carlocarrasco

Better than Streaming: Shane 4K Blu-ray set for July 15, 2025 release

May 16, 2025May 10, 2025carlocarrasco

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

Shane, the classic Western film from 1953 directed by George Stevens, is all set for a 4K Blu-ray release on July 15, 2025 and already the publisher Kino Lorber is already accepting orders online.

Posted below are the technical details of the Shane 4K Blu-ray sourced from its Blu-ray.com page. For the 4K visuals enthusiasts reading this, Shane will be in native 4K resolution.

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Aspect ratio: 1.37:1

Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1

Audio

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

Subtitles – English SDH

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Single disc (1 BD-100, 1 BD-50), Digital – Digital copy included

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

Personally, I have not seen Shane in full. Apart from seeing selected scenes of it within the 2017 superhero film Logan, I saw Shane partially on cable TV a few times. I am personally interested to watch Shane entirely in native 4K and for this reason alone, Shane 4K Blu-ray is a future purchase for me. I am also aware that the 1953 film was based on the novel from 1949, and in 1993 the movie was selected for preservation in America’s National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

As for the Western genre of American films, my interest in Westerns from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s has grown over time. I am not interested anymore in modern movies pumped out by Commiewood (note: woke stuff here and there) and I did not even see a single new movie in the cinemas in 2024. That being said, Shane is something I want to watch in 4K in the comfort of home soon. Here is hoping that the film restoration and remastering will be of top-notch quality.

If you have decided already to order Shane 4K Blu-ray this early, you can do it through Kino Lorber by clicking here.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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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

Nomura trims Philippine economic growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026

May 16, 2025May 14, 2025carlocarrasco

As far as the Nomura Global Markets Research is concerned, the economic growth of the Philippines will for 2025 and 2026 will end up weaker than previously expected, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

NOMURA GLOBAL Markets Research has trimmed its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecasts for the Philippines for this year and 2026 following the weak first-quarter expansion.

Nomura cut its Philippine economic growth forecast to 5.3% for this year from 5.9% previously, it said in a report dated May 9. It also slashed its 2026 projection to 5.6% from 6.1%.

Both projections are well below the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s 6-8% growth target for 2025 until 2028.

“Our 2025-26 GDP forecast revisions take into account the disappointing first-quarter outturn, which only rose slightly to 5.4% year on year from 5.3% in fourth quarter 2024, despite election-related spending,” Nomura analysts Euben Paracuelles and Nabila Amani said in the report.

“Escalating global trade and geopolitical tensions are the main downside risks to growth. A faster rollout of infrastructure projects and lower oil prices are upside risks.”

The Philippine economy expanded by 5.4% in the first quarter, the government reported last week. This was a tad faster than the revised 5.3% in the previous quarter but sharply slower from the 5.9% growth in the same period in 2024.

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Group Rosemarie G. Edillon said that GDP would need to grow by 6.2% for the rest of the year to reach the lower end of the 6-8% goal.

Based on its forecasts, Nomura expects the Philippines to post below-6% GDP growth for the rest of the year. Broken down, it sees GDP growth of 5.3% in the second quarter, 5.4% in the third quarter, and just 5% in the fourth quarter.

In 2024, the economy expanded by 6.5% in the second quarter, 5.2% in the third quarter, and 5.3% in the fourth quarter.

“A key source of the downside surprise [in the first quarter] was investment spending growth, which we believe suggests businesses have already turned cautious amid surging global trade uncertainty, even in a less open economy,” Nomura said.

“We expect a moderate pickup in real GDP growth in 2026, led by the government’s strong push for more progress on infrastructure projects.”

It added that it expects the country to post a current account deficit of 4.1% of GDP this year and 4.4% of GDP next year, wider than the 3.8% ratio in 2024, driven by an increase in capital goods imports amid the government’s infrastructure push and weaker exports due to the US’ tariffs.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines can still grow stronger than what Nomura predicts in 2025 and 2026? Do you think the national government should make new economic moves to stimulate the national economy while also attracting new 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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April Aguilar proclaimed as Las Piñas City’s next Mayor

May 15, 2025May 14, 2025carlocarrasco

In the City of Las Piñas, Vice Mayor April Aguilar was proclaimed as the next Mayor following her landslide victory over her main opponent Carlo Aguilar, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Meanwhile the incumbent Mayor Imelda Aguilar (mother of April Aguilar) was proclaimed as the incoming Vice Mayor.

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

Las Piñas City’s Vice Mayor April Aguilar was proclaimed the new mayor of the city replacing her mother, Mayor Imelda Aguilar who was elected as vice mayor.

Aguilar garnered a total number of 117,800 votes against her closest opponent, Carlo Aguilar, who had 80,880 votes.

In the race for vice mayor, incumbent Mayor Aguilar received a total of 123,622 votes while her main opponent, Louie Bustamante, got 68,058.

The city’s lone district representative, Mark Anthony Santos, also from the “Tatak Nene Aguilar” team, was also proclaimed by the Las Piñas Board of Canvasser as the winner in the congressional race against Sen. Cynthia Villar.

The newly elected mayor and the whole “Tatak Nene Aguilar” team thanked the Las Piñeros for the trust given to them and vowed that they will be working better in the implementation of the 5K (Kalusugan, Kaalaman, Kaayusan, Kabuhayan, and Kinabukasan) program.

Mayor-elect April Aguilar thanked her supporters through social media.

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? What do you hope to see Mayor-elect April Aguilar do in terms of public service when she takes office?

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

Mark Santos proclaimed as Las Piñas City Representative

May 15, 2025May 13, 2025carlocarrasco

In the City of Las Piñas, City Councilor Mark Anthony Santos was officially proclaimed as the newly elected Representative of the city as a result of his decisive election victory of outgoing Senator Cynthia Villar, according to a GMA Network news report. Santos’ margin of victory was more than thirty thousand votes as of this writing.

For the newcomers reading this, Santos – who has served Las Piñas for several terms as City Councilor – is an election teammate of Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar.

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

Independent candidate Mark Anthony Santos on Tuesday was proclaimed as the representative for Las Piñas City’s lone district, according to Rod Vega’s report on Super Radyo dzBB.

With 100% election returns in the city processed on Monday evening, Santos garnered 115,757 votes, defeating Senator Cynthia Villar who received 83,975 votes.

Meanwhile, former Vice Mayor April Aguilar was proclaimed as mayor of the city, replacing her mother and the former mayor Imelda Aguilar. Imelda, meanwhile, was proclaimed as vice mayor.

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? Did a majority of your local community’s voters select Santos as the sole Congressional Representative of the city? What do you hope to see from Congressman-elect Mark Santos?

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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PDEA seizes P197 million worth of illegal drugs in Parañaque City, two suspects apprehended

May 15, 2025May 13, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) successfully pulled-off a buy-bust operation that resulted in the seizure of almost two hundred million worth of illegal drugs and the apprehension of two suspects, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), with the Philippine National Police, seized P197.2 million worth of drugs in a buy-bust operation in Parañaque City on Saturday.

According to a statement, the buy-bust occurred at an exclusive subdivision around 5 p.m. and led to the arrest of two individuals.

The suspects allegedly took advantage of the subdivision’s strict security protocols to avoid surveillance and intelligence operations by Philippine authorities.

Along with the suspects, police seized 29 aluminum packets weighing an estimated 29 kilograms, labelled “Freeze-dried Durian” in Chinese characters.

The packets contained white crystalline substances suspected to be shabu worth P197,200,000. Authorities also confiscated mobile phones, buy-bust money, and a pink paper bag used in the transaction.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could still be more crooks carrying or distributing illegal substances within residential communities?

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

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 76

May 14, 2025October 6, 2025carlocarrasco

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 Reactions and retro review of Friday The 13^th: The Final Chapter – If you have seen at least a majority of the many Friday The 13^th movies, which one do you think is the best of them all? For me, it is the fourth movie Friday The 13^th: The Final Chapter and you can read my retro movie review of it by clicking here. Already there are many movie reaction and retro review videos about the 1984 film on YouTube, and I selected the entertaining ones for you to see below.

#2 The failure of BuzzFeed – I never relied on BuzzFeed for updates nor entertainment stuff. As I was browsing YouTube, I noticed this video by It’s Blanko focused on BuzzFeed which has been in trouble for some time now (click here, here and here). Recently, BuzzFeed, Inc. tapped into AI (artificial intelligence) for audience engagement and growth. The video below is quite comprehensive with its examination of BuzzFeed’s culture, business practices and how it struggled years later.

#3 PatmanQC examines the history of Atari’s Star Wars arcade game – Now on to retro gaming! Way back in 1989 in a Las Vegas hotel, I played the Star Wars arcade game produced by Atari. It was an enjoyable experience as the game design was pretty immersive, fun and responsive. It was also one of the early first-person view games that I experienced as a gamer. Storywise, the game was set during the Rebels’ attack on the Death Star. To find out more about the history and making of the arcade classic, watch PatmanQC’s in-depth video below.

#4 Retrospective on Parasite Eve – Back in 1998, Square released Parasite Eve, a role-playing game (RPG) that emphasized horror over fantasy, and a story that had some grittiness related with its police story concept. I finished the game on PlayStation and ultimately I was not too impressed with the game nor was there any incentive for me to replay it. While it was commercially successful enough to spawn two sequels, Parasite Eve has been pretty much forgotten by the public and Square Enix showed no signs of reviving its franchise. That being said, I found a retrospective that should interest both Parasite Eve fans and younger gamers who are interested in the 1998 game.

#5 The Denver Nuggets’ memorable 1994 elimination of the Seattle Supersonics – If you are fond of basketball and if you are interested to discover a great upset in the history of the NBA Playoffs, you should check out the shocking fall of the Seattle Supersonics to the Denver Nuggets in the elimination round of the 1994 NBA Playoffs. Back then, Seattle was #1 in the Western Conference while the Nuggets were at #8. Dikembe Mutombo led the Nuggets and their team was fortunate to have talented supporting players to help them outclass Shawn Kemp and the Sonics. To learn all the details, watch the video below.

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Benjo Bernabe proclaimed as Parañaque City’s next Vice Mayor, Team Pag-Asa candidates win key posts

May 14, 2025May 14, 2025carlocarrasco

With the 2025 local election results of Parañaque City recorded, the local board of canvassers officially proclaimed yesterday former City Councilor Benjo Bernabe as the incoming Vice Mayor, and you can watch the proclamation itself entirely by clicking https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HQLW9d7kY/

Bernabe, who ran under the Team Pag-Asa banner, defeated the incumbent Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte (Bagong Parañaque) by a score of 129,213 votes to 122,237 votes according to the current partial and unofficial results of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) via GMA News.

*Social media post confirming Bernabe’s victory for Vice Mayor. (source – Benjo Bernabe Official Facebook page)*

*Benjo Bernabe proclaimed as the next Vice Mayor of Parañaque. At rightmost is his father former Mayor Jun Bernabe. (source – Benjo Bernabe Official Facebook page)*

The 129,213 votes Bernabe gathered is the largest ever in his career as an elected public servant of Parañaque. That being said, it is not surprising that there were rounds of cheers of “Bernabe! Bernabe! Bernabe!” during the proclamation. Given the fact that Team Pag-Asa was pretty small in terms of candidates, Bernabe’s victory is clearly a tremendous achievement.

For the newcomers reading this, Bernabe previously served as City Councilor (District 2) from 2010 to 2013. He ran for Mayor in 2013 but ended up short. Bernabe is the son of Florencio “Jun” Bernabe who was Parañaque’s Vice Mayor from 1998 to 2004, and was the Mayor from 2004 to 2013. It is clear that Benjo Bernabe’s victory is a strong political comeback for the Bernabe family.

Small team, big victories

Bernabe’s Team Pag-Asa teammates also scored notable victories as well. Partylist Representative Brian Yamsuan was proclaimed as the new Representative of Parañaque’s 2^nd district after defeating incumbent Representative Gus Tambunting by a score of 81,999 to 72,077 votes as of this writing. Former City Councilors Tess de Asis and Binky Favis got re-elected with huge scores of 111,737 and 103,800 votes respectively in District 2. De Asis is #2 and Favis #3 among all District 2 candidates for the City Council.

Another Team Pag-Asa teammate, Shannin Olivarez, was hanging at the #8 slot in District 1 with 42,188 votes as of this writing. Only the Top 8 vote gatherers per district will serve in the City Council from mid-2025 to mid-2028.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, did many voters in your local community vote straight for Team Pag-Asa candidates during the May 12 elections? What do you hope to see from Vice Mayor-elect Bernabe, Congressman-elect Yamsuan, and incoming City Councilors De Asis, Favis and Olivarez once their terms of service take effect?

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

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Muntinlupa Mayor Biazon re-elected, teammates dominate 2025 local contests

May 14, 2025May 13, 2025carlocarrasco

With the results of the 2025 Local Elections counted, Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon easily got re-elected and his teammates under the One Muntinlupa banner collectively won most of the other positions, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The winners have been proclaimed locally by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

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

Reelectionist Mayor Ruffy Biazon and his party mates under One Muntinlupa achieved a landslide victory in the May 12 local elections.

One Muntinlupa candidates won all but one of the positions, achieving the seats for mayor, congressman and councilor in the two districts of the city.

At past 2 a.m. on May 13, the City Board of Canvassers (CBOC) proclaimed the winners in the elections in Muntinlupa after canvassing all the election returns from 360 clustered precincts.

Biazon, who ran unopposed for his second term, was proclaimed by the CBOC with total votes of 209,498.

Reelectionist Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi, who also ran under One Muntinlupa, won his second term with 177,504 votes, defeating rival Silverio Garing who got 56,710 votes.

*Muntinlupa City Mayor Biazon (middle) and Congressman Jaime Fresnedi (2nd from right) proclaimed winners by the COMELEC. (photo source – City Government of Muntinlupa)*

In the vice mayoral race, independent candidate and former councilor Stephanie Teves-Wong won with 127,709 votes. One Muntinlupa’s Allen Ampaya placed second with 88,435 votes while incumbent Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac placed third with 25,003 votes.

For councilor, One Muntinlupa won all the seats in Muntinlupa’s two districts.

In District 1, proclaimed winners are One Muntinlupa’s Alexon Diaz, Raul Corro, Rachel Arciaga, Paty Katy Boncayao, Jedi Presnedi, Walter Arcilla, Ting Niefes and Amanda Camilon.

In District 2, the winners are Reggie Landrito, June Metong Sevilla, Kaye Anne Rongavilla, Ryan Bagatsing, Arlene Hilapo, Sha Sha Baes, Dado Moldez and Cornelio Martinez.

*District 1 City Council winners proclaimed. (photo source – City Government of Muntinlupa)*

*District 2 City Council winners proclaimed. (photo source – City Government of Muntinlupa)*

According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Muntinlupa, of the 314,934 registered voters in the city, 250,672 voted on May 12 or a turnout of 79.6 percent.

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 satisfied with the way the local elections and vote canvassing were organized? What do you look forward to from the City Government during the 2^nd term of Mayor Biazon?

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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Male helper apprehended in Muntinlupa over rape charge

May 13, 2025May 9, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, police officers arrested a male helper who has been wanted for rape, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The arrest happened in Barangay Bayanan and the suspect was the #1 most wanted person for the crime of rape..

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

A 19-year-old male helper, tagged by the police as the No. 1 most wanted person for rape, was arrested in Muntinlupa on May 7.

The police identified the suspect as alias Dela Cruz, a resident of Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa, who was nabbed along F. Navarro Street in Barangay Bayanan at about 5:10 p.m.

He was apprehended based on a warrant of arrest for a rape case issued by Judge Wehrly Gutierrez-Mendez of the Muntinlupa Family Court Branch 8. No bail was recommended.

The arrest was conducted by the Southern Police District’s District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) in collaboration with the District Intelligence Division (DID), Intelligence Section of the District Mobile Force Battalion (DMFB), and the Warrant and Subpoena Section of the Muntinlupa police.

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 concerned that there could be wanted persons living or working within your local community?

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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Man arrested in Parañaque City over multiple counts of qualified theft in another city

May 13, 2025May 9, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in Parañaque City, a man who has been wanted in Makati for many counts of qualified theft was apprehended by the local police who were armed with an arrest warrant, 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…

A 27-year-old man wanted for 16 counts of qualified theft in Makati was arrested by members of the Parañaque City Police Warrant and Subpoena Section (WSS) on May 7.

The accused, Ryan Christian, listed by the police as the No. 8 most wanted person (station level) was arrested at around 2:40 p.m. at his residence in Sitio Sto. Nino, San Martin de Porres, Parañaque City.

Ryan Christian was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Rainald Cajurao Paggao, of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 142, with a recommended bail of P456,000.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that there could still be more wanted people from other cities or provinces hiding in Parañaque’s local communities??

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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