Japan Considering Export Of Type 88 Surface-To-Ship Missile System To The Philippines

Following the revision of the limits on defense equipment exports and the successful testing of anti-ship missiles witnessed by many, Japan is considering the export of Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM-1) system to the Philippines, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think it is inevitable that Japan will export the Type 88 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM-1) to the Philippines? Do you think the said missile system will enhance the defense of the Philippines and make Communist China think twice before invading the country?

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

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Deal Signed For Vietnam To Supply Rice To The Philippines

On the sidelines of the recent summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a new agreement was signed for Vietnam to supply the Philippines with 1.5 million metric tons of rice which will last until April 2027, according to a news report by the Manila Standard.

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

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the new rice supply agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam ensures food security for the Filipino people? Have you ever tasted rice imported from Vietnam? Do you think the Philippines should focus more on harvesting a lot more local rice grain and support more domestic rice farmers to ensure a better internal supply?

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

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at The Kindred #4 (1994)

Welcome back, superhero fans, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Image Comics and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1990s to examine one of the many tales of the WildStorm universe through The Kindred mini-series.

After reading the first three issues of this WildStorm mini-series, Grifter and Backlash were well defined as two former teammates of Team 7 who are at great odds with each other. Adding more emphasis to the Team 7 legacy and the dirty history of International Operations (IO) was IO officer John Lynch (who became a captive in this mini-series) and the revealed leader of the Kindred. The stage is set for the conclusion of this mini-series.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at The Kindred #4, published by Image Comics in 1994 with a story written by Jim Lee, Brandon Choi, Sean Ruffner and the illustrator himself, Brett Booth.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins some time after the leader of the Kindred revealed himself to Lynch, Grifter, Backlash and Alicia Turner. It has been former IO operative and Team 7 member Roberto Diaz all along and he blamed Backlash for leaving him for dead more than twenty years prior during a desperate situation in South America.

On the orders of Diaz, a few of the beastly Kindred servants carried the severely damaged body of Backlash to a waterfall and threw him down. Elsewhere, Grifter is naked and contained in a water container with oxygen and a communication device attached to him. Roberto Diaz watches and communicates with him. Diaz tells Grifter that the his old identity is no more and the only thing he requires from him are gen samples which are crucial to better understand the genesis drug.

Diaz reveals to him that duplicating the genesis drug is crucial for the Kindred to create more life and be able to overwhelm the world and force it to recognize the might of the Kindred society. Grifter tries to reason with his former teammate by telling him that the genesis serum is something that is not meant to be tampered as it will lead to destruction…

Quality

Backlash in action!

This early, I can say that Jim Lee, Brandon Choi, Sean Ruffner and Brett Booth gave their best effort to make this final chapter very intriguing, dramatic and explosive to read at the same time. Along the way, they expanded the lore of the original WildStorm universe while building up anticipation for the Team 7 original mini-series (released in the 4th quarter of 1994).

The writing got even stronger in this final issue in terms of storytelling and character development. Roberto Diaz is not a one-dimensional super villain. In fact, he strongly believes that he was betrayed not only by Team 7 and IO, but by humanity in general. As such, he found purpose with the Kindred during his survival days and injected himself with the genesis drug which enhanced him but also turned him into an addict (this alone added drug addiction as a key theme). As far as Roberto Diaz is concerned, he is on a path of no return and his obsession with vengeance against humanity justifies his leadership of the Kindred and the master plan to overwhelm humanity someday. In terms of geopolitics, this reminds me a lot about Islamic terrorists going up against Western civilization using violence while having their fellow Islamists migrate into different nations worldwide to overwhelm those societies from within. Of course, the concept of Diaz and the Kindred plotting against many billions of humans here is high fantasy mixed with unethical science, terrorism, infiltration and terrorism.

The creators managed to develop Grifter, Backlash and John Lynch even more. Lynch here is portrayed as very stressed and struggling with being responsible over the deaths of many men IO sent to rescue him. He even believed for a while that Backlash is dead and he knows fully well that the Kindred are not crazy but rather intelligent and are obsessed with seeking justice. In some ways, Lynch is also responsible for the Kindred and he reflects on what he did for decades for IO while serving as a Team 7 member with a leadership role.

John Lynch in the prison cell with Colby.

Grifter and Backlash, who are often visually featured in the promos of this mini-series, also have their fair share of the spotlight. Both heroes are severely beaten and not even their special talents or powers were enough to overcome the violent opposition of the Kindred. I like the way the creators emphasized Grifter’s (civilian identity: Cole Cash) personality as he got into the same prison cell with Alicia Turner who turned out to be involved with him several years prior. Grifter here is uneasy about the past not only as member of Team 7 but also as a person. As for Backlash, I’ll say that he has the classic heroic comeback in this issue and things got really tense between him and Roberto Diaz.

When it comes to superhero spectacle, this one is really packed with action and Brett Booth delivered some dynamic artworks to make the story look entertaining. When he draws the Kindred – those animalistic loyalists of Roberto Diaz – he makes them look horrific and intimidating from time to time. When it comes to drawing Backlash and Grifter, Booth’s take has some rough edges as this mini-series was produced before the start of the Backlash series.

Conclusion

A dynamic action shot of a battered Grifter with Alicia Turner.

I can say that The Kindred #4 (1994) is a worthy end to the mini-series. By the time the plot concluded, the lore and the paramilitary concepts of the original WildStorm universe got expanded a lot with emphasis on the legacy left behind by Team 7 and IO. Grifter, Backlash and John Lynch – all former teammates of Team 7 – got nicely developed here and their significance within the WildStorm universe got stronger. This comic book delivered intrigue, surprises and a good amount of spectacle from start to finish. It also succeeded in setting the stage for the late-1994 launch of Team 7.

Overall, The Kindred #4 (1994) is recommended.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. 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/.

Making America Safe Again

Crime is absolutely a disease. When the wrong people are in power, crime can not only cause harm on the citizens and bring down property values, but also cause economic depression, social deterioration and spread immorality. Even worse, there were foreign terrorists and illegal immigrants who escalated crime in many parts of America during the years of the failed US President Joe Biden.

Fortunately, Donald Trump returned as US President and his unwavering support for law enforcement continues to create results with making America safe again.  

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

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What is your opinion about the current state of crime in the United States today? Are you satisfied with the Trump administration’s support for law enforcement and police forces? Did you witness any violent crime in your local community committed by foreigners or Islamic terrorists? Do you consider the Democrats as the party of criminals, murderers and terrorists?

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

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Parañaque Joint Busted By NBI, 7 Suspects Arrested And 12 Victims Rescued

Recently in the City of Parañaque, elements of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) successfully organized an operation that targeted a local joint resulting in the rescue of twelve victims (including minors) and the apprehension of seven suspects over trafficking violation, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that illegal sexual operations could still be operating within the city in great numbers? Do you think there could be a few thousand more victims of human trafficking trapped in Parañaque?

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

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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

U.S. Trade And Development Agency To Fund Feasibility Study For Sangley Point International Airport

Here in the Philippines, the push to develop new international airports to improve air travel connectivity with other destinations gained a major step forward as the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will fund a crucial feasibility study for the multi-billion Dollar Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) project, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

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

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the USTDA’s funding of a feasibility study is very crucial for the development of the Sangley Point International Airport? Do you think there really is a high volume of direct international travel between America and the Philippines? Do you think the development of new international airports in the Philippines will progress better as long as the national government does not get involved?

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

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan’s Child Population Declines To New Low Of 13.29 Million

Japan, which is one of the largest economies of the world, has an enduring population growth problem as low fertility rates stubbornly remained. That said, the child population of Japan has declined yet again reaching a new all-time low of 13.29 million, according to a news report of Kyodo News. The said figure even includes foreign residents.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the government’s efforts to reverse Japan’s low birthrate will eventually create positive results over the next several years? Are you convinced that allowing a larger number of foreigners to migrate to Japan will solve the birthrate problem? Do you think the government of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae will come up with new plans to increase Japanese birthrates?

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

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 137

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 You, Me and The Movies React To Lone Wolf McQuade – It has been a few months since the movie legend Chuck Norris passed away at age 86. He left behind a legacy of action movies and even played Bruce Lee’s tough opponent in The Way of the Dragon. Norris also had action movies filmed on location here in my native Philippines. In the 1980s, Norris appeared in a lot movies that involved guns and hard action, and one of his more notable films of the time was 1983’s Lone Wolf McQuade in which he faced off with fellow action star David Carradine. Recently, You, Me and the Movies posted their reaction video of Lone Wolf McQuade and it is entertaining to watch. I urge you to watch it now.

#2 Minty Comedic Arts’ Invasion U.S.A. Video – Still focused on the late Chuck Norris, his 1985 action movie Invasion U.S.A. was not merely made to entertain moviegoers with lots of explosions, dangerous stunts and hard action. Norris read an article in Reader’s Digest about the presence of hundreds of terrorists running loose in the United States which impacted him as he care about his country and his fellow Americans. This eventually led to the making of Invasion U.S.A. which succeeded commercially as it spread awareness to the American people as to how they can defend themselves in the event foreign terrorists invade their country. Today, Islamic terrorism as well as the entrance of Islamo-Leftist foreigners into America made this 1985 more socially relevant. The story behind the production of Invasion U.S.A. is pretty fascinating, and you can learn more about by watch Minty Comedic Arts’ video below.

#3 Signature Bowls of Happiness in Japan – Do you eat meals served in bowls often? Meals in bowls are common in Japan where rice and noodles are eaten by people daily. Among the many food joints in Japan that offer meals in bowls to customers are a few standouts visited by Nippon TV. What they discovered are very enticing, attractive and delicious to look at. Watch and learn from their video below.

#4 Ranting For Vengeance Slams CBR And Others Who Hate 1980s Anime – I grew up watching lots of anime shows and feature films early in life and the 1980s is a memorable decade. It was during the 1980s when I saw anime productions from the 1970s and the newest ones of the decade. To name some, I saw the 1980s Astro Boy series, Galaxy Express 999, Captain Future, Super Dimension Fortress Macross, Voltes V, Daimos, Mazinger Z and others. While such old anime productions proved to be entertaining, there are still some people out there who bashed them because those productions (and their stories) did not align with their modern day woke agenda. The popular geek entertainment portal CBR published lots of articles saying that the old anime productions did not age well and a lot of readers and netizens followed suit. As such, Ranting for Vengeance slammed them and stood up for 1980s anime backed with detailed explanations. If you are a true fan of anime, watch the video below.

#5 Western Women Who Embraced Islam End Up Wrong – Did you notice that there is a growing number of women in the West who embraced Islam believing the fantasies that it is a religion of peace and is feminist? Indeed, there are these modern-day feminists who considered themselves Islamic without even fully knowing what Islam truly is, why Sharia Law is wicked and what was recorded in the Quran. SaharTV posted several videos about these newcomers to Islam (including one new Muslim woman who was Catholic) who ended up being very wrong and embarrassed. Watch the SaharTV videos below.

#6 The Significance Of Spider-Man 2099 Explained – In late 1992, Marvel Comics launched Spider-Man 2099 #1 which also marked the start of their 2099 franchise of comic books. Under the direction of writer Peter David with artworks done mainly by Rick Leonardi, the futuristic Spider-Man really stood out differently from the classic Spider-Man (Peter Parker) and his own place under Marvel Comics’ banner was established well. Spider-Man 2099 is clearly the most popular of all the Marvel 2099 titles. That said, I found this YouTube video that examines the significance of Spider-Man of 2099. I encourage you to watch it.

#7 Ashleigh Burton’s Reaction To Witness – The 1980s will always be a memorable decade of Harrison Ford’s cinematic performances. During that decade, he appeared in two Star Wars movies and he was the center of attraction in the original Indiana Jones trilogy. Along the way, he appeared in the 1985 crime thriller film Witness in which he played a police detective protecting an Amish woman and her son. The movie earned several Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and even Best Actor for Harrison Ford. Lately, Ashleigh Burton posted her reaction video of Witness and I encourage you to watch it.  

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

MOU For May 17 National Age Group Aquathlon (NAGA) Formally Signed In Quezon City

The stage is set for the 2026 National Age Group Aquathlon (NAGA) event scheduled for May 17 at the Amoranto Sports Swimming Pool as the Quezon City Government and Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this past Monday.

The MOU was signed by the Honorable Vice Mayor Gian G. Sotto together with Triathlon Philippines president Tom Carrasco and Nico Carrasco which was witnessed by many local officials. This development highlights a strong partnership between the City Government and TriPhil for grassroots sports development.

Triathlon Philippines president Tom Carrasco delivered remarks in Quezon City. (photo credit: Rey Nillama)
The Honorable Vice Mayor Gian G. Sotto and Triathlon Philippines president Carrasco shook hands highlighting the partnership for grassroots sports development. (photo credit: Rey Nillama)
Copies of the MOU for the May 17 National Age Group Aquathlon shown to the many people and members of the press who attended. (photo credit: Rey Nillama)

It also highlights Quezon City’s unwavering support in promoting youth sports, healthy lifestyles and the continued growth of triathlon and aquathlon in the Philippines. Triathlon Philippines has confirmed that more than 300 participants have registered for the May 17 aquathlon which is an improvement over the previous aquathlon event that was also hosted by Quezon City last year.

The banner of the May 17, 2026 NAGA in Quezon City.

To learn more about the May 17 National Age Group Aquathlon in Quezon City, click https://register.raceya.fit/event/naga2026

For more triathlon and multisport updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/TriPhil.  

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Ibaraki Prefecture’s Rewards Program For Tips On Illegal Foreign Workers In Effect

Ibaraki Prefecture’s policy on rewarding those who report businesses hiring illegal foreign workers has officially taken effect yesterday and if the information leads to an enforcement action, the tipster will be rewarded 10,000 ten (over US$60), according to a report by Kyodo News. Ibaraki Prefecture (population: 2.9 million) currently has the largest number of undocumented foreign workers among all of Japan’s prefectures.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Ibaraki Prefecture’s newly launched policy will soon spark a crackdown on businesses that hired illegal foreign workers? Do you think the police will deter illegal immigrants/aliens in Japan from going to Ibaraki Prefecture for work? Is the reward of 10,000 yen sufficient? Do you think other prefectures in Japan will eventually follow the Ibaraki Prefecture policy on illegal foreign workers? Does anyone in your household support illegal immigrants/aliens and prefer all government units to accept them as refugees?

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

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco