BAGUIO is bursting at the seams. If it were a toy balloon, it would seem like it would burst in the blink of an eye.
That’s what the city has become. But not just only now but for quite a while now.
Vehicles are all over that there is almost nary a space for a human to walk the city streets.
Session Road, Baguio’s elegant main artery, isn’t what it used to be anymore.
It has ceased to be the darling of strollers.
Its pavements are still wide but, alas, crowds make it impossible for one to walk leisurely on them.
Session as the city’s chief thoroughfare is swamped with vehicles parked bumper-to-bumper on both sides; some intrepid souls love risking to engage in double-parking in utter defiance of traffic laws. A la Metro Manila?
But what can one do?
The city that we love has ceased to be lovable.
Whereas before you can negotiate Session, leisurely on foot, in cool, crisp mountain breeze, from Burnham Park to Pines Hotel, if not the Cathedral (I was baptized there, ahem!), these days not anymore.
Grapple with vehicular, as well as human traffic.
Brave the bad air produced by vehicle emissions.
And yes, the Burnham Park. Its charm is gone, too. At night, particularly on weekends, it has been transformed into what is now commonly called a “night market.” It is buyers galore there, with every sale a bargain. Lost are the romantic nights the park offered to poets, lovers and free spirits, as well.
If Baguio doesn’t undergo a major surgery soon, it will die a natural death—if it hasn’t yet expired.
Didn’t I hear Baguio Mayor Magalong talk of a city uplift once he got elected?
Volvo wins driving electric awards
IT’S been quite a while since I last heard from Volvo Philippines. So from Albert Paolo Ella, here:
“The plug-in hybrid version of Volvo’s XC90 flagship SUV was recently crowned Best Electrified Seven-Seater in Driving Electric Awards.
“The Honor follows hot on the heels of updates that have increased the XC90 T8 Twin Engine’s all-electric driving range to up to 28.6 miles—with no exhaust emissions or petrol consumption.
“It has a sophisticated petrol-electric powertrain delivering high efficiency and low running costs, with CO2 emissions from 52g/km and fuel economy of up to 113.0 mpg.
“Vicky Parrott, Driving Electric associate editor, wrote: ‘The Volvo XC90 has long been the king of the large family SUVs, and in T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid form it makes transporting seven people in comfort very cost-effective indeed. Recent updates have freshened up its looks and improved its electric technology, ensuring it stays at the front of the class.’
“Improvements introduced to take the XC90 into 2020 include an increase in the capacity of the T8 Twin Engine’s high-voltage lithium-ion battery from 10.4 to 11.6 kilowatt hours. The result is an increase of more than 30 percent in the car’s pure-electric driving range, from 21.7 to a maximum of 28.6 miles, which means the XC90 can complete typical commuting journeys with no exhaust emissions or petrol consumption.
“The XC90 T8 Twin Engine is also exceptionally efficient for a large seven-seat SUV: it offers CO2 emissions from just 52g/km [NEDC correlated figures], with combined cycle fuel economy of up to 113.0 mpg [WLTP data]. This, in turn, contributes to low running costs with less money spent at the pumps.
“The technology deployed in the T8 Twin Engine versions of the XC90 in no way compromises the car’s style or practicality. The cool, contemporary Scandinavian design has been further refined recently, with new treatments for the grille and front bumper, and new alloy wheel designs and paint color options.
“The interior remains a lesson in combining luxury, comfort and everyday practicality with the space intelligently used to accommodate up to seven adults with ease.
“The T8 Twin Engine powertrain comes with a wealth of standard equipment features. These include all-wheel drive [via a rear-axle electric motor], power-operated tailgate, rear parking camera, LED headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats with power adjustment, Sensus Connect connectivity system with 9-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, voice-activated control, along with Volvo’s City Safety comprehensive package of active safety systems.
“Features dedicated to the T8 Twin Engine models include four-zone electronic climate control with a cooled glovebox, air-conditioning for the third row of seats, a 4.5-meter charging cable and a dedicated cable storage bag.
“Kristian Elvefors, Volvo Car UK’s managing director, said: ‘This award is greatly appreciated because it recognizes how we are committed to giving customers the performance and efficiency benefits of electrified powertrains with no compromise in the qualities they expect of a Volvo—beautiful design, genuine desirability, exceptional safety provisions and supreme quality and practicality.’”
PEE STOP World-class, yes, but the new Toyota Super Grandia Tourer is more than that. Its value-for-money is such that the 12-seater, huge as it may seem and looking bulky even, runs smoothly like real luxury, is very drivable and, most of all, is exceedingly cabin-friendly as each passenger rides in utter comfort and ease. No wonder it’s a global muscle worth its Toyota name.