carlocarrasco

Funding For Philippine Startups Falls 55% To $86.4M In First Half of 2025

September 28, 2025September 18, 2025carlocarrasco

Startups here in the Philippines secured $86.4 million in equity funding during the first half of this year which translates to a very sharp drop of 55% when compared to a year earlier, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

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

PHILIPPINE startups secured $86.4 million in equity funding in the first half of 2025, down 55% from a year earlier and lagging most of its Southeast Asian neighbors, according to a report by Kickstart Ventures, Inc., the corporate venture capital arm of Globe Telecom, Inc., and Singapore-based business news platform DealStreetAsia.

The Philippines raised about P4.91 billion from 15 disclosed deals in the six-month period, lower than the P10.86 billion ($191 million) recorded in the same period last year.

By deal value, the country trailed Singapore ($1.21 billion), Vietnam ($275 million), and Malaysia ($196 million). It only surpassed Indonesia ($78 million) and Thailand ($10 million), while Cambodia did not disclose figures.

Across Southeast Asia, startup equity investment fell by 20.7% year on year to $1.85 billion, the lowest in six years.

Joan Yao, general partner at Kickstart Ventures, said funding deals slowed after digital activity peaked in 2021 and 2022 at the height of coronavirus lockdowns.

“I think to some extent, as the effects of COVID died down… [digital] activity became more balanced between online and offline,” Ms. Yao said during a media briefing on Wednesday.

Philippine startups had raised $456 million and $481 million in the first halves of 2021 and 2022, respectively, before declining sharply as global investors scaled back.

Ms. Yao cited the tight monetary policy in the United States, when the US Federal Reserve hiked interest rates from March 2022 through July 2023 to curb inflation.

“A lot of the global investors that were coming to invest in the Philippine market or Southeast Asia pulled back a little bit from their investment activities because of the higher cost of capital,” she said.

The report said investors have become more selective, favoring companies with stronger governance and clearer paths to profitability.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the recent developments? Were you surprised to see the Philippines’ startups attracting much less equity funding from global investors? What do you think the government should do to convince global investors to invest more in startups here in the Philippines?

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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines Has The Highest Debt Risk In Asia According To New Economic Study

September 27, 2025September 18, 2025carlocarrasco

With its recent economic study, Oxford Economics declared that the Philippines has the highest debt risk among its Asian neighbors and the biggest contributor to the risk is the nation’s limited internal policy space, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Constrained fiscal and monetary policy space, along with increasing reliance on foreign debt, has placed the Philippines at the highest sovereign risk, or the greatest risk of failing to meet its debt obligations, among its Asian peers.

According to a Sept. 10 report by the think tank Oxford Economics, the Philippines recorded the highest sovereign risk score among 12 Asian economies, at 4.5 out of 10. The biggest contributor to this risk is limited internal policy space, referring to the country’s relatively narrow fiscal and monetary flexibility compared with its peers.

The second-largest factors are external imbalances—measured by current account and trade deficits—along with the size of the economy, and institutional risks. Other contributors include political risks, the business environment, vulnerabilities in the banking sector, and corporate debt.

India ranked second in sovereign risk, followed by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan were assessed to have the lowest risk levels.

Sovereign risk refers to the possibility that a government may default on its debt by failing to meet interest or principal payments.

“On the fiscal front, the stubborn bias towards fiscal conservatism is likely to persist, following the broad unwinding of pandemic-era discretionary support,” Oxford Economics lead economist Alexandra Hermann said.

However, given that “around half of the region’s economies are likely to fall short of their official growth estimates this year, and the remainder only just meeting stated targets, the political economy of growth underperformance could tilt authorities towards further incremental easing going into 2026.”

For the Philippines, the government is targeting a growth rate of 5.5 to 6.5 percent for 2025—a downscaled version of the more ambitious goal of six to eight percent previously.

While governments in Asia, including the Philippines, could implement measures to soften the impact of weaker exports, the think tank noted that economic growth would still be slower than normal. Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaged 5.4 percent in the first half of the year.

“On the monetary side, most central banks have room to cut further as real rates are still elevated compared to pre-pandemic norms, despite pre-emptive cuts this year particularly in emerging Asia,” Hermann said.

To recall, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) aggressively hiked lending rates to as high as 6.5 percent in 2024 to tame raging increases in consumer prices brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hermann expects the Philippine central bank alongside other Southeast Asian central banks to further reduce key borrowing costs by as much as three quarters of a point by early next year, similar to what they did previously during economic slowdowns.

“We anticipate an additional 25-75 bps [basis points] of rate reductions across India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, completing an easing cycle by early 2026 that is broadly consistent in scale with prior non-recessionary slowdowns,” Hermann said.

Should the BSP reduce the key policy rate by up to 75 bps though the first half of 2026, the current five percent could be brought down to 4.25 percent. For this year alone, the BSP has so far lowered rates by a cumulative 75 bps, citing still subdued inflation and risks to slower growth.

In another Sept. 10 report of the think tank, the BSP and other central banks are seen to be “hawkish despite low inflation.” BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. earlier signaled a still accommodative stance but now less dovish.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the recent developments? Do you think the Philippines will be able to reduce its sovereign risk? What do you think should be done about the debt risk the country has? Do you think the high debt risk could turn off 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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A Look Back at Uncanny X-Men #282 (1991)

September 26, 2025September 27, 2025carlocarrasco

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 arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1991 to explore one of the many tales of the Marvel shared universe through the Uncanny X-Men series.

Uncanny X-Men #281 was a great read. For most of the early 1990s, I read more X-Men stories about the Blue Team than the Gold Team. In Uncanny X-Men #281 – which took place after X-Men #5 – the spotlight was on the Gold Team which showed the strategic leadership of Storm, the X-Men revisiting the headquarters of the Hellfire Club, Jean Grey’s own recollections of past events and the new threat of Trevor Fitzroy and the Sentinels.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Uncanny X-Men #282, published in 1991 by Marvel Comics with a story co-written by Whilce Portacio and by John Byrne (script). The art was done by Portacio with ink work by Art Thibert.

Early story

The story begins inside the School For Gifted Youngsters when the Gold Team arrives (with Colossus carrying the inactive body of Jean Grey) and disrupts the chess game between Professor X and Forge. Charles Xavier mentally examines Jean and notices that her psyche survives and has been displaced. He realizes Jean is alive but not in her body.

In New York City, Trevor Fitzroy (who is carrying the body of an inactive Emma Frost) and his Sentinels surprise Shinobi Shaw showing what is left of the cyborg of Pierce. Trevor boasted to Shinobi that he won claiming that he has terminated one of the founders of the inner circle, captured a small band of Hellions and has Emma Frost as a trophy. Very slowly, Jean Grey – now occupying Frost’s body – wakes up…

Quality

*Trevor Fitzroy does not know who is inside Emma Frost’s body.*

I can say out loud that this is a great follow-up to the previous issue (which itself is a great read) as it has a lot of hefty payoffs to the build-up from before. With the story concept already established in issue #281, the progression continued strongly, the narrative is clearer and the stakes were raised even higher.

In this issue, Trevor Fitzroy still has extreme tendencies and he might look insane or unhinged to you. Still, Fitzroy really has diabolical plans to execute and those plans involves his ability to open portals to bring in his reinforcements from far away, including the “denizens of the future.” Adding to Fitzroy’s merciless and arrogant personality is his use of the captives’ life force to energize himself to open portals. Really, he does not care much about the lives of captives as he treats them as nothing more than bodies of energy for his use. Whilce Portacio really excels in not only bringing the script to life but also showcasing the personality and expressions of Fitzroy who at this point in comic book history was a brand new villain for the X-Men.

As for the X-Men’s Gold Team, not having Jean Grey was really disadvantageous to them which compels Professor X to actually join them on their mission. This is a notable development as Xavier is very close with Jean (his original student and fellow telepath) and he knows that great odds await their team. Xavier’s involvement added a lot to the plot itself and I love the way John Byrne and Portacio portrayed him here.

When it comes to the storytelling, the pace noticeably moved faster as a lot of payoffs to the build-up were executed here. The X-Men themselves each got their respective share of the spotlight and all of them were portrayed consistently in character. The stakes were raised here this time and the handling of all the details and developments was very solid.

Conclusion

*Knowing great odds await them, Charles Xavier joins the X-Men on their mission to save Jean Grey.*

Even with the stakes raised higher, the creative team delivered the great stuff Uncanny X-Men #282 (1991) is a very worthy follow-up to the previous issue. In fact, I find this comic book more entertaining and more intriguing to read from start to finish. Fitzroy is indeed a very worthy new enemy for the X-Men’s Gold Team, and there is much that long-time X-Men fans can enjoy here.

Overall, Uncanny X-Men #282 (1991) is highly recommended!

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I Love Israel: Israel’s Ministry of Tourism and El Al Airlines Celebrate Ties With Filipino Partners

September 26, 2025September 24, 2025carlocarrasco

Let me start by declaring that my native Philippines committed a major error by favoring a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for the implementation of a two-state solution on Israel and the stateless Palestine. They even praised the nations who decided to recognize a so-called state of Palestine…and now they are all on the WRONG side of history. I personally strongly disagree with the move of the Filipino diplomats (under the Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA) and I want to make clear with all my friends from Israel that those diplomats do not represent the Filipinos’ love for Israel and the Lord. I should stress that any concept of multilateralism that involves supporting illegal immigrants and empowering terrorists is absolutely wrong! Regardless of what the DFA does and what they currently believe in, I urge my fellow Filipinos to keep standing united in support of Israel and never give any room to Islamic terrorists, the Islamo-Leftist mobs and their mainstream news media partners-in-crime. Let me remind you all the you cannot trust the wicked United Nations (UN) and make sure you watch the DFA’s moves much closely.

On with the news about Israel and the Philippines…

The ties between Israel and the Philippines remain strong and the new Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh is focused on strengthening the ties more. Recently, a major event happened that brought Israel’s Ministry of Tourism and Filipino partners together, according to a Manila Bulletin news article.

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

In a vibrant prelude to Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT), in partnership with El Al Airlines Philippines, hosted a festive gathering for key figures in the Philippine travel industry and media. The event celebrated the deepening tourism ties between Israel and the Philippines, spotlighting Israel’s rich cultural appeal and the visa-free access now extended to Filipino travelers.

Her Excellency Dana Kursh, ambassador of Israel to the Philippines, opened the celebration with a heartfelt message: “As Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, my vision is for Filipinos to experience the beauty of Israel — from the Galilee of my childhood to the wonder of Jerusalem — and for Israelis to discover the Philippines, its people, its hospitality, and its 7,000 islands of paradise. This vision inspires our Embassy’s efforts to make direct flights between our countries a reality.”

The event showcased Israel not only as a spiritual haven but also as a land of striking contrasts, where golden deserts meet snowy peaks, and ancient history blends seamlessly with modern vibrancy.

Anna Oraiza Aban, marketing manager of IMOT’s Philippine office, emphasized this unique appeal: “Israel is a land of contrasts, where you can marvel at golden deserts and snowy peaks in the same journey. With the gift of visa-free entry for Filipinos, we are excited to welcome you to discover Israel’s beauty, culture, and unforgettable experiences.”

Tisha Escalona, president of APG Philippines and general sales agent of El Al Airlines, reaffirmed her commitment to expanding travel opportunities: “As the General Sales Agent of El Al in the Philippines, APG is proud to collaborate with the Israel Ministry of Tourism to inspire more Filipinos to discover Israel.”

In keeping with Rosh Hashana traditions, Ambassador Kursh led a symbolic toast with a ruby-red drink inspired by the pomegranate, a symbol of abundance, renewal and sweetness. Guests also shared apples dipped in honey, reflecting hopes for a fruitful year ahead and the belief that even life’s challenges can bring sweetness.

This newest development shows the continuing growth of Israel-Philippines ties and I am confident that eventually new breakthroughs will be realized in the years to come. The new Ambassador Dana Kursh is dedicated to strengthening ties between the Jewish state and the Philippines. I urge you readers to pray to the Lord in support of Ambassador Kursh, the Israeli embassy, the Israeli businesses in our country so that progress benefitting both Israel and the Philippines will manifest regardless of external developments. Pray also that the DFA will be enlightened so that it will stop committing diplomatic blunders.

To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray to Him so that Israel-Philippines ties and cooperation will keep growing stronger and more resilient no matter what happens around the world.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel and its ties with the Philippines!

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Las Piñas City’s Solo Parents Program Anniversary Celebrated

September 25, 2025September 16, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government celebrated the 10^th anniversary of its local program for solo parents at the Aguilar Sports Complex and Mayor April Aguilar personally distributed rice to the participants, according to the LGU’s social media post.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…

Las Piñas City celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Solo Parents program with a vibrant gathering at the Aguilar Sports Complex in Barangay Pilar.

With the theme “Solo Parent na Rehistrado, sa Gobyerno Tiyak na Protektado,” the event drew 800 participants and highlighted the city’s commitment to provide care, recognition, and protection for solo parents.

A key moment was the launch of the Solo Parent Purchase Booklet. The City Social Welfare and Development Office, led by Ms. Lowefe Romulo, detailed the qualifications, registration requirements, and benefits for solo parents which include a comprehensive package of social protection services, educational support, automatic PhilHealth coverage, and a 10% discount on essential needs such as baby products and prescribed medicines for children aged 6-years and below.

Each participant also received 3 kilograms of rice personally distributed by Mayor April Aguilar.

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 there many solo parents in your local community right now?

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

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

Muntinlupa City Government’s Support For Qualified Single Parents Confirmed

September 25, 2025September 16, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government confirmed that it will provide financial support to qualified single parents so that they can handle the rising cost of goods and other expenses, according to a GMA Network news report. This is in reference to the local program called the Muntinlupa City Solo Parents Cash Subsidy.

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

Qualified single parents would get P1,000 in cash support each month to help them deal with the rising cost of commodities, according to the Muntinlupa City government.

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Mayor Ruffy Biazon na palakasin ang suporta sa ating indigent Solo Parents, makakatanggap na ang mga qualified beneficiaries ng P1000 monthly cash assistance sa bisa ng City Ordinance No. 2025-311 o ang Muntinlupa City Solo Parents Cash Subsidy,” the Muntinlupa City local government said in a Facebook post on Friday.

(In accordance with Mayor Ruffy Biazon’s directive to strengthen support for our indigent solo parents, qualified beneficiaries will now receive P1000 monthly cash assistance through either City Ordinance No. 2025-311 or the Muntinlupa City Solo Parents Cash Subsidy.)

“Layon nitong makatulong sa ating solo parents na ramdam ang bigat ng patuloy na pagtaas ng mga bilihin at gastusin sa araw-araw,” it added.

(This aims to help our solo parents who feel the weight of the continuing increase of daily goods and expenses.)

The Muntinlupa local government unit identified those who are qualified for the assistance: Minimum wage earner or below; Self-employed or with no regular job earning minimum wage or below; Not a 4Ps beneficiary.

Meanwhile, a solo parent is no longer qualified if all of his or her children are already over 22 years old.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted with the local program of financial support for qualified single parents?

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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Better than Streaming: Do You Have Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind In Your Blu-ray Collection?

September 24, 2025September 17, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs!

In recent times, the 1984 anime classic Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was shown in some cinemas here in the Philippines as part of the Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 which was exclusive to SM Cinema (the largest cinema chain in the country).

For the first time ever, I saw Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind inside the cinema at SM Southmall in Las Piñas City, and I can say it was an immersive experience to replay Hayao Miyazaki’s classic. To make things clear, I saw Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind a number of times since the mid-1980s starting with the bad English version Warriors of the Wind. I eventually saw the anime feature film in its uncut form on DVD (with the new English dub from Disney).

This leads me to my next point… Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was released three times on Blu-ray disc format over the past several years. The first was from Disney in 2011. Six years later, a 2^nd Blu-ray release came from Shout! Factory which had a newer scan of the film and improved picture quality over the Disney Blu-ray.

*The 2017 Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind from Shout! Factory.*

In 2020, Shout! Factory released Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in Steelbook (Blu-ray.com describes the picture quality as follows: “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind has received a top-notch video-presentation with a high bit-rate encode from Gkids. The encode is of a new remaster of the film. This is a much better video-presentation than that of the original Disney Blu-ray released in North America. Colors are significantly better and more accurate to the original animation cells.”)

As the Steelbook Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is the most recent release, posted below for your reference are the technical details from its Blu-ray.com page.

Video

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC (35.00 Mbps)

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)

Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)

French: Dolby Digital 2.0

Note: French track is (192kbps)

Subtitles – English, English SDH, French,

Discs –Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-50, 1 DVD)

Packaging – SteelBook, Inner print, booklet

Playback – 2K Blu-ray: Region A

What caught my attention is the fact that – as of this writing – the 2020 Steelbook Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is only a few Dollars higher than that of the 2017 Blu-ray. As a Blu-ray movie collector, I see a really good deal with the Steelbook Blu-ray at its current price. Both the 2017 and 2020 Blu-ray versions of the classic anime feature film carry a booklet. There is a choice that both Studio Ghibli fans and casual anime fans can take advantage here.

*This is what the 2020 Steelbook Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind looks like.*

At this stage, I can only wonder if Studio Ghibli has plans to produce and release a 4K Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind someday. Perhaps if more than enough fans and 4K Blu-ray collectors would get together to express their demand for it, Hayao Miyazaki and his studio would be aware.

If you have decided to buy the 2017 Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, click here. If you want the 2020 Steelbook Blu-ray version, click here.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, cinematic trends, Blu-ray releases and more relevant stuff, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Philippines Secures Investments Worth Over P50 Billion From Japan

September 24, 2025September 15, 2025carlocarrasco

Japanese business entities confirmed they will be investing more than P50 billion in the Philippines following the recent meetings with and presentations by a Filipino delegation composed of government and economic officials, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

The Philippine delegation secured around PHP51 billion worth of investments during its trip to Osaka, Japan, last week, according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque.

The bulk of the investments, amounting to PHP34 billion, is from the operator of the world’s largest karaoke chain, Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd., which intends to open 300 outlets over the next 10 years.

In a press release Monday, Roque said this particular investment is projected to generate over 1,500 direct jobs and support thousands through construction and supply-chain activities.

Another conglomerate, Marubeni Corporation, committed PHP15-billion investments for real estate, financial technology, healthcare, and afforestation.

Sojitz Corporation, a general trading corporation, will also invest PHP2 billion to PHP3 billion in a property developer to attract firms that are into artificial intelligence, semiconductor design, software, and healthcare, and expressed interest in aviation-related projects.

Roque said Mitsui & Co., a major Japanese trading company, will expand its existing investment in the Philippines after it reaffirmed its partnership with Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Steel Asia for a steel recycling entity targeted to support decarbonization bid.

“These commitments in green energy, smart housing, healthcare, and creative services highlight the strength of our partnership with Japan. DTI and the Economic Team will work together to ensure these projects generate quality jobs, strengthen supply chains, and advance the country’s shift to a green, digital, and broad-based economy,” she said.

“These investments are a testament to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for an agile, innovation-driven economy that welcomes partnerships and delivers inclusive growth.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the recent developments? Are you delighted that the Philippines secured P51 billion worth of investments from Japanese business entities? Do you think this will help the Philippines attract more foreign investments 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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I Love Israel: Aerial Lasers The Next Step In Military Technology

September 23, 2025September 23, 2025carlocarrasco

After officially having their brand new Iron Beam fully operational for defense, the next step of military technology for Israel is having their aircraft armed with laser, according to a news article by The Jerusalem Post. We are talking about aerial lasers here and the corporation Elbit has serious plans for the Jewish state.

It should be noted that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) intends to execute a major overhaul of their fleet of F-16’s. Several F-16 units were used by Israel in the 12-Day War with terrorist state Iran months ago.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from The Jerusalem Post news article. Some parts in boldface…

As the Defense Ministry and Rafael announce new developments regarding Israel’s ground-based laser defense systems, Elbit continues its long path toward the next stage in laser military technology – lasers on aircraft.

Experts in the field have stated that this is a much longer-term challenge, one that is expected to take years, possibly even five to 10.

However, Elbit chief technology officer for electro-optic systems Oded Ben David told The Jerusalem Post that air-based lasers have distinct advantages over ground-based ones.

He explained that dealing with turbulence and other atmospheric challenges is far easier when striking a target from above than when attempting to ascend from the ground to shoot down an aerial threat.

Aerial lasers are also the holy grail of lasers in that they can be used more effectively and suddenly on both defense and offense, as opposed to ground-based lasers, which must adjust the direction and goal of their firing much more slowly.

Next, he pointed out that Israir, El Al, and other Israeli aircraft have had a weaker form of laser defense – direct infrared countermeasures – for many years, such that the idea of an air-based laser has already been achieved.

Yet, he explained that these lasers work very differently from those that Elbit plans to develop, which will be able to strike aerial threats at much greater distances and which will have much more powerful laser beams.

In addition, the existing air defenses protect against aerial threats approaching the aircraft directly, whereas the purpose of future air-based lasers will be to shoot down threats that are in a completely different area, nowhere near the aircraft carrying the lasers.

Lasers will be fully Israeli-made – Elbit Systems President and CEO Bezhalel Machlis stressed that the laser will be fully Israeli-made, arguing, “It will transform the country’s defense array.”

“The company is dedicated to developing high-energy laser systems for military applications, first and foremost an airborne laser with the potential to bring a strategic change to air defense capabilities,” he said.

Thank the Lord for this significant development on the part of Israel. I can imagine having power lasers on Israeli aircraft – specifically within military operations – will prove crucial both offensively and defensively. The commercial aircraft of Israel could really use enhanced defenses with laser. The concept of aircraft armed with laser – previously presented in science fiction and pop culture – will eventually turn real with Elbit and Israel. It is a just a matter of time.

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Around 800 Las Piñas City Residents Avail Of Services From Medical Mission

September 23, 2025September 14, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, around eight hundred local residents availed of the services from a medical vision involving the Aivee Group, the City Government confirmed via social media.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…

Mayor April Aguilar, together with Vice Mayor Mel Aguilar and The Aivee Group led by Dra. Aivee Aguilar, brought premium medical care to the community through the “Aivee Beyond Borders” free medical mission held at the Equitable Covered Court, Barangay Talon Kuatro. Around 800 Las Piñeros benefited from the activity, receiving expert consultations, treatment procedures, post-procedure medicines and creams, as well as follow-up guidance.

The event also became a celebration of community spirit, with free meals and treats shared by the City Nutrition Office and Potdog, plus giveaways from The Aivee Group and the Las Pin̈as LGU. A raffle was likewise held, made possible through the generosity of sponsors including Unilab Foundation, Omni Med Hub Corporation, Vanguard, Siklab, and Ms. Maribel Mijares.

Joining Mayor April were Congressman Mark Anthony Santos, Councilor Alelee Aguilar, and special guest Mika Salamanca, PBB Celebrity Collab Big Winner, who all came together to show support for the beneficiaries.

Mayor April reiterated her commitment to bring quality health services closer to the people.

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 wish that another medical mission involving the Aivee Group will be held again in the city soon?

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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