiromi Igarashi)

Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama Character Concept CD 2 - Maid Side

3) Maid Side 2 continues where Maid Side left off and songs from our favorite Maid Latte maids, Satsuki (CV: Aki Toyosaki) and Honoka (CV: Kana Asumi)

Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama Character Concept CD 3 - Maid Side 2

4) For the teenage boys, Another Side welcomes them with a fresh new audio drama and songs from the 3 Baka Trio Brothers (CV: Mitsuhiro Ichiki, Takuma Terashima, and Yoshimasa Hosoya) and Takami Usui (CV: Nobuhiko Okamoto) himself.

Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama Character Concept CD 4 - Another Side

5) Another Side 2 is the last part of the Maid-sama Character Concept CD series, packed with the finale and songs from Shoichiro Yukimura (CV: Kazuyoshi Shibashi) and Hinata Shintani (CV: Atsushi Abe)

Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama Character Concept CD 5 - Another Side 2

Availability:
1) School Side - May 26, 2010
2) Maid Side - June 23, 2010
3) Maid Side 2 - July 22, 2010
4) Another Side - Same date as Maid Side 2
5) Another Side 2 (Final) - August 25, 2010

My comment: With the Maid-sama storyline gone M3 (malay mo ma-develop), and the exciting appeal from our favorite Maid-sama characters, these Character Concept CDs are great enough to get to know more about your favorite Maid-sama characters.

Samurai Code (Toyota Mark X Special Drama)

Samurai Code


To up the ante of Toyota Mark X's slogan "Samurai X", the special drama titled Samurai Code aired in TV Tokyo from January to March 2010, and streamed to Japan's GyaO! site.

In Samurai Code, Koichi Sato (The Magic Hour, Amalfi: Megami No Hoshu) played the role of the fictitious Wise Coleman Funds senior director, Kohei Sudo, as he negotiates this company in the brink of the global financial crisis. With the Urban Sun Square project needed a lot of funding, will Kohei Sudo negotiate before its too late? This mission is not going to be easy for him, as he goes through different perspectives against his rival, the senior director of Credit Stars, Hajime Makimura (played by Shingo Tsurumi). Their unlikely past between them and a woman named Kaori Seto (played by Manami Honjo) became a thing in their past. As the story progresses, Sudo deals with his boss, the Wise Coleman Funds director of Asian affairs, Akira Kutsuwada (played by Takeo Nakahara) because of the reason what happened to this company.

My favorite part on Samurai Code is the part where Sudo questioning Makimura with his strong expression after they got off the Toyota Mark X (model shown: 250G S Package, chassis code: GRX130). that part really got it interesting, as for Sato-san's unbelievably strong expression on Samurai Code. The background concept of this drama defines the concept of faith, trust, and responsibility for Koichi Sato's role of a fictitious senior director. With the participation of two X-Girls (Yuno Nakazono as Miki Akiyama and Chigusa Takaku as Hitomi Tsujimoto), and one of Japan's most respectful artists, Samurai Code made JDM fans the most interesting mini-series to see.

CAST:

Koichi Sato as Kohei Sudo, the senior director of Wise Coleman Funds

Shingo Tsurumi as Hajime Makimura, Sudo's rival and the senior director of Credit Stars

Manami Honjo as Kaori Seto, a woman from both Sudo and Makimura's past.

Sawa Suzuki as Shoko Itakura, the Wise Coleman Funds fund manager with a strict personality.

Yuno Nakazono (who passed the X-Girl auditions) as Miki Akiyama, one of Wise Coleman Funds employees.

Munetaka Aoki as Shinji Mototani, the Wise Coleman Funds fund manager. He's different from Shoko.

Chigusa Takaku (who passed the X-Girl auditions) as Hitomi Tsujimoto, one of Wise Coleman Funds employees.

Takeo Nakahara as Akira Kutsuwada, the Wise Coleman Funds director for Asian operations.

STAFF:

Directed by: Eiichiro Hasumi

Screenplay: Kenya Hirata

Music: Kenji Kawai

Production work: Dentsu

Produced by: ROBOT

Japan DVD Sale: August 18, 2010

Distribution: Pony Canyon

Carmaker made possible for this drama: Toyota Motor Corporation

Skoda Fabia II RS

2011 Skoda Fabia II RS Hatch and Kombi
                                                

The year 2010 marks the return of the Skoda Fabia's flagship variant, the RS (commonly called vRS), changes the game in the world of sport compacts. With the Volkswagen Polo V gained its much-awaited GTi variant, Volkswagen's Czech arm, Skoda, has a few different tricks to its sleeves. Following with the Fabia II entering its second phase, the Skoda Fabia II brings back the RS variant that dates back to the first-generation Fabia.

The new Skoda Fabia II RS comes in hatchback and Kombi and it comes with the same engine you normally seen on the VW Polo V GTi, the super turbo (a turbocharger and supercharger fused into one) 1.4 TSi engine producing 180HP of power output that is about the same as the Polo V GTi. While the Polo V GTi has the 7-speed DSG, the Skoda Fabia RS also comes with the 7-speed DSG as well! Talk about these two hot hatches separated at birth but share the same knowledge!

With the same suspension, same technology, and same expertise, what differentiates the Skoda Fabia II RS to its siblings? With the Seat Ibiza Cupra's pricing is 23,540 Euros (about over 3.8 Million Pesos) and the Polo GTi's pricing is about 22,500 Euros (about 3.5 Million Pesos), the Fabia II RS hatch's suggested retail price is 21,890 Euros (that is about 3.35 Million Pesos) and 22,490 Euros (3.49 Million Pesos) for the Kombi grade. This kind of Fabia is the cheapest alternative to the VW Polo V GTi and the Ibiza Cupra you can get. This car declares checkmate against all odds but one question is would it be enough to tackle the likes of the Renault Sport Clio/Lutecia?

My thoughts about the Fabia RS:
The pricing of these VW-engineered blood brothers reached its agitation point because the Fabia RS's SRP is cheaper than the Polo GTi and the Ibiza Cupra, despite these three hot hatches shared the same frame, same technology, same engine, and same expertise. Most European men who are willing to purchase the Polo V GTi may think twice because the Fabia RS's pricing will tempt them to buy this Czech wonder. The Fabia RS is the second of the Skoda RS line-up carried from the medium-sized Octavia sedan and Kombi.

Photo: Volkswagen Group

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Akumajo Dracula (Castlevania): Harmony Of Despair

The classic Akumajo Dracula (Castlevania in the world market) video game gets remixed for the first time available as a downloadable game exclusively for the XBOX 360 console, and boy, could this game be any fun than this either by yourself or co-op with pals worldwide?

If you had it with your PSP's Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker, you might grab your XBOX 360 controller and if your have 1200 Microsoft Points, you should try Akumajo Dracula (Castlevania): Harmony Of Despair. On this game, you and your friends worldwide take against monstrous foes, solve puzzles, and even take on the king of darkness himself, Dracula. So what more would you ask for?

Seems this Dracula game is a whole new gimmick for the video game enthusiasts and fans of this series because up to six players fight cooperatively in areas as seen on classic Akumajo Dracula/Castlevania games. At start, players can choose from their favorite Akumajo Dracula/Castlevania heroes, each with their different style of fighting. Once they were ready, it's on!

Good strategies, good camaraderies, and a good sense is required to master the whole Harmony of Despair game because this game might be troublesome if you're solo. Only a help of your online buddies can do the thing for you and once more, Konami plans for more DLC for this game for added challenge and added excitement for fans.

NOTE: This game is available exclusively on XBOX Live from your XBOX 360 console for the cost of 1200 Microsoft Points.