Indians – Author Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #15 (1994)

September 7, 2026August 30, 2026carlocarrasco

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.

Looking back at how early the members of the futuristic X-Men got separated and lost their leader Xi’an (who became sinister, pursued a quest of his own interest and joined the Theater of Pain), I can see what the creators did to develop the characters, tell new stories, introduce new characters and expand the lore of the 2099 in another part of the United States. That said, this series became consistently entertaining and intriguing at the same time.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #15, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins in the Keewazi Nation in Oklahoma. Eddie/Metalhead is unconscious with Hurricane and her friend accompanying him. Their pregnant companion Rosa has been missing since Glitterspike (the man who impregnated Rosa) took her away from them. Metalhead wakes up and immediately asks where Rosa is.

Far away, Rosa tells Alexi/Glitterspike to let go of her even though they are flying high above ground. Glitterspike tells her that he will do the best interest of her and their unborn child to become one big happy family. Rosa rejects him stating that the Freakshow is her family.

Even with the tremendous risk present, Rosa uses power of producing static interference on them. Soon enough, they start losing altitude…

Quality

*Serious talk between Shakti and a changed Skullfire about the X-Men and the situation they have now that their former leader Xi’an joined a gang of evil.*

The story crafted by John Francis Moore here is strongly focused on the Freakshow with emphasis on former X-Men member Metalhead who at this point of the series has gotten very close with the pregnant member Rosa. This comic book marks the first time that Metalhead became a true major player in the series as he gradually adjusts with becoming a new member of the Freakshow.

Unsurprisingly, Rosa became a major player in the story too as she has no choice but to deal with someone from her past who is not just stubborn but also a cybernostra hitman who was genetically bred to process light into energy. Glitterspike went ballistic when Rosa left him some time prior and his obsession with her only grew.

A major part of this story involved the presence of a fabled monster called the Shadow Dancer which has been lurking in the hills of the wasteland and already a lot of people got scared of it. Creatively, this monster serves as the obstacle that Metalhead, Rosa, and the others have to deal with.

What Moore and Ron Lim accomplished in this story is deeply developing the Freakshow, Metalhead and Rosa while expanding the lore of 2099’s American wasteland even further. They also gave readers a quick look at the remaining X-Men team members who are now dealing with the new reality that their former leader turned evil by joining Brimstone Love’s Theater of Pain. In addition, Skullfire – once a weak and unsure new member of the X-Men in the beginning – not only returned to Shakti and the remaining team members, his personality and view of reality have changed which reinvigorated his passion for the team.

Conclusion

*Rosa does something very risky as Glitterspike carries her in the air.*

X-Men 2099 #15 (1994) was crafted to be compelling with strong focus on Metalhead and the Freakshow. It clearly marked the next phase in the life of Metalhead and it made the Freakshow an even more interesting team within the X-Men 2099 series. The story has lots of strong and intriguing moments, and character development is consistently strong. The tale also has some science fiction inspiration from the 1979 movie Alien mixed in. This is a good read.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #15 (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 @HavenorFantasy 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 #13 (1994)

September 4, 2026August 22, 2026carlocarrasco

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts, X-Men fans and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Marvel Comics shared universe to examine one of the many tales of the X-Men 2099 monthly series.

I enjoyed the way John Francis Moore put things into motion in issue #12 and other previous issues of X-Men 2099. During the 3-part storyline at the start of the series, the Synge business empire and its wing of enforcers looked like the definitive force of evil for the mutants led then by Xi’an. As the series progressed, the Theater of Pain (first introduced comprehensively in issue #4) and its leader Brimstone emerged as the new force of evil while the X-Men lost Xi’an and Skullfire became more unhinged and got more involved with Luna (the one who messed with his mind and emotions). Xi’an, who reverted back to his sinister mindset, is obsessed with finding the Driver. It should be noted that these characters are all in the middle of the wasteland in 2099’s America (for 2099 historical reference, click here).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #13, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins with Brimstone Love making his way into the Garage, a secret high-tech facility of the Driver. He finds it interesting that his hunt for Luna led him into the strange structure in the desert and he know that she and her companions are inside.

Inside the structure, Junkpile is bound and tortured on a chair with Adamantium restraints holding him. With Junkpile is the Driver watching him while Xi’an, Skullfire and Luna are trapped nearby by a laser grid. Skullfire, who is aware that Xi’an has been pursuing the Driver ever since he learned key details from Hurricane, implied to the former X-Men leader that the Driver is more of a problem and antagonist while Luna added her own comments about their situation. Xi’an tells them they need to determine the severity of their situation.

Xi’an tells the Driver that Hurricane described him as a part of the mutant underground during the Purge. It turns out, the Driver has not heard about Hurricane for a long time and insisted to Xi’an that he mistook his actions as hostile.

The Driver begins to explain what he has been doing, why he continues to fight and protect the sacred mutant tribe and why he sought out hundreds of mutants to give them sanctuary…

Quality

*A lot of intriguing developments happened here and it concludes Xi’an’s pursuit of the Driver.*

With regards to storytelling and revelations, I can say that the intensity from the previous continued smoothly in this comic book. While the Theater of Pain was first revealed in issue #4, it was in the previous issue and in this particular story that its actual scope was made clear, and the presence of Brimstone Love – obviously 2099’s walking symbol of Satan – added great tension and a new evil presence for the X-Men to deal with.

What I enjoyed most in the story crafted by John Francis Moore are the revelations. The Driver, who came close to death and witnessed the plight of mutants, has a personal mission of providing sanctuary to mutants who are still living in danger in 2099’s America which has been dominated by mega corporations (MegaCorps). Still, his specific methods of achieving his goals for mutantkind are intriguingly questionable and in someways they made him looked even sinister. That said, Xi’an’s pursuit of him (which started a few issues prior) really resulted in some shock value that has to be seen page by page.

Very notably, Moore made the script even more dramatic which is clearly reflected in the dialogue of the characters and the art done by Ron Lim. I should also state that flashbacks of the mutants struggle for survival under the Driver and Hurricane are included and they are worth seeing.

Considering what this comic book has, it will make readers think deeply about the essence of X-Men 2099 as a team and the comic book series itself. At the same time, new mysteries about the direction of the series will be realized in ways that readers don’t expect.

Conclusion

The Driver himself was part of the effort that saved desperate mutants decades prior and he came close to dying. This comic book heavily defines his existence and his mission on providing sanctuary to any mutants he finds.

If there is anything significant about X-Men 2099 #13 (1994), it is the fact that it changed the trajectory of the series and reshaped the concept of X-Men 2099 as a whole in dramatic fashion. The build-ups, the pay-offs and revelations in this comic book are powerful. Along the way, this will make you question even further the intentions of Xi’an (former X-Men leader) and Skullfire (the unhinged X-Men member who used to be so weak and unsure of himself). As for the Driver, he is very well defined by the Moore-Lim duo in this comic book and he has gotten even more significant by the end. If there is anything severely lacking here, it is the spotlight on the surviving X-Men team members (with Shakti as their new leader).

Overall, X-Men 2099 #13 (1994) is recommended.

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Philippines 2026 Foreign Tourist Arrivals Reach 4.11 Million as of August, U.S. and South Korea Remain Top Markets

September 3, 2026September 2, 2026carlocarrasco

With the Peso performing terribly in the global currency market, weakening economic growth, high inflation and fears of an economic recession growing, 2026 has not been good for the Philippines. There is a bright spot in tourism, however, as the Philippines saw its 2026 foreign tourist arrivals reach 4.11 million in the January-August period and the United States and South Korea combined for more than 1.5 million tourist arrivals, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

The Philippines has recorded 4.11 million foreign arrivals from January to August, higher by 3.7 percent compared to the same period last year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Tuesday.

The United States posted the highest number of share at 818,318, followed by South Korea at 727,379, Japan at 350,191, China at 310,088, and Australia at 234,156.

Also making it in the top 10 source markets are Canada with 231,972, Taiwan with 154,957, the United Kingdom with 132,370, Singapore with 126,812, and India with 77,883.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the Philippines targets to surpass its 2025 arrival figures to reach between 6.4 million and 6.8 million, or at least 7 million, by the end of 2026.

To achieve this, she said the DOT is intensifying its branding and promotions to reach more tourists in its key source markets.

The DOT is also in active talks with airlines to open up and establish more chartered flights between the Philippines and secondary cities of Korea and China.

DOT Assistant Secretary Ren Sapitan said the agency is also set to sign a contract with a creative agency in November to broaden the country’s marketing efforts and make the Philippines more visible worldwide.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will be able to exceed the 2025 foreign tourist arrivals number by the end of this year? Do you think the DOT is doing a good job to strengthen the Philippines’ attraction of foreign tourists? Considering the Top 10 markets of foreign tourists the Philippines attracted so far, are you convinced that the nation’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit did not create any positive tourism results?

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 X-Men 2099 #12 (1994)

August 31, 2026August 20, 2026carlocarrasco

Looking back at the X-Men 2099 series of the 1990s, so much has developed during the first eleven issues released from 1993 to 1994. When I first read issue #1 in 1993, I found the futuristic X-Men really intriguing to follow and there was the expectation that the team led by Xi’an would somehow grow and make breakthroughs happen in 2099’s America. Surprisingly, members of the team got separated from each other – such as losing Metalhead to the Freakshow – and Xi’an himself changed for the worse and eventually left the team. Tim Fitzgerald/Skullfire (the weak and unsure newcomer who joined the futuristic X-Men) himself changed radically becoming unhinged and he has gotten really close with Luna (the one who messed with his mind and triggered his emotions).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #12, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins in the black market mall with Luna struggling to separate Skullfire and Junkpile from each other. Skullfire hates Junkpile whom he holds responsible for killing his friend Serpentina (the one X-Men member who welcomed him at their sanctuary). Junkpile blames Skullfire and his teammates for causing him some serious grief in Las Vegas. Luna tells them both to shut up or she would do something on both of them.

Moments later, the three of them are accused by the mall security for violating the market regulations. An armed mall security officer points his weapon at them accusing them of willful destruction of market property. The looks of Junkpile, Luna and Skullfire, however, scared him and convinced him to move away. Luna then reveals to Skullfire that she encountered Junkpile outside of Las Vegas shortly after the violent encounter with the X-Men. The three of them proceeded to a café to have a civil talk. Skullfire asks Luna about the Theater of Pain…

Quality

*Former X-Men member Metalhead with the group of degenerates called the Freakshow. One of their members clearly rejects him given his status as a mutant.*

Wow! The Moore-Lim team loaded this comic book with immense details that established the true force of opposition that awaits the X-Men. The story reveals to readers the Theater of Pain, its demonic leader Brimstone Love and what the theater’s purpose truly is. Brimstone Love and the theater were first revealed at the very end of issue #3 and this comic book offers readers a close look at them complete with very intriguing details that turned out to be worth discovering. That said, it was clear that John Francis Moore designed the Theater of Pain to be not just a planned force of evil the X-Men must face but also an actual threat to many living in 2099’s America. The Theater of Pain has a very sinister agenda and its operations involves the accumulating human misery which is a frightening concept on its own.

While Luna’s history and connection with the Theater of Pain is emphasized, Xi’an’s search for the Driver makes a lot more sense here as the former X-Men leader (now sinister and spiritually lost) communicates again with someone from his past. That said, the plot really thickened a lot in this comic book and that alone makes it engaging to follow.

As this issue follows Skullfire, Luna, Junkpile and Xi’an – plus a quick look at former X-Men member Metalhead now spending time with the Freakshow – the tone of the tale turned dark and gritty which I think was intentionally done by the creators as the Theater of Pain was strongly emphasized. That said, this is indeed inspired work.

Conclusion

*Skullfire, Junkpile and Luna look so intimidating and creepy, the mall security guy got scared and abandoned his duty.*

With a dark tale and an established force of evil rising in the horizon, X-Men 2099 #12 (1994) can be described as an inspired turn of events for the monthly series as a whole. At this stage, the direction of the series really started to take shape. It is also a lively reminder that the mutants struggling in 2099 have the wilderness and its violent elements as the least of their worries. The Theater of Pain itself is a reminder about sinister yet unseen forces that are operating while lots of people remain unaware of them (note: think about the World Economic Forum and what its core organization really do behind closed doors as time passes). Lastly, the twisted developments of Skullfire and Xi’an’s respective personalities will keep you in suspense as to how the futuristic X-Men can survive without them.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #12 (1994) is recommended.

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A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #8 (1994)

August 28, 2026August 18, 2026carlocarrasco

After the first seven issues of the series, it is clear that the futuristic mutants under Xi’an have tough challenges to not only survive in the dangerous and unpredictable wasteland of 2099’s America but also help their leader fulfill the ultimate goal of protecting mutants from the evil corporations in accordance to the dream of Professor X (Charles Xavier). Unlike the X-Men of the 20^th century, the team of 2099 does not have vast resources nor do they have a permanent place for living and development. Xi’an himself is still struggling with the elements from his past as a violent criminal.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #8, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

Early story

The story begins with Krystalin examining Archangel with amazement. Moments later, she sees Cyclops, Iceman, Beast and Jean Grey (in her Phoenix form). She wondered how many times did each of Professor X’s first students appear to die only to return again and again. She recalls that the records of their deaths may have been in error or even falsified. She also remembers the succeeding X-Men teams of Del Ruiz and Zhao.

It turns out the original X-Men members she saw were holograms as Victor Ten Eagles (who was a fellow outlaw with Xi’an in the old days) reveals that he opened his studio to few people and never to strangers. He allowed Krystalin in because he owes Xi’an a blood debt from their time together with the Lawless. As they talk, he explains to her his personal interest in the X-Men and the legacy.

Over at Iron Horse in Arizona, Hurricane talks with two trackers who were tied up. Meanstreak uses his super speed to dismantle the trackers’ suits of armor and examine the technologies within. He finds one Tetsuo Mark 6 signal beacon that was used to monitor armor in the field. He tells Hurricane she can use it as an advance warning the next time trackers are sent after her.

Hurricane tells the X-Men that she and the Freakshow never stay too long in one place. Moments later, the infected Metalhead tells Skullfire that he is trapped in his current metal form and could not change back…

Quality

*As the Freakshow is about to leave, Metalhead surprises his fellow X-Men.*

To make things clear, this X-Men 2099 comic book is very engaging to read as it is filled with a lot of details that further expanded the lore of the 2099 universe concerning mutants and legacy of the X-Men in the 21^st century. As such, I really enjoyed learning about the “future history” of the X-Men, how mutants struggled to survive in a corporation-controlled America, and why the wasteland became the 21^st century’s very own Old West where danger and uncertainty are constant.

If have an obsession about the 2099 universe, there is a lot to discover and enjoy here. Xi’an’s pursuit for knowledge about the mutant underground and Hurricane’s involvement is compelling to read and what was revealed is worth discovering. Meanwhile, Krystalin and Ten Eagles’ exploration of facilities as they search for answers reminds me a lot about a notable part of the story in Beneath the Planet of the Apes.

Conclusion

*The closest thing to a crossover with the original X-Men.*

X-Men 2099 #8 (1994) is a compelling read and it is one of the stronger references about the 2099 universe and the legacy of the X-Men from the time of Xavier to that of Zhao. The details revealed here are fine pay-offs to what was built up in the previous issues, and they connect well with the existence of Xi’an’s X-Men. This comic book will really help you understand the place of mutants in the 21st century and in my experience, the learning is enjoyable.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #8 (1994) is highly recommended.

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What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 148

July 29, 2026July 24, 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 Heaven’s Gate Revisited – What is there to be said about the 1980 historical epic Heaven’s Gate apart from the facts that it failed spectacularly and brought down United Artists a lot? To its credit, it has a grand look that required a massive amount of money to be spent and the sheer depth of authenticity implemented under the direction of Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter) is eye-catching. The film also had fine performances by Kris Kristofferson, Jeff Bridges, Christopher Walken and Isabelle Huppert. Historically, the massive failure of the movie impacted Hollywood as a whole and movie studios rarely grant the final cut privilege to movie directors. That said, there is a lot more to learn about Heaven’s Gate and I encourage you all to watch the video below.

#2 Moments That Destroyed Political Careers – Imagine yourself working so hard to get elected into public office in America followed by efforts to solidify the trust of voters who helped you win. With huge expectations, there obviously is pressure on you (the elected official) to serve them and fulfill your promises. Then one day, you committed a blunder or a very embarrassing moment that eventually leads you into a painful downfall. In America, there are Democrats and Republics who saw their political careers get destroyed because of the moments gone wrong. Watch and learn from the video below.

#3 History Of Sega And Its Impact On Video Gaming – Remember long ago when Sega was a highly prolific and innovative maker of games for arcades and consoles? Remember seeing consoles and add-ons with Sega branded on them? Decades ago, Sega was a gaming titan and it was a powerful competitor with Nintendo during the so-called 16-bit wars of the 1990s. Today, Sega is still operating but it is a shadow of what it used to be. To find out what happened, watch the very informative video game documentary below. It also has interviews with Tom Kalinske and other important video game personalities.

#4 Totally Whatever Reacts To Deep Impact – Back in 1998, I encountered some people who claimed to have cried while watching Deep Impact inside the movie theaters. When I saw it in the cinema, I saw a few other moviegoers near me having tears flowing from their eyes. Indeed, Deep Impact was made to move viewers emotionally with its themes of family, strained ties, and the struggle to remain intact before a massive tragedy happens. That said, you must see how the movie impacts the YouTubers in the video below.

#5 Tuna In Japan – Whenever I visited Japan, I always made the effort to enjoy a meal with tuna on it. I enjoy eating sashimi (specifically raw tuna), sushi and cooked meals that have tuna in different forms in them. If you love eating tuna and if you plan to visit Japan soon, watch the video below. Learn the details.

#6 Child’s Play 3 Reaction/Review Videos – Believe it or not, the 1991 movie Child’s Play 3 was released less than a year after Child’s Play 2. The movie followed the character Andy Barclay again, only this time he was portrayed as a troubled teenager who enters a military school. Unsurprisingly, the evil Chucky was revived and pursued Andy once more. Having seen Child’s Play and Child’s Play 3 on home video just months apart from each other, the viewing experience was unique given each film’s differences in terms of casts and settings. When Child’s Play 3 came to an end, there was this feeling among many moviegoers that the film series concluded solidly. To see what kind of reactions the 1991 movie attracted from YouTubers, watch the videos below.

#7 The Legend Of The Lone Ranger’s Failure Explained – As a young boy, I saw The Legend of the Lone Ranger on home video and enjoyed it. Back then, I was completely unaware about the controversy regarding past Lone Ranger actor Clayton Moore who was legally barred from appearing in public wearing the trademark black mask. That controversy alone hounded the movie and was arguably the single biggest factor behind its failure. By the way, the film’s star Klinton Spilsbury was dubbed over as the Long Ranger and he never acted again. To learn more, watch the video below.

#8 Minty Comedic Arts Examines Tales From The Crypt – When you hear the title Tales From The Crypt, do you think about the about the horror anthology TV series or the original comic book series published by EC Comics in the 1950s? I myself read several reprints of EC Comics – including Tales From The Crypt – and saw some episodes of the TV series. That said, both the TV series and the comic books delivered a very unique kind of entertainment that is sadly missing today. In his video, Minty Comedic Arts revealed a lot of interesting details about the TV series as well as EC Comics. I encourage you to watch his video now.

#9 The Unification Church Exposed – When former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in 2022, the killer Tetsuya Yamagami committed the act not because of politics but because of the perceived connections the politician had with the controversial Unification Church which he blames for financial ruining his family and his own life. The killer’s own mother was a member of the Unification Church and because she donated so much money to it, her own family ended up lacking money for survival, education and other needs. The murder investigation eventually unraveled decades of allegations about financial exploitation, shattered families and the immense influence the said church had on its members from Japan to South Korea and the United States. There are a lot of very intriguing details in Dark Asia with Megan’s video below and I encourage you all 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

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 138

May 20, 2026May 20, 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 How To Get The Strongest And Most Optimized Spaceship Crew In Starfield – This year, Bethesda launched several important updates to make their 2023 science fiction role-playing game Starfield better and they also offered new DLC for those who crave for new content. One of the more defining aspects of the game is space travel and this includes setting up your own crew for your spaceship and there is impact on its functions and capabilities. If you want to learn how to get the stronger and most optimized crew for your ship, I encourage you watch the video below.

#2 Mari Iijima And The Defining Song of Macross: Do You Remember Love? – I really love watching the 1984 anime feature film Macross: Do You Remember Love? Apart from the great animation, the spectacle, the memorable characters and the solid storytelling, the movie also has a great soundtrack made to delight the long-time Macross fans. Still, the movie has its very own song performed by none other than Mari Iijima (Minmay) and it is a classic among Macross fans. In the videos below, you will see Mari Iijima perform the song live in a 1980s TV broadcast and the song playing with selected footage of Macross: Do You Remember Love? Enjoy these!

#3 The Tuna City In Japan Is Changing With Tourism In Mind – If you plan to visit Japan at all, you might want to discover Miura City located in Kanagawa Prefecture. Miura City is famous for its fresh tuna and in recent times there has been a series of changes as several room-only hotels and new trends have sprouted as the locality is finding new ways to turn visitors into overnight guests. This is a place I would like to visit someday if ever I get the opportunity to return to Japan. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#4 Women’s Rights Activist Marries Islamist And Things Went Wrong – Did you notice that there is a gradual rising number of feminists and women’s rights activists who not embrace Islam (wicked and ugly) but also marry Islamists believing that things will be alright and they can just continue their activism. Of course, many of them activists and feminists do not fully understand Islam nor the full content of the Quran. As such, when things go very wrong, they are get into deep trouble. Watch and learn from the video below.

#5 Islamists Violate Hindu Women In India And Get Arrested – Let’s be very clear here. Islamists are oriented to conquer others even though they may not be numerous within a locality. Believe it or not, a group of such people who wielded power inside a business violated the Hindu women (plus at least one male employee) with regards to cultural norms and doing things that go against their faith. Even forced religious conversion happened. Watch and learn from the video below.

#6 Meatballs Reaction And Retrospective – When it comes to cinematic comedy, Bill Murray is iconic and his early work in 1979’s Meatballs already involved the late Harold Ramis and the late director Ivan Reitman. That said, there is something about Meatballs – produced for less than $2 million – that helped it achieve tremendous commercial success with ticket sales of $70 million. Remember, three of the creative minds behind the classic Ghostbusters are involved in this old movie and you will see how You, Me and The Movies react to it in the video below. Be aware that as of this writing, there are not too many movie reaction videos about Meatballs on YouTube. Also posted below is an in-depth retrospective about Meatballs by GoodBadFlicks.

#7 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To The Thin Man – Have you ever heard of The Thin Man? It’s not a UFO reference. It’s the 1934 American pre-Code comedy-mystery movie that was eventually named to the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress having been deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” in 1997. Apart from its reputation in American film history, The Thin Man also resulted in five sequels. If you want to discover the 1934 movie but you don’t have the time nor resources to watch the movie, watch Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video and see how it impacts her.

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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

Two Indian Nationals Found And Arrested In Las Piñas City

January 22, 2026January 18, 2026carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, police officers successfully tracked down two Indian nationals using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and arrested them for their involvement in a robbery incident, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Authorities from the Las Piñas City Police arrested two Indian nationals after swiftly resolving a robbery incident through a hot-pursuit operation aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) technology on Friday, Jan. 16.

Las Piñas Police Chief Col. Sandro Tafalla identified the suspects as “Sukhwinder,” 27, and “Jasdeep,” 33, both Indian nationals and residents of Taytay, Rizal. They were arrested at Villa Fidela Subdivision, Barangay Elias, Las Piñas City.

Tafalla said the victim, also an Indian national, 34, reported that he was approached by two men while parking his motorcycle in front of his residence. The suspects allegedly forcibly took his iPhone 16 Pro worth P73,000 and P10,000 in cash.

The victim added that after taking his valuables, the suspects immediately fled on board a motorcycle.

In a rapid, technology-driven response, Tafalla said responding police officers coordinated with the victim to activate the GPS feature of the stolen mobile phone, which led to the arrest of the suspects.

Authorities successfully recovered the stolen iPhone 16 Pro, the P10,000 cash, and a Motoposh EVO 150 motorcycle bearing plate number N580QH, along with the black-and-white helmets and red jacket allegedly worn by the suspects during the incident.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you thankful that the police successfully arrested the foreign suspects?

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 @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 37

December 1, 2025December 29, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads – including arcade flyers – from the 1970s to the 1990s.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers, posters and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1970s and 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

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

1. Cabal Japanese arcade flyer/poster

*Can you feel the action and intensity here?*

When it was first released in video arcades in Japan in late 1988, Cabal was another game inspired by military action movies of Hollywood which explains the art work done for the arcade flyer and poster shown above. The Vietnam War was still fresh in people’s minds and the concept of having one or two players firing their weapons against enemy soldiers resonated with gamers who saw Hollywood’s military action flicks. That said, it is not surprising that Cabal became a huge hit in Japan before getting released in arcades around the world.

2. Willows Japanese arcade flyer

Remember the 1988 high fantasy adventure film Willow? That film was produced by George Lucas and was a bold new production of Lucasfilm shifting away from Star Wars. Believe it or not, an official arcade game adaptation of Willow was made by Capcom and they promoted it by having images of Val Kilmer and Warwick Davis on the front of the arcade flyer (opposite the illustrated versions of their characters). The game, which was a side-scrolling platform game with run-and-gun elements, went on to be an arcade hit in Japan and eventually pleased gamers worldwide.

3. Super Punch-Out!! North American print ad

Historically, Nintendo’s Punch-Out!! series started in the arcade in 1984 and the first game was the result of the company’s effort to make a new game using arcade cabinets with two screens. The 2^nd game – Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! – became a huge critical and commercial hit (over 2 million copies sold in 1988) on console and it made great business sense for Nintendo for release another Punch-Out!! for its console gamers to enjoy in the comfort of home. In 1994, Super Punch-Out!! was released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in America and to promote it, the company came up with a hilarious 2-page ad that showed fictional high school graduates with boxing-related injuries. The imagery creatively connected with the words “biggest Punch-Out ever” and “Graduating Class of ‘94”.

4. EA Sports 3-in-1 SNES games print ad

In 1994, Electronic Arts (EA) released their sports games NBA Live 95, NHL 95 and Madden NFL 95 for consoles at the time. Even though the Sega Genesis sold better than Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in America at the time, EA went on to aggressively market their 3 sports video games on Nintendo’s console using a 3-in-1 games print ad. In retrospect, the SNES for the most part had better graphics and sounds than the Genesis which is reflected clearly on EA Sports games of the time. This print ad still looks fun and exciting.

5. Atari Jaguar CD print ad

*Were you able to play any game on the Atari Jaguar with the CD add-on included?*

Apart from the obvious advances of technology that impacted video games, the 1990s is also known for the rise of CD-ROM as a medium for gaming. In an effort to boost sales of the Atari Jaguar console (launched in America in 1993 for around $250) and capitalize on the trust of the fans and console owners, Atari launched a CD-ROM add-on device for about $150 in 1995. To promote it, the company went aggressive with the 2-page ad showing the add-on fully connected on top of the main console, showing off some games and posting a text description emphasizing hardware power and the advantages that come with the CD technology. Even in the captured image, the Atari Jaguar CD still resembled a toilet. This is an aggressive ad campaign that failed as less than 20,000 Atari Jaguar CD units were sold by the time it was discontinued in 1996.

6. 3DO print ad

*While it lacks intensity, this 3DO ad emphasized the games.*

Without showing any hardware, the 3DO Company came up with this 2-page print ad that had a slightly adulterated tone (look at the left page) and aggressively marketed the 3DO console games available at the time. Games like Demolition Man, Shock Wave, Road Rash and Super Street Fighter II Turbo were the standout titles which clearly showed the company made the effort to emphasize gaming more than multimedia features. This 1990s ad tackled the generations with a touch of humor.

7. Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters Sega Genesis print ad

When Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters was released in the arcades in 1994, it became a commercial success for Konami which went on to announce it would port the game to consoles of Nintendo and Sega at the time. While the port for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was never released, Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters made its way to the Sega Genesis and Sega CD. The print ad of the Sega Genesis version (Sega CD mentioned in small text) had an inspired design emphasizing the Old West, shooting and the conflict between cowboys and Indians. The screenshots gave people the clear idea that Old West was the setting (versus modern day in the previous game). This is still fun to look at.

8. Syphon Filter

*Syphon Filter went on to become a surprise hit game in 1999.*

In 1999, Sony’s 989 Studios released Syphon Filter exclusively on the PlayStation console. This single-page print ad showed a few screenshots on the bottom and several action snippets with a night vision touch ultimately emphasizing the stealth aspect within the gameplay. The marketing proved to be effective as the game sold a lot at retail and went on to establish a new game franchise exclusive to PlayStation consoles.

9. Parasite Eve II Japanese print ad

*Were you a big fan of Aya Brea and the Parasite Eve franchise in the late 1990s?*

Following the critical and commercial success of Parasite Eve in 1998, SquareSoft proceeded with Parasite Eve II and the production (note: initially for a spin-off game before becoming a sequel) did not even involve the main creators of the first game. Instead the company had a different team of developers – including those who previously worked on Resident Evil games for Capcom – in Osaka to make the sequel. This explains why Parasite Eve II had stronger survival horror gameplay resembling a Resident Evil game. As major changes were made during the production, it was decided that Aya Brea would become the main protagonist and already the character was already popular with gamers. That being said, the marketing of Parasite Eve II for the Japanese market heavily featured Aya Brea with subtle sexiness, beauty and action in mind. The marketing intensified leading to its eventual December 16, 1999 release in Japan.

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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 @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

NBI Arrests 9 in Parañaque Over Car Financing Scam

July 7, 2025July 3, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Parañaque, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents arrested a group of nine people – six foreigners and three locals – for their involvement in a car financing scam, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested three Filipinos and six Indian nationals for their alleged involvement in an “assume balance-talon” scheme.

In a statement on Friday, NBI Director Jaime Santiago identified the suspects as Teotima Batutay, Rose Torion and Michael Castulo, and Indian nationals Sajjan Sarkar, Sai Charan, Kulvatnh Thati, Gayatri Sarma, Ray Anand, and Nithin Kamepalli.

They were arrested on June 24 in Parañaque City and charged with carnapping and syndicated estafa.

According to the NBI, the complainant said he failed to pay the monthly amortization of the subject vehicle to a bank and offered it for sale on the “assume balance” process.

The said vehicle was assumed by a car dealer, which passed it to Batutay who allegedly sold the vehicle to Castulo. Castulo together with Sarkar, mortgaged it to Anand for PHP120,000.

The bank chased after the complainant after the amortizations fell due, and sought the recovery of the vehicle through Castulo.

However, Castulo demanded PHP450,000 from the complainant and even threatened to tear the car into parts if the money, which was later reduced to PHP250,000, was not given.

The complainant filed a report with the NBI, leading to the suspects’ arrest and the recovery of the vehicle.

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 that there are still gangs of both foreigners and locals who are committing scams and have yet to be caught? Do you think there will be more financial scams that will take place in Parañaque over the next six months?

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

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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 @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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