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Mangrobang wins 2023 SEA Games Women’s Duathlon gold medal for the Philippines!

May 7, 2023May 7, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers and sports fans! This morning at Kep in Cambodia, Kim Mangrobang proved once again that she is still Southeast Asia’s reigning queen of duathlon (run-bike-run) as she won the gold medal in the Women’s Individual Duathlon event of the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023). The gold she won was the 10^th gold for the Philippines in the ongoing regional games as of this writing.

*The reigning Southeast Asian Queen of Duathlon Kim Mangrobang with teammate Kira Ellis and the Philippine flag at Kep, Cambodia. (photo credit: Ramon Marchan)*

To put things in perspective, the official results showed that Mangrobang finished the 5 Kilometer run – 20 Km bike – 2.5 Km run event in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 23 seconds (1:04:23). She timed 20:13 in the 5Km run leg, had 23 seconds in Transition 1, completed the 20 Km bike leg in 33:20, had 23 seconds in Transition 2 and completed the 2.5 Km run in 10:04 (note: the fastest run time).

Thi Phuong Trinh Nguyen of Vietnam captured the silver medal in 1:05:12 while Indonesia’s Maharani Azhri Wahyuningtyas ended with the bronze clocking in 1:06:14. Mangrobang’s teammate Kira Ellis – who was part of the gold medal-winning aquathlon relay team – finished at 5^th place with 1:07:11.

*The image from the Facebook post of the Philippine Sports Commission.*

Meanwhile on the Men’s Individual Duathlon, the Philippine duo of Fer Casares (the gold medalist of last year’s SEA Games triathlon along with Mangrobang) and John Chicano (the 2019 SEA Games gold medalist in men’s triathlon) fell short at 5^th and 6^th places. Casares timed 55:18 while Chicano clocked 55:39. Vietnam won the gold followed by Cambodia the silver and Indonesia the bronze.

Going back to Mangrobang, it is clear that her achievement today is a big boost for the Philippines considering the tough competition and the heat in Cambodia. For insight about the previous Women’s Duathlon gold medal she won in the previous SEA Games in Vietnam, click my related blog post at https://carlocarrasco.com/2022/05/15/mangrobang-wins-another-gold-medal-for-the-philippines-at-the-31st-sea-games/

For the newcomers reading this, if you want to get to know Mangrobang even more, read my feature article of her by clicking https://carlocarrasco.com/2020/02/01/meet-southeast-asias-reigning-triathlon-queen-kim-mangrobang/

Mangrobang’s duty is not over yet as she will be racing in the Women’s Individual Triathlon tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM. We will find out if she can win another SEA Games triathlon gold medal for the Philippines. The Men’s Individual Triathlon will follow at 8:30 AM.

For the Philippine readers, the multisport enthusiasts and the faithful people reading this, be thankful to the Lord for today’s gold medal victory, honor Him and know that with Him, nothing is impossible. Learn from the holy scriptures below…

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV)

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)

Watch out for more 2023 SEA Games multisport updates right here.

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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/

Philippines wins gold in the 32nd SEA Games Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event

May 6, 2023May 6, 2023carlocarrasco

Today at Kep in Cambodia, the multisport squad composed of Erika Burgos, Iñaki Emil Lorbes, Kira Ellis and Matthew Justine Hermosa won the gold for the Philippines during the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023). This big victory happened hours after the silver medal victory of Andrew Kim Remolino in the men’s individual aquathlon and it added to the growing number of gold medal victories for the Philippines. Specifically, the mixed aquathlon team relay victory is the 7^th gold for the nation in the ongoing regional games as of this writing.

*The pose of victory at the SEA Games in Cambodia. (note: photo sourced from Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page).*

To put things in perspective, the official results showed that the Philippines finished first with an overall time of 1 hour, 9 minutes and 56 seconds (1:09:56). In terms of breakdowns, the Filipino multisport squad scored 16:20 in Leg 1, 19:21 in Leg 2, 16:16 in Leg 3 and 17:59 in Leg 4 of the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event. The way the results were presented online, it was not made clear which team member participated per leg.

Meanwhile, Indonesia captured the silver medal in 1:11:27 while the bronze went to Vietnam which finished in 1:13:29. Host nation Cambodia finished at 7^th place with 1:26:41.

Considering what the Philippines achieved today in the inaugural SEA Games aquathlon events, it is essential to thank and honor the Lord for the silver and gold medals won.

I will praise the name of God with a song,

And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30 (NKJV)

Keep on giving your thanks to God, for he is so good! His constant, tender love lasts forever!

Psalms 118:1 (TPT)

As mentioned before, the competition in this edition of the SEA Games is tough and there is still a long road ahead for the Philippines to win as many gold medals as possible. To overcome the challenges and obstacles, faith in the Lord is essential.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

From this point on, the Philippines will proceed with its quest for gold in the Men’s Individual Duathlon which will start tomorrow at 6:30 AM and also in the Women’s Individual Duathlon which is set to take place at 8:30 AM.

On May 8, the Women’s Individual Triathlon will go first at 6:30 AM followed by the Men’s Individual Triathlon at 8:30 AM.

Watch out for more 2023 SEA Games multisport updates right here.

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Remolino wins silver medal in the 32nd SEA Games men’s individual aquathlon event

May 6, 2023May 6, 2023carlocarrasco

This morning at Kep in Cambodia, Andrew Kim Remolino won for the Philippines the silver medal of the men’s individual aquathlon event in the ongoing 32nd Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023). For the newcomers reading this, this is the first time ever that the aquathlon got organized during the SEA Games and both the duathlon and triathlon events will follow over the next two days.

*The image from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Facebook page post congratulating Andrew Kim Remolino.*

As expected, the battle for gold was indeed tough. The official results showed that the Cebu-based Remolino finished 2^nd with a time of 15 minutes and 7 seconds (15:07). Remolino finished the 500-meter swim leg in 6:06, had transition time of 22 seconds and ran 2.5 Kilometers in 8:39. The gold medal of the men’s aquathlon went to Indonesia’s Rashif Amila Yaqini (14:28) while the bronze went to Singapore’s Bryce Sheng Cher Chong (15:39). Remolino’s teammate Joshua Alexander Ramos finished 5^th place with 16:14.

On the women’s individual aquathlon, Raven Faith Alcoseba ended up short of capturing the bronze medal as she finished 4^th with 17:43 (6:47 in the swim, 26 seconds transition time and 10:30 in the run). The Cebu-based Alcoseba was just ten seconds behind Indonesia’s Dea Salsabila Putri who captured the bronze medal. Alcoseba’s teammate Gene Heart Quiambao ended up at 8^th place with 18:30. The gold and silver medals went to Cambodia’s Margot Morokot Garabedian (16:09) and Thailand’s Aisika Kaewyongkod (17:15).

The Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay will be held this afternoon. Tomorrow, the Men’s Individual Duathlon will start at 6:30 AM while the Women’s Individual Duathlon will take place at 8:30 AM.

On May 8, the Women’s Individual Triathlon will go first at 6:30 AM followed by the Men’s Individual Triathlon at 8:30 AM. The Philippines is aiming for 3-4 gold medals in the triathlon events.

Watch out for more 2023 SEA Games multisport updates right here.

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51 apprehensions counted during the first two days of the single-ticketing system dry run Muntinlupa City

May 5, 2023May 4, 2023carlocarrasco

In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the single-ticketing system covering the National Capital Region (NCR) started officially and over fifty apprehensions were made during the first two days of the implementation within the city, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

A total of 51 apprehensions were recorded in the first two days of the implementation of the single-ticketing system for traffic violations in Muntinlupa.

Muntinlupa and six other local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila launched the single-ticketing system on May 2.

According to the Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau (MTMB), the 51 traffic violators were apprehended on May 2 and 3. It said the implementation of the system in Muntinlupa was smooth.

On the first day, 39 apprehensions were recorded in Muntinlupa. These include 24 for not wearing helmets, seven for attended illegal parking, two unattended illegal parking and one for obstruction. Five others were apprehended for driving without license, no helmet, and arrogance.

The dry-run of the single-ticketing system will be from May 2 to 7, after which, there will be an evaluation, the MTMB added.

In March, the Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance 2023-055 adopting the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 on the implementation of a single-ticketing system and harmonizing fines and penalties. It was signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon.

MTMB chief Danidon Nolasco had earlier said a violator has 10 days to pay the traffic violation fine, after which, a surcharge of five percent daily will be imposed. If he fails to settle the fine, an alarm is sent to the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Under the Muntinlupa ordinance, the following traffic rules and regulations and their corresponding penalties and/or fines will apply:

TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS / FINES (1st Offense / 2nd Offense / 3rd Offense and Subsequent Offense

– Disregarding Traffic Sign – P1,000

– Illegal Parking Attended P1,000

– Illegal Parking Unattended – P2,000

– Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program (Number Coding Scheme) – P500

– Truck Ban – P3,000

– Light Truck Ban – P2,000

– Reckless Driving – P1,000/ P2,000 /P2,000

– Tricycle Ban – P500

– Obstruction – P1,000

– Dress Code for Motorcycles – P500/ P750 /P1,000

– Overloading – P1,000

– Defective Motor Vehicle Accessories – P1,000

– Unauthorized Modification – P2,000

– Arrogance/Discourteous Conduct – P500

– Loading and Unloading in Prohibited Zones – P1,000

– Illegal Counterflow – P2,000/ P5,000

– Overspeeding – P1,000

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Did you notice any significant changes in the city since the official implementation of the single-ticketing system?

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

Vloggers responsible for Las Piñas City prank could face additional charges

May 5, 2023August 8, 2023carlocarrasco

The vloggers who have been charged already over the public prank in the form of a kidnapping in Las Piñas City in the presence of a police officer could face additional charges from the police, according to a Philippine Star news report. It also turns out that the said incident took place at Barangay BF International – CAA.

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

Police are eyeing more criminal charges against three vloggers who were responsible for a kidnapping prank in Las Piñas City recently.

Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, said the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is studying if additional complaints could be filed against the content creators behind Tukomi, which has 4.21 million subscribers on YouTube and 4.21 million followers on Facebook.

Fajardo said the vloggers uploaded a video of the kidnap prank on social media platforms, which generated thousands of comments from netizens.

The vloggers are facing complaints for alarm and scandal filed by the police Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) before the Las Piñas prosecutor’s office.

The respondents are Mark Lester San Rafael, Mark Hiroshi San Rafael and Eleazar Stephen Fuentes.

The vloggers staged a scene which showed men wearing black bonnets kidnapping a person in Barangay CAA-BF International.

Unknown to them, an off-duty police officer, S/Sgt. Ronnie Conmingo of the IMEG, was in front of a nearby store when the content creators staged the stunt.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, what is your reaction to this new development? Do you think that digital content creators who organize public pranks and post videos of them should be held accountable for causing disturbance on others? What do you think should be done with pranksters who organize pretentious acts of crime like kidnapping?

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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MMC president Zamora says full implementation of NCR single-ticketing system may start within weeks

May 4, 2023May 2, 2023carlocarrasco

Now that the single-ticketing system in the National Capital Region (NCR) has officially started this past Tuesday, San Juan City Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) president Francis Zamora stated that the full implementation of the said system may start within weeks, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

San Juan City Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) President Francis Zamora said on Tuesday, May 2, the full implementation of the single-ticketing system in the National Capital Region (NCR) may start in a couple of weeks.

“Honestly, I am looking at a couple of weeks. Hindi naman mahabang panahon po ito dahil yung integration naman po ng ibang lungsod ay ongoing na (Honestly, I am looking at a couple of weeks. This won’t take a long time because the integration of the other cities into the system is ongoing as well),” the mayor said.

The dry run of the single-ticketing system started on Tuesday, May 2, in the following pilot cities: Manila, Quezon City, Parañaque City, Muntinlupa City, Caloocan City, Valenzuela City and San Juan City.

Zamora explained that the mayors of the seven pilot cities will convene soon to discuss and assess the results of the dry-run.

The single-ticketing system aims to streamline the traffic violations and fines of the 16 cities and lone municipality comprising the National Capital Region (NCR). It also allows violators to pay their fines using e-wallets and other digital payment platforms on the spot, preventing the need for them to proceed to the city hall to pay for their violation.

Earlier, all the mayors of the 16 cities and lone municipality in the NCR signed Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023, which defines the 20 common traffic violations and the corresponding standardized penalties. The violations include:

– Disregarding traffic signs

– Illegal parking (attended and unattended)

– Number coding UVVRP

– Truck ban

– Light truck ban

– Reckless Driving

– Unregistered motor vehicle

– Driving without license

-Tricycle ban

– Obstruction

– Dress code for motorcycle

– Overloading

– Defective motorcycle accessories

– Unauthorized modification

– Arrogance/Discourteous conduct (driver)

– Loading and Unloading in Prohibited Zones

– Illegal counterflow

– Overspeeding

The fines for these 20 violations range from P500 to P5,000.

The following special laws will also be implemented in the region:

– Seat Belts Use Act of 1999

– Child Safety in Motor Vehicles Act

– Mandatory Use of Motorcycle Helmet Act

– Children’s Safety on Motorcycle Act

– Anti-Distracted Driving Act

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Acting Chairman Romando Artes explained that with the new system, motorists will no longer have to surrender their licenses once they committed a traffic violation.

With the single-ticketing system, the MMDA will provide handheld devices to its traffic enforcers that can offer cashless payment options to violators. These devices will be connected to the Land Transportation Management System (LTMS) of the LTO to enable real-time data sharing and verification.

Aside from the handheld gadgets, body cameras will also be issued to the enforcers that are connected to the MMDA command center in real time.

The chairman stressed that with this system, corruption and other means of under the table negotiations between the enforcer and the violator will be prevented.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Did you notice any significant changes since the start of the single-ticketing system in NCR?

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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Spotlight on the Cebu-based Philippine Team triathletes competing in the 32nd SEA Games

May 4, 2023May 4, 2023carlocarrasco

With the much-awaited triathlon events in the 32^nd edition of the Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023) happening a few days away, there is confidence on the Cebu-based members of the Philippine triathlon team to win big, according to a Cebu Daily News (CDN) sports news report. Among the Cebuanos are Andrew Kim Remolino and Raven Faith Alcoseba who won big for the Philippines in the previous SEA Games (click here and here).

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

Veteran triathlon coach Roland Remolino is confident of the chances of the three Cebuano triathletes under his wing to win medals in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) next month in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Remolino, head coach of two-time SEA Games men’s triathlon silver medalist Andrew Kim Remolino as well as that of the women’s triathlon bronze medalist Raven Faith Alcoseba, told CDN Digital that they had been grinding in training since last year for the SEA Games.

“Wala mi pahuway, continuous atong training. Moslow down ra mi gamay kung naay lumba pareho atong sa Subic International Triathlon,” said Remolino, who is also the father of Andrew Kim Remolino.

(We did not rest, our training was continuous. We only slowed down a little if there are races such as the Subic International Triathlon.)

Andrew Kim Remolino finished 33rd in the Subic International (Triathlon) that was dominated by Australians in both the elite men’s and women’s division.

Meanwhile, Alcoseba who recently underwent laparoscopic appendectomy a month ago finished 24th in the elite distaff side.

“Para nako dili na hindrance. Mas modaog siya karon. Kusgan kaayo si Raven, kahibaw mi na operahan siya sa appendix, pero recovered na siya 90 percent,” said Coach Remolino.

(For me, that is not a hindrance. She can really win now. Raven is very strong, we know that she would undergo an operation for her appendix, but she has recovered 90 percent already.)

Joining them is newcomer and the Philippine team’s youngest SEA Games contender, 17-year-old Matthew Justine Hermosa.

Coach Remolino revealed that they were at the New Clark City Stadium in Tarlac training for the SEA Games.

“Confident ra ko mokuha mi og medals jud aning SEA Games. Dili ko makasure kung first or second, pero confident ug salig ra ko sa akong mga triathletes. Sige man jud mi ug training. Sige mi og bukbok og training, nagsige sad mi ug duwa ug mga qualifying races, wala pay labot ang local races,” Coach Remolino said.

(I am confident that they can get medals in the SEA Games. I am not sure if first or second, but I am confident and I believe in my triathletes. They have been training rigorously. We have been pushing them in training, we have also competed in qualifying races, and that does not include the local races.)

“Mas dako og advantage diri sa Tarlac mi nagtraining kay access namo tanan training facilities. Dili pareho sa Cebu nga one-hour ra mi sa oval, nagkuwang-kuwang mi og training. Mas complete diri ug mas mingaw diri, makafocus gyud mi ug maayo,” he said.

(The facility here is bigger and training facilities here in Tarlac is an advantage to us because they are accessible to all of us. And not like in Cebu where we only have one-hour in the oval, Our training was lacking. Here our training is more complete and the area has less crowds, we can really focus on our training.)

In last year’s SEA Games, coach Remolino said that they had difficulties training due to the Covid-19 restrictions imposed by the LGUs throughout Cebu. Still, Alcoseba and Andrew Kim delivered two medals for the Philippine team.

Kim Mangrobang and Fernando Caseres were the gold medalists in the Philippine-dominated sport.

For the newcomers reading this, Cebu province has long been a hot spot for triathlon events and new talents in the history of Philippine triathlon. Andrew Kim Remolino and Raven Faith Alcoseba are both young, have achieved a lot for the nation and there is more to come for them. There will be challenges or even surprises at the SEA Games triathlon events in Cambodia which will commence on May 8, 2023 with the Women’s Individual Triathlon happening at 6:30 AM and the Men’s Individual Triathlon at 8:30 AM, according to the official Cambodia SEA Games website.

*2021 Vietnam SEA Games bronze medalist in women’s triathlon Raven Faith Alcoseba. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)*

*2021 Vietnam SEA Games silver medalist in men’s triathlon Andrew Kim Remolino. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)*

The Philippines will also be competing in the SEA Games duathlon and aquathlon events in Cambodia. All the multisport events will be held in Kep which has a beach. For added insight about the Philippines’ SEA Games campaign in triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon, watch the videos below…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will win the gold medals in triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon at the SEA Games in Cambodia a few days from now?

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

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Aquathlon, duathlon and triathlon at 32nd SEA Games set for May 6 to 8, 2023

May 3, 2023May 1, 2023carlocarrasco

The Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023) in Cambodia will formally open in a few days from now and those who love multisport events like triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon won’t have to wait too long as their respective medal events will take place from May 6 to 8, 2023 at the Kep Town Beach in Kep City.

According to the official 2023 SEA Games schedule of events, the aquathlon events will take place on May 6. Women’s Individual Aquathlon will start at 6:30 AM followed by Men’s Individual Aquathlon at 7:30 AM and the Mixed Aquathlon 4x Team Relay at 2PM.

On May 7, the Men’s Individual Duathlon will start at 6:30 AM while the Women’s Individual Duathlon will take place at 8:30 AM.

May 8 is the big day for those who love triathlon. The Women’s Individual Triathlon will go first at 6:30 AM followed by the Men’s Individual Triathlon at 8:30 AM.

The official medal tally for the 2023 SEA Games triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon events will eventually be published online and they can be accessed by clicking https://games.cambodia2023.com/#sportsinfo (note: Click the Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquathlon button in order to narrow down the search).

With regards to Kep as the place of race venue, it was described by Cambodia’s Tourism as follows…

Kep was Cambodia’s top seaside destination until eclipsed in the 1960s by Sihanoukville (and, soon after, decades of civil war). The town is full of ruined shells of old villas, destroyed in the Khmer Rouge days and during the subsequent Civil War and stripped down by the leaving Vietnamese army.

Today’s Kep has recently become established as a Khmer holiday spot and is slowly being rediscovered by travelers. The once very poor Kep beach is now being filled up with snow white sand from Otres Beach and is extended to 50m, still the main beach is located at the idyllic Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island, 20min by long tail boat), just off the coast.

The charm of this coastal resort lies in its peacefulness, its National Park, and its seafood.

A single, kilometer long crescent of sand near the tip of the Kep peninsula. Dining platforms and seafood vendors line the road behind the beach. Busy on weekends but often deserted during the week.

For some insight about the 2023 SEA Games multisport events, watch these videos about Team Philippines which has entries in each contest. The Philippines is aiming high for gold medals in the SEA Games triathlon this year.

Watch out for more 2023 SEA Games triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon updates right here.

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Las Piñas City Government and DOT-NCR worked together with tourism guidebook orientation

May 3, 2023April 30, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Las Piñas, the City Government continued to push local tourism further by teaming up with the Department of Tourism-National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) and conducted a tourism guidebook orientation, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Las Piñas City government and the Department of Tourism-National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) conducted on Saturday, April 29, a tourism guidebook orientation to increase awareness and showcase the rich culture and history of the city.

The orientation was held at the Excelsior Hotel in Las Piñas City, attended by DOT- NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin and Project Development Officer Bamba Ramos among others.

Las Piñas Tourism and Cultural Office (TCO) Head Paul San Miguel said the city’s TCO is a newly created division in the local government tasked with implementing programs and initiatives to promote the city’s culture and history. He said the office was formed by Mayor Imelda Aguilar who wanted to present the city’s heritage to local and foreign tourists.

The tourism officer cited the famous Bamboo Organ, which was constructed in 1816 and can be viewed in St. Joseph Parish Church in the city. The organ has been recognized in 2003 by the National Museum of the Philippines as the “only surviving and functioning 19th-century Bamboo Organ in the country.”

He noted that the organ is usually visited by students conducting study tours, along with local and foreign tourists.

San Miguel said promoting the history and rich culture of the city will also help in economic growth.

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? Do you think your city will become a stronger and more competitive player when it comes to attracting local and foreign tourists? Do you think that the City Government should team up with bloggers, vloggers and social media influencers to boost the city image as a tourist-friendly place? Don’t you think Las Piñas City is ready to host special events that can attract visitors such as sports competitions, fashion shows, fitness models’ pageants, comic conventions, cosplay festivals, food showcases, film festivals and the like?

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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Vloggers charged for committing public prank in Las Piñas City

May 2, 2023April 29, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the city of Las Piñas, a group of vloggers organized a public prank in the form of a criminal act on the street only to realize that there was an actual police officer (in civilian clothes) who was armed. The police officer confronted them causing one of the vloggers to explain that what just happened was all a hoax as their group had been doing public pranks and shared videos of them online. They have since been charged for causing a disturbance in public. All of these and more were reported by GMA News.

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

Several vloggers are facing complaints for their April 6 prank in which they pretend to be kidnappers, causing a police officer to draw his weapon and respond to the fake crime.

According to Jun Veneracion’s “24 Oras” report on Friday, the bonnet-wearing pranksters alighted from a car along a Las Piñas City street and pretended to kidnap someone.

While panicked locals fled from the scene, Police Staff Sergeant Ronnie Conmigo of the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, who lived nearby, showed up with a gun.

One of the vloggers tried to calm Conmigo down and explained it was all a prank.

“Hanggang sa nagsabi na lang na, ‘Sir prank ito! Prank ito!’ Gumaganoon sa akin. Medyo nahimasmasan ako. Sabi ko, madidisgrasya ko pa ang mga ito,” Conmigo said.

(Until he said, “Sir, it’s a prank! It’s a prank!” It calmed me down. Thankfully, I did not hurt anyone.)

Conmigo, who has been in the service for 26 years, was angry as he almost harmed the vloggers because of their prank.

“Kung iba po yun sakaling trigger happy yung pulis o may iba pang hindi pulis nabaril sila,” he said.

(If it was someone else, a trigger-happy police officer or an armed civilian, they could have been shot.)

Conmigo filed complaints against the five vloggers for alarm and scandal over their prank.

“Para hindi na po maulit yung ginagawa nila sir kasi maraming gumagaya pangit din sa mata ng bata yun tsaka napaka delikado sir,” he added.

(To prevent copycats. It sets a bad example. And it’s dangerous.)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned that such pranks could lead to criminal cases.

“Binabalaan po natin yung mga vloggers at yung mga pranksters na wag po nating gawing biro ang mga vlogs and pranks about sa paggawa ng krimen sapagkat yan ay may kaukulang parusa sa revised penal code article 153, ito po ay nagkakaroon ng kulong, may kulong po ang penalty dito na anim na taon,” Police Colonel Redrico Maranan, PNP Chief PIO, said.

(We are warning vloggers and pranksters that we should not turn crimes into laughing matters because there are penalties. In the revised penal code article 153, they might end up in prison. There is a penalty of six years in prison.)

The kidnapping prank video has 990,000 views on Facebook and almost 549,597 views on YouTube.

GMA Integrated News is still seeking the side of the vloggers.

The vloggers have been uploading prank videos on their social media platforms for some time. They said the videos were only for “good vibes.”

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? Do you think that vloggers who organize and record pranks in public for the sake of attracting viewers are causing more trouble than good? Do you consider a prank in the form of a crime a serious disturbance of the peace?

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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