Built to Thrill: Nissan Juke launch at Whitespace Manila (October 6, 2015)

Last October 6, 2015, I was invited by Ms. Roselle Toledo to witness the launch of Nissan's new model: the Juke. The event was held in Whitespace Manila, a posh air-conditioned tent located in Makati. Upon arriving in the tent, we were treated to a sumptuous buffet by the company. However, the crowd was anticipating something even greater: the look and feel of this new crossover vehicle that will make waves next year in the country.

The event place was also inclusive of the displays of other new Nissan releases in the market. These included the executive sedan called the Sylphy, the rugged Navara, the spacious Urvan, and the imposing Patrol.

Also Mr. Antonio Zara and Mr. Huh, both executives of Nissan, introduced the new crossover. They told the audience about their past experiences with the Nissan brand, and how their cars evoked their deepest sentiments and feelings.

First launched in Japan in 2010, the new Nissan Juke immediately captured the attention of the global automotive scene because of its fun, bold design, and exciting driving performance. In March 2014, the minor change Nissan Juke was unveiled in the Geneva International Motor Show, bringing an even more refreshed take on the eye-catching vehicle. The minor change model was then brought into the South East Asia having first introduced in Thailand in February 2015 and since then, it has been making its mark in the region.

The Juke is a mix of an SUV and a sports car design that exemplifies both a tough and sleek image. This design is underpinned by high-tech mechanical features that make it an agile contender in the crossover market. Also the car's appearance and build give it a bold and eye-catching look on the road.

The Juke's aesthetic features include a boomerang LED combination lamps set high upon the hood, complimenting the large round headlamps.  Nissan’s signature V-grille, coupled with an under guard intake, further enhance the sportiness of the crossover's exterior.

Raked front pillars open up a large windshield area for improved all-around visibility, while a sloped rear roofline combines with its muscular lower body sides to emphasize its strength and sportiness. Embedded rear door handles in the rear pillars recall the design of a 2-door sports coupe.   On the ground, 17-inch alloy wheels gives added boldness and power to the new Nissan Juke’s overall design. Together, these elements add to the aerodynamics of the new Nissan Juke for an enhanced driving experience.

The Juke's interior is composed of radical character lines and hooded gauges on the center console add to the bold nature of the vehicle. Sport-bolster driver and passenger seats, which keep the rider’s body in place when in motion and a diving fin inspired door trim design, add to the new Nissan Juke’s sporty personality.

The new Nissan Juke’s also offers enough space for five passengers to fit in comfortably. A fold-down 60/40-split bench rear seat and flat load floor can be configured as needed in order to accommodate groceries, sports gear, luggage or people.

The tech also doesn't disappoint. The Crossover features the new intelligent control display called the Integrated Control System (I-CON).  This versatile, multi-colored system allows drivers to change the drive and climate modes at a touch.  

In Drive mode, the I-CON system offers three different settings – Normal, Sport and Eco.  Normal mode combines performance and efficiency, best suited for everyday driving, while Sport mode delivers more power for a more agile and responsive drive. 

The I-CON also toggles the controls in Climate mode, with the display panel showing the interior temperature settings and air flow preferences. This allows the driver and passengers to customize the interior atmosphere to suit their individual preferences.

In the Philippines, the new Nissan Juke will be available in the HR16DE 1.6L DOHC gasoline engine variant, coupled with the new generation Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).  Under this powertrain combination, the new Nissan Juke will delivers a smooth yet exciting drive supported by engine power of 116PS with 154Nm of torque.

For added stability, the new Nissan Juke is equipped with independent MacPherson struts at the front suspension and torsion beam axle at the rear suspension.

The new Nissan Juke also boasts of a plethora of safety features, such as anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and dual front airbags.  Complementing these are convenience features such as an integrated control system, rear parking camera, and cruise control.

The new Nissan Juke will be available as a 4x2 variant with an SRP of P980,000. It will come in Red Alert, Solar Yellow, Pearl White, and Black Obsidian.  Expected start of sales will be January 2016.

The Juke is a testament to Nissan's revitalized image in the country. The brand continues to be stronger ever since it restructured about 2 years ago. Also, Nissan's dealerships have exponentially increased to 39 this year alone from the previous number of 28. These cover the strategic areas of NCR and Luzon (Sucat, Sta. Rosa, Bulacan), Visayas (Cebu, Iloilo, Dumaguete) and Mindanao (Butuan, Zamboanga and General Santos).

According to Nissan Philippines President Antonio Zara, “From its very beginnings, Nissan has displayed a flair for innovation and a willingness to strike out into territories unknown. This passion is what led the company to become a major player in the world automotive stage.” “We want our passion for innovation to be felt by our customers. We want them to rediscover that excitement they felt once when they heard the word ‘Nissan”. Through all of our efforts, we hope that we can encourage the Philippine market to rediscover Nissan.”

At the end of the day, “Rediscover Excitement Rediscover Nissan” isn’t just a milestone. It is Nissan’s way of showcasing to the public that it is truly back, and is here to stay.

The story in pictures:

The sumptuous buffet table

The Patrol

The Urvan

The Navara

The Sylphy

The stage

Mr. Zara talking about his early experiences with Nissan

The crowd eagerly awaiting the Juke

Mr. Zara's presentation of old Nissan glory

Mr. Zara's old nissan Sentra

The sleek and sexy Juke

Nissan Executives Antonio Zara and SJ Huh introducting the new Juke

The crowd going wild over the car

The interior

The trunk

The engine

Courtesy of 

Ms. Roselle Toledo

Nissan Philippines Inc.

Alay Sining 8: Art with a Heart Press Conference at DDB, BGC, Makati

I was invited by Ms Millet Liberato of DDB to attend an press conference organized by the Rotary Club of Makati West (RCMW), just one of the 46 branches in Makati alone. The venue was at the DDB main office located in McKinley Hill, Bonifacio Global City, Makati. Called Alay Sining, the event is a grand showcase of artworks created by some of the most talented artists in the country today. The art exhibition is used to create a fundraiser which aims to provide funds for deserving minor indigents to undergo open heart surgery. Under this scheme, artists are given an avenue to sell their works and donate some of the proceeds to the noble cause.  

Alay Sining is on its 8th year with the theme "Art With a Heart". The exhibition, consisting primarily of sculpture art, will be held at The Gallery, Greenbelt 5, Makati City from November 12 to 15, 2015. 

According to RCMW President Victor “Junvee” Vital, supporting the art-for-a cause exhibit gives an opportunity to promote a two-pronged initiative: exposure for local artists and support for Filipino children who need the operation badly.

According to Paolo Delgado, this year’s chairman of the exhibit’s Organizing Committee, the event will be joined by over a hundred artists from all over the Philippines who have sent their respective works for the exhibit.  Some were from Palawan, Mindanao and Cebu. Also, most of the artists have been supporting the Alay Sining initiative for most of its 8 year stint. 

The open heart surgery that will be funded by this event is used to treat congenital heart disease, a condition that forms in kids at a very young age. Also, the mortality rate is very high if untreated. The sad thing is that the kids who live with this condition become very weak and unable to engage in physical activity.

RCMW member and former president Roque Tordesillas said that the cost of a heart surgery in a private hospital ranges from Php 800,000 to more than Php 1 million for an open-heart surgery. However, he noted the efforts championed by the Club to bring down the costs by tying up with the National Children's Hospital and asking for government subsidies. However, the resulting cost is still astronomical at about Php 100,000 to 200,000 and is still very high for an indigent Filipino family. The funds generated by the Club will then be used to cover this amount. The operation will then be conducted by a renowned team of doctors and nurses, some members of which originated from the United States.   

Tordesillas also called the Alay Sining artists calling as the real heroes in this project due to their  generous contributions of their works, artistry, and hearts. Without them, there would be no Alay Sining.

Speaking on behalf of his co-artists, Ral Arrogante, said that doing charity completes their vocation. The activity shows his desire to work for the betterment of the lives of kids in need of medical treatments.

The event was truly an eye-opener to the dismal conditions of healthcare in the country and the initiative of the private sector to obviate this sad reality. To date, the Club has already provided more than 350 open heart surgeries to kids ranging from 6-18 years old. This feat truly is a grand testament to what the human spirit can do to help those in need.

An esteemed member of the Club, Mr. Lim, showed us around the exhibit and told us about his favorite piece of work, a metallic cart made by Mr. Arrogante. According to Mr. Lim, this piece reminded him of his childhood memories. He said so because of the fact that the cart contained softdrink can labels of brands he used to drink when he was younger. Add to that the fact that the cart contained siopao and siomai dish trays and soup ladles. I also liked the fact that Mr. Lim told us about his fascination for art as a tool to convey ideas. The importance of art, according to him, is its ability to develop culture and society as a whole. He added that art must be given value in our society. What struck me the most was his statement that while people spend money to meet their needs and their wants such as consumer goods and vanity items, they must not forget the importance of culture and literature as tools to develop themselves.

On the other hand, Mr. Arrogante mentioned that the piece was done without any form of welding. Through the use of simple tools like pliers, cutters, and hammers, he was able to craft the meticulously detailed piece. His piece is an expression of the Filipino love for food and its importance in the culture.

For more information on Alay-Sining, you can call 75303098.

The story in pictures: 

Mr. Arrogante explaining the essence of his piece. Listening are Mr. Lim and the media

The metallic cart

Note the meticulously crafted utensils

The other pieces

Sculptures are the focus of this year's exhibition.

The artists and previous beneficiaries with members of the Rotary Club of Makati

Members of the Club with beneficiaries

The members of the club

The President of the Club talking about the advocacy

Special Thanks to:

Millet Liberato of DDB.

Altec Lansing: Everything Proof Bluetooth Speakers launch at the Rockwell tent October 19, 2015.

Last October 19, 2015, Ms. Emma Sy of Banbros Commercial Inc, one of the largest importers of electronic consumer goods in the country, invited me to an Altec Lansing event. This function showcased the launch of Altec's revolutionary model series called the Everything Proof Bluetooth speakers line. The event was held in the posh Rockwell Tent, beside Powerplant Mall, Makati City.

The U.S.-based brand is a major mover in the sound delivery industry for more than 80 years. It has been shaping the history of audio delivery by producing superior speakers for music-loving consumers and audiophiles alike. It continues to be a first choice for people who seek quality audio. The Philippine distributor of the products is Banbros Commercial Inc. 

Altec Lansing has long been known for its commitment to producing devices with superior sound quality, and this new line of outdoor speakers takes the brand to the next level. These new speakers are surely made to last. Given excellent ratings for being highly resilient, these devices truly represent the epitome of quality.

The new speaker line included models named the Mini H20, Jacket H20, the Lifejacket, the Orbit, and the Mini Lifejacket. These models, specifically the Lifejacket and the Mini H20, exemplify the traits of being waterproof, soundproof, snowproof, rustproof, and shockproof . These traits show the undeniable durability and resiliency of these speakers.

To start off, I'm going to showcase the flagship models: the Life Jacket and the Mini H20.

Life Jacket (SRP Php 7,250)

The Life Jacket Bluetooth Wireless Speaker has several laudable features, including:

1. great sound, voice confirmation, and an on-board microphone for clear, hands-free communication.

2. speaker phone with caller ID, voice confirmation and commands, easy Bluetooth pairing, and NFC compatibility. 

3. 16 hour battery life and power bank capability.

With these features, the speaker is a great device that you can use outdoors for calls and music. It can also be used to charge your smartphone anywhere. 

Mini H2O (SRP Php 1,995)

The Mini H2O Bluetooth Wireless Speaker features include:

1. an ultra compact design, voice confirmation, and an onboard microphone for clear, hands-free communication.

2. 6 hours of battery life, aux in, and an integrated carabineer.

3. comes in 5 color options: black, white, red, orange, and blue 

The Mini H2O's quaint size lets you become the life of the party with its ability to bring music almost anywhere.

Other members of the collection:

Altec Lansing also unveiled other wireless Bluetooth speakers true to the resilient nature and quality of the brand.

The Mini Life Jacket (SRP Php 4,850)

The Mini Life Jacket boasts of the following features:
1. a rugged compact design, voice confirmation, and an onboard microphone for clear, hands-free communication. 
2. 10 hours of battery life, aux in, and an integrated carabineer.

The Mini Life Jacket can surely serve the needs of a vibrant adventurer who wants to go places.

The Jacket H20 (SRP Php 3,995)

On the other hand, the Jacket H2O features:
1.  a sleek, compact design
2. comes with voice confirmation and an onboard microphone for clear, hands-free communication.
3. 8 hours of battery life and an aux in port, 

The Jacket H2O is perfect for water-based activities due to its design.

The Orbit (SRP Php 1,425)

The Orbit features:
1. an impressive sound quality for its size.
2. ultraportable size
3. onboard microphone for clear hands free communication, voice confirmation, aux in jack 4. 6 hours of battery life. 

This is a compact choice for the travelling music enthusiast.

These new models will be available in selected branches of SM Appliance Centers, Astro Vision, Astro Plus, Anson’s, and other gadget retailers nationwide. 

Do visit their Facebook at facebook.com/alteclansingphilippines

Product Review

As for the event, I'd say it was a success. I had a swell time trying out Altec Lansing's new products by connecting them to my phone an playing music on it. The buffet was great too. Truly, Altec Lansing and Banbros Commercial Inc. know how to give one heck of a party. Also the freebies were great. We were able to take home a sample of the Mini H20 for our own personal consumption.

As for the speakers, I'd say it lived beyond my expectations. Upon testing, I found that the device had a battery life that lasted longer than 6 hours. Also, the charging time was excellent. I gauged it at about 2 hours or less. The sound of bass and background instruments was expressed crisply and clearly for all those dance music tracks. The speakers can be brought quite far from the device source (approximately 10 meters from the source) and still give out good sound quality. The sound quality itself was remarkable given its size and price class. You do get what you pay for at the amount of Php 1,995.

I initially expected the small speaker to be a bit mediocre at first, but after testing, I was truly convinced of its power and capabilities. As for the durability, I had no violent reactions. I threw around the speakers and dipped it in water. I'm pleased to say that its still working quite well. I'd give it an A plus for this aspect.

The story in pictures:

Eager Bloggers testing out the products

The Jacket H20

An entire selection on the display case 

The headphones

The program showcasing videos of the new selection of speakers

Altec Lansing's executives giving a short talk

a video about the resiliency of the Lifejacket

Bloggers asking questions to the executives 

Personal review of the Mini H20 

Very Compact and Handheld Mini H20

Photos Courtesy of: 

Altec Lansing Press Kit

Special Thanks to:

Ms. Emma Sy of Banbros Commercial Inc.

ATC FATOUT: Cheers to Colon Cleansing

They say a healthy tummy is a healthy body. Digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea or flatulence can easily turn a peachy day into a ruined one. Consider colon cleansing. Proponents of colon cleansing believe that removing toxins and body wastes from the colon can help you feel better and improve your bodily functions. As an added bonus, if you’re trying to lessen heaviness and decrease your risk of acquiring colon cancer, colon cleansing achieves both. To aide you with colon cleansing, there’s FatOut.

FatOut contains the revolutionary Sweep and Shred Formula which helps in cleansing your colon and trimming down your fat. Psyllium Husk sweeps and cleanses toxins in your colon, while Green Tea Extract shreds and burns your fat. Other ingredients include: Pu’er Tea Extract which eliminates hard-to-digest fat, Aloe Vera Powder which detoxifies the colon, Alfalfa which nourishes the digestive system and Oat Fiber which suppresses the appetite. The combination of these ingredients can help you lose the pounds without putting your health at risk. Note that, FatOut is not a medicinal drug and should not be used to treat the symptoms of any disease.

FatOut should be taken daily, before every meal, preferably with a warm glass of water. FatOut is available at Mercury Drug and leading drugstores nationwide for SRP P125.00 per piece. Stand out with FatOut!

Photo courtesy of ATC website: atchealthcare.com.ph