Maniolas

Check out the new Prius for highest fuel economy of any vehicle without a plug at Hooman Toyota TORRANCE, Calif., – In its fourth generation, the Toyota Prius is set to take on new markets with groundbreaking environmental performance, a stylish new design, and a fun-to-drive spirit. Today, Toyota is proud to unveil the technological advances that enable its hybrid flagship to break the mold while still remaining true to form. Toyota has made significant improvements in its new generation full hybrid powertrain, reducing losses, redesigning and relocating key components and reducing weight. Extensive changes to the transaxle, engine and combined hybrid system, generate an expected 10 percent improvement in EPA estimated MPG on core models, with an Eco model that will achieve an even greater improvement. Engine with Unprecedented Thermal Efficiency The new Prius retains the established 1.8-liter VVT-i gasoline engine, however,  the engine has been completely re-engineered, with remarkable results in terms of performance, fuel economy, and reductions to size and weight. The new engine achieves a ground-breaking maximum thermal efficiency of 40 percent. This improvement was enabled in part through the use of a large-volume exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and improvements in combustion efficiency. Additionally, a redesigned air intake port improves airflow inside the combustion chamber, while the coolant passages have been redesigned to optimize internal engine temperature. The friction created by the piston skirts, rotating parts and the oil pump has been reduced, while the use of low-viscosity oil reduces friction between sliding engine components. Read More …

Christy Rosacia LOS ANGELES – Two Filipino-American video journalists took part in the spectacular global musical performance that has recently broken the Guinness World Record for the largest gospel choir. “I was amazed and had goosebumps,” said Christy Rosacia, Los Angeles correspondent for UNTV. “I was teary-eyed. They were tears of joy.” Rosacia and Joy Macainan, who is part of the UNTV camera crew, sang gospel songs at the Church of God International (MCGI) center in Los Angeles – in unison with their fellow members in 1,360 centers around the world. The main gathering, with 8,688 “Ang Dating Daan” (ADD) choir members, was at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Joy Macainan Guinness World Records adjudicator Fortuna Burke Melhem confirmed on Oct. 12 that MCGI now officially holds the Guinness World Record title, “Largest Gospel Choir.” The auditing firm Punongbayan & Araullo validated the record number of choir members at the Araneta Coliseum. The MCGI bagged its Guinness World Records title on its 35th anniversary. During the program, the choir members performed 15 songs in five languages. “We’re so blessed to be part of the ADD Chorale,” said Macainan. “Though we’re not with them physically, we were in one chorale group spiritually.” Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) is the longest running radio-television program of its kind. The show is hosted by Bro. Eli Soriano and Kuya Daniel Razon. Fil-Am video journalists Christy Gaela Rosacia (leftmost)and Joy Marivic S. Macainan (second from right), both seen here with Sen. and vice presidential candidate Read More …

Congressman Pacquiao has “Bigger dreams for our people” while in ALABEL, Sarangani (October 7, 2015) – “In the coming days, I will be embracing new levels of responsibility,” says Manny Pacquiao, “I will be confronting tougher challenges. Yes, I will be dreaming bigger dreams for our people and for our nation.” This statement stirs the crowd to applaud lone district Congressman Manny Pacquiao in his State of the District Address at the Capitol gym Monday, October 5. (Jake Narte/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE) MANILA  (Mabuhay) – Six official candidates led by Sarangani boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, and six guest bets are set to run for senator under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in the 2016 elections. UNA president and Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco officially announced the candidates comprising the UNA’s senatorial slate in a statement Monday. Aside from Pacquiao, those running for senator as UNA’s official candidates are: actress and Parañaque City Councilor Alma Moreno; Sulu princess Jacel Kiram; labor lawyer Allan Montaño; former Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas, and broadcast journalist Rey Langit. Meanwhile, UNA’s guest candidates are: re-electionist Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III; former senator Panfilo Lacson; former senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri; former senator Richard Gordon; Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, and migrant workers’ advocate Susan “Toots” Ople.  Sotto is a stalwart of the Nationalist People’s Coalition while Lacson has been included in the Liberal Party-led senatorial slate. Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, will run under the Bagumbayan party while Romualdez belongs to Read More …

Members of the Philippine Air Force load relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to a C-130 airplane on Wednesday at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City. The relief goods consist of food packs, blankets, and other necessities, for affected families in Baler and Casiguran, Aurora. (MNS photo) MANILA  (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Saturday said the government will start the “build back better” phase as its agencies continue relief efforts for those affected by tropical cyclone Lando in Luzon. “Moving forward, we will remain in close collaboration with other sectors as we build back better the affected areas,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told state-run Radyo ng Bayan. Valte also cited that the government’s response efforts for Lando has been credited by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). “The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction credited this improvement to preemptive evacuations and the early communication of warnings,” she said. Valte said that the key to the government’s successful response to Lando “lies in partnership.” “As a result, we were able to minimize the number of casualties, compared to previous typhoons,” she said. She added that close coordination from the national down to the local levels and other sectors was the main factor for the successful evacuation of people living in high-risk areas. Valte reported that 5,426 families or 23,993 people in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, and Cordillera Administrative Region were preemptively evacuated. The government has counted a total of 46 deaths from Lando’s Read More …

SCE employee’s late-night heroics earn praise as he helps first responders after Visalia car accident By Paul Netter, Southern California Edison SCE lineman Matt Duma discusses how he got downed live wires deactivated after a car hit a utility pole in Visalia. Photo: Courtesy of Lewis Griswold/The Fresno Bee Matt Duma wasn’t dressed to impress, but he left quite the impression anyway. Pajamas, slippers and all. The Southern California Edison transmission line foreman’s quick thinking played a pivotal role in a car-hit-utility-pole accident late Monday in Visalia. Duma’s actions may have saved a man’s life, and the first responders couldn’t have been more appreciative. “The action of the off-duty Edison employee were instrumental to the outcome of the incident,” Visalia Fire Department battalion chief Danny Wristen told the Fresno Bee. Duma, however, believes he was just doing his job. “I don’t think I did anything heroic. I did my job,” said Duma, an 11-year veteran of SCE. “It’s no different than a firefighter going to rescue someone in a burning house or a cop doing his job. I respond to a wire down and I know how to take care of it.” Another member of the fire department who was there, engineer Shane Yoder, begs to differ. “He made an appearance at some point real quick after we were there,” said Yoder. “Definitely appreciate his help and it sped the process up quite a bit rather than having to wait for the [SCE truck] to get on the scene. It was great that someone was there to assist us.” Read More …