Anne Curtis hurt in road accident

The Porshe Cayenne of "The Wedding" star Anne Curtis is in total wreck.

Fans of actress Anne Curtis were rattled by news of her figuring in a road accident early morning of July 27.

According to an “Unang Hirit” report broadcast around 8 a.m., Curtis was brought to St. Luke's Medical Center after her car, a Porsche Cayenne, rammed into an L-300 delivery van at the corner of Congressional and Mindanao Avenues in Quezon City around 1 a.m., Monday.

The actress is said to have suffered minor cuts and bruises.

The driver of the van, identified as Aquino Marcelino, claimed that it was Curtis' car that collided with his vehicle. Marcelino said that he had the truck on idle and was waiting for the green light when the actress’ car appeared out of nowhere and hit him. He added that the actress might have fallen asleep while driving her car.

Some of Curtis’ friends rushed to the scene, including singer Christian Bautista and actors Jericho Rosales and Sam Milby.

Curtis’ road manager, Michelle, said the actress’ nanny texted her to pack up today’s shooting for “The Wedding” which the actress topbills.

Ex-Philippines leader Corazon Aquino dies at 76

Former President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino passed away early Saturday morning August 1, Philippine time after a long battle with colon cancer. She was 76.

Deedee Siytangco, the former President’s spokesperson, confirmed Aquino’s demise this morning. The nation is certain to mourn the loss of the country’s Icon of Democracy.

Aquino died three days after her family declared that her health condition had stabilized.

Siytangco said last Wednesday that “her (Cory’s) children said she’s now stable.”

On Thursday, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said it is one with the Filipino people not only in praying for the cancer-stricken former president but also in thanking the latter for restoring freedom and democracy in the country.

“We join the Filipino people in thanking her for the freedom and democracy that she helped bring back to the country in 1986,” CBCP president Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said in a letter to Noynoy.

“The country will forever be grateful for the sacrifices she and her husband, Ninoy, have offered in response to the dream and challenge that our country is worth dying for,” he said.

Last July 13, the CBCP offered a mass for Mrs. Aquino’s recovery during the 99th Plenary Assembly at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center on UN Ave., Manila. “Together we pray for her, God’s will be done,” Lagdameo said.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) asked its member-schools to pray and offer masses for the country’s former leader.

Aside from offering prayers and masses, the CEAP also asked its members to tie yellow ribbons, wear yellow bands and shirts, and hang streamers to show their support and love for Mrs. Aquino.

Earlier, Aquino's former Tourism secretary, Rafael Alunan, also talked of Cory’s humility even during her time as the highest official of the land.

Alunan lauded the efforts of Aquino's friends and former Cabinet officers in spearheading the "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" campaign to show support for Aquino.

“I think the Filipino people will not forget Cory Aquino and yellow will always symbolize her purity in pushing for reforms,” he said.

The response to the campaign proves “the people yearn for those good times with Cory, when we're all together organizing and fighting for the common good,” Alunan said.

From a news site:

At the time of her death, the 76-year-old widow was confined in a private room at the Makati Medical Center’s ninth floor.

Doctors had strongly advised to keep the former President in her hospital room so she could get immediate medical attention after her cancer spread from her colon to the liver, said Noynoy. Aquino's weakened state made it impossible for her to undergo further chemotherapy.

Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2008. She had chemotherapy and underwent surgery last April. She returned to hospital confinement last June 25 due to continued loss of appetite caused by fluid buildup in her stomach.

A statement from Former Finance Secretary Jose T. Pardo, a staunch supporter of Aquino read, "President Cory has earned her place in history as the leader who brought back hope to our country. She was our guiding light during those dark moments. She is an icon, beacon of democracy. She will live on forever in our hearts."

Last Monday, Alberto Lim, executive director of the influential Makati Business Club (MBC), issued a statement noting that aside from restoring democracy in the Philippines, former President Aquino had also “saved the business sector from the cronies of the late Ferdinand Marcos.”

Aquino's “historic” contribution to the business sector prompted the MBC to organize a nine-day noontime novena Mass, which started Monday.

“When President Aquino restored our democracy, she also salvaged the business sector, which was at that time being taken over by Marcos cronies. Democracy is very vital in business. If not for her, there is no vibrant business sector in the country," Lim said.

Armed policemen stand guard as a vehicle with a yellow ribbon, a gesture of mourning, waits outside the Heritage memorial park in Manila where the body of the late former Philippine president Corazon Aquino was brought to, August 1, 2009. Aquino, whose "people power" revolution swept dictator Ferdinand Marcos from power in the Philippines, died on Saturday after a 16-month battle against colon cancer, her family said. She was 76.

Motorists drive past trees adorned with yellow ribbons in Manila's suburban Las Pinas city July 31, 2009. Supporters of former President Corazon Aquino displayed yellow ribbons in public places around the capital as a gesture of sympathy to Aquino, who remains in serious condition in hospital battling colon cancer.

Condolences to President Cory Aquino and Family.
- My Car Team

Marian Rivera named her two cars Carino and Amigo

Marian Gracia Rivera, more popularly known as Marian Rivera (born August 12, 1984 in Madrid, Spain) is an Filipina actress and commercial model. She rose to fame for her title role in the Philippine remake of MariMar.

Name: Marian Rivera
Nickname: Yan-yan
Real Name: Marian Rivera Gracia
Birthday: August 12
Birth Place: Madrid, Spain

Marian’s hit list:
1. Her favorite funny movie is Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle!
2. She named her two cars “Cariño” and “Amigo.”
3. She won dance competitions in school.
4. She used to have a pet Shi Tzu, but she had to give it away because she is allergic to dogs.
5. Her comfort food is anything chocolate.

Describe yourself in three words. “Makulit, kalog, kaibigan.”

Marian Rivera's father is a Spaniard named Francisco Javier Gracia while her mother is a Filipina named Amalia Rivera. Her parents separated when she was 2 years of age. While her parents stayed in Spain where her mother worked as an OFW, and Marian was sent to live with her grandmother in Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines.

Marian Rivera began her career as a ramp and commercial model, which landed her with an appearance on TV advertisements for Skin White Lotion and Sky Flakes crackers. Production company TAPE Inc. then signed her to cast in a series of afternoon soap operas for GMA Network: Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako, Agawin Mo Man Ang Lahat (where she was named as the "Best New Female Personality" at the 2006 PMPC Star Awards and Pinakamamahal. Oyo Boy Sotto was her leading man in these soaps. GMA Network then cast her into mother roles for the afternoon Philippine-Malaysian drama Muli and the primetime telefantasya Super Twins.

After which TAPE Inc., signed and casted her in a series of 3 afternoon soaps for the GMA Network: Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako, Agawin Mo Man Ang Lahat and Pinakamamahal. Oyo Boy Sotto was her leading man in these three aforementioned soaps. GMA Network then casted her into mother roles for the afternoon Philippine-Malaysian drama Muli and the primetime telefantasya Super Twins. But her biggest break came when she won the title role of Marimar, the remake of the Mexican telenovela which starred Thalia. She auditioned and bested all other young stars who were vying for the highly-coveted role. Marimar is currently and consistently the highest rating show on Philippine primetime TV according to AGB Nielsen. Her team-up with one of GMA Network's most bankable young actors, Dingdong Dantes (playing Sergio Santibanez in Marimar), proved to be a huge success. GMA Network Executives dubbed her as "The Next Big Star." She is now tagged as Philippine's Primetime Princess after her successful debut starrer.

NASCAR was born from the moonshiners

Race – NASCAR was born from the moonshiners who ran from the revenue-ers. I remember when it was bad luck to have green on your car.

Auto Sales Bolster Overall Retail

Although department store and restaurant sales continue to wilt, automotive and gasoline station purchases are enough to account for a slight uptick in overall monthly retail sales, census numbers show.

In June, auto parts and vehicle sales climbed 2.3 and 2.6 percent, respectively, from the month before. Gas station sales rose 5 percent in June after increasing by the same amount in May.

Total retail sales climbed just .6 percent, dragged down in part by general merchandise such as department and warehouse stores, which fell .4 percent from the month before.

Gasoline sales can rise and fall fairly significantly with a few pennies’ increase or decrease in the price of a gallon, but auto sales can be more telling of the economic climate.

Plunkett says the time of year might be what has spurred sales more than anything else. With a new model year due out soon, dealers are more prone to making deals, he says.

Style-Your-Garage.Com’s Photo Tarps

On even the most tastefully appointed of houses, garage doors tend to be drab and monochrome eyesores, designed apparently without even the smallest nod to aesthetics.

A German company aims to change all that, however, with large-scale posters that transform the doors through highly realistic 3D images.

Photo tarpaulins are available with a variety of motifs and images that are sure to cause neighbours, friends and passers-by to stop and stare.

A photographic version of trompe l’oeil, some are designed to give the impression that unusual contents can be found in the garage, such as an airplane, race car or monster-sized kitty. Others aim to provide a glimpse of the world beyond the garage door, such as a Tuscan landscape or what seems to be the home’s very own golf course.

Another series, meanwhile, aims to give the garage door itself another look altogether, such as through a rustic wooden appearance. Consumers can also upload the digital image of their choice and have it turned into a customised photo tarpaulin. In fact, Style-your-garage.com invites consumers to submit ideas for new designs as well, and promises a share of the profits if their idea gets accepted.

The company’s posters are designed primarily for up-and-over garage doors but can be adapted for sectional or wing doors as well. Crafted from material similar to that used for truck tarpaulins, they are rip-proof, weather-proof and even come with a fire safety certificate.

The Luxury Car Collection of Willie Revillame

A latest issue of a celebrity magazine and we drooled over the luxurious cars of the Wowowee host Willie Revillame. The man is a certified car addict.

Here are the lists of his collection: a black Mercedez Benz, two Audis, a Rangerover, a Jaguar, a Porsche, a Lincoln Navigator, a Pajero, a Hammer, a Red Ferrari and an SUV. Wow, those are indeed hot cars. He just don’t collect cars, he collects luxury cars.

I can only take a deep breath and envy the man. After I retire from my day job, I’d be lucky if I can even afford a second hand late model of a Toyota. I remember West, our old car. He was a beat-up Ford, an “83 model.

Leah Dizon: Hot Mixed Model & More

You may have already heard of her all over the net, but this famous import model, Leah Dizon is also a singer, actress, and TV personality in Japan. She was born in Las Vegas, Nevada September 24, 1986 and is a Chinese, Filipino and French mix. In 2006, she moved to Tokyo, Japan after being accepted by a Japanese talent agency for her modeling and to start her music career releasing Japanese-language songs. Leah released her first photobook called Petite Amie ( French) in October 2006. With her first single releasing on February 14, 2007, Softly under the Victor Entertainment label. With her debut album “Destiny Line” releasing on September 12, 2007. Not to mention she’s done quite a bit of import modeling and will be a mother to a baby girl either March or April and is now married to a Japanese stylist she met while in Japan.

Kumho Fortis Concept

Kumho, the well-known Korean tire manufacturer, is wondering along with the rest of the world if an electric SUV is upon us. It’s no wonder that the tire giant took the initiative and created this Kumho Fortis Concept, their vision for an eco-friendly SUV. How green exactly? For starters, the body panels of this concept will be molded from recycled rubber. Kumho made the coolest feature of this SUV lie on the tires, of course. The tires deflate when traveling off-road, a series of metal lugs exposed for ultimate traction and inflate when you hit the road. Nice. No word yet if Kumho will pursue the concept. Why not? Looks like a neat idea.

2011 Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki Kizashi 2010

uzuki Kizashi 2010

Suzuki Kizashi 2010

Suzuki Kizashi 2010

The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi will compete against the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Chevrolet Malibu. The Concept Kizashi 3 is shown here.

Consumer Guide’s Impressions of the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi

A big little-car company takes another stab at a midsize sedan, and this one’s all theirs. Kizashi--not its real name--promises a sporty persona and available all-wheel drive, but Camry, Accord, and Malibu probably have nothing to fear.

What We Know About the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki is a rising star on the world automotive stage. It’s the top-seller of the “K-Class” micro cars popular in its native Japan. It has a strong and growing presence in Europe. It commands a whopping 55 percent of the booming Indian car market. And its global business spans 192 markets and 2.4 million total sales in 2007. In the U.S., though, Suzuki is a niche player despite more than 25 years on the scene. Though it’s built a strong reputation with motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, boat engines, and other products, the brand still struggles to make serious sales inroads with cars and trucks.

That may be about to change. Suzuki’s new SX4 compact cars are off to a decent start, mainly because they’re decently stingy with a $4 gallon of gas. And unlike the underwhelming Esteem and Aerio of yore, the SX4 is appealing enough to earn Consumer Guide’s Best Buy ribbon for 2008.

Now Suzuki is revisiting the midsize sedan after flopping with the 2004-06 Verona, a disappointing shortcut designed and built by GM-Daewoo in South Korea. Suzuki sees the U.S. as its “next great frontier” market, believing it can--and should--make far more money here, hence this new stab at a mainstream car with potential yearly sales in the hundreds of thousands. Never mind that the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi will have the tough task of wooing buyers away from perennial class favorites Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. This big little-car company is determined to be as much a power in America as it is elsewhere. We’re frankly not sanguine about the prospects in light of past performance, but you gotta admire their pluck.

Already announced for a calendar-2010 debut, the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi will be a somewhat toned-down version of the Kizashi 3 concept unveiled at the March 2008 New York Auto Show. Kizashi is Japanese for “preview,” so a new title is expected for the showroom model. Unlike the Verona, this design is entirely Suzuki’s own, built on a new platform that may host other future vehicles.

If the concept is any guide, the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi will be 8-10 inches shorter than today’s Accord and Camry, but will ride a similarly long wheelbase and stretch 2-3 inches wider. The same comparisons hold for Chevrolet’s new and in-demand Malibu, another inevitable rival. Suzuki says Kizashi styling is meant to evoke “the physical superiority and dignity of a world-class athlete,” but we see mainly cribbed elements of Acura RL, Audi A6, Mazda 6, and several other cars. Kizashi is attractive, just not knockout original. Incidentally, one source predicts the concept’s roofline will be lifted a couple of inches and its 21-inch wheels replaced by more sensible shoes, probably 17s or 18s. Just so you know.

The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi will offer front-wheel drive and a choice of two powerteams. One comprises a new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. The other mates a 3.6-liter V6 with a 6-speed paddle-shift automatic and optional all-wheel drive. The 4-cylinder engine is said to be all-Suzuki, too. The V6, however, is based on the so-called “high feature” General Motors engine used in the Malibu and Suzuki’s own XL7 midsize SUV. It’s a vestige of the longtime GM-Suzuki alliance that was dissolved in March 2006 after delivering the Korean-built Verona and the soon-to-depart Suzuki Reno and Forenza compact cars.

Suzuki isn’t talking other Kizashi specifics just now, though it does boast of “strong, refined urban performance” and structural “weight- and space-saving technology that evolved from the lessons learned by Suzuki’s motorcycle and WRC [World Rally Championship] development teams.” With spin like this, you might think the Kizashi will offer the driving spirit of a Suzi bike with four wheels and all the comforts--which is doubtless what’s intended.

But let’s move on. Logically, the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi would include modern family car must-haves such as a four-wheel independent suspension, antilock brakes (with four-wheel discs likely standard at least for V6s), front and curtain side airbags, air conditioning, and power windows/locks/mirrors. But we’d also expect a no-cost navigation system, as announced for 2009-model SX4s. We haven’t heard about options yet, but the list will probably show rear-obstacle detection, radar-based cruise control, leather upholstery for 4-cylinder models, and the obligatory high-power sound system.

Summing up, the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi could be a worthy new choice among midsize family sedans. It might even be the new class “driver’s car” by dint of what the company terms a “‘super sport’ identity, a core component of the Suzuki brand DNA.” Then again, it could just as easily be another Suzuki car that over-promises and under-delivers both on the road and the sales chart. We’ll keep you posted.

2011 Suzuki Kizashi

Suzuki Kizashi 2010 uzuki Kizashi 2010 Suzuki Kizashi 2010 Suzuki Kizashi 2010 The 2011 Suzuki Kizashi will compete against the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Chevrolet Malibu. The Concept Kizashi 3 is shown here. Consumer Guide’s Impressions of the 2011 Suzuki KizashiA big little-car company takes another stab at a midsize sedan, and this one’s all theirs.

BMW announce it will quit Formula One at the end of 2009 season

Already hit by the departure of Honda, Formula One suffered another blow on Wednesday as BMW confirmed it would be quitting the sport at the end of the season.

"The BMW Group will not continue its Formula One campaign after the end of the 2009 season,'' BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer said.

"Of course, this was a difficult decision for us, but it's a resolute step in view of our company's strategic realignment,'' he said.

"Premium will be increasingly defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead.

"We are continually reviewing all projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability.

"Our Formula One campaign is thus less a key promoter for us.''

While rumours of the possible departures of Renault and Toyota have been flying around the paddock all season, that of BMW comes as a surprise.

And it had looked as if the sport's future was assured when the FIA, motor racing's governing body, announced the completion of negotiations between the FOA (Formula One administration) and the 13 teams who will race in 2010.

It had been thought that this Concorde Agreement, meant to link the two sides until 2012, also included the BMW Sauber team.

The FIA said however they regretted the German team's decision and hoped the sport had seen the last departure of a major manufacturer.

"The FIA regrets the announcement of BMW's intended withdrawal from Formula One but is not surprised by it,'' the FIA said in a statement.

"It has been clear for some time that motor sport cannot ignore the world economic crisis.

"Car manufacturers cannot be expected to continue to pour large sums of money into Formula One when their survival depends on redundancies, plant closures and the support of the taxpayer.''

BMW have been badly hit by the current economic crisis with profits tumbling by 89.5 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, and group sales dropping 19.5 percent in the first half of 2009.

It is also believed the company found it hard to justify spending on Formula One following a poor campaign with drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica scoring just eight points this season to leave the team eighth in the nine-team constructors' championship.

BMW arrived in Formula One in 2000 and in 2005 took over the Swiss team Sauber, to become the BMW Sauber stable which now employs 730 people.

Its only Grand Prix win as BMW Sauber came when Kubica won in Canada in 2008, while he also achieved the team's only pole position in Bahrain, also in 2008.

The team finished third last season behind Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes.

Meanwhile, the FIA said they hoped there would be no more departures from the sport.

"This is why the FIA prepared regulations to reduce costs drastically,'' the FIA said.

"These measures were needed to alleviate the pressure on manufacturers following Honda's withdrawal, but also to make it possible for new teams to enter.

"Had these regulations not been so strongly opposed by a number of team principals, the withdrawal of BMW and further such announcements in the future might have been avoided.

"Nevertheless, as a result of a sustained cost-cutting campaign by the FIA, new measures are in the process of being agreed which should make it easier for new teams to enter and enable existing ones to participate on much-reduced budgets.

"Hopefully it will be enough to prevent further withdrawals and provide a solid foundation for Formula One.''

Smart Car Body Kit

Smart Cars are by no means the coolest cars in the world but with these cool body kits fitted - they get real close! It looks like these kits are manufactured by Adobe Ferrari, Adobe Lamborghini and Adobe Porsche...but very cool all the same!

Demand for cool cars down in the recession

Could the recession mean the end of cool cars over substance for the motoring industry? This may seem a little over the top, but a number of news stories have emerged in the UK press recently concerning how consumers are being deterred from buying cool flash cars instead of those which are considered more practical, and are refraining from adding sporty extras to their existing cars. So are necessities such as car insurance and fuel economy taking the place of the look and style of the UK’s vehicles?


According to an article at justgoodcars.com, industry research has found that 36% of motorists surveyed said that their limited budgets are the most important factor when considering the purchase of a new car. Additionally, the reliability of the vehicle was also said to be influential in the decision, with one in five buying because of their trust in the manufacturer as opposed to the style or look of the vehicle itself.


Additionally, drivers who have bought cars with the intention of modifying or ‘souping’ them up in the last year have been forced to think twice as research published at myfinances.co.uk highlights the added expense to insurance costs. For example, the added cost of a new spoiler on a 2000 Ford Focus for a 17 year old will be a massive £688.84 a year, whilst something as innocuous as decals and stickers could push the yearly extra cost up by another £6225.22!


According to Gerry Bucke of Adrian Flux Insurance there is an intriguing irony with the latter. He stated: "Young drivers of modified cars are on average 20% less likely to have an accident and make a claim than young drivers in cars with a standard specification. The truth is, guys who modify their cars tend to be involved in fewer accidents. They invest heavily in their cars and take more care of them."

So what does this say for the motoring industry? Are we likely to see an end, or at least a pause, of people spending money on car style? The reports in the press would certainly suggest so, but whilst we might be gradually letting superficial aspects of our vehicles slide, with credit crunch cut-backs we will no doubt see individuals opting for cheaper cars rather than greener ones also. If manufacturers really want to sell new cars they will need to be able to offer cheap simplicity in order to match those that can be bought second hand.

Vintage Car Collection - Boys and their toys!

A cool collection of vintage cars on one mans drive! The collection includes a Ford Thunderbird, Chevrolet Chevelle, Dodge Coronet Lancer and Pontiac Trans Am amongst other classics. It defies the credit crunch and is a petrol heads dream! Check it out!

Ferrari Modena 360 limousine

Combining a cool car with a limousine, this Ferrari is amazing! It has 400bhp, seating for 8 people in racing seats, is 6 meters long and does 0-60mph in under six seconds.

It is a Ferrari Modena 360 stretch limo and is one of the worlds most technically advanced limousines and probably no doubt one of the fastest!

Cristiano Ronaldo's New Car - Ferrari 599 GTB

Cristiano Ronaldo has been photographed behind the wheel of a £200,000 Ferrari 599GTB – six months after he was involved in a crash in a Manchester tunnel. The picture shows the Portuguese star, who is sunning himself in the Algarve, driving a red 599 from the Tires Aerodrome near Cascais in the west of his native country.

He landed in Portugal on a private jet after spending the last fortnight in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. After landing, he jumped straight into the Ferrari, which is the same colour as his old model that suffered serious frontal damage when it hit a roadside barrier in a Manchester airport tunnel in January. Representatives for the winger declined to comment on whether Ronaldo was the owner of the £200,000 supercar.

Pictures of Ronaldo's Old Ferrari

Celebrity Cars - Shaq

Shaq - Phantom

Celebrity Cars - Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton - Mercedes Mclaren SLR

Celebrity Cars - Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell - Bugatti Veyron

Celebrity Cars - Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise - Bugatti Veyron

Celebrity Cars - Britney Spears

Britney Spears - Mini Cooper