What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 161

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 161

carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring reaction videos – I can hardly believe it has been almost 25 years since The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was first released in cinemas. The first time I saw it (the first part of a cinematic trilogy) was during its final week of showing at the local cinema and I ended up being very engaged by it. Since then, the Peter Jackson-directed fantasy movie (and its two follow-ups) was released in different editions on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray formats, ultimately offering movie buffs and J.R.R. Tolkien fans a lot of choices. Considering its great cinematic quality, in-depth storytelling and memorable characters, The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is arguably the greatest cinematic fantasy spectacle ever made. As such, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring itself was featured many times in reaction videos by YouTubers, and posted below are the ones I enjoyed watching. Go watch the videos below.

#2 Islamic Slave Trade examined – When it comes to the disturbing topic of slavery, not too many people want to discuss the Islamic slave trade which started from 7th century and even persisted in various forms into the 20th century. When compared to the transatlantic slave trade, Islamic slave trade happened across North Africa, East Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Southern Europe and South Asia. There were women who were trafficked as domestic laborers or concubines, there were men who were recruited into specialized elite slave militaries, and there were others who subjected to brutal physical labor in various forms in different regions. The Islamic slave trade was indeed twisted and cursed, and it should never be revived. To find out more, watch the in-depth video below.

#3 The impact of Super Castlevania IV remembered – Released in December of 1991 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in America, Super Castlevania IV was easily one of the most anticipated new games of that year given the fact that the Castlevania game series was already wildly popular with gamers. Considering its American release date, it was also the most pursued SNES game during the Christmas season. As such, its impact with gamers during the season was memorable and the YouTube video below by My Retro Life captured the game’s impact.

#4 Skipjack tuna’s impact in Japan – If you are fond of eating tuna, are you familiar with skipjack tuna? Skipjack tuna (also referred to as Katsuwonus pelamis) is a medium-sized, streamlined pelagic fish in the tuna family of Scombridae. It is the one tuna species that got heavily fished and chances are, you canned tuna you ate came from it. In Japan, there was a surplus of skipjack tuna which not only brought down prices but also made an impact on customers through the restaurants and groceries. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#5 The history of Tron – If you have seen the classic sci-fi movie Tron from 1982, were you able to play the official video games about it? Back then, there were video games of Tron released in the arcades and on game consoles of the time. Having seen the movie first, I remember wanting to play the Tron video games whenever I saw a print ad or a poster about the games. To learn more about Tron and its impact on video gaming, watch the video below from the late PatmanQC.

#6 Bill Clinton’s immorality, lying and sex scandal revisited – It has been almost thirty years since the Bill Clinton – Monica Lewinsky scandal first rocked the world resulting in massive news media coverage, legal implications, political debates and even a successful impeachment of Clinton. If you set aside the politics and media coverage, Bill Clinton’s sex scandal alone was essentially embarrassing and tarnished the Office of the President of the United States. I personally know Democrats who had trouble defending their immoral and dishonest President Clinton, and they are still worshipping both Bill and Hillary to this day. Recently, a comprehensive look back at the late-1990s sex scandal of Bill Clinton was released on YouTube and I encourage you to watch it now. Learn from history and never ever follow the evil Clintons.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Attracts 19.5 Million Foreign Visitors in First 10 Months of 2026

Vietnam Attracts 19.5 Million Foreign Visitors in First 10 Months of 2026

carlocarrasco

As of the end of October, Vietnam’s 2026 count of foreign visitors reached 19.5 million, according to a news report by VnExpress. This puts Vietnam in a good position to overtake its 2025 grand total of 21.2 million foreign visitors although it has yet to be seen if it can attract 25 million this year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam received 19.5 million international visitors in the first 10 months of 2026, a 13.8% increase from a year earlier.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 4.3 million visitors, accounting for about 22% of the total, according to the General Statistics Office.

South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.3 million visitors, or 17.3%. Russia ranked third with 1.2 million, followed by Taiwan (1.07 million) and the U.S. (808,000).

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (787,000), Japan (757,000), India (744,000), the Philippines (579,000) and Australia (542,000).

Vietnam has remained a popular choice for international travelers, supported by its safety reputation, favorable visa policies, stronger tourism promotion efforts and a wide range of travel experiences, GSO wrote.

In October, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached 1.85 million, an increase of 4.9% from the previous month and 7% compared to the same period last year.

The tourism industry attributed October’s visitor growth partly to two concerts by South Korean music group BigBang in Hanoi on Oct. 24–25.

Vietnam eyes 25 million international arrivals by the end of this year.

Dr Daisy Kanagasapapathy, Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality Management, RMIT Vietnam, told VnExpress International the target is within sight.

Vietnam needs about 7.3 million arrivals in the final quarter, an average of more than 2.4 million a month.

“That calls for a strong finish, and the fourth quarter is the start of the October–March peak tourism season,” she added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam has all the factors and momentum to successfully attract 25 million tourists from around the world by the end of this year? If you are planning to visit Vietnam, what are the three main reasons behind your decision to go there? Did any of your friends visit Vietnam and shared their observations with you?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Nuclear Power is the Next Step for the Philippines

Nuclear Power is the Next Step for the Philippines

carlocarrasco

As the Philippines continues to use energy from renewable sources, it is also gradually moving forward to adapting nuclear power for its energy needs which was confirmed by the secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), according to a news article by BusinessMirror.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessMirror news article. Some parts in boldface…

THE Philippines maintains aggressive targets to shift its energy portfolio toward green power. To provide clean, stable baseload power generation that complements renewables, the country has stepped on the gas to advance its nuclear goals.

“I think nuclear is the next step because we are already maturing on renewables and it’s difficult to be dependent on imported fuel. That’s really very painful for us when things don’t go well around the world,” said Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin in an interview.

The energy chief is leading the Philippines’ push to integrate nuclear energy into the national power mix, targeting 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity by 2032 and scaling up to 4,800MW by 2050. This timeline is heavily anchored on the commercial rollout of small nuclear reactors (SMRs). The agency is looking at locations including Bataan, Batangas, Masbate, Pangasinan, Palawan, and Camarines Norte as potential nuclear sites.

“All the companies are interested: Meralco, Aboitiz, San Miguel, Prime Infra. All of them are interested because they know that with nuclear, it’s not a matter of if, but when,” said Garin, adding that since the law does not allow the government to be involved in the power generation, “maybe the government can have a minimal stake only.”

Meralco’s power generation arm, Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), agrees that nuclear power provides a reliable, low-carbon baseload source that reduces exposure to volatile global fossil fuel prices.

“As I said, it’s an option, right? And if you really want energy independence with a baseload profile, then nuclear is one of the clear options,” said MGEN president Emmanuel Rubio in an interview.

The Pangilinan-led Meralco is among the major industry players driving this transition. It has engaged a US-based engineering firm, Sargent & Lundy, and AMH Philippines, Inc. to conduct a feasibility study on deploying SMRs in the Philippines.

The comprehensive study is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027. The study marks the next step in the $2.8-million technical assistance program funded by the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).

Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) also agreed to pursue joint pre-feasibility studies, information sharing, and capacity-building activities related to nuclear technologies.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will succeed in achieving its nuclear goals over the next several years? Are members of your local community still afraid of nuclear power?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Over 700 Patients Receive Free Medical and Dermatological Services in Las Piñas City

Over 700 Patients Receive Free Medical and Dermatological Services in Las Piñas City

carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, more than seven hundred local patients received free medical and dermatological services during a medical mission involving The Aivee Clinic, the City Government announced via social media.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the announcement of the City Government. Some parts in boldface…

More than 700 patients received free medical and dermatological services during the Aivee Beyond Borders Medical Mission held at Madrigal Covered Court, Barangay Daniel Fajardo, Las Piñas City.

Mayor April Aguilar, along with Vice Mayor Mel Aguilar and Councilor Alelee Aguilar, personally attended the program to join the event and meet with the residents who participated and supported the free consultation and health services.

The medical mission was led by Dr. Aivee Aguilar and Dr. Z Teo of The Aivee Group, in collaboration with local officials and government officials.

Councilors Robert Cristobal and Mac Mac Santos, SK Rey Angelo Reyes, City Department Heads, and officials from Barangay Daniel Fajardo and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) also attended.

The presence of Aivee Ambassadors, Barbie Imperial and Richard Gutierrez, added to the joy of the event, as well as the distribution of raffle prizes.

One of the highlights of the program was the surprise birthday celebration of Vice Mayor Mel Aguilar, adding to the joy of the gathering.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, do you know anyone who attended the medical mission? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear about The Aivee Clinic?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 48

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 48

carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads from the 1980s to the 1990s.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers, posters and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s to the 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. Broderbund British print ad

A colorful advertisement for Broderbund's video games featuring 'Lode Runner' and other titles, with a bright design that includes text promoting 'America's Favourite' and 'Big Value Choice.'
An American-themed promotion of games for the British market in the 1980s.

Back in the 1980s, home computer systems were already popular platforms for playing electronic games. The American company Broderbund was one of the dominant forces of home computer gaming back then with lots of hit games (a mix of their own productions and the publishing of ports of games from other companies) that entertained many. When it came to England, Broderbund was aggressive on marketing its games there and the above print ad is a fine example of it. They came up with an American theme on their ad promoting the Lode Runner games, Choplifter, Spelunker and Stealth to British computer gamers. The imagery of a burger and the display of the American flag made the ad eye-catching.

2. King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch Japanese print ad

Promotional advertisement for the video game King Kong 2 by Konami featuring a close-up of a gorilla's face, vibrant graphics, and game details in Japanese.
A print ad of King Kong 2 and two other Konami games for Japanese gamers.

Believe it or not, Konami had the license to create the 1986 adventure game King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch which was very loosely based on the 1986 movie King Kong Lives. To promote its release for the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom), Konami came up with the above print ad that had an actual movie photo of King Kong, inserted two screenshots and showed some creative writings. Conveniently, Konami also inserted two of its other games for promotions.

3. Datsugoku Japanese arcade flyer

An intense illustrated scene featuring muscular characters in action, one wielding a gun while shouting. The background shows a prison-like setting with buildings and characters on the ground. The image includes bold Japanese text that translates to 'Escape' and hints at a theme of liberation and combat.
The front.
An advertisement for a video game featuring various characters in action poses, illustrating gameplay mechanics like combat and weapon usage. The text is in Japanese, explaining character controls and actions for different scenarios.
The rear.

In 1988, SNK released Datsugoku in Japanese arcades and it became a commercial success for them long before they transitioned to their Neo Geo hardware. As you can see in the Japanese arcade flyer, the game has a war theme about prisoners of war struggling to fight their way out of enemy territory. This is not surprising because of the popularity of Hollywood’s military themed action movies and the Cold War itself had influenced game designers. The arcade flyer has fine-looking art of war. This game was eventually released in other parts of the world under the title P.O.W.: Prisoners of War.

4. The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback! North American print ad

A vintage advertisement for the video game 'The Punisher' featuring a muscular character in tactical gear and a machine gun, with Spider-Man appearing in the background. The ad highlights intense action against crime and showcases gameplay details alongside an image of the game cartridge.
The Punisher with Spider-Man in this action-oriented print ad.

In the early 1990s, Nintendo’s Game Boy was the dominant handheld gaming device and it was not surprising that a lot of companies released games on it. Along the way, the Punisher became one of Marvel Comics’ most popular characters and there were two monthly comic book series about the character. Acclaim produced The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback! for Game Boy featuring not only the Punisher but also Spider-Man (in the background) which was enough to get the attention of comic book fans. The descriptive text they came up with has this obvious anti-crime theme and it emphasized action. I saw this print ad in some 1991 comic books I read and it remains eye-catching until now.

5. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Japanese print ad

A promotional image for the video game based on 'Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,' featuring AT-AT walkers and various characters, with text highlighting the game's release.
This is one captivating print ad.

In the early 1990s, Victor/JVC published Star Wars games developed by Lucasfilm Games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Following the 1992 release of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on the NES in the West, they released a port of it for the Famicom in Japan in 1993. To promote the game, they made a print ad that highlighting the memorable Battle of Hoth (using art and one screenshot) as well as iconic photos of Luke Skywalker in Hoth and Dagobah (with Yoda). The ad makers strategically inserted screenshots showing the in-game Hoth and Dagobah settings plus two of Cloud City. I played the game myself and it was very punishing. Still, this ad looks great. It also motivated me to replay The Empire Strikes Back on home video back then.

6. Contra: The Hard Corps Japanese print ad

A vibrant video game advertisement featuring a male and female character armed with futuristic guns, set against a fiery background. The text highlights the game's themes of cyber action and features the game's title prominently.
This Contra: The Hard Corps print ad for Japan still looks exciting.

In 1994, gamers in Japan who owned the Sega Mega Drive (Sega Genesis in America) were highly engaged when Konami released Contra: The Hard Corps specifically for the said console. Konami aggressively marketed the game and one of the ads they made for Japan was the above 2-page print ad that had dynamic looking hand-drawn artwork that had strong anime aesthetics. They inserted two screenshots of the game and posted a text description to get gamers excited. Apart from bringing Contra excitement for Sega gamers and Contra fans who happened to own the Mega Drive, this print ad clearly shows Konami went all-in with doing business with Sega.

7. Skimaxx North American and British arcade flyers

Promotional image for the Skimaxx arcade game featuring a virtual water-skiing experience with a bright blue and pink design, showcasing the game machine and a player on a water-ski simulator.
Skimaxx arcade flyer for England. Does anyone know who the pretty model is?
Promotional image for SKIMAXX, an interactive water-skiing simulator featuring a player on a ski board, a colorful arcade machine displaying gameplay, and descriptions of features and pricing.
Skimaxx arcade flyer for North America.

I never played Skimaxx in the local arcades. Did you? Released in 1996 by Innovative Concepts in Entertainment, Skimaxx is very notable for having a truly unique physical cabinet design featuring a pivoting hydraulic footboard which brings to players the simulation of rock motions, twists and more. Two arcade flyers – for North America and England – were respectively published and both featured a pretty blonde lady wearing a swimsuit playing the Skimaxx machine, highlighting the use of the footboard. Apart from the technical features, a Skimaxx machine can be linked with another machine for head-to-head competition. These arcade flyers are very cool and mesmerizing to look at and they contain enough details to make arcade operators interested.

8. Genso Suikoden II Japanese print ad

Promotional poster for the video game 'Gensou Suikoden II' featuring various vibrant scenes and characters from the game, with Japanese text and a price listed.
This is truly an epic-looking print ad promoting Genso Suikoden II. A lot of images were shown but they did not spoil the plot.

When Konami released the original Suikoden (Genso Suikoden in Japan) fantasy RPG on the PlayStation in the mid-1990s, the game achieved positive feedback from gamers and critics which boosted sales. In late-1998, the sequel Genso Suikoden II was released for PlayStation in Japan and Konami became aggressive on promoting it as it became aware of the many dedicated Suikoden fans. They came up with an epic-looking 2-page print ad that had a collage of official artworks, screenshots of in-game cutscenes, and some of the fancy looking visual effects to sell the game. The images and descriptive text informed gamers of the new conflict following the events of the original game. I played Suikoden II a lot and it is easily bigger and better than its predecessor. That said, this epic-looking print ad truly highlights the great stuff Suikoden II offered gamers and it made the Suikoden II print ads in America look inferior. Too bad Konami did not use the approach of the Japanese print ad in the Western markets because Suikoden II truly is epic fantasy.

9. Einhänder North American print ad

The 2-page print ad of Einhänder for North America.

Back in the late-1990s, SquareSoft became a more prominent game developer and publisher by releasing new games that not only had 3D polygonal visuals but also tackled gameplay styles beyond role-playing games (RPGs). In the case of their game Einhänder, they made a serious gamble on the shooter genre of gaming while moving forward with 3D polygons and some unique gameplay features of their own. In preparation for the game’s North American launch in 1998 for PlayStation, the company came up with a wide print ad with a dominant artwork that showed a planet with a huge part torn off and drifting into space. Even a small part of the planet’s core got exposed. This ad pounded hard on the expression of “Earth shattering”, and it showed SquareSoft was serious on making an impact on the shooter genre. When I saw this ad in a magazine, the planet caught my attention and then I focused on the right section which had the descriptive text and screenshots of Einhänder. This is still an engaging print ad to look at.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Thailand Considering Visa Waivers for Travelers from Few Specific Nations

Thailand Considering Visa Waivers for Travelers from Few Specific Nations

carlocarrasco

With their struggling tourism industry and long-haul tourism in mind, Thailand is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from a few specific nations, according to a news article by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Thailand is considering a 15-day visa exemption for travelers from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan to ease visa processing delays and attract more long-haul visitors.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports will submit a proposal to the visa policy committee on Nov. 9, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Monday, as reported by The Nation Thailand.

The proposal comes amid growing concerns that visa-processing delays are disrupting Thailand’s long-haul tourism market, particularly travel from Latin America, with passenger show-up rates on some flights falling by 20% to 30%, Khaosod English news site reported.

Emirates recently filed a complaint with the Tourism Authority of Thailand after 20-30 passengers per flight from Mexico failed to show up because they had not received their visas in time, local media reported.

Surasak said the ministry was seeking a long-term solution to persistent visa delays affecting Mexico and other Latin American markets. The committee will assess the proposal’s security and economic implications, with the ministry seeking exemptions for countries considered to pose low security risks.

Chiravadee Khunsub, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand overseeing international markets in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, said visa procedures had also affected arrivals from Uzbekistan, Thai Examiner reported.

Uzbek travelers previously had to apply for Thai e-visas through the Royal Thai Embassy in Russia, a process that travel agents in Uzbekistan considered cumbersome.

Some travelers subsequently canceled their Thailand holiday packages and chose competing destinations, including Vietnam.

The proposed exemption aims to simplify entry procedures, reduce disruptions to travel plans and restore confidence among international tour operators and airline partners.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Thailand’s move to grant visa exemptions to travelers from Colombia, Mexico and Uzbekistan makes a lot of sense? Do you think Thailand will be able to match its 2025 foreign tourist arrival numbers before the end of this year? What was single biggest problem you had when it came to visiting Thailand?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam’s Long Thanh International Airport expected to open on December 24

Vietnam’s Long Thanh International Airport expected to open on December 24

carlocarrasco

The ambitious Long Thanh International Airport in Vietnam is expected to open to commercial flights on December 24, 2026, according to a news article by VnExpress. Previously it was announced that December 1 would be the date of opening and that the airport will handle most international flights next year. How this newest development will impact the tourism sector and the current economic boom of Vietnam remains to be seen.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Long Thanh International Airport is expected to open to commercial flights at midnight on Dec. 24, initially handling up to 366 flights a week, 322 of them domestic and 44 international.

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) gave the date in a notice sent to the Dong Nai People’s Committee. It asked the city to have relevant agencies help the corporation finish preparations so the launch runs smoothly and safely.

Domestic airlines will start operating at the new airport in stages. Vietnam Airlines is expected to fly the Long Thanh-Hanoi route and several international routes, while Vietjet plans domestic services linking Long Thanh with major economic and tourism centers nationwide.

Management agencies, airport operators and airlines are jointly drawing up flight allocations and operating plans, taking into account slot coordination and schedules at both Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Many international airlines have also voiced interest in and support for flying to Long Thanh, ACV said. Spanning 5,000 hectares in Dong Nai, about 40 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Long Thanh is Vietnam’s largest airport by area.

For other previous blog posts about the Long Thanh International Airport, click here and here.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the new Long Thanh International Airport will be able to launch on December 24 as planned? Do you think the local authorities and the strategic partners of the new airport have done enough to ensure a proper preparation for the opening to commercial flights? If you are planning to visit Vietnam on or after December 24, has this new development impacted your flight plans?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

SBMA and Subic EnerZone Renew Power Distribution Partnership for Another 25 Years

SBMA and Subic EnerZone Renew Power Distribution Partnership for Another 25 Years

carlocarrasco

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced that its power distribution partnership with Subic EnerZone has been renewed for another twenty-five years which ensures reliable electricity in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone that varied businesses and thousands of customers need. It should be noted that Subic Bay has economic and logistic roles in Pax Silica and the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

AboitizPower-led Subic EnerZone Corp. has renewed its power distribution partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), extending its management of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s distribution system for another 25 years.

Subic EnerZone has operated the Freeport’s power distribution system since October 2003.

As of Feb. 28, 2026, it served more than 3,750 customers, including industrial and commercial locators, residential customers, and streetlights. The utility also serves industrial locators under the Retail Electricity Supply program.

At the end of 2025, Subic EnerZone reported system losses of 4.37 percent, below the 5.50 percent ceiling set by the government for private distribution utilities.

“Subic has always been a place of possibility—a Freeport where businesses grow, industries connect, and communities build better lives. As Subic Bay Freeport moves into its next chapter, reliable electricity will remain essential to that progress. It supports the daily work of locators, the services people depend on, and the opportunities that continued investment can bring,” said Anton Mari G. Perdices, chief executive officer for distribution utilities at AboitizPower.

“For AboitizPower Distribution Utilities and Subic EnerZone, this partnership carries a clear responsibility: to plan alongside SBMA, strengthen the systems that serve the Freeport, and prepare for its changing needs. That work calls for practical planning, close coordination, and a long-term view of reliability and growth,” he added.

Jay Navarro, Subic EnerZone’s officer-in-charge president and general manager, said the utility plans to pursue system upgrades and reliability improvements to support SBMA’s vision of a modern, resilient, and future-ready economic hub.

“Looking ahead, we are ready for Subic’s growth. Our demand and capacity forecasts project a steady rise in power needs. With Subic’s position as the Global Gateway of the Luzon Economic Corridor, these forecasts will change significantly, and we are prepared for it,” Navarro said.

At the renewal ceremony, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Engr. Eduardo Jose Aliño outlined the agency’s strategic direction and upcoming development plans. He said reliable energy infrastructure is essential to strengthening investor confidence and sustaining economic growth in the Subic Bay Freeport.

“Today, we renew our commitment to a partnership that has served Subic Bay well—SBMA and Subic EnerZone working together to modernize our infrastructure, keep the power on, and build a more sustainable Freeport,” Aliño said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the increase of incoming shipments of electric vehicles at the Subic Bay port will somehow create new business opportunities for local entrepreneurs as well as customers?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Thailand Postpones $30 Departure Tax to Sustain Tourism Growth

Thailand Postpones $30 Departure Tax to Sustain Tourism Growth

carlocarrasco

With the intention to sustain the growth of its tourism sector, Thailand announced that it has postponed the planned imposition of a 1,000 Baht (US$30) departure tax on all air travelers, according to a news article by VnExpress. The nation, which attracted almost 33 million foreign tourists in 2025, also pointed to other factors behind their decision such as the higher cost of energy and the need to assess the economic outlook.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the article of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Thailand has postponed plans to impose a 1,000-baht (US$30) departure tax on all air travelers to sustain the tourism sector’s growth momentum amid economic uncertainty and rising energy costs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said on Thursday that the government would assess the economic outlook and the impact of higher energy prices before deciding whether to proceed with the measure, Khaosod English newspaper reported.

The government is seeking to sustain the country’s tourism recovery, particularly as rising fuel costs could put additional pressure on airlines and the wider tourism industry, Ekniti said.

The decision comes amid a positive international response to Thailand’s recent hosting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meetings, Nation Thailand reported.

The government expects tourism activity to remain strong in the fourth quarter of 2026 and wants to preserve the sector’s positive momentum.

Introducing an additional departure tax at this stage could increase costs for both the public and airlines, while also placing an extra financial burden on foreign tourists, Ekniti said.

Earlier this month, the Revenue Department invited public feedback on a draft bill proposing a 1,000-baht departure tax per trip for travelers of all nationalities flying out of Thailand. The proposed levy aims to optimize the use of existing government resources, uphold fiscal discipline and provide greater flexibility in responding to emergencies.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Was the planned imposition of a $30 departure tax on all air travelers in Thailand a huge turn-off for you? Have you visited Thailand over the past six months?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #365 (1992)

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #365 (1992)

carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Spider-Man fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1990s to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.

Back in 1992, Marvel Comics organized the celebration of what was back then the 30th anniversary of their most famous icon Spider-Man. Each Spider-Man monthly series that year had an anniversary celebration issue that had hologram covers and page content that was higher than usual. I previously reviewed Web of Spider-Man #90 and Spider-Man #26. The purest Spider-Man monthly series – Amazing Spider-Man – also had the anniversary treatment.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #365, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with the main story “Fathers and Sins” written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley. Other stories here include “How I Created Spider-Man” by Michelinie and Aaron Lopresti; “I Remember Gwen” by Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco and John Romita; and “A Friend in Need” by DeFalco.

Cover of The Amazing Spider-Man comic book, issue 365, featuring a ghostly image and spider web design, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the series.
The cover.

Early story (main story)

The story begins with the Lizard (Dr. Connors) prowling from one building to another during the night in New York City. He secretly stays outside the windows of the apartment of his wife Martha and their son. A birthday celebration is happening inside the apartment and among the guests are Peter Parker and his wife Mary Jane. Peter knows that growing up without a father is rough and he remembers that no one has seen Curt Connors since he last turned into the Lizard (refer to the Spider-Man: Torment storyline written and drawn by Todd McFarlane).

As the celebration goes on, the Lizard silently sneaks into the apartment through an open window. This alarms Peter through his spider sense which compels him to decide to secretly change into Spider-Man.

As Martha Connors enters a dark room to get a prepared gift for her son Billy, the Lizard shuts the door and confronts her. In his reptilian form, the Lizard communicates to his wife in English and assures her that he (Dr. Connors) is in control. He tells her that the evil sorceress Calypso sent her into a berserker rage to kill Spider-Man but his human consciousness was aware all the time. He tells her to bring to him their son. Martha is frightened and she knows that there is too much risk to grant her husband’s command…

Quality

A comic book panel featuring Spider-Man fighting a green-skinned villain, with action words like 'SPUSH' and 'THROK' illustrated around them. Spider-Man is depicted in a dynamic pose as he attacks the villain, who is wearing a white coat and green pants, surrounded by debris.
The main story has a rematch between Spidey and the Lizard. Unlike Todd McFarlane’s Torment, the story and visuals here have more subtlety, suspense and balance.

The main story “Fathers and Sins” is the anticipated rematch between Spider-Man and the Lizard following the very violent events that happened in the Torment storyline. Unlike that tale authored by McFarlane, this one has more depth and subtlety balanced with superhero spectacle.

David Michelinie carefully crafted the tale with clear progression in mind for the enduring rivalry between Spider-Man and the Lizard. He also took the opportunities to develop the characters whenever possible, and he did so with Dr. Connor’s wife and son. In fact, there are family dynamics within this story and the Lizard – portrayed here with multiple personality disorder (MPD) switching from Dr. Connor and the wild animal itself – is simply not the murderous entity seen in Torment. That said, this tale opens up questions such as how Dr. Connors will live on knowing the murders he committed as the Lizard, does he have any chance of keeping his family intact, and more.

More on Spider-Man himself, he was portrayed as a sensible and caring superhero. Even though he had traumatic encounters with the Lizard in Torment, he engaged his rival with reason instead of head-on violent action. He consistently believes that he could overcome the Lizard and somehow get Dr. Connors back intact knowing that the family needs him. When it comes to problems related with science and technology, Spider-Man here makes efforts to solve them using the knowledge he gained in university. The iconic webslinger here is pretty versatile, strategic and calculating. I should state that Mark Bagley has really fine artworks here and it is clear he truly captured the essence of Michelinie’s script.

The short story “How I Created Spider-Man” follows J. Jonah Jameson’s recollection of Spider-Man. This was cleverly written by Michelinie to revisit key moments from the origin and early superhero days of Spider-Man through Jameson’s memories, his own perception of the hero and his history of abusing his publishing power to make him look like a menace to society. The nostalgia and related details are easily the main attractions of this short story. This is something that fans of Spidey will enjoy.

A comic book page depicting a tense scene with a humanoid creature with green scales and claws confronting two women. One woman appears frightened while the other is trying to remain calm. Dialogue bubbles convey urgency and fear as the creature discusses control and a boy named Billy.
There is absolutely nothing like encountering a family member who has turned into a large, dangerous reptilian!
A comic book page showcasing several characters engaging in conversation at a party. The scene includes characters with distinct hairstyles and outfits, expressing emotions and interactions amidst a festive backdrop.
The short story “I Remember Gwen” is a great way of revisiting the past of Spider-Man, Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy. The art by the late John Romita is great to see!

The Spider-Man nostalgia intensified in the 2nd short story “I Remember Gwen” which features artwork by the late John Romita. This one is about Mary Jane Parker recalling her friendship with the late Gwen Stacy (who back then was romantically linked with Peter Parker) and key moments she remembered from Spider-Man. This short story has fine art by Romita and this resulted in a retro visual ride that captured the 1970s aesthetics. As this tale revisited Spider-Man’s past relationship with Gwen, it also offered readers a close look at the MJ-Gwen friendship. That said, long-time fans of Spidey will enjoy this.

The final short story “A Friend in Need” is easily the weakest part of this anniversary celebration comic book. It features the Prowler and does not have much to do with Spider-Man. This one is a shallow filler-type of story.

Conclusion

Comic book panel featuring Spider-Man carrying two women, one with blonde hair and the other with red hair, while a giant Green Goblin head looms in the background. The scene captures a moment of tension and emotion with speech bubbles conveying inner thoughts.
This page drawn by John Romita should compel you to read Amazing Spider-Man #121.

As of now, I can say that Amazing Spider-Man #365 (1992) is easily the best of the 30th anniversary celebration comic books I have read so far. It has a very solid main story that moved the Spider-Man-Lizard rivalry forward (and also has a conclusion that tapped directly into the icon’s origin with a good element of surprise) and two of the three short stories are great offerings for the very dedicated Spider-Man fans. It also has short articles/special messages that highlight the importance of Spidey’s 30th anniversary, and a Spider-Man 2099 preview! In short, this anniversary celebration comic book is the complete package for the fans and is also one of the most defining Amazing Spider-Man comic books of the 1990s. It truly is worth having in your collection!

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #365 (1992) is highly recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco