Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.
Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1995 and explore a part of the Marvel 2099 comics universe through a tale of the Spider-Man 2099 franchise.
As some of you may already be aware, the protagonist Miguel O’Hara got his Spider-Man 2099 costume in Mexico during the Day of the Dead festival he attended. If you are wondering if there was any comic book published that showed the futuristic Spidey on location in Mexico for the mentioned festival, there definitely is such a tale printed.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spider-Man 2099 #32, published in 1995 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Peter David and drawn by Roger Robinson.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins during the middle of the night in Mexico City. At a graveyard, the night watchman catches a man digging up one of the graves and tells him that what was done was obscene. The grave digger then hits the watchman with his shovel.
Elsewhere a lady practicing sorcery sees the image of Spider-Man and she is told that he will be her ally on a mission.
At another location in Mexico, the Day of the Dead festival occurs attracting a huge crowd of attendees and bystanders. Several people wore costumes that not only reflected the dead but also of evil figures and idols.
Inside a hotel room, Miguel O’Hara watches the festival from the window and on bed near him is a naked Xina covered by a blanket. It turns out Miguel did not sleep with her but alone on the couch. As far as he is concerned, there is no romance between him and her. While Miguel focuses on the festival below, Xina nakedly stands up and enters the bathroom.
Just outside the hotel room window, Miguel sees his brother Gabriel on the very next hotel room window…
Quality
Something sinister inside.
To make things clear, this story marks Miguel’s return to Mexico and his first as Spider-Man. As typical with this 1990s monthly series, Peter David crafted a story that focused on its concept while literally planting seeds for future stories. What is notable about this tale is that Spider-Man will not only get involved in an unexpected mission with some destined to be with him, his personality gets tested again in his civilian identity as he unexpectedly encounters his brother Gabriel and the two most notable ladies – Xina and Dana – are present with them. The presence of the two ladies is significant given what happened in later issues of this monthly series (click here and here).
More on this particular story, the tone really turned dark which is deliberately done by the creators as the Day of the Dead is featured here. Apart from the dark atmosphere established by the festival, this story has elements of evil such as sorcery, the worship of evil entities, idolatry committed and rituals of the wicked performed. It should be noted that even in a predominantly Catholic nation like Mexico, there are still lots of sinners, wickedness and demonic elements present. Very clearly, the sci-fi tone of this monthly series was completely replaced with the supernatural of the evil type. Along the way, a Mexican character is introduced and he even got a good share of the spotlight.
Given the shift to the supernatural, the story was executed with the build-up of tension and the next issue in mind. Spider-Man 2099 fans will still have character moments of Miguel, Gabriel, Xina and Dana to enjoy. That being said, if you are anticipating to see superhero spectacle, there is not much to find here.
Conclusion
A tremendous coincidence to have the O’Hara brothers together in Mexico.
Spider-Man 2099 #32 (1995) can best be described as a build-up issue with the planned pay-offs set to happen afterwards. To the credit of the creators, having a different tone and a totally new location for Spider-Man to be in made this comic book standout somewhat compared to all the previous issues published in terms of aesthetics. The best way to enjoy this comic book is to set your expectations low, don’t anticipate superhero action and focus on the further development of the futuristic Spider-Man and the supporting characters involved.
Overall, Spider-Man 2099 #32 (1995) is satisfactory.
Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government announced that it will be giving shoes, bags and supplies to local students enrolled in public schools via the Balik Eskwela Packages program, 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 Muntinlupa City government will provide free Balik Eskwela Packages to all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in public schools.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon said each Balik Eskwela Package contains leather shoes, school bags and school supplies consisting of notebooks, pencils (for Kindergarten to Grades 1 to 3) and ball pens (for Grades 4 to 12).
In the past months, the Muntinlupa City government asked schools and teachers to submit the shoe sizes of their students.
The Balik Eskwela Packages will be distributed to the students at the start of classes this year.
Biazon said the packages are part of his Karunungan (Knowledge) component of his 7K Agenda which he announced during his State of the City Address last March.
He also thanked the City Council for passing the budget that included allotment for the Balik Eskwela Packages.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you find the support from the City Government sufficient for the public school students?
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
As far as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is concerned, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are entitled to discounts over the online purchases they made, according to a GMA Network news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news article. Some parts in boldface…
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Wednesday said the discounts on purchases made online by senior citizens and persons with disabilities are mandatory.
“Online platforms should recognize the mandatory discounts given to senior citizens (SC) and persons with disabilities (PWD). The BIR has issued Revenue Regulation (RR) No. 8-2023 to this effect,” BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said in a statement.
“The signature of the SC/PWD is not needed if the purchase is made through online means. The SC/PWD Identification card number should still be provided,” Lumagui said.
Under RR No. 8-2023, the BIR said that the signature of the SC or PWD shall not be required for qualified purchases made online or through mobile applications.
“Nonetheless, the SC/PWD Identification Card number should still be provided by the SC/PWD when purchasing through online or mobile platforms; and the rules on entitlement to the benefits of the SC/PWD and to the tax deduction… and to future issuances pertaining to SC/PWD purchases through online or mobile applications, shall be strictly followed,” the RR read.
Lumagui said the issuance is “a step towards making the BIR a service-oriented agency, not merely a goal-oriented one.”
Meanwhile, the BIR is proposing to impose a creditable withholding tax of 1% on one-half of the gross remittances of online platform providers to their partner sellers or merchants.
The taxman had defended the proposal, saying it is not a new tax and its collection is within existing laws.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that mandatory discounts on online purchases made by senior citizens and PWDs are justified? Do you think the BIR made the right move?
Recently Las Piñas City Representative Camille Villar emphasized government-backed early detection programs and ways on helping women deal with breast cancer, 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…
Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar on Tuesday reiterated her call for the government to intensify its early detection programs, and promote easier access to preventive screening against breast cancer to save the lives of Filipino women.
“With the alarming growth of breast cancer cases in the Philippines, there is a need to strengthen dedicated programs against breast cancer, and to allocate adequate budgetary support for programs involving early detection in hospitals and at the local level,” Villar said in a statement.
Citing data from the World Health Organization, she noted that in 2020, there were 86,484 total cancer cases in the Philippines, of which 27,163 breast cancer cases.
She pointed out that in the same year, breast cancer claimed the lives of 9,926 Filipino women, making it the third most fatal type of cancer afflicting Filipinos, just behind lung and liver cancer.
The Philippines had the highest rate of breast cancer in Asia and the ninth highest in the world in 2019, with the disease often diagnosed already in advanced stages.
She said an estimated 70 percent of breast cancer cases also affect indigent women, making it more difficult for them to fight off the dreaded disease.
“There is a seeming absence of comprehensive screening programs especially in far-flung areas, thereby depriving women to seek immediate early screening or medical help,” Villar said.
In view of this, Villar has filed House Resolution No. 1023 urging the appropriate House Committees to look into the increasing number of breast cancer cases in the country with the intent of promoting early detection programs and increasing breast cancer awareness.
She also called on her colleagues to pass a separate measure seeking to establish a special assistance fund dedicated for cancer patients, particularly the indigents and underprivileged Filipinos who need all the support from the government.
In her House Bill No. 5686, or the Cancer Medicine and Treatment Fund for Filipinos, Villar seeks the institutionalization of a PHP10-billion fund to support needy Filipino families in the battle against cancer.
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? Are you convinced that Representative Villar’s proposals for government-backed measures on dealing with breast cancer and early detection programs are justified? Are you convinced that breast cancer is a very serious issue in the country right now?
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
Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government announced through its official Facebook page that it has expanded the Green Card program to make healthcare services more accessible to the residents. This also includes the updating of the list of accredited facilities that the said program covers.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s Facebook post of July 28, 2023. Some parts in boldface…
the City Local Government of Las Piñas proudly announces the expansion of its flagship Green Card Program. Led by the City Health Office, this pioneering initiative has been providing substantial subsidies for hospital bills and diagnostic services, significantly easing the financial burden on individuals seeking medical treatment.
Recognizing the importance of comprehensive healthcare coverage, the City of Las Piñas has updated its list of accredited facilities under the Green Card Program. This expansion aims to cater to a diverse range of medical needs, ensuring that all residents can access quality medical services without financial constraints across the city.
Green Card Accredited Hospitals: 1. Perpetual Help Medical Center 2. Las Piñas Doctors Hospital
3. Las Piñas City Medical Center 4. San Juan De dios Hospital 5. Philippine General Hospital 6. Pamplona Hospital & Medical Center 7. Christ the King Medical Center – Unihealth Las Piñas
Green Card Accredited Diagnostic Center: 1. Hi-Precision Diagnostics
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? Are there many people in your local community who are Green Card holders? Do you hope to see the City Government add more healthcare facilities into the Green Card program in the near future?
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
As far as the Department of Finance (DOF) is concerned, those who sell online must pay equal taxes as the physical stores do, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Take note that the Philippines continues to recover from the economic downturn of COVID-19 and the coronavirus itself no longer poses a danger to the nation.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news article. Some parts in boldface…
The Department of Finance (DOF) asserted that online sellers should be subject to the same tax obligations as traditional brick-and-mortar business owners for the sake of fairness.
Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said the collection of withholding tax on online sellers by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is driven by the principle of fairness, and it does not constitute a new tax.
Withholding tax is a type of tax collected from various income sources, including salaries, wages, interest, and other earnings.
“It’s a matter of fairness because if you buy from a regular store, you have to pay taxes. But here [in online business], you don’t have to pay, and that’s unfair,” Diokno told reporters.
Diokno stressed the need for individuals to view the tax system as fair and willingly fulfill their tax obligations.
The BIR has proposed a new rule that would require online platform providers, such as Lazada and Shopee, to withhold one percent of the money they pay to their partner sellers. This withholding tax would be applied to half of the total amount being paid.
The BIR explained that this is not an additional tax, but rather a way to enforce existing tax laws and ensure proper tax collection.
“It’s not only increasing tax revenues, it’s a matter of fairness. A good tax system should be fair. That should be one of the characteristics of a good tax system, fairness,” the finance chief said.
BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. earlier said the tax agency aims to begin collecting a creditable withholding tax from online platform partner merchants by the fourth quarter of 2023.
Lumagui also said that their objective is to fully implement this tax by next year.
He also explained that the purpose of imposing taxes on online merchants is to ensure a level playing field between traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and those selling on digital platforms or marketplaces.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the DOF on taxing online sellers? If you own a physical store selling products, does the presence of local online sellers harm your business?
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from watching the movie Cloak & Dagger (1984) 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 my readers, fellow movie buffs and 20th century pop culture enthusiasts! Decades ago, I got to watch the movie Cloak & Dagger when it was first released on home video. As time passed by, I got to replay it on cable TV and DVD. I have yet to see its 4K Blu-ray disc version (note: you can order it here) Starring Henry Thomas (the star of Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial) and Dabney Coleman, Cloak & Dagger was one of those American movies that did not succeed in movie theaters but found its audience on home video, cable TV and free TV.
The 1984 movie was released at a time when video games gradually made its way into motion pictures in varied ways just before Nintendo started reshaping video gaming. Back then, I was very young and already got into playing games on console and at the arcade which helped me relate with the video game elements of Cloak & Dagger. In case you are wondering, the filmmakers and Atari, Inc. itself collaborated together. There may be some among you who never saw this 1980s flick and some of you may be wondering what is significant about Cloak & Dagger and why is it the topic of this retro movie review.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Cloak & Dagger (1984) directed by Richard Franklin and written by Tom Holland and Nancy Dowd inspired by the short story “The Boy Cried Murder” written by Cornell Woolrich. This movie is the 4th cinematic adaptation of the said short story.
The movie poster of Cloak & Dagger (1984)
Early story
The story begins with Jack Flack (Dabney Coleman) overcoming Soviet guards to enter a place to retrieve top secret documents from incoming people. It turns out that Jack Flack is nothing more than a fictional character imagined by a young boy named Davey (Henry Thomas) who keeps on immersing himself with flights of fantasies, loves playing games and believes that real life is filled with enough opportunities and places to play. In the presence of game store owner Morris (William Forsythe) and his little blonde neighbor Kim (Christina Nigra), Davey boasts a lot about Jack Flack as if he was a real-life hero and even talks to him as his imaginary companion that no one else could see nor hear. Inspired by the said character and the world of espionage he always imagined, the boy carries with him a black water pistol for a “gun” and a softball for a “grenade”.
Morris then sends Davey and Kim out to do a real assignment – an errand to travel within the city going to a certain company and retrieve something for him. Afterwards, the two commuted and entered a building which Davey does with his fantasy of espionage and infiltration burning in his mind. Leaving Kim on the ground floor, he climbs up the stairs until he reaches a certain window and sees something sinister going on in the next level as reflected on one of the windows outside.
Suddenly a door opens near him and a wounded man slowly hands him an Atari 5200 cartridge titled Cloak & Dagger, tells him to bring it to the FBI, and mentions “one million three hundred twenty nine.”
The door near them suddenly opens with two armed men emerging. Right in the presence of Davey, they opened fire at the wounded man who fell down to his death. Davey just became the witness of an actual murder and becomes the target of the two gunmen…
Quality
Henry Thomas and Christina Nigra as Davey and Kim respectively.
To get to straight to the point, I can declare that this movie is very clearly a spy thriller designed to engage both children and adults. It took the key concept of the short story “The Boy Cried Murder” and implemented it into its very own tale that happens to be set during Ronald Reagan’s America (the 1980s) with elements of video games, espionage and even murder mixed together.
The story told through Davey was crafted to be entertaining while keeping viewers in suspense as to how the overly imaginative young boy would deal with real-life danger and consequences as he became the target of murderous men who would not stop at all. Davey is clearly in danger for much of the movie and you will get to sympathize with him and wish he should stop being obsessed with fantasy so he could overcome the trials that were happening. This is, indeed, a well structure and nicely directed work by Richard Franklin who seem to be inspired by past works of Alfred Hitchcock (note: Franklin directed the sequel to Hitchcock’s classic Psycho).
As mentioned earlier, this movie was made to engage both children and adults. Cloak & Dagger is not exactly a wholesome viewing experience as its presentation has always been quite intense because of on-screen violence that was executed carfully. There are guns, shooting and even killing in this flick which proved to be integral to the overall presentation and clearly added to the thrill factor. You will get to see getting Davey shot at by the armed henchmen (Eloy Casados and Tim Rossovich) who clearly do not give a damn of shooting a minor as they are so focused on their mission. Looking at the henchmen in this film, I can imagine them as traitorous Americans conspiring with their nation’s foreign enemies such as the Soviets, the Iranians and the Palestinians. Along the way, there is the clear villain named Rice (Michael Murphy) who has this subtle touch of evil as well as a good amount of sleaziness in him. While the violence is intense, it does not necessarily push this film into rated R territory.
Michael Murphy as the sleazy villain who is willing to kill Davey even though he is a minor.
The two henchmen about to commit murder in the presence of Davey. There is evil visible in their faces.
Henry Thomas really shines as the protagonist here. While Davey here shares a few elements with E.T.’s Elliot – struggling to move forward with the absence of one parent and adjusting his life with what he perceives to be the best ways possible – he truly dramatizes how weird and wild he could be living his life with a very loose grip on reality. For him, local society in San Antonio, Texas, provides him a huge playground for his spy game and he sure distracts people as he walks by them talking to his imaginary friend Jack Flack. Still, there are key parts of the story in which Henry Thomas convincingly dramatizes Davey who feels lonely inside as he misses his late mother and is unable to spend quality time with his father. Thomas also acted with intensity in the scene in which he makes a trade with the villain and also during his last face-off with him in the 2nd half of the film. Henry Thomas really was a good youth actor and his performance here is often overshadowed by his role in Spielberg’s E.T.
Dabney Coleman on the other hand plays both Jack Flack and Davey’s father Hal. Coleman is quite versatile playing different characters here. As Jack Flack, he fits in excellently into Davey’s uncontrolled belief of espionage as he gives him advise which were taken seriously leading into danger. Of course, advising Davey does not really mean the fictional spy cares for him on a personal level and you will eventually Flack’s true value before the film ends. Flack’s final moments could inspire you to re-examine the true meaning of heroism. As Hal, Coleman convincingly plays the father who has been so busy working in the Air Force as an air traffic controller, he has been unable to spend quality time with his son and the recent death of his wife really took its toll on their family. Compared to Jack Flack, Hal is indeed caring towards his son but his hectic work schedule prevents him from bonding closely with him. Coleman delivered a fine performance during the scene when Hal explains to Davey what real-world heroism is and that not all heroes just shoot bad guys. There definitely are helpful values on parenting within Hal.
Henry Thomas and Dabney Coleman are really convincing as son and father.
Thomas and Coleman artistically have really fine chemistry together as the father and son (Hal and Davey) and as the wannabe adventurer spending lots of time with his action hero (Davey and Jack Flack). Considering Davey’s obsession with fantasy and the attention he pays so much to Jack Flack, he was practically living with idolatry and foolishness. If you observe closely, Davey is very lively with Flack and not so lively with his father.
Even though this movie is fictional, it still dramatizes that parenting will never be easy. That being said, this should inspire parents and also incoming parents to prepare themselves on nurturing their children and ensure they help them understand the differences between reality and fantasy.
Video game elements
Screenshot from the Cloak & Dagger arcade game. This game can be played nowadays through Antstream Arcade on Xbox consoles.
To make things very clear, Cloak & Dagger (1984) is not an adaptation of the electronic game that was released the same year. Rather it has the Cloak & Dagger game as a key plot element in the form of an Atari 5200 game cartridge (referred to as a “tape”) which the movie dramatizes to be real.
As a kid, I got to play arcade and console games a lot. As such, seeing Davey play the Cloak & Dagger game on his Atari 5200 as well as gameplay footage was a very entertaining viewing experience for me the first time I ever saw this movie. It was a scene I personally related with.
In real life, however, the Cloak & Dagger game from Atari, Inc. was released only in the arcades as the efforts to create a port for the Atari 5200 never got fulfilled. That being said, it was through very clever film editing that video footage of the arcade version were inserted into the scene in which Davey played the Cloak & Dagger cartridge on his console in the presence of his father. To clarify things, the Atari 5200 was a commercial failure in real life and it seems that making a console version of the arcade game did not make business sense to Atari, Inc. at all.
If you want to play the Cloak & Dagger arcade game in your home right now, you will need an Xbox console and Antstream Arcade ($30 for 1-year subscription, $80 for lifetime pass). Cloak & Dagger is just one of over a thousand games available through Antstream Arcade and you can learn more by clicking here and here.
Conclusion
Henry Thomas as an armed Davey.
I have seen Cloak & Dagger (1984) many times throughout my life from childhood and to adulthood. I can clearly say that this 1980s movie is still really good to watch as its appeal to both children and adults remains strong and intact. It is a medium-paced spy thriller that not only follows a young boy who witnesses and murder and gets into danger (note: even his neighbor gets involved) but also dramatizes (in entertaining ways) how dangerous situations can get when you are living with uncontrolled personal fantasy and interacting with a heroic friend who does not really exist. Considering the time this movie was released, I am delighted to tell you cautious readers that there definitely is no wokeness nor were there any traces of political correctness that got in the way of its presentation. Going back to the parenting aspect of this film, it is made clear that children need their parents for moral support and there is absolutely no way that games, fictional heroes and geek culture could ever be good alternatives. Like the adults, children should never lose their grip on reality and should be taught that uncontrolled fantasy can lead to real-life danger. Very clearly, director Richard Franklin and the crew did a fine job telling a solid story and emphasizing the main characters while also providing suspense, action and thrills.
Considering all the mixed elements it has, Cloak & Dagger (1984) can be engaging towards parents, their children, fans of espionage and people who love video games. Finally, I should state that the City of San Antonio in the Lone Star State of Texas is indeed a great location for filmmaking and viewing.
Recently the water concessionaire Maynilad announced that it will establish new water treatment facilities to boost water production and they have set aside P5.7 billion as a result, according to a BusinessWorld news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news article. Some parts in boldface…
WEST ZONE concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is setting aside P5.7 billion as capital expenditure (capex) budget for new water treatment facilities to produce nearly 97 million liters per day.
“Ang capex na binudget namin diyan (The capex that we budgeted) to produce close to 97 million liters per day is 5.7 billion [pesos],” Maynilad President and Chief Executive Officer Ramoncito S. Fernandez told reporters in a chance interview last week.
“[The project is in] phases as it is tied with the wastewater treatment plant so what is laid out now that is starting is in Valenzuela, by the end of the year, and then next year would be in Pasay,” he added.
The new facilities are part of the company’s “new water” project that was launched in July last year starting in Parañaque City. The project aims to convert treated used water from sewerage treatment plants into potable water.
In June, Maynilad received a permanent operational permit from the Department of Health for its “new water” treatment plant in Parañaque City.
Asked about the ease in securing a permit for the facilities, he said: “That’s what we believe so because this is first in the Philippines, first in Asia.”
He said at first, the company struggled to convince regulators, but the project was accepted after efforts to gain public acceptance.
Mr. Fernandez said that after proving the project’s safety and “that it can be done scientifically, the adoption of the others should be faster.”
The project seeks to generate additional water supply in response to growing demand.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think this newest move by Maynilad will be able to solve the water supply problems once the new water treatment plants get completed and activated?
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
For the newcomers reading this, over the past years a notable number of Square Enix games were released without versions on Xbox consoles. It is already out in the open that Sony had been signing deals with game publishers and developers to exclude Xbox consoles and Xbox Game Pass so that the PlayStation platforms will gain the competitive edge (click here and here). This seems evident in Square Enix’s announcement of Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection coming to multiple platforms except Xbox.
Going to what happened this past weekend, almost out of nowhere Xbox chief Phil Spencer appeared alongside Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu and Square Enix video game producer Naoki Yoshida (AKA Yoshi-P) on stage during a Las Vegas event and symbolically confirmed the renewal of their business relationship. Adding credibility to the renewal was the announcement of Final Fantasy XIV for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the Tweet from Xbox chief Phil Spencer himself…
Out of nowhere, today, Square Enix was joined on stage by Microsoft Gaming CEO and Xbox lead Phil Spencer to reveal that Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn is finally coming to Xbox consoles in 2024.
Final Fantasy 14 is one of the best MMORPGs on the market, and one of the only credible alternatives to World of Warcraft, an MMO that Microsoft is poised to soon own with the Activision-Blizzard deal likely going through. FF14 has brought some serious competition to WoW in recent years, forcing Blizzard to up its game. It seems Square Enix isn’t taking that lying down either, announcing its own fresh expansion coming next summer, dubbed Dawntrail.
Additionally, incoming Square Enix CEO Takashi Kiryu had some warm things to say about Xbox that fans will no doubt be eager to hear (via Nova_Crystallis). Kiryu praised Phil Spencer for his “support” in bringing Final Fantasy 14 to Xbox. I believe Microsoft had to revert some of its long-standing Windows store policies around third-party content delivery networks in order to help get FF14 onto Xbox, and Spencer was naturally likely instrumental in getting that policy change through. Surprisingly, Kiryu also said that “with today’s announcement, and wherever possible, we are planning to bring our games to Xbox.”
“First off, I have thank you Phil-san for making the Xbox version of FF14 a reality. This is a project that would not have been possible without Spencer’s support. Please give him the biggest round of applause. As CEO of Square Enix, we want to continue to deliver fabulous games to fans across the globe. We want to welcome the Xbox community as well. Starting with today’s announcement and whenever possible we are planning to bring our games to Xbox for players to enjoy. Final Fantasy XIV is only going to get bigger and better. So I hope Xbox players give it a try.” – Takashi Kiryu, Square Enix CEO
Xbox lead Phil Spencer also emphasized that he looks forward to “building” on the relationship that brought Final Fantasy 14 to Xbox, and wants to partner with Square Enix on future games as well.
Indeed the renewal of ties between Xbox and Square Enix is a very positive breakthrough that will benefit not only the many millions of Xbox gamers (including those using Windows PC) worldwide but for video gaming as a whole. While Square Enix still has contracts signed with PlayStation still in effect, they and Team Xbox can collaborate on other available games for Xbox release. Whatever feelings you have towards the company behind the Final Fantasy games, this development opens the possibilities of releasing Legend of Mana games and a potential remaster of Xenogears on Xbox platforms. There is also the potential that Team Xbox can sign new deals with the Japanese titan to release more of its games on Xbox Game Pass (XGP).
While Final Fantasy XIV Online’s Xbox launch is still some time away, Xbox gamers have a lot to enjoy along the way with exclusives such as Starfield and Forza Motorsport (2023). Looking at the Xbox ecosystem as a whole, the renewed Xbox-Square Enix ties means more games from the Japanese titan will be released in the near future. Square Enix’s RPGs – both modern and classic – will add weight to Xbox as the ecosystem for RPG fans. That being said, I encourage you Xbox gamers to watch out for SE’s future releases. Also you might want to try the existing Square Enix RPGs still available on the Xbox store such as Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition.
Final Fantasy XIV Online on Xbox
To gain a deeper understanding of the Final Fantasy XIV Online announcement, posted below is the excerpt from the Xbox.com article. Some parts in boldface…
After much anticipation, it’s finally confirmed – critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV Online is officially coming to Xbox Series X|S.
First announced at the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest 2023 in Las Vegas by FFXIV Producer and Director Naoki Yoshida and CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer, let’s break down the announcement and reveal and what it means for Xbox gamers now that one of gaming’s most welcoming communities is set to get even bigger!
What is Final Fantasy XIV Online? – Firstly, if you’re not familiar with Final Fantasy XIV Online, as the name would suggest, it’s the fourteenth mainline game in the highly esteemed Final Fantasy series. As with all mainline numbered Final Fantasy games however, each entry is a standalone game that doesn’t require any previous experience with the franchise. If you’ve never played a Final Fantasy game before, FFXIV is the perfect place to jump in!
FFXIV takes place in the world of Hydaelyn – a vibrant planet blessed by the Light of the Crystal. Amid azure seas, encompassing the westernmost of the Three Great Continents, there lies a realm embraced by gods and forged by heroes. Her name — Eorzea. It is here that your tale begins to unfold. Beckoned by the Mothercrystal — the source of all life — you must embark upon a quest to deliver the land from an eternity of Darkness.
As an online massively multiplayer role-playing game, FFXIV offers a realm where you and 27 million adventurers worldwide can embark on epic quests together. Filled with bustling cities, towering forests, and deadly deserts, FFXIV’s constantly updated, and ever-engaging world takes you to the far reaches of the land and beyond, with a captivating and ongoing story. But it isn’t just about defeating massive monsters with your personalized Warrior of Light. You can also gather materials and craft items, enjoy series staples including Chocobos, Moogles, and Airships, enjoy a day of mini-games and mahjong at the Gold Saucer, and even buy a house.
Your adventure, played your way! – If all this sounds a bit overwhelming, never fear! Though initially designed to be played online with others, FFXIV includes a feature called the Duty Support system that enables tackling content with a party of NPC allies as opposed to other players. In fact, by the time the open beta launches it’ll be possible to complete all the main story dungeons from A Realm Reborn through Endwalker solo, enabling you to comfortably experience the stories of Eorzea on their own.
When can I play it…and what have I heard about a Free Trial? – Final Fantasy XIV Online is set to launch in open beta on Xbox Series X|S as part of the Patch 6.5x series, which means you can expect it very soon indeed! Alongside 4K support on Xbox Series X, both consoles will enjoy fast loading times, making sure your time in Eorzea looks and plays great.
Additionally, you may have seen some copypasta lurking around the internet pertaining to a certain free trial… well, rest assured, the Final Fantasy XIV Online Expanded Free Trial will indeed be coming to Xbox Series X|S, meaning you too will be able to enjoy the entirety of A Realm Reborn as well as the award-winning Heavensward and Stormblood expansions up to level 70 with no restrictions on playtime!
In concluding this post, posted below are Xbox-related videos for your enjoyment.
Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon congratulated the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) for achieving a tremendously high rating based on the audit of the Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force (RIMTF) under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), 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…
Mayor Ruffy Biazon congratulated the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) in Muntinlupa for getting a high rating in the functionality assessment.
The LCPC Muntinlupa got an overall score of 97.71 percent, which has an equivalent adjectival rating of “Ideal.”
The LCPC assists local government units (LGUs) in the promotion of children’s rights and protection of their welfare.
“This is proof that the protection and welfare of young Muntinlupeño is a priority through different programs to ensure that children’s rights are not neglected,” said Biazon in a Facebook post.
The rating was based on a detailed audit of LCPC functionality indicators done by the Regional Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force (RIMTF) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in the National Capital Region.
These were organizational sustainability, policies and plans for children, budget and service delivery, monitoring and management for children.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this development? Do you find Muntinlupa a safe city for children?
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Author Carlo Carrasco 