Author Carlo Carrasco

Food and Beverage Vendors Plus New Details for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar Revealed

October 10, 2026October 8, 2026carlocarrasco

Very recently, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) revealed new details as well as a list of approved food-and-drinks vendors for their upcoming Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar which will happen on November 21 and 22, 2026, at the Phase 2 park grounds. For each day, the bazaar will start from 10AM until 8PM.

For the upcoming bazaar, there will be over forty-five dry goods vendors participating. This ensures that customers will see a wide variety of products for sale ranging from clothing to houseware, toys, accessories, shoes and more. There will be a lot of items that customers can acquire for Christmas gift-giving.

With regards to the food and vendors approved by the AHVA, the list is as follows in the image below.

A colorful flyer for 'Sip & Stroll', an early Christmas bazaar featuring various food and beverage vendors, with a festive design and a list of vendor names and offerings. — *The official list of food and beverage vendors for the Sip & Stroll early Christmas bazaar. (image sourced from AHVA website)*

In addition, the AHVA confirmed that there will be acoustic performers and DJs who will provide entertainment in the afternoon of each day of the bazaar. There will also be game booths for additional enjoyment.

Promotional poster for the 'Sip & Stroll' early Christmas bazaar at Alabang Hills Village, featuring details about the event including dates, times, activities, and vendors. — *Pay attention to the new details here. (image sourced from AHVA website)*

The Phase 2 park grounds is the main venue of Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar, and both the covered basketball court and the pickleball court (formerly the badminton court) will be used too. For the non-residents who have private vehicles (without Alabang Hills Village stickers) and intend to attend the bazaar, be ready to leave your ID card at the village gate and tell them were you are headed. Once inside, it is a must that you should follow their rules and speed limits at all times. Be aware that finding available parking spaces can be a bit of a challenge, and be respectful to the nearby homes.

If you have inquiries for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar, send your email to ahvcommunityaffairs@gmail.com

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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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Man Arrested in Parañaque City Over Possession of Unlicensed Firearm and Death Threat

October 10, 2026October 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Parañaque, a man who threatened to kill someone and carried an unlicensed firearm was arrested by the local police, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

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

A 26-year-old man was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill another man during a heated argument and was found carrying an unlicensed .38-caliber revolver in Parañaque City late Thursday night, Oct. 1.

Police said officers from the Baclaran Police Sub-Station responded to a reported disturbance near the Al-Wasat Mosque along E. Rodriguez Street, Redemptorist Road, Barangay Baclaran at about 11:15 p.m.

Responding policemen saw the suspect, identified as alias “Sari,” causing a disturbance.

An initial investigation showed that Sari and the complainant had engaged in a verbal altercation that escalated when the suspect allegedly threatened, “Papatayin kita.”

Police arrested the suspect and recovered a .38-caliber revolver loaded with two live rounds of ammunition.

The firearm and ammunition were turned over to the Station Investigation and Detective Management Section for examination and documentation.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you think violent crime will get worse? Are there many people in your local community who have unlicensed firearms and ammunition?

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

Vietnam Attracts 522,000 Visitors from the Philippines During First 9 Months of 2026

October 10, 2026October 3, 2026carlocarrasco

The Philippines, which is currently the host of the ASEAN Summit and is also one of the economic weaklings of Southeast Asia, continues to grow tremendously as a tourism market for Vietnam as an estimated 522,000 Filipinos visited the said nation during the first nine months of 2026, according to a news report by VnExpress.

It should be noted that more than 480,000 Filipinos visited Vietnam for the entire year of 2025, and the Philippines is one of the fastest growing tourism markets for the Vietnam tourism industry this year along with Russia.

Historically speaking, the number of Philippine visitors welcomed by Vietnam was 49,266 in 2022, 153,168 in 2023, 265,947 in 2024 and 482,173 in 2025. At 522,000 as of the end of September, the number of Philippine visitors arriving in Vietnam could reach around 700,000 by the end of this year.

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

Vietnam welcomed 17.7 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2026, up 14.5% year-on-year, bucking a decline in arrivals across several Southeast Asian destinations.

Mainland China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.95 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 3.05 million visitors, or 17.3%.

Russia ranked third with 1.1 million, followed by Taiwan (964,000) and the U.S. (746,000), according to the General Statistics Office.

The rest of the top 10 were Cambodia (688,000), Japan (674,000), India (670,000), the Philippines (522,000) and Australia (485,000).

In September, foreign visitors declined by 11.3% from August but rose by 16.5% year-on-year to 1.77 million.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Considering the strong interest of Filipinos to visit Vietnam, do you think it is possible for Vietnam to attract at least one million visitors from the Philippines next year if not this year? Do you think more Filipinos will realize the great value they could get by visiting Vietnam?

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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Good Food and Drinks Plus Sports Shows Await You at Red Rockies in Las Piñas City

October 9, 2026October 8, 2026carlocarrasco

When it comes to finding good food, nice drinks and the enjoyment of sports-related shows here in South Metro Manila, Red Rockies has them and they are ready to serve you.

Recently, I visited Red Rockies at the 2^nd floor of Versailles Town Plaza located along Daang Hari in Las Piñas City. Upon entering, I saw the very nice interiors of the place and I was welcomed nicely. The nice-looking bar caught my attention, and so did the overhead high-definition TVs (HDTVs) that showed continuous footage of sports-related shows. That said, the vibe of the place was energetic.

For dinner, I had a set of sausages – Bratwurst and Frankfurt – with fries and condiments. The set is part of their Oktoberfest special. The two sausages were very well cooked and each bite was satisfying. The Frankfurt sausage was the tastiest. If this set is available when you visit Red Rockies, I recommend you order it.

A platter of assorted sausages and fries, with various types of grilled sausages and golden French fries, served on brown paper. — *The Bratwurst and Frankfurt sausages set with fries.*

I also had a Smash Burger with fries plus a Strawberry Milkshake. The Smash Burger was loaded with a thick Angus beef patty which was enjoyable per bite. It reminds me of an Angus burger I had in Subic Bay over a year ago, but the difference is that it has lot more content and was more satisfying to consume. Red Rockies’ Smash Burger is a must for those who love burgers. The Strawberry Milkshake was tasty, cool and plentiful.

Close-up of a cheeseburger featuring a sesame seed bun, melted cheddar cheese, a beef patty, and lettuce. — *A close look at the Smash Burger of Red Rockies. The Angus beef patty is outstanding.*

A close-up of a sesame seed burger with a beef patty and melted cheddar cheese, served with lettuce, accompanied by a small cup and a side of French fries. — *The Smash Burger with fries and condiments.*

A tall glass of pink milkshake topped with whipped cream, colorful sprinkles, and a cherry, placed on a wooden table with a red upholstered background. — *The Strawberry Milkshake of Red Rockies.*

While enjoying dinner, I also enjoyed the sports coverage displayed on the monitors. Red Rockies allows customers to enjoy good food and drinks while watching basketball, tennis, grand prix racing and other sports events available. This is a fine place for such an experience here in the south of Metro Manila. In case you are wondering, Red Rockies’ name was inspired by the Rocky Mountains in the United States, and the red refers to the unique look the said mountains have during sunset.

I also took the time to examine Red Rockies’ menu. For those looking for alcoholic beverages, they offer craft beer and draft beer. For those who love good food, there is pasta, pizza, side dishes, salad, chicken wings and their entrees. What caught my attention from the menu were the Steak & Fries (P1,350), Country Fried Chicken (P350), Mac & Cheese (P425), and Bacon Cheeseburger (P500).

Interior of a sports-themed restaurant featuring a bar with FC Barcelona decorations, large television screens displaying sports events, and a checkered floor. — *The bar inside Red Rockies with nice decorations and HDTVs above. Red Rockies has a nice selection of craft beer and draft beer that customers can choose from.*

If you and your associates need a private venue for an important gathering or a special event, Red Rockies offers event packages which includes the use of all the HDTVs, food and drinks, and the exclusive use of dining area. Just visit Red Rockies and talk to the manager for booking.

As I had a nice time at Red Rockies, I would not hesitate to come back and try other foods and drinks listed on their menu. For this month of October, they have Oktoberfest offerings. If you are looking for a fine place to dine-in while visiting Versailles Town Plaza, come to Red Rockies at the 2^nd floor. They are open daily with schedules of 11AM to 10PM (Friday to Saturday) and 11AM to 9PM (Sunday to Thursday). To the residents of Ayala Alabang Village reading this, the place is a just a short drive away after exiting Champaca street gate. For this month of October, Oktoberfest specials are being offered by Red Rockies.

The entrance of 'Red Rookies', a restaurant featuring a bright red tiled facade, a glass door, and a sign that reads 'Craft Beer Comfort Food'. There are potted plants on either side of the entrance and a welcome mat that says 'Let's chill here!' — *The front doors of Red Rockies at the 2nd floor of Versailles Town Plaza.*

For the location of Red Rockies, click https://maps.app.goo.gl/VxY65TLPiC2tJoXG8. To get the latest updates directly from Red Rockies, follow their official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588552930140

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Singapore Leads Southeast Asia in Tourism Development

October 9, 2026October 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Singapore emerged as the best among the economies of Southeast Asia in the 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF), according to a news report of VnExpress. Globally, Singapore ranked 13^th in a field of 110 economies.

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

Singapore ranked 13th among 110 economies in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel and Tourism Development Index, the highest position among ASEAN.

The city state scored 4.89 points, up 3.4 percentage points from 2024 in the biennial ranking released on Friday by the World Economic Forum, an international advocacy non-governmental organization and think tank based in Switzerland.

Indonesia ranked at 23rd, followed by Malaysia at 26th, Thailand at 38th, Vietnam at 52nd, the Philippines at 57th, and Laos at 75th.

The index measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development of tourism like business environment, safety and health conditions, price competitiveness, air transport infrastructure, ground and port infrastructure, tourist services and infrastructure, natural resources, and cultural resources.

Singapore received high scores in business environment, safety and security, travel policy and enabling conditions, and infrastructure and services.

Singapore, the second largest economy in Southeast Asia after Indonesia by nominal GDP, is known for its strict laws and low crime rates. It has earned (its) reputation as one of the safest countries in Asia.

The city-state is ramping up investment in large-scale tourism infrastructure as it seeks to strengthen its position as a leading travel and business hub in Asia.

The government announced a S$740 million (US$584 million) tourism funding package, more than twice the S$300 million allocated under the Tourism Development Fund in 2024, in May to strengthen industry resilience until 2040.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you visited Singapore over the past twelve months? Do you think Singapore can keep innovating and improving itself on tourism development?

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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Muntinlupa City Government Receives SGLG Incentive-funded Patient Transport Vehicle from DILG

October 8, 2026October 1, 2026carlocarrasco

Remember back in late-2024 when the City Government of Muntinlupa was declared a Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardee by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)? It connection with the 2024 SGLG award, the City Government received from the DILG a patient transportation vehicle (PTV) which was funded through the Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund (SGLG IF), the DILG National Capital Region announced.

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

The Department of the Interior and Local Government–National Capital Region (DILG-NCR), through the DILG Muntinlupa Field Office, joined the Muntinlupa City Government in the turnover of a Patient Transport Vehicle (PTV) funded through the Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund (SGLG IF) on September 17, 2026, at the Museo ng Muntinlupa, Barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa City.

The PTV was provided to Muntinlupa City as an incentive for being conferred the CY 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), recognizing the City Government’s performance in various areas of good governance and effective local service delivery.

The ceremony was attended by Muntinlupa City Mayor Hon. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon; Dr. Carolyn H. Magalong of the City Health Office; DILG Muntinlupa Field Office Director Mary Anne B. Planas, CESO V; and DILG-NCR Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU) Chief Ronald R. Portales.

The newly acquired PTV will be utilized by the Muntinlupa City Health Office to strengthen the delivery of health and medical services, particularly in providing patient transport for Muntinlupeños in need of medical assistance and related services.

Mayor Biazon emphasized that the City Government opted to translate its SGLG incentive into a tangible investment that would directly benefit the community.

“Early this year, we provided five PTVs for Ospital ng Muntinlupa and the barangays, and recently, we distributed one new fire truck to each of the barangays. We hope that this new vehicle will be used efficiently and help serve more Muntinlupeños,” Mayor Biazon said.

The project demonstrates how the SGLG Incentive Fund can be transformed into concrete programs and projects that enhance local government service delivery and respond to the needs of communities.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted that the City Government received the PTV? Do you think the City Government has enough PTVs to serve the constituents now?

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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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

Disappointing Economic Growth Ahead for the Philippines Until Mid-2028

October 8, 2026October 1, 2026carlocarrasco

For Capital Economics, the economic growth of the Philippines will end up disappointing by finishing below the national government’s targets until the middle of 2028, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. Capital Economics also sees the inflation rate of the country reaching 5.6% this year.

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

The Philippine economy is expected to “disappoint” until the end of the Marcos Jr. administration in 2028 as the lingering effects of the energy shock, weak business confidence, tighter fiscal policy, and El Niño weigh on recovery, according to think tank Capital Economics.

In a report last Tuesday, Sept. 29, Capital Economics forecast Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth at just three percent in 2026, before picking up to 4.5 percent in 2027, and 5.5 percent in 2028.

Capital Economics’ forecasts for 2026 and 2027 fall short of the government’s downgraded economic growth targets of 3.5 to 4.5 percent and five to six percent, respectively, while the 2028 projection falls within the five- to six-percent target but remains below the economy’s estimated potential annual growth of about six percent.

Despite the gradual recovery, Capital Economics noted that its growth forecasts for the Philippines from 2026 through 2028 remain below consensus estimates.

“The Philippines has been among the hardest hit economies globally by the energy shock and the recovery will be sluggish,” Capital Economics said.

The think tank noted that the Philippine economy was already on weak footing, even before the global energy crisis caused by the war in the Middle East, due to the fallout from the multibillion-peso flood-control corruption scandal. As such, GDP growth slowed further to a post-pandemic low of 2.3 percent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Capital Economics also cited that the second-quarter GDP expansion was the weakest outside the Covid-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis in 2008 to 2009, while pointing to more timely indicators such as purchasing managers’ indexes (PMIs), which have provided mixed signals on economic activity in the third quarter.

The Philippine economy grew by an average of 2.6 percent during the first half of 2026, well below the government’s full-year growth target.

Capital Economics sees elevated global energy prices keeping Philippine inflation above six percent for the rest of the year, which the think tank said would dampen consumer spending.

Headline inflation eased slightly to 6.1 percent last August, but the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects the September rate to settle within the 6.4- to 7.4-percent range, potentially accelerating amid higher oil and food prices, plus a weaker peso.

Inflation averaged 5.2 percent during the first eight months of 2026, way above the government’s two- to four-percent target band for manageable year-on-year consumer price hikes.

Capital Economics expects Philippine inflation to average 5.6 percent this year, before easing to a within-target three percent next year and 2.3 percent in 2028.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Considering all the factors and what has happened economically over the past six months, are you convinced that there is no way to boost the nation’s economic growth this year? Do you think the government has been negligent with economic management? Do you find it ironic that as host of the ASEAN Summit, the Philippines is looking like the economic weakling of ASEAN?

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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What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 157

October 7, 2026October 6, 2026carlocarrasco

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 Popcorn in Bed’s X-Men movie reaction videos – I enjoy watching the movie reaction videos posted by Popcorn in Bed. For the most part, Cassie and her sister Carly (who joined her many times in reaction videos) are pretty reactive to the movies they saw for the first time ever regardless of genre. Recently, I replayed watching their reaction videos of the live-action, X-Men movies (the main ones specifically) from 2000’s X-Men to 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse. Each X-Men reaction video of theirs is fun to watch and I noticed how Cassy and Carly discovered who the characters are, familiarized themselves with them, and still succeeded on following the stories even though there were so many characters in each film. That said, I encourage you all to watch their videos below.

#2 The Sherman Oaks Galleria today – You may not have visited the Sherman Oaks Galleria in California, but you might have seen it in films like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Chopping Mall, Commando, and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Indeed, the said shopping mall was used as a location in the movies and given the fact that a lot of shopping malls across America have closed down, revisiting the Sherman Oak Galleria’s legacy is both nostalgic and even educational. To find out what the Sherman Oaks Galleria looks like today, watch the video below. Tell me if you can recognize the malls spots that appeared in movies.

#3 Magic Johnson’s 1996 Comeback as a Lakers Player – Looking back at the career of Magic Johnson, the 1990s was a series of drastic changes about him. He quickly retired in 1991 because he had Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but returned as a player in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game and represented the United States as a Dream Team members in the Barcelona Olympics. He retired again in 1992 as controversy and protests grew from players over his plan to rejoin the Los Angeles Lakers for the 1992-93 season. He came back to the NBA as Lakers head coach in 1994 winning 5 games and losing 11, and eventually stepped down. In 1996, he came back as a player for the Lakers taking a new role as a power forward. Magic Johnson’s presence on the basketball courts looked exciting on face value but there was a lot of tension behind the scenes and even division among the Lakers. To discover what happened, watch the video below.

#4 Eels to eat in Japan – I enjoy eating Unadon, the classic Japanese dish that has eel (unagi) grilled in the kabayaki way and served in a rice bowl. I had Unadon during my visits to Japan and in Japanese restaurants (both locally and overseas). Eels are truly popular in Japan. Even though supply constraints of live eels are felt by consumers and businesses, somehow the Japanese food joints found ways to secure enough of them and offer them to hungry customers in creative ways. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#5 Retro World Expo 2026 – I always wanted to attend a retro gaming convention in America. I saw this video about Retro World Expo 2026 which took place in Connecticut and it was enjoyable to see. There is nothing like playing classic arcade games and classic console/computer games running on their original hardware. Watch the video below.

#6 You, Me and the Movies react to Resident Evil: Degeneration – If you are a fan of the Resident Evil games and movies, do you really enjoy watching the computer-generated Resident Evil movies? Back in 2008, the pure-CGI movie Resident Evil: Degeneration was released in cinemas and there was some excitement for it among RE enthusiasts as it had fan-favorite characters Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Not only that, RE fans who were disappointed with the Milla Jovovich-led live-action movies wanted to see RE movies that were more connected with the games they enjoyed. You, Me and the Movies recently posted their reaction video about Resident Evil: Degeneration and it is a must-watch.

#7 Ashleigh Burton reacts to The Transformers: The Movie – Finally, Ashleigh Burton saw the animated classic The Transformers: The Movie and posted her reaction video of it. It is nice that the animated movie got featured by her as this year marks its 40^th anniversary. Go watch her video now! It’s fun to watch.

#7 Deathmate and the 1990s comics revisited – As a long-time comic book reader, I personally witnessed the presence and impact of the Deathmate crossover comic books in 1993. The Deathmate comics published by Valiant were released on time while those from Image Comics really arrived late. Local comic book collectors near me had no excitement for Deathmate even though famous artists like Rob Liefeld, Jim Lee and Whilce Portacio participated in it in various degrees. The video below is very comprehensive with its focus on not just Deathmate but also the comic book speculator boom, the 1990s comics trends, the intrigue behind the scenes and more. Watch the video now.

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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

P50-million Expansion Facility of New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corp. in Subic Bay Freeport Zone Inaugurated

October 7, 2026October 1, 2026carlocarrasco

New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corporation – a dynamic commercial vehicle dealership and direct importer specializing in reconditioned Japanese surplus trucks and other types of industrial machines – formally inaugurated its P50 million facility inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), according to the official announcement by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

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

Reflecting the robust growth of the trucking industry within the Freeport zone, New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corp. inaugurated its PHP 50-million expansion facility at the Tipo Hightech Eco Park (THEP) on September 21, 2026.

“The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) takes great pride in developments like this,” said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño. “A Freeport’s strength lies in the enterprises that choose to invest, expand, and remain within its borders.”

Aliño noted that New Asahi Group’s decision to consolidate its expertise in sourcing, importation, reconditioning, fabrication, and after-sales support under the Apex Trucks brand, and to do so here in Subic, is a strong vote of confidence in both the Freeport and the favorable business (climate) that the SBMA diligently maintains.

The expansion spans 5,231.60 square meters within THEP and is projected to create 25 additional jobs. The facility will handle importation, exportation, transshipment, warehousing, rebuilding, and trading of trucks, buses, as well as heavy and industrial equipment.

New Asahi Group Subic Trading Corporation specializes in the dealership and importation of commercial vehicles, focusing on reconditioned Japanese trucks, heavy equipment, and industrial machinery. Operating under the Apex Trucks name, the company is involved in the import, export, transshipment, storage, rebuilding, and wholesale of trucks, buses, heavy and industrial equipment, along with new and used spare parts and accessories.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by prominent figures including SBMA Chairman Eduardo Jose L. Aliño; New Asahi Group Chairman Ahamed Mohamed Mohamed Hussain; President Shukry Hussain; CEO Riza Nazeer; SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business & Investment Barney W. Lee III; and Olongapo City Mayor Atty. Rolen C. Paulino, Jr., who collectively led the ribbon-cutting.

Representatives from the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Philippines, along with Xantheng (Subic) International Corporation (XSIC) President Simon Su and XSIC Vice-President for Operations Kelly Uy, were also in attendance.

Subic Bay Freeport Zone continues to manage a consistent inflow of truck and heavy equipment imports through its major locators.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel confident that this expansion inside the SBFV will inspire the remaining freeport investors to maintain their operations?

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

Japan Tightens Guidelines for Granting Permanent Residency, To Take Effect in April 2027

October 6, 2026October 6, 2026carlocarrasco

In its latest move on reforming immigration, Japan has officially revised its guidelines for granting permanent residency to foreign nationals and these will take effect in April 2027, according to a news report by Kyodo News. Guidelines include Japanese language-proficiency and having an above-average income compared with Japanese households.

To learn about the events that preceded the new residency fees, click here, here and here.

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

Japan’s immigration agency on Thursday revised its guidelines for granting permanent residency to foreign nationals, requiring applicants to have an income above the average for Japanese households and demonstrating a certain level of projected pension benefits.

The revised guidelines, which are set to take effect in April 2027, also require applicants to demonstrate Japanese-language proficiency at the level of an “independent user.”

The income requirement will be applied retroactively to applications made from April 2026 onward, as the immigration authorities aim to ensure that foreign applicants are financially independent. The average annual income per household was around 5.75 million yen ($36,500) in 2024.

The government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been seeking to tighten regulations on the acceptance of foreign nationals. Fees for residence status applications were also hiked sharply on Thursday.

Applicants will also be required to have projected pension benefits equivalent to those payable after 30 years of enrollment in the employees’ pension program at their income level at the time they apply.

In principle, applicants must have lived in Japan for more than 10 years to qualify for permanent residency.

Previously, spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents could obtain permanent residency if they had been married for at least three years and had resided in Japan for at least one year.

However, the revised guidelines raise those thresholds to five years of marriage and three years of residence.

The Immigration Services Agency received around 5,000 public comments since it unveiled the draft guidelines in August.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced that the Japanese government is executing the right moves with the revised guidelines? Do you think this latest immigration reform by Japan could inspire other nations to follow suit? What do you think could be the reasons why foreigners want to live permanently in Japan without following their rules, without paying their bills and without learning the Japanese language?

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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