Innovation, Tradition, Diversity and The People of GUIZHOU

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd end up traveling to China. To tell you honestly, the differences could have all made this not happen, but I was smitten with the thought of meeting their people. This, and a journey to an unfamiliar place that most folks wouldn't define as a tourist destination. Going there with a mission to discover its charm, see the kindness of its people away from the preconceived notions and see its potential, or for what it is when we get there.

We flew via China Southern Airlines from Manila and set forth to Guangzhou then Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (took over 8 hours + with layovers) which is located in their capital city called Guiyang. 

 

Looked over the window since it was a daytime flight and saw how various structures that looked like factories, condominium units, villages weren't just plain concrete, but filled with intricate Chinese designs, sensibly placed solar panels and a network of river ways transporting goods, people and a behemoth quantity of industrial products they'd be known to carry. Who was I to think they'd be just farmlands, forests and mountain ranges when recent economic onlookers specifically identify them as booming digital data hubs. Guizhou houses data centers from the biggest corporations in the world, as they are blessed with weather conditions apt for cooling them au naturelle, and little to no additional infrastructure they can't handle. Guizhou is filled to the brim with engineering marvels, one of which is the BALINGHE BRIDGE. This was our first destination. (Warning: Picture Heavy Post Ahead!)

Which is better, gasoline or diesel?

Motorheads have various opinions on which is better to have: a gasoline-powered or a diesel-propelled vehicle. Some would say the former has a lot more benefits than the other, and others, vice versa. So we listed down some points to consider if you’ll be getting either a diesel or a gasoline-fed vehicle.

MILEAGE

This would be the biggest consideration for many. Since everyone—and we do mean everyone—experiences long hours in traffic jams, getting a motor vehicle that would not guzzle up its fuel should be a priority. While there are lots of gasoline-powered vehicles in the market now that claim they have a high fuel-efficiency rating, most of the time, it’s the diesel-engined vehicles that take the cake. Carmudi reported that diesel engines are more fuel-efficient than its gasoline counterparts: some 25-30 percent more if based on figures. On an average, vehicles will be driven at about 48,000 kilometers in a span of three years. Based on Carmudi’s calculation two years ago, at an average price back then of P30 per liter on diesel and P40 on gas, one would have spent some P213,999 on petrol versus the P120,000 only on diesel.

PERFORMANCE

Diesel engines nowadays—thanks to its common-rail direct injection and turbocharging features—can provide more power and torque even at low RPMs, so there is no need to push the gas pedal harder to get that little more oomph. Gasoline-fed motors can provide equally-powerful figures in terms of power and torque, but unlike the diesel engines, it needs higher RPM to put out such numbers.

RESALE VALUE

We all know that all vehicles depreciate in value in time, that is why many owners tend to sell their vehicle after a few years. If you are that type of person,, then diesel engine is good for you. Go to both our new cars and used cars’ page and you will see that the prices of diesel-powered vehicles are usually higher compared to those propelled by gasoline. However, if buying price would be of consideration, petrol engines are much cheaper, meaning, they’re much easier to acquire compared to diesels.

CLEANER EMISSIONS

Without a doubt, gasoline trumps diesel engines on this. Usually, gasoline is more refined than diesel. Over time, smoke coming from diesel engines tend to be darker, especially when using low-grade diesel; CRDi are especially very sensitive to fuel quality. This is the reason diesel fuels need special additives and lubricants to maintain its healthy state. Gasoline, on the other hand, is easier to maintain and leaves lesser carbon footprints.

CONCLUSION

Truth is, it all depends on your preference. Getting a vehicle that fits your lifestyle, where you will be using it without undermining your financial capability, should dictate the vehicle that you will be having. Scout and get your preferred vehicle here.

1 Million Pesos for Success the MLQU Way

I'm having a grand time here in Manuel L. Quezon University's Quezon City Campus at the Victoria Sports Tower along EDSA. I think they're going to announce another milestone as they have gotten one of their students in the limelight by quipping the Top 8 spot for the Civil Engineering Licensure exam this 2017. He is Engr. Archimedes Martinez, and they are putting this in front as they feel this is tanget to their big SUCCESS which is done the MLQU way. NSJBI and MLQU has got a surprise for them.

MLQU has shone brightly after being bought by NSJBI in 2014 and this is just one of the few things they are doing to hasten excellence in education, to strive to excell, they are also amping up great rewards to those who have brought pride to the University. 

During the event, they have also interviewed lawyers that have graduated from MLQU and they shared their experiences about how it was to become a lawyer. Some of them didn't have support groups, means to actually study, but just by working hard and the muster to pursue their dreams, they are now the lawyers they dreamed to be. They noted how their professors were dedicated and passionate about educating them, that compared them to diamonds, which need a lot of pressure before they could have their own shine. Yes there is culture shock, but you will be pushed by your peers, by professors, the people in your school to aspire more, that is where you will get to love law. By the way, all their parents cried after getting the good news. It was heartwarming to hear them share how they felt about it. From the exhausting reviews, sleepless nights, tons of money, it was all worth it, and they made it!

Raphael Pedroso and Archimedes Martinez were then introduced and told their story. Raphael admitted to not have studied so much in the past but when he failed the first time he took the exams, he was encouraged by his brother to take the boards again... and he eventually got through and even had his grades equal to top 3, but since he is a repeater it wasn't recognized on top. He was so glad still and pushed himself to be a great man, imagine he had a medal given to him in college indicating Civil Engineering during his first course of Computer Science. It was a struggle, but he overcame it all. We all have these stories.

Archimedes on the other hand was the black sheep of the family, he had not been doing good on vices even used his tuition fee for gambling. They had him stop for a year because of that they didn't want him to enroll anymore, but he was given a chance to study again by his father and eventually, on taking his first board exams, who would have believed that he landed Top 8 overall? He utters "Make those people who doubt you your inspiration!", a quite good point.

MLQU is getting a lot of help from their graduates, some of which are topnotchers in their own field. "As we took over we wanted to face this challenge head on and bring in great faculty, and bring back the greatness of the school to it's status in the glorious days, my peers said they can do it. We can make it again in the different courses so we have had professors help to make this a reality. Educations and achievers are great equalizers! -Dr. Isagani Herman of MLQU"

Then they surprised them, they awarded Archimedes 1 Million Pesos for the feat and 50 thousand to Raphael Pedroso.