Blog – Page 257 – Author Carlo Carrasco

COVID-19 Crisis: Rollout of 2nd booster shots for senior citizens and health workers in Las Piñas City officially starts today

May 23, 2022May 21, 2022carlocarrasco

In case you missed the official announcement, the City Government of Las Piñas and its partners officially will launch today the rollout of 2^nd booster shots specifically for senior citizens and health workers as part of the local campaign on protecting the constituents from COVID-19.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the May 20, 2022 announcement published on the City Government’s Facebook page. The excerpt was translated from the Tagalog version and some parts in boldface…

Vice Mayor April Aguilar met today with the doctors of the City Health Office headed by Dr. Julie Gonzalez to lay out the city’s preparation for vaccination of Senior Citizens and Health workers of their 2nd Booster shot to start (Monday) May 23,2022.

Vice Mayor knows very well the procedure of vaccination of 2nd booster and emphasized that Mayor Mel Aguilar wants to reach (out) and explain well to everyone what needs to be known to clear the doubts of our patients (and countrymen).

(Patients under categories) A1 and A2 who are eligible for a 2nd booster will receive a text message to state the location and time of their vaccination. Vice Mayor Aguilar also suggested reopening community sites in Verdant Covered Court, Golden Acres Covered Court, Almanza Uno Covered Court, San Antonio Covered Court, Bambusetum Covered Court, Gatchalian Covered Court and T. S Cruz Covered Court as additional vaccination sites to be used for the 2nd booster shot.

Besides this, the local government is also preparing the Chikiting BakuNation that will be held on May 30 until June 10, 2022 in the whole Metro Manila including Las Piñas. The program aims to vaccinate babies aged 0 to 23 months. Vaccines that can be vaccinated in infants are as follows: BCG or TB vaccine, Penta-hib or 5in1, Oral Polio and measles vaccine. In order to reach more quickly to parents with children of the same age, Vice Mayor instructed City Health to make the vaccination a house-to-house where the personnel and medical staff of each barangay health center will perform of this to their constituents.

The local government encourages everyone to cooperate with city health programs that will increase safety and prevent diseases that may spread this season.

For all the unvaccinated people reading this, any Las Piñas resident who has yet to get registered for the free COVID-19 vaccines can learn the ways by clicking here. Anyone who is ready and willing to register online can click bit.ly/LasPiñasVaccination

Local residents who have been fully vaccinated but still have not received booster shots are welcome to contact the local authorities to determine if they are eligible for booster shots or not.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, have you been boosted for COVID-19 already? If you were boosted, how long has it been? Have you tried contacting the local authorities to find out if you are already eligible for a 2^nd booster shot? Also, what can you say about the vaccination of younger minors in the city?

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 and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/

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

COVID-19 Crisis: Almost 1.4 million vaccine shots registered and over 200,000 patients boosted in Las Piñas City

May 20, 2022May 18, 2022carlocarrasco

For the first time since March, the City Government of Las Piñas finally released through their Facebook page an update about their collective statistics about COVID-19 vaccination which includes initial and 2^nd booster shots (2^nd booster shots started in April and walk-ins for such shots were accepted).

To put things in perspective, posted below are the latest COVID-19 vaccination statistics updates as of May 17, 2022.

*The latest statistics as of May 17, 2022.*

As seen in the above statistics, the city’s grand total number of jabs recorded reached 1,388,759 with the number of fully vaccinated patients reaching 574,438 and the number of patients who received booster shots counted at 212,560. The number of patients who received 2^nd booster shots totaled 374.

Regarding minors, the number of fully vaccinated patients aged 12 to 17-years-old reached 55,237. For the age-group of 5 to 11-years-old, the total number of fully vaccinated patients was at 21,221.

Local residents who have been fully vaccinated but still have not received booster shots are welcome to contact the local authorities to determine if they are eligible for booster shots. Meanwhile, it has been announced that booster shots are effective against the much-reported Omicron subvariant which is now present in the Philippines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Las Piñas City resident, have you been fully vaccinated already? Are there many fully vaccinated patients among the members of your local community who still have not availed of their respective booster shots? Are there many boosted patients in your community who could be waiting for their 2^nd booster shots?

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 City Government congratulates local resident who won a SEA Games silver medal

May 20, 2022May 19, 2022carlocarrasco

As the ongoing 31^st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam gets closer to concluding, another local resident of Muntinlupa scored another medal for the country earning him recognition by the City Government. According to a Manila Bulletin news report, the said athlete was Carlo Biado who won a silver medal in the men’s 9-ball pool singles event at the SEA Games. Biado was previously congratulated by the City Government for his victory in America in 2021.

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

The Muntinlupa City government congratulated Filipino pool player Carlo Biado for winning a silver medal at the 31st Southeast Asian Games being held in Vietnam.

Biado, a resident of Barangay Putatan in Muntinlupa, bagged the silver medal in Men’s 9-Ball Pool Singles on May 18. The Philippines’ Johann Chua edged out Biado to win the gold medal in the event.

“Binabati ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Muntinlupa si Carlo Biado para sa kanyang tagumpay sa 31st SEA Games sa Vietnam (The Muntinlupa City government congratulates Carlo Biado for his triumph at the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam),” the city government posted on Facebook.

The city government earlier honored Annie Ramirez, a Muntinlupa resident, who won a gold medal for the country in Jujitsu-Women’s Under 62 kg category at the SEA Games. The City Council passed a resolution to honor and give cash incentive of P30,000 to Ramirez.

Last September, the Muntinlupa City government honored Biado for winning the US Open Pool Championship in Atlantic City.

This new development is really great news for both the nation and the City of Muntinlupa as well. Just days ago, the City Government lauded SEA Games gold medalist Annie Ramirez for her victory in the sport of Ju-jitsu. In fact, Muntinlupa City has been making waves in sports-related topics this year before the SEA Games even started. Muntinlupa has a brand new aquatic center and track-and-field oval.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, are you happy to discover that another local resident won an additional SEA Games medal for the country? Does this inspire you to get into sports with the vision of representing the country in major sports events?

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 Freex #13 (1994)

May 19, 2022May 18, 2022carlocarrasco

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 mid-1990s which was a really wild time for comic collectors. To be more specific, this newest retro comic book review revisits Ultraverse through the exploits of Freex, the monthly series about a group of young adults with unusual capabilities (or abnormalities) who are constantly on the move as they are social outcasts.

In my previous retro reviews of Freex, the team encountered Contrary (who later became a significant part of UltraForce) and her so-called school of gifted children. Subsequently, they left Contrary’s lair but without Ray who decided to stay behind. Freex, who gained a new member in replacing Ray, went underground encountering Prime and a lone individual called Old Man. After separating from Prime, the team move further underground with Old Man and discovered a lot of things they never expected.

With those details laid down, here is a look back Freex #13, published in 1994 by Malibu Comics with a story written by Gerard Jones and drawn by Scott Kolins.

Early story

The story begins deep under the Earth’s surface wherein the Freex – AJ, Angela, Michael, Valerie and new member – and Old Man encounter a huge and intimidating sentient being which has the head and tusks of an elephant. The being calls itself Prometheus and claims that he has lived underground for a very long time, created new beings and saw the development of settlements that the people on the surface are not even aware of.

Intriguingly, he reveals to the Freex that he created the substance that were injected by a certain nurse into the bodies of each team member when they were still infants which later manifested into the capabilities and abnormalities they now have…

Quality

*This short scene about Atalon and his army is a prelude to the Atalon storyline in the early issues of UltraForce.*

The most significant aspect about this comic book’s story is the clever approach taken by the creators to not only show the further development of Freex but also emphasize and expand the lore of the Ultraverse while connecting this series to UltraForce (the early issues written by Gerard Jones and drawn by the late George Perez) which itself had a great conflict between Atalon’s forces and Earth’s governments. To put it short, this Freex tale is a prelude to the events seen in UltraForce #0, UltraForce #1 and the rest of the Atalon saga. The good news is that the emphasis of in-universe connection (as opposed to crossovers) was done well and nicely structured.

More on the Freex themselves, the revelation that the members’ powers were the result of being injected (by Wetware Mary) into them with the substance created by Prometheus resulted in dramatic reactions from them which also adds to the tension of their current misadventure together so far away from society. The revelation also added tremendous weight into the series’ narrative raising questions such as the following: Wow will each Freex member reintegrate into society as they know the truth about what caused them to have powers/abnormalities? Where will they go once they made it back to the surface? Will they keep secret the existence of Prometheus?

In relation, the creative team took their time to develop each member’s personality and emotions. Most notable was the portrayal of the new friendship between Valerie and their new member (indoctrinated by Contrary) which hints that something significant could happen to not only themselves but to the team itself.

What also struck me in this comic book was the way the 2^nd half of the story was presented…by becoming really wild and crazy. Eerily, the confusion felt by Freex during the 2^nd half was something I as a reader felt. To find out what I’m talking about, I urge to get a copy of this comic book and read it yourselves.

Conclusion

*This page revealed more about the origins of the Freex members.*

While the 2^nd half of the story had a crazy ride, I still found Freex #13 (1994) to be really engaging and intriguing mainly on the big revelation and UltraForce connections told in the first half. At this stage in the series, it really looked like that the team was on its way into the unknown as their own place within the Ultraverse really widened (similar to what happened on the part of The Solution in issues #10, #11 and #12).

Overall, Freex #13 (1994) is recommended.

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My return to Xtremely Xpresso Café in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone

May 19, 2022May 17, 2022carlocarrasco

During my most recent visit at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, I took the opportunity to revisit key places around as it has been more than two years since my previous visit. On the afternoon of April 30 (just a day before the 2022 Subic Bay International Triathlon happened), I took time out to revisit Xtremely Xpresso Café (social media here, here and here) located at Dewey Street corner Sta. Rita Road.

Xtremely Xpresso Café is more than just a place to enjoy good coffee. It is also a restaurant that sells to its customers a good variety of tasty meals from pizza to pasta, rice meals and others. The very first time I visited the food joint was in the early 2000s. Through the years I had coffee there during my solo visits and there were also times that I was with the family enjoying pizza and their meals. Xtremely Xpresso’s pizzas were always delicious and filling to enjoy with friends or family.

*Xtremely Xpresso Subic Bay Freeport branch on the day I returned.*

Going back to my April 30 afternoon visit, I easily recognized Xtremely Xpresso upon arrival. What I found interesting was that the place was bustling with customers both indoors (where it is air conditioned) and outdoors as if life was back to normal (note: Alert Level 1 status was in effect on the Subic Bay Freeport Zone back then). I saw some groups of people, couples and individual customers enjoying their meals and drinks on the outdoor area (note: lots of seats and tables with shade) and the simmering heat of the day did not seem to bother them at all.

Then I entered and saw the ever familiar-looking interior. Almost all the seats and tables were filled up by customers who mostly came in groups or pairs. Everywhere I looked, I saw people really enjoying their food and drinks, and having quality time together. As such, I decided to order a drink and dessert and have the waiter serve them to me at a seat outdoors.

I took sat at a place where there was enough shade to protect me from the sun. While the heat was obvious, there were moments I felt some relief in the form of coolness from the occasional wind coming from the sea water several meters away. After about ten minutes waiting, the waiter served to me the cheesecake slice and the Shockwave Xtreme Frappe’ that I ordered.

*The cheesecake I ordered at Xtremely Xpresso.*

*A close look at a portion of the cheesecake.*

As I was seated outdoors, I did not want to let the sun and the summer heat ruin the cheesecake so I started consuming it portion by portion. Each bite of it was smooth and in terms of taste, it had a mild sweetness to it. More notably, it tasted like any cheesecake. In terms of content, it is thick and long enough for me. As such, Xtremely Xpresso’s cheesecake slice is good enough.

Xtremely Xpresso’s Shockwave frappe was cold coffee with some chocolate to its taste with a creamy aesthetic. In my experience sipping it moderately, the Shockwave had a moderate sweetness to it and I felt a creamy coffee and chocolate taste. It was during the remaining small amount I sipped when I suddenly felt a sweetened taste. Then the drink ran out. Xtremely Xpresso’s Shockwave is a frappe that is completely different from what other coffee shops here in the Philippines offered. I can say it is a good drink to have at Xtremely Xpresso.

*The Shockwave frappe was mildly sweet and had a coffee and chocolate taste.*

So my recent visit at Xtremely Xpresso in Subic Bay was good one. I would not hesitate to return there and next time, I would definitely order a meal, a different drink and something else. In my previous dining experiences there with my family, I enjoyed the taste of their Big Ben pizza, the Seafood Pesto pizza, the Creamy Cheese Penne and their Spinach Omelette. All of those and a lot more are still being offered to customers.

While securing an indoor seat and table is challenging, be assured that there are a lot more tables and seats outside. In fact, having breakfast and coffee outdoors is a fresh and comfortable experience as the sun is not too intense in the morning.

For those of you reading this, if you are planning to visit Subic Bay and you want good food and drinks to enjoy, I encourage you to visit Xtremely Xpresso.

Let me end this piece with the following holy scripture…

So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (AMPC)

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Muntinlupa-based SEA Games gold medalist lauded by City Government

May 18, 2022May 17, 2022carlocarrasco

As the 31^st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam goes on, the City Government of Muntinlupa congratulated and recognized a local resident who is part of the Philippine Team and won the SEA Games gold medal in the sport of Jiu-jitsu.

This past Monday, Congressman-elect and outgoing Mayor Jaime Fresnedi congratulated Annie Ramirez for delivering a gold medal for the Philippines in the women’s jiu-jitsu category in the 31st Southeast Asian Games at Dan Phuong Gymnasium, Vietnam. Ramirez paid a courtesy visit at the local City Hall and in the Regular Session of Muntinlupa City Council, Monday morning. The City Council approved a resolution recognizing Ramirez’ feat and granting her financial reward worth P50,000.

*SEA Games gold medalist and Muntinlupa City resident Annie Ramirez with Mayor Jaime Fresnedi. (photo source – Muntinlupa PIO)*

On May 14 (Saturday), Ramirez ruled the women’s jiu-jitsu 62 kg event, extending her reign, after winning over Thai Orapa Senatham. A gold medalist in the 2019 SEA Games, she secured the country’s tenth gold medal in this year’s SEA Games.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, are you happy to discover that a local resident turned out to be a SEA Games gold medalist? Does this inspire you to be interested to get engaged in sports and work your way up to represent the country in a future sports event overseas?

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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Philippines looking forward to triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon at next year’s SEA Games in Cambodia

May 18, 2022May 17, 2022carlocarrasco

There is no denying that the Philippines had a big weekend winning 3 gold medals, 1 silver medal and a bronze medal in the triathlon and duathlon events of the 31^st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam. To be specific, Fer Casares and Andrew Kim Remolino won the men’s triathlon gold and silver medals on May 14 while Marion Kim Mangrobang and Raven Faith Alcoseba secured the gold and bronze for the country in the women’s triathlon event that same day. The next day, Mangrobang won the gold in the women’s duathlon which fully established her as Southeast Asia’s reigning queen of triathlon and duathlon until the next SEA Games in Cambodia.

Deservedly, the medalists and their coaches were warmly welcomed at the airport upon arrival from Vietnam as seen in the following images released by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) through Facebook. Check out the images below…

*The Philippine triathlon team welcomed at the airport upon arrival from Vietnam. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)*

*SEA Games gold medalist in men’s triahlon Fer Casares. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)*

*SEA Games double-gold medalist (women’s triathlon and women’s duathlon) Kim Mangrobang. (photo source – Philippine Sports Commission)*

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

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

On the future of the SEA Games, the next edition – the 32^nd Southeast Asian Games – will be hosted by Cambodia in May 2023. What is significant about next year’s games (promoted as Cambodia 2023) is the fact that it officially has triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon among its many events. In relation to this, the Philippine Star published a report about the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) looking forward to winning even more gold medals in the 2023 SEA Games with the three mentioned multisport events in mind.

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

After coming short of its sweep bid, the Triathlon Association of the Philippines is looking forward to the next edition of the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia where it has chance to rake in more gold medals.

“Next year in Cambodia, there will be three events each for triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco. “We’re back to the drawing board because we also have to prepare for the World Games Duathlon in July.”

*The official logo of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.*

The country came into the Hanoi event eyeing 1-2 finishes in all four events but wound up with just three gold medals, including two from Kim Mangrobang, a silver from Kim Remolino and a bronze from Raven Alcoseba also in triathlon.

Fer (Casares) delivered the other gold in men’s triathlon.

John Leerams Chicano, a two-time triathlon SEA Games gold winner, failed in his SEA Games duathlon debut as he wound up just fourth.

The Filipinos hope to bounce back big in Phnom Penh.

The above report ended with the TRAP president stating that in Cambodia, they were allowed eight to nine events to include duathlon, aquathlon plus mixed relay teams. For the newcomers reading this, aquathlon is a multisport race or activity that consists of running and swimming.

In ending this post, let us all thank our Lord for what the Philippine triathletes achieved in the SEA Games in Vietnam. Thank the Lord that He will bless the medalists and the coaches for their achievements as the government will release cash incentives to them in accordance to Republic Act Number 10699. For future multisport events that the triathlon team will engage in, pray to our Lord for His guidance on them so that they can achieve victories and bring in more glory and honors for the Philippines. Pray to the Lord with the holy scriptures posted below.

I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7 (AMPC)

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13 (NASB)

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

O Lord our God, let your sweet beauty rest upon us. Come work with us, and then our works will endure; you will give us success in all we do.

Psalms 90:17 (TPT)

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A Look Back at Sludge #9 (1994)

May 17, 2022May 13, 2022carlocarrasco

Welcome back, superhero fans, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the Ultraverse of Malibu Comics and examine one of its many stories told through an issue of the Sludge comic book series.

In my previous Sludge retro review, the conflict between the crime organizations intensified as the titular character continued to struggle with achieving his desired goal which includes getting involved with the Pump’s evil schemes. Eventually something unexpected happened Sludge which involved Zuke, the potent illegal substance the Pump keeps on unleashing to the public.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Sludge #9, published by Malibu Comics in 1994 with a story written by Steve Gerber and drawn by Robb Phipps.

Early story

The story begins with Sludge in pain as he pulls out a long spike from his right hand which became flesh again. This was the result of his holding Zuke which his right hand somehow absorbed. Wanting answers, he calls out to the Pump who (along with his teenage protégé) was no longer present in the room. A female ghost appears to Sludge and tells him that the crime boss is downstairs.

It turns out, the Pump has an evil plan in mind which would involve the mercenary Bloodstorm. The crime boss puts a very large capsule of Zuke into the mouth of the restrained Bloodstorm. Just as Sludge arrives, Bloodstorm becomes very enraged as a result of absorbing a high quantity of the illegal substance. Shortly after Pump quells the drugged mercenary, Sludge approaches him for more Zuke as he is convinced that the drug will turn him to normal just like how it turned his right hand back to normal.

The Pump orders Sludge to take Bloodstorm’s body back to his employer Sabatini then return. He reminds him that he has the Zuke and is capable of eradicating him…

Quality

*Sludge has yet to realize he could really go up against the very evil Pump.*

Now this is the most intriguing tale of Sludge in relation to the unstable relations between the gangs of New York. Vittorio, the one trusted assistant of the late crime boss Marcello, leads the gang and tries to craft a new direction with emergence in mind by negotiating a truce with the Dragon Fang while also starting efforts to duplicate the very addicting substance called Zuke which has long been an asset to the Pump’s gang. Unsurprisingly, Vittorio encounters trouble trying to win the trust of the more established crime bosses and he is also unaware that they are all being targeted by the Pump.

Once the Pump unleashes his newest move against the gangs, the situation intensifies and gets twisted which makes this a really solid reading experience. Steve Gerber crafted this story to be intense and unpredictable at the same time, while also showing how Sludge deals with his situation being powerless under the Pump. There is one notable addition to the plot which involves violent action which you must discover for yourselves.

When it comes to the visuals, Robb Phipps take on Sludge is vastly different compared to Aaron Lopresti’s Sludge. The result is that Phipps’ art style made Sludge and the other characters have that cartoony aesthetic and yet they are still recognizable. What visual style and elements Phipps had on certain issues of Mantra he illustrated (click here, here and here) are pretty much present in this comic book.

Conclusion

Sludge #9 (1994) is another solid read and one of the most intriguing stories of the Sludge series. As the concluding chapter of the “Street Wars” storyline, this comic book has the usual elements that defined Sludge stories while also succeeding in moving the plot forward (note: the storyline conclusion is engaging, even shocking) complete with twists and noticeable intensified violence. At this point in the monthly series, Sludge is off on a path of despair and he is clearly lost. This element alone should compel readers to examine Sludge’s personality closely and analyze where he is heading to and what purpose does he have left.

Overall, Sludge #9 (1994) is recommended.

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Singapore selected as host of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2029

May 17, 2022May 13, 2022carlocarrasco

As the 31^st Southeast Asian Games (AKA the 31^st SEA Games, SEA Games 31 and Hanoi 2021) in Vietnam go on, it has been announced officially by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore that the island city-state of Singapore (population: over 5 million) will host the 35^th edition of the Southeast Asian Games in the year 2029, according to an article published by The Straits Times.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from The Straits Times report. Some parts in boldface…

The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore announced in a joint-statement on Thursday (May 12) that the Republic will host the 2029 edition of the Games – 14 years after it was last held in Singapore.

Members of the SEA Games Federation had accepted Singapore’s interest in hosting the biennial event – the largest multi-sports competition in the region – at a meeting in Hanoi, they added.

Thailand and Malaysia will host the 2025 and 2027 editions respectively. The current Games – the 31st edition – is currently being held in Hanoi after it was delayed from 2021 due to the pandemic.

SNOC president Tan Chuan-Jin, who is in the Vietnamese capital, said: “We are pleased to host the prestigious regional sporting event in Singapore again. The SEA Games holds special memories and experiences for Singapore and our South-east Asian neighbours. The camaraderie and rivalry we share are distinct and Singapore is once again happy to organise the 35th SEA Games to relive these moments.”

The 2029 Games will be the fifth time Singapore is organising the event after playing host in 1973, 1983, 1993 and 2015, when its athletes delivered their best performance ever – a haul of 84 gold, 73 silver and 102 bronze medals – to finish second behind Thailand in the medal tally, a feat not achieved since the 1975 Bangkok South-east Asian Peninsular Games.

Over 7,000 athletes and officials from 11 countries participated in the 2015 Games, which featured 402 events across 36 sports.

Hosting of the June 5-16 Games was then budgeted to cost $324.5 million, with the eventual net cost reported to be $60.4 million below that amount.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said hosting the Games will give local athletes an opportunity to enjoy “strong home ground support”.

He added: “The spirit of the SEA Games can also bring Singaporeans from all walks of life together, to cheer and rally behind our athletes, and strengthen our national unity.

“Following the successful hosting of the 2015 SEA Games, we are confident that the 35th SEA Games in 2029 can be another defining moment for Singaporeans and also an opportunity to showcase our hospitality, and tighten bonds with our South-east Asian neighbours.”

If you are interested in visiting Singapore, watch the videos below…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the selection of Singapore as the host of the SEA Games in 2029? Have you been to Singapore before?

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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COVID-19 Crisis: Almost 500,000 fully vaccinated in Muntinlupa City

May 16, 2022May 13, 2022carlocarrasco

In the progressive city of Muntinlupa, the City Government recently announced that more than 495,000 people have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, the Manila Bulletin reported. For the newcomers reading this, fully vaccinated means getting injected with two doses of most brands of COVID-19 vaccines.

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

The Muntinlupa City government reported that the total number of fully vaccinated individuals in the city has reached more than 495,000, exceeding the target population.

Data from the City Health Office (CHO) showed that as of May 11, there are 495,414 people who have been fully vaccinated in Muntinlupa, equivalent to 112 percent of the target population of 442,517, or 80 percent of the total population of 553,146.

Of the 495,414 fully vaccinated individuals, 131,589 have received their first booster shot, or 30 percent of the target population.

In addition, 216 immunocompromised individuals have been given their second booster shot.

Among 12 to 17 years old, 39,724 have been fully vaccinated, or 70.31 percent of the total population of 56,499.

In addition, 13,869 five to 11 years old have been fully vaccinated, equivalent to 20.34 percent of the total population of 68,198 for the age group.

What was achieved in Muntinlupa City is indeed a positive development and even though there was a surge of new COVID-19 cases in the Philippines during the 1^st quarter, the national economy actually expanded by 8.3% in the said time period. The real challenge for the Philippines as a whole is to have more people boosted for COVID-19.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Are there still some members in your local community who have not been fully vaccinated or boosted?

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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