Metro traffic—a way of life

The buzzword nowadays is traffic, traffic and more traffic.

So, what’s new? We have been having horrendous traffic jams whenever the Yuletide Season comes since most of us can remember. As a matter of fact, we have been having traffic jams all throughout the year.

But most of us can’t seem to tire complaining and like the wild west’s gunslingers, are quick to point accusing fingers at whoever can be blamed for the daily traffic mess.

We should also pause and think and try to appreciate the efforts that the government agencies task to manage traffic in the metropolis are exerting day in day out to help alleviate and mitigate the effects of the ever increasing urban population as well as the rapidly increasing number of vehicles in our streets.

Having traffic jams in our metropolis is now a way of life and it seems it will get worse before it gets better—if it gets better. The thing to do is perhaps to adapt to what we can’t do much about, rather than spend our entire day complaining and cursing and blaming. Let’s adjust our lifestyle to what life has for us, like perhaps waking up earlier than usual or adding an hour or two or even three to our anticipated travel time.  

You can also plan on what positive things to do while waiting in line in long traffic queues like reading a book, or bringing a dictionary with you to expand your word bank or even engage in mind-enhancing games on your phones; whatever, but stop complaining. It won’t do you any good.

And with regard to the traffic jams that come with the Christmas season, we can count our blessings. In other countries Christmas comes with traffic jams and snowstorms. Aren’t we lucky?

Merry Christmas!

First ever Cannonball 1000 in the country

It’s happening this January 9—the Cannonball 1000, a novel motorsport event featuring automobiles and motorcycles traversing the scenic routes of Northern Luzon.

The concept of Cannonball 1000 is for the participants to travel a given distance within a given time. Motorized vehicles that have engine displacement of 301cc and above have 24 hours to travel the entire 1,000-kilometer route while motorcycles, scooters and underbones with displacement of 300cc and below need to travel 500 kilometers in 12 hours.

Organized by one of local motorsports’ exponents, multi-titled Joey Almeda, it is expected to attract a huge starting grid at its flag-off venue, the Widus Hotel & Casino in Clark, Pampanga.        

Although the list of participants, which include racing personalities, celebrities, media practitioners and car buffs have swelled early after the event’s announcement, our good friend and badminton peer, Liliana Lopez who forms part of the organizing group said they are still open to all other motor sports and auto enthusiasts who are interested to join. A drivers’ briefing is scheduled on January 2 at the Urdaneta Village Clubhouse.

For more information I suggest you check out the event’s website www.cannonballclub.ph or their Facebook account.

Only for the few

The iconic muscle car that immediately captured the hearts of sports car enthusiasts, especially the muscle car lovers when it debuted in the mid 60s is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. To aptly celebrate this half a century milestone Ford decided to come up with the 50 Years Limited Edition All-New Ford Mustang, in a fitting launch held recently.

Based on the All-New 2015 Mustang, the 50 Years Limited Edition Mustangis only limited to 64 units in the Philippines—only for a very few. It features a unique trapezoidal grille with bright chrome insert (reminiscent of the 1964 model); unique 19-inch premium luster nickel-painted alloy wheels; and chrome surrounds for the tri-bar rear lighting. Finishing off the exterior changes is a commemorative badge at the back. Inside, the 50 Years Limited Edition Mustang gets an exclusive instrument panel badge and special embossments on the sport seats.

“The iconic Mustang continues to attract customers, who are eager to take it for a spin. With the 50 Years Limited Edition All-New Mustang, our customers will get to experience the Mustang on a whole new level.  It’s an instantly classic car that is completely new,” said Kay Hart, the very amiable managing director of Ford Philippines.

The Limited EditionMustang is powered by a single engine choice: the highly potent 5.0-liter V8 that pumps out 435 hp at 6,500 rpm and 542 Nm of torque at 4,250 rpm. This engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic with a manual shift override.

The 50 Years Limited Edition Mustang marks a new chapter of design and performance to its iconic heritage. It’s available in Oxford White, Race Red, Black, Triple Yellow, Competition Orange, and Magnetic Metallic. Deliveries will start in March 2015. The retail price is pegged at P3,099,000.

Elegance and perfection twice over

It was a unique setting for a car launch—the SM Mall of Asia Skating Rink and for good reason.

Guests were treated to a fantastic display of elegance and perfection with the performance of Michael Christian Martinez, the Philippines’s top ice skaterwho’s currently making a name for himself as well as for his country in the international ice skating scene. The well-applauded demonstration of grace and daring was immediately followed by the launch of the 2015 All-New Hyundai Sonata, similarly a classic combination of elegance and perfection.

The all-new 2015 Sonata, presented by Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) is poised to set a new trend in global quality and an epitome of integrity with its four core innovations labeled as RSVP—Run, Stop, Versatility, Protect—features that embody strength from within and beauty from without.

Run - With a Theta II 2.4L MPI DOHC D-CVVT engine under its hood, power is not a question with the 2015 Sonata.  It sports 178 ps while remaining quiet and responsive, delivering 23.3 kg-m of torque. The all-new 2015 model comes with 6-speed Automatic Transmission for drivers to achieve precise and smoother shifts.

Stop - The 2015 Sonata was built and designed with the view to keeping drivers and passengers safe.  One of the new Sonata’s premium safety features is the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), which senses steering wheel movement and applies braking to each wheel independently, preventing skidding even during sudden stops and turns. For even more convenience, the Sonata has an Electric Parking Brake (EPB) that allows drivers the ease of enabling or disabling the parking brakes with a flick of a switch.

Versatility - A car, no matter how powerful or gorgeous, is only as good as the comfort of its drive. This is why Hyundai designed the Sonata with the interaction of man and machine in mind. The Human Machine Interface (HMI) is the ideal behind the design, features, and technological innovation. The Sonata sports an innovative driver seat, which is the result of numerous studies in body pressure distribution, as well as the best materials. The expansive cabin and Panoramic Sunroof of the Sonata gives owners a great sense of freedom driving on a sunny day while luxuriating in the space within. The Smart Key and Smart Trunk complete the premium feel.  If you find yourself with an armful of packages, just stand near the trunk with the Smart Key for three seconds, and the lid automatically opens!

Protect - With Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS), which is twice as strong as ordinary steel, the Sonata’s bending and twisting strength has been reinforced up to 35% and 41%, respectively, compared to the previous model.

There are still a slew of keys to punch in my laptop to describe the all-new Hyundai Sonata but I would suggest you discover them yourself by going to a Hyundai showroom nearest you, and they are located all over the country.

Motoring Today Yearend TV Specials

We have a series of yearend specials for the coming episodes of the TV show Motoring Today (Sundays, 12 noon, Solar Sports, Sky Cable Channel 70, Cignal TV Channel 55). The 2014 World Formula One series in review featuring the spectacular passes and crushes that marked this year’s staging and The Year That Was in Philippine Motoring, which is a look back on the significant motoring events and developments in the country. 

Happy Motoring!!!

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