TOP CARS: With the price of gasoline forever rising, Filipino consumers now check out fuel economy in a model they fancy before they buy.
There is renewed interest in diesel-fueled cars and a movement away from gas-guzzlers. Even in the United States, consumers always ask about mpg (miles per gallon) ratings.
From Consumer Reports, arguably the bible of motorized America, we have this year's top picks in 10 categories. The ratings are likely to influence the Philippine market. They step on the gas in the States and we spurt forward.
The Ten Top Picks of Consumer Reports are: Toyota Prius, green car; Hyundai Elantra SE, small sedan; Honda Accord, family sedan; Infiniti G35, upscale sedan; Lexus LS 460L, luxury sedan; Mazda MX-5 Miata, fun to drive; Toyota RAV4, small SUV; Hyundai Santa Fe, midsized SUV; Toyota Sienna, minivan; and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab, pickup truck.
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NEWCOMERS: Four new models made it. For the first time since 2005, a US model, the redesigned Silverado, was included. And for the first time ever, South Korea's Hyundai joined the select circle with its Elantra SE and Santa Fe as top small sedan and midsized SUV, respectively.
The fourth new entry is the Lexus LS 460L, the highest-scoring vehicle in the test and best among luxury sedans. We can imagine congressmen, smugglers and wealthy car fanciers lining up for the Lexus, priced in the US at $77,000.
The gas/electric Prius hybrid held on to the green slot for the fifth straight year. Despite a wave of new hybrid models, the Prius' 44 miles/gallon overall is still the best in any five-passenger car. The Prius sells for $24,000. Aren't they selling it yet in Manila?
The Accord, redesigned for 2008, is priced at $22,000-$31,000, depending on its features. The RAV4's V6 version accelerates quickly (as a Mazda Miata, from 0 to 60 mph), yet delivers 22 miles/gallon (232 mpg in its four-cylinder version). Priced at $23,000 to $30,000, depending.
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EARLY CAMPAIGN: We have received mail from parents who are uncomfortable seeing their vulnerable children being exposed to the one-sided views of Rodolfo Lozada Jr. visiting schools to scatter his version of what he peddles to be the truth.
It is irresponsible for school officials to expose unwary students to Lozada's early campaign for 2010 without any attempt to balance his political presentation.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus did right in calling the attention of school officials under him to the dangers of allowing such insidious brainwashing.
Lozada has nothing new to say anyway. He is just repeating, like a broken record, what he told sympathetic senators what they wanted to hear weeks ago. Worse, he does not bother to present evidence to prove his allegations of wrongdoing.
And we allow our children to be exposed to him?
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CONCERN: Here is a sample of such expression of parental concern. Reader Patricia Ilagan writes:
“The DepEd has just barred the school tours of Jun Lozada. Finally! But a lot of damage has already been done to the youth! My nieces and nephews told me they were told to go out and either give Lozada fanfare in his visit to their schools, or to go and join the noise barrage in support of this new 'hero'!
“I find this quite disturbing. We, as elders, have taught our children what we were taught as kids: Do not point blame on anyone if you are not sure he or she is the culprit or predator, because you can easily harm the integrity of that person if it turns out you are wrong. So BE SURE first before blaming anyone.
“And now, when the children ask who Lozada is and what he has done to deserve the treatment of 'hero,' I have to go to the truth that he has blown the whistle (pointed blame) on many people without a shred of evidence. He just wants us to believe his words!
“And when they ask, has he done anything significant for God and country besides whistle-blowing, what can I say? The little we know is about his families and his work in the Philippine Forest Corp., both of which run contrary to a good, let alone heroic, track record.
“The DepEd should have been more mindful of the youth in schools. The damage has been done. The children... youth in schools... have been encouraged to hero-worship a tattle-tale who has ruined so many people's integrity without even presenting a shred of evidence, and who has been promoted by church, business, and civil society leaders as a hero! Isn't this truly bizarre?”
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BOOK LAUNCH: The family of the late Sarah K. Joaquin, teacher, drama director and actor, will launch her memoirs on Friday, 6-9 p.m., at the Filipinas Heritage Library on Makati Ave., Makati.
A sister-in-law of National Artist Nick Joaquin, she taught English, Spanish and acting at the Far Eastern University, where she was also drama director. She was a founding member of the Barangay Theater Guild.
Her memoirs, “Of Laughter and Tears,” narrates her education at the Central Escolar and the University of the Philippines, her career, marriage to jazz pianist and band leader Ping Joaquin, and her retirement in Virginia, USA. She finished writing her memoirs shortly before her death in 2002.
Inquire at Tels. 892-1801 and 759-3371, or email bracoma@gmail.com.
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