What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 157

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 157

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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 40th 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

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

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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

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

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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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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

Strategic Partnership Between SBMA and Hellenic ASEAN Business Council Established

Strategic Partnership Between SBMA and Hellenic ASEAN Business Council Established

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Economic cooperation and growth between the Philippines and Greece got boosted recently as a result of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Hellenic ASEAN Business Council (HABC) formally signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which sealed a strategic partnership, according to the official announcement by the SBMA. As of this writing, five foreign companies have expressed interest to invest within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

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

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Hellenic ASEAN Business Council (HABC) have formalized a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance economic cooperation and growth between Greece and the Philippines.

The MOU was signed on 17 September 2026 at Building 225 in Subic Bay Freeport by SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and HABC Chairman Nick Stasinopoulos. The agreement aims to promote bilateral trade, investment, tourism, logistics, maritime cooperation, infrastructure development, and sustainable economic growth, leveraging active engagement from both private sectors and institutional partners.

This collaboration will spotlight investment opportunities within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) and facilitate business matching, trade delegations, and commercial ventures in key sectors. Specific areas of focus include shipbuilding, ship repair, port operations, logistics, marine maintenance, tourism, cruise terminal development, and waterfront enhancements.

“Subic Bay has evolved into one of the Philippines’ premier investment and economic hubs,” said Aliño. “We are proud to welcome HABC and the broader Hellenic business community as partners in this promising new chapter. This agreement represents a shared commitment to fostering enduring ties that will benefit both our nations for years to come.”

Stasinopoulos emphasized the significance of the pact, noting, “Today’s signing marks a vital milestone in strengthening the relationship between Greece and the Philippines. Our partnership builds on ongoing dialogues, visits, and direct exchanges between both sides.”

Highlighting the maritime sector’s role, he added, “The synergy between our countries is undeniable — Greece is home to the world’s largest maritime communities, while the Philippines is a key contributor to the global maritime workforce. Subic Bay has emerged as a crucial maritime and economic hub, integrating port operations, logistics, manufacturing, and investment.”

The HABC chairman outlined the council’s objectives under the agreement: “We aim to facilitate greater exchanges between Greek and Philippine maritime stakeholders, identify mutual investment opportunities, foster business partnerships, and encourage the sharing of knowledge and expertise.”

Five companies have already expressed interest in investing within the SBFZ, including ERMA Tech Group, a global leader in sustainable maritime technologies specializing in decarbonization, water and wastewater treatment, and marine equipment solutions. Also among the interested investors is Fontanakis Ship Repair, a Piraeus-based Greek company specializing in ship repairs, dry-docking services, engineering studies, and yacht building and restoration.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel confident that trade and cooperation between Greece and the Philippines will create positive economic impact in the near future? Do you think this will make the Subic Bay Freeport Zone even more attractive to foreign investors?

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #19 (1995)

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #19 (1995)

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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 culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe through one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.  

Issue #18 had some political flavor as it tried to shake the foundation of the X-Men 2099 series. It also had symbolism that reminded me about the criminal past of Las Vegas, the twisted Black Panthers (the evil Marxist-Leninist and black power political organization of America) and the social unrest that happened in America during the era of Richard Nixon as US President. At this point in the series, the futuristic X-Men are a shell of themselves as the members have been separated and are involved in different developments far away from each other.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #19, published by Marvel Comics in 1995 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Cover of Marvel's X-Men comic issue 19 from April 2055, featuring bold yellow and red title text, 'Winner Take All for Vegas', and characters including a muscular hero and a villain with a green appearance, surrounded by dark, swirling elements.
The cover.

Early story

The story begins inside an old facility in New Mexico. Shakti, who is only wearing a t-shirt and a panty – has been unconscious for several minutes. After waking up, she learns that a thermionic detonator (left by their former leader Xi’an) has been set to explode and time is quickly running out. She also realizes that the bodies of the Chosen have been taken.

In desperation, she wakes up Skullfire and Luna, and they ran out of the facility to save themselves. The facility blows up and Skullfire asks Shakti for an explanation. She reveals to him that Xi’an – whom she momentarily encountered several minutes prior – is responsible for the destruction and he clearly made an attempt to kill them all. As such, Xi’an is now an enemy of the X-Men.

Meanwhile in Las Vegas, a heavily mutated and oversized Lytton Synge grabs his sister Desdemona by the neck. While explaining details to him, Desdemona uses a failsafe device to cause him to stop moving and free her. She puts on additional gear that enables her to control Lytton’s body and she made it clear to him that he will be used against Halloween Jack…

Quality

A comic book page featuring a confrontation between a woman with pink hair and a villainous figure. The woman expresses anger while the villain makes a smug remark. Various characters engage in dialogue, highlighting tension and supernatural elements.
Desdemona, Halloween Jack and Meanstreak are together again. Desdemona here had a desperate attempt to reclaim the casino and their company from Halloween Jack.

There is a good amount of intrigue in this comic book covering the three plot threads. The thread of Shakti, Skullfire and Luna was very short but it added to the tension about having their former leader Xi’an as a deadly enemy.

On the other hand, the events set in Las Vegas saw the return of Lytton Synge in a bloated, Hulk-like figure as Desdemona used him to attack Halloween Jack who has gained control of the Synge business empire (at least in the building they are in) as he continues with his obsession of changing Las Vegas and moving forward with his plan that could mean doom for the city. In this particular plot thread, Halloween Jack has prepared highly advanced technology to redefine Las Vegas in the most phenomenal way. What I find disturbing is Meanstreak’s lack of morality as he keeps on assisting Halloween Jack (his old friend Jordan) with his sinister plan. This makes Meanstreak appear cold-hearted, sinister and unbecoming as an X-Men member.

Over at California, Krystalin pursues a mission to find Billy the Kid as she has absolutely no choice as the life of her brother is at stake. The Free Radicals literally have her cornered and she cannot do anything except doing what they want her to do. In this particular plot thread, the creators did a good job presenting Krystalin as desperate as she is in the middle of a conflict between the Panthers of Wakanda (where her brother belongs to) and the Free Radicals.

Conclusion

A comic book page featuring a distressed woman in a white outfit, looking alarmed as she interacts with a control panel, with countdown clocks and dialogue about a bomb and urgent questions.
Shakti in a very dangerous situation with not much time left.

X-Men 2099 #19 (1995) unsurprisingly moved plot developments forward. Apart from developing the X-Men members more, this comic book also expanded the lore of 2099 America nicely. At this stage, I am eager to find out what would happen next to the X-Men members in their respective plot threads. That said, I am still engaged enough to continue with the remaining X-Men 2099 issues that I have yet to read.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #19 (1995) 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  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Vietnam Attracts 17.7 Million Foreign Tourists in First 9 Months of 2026

Vietnam Attracts 17.7 Million Foreign Tourists in First 9 Months of 2026

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Vietnam successfully attracted 17.7 million foreign tourists during the first nine months of 2026 having China, South Korea and Russia as their top 3 tourist markets, according to a news report by VnExpress. As it currently stands, Vietnam saw its foreign tourist count rise by 14.5% compared to the year before and it is looking more likely for the nation to exceed its 2025 overall foreign tourist count of 21.2 million 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.

Martin Koerner, commercial director of The Anam Group, a chain of luxury resort hotels in Vietnam, said what is particularly encouraging is Vietnam’s diversification of source markets.

European arrivals increased by more than 50%, while arrivals from markets including the United States, Australia and India also recorded strong growth. This makes Vietnam less dependent on only one or two major Asian source markets, he added.

“Vietnam is no longer seen simply as an inexpensive holiday destination. Increasingly, it is being

recognized as a destination capable of delivering sophisticated, world-class hospitality,” Koerner said.

Several Southeast Asian countries have faced declines in international arrivals amid the impact of the Middle East crisis.

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? Do you know anyone who visited Vietnam recently and mentioned positive things about their tour? How interested are you right now to visit 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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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

Department of Tourism Adjusts Strategy Toward Investment, Jobs and Connectivity

Department of Tourism Adjusts Strategy Toward Investment, Jobs and Connectivity

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Remember a few years ago when the Department of Tourism (DOT) unveiled an ambitious plan to establish the Philippines as a major tourism player in Asia? A lot has changed since then as economic growth of the country has slowed down tremendously and there is not much it can do to compete with others when it comes to attracting a lot of foreign tourists. That said, the DOT under its new leader is not only doing a campaign rebrand but also a notable adjustment of its strategy toward investment, jobs and connectivity, according to a news report by The Daily Tribune.

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

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is shifting its focus beyond visitor arrivals, placing greater emphasis on investments, infrastructure, connectivity, jobs and higher tourism revenues as it seeks to build a more competitive and sustainable industry.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the agency is pursuing an investment-driven and people-centered approach as the sector continues to make a significant contribution to the economy.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that tourism accounted for 8.1% of the economy in 2025, generating P2.27 trillion in Tourism Direct Gross Value Added and supporting 7.70 million jobs.

“We want to be defined as an agency that’s proactively taking the lead in tourism readiness. This means strengthening our airports and gateways, improving our physical tourism infrastructure, and expanding air connectivity, so our visitors can move seamlessly across the country,” Angara-Mathay said.

The DOT is working with the Department of Transportation and other stakeholders to expand flights and establish air and sea links with strategic and emerging markets. From January 1 to May 19, international air seats on direct inbound flights reached 7.78 million, up 8.31% from the same period in 2025.

China was among the fastest-growing markets, with 310,000 arrivals during the period, up 69.15% year-on-year. The Philippines also secured expanded air services with Türkiye, doubling Manila-Istanbul flights to 14 weekly and opening frequency rights for secondary gateways.

To attract more investment, the DOT is implementing programs focused on tourism investment readiness, intelligence, accountability and strategic investor engagement. It has also begun developing partnerships in Japan, including potential projects involving a specialty medical clinic and telecommunications infrastructure in underserved destinations.

The agency is also pushing for a larger tourism marketing budget, with about 70% of its planned 2027 marketing allocation expected to go toward digital campaigns and media placements.

At the same time, the DOT is expanding support for tourism MSMEs through partnerships with Klook, GCash, Viber, Mastercard and Visa, while strengthening accreditation, workforce training and tourism data systems.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DOT will be able to make the tourism sector of the Philippines more attractive towards investors and large businesses that could potentially add a lot of economic value? How many news tourism jobs do you think could be created by the middle of 2028?

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

AHVA Announces New Pickleball Court Inside Alabang Hills Village

AHVA Announces New Pickleball Court Inside Alabang Hills Village

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Very recently, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) announced that a new pickleball court inside their village has opened and is already available for use on a first-come, first-served basis. The association also revealed booking information, and they are currently setting up the booking application for the pickleball court which is located at the Phase 2 park located along Legazpi street.

The pickleball court inside Alabang Hills Village. It is located at the Phase 2 park along Legazpi street.

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

We are excited to announce that our new pickleball court is officially complete and ready to use.

Starting today, the court is available for use on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be mindful of the following guidelines on the new rates, court limit and play time:

A. NEW RATES: P400.00 per hour, without lights; P500.00 per hour, with lights & use of hurricane ceiling fan.

B. COURT LIMIT: 1 lot, 1 booking per day

C. PLAY TIME: Maximum of 2hours/booking per day

D. NOT ALLOWED: Placing of stage, chairs, tables and other heavy objects inside the court

UPCOMING RESERVATION & BOOKING SYSTEM: To make court access smoother and fair for everyone, we are currently setting up a booking application for the (pickleball) courts and all sports facilities.

LAUNCH TIMELINE: The App Booking System will go live in 3-4 weeks.

PROCEDURE: We will send out step-by-step registration instructions and details on how to reserve your timeslots prior to the app launch.

Until the Booking App is officially live, please continue to make your bookings manually by proceeding to the admin office for reservation and payment.

Reservation should be made 3 days prior to actual date & time of use. No reservation will be accepted beyond this schedule. No block reservations.

For inquiries, contact the AHVA at landline number 8850-8254.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Alabang Hills Village, are you or your neighbors actively playing pickleball?

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

Vietnam Declared Asia’s Leading Destination of 2026

Vietnam Declared Asia’s Leading Destination of 2026

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With its booming tourism industry and the economic gains it has achieved so far, Vietnam was named as Asia’s leading destination during the 2026 World Travel Awards beating the likes of regional rivals Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, according to a VnExpress news report. In fact, this is not the first time Vietnam achieved this particular honor and there were other awards won as well.

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

Vietnam has been named Asia’s leading destination at this year’s World Travel Awards, adding another tourism accolade to the country’s growing reputation.

It beat regional tourism hubs including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to retain the title for a sixth consecutive year.

A series of popular tourism hubs in Vietnam were also honored at different categories, the World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania organizers announced at a gala ceremony on Sunday.

Vietnam’s southern metropolis overtook Singapore, China’s Shanghai and Hong Kong to become “Asia’s leading business travel destination.”

Hanoi was named “Asia’s leading city break destination” while Tam Chuc Complex in the northern province of Ha Nam, around one hour and (30-minute) drive from the capital, was voted “Asia’s leading cultural tourist attraction.”

Ta Xua, one of the highest mountain peaks in Vietnam at over 2,800 m above sea level, was voted “Asia’s leading emerging tourism destination” for the first time. It has a cool climate all year round and is known as a cloud hunting destination from October to April.

Northern highlands town Moc Chau was named “Asia’s leading regional nature destination.” Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in central Vietnam was voted “Asia’s leading national park.”

The 900-square-kilometer national park, which UNESCO recognized as a global heritage site in 2003, is home to over 300 caves and grottoes that date back some 400 million years, including the world’s largest Son Doong.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam and its tourist sites deserved the tourism awards it received this year? Have you toured Vietnam extensively this year? What is the most astonishing tourism destination you have visited there in Vietnam? Do you think Vietnam still has a long way to go to solve its tourism labor shortage?

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

Subic Bay International Airport Swiss Challenge Bidding Reset Again

Subic Bay International Airport Swiss Challenge Bidding Reset Again

carlocarrasco

The anticipated Swiss challenge bidding for the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) has been reset once more as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) extended again the deadline for the submission of comparative proposals as a result of making corrections on bidding parameters, according to a BusinessMirror news report.

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

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has again extended the deadline for the submission of comparative proposals for the Subic International Airport (SIA) project after making corrections on bidding parameters for the P6.2 billion project to transform the Subic airfield into a modern high-capacity cargo and logistics hub.

In a bid bulletin, the SBMA Prequalification, Bids and Awards Committee (PBAC) said it will issue the final draft PPP (public-private partnership) contract or final bid bulletin on October 15, instead of September 29 as scheduled earlier.

Consequently, the opening of qualification documents from bidders will be held on November 16, instead of October 29, the SBMA-PBAC added.

The revised bidding schedule came about alongside corrections made by the SBMA on the bid parameters that defined the guaranteed fixed annual payment for the 25-year development contract.

The SBMA-PBAC clarified that while the base concession remittance amount submitted by the challenger for Contract Year 1 shall apply to the first seven years, the same shall be subject to an annual escalation of 1.5 percent beginning Contract Year 8 until its expiry on the 25th year.

The PBAC also clarified that the bid amount should be expressed as a fixed amount in Philippine pesos, and not as a percentage.

Following the revised bidding schedule, the SBMA also set the deadline for payment of participation fees by challengers at seven calendar days before the deadline of submission and opening of the comparative proposals. The participation fee has been set at the non-refundable amount of P1.4 million.

This was the second extension made for the bidding after the formal launch of the Swiss challenge for the Subic airport project on April 28 this year.

The SBMA opened the Subic airport project for comparative proposals, or Swiss challenge, after approving the unsolicited proposal by original proponent Cerberus Asia Pacific Investments LLC.

Cerberus Asia Pacific, a key affiliate of the New York-based alternative investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, presented its original proposal to the SBMA on March 26 last year.

The project includes the rehabilitation and comprehensive upgrading of existing facilities to restore them to full operational condition; operational and infrastructural improvements to enhance airport safety and regulatory compliance; and development of new airport infrastructure and acquisition of equipment to expand airport capacity, improve operational efficiency, and support new service offerings.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the corrections made by the SBMA will turn out final and legally sound so that the bidding can finally push through?

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

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