The Las Piñas City Police Department continues to serve the local constituents by means of securing places, implementing rules and helping those who need assistance. Check out these recent media releases and pay close attention to the details written.
On December 8, 2020, elements of Talon Sub-Station utilizing MC 111 under the supervision of PMAJ LEO GLENN T CALABIO, Sub-Station Commander through the strong leadership of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, COP of Las Piñas City Police Station, conducted OPLANSITA at said address. Likewise, strict implementation of protocols and guidelines under general community quarantine. (source – Las Piñas City Police Department)
On December 8, 2020, elements of Pilar Sub-Station under the direct supervision of PMAJ JOYLENE BULAN sub station Commander and the strong leadership of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, COP Las Piñas City Police attended the conduct of Moral and Spiritual Nourishment Values Formation led by Pastor Remi Gonzales and company. Reiterated on PNP Internal Cleansing, instilling discipline and spiritual and moral values among PNP members, and likewise observed Social Distancing and Minimum Health Protocols in relation to General Community Quarantine. (source – Las Piñas City Police Department)
On December 8, 2020, elements of Pamplona Police Sub-Station together with Barangay Tanod of Pamplona Dos under the supervision of PMAJ JOEL P GOMEZ through the strong leadership of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, COP of Las Piñas City Police Station conducted Oplan Galugad / Village Visitation on the above said location. This activity is being conducted to prevent untoward incidents and security measures to negate criminality within area. (source – Las Piñas City Police Department)
On December 8, 2020, elements of this unit under the supervision of PMAJ JOSE A ANAZ, Chief TMRU and under the strong leadership of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, COP of Las Pinas City Police Station conducted Continuous Police Presence and Area Monitoring at SM Center Las Pinas, Brgy Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas City. (source – Las Piñas City Police Department)
The above information and images were provided by the Las Piñas City Police Station for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.
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
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 geeks, comic book collectors and fans of the Ultraverse! Join me on this trip back into the Ultraverse and witness the events in one of the early issues of the Mantra monthly series.
In issue #2, the male warrior Lukasz found himself really challenged being inside the body of a pretty single mother Eden Blake (Mantra) whose soul his displaced. Not only does Lukasz have to avoid getting killed by troops of Boneyard as he strives to somehow leave the lady’s body in favor of a male body, he has to adjust to living as Eden who has a home to keep, a private sector job to fulfill and two children to take care of. With those details laid down, it’s now time to take a look back at Mantra #3, published in 1993 by Malibu Comics with a story written by Mike W. Barr and drawn by Terry Dodson.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins in the hallway of the cinema wherein Mantra finds herself surrounded by the Repo Men who won’t stop at trying to overwhelm her. Mantra is at a disadvantage as she has yet to learn the ways of using magic.
As the Repo Men keep Mantra down, a group of bystanders witness what happened. Meanwhile, Eden’s daughter Evie and son Gus are in the middle of the hallway not realizing that Mantra is their mother in disguise. Eventually Mantra remembers her mantra and finally starts using magic to have the Repo Men off-balance and free herself from them. As the other Repo Men approach her, she blasts them with heat which burns them instantly in front of the bystanders. Mantra decides to fly away leaving behind Evie and Gus. The two kids are searching for their mother Eden.
Quality
Being trapped in the body of Eden Blake, the male warrior Lukasz tries to gain an advantage by charming a man he knew.
The strong quality of storytelling that started in issue #1 and followed through issue #2 is present in this comic book. Mike W. Barr’s story here remains nicely balanced between plot, character development and spectacle. I can also confirm that this story explores more of Lukasz struggling with living the domestic life of Eden which unsurprisingly makes his struggle to meet his goals even tougher. When it comes to defining the characters, there is a very touching scene in which Lukasz as Eden talks privately with a crying Evie in her bedroom, and even with an attempt to somehow separate themselves the unexpected (but really touching) result happens. And then there was another scene in which Lukasz uses Eden’s beauty to charm his way with someone for answers. This comic book’s script was undoubtedly written cleverly by Mike W. Barr.
Like in the first two issues, Terry Dodson excelled with visualizing the script. By this particular issue, the looks of Mantra and other related characters have been well established and he drawn them with a pretty good amount of detail. Dodson’s art here shines even more once Mantra begins to encounter one very particular adversary (note: she’s on the cover) and how it all turns out is something for you readers to find out for yourselves.
Conclusion
Mantra in a serious discussion.
I can confirm that Mantra #3 (1993) is a compelling Ultraverse story to read as it continues to be intriguing and define Mantra’s personality in an efficient and believable way. Along the way are revelations that further establish the core concepts of this monthly series and the way they were done shows strong preparations were made by Mike W. Barr before writing the script.
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Mantra #3 (1993), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $8 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $26.
Overall, Mantra #3 (1993) is recommended.
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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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
It’s been quite a long time since there has been any official news released about the much-delayed Darna project that currently has Jane de Leon as its star. It is true that the current pandemic set much of the whole world back and that is very true with businesses, governments and entertainment to name a few. Making a production of television or movies is more challenging than before which probably explains why the Darna project with De Leon has been turned into a TV series.
That’s right! The Darna project that was conceived to be a movie that had Liza Soberano as its original star (before De Leon replaced her) will be remade for television audiences here in the Philippines. The new series should debut in 2021.
Jane de Leon is still the star of the Darna project which is now an upcoming TV series set for 2021. (photo a property of ABS-CBN)
In an article at ABS-CBN.com, the hard adjustment of the Darna project was announced on December 5, 2020 during the special contract signing event titled Star Magic Shines On. ABS-CBN’s chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes said that the Darna TV series has been approved and will indeed push through with its broadcasting sometime next year. It was also made clear that Jane de Leon is still the star in portraying the Philippine superhero icon.
Below are excerpts from the article:
“I’m overwhelmed by the happiness I feel. I am so excited for the next chapters of my life,” Jane said.
“It’s another dream come true. I have so much gratitude for our bosses because until now, they still entrust me with Darna’s stone,” she added.
Those were the details as of this writing. It remains to be seen who else will star in the Darna TV series and what characters as well as what villains will be featured. How many episodes will be made, what costume design of Darna for Jane de Leon will be used, and what the frequency of the series will be have yet to be revealed.
The way I look at it, the pandemic made ABS-CBN rethink its current strategy on selling entertainment. For many months now, most movie theaters here in the Philippines have been closed which makes a Darna movie not feasible.
This not the first time that stories of Darna will be broadcast to many households nationwide. ABS-CBN’s rival GMA Network produced a Darna series starring the famous Angel Locsin, and another series starring Marian Rivera. Both Darna TV series were released just a few years apart from each other. By the time ABS-CBN’s own series of the superhero icon finally starts broadcasting, it will be the first time in over a decade Filipinos saw new Darna stories on their TV sets.
In ending this article, I want to ask you my readers: What do you think of this latest move by ABS-CBN? Do you still want to see a Darna movie starring Jane de Leon? To answer, please comment below. Thank you and come back here for future updates about Darna.
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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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
26 GRAB RIDERS RECEIVE STIMULUS PACKAGE FROM MUNTI LGU: The City Government of Muntinlupa rolled out the distribution of stimulus packages for Batch 3 and 4 ‘Deliver to Recover’ program beneficiaries. Congressman Ruffy Biazon (center) and Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (right) led the turn-over ceremony of stimulus packages to 26 beneficiaries last December 7 at Muntinlupa City Hall. The local government is assisting displaced workers and public transportation drivers in the city that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with their Grab application. A stimulus package amounting to P7,500 which include Grab uniforms, food insulated box, P2,500 worth of e-wallet credit, and P2,500 cash assistance as initial cash revolving fund are also given to qualified applicants. The City Government entered a partnership with Grab Philippines for the registration of 500 city residents. The application process is still ongoing through PESO Muntinlupa Facebook Page or via http://bit.ly/MuntiGrab. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
ZERO-INTEREST LOAN FOR MICRO ENTREPS IN MUNTINLUPA: Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (center) turns over P1.4 million zero-interest loan assistance to Tulong Negosyo Batch 118 representatives, dubbed as “Muntipreneurs,” last December 2 in a bid to help local businesses recover from the economic disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. 57 micro entrepreneurs were provided with the loan assistance this month. Tulong Negosyo caters to MSMEs and provides micro finance assistance which ranges from P2,000 up to P150,000 depending on the business capital ceiling and payment record of beneficiaries. Muntinlupa City is the first LGU to introduce the micro-financing program. Fresnedi vows to continue the program and assist Muntipreneurs especially in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media releases. Some parts were edited for this website.
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 distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the growing South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
If you are looking for fried chicken to eat here in South Metro Manila, there are plenty of places to find them such as Jollibee, KFC, Popeyes and McDonald’s among the many restaurants. You can even find fried chicken meals served in convenience stores like Ministop, 7-Eleven and FamilyMart. Rest assured the mentioned business joints provide a lot of fried chicken whenever you are in Las Piñas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa.
There is one food joint that stand out among them all – HOT STAR Large Fried Chicken Philippines. With its newest branch located inside Festival Mall in Filinvest City, Alabang, HOT STAR is making a comeback here in South Metro Manila. Previously they had a branch along Presidents Avenue, Barangay BF Homes in Parañaque City and I ate there a number of times while they lasted. That particular branch closed down a few years ago so it was nice to see them open a new one in Alabang (note: their space is shared with Dakasi).
The commercial space of HOT STAR with Dakasi.
For the newcomers reading this, the HOT STAR business started in Taiwan and has overseas branches. They are best known for selling the 12-inch fried chicken which has a nugget-like shape but really large and quite filling.
At their Festival Mall branch, I had two stops there. The first time I was there, I joined the line to order myself a meal composed of their signature 12-inch fried chicken (referred to as the Signature XXL Chicken), rice and a drink. When asked for what type and what flavor the chicken should be, I chose the original type flavored with salt and pepper. Soon enough I got served and went to a vacant table.
The 12-inch signature fried chicken of HOT STAR.
Looking at the 12-inch original, salt-and-pepper fried chicken, it really was exactly as I remembered what was served to customers at the previous branch in BF Homes. It was also a bit challenging to cut into pieces given its formation and texture, so there were moments when I had to take the chicken by hand and pull it apart before trying to cut it into pieces with the plastic utensils.
As before, the 12-inch signature fried chicken is pretty tasty on its own. It was tasty enough, I did not bother to use any condiments. What is also notable about it is that it sure has a lot of content of chicken meat to consume. In fact, it was more than enough to fill the stomach. While this might sound unusual to you, this is pretty normal given my previous dining experience at HOT STAR BF Homes. That being said, I had a tasty and really satisfying meal there at HOT STAR Filinvest.
A few weeks later, I returned to the Festival Mall branch mainly to take home one of their newer foods – the Cheese Bomb. After driving home with the chicken from the mall, I got home and placed it on a plate.
This is what the Cheese Bomb looks like on the outside.
On the surface, the Cheese Bomb fried chicken has a different shape compared to the signature fried chicken. It looked ordinary on the outside but it is the cheese content inside the makes the big different not only in terms of content but also on flavor. As I ate the Cheese Bomb, I really felt that fine combined taste of fried chicken and cheese in my mouth and it only made me want to keep consuming until it all ran out. I got my money’s worth.
The cheese of Cheese Bomb exposed.
A closer look at the Cheese Bomb. The cheese itself is tasty.
To put it in short, I can say that the 12-inch signature fried chicken and the Cheese Bomb were both well cooked by HOT STAR Festival Mall and were properly prepared. It is notable that the two fried chicken variants were pretty flavorful respectively which shows that the cooks made them with the utmost care for me. As such, I highly recommend the 12-inch signature fried chicken and the Cheese Bomb to anyone who loves fried chicken. I got my money’s worth and so should you.
So if you happen to be in the Alabang area and you crave for fried chicken, you should visit HOT STAR at Festival Mall. They are on the ground floor level of the mall. Keep in mind that HOT STAR has several other types of food to offer such as spaghetti, rice bowl meals, burgers and fries, and chicken wings to name some. HOT STAR is a standout among the sellers of friend chicken here in South Metro Manila.
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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 distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
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 geeks, comic collectors and fans of the Ultraverse! We are about to return to the Ultraverse through the view of Mantra. Since the story of issue #9 and issue #10, the stakes have been raised as Mantra not only found herself in bigger danger as well as revelations from the past related to the long-time war between Archimage and Boneyard. Not only is Mantra still being targeted by Boneyard (who is so evil he wants to marry Mantra and make love to her body even though he knows the soul of the male warrior Lukasz is occupying it) but also by sorcerers from the Earth’s realm. In other words, Mantra/Lukasz really has trouble in different realms.
Will something unexpected turn out in the next story of Mantra? We can find out in this look back at Mantra #11, published in 1994 by Malibu Comics with a story written by Mike W. Barr and drawn by Robb Phipps.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins with Mantra standing completely naked in the full view of Boneyard, his three wives and the four other thugs (who hunted Mantra). Boneyard states, “Your choices are clear, Lukasz—surrender to me and become first among equals in my harem…or be destroyed by my wives—whose powers now equal yours!”
Suddenly the three wives fire beams of energy towards Mantra who successfully blocks them using magic to create a transparent shield. Very quickly, Mantra sees an opportunity to get the other thugs involved as targets of the three wives so she moves toward her previous attackers. The three wives’ attacks cause the thugs to retreat. Boneyard recognizes one of the thugs as the son of his rival Archimage.
Suddenly, the thugs attack Boneyard’s three wives with energy causing them to fall down on the floor. As the conflict shifted, Mantra begins to realize something.
“I knew the mask enhance the mystic power of this body, but I didn’t realize the mask and armor would have the same effect on Boneyard’s wives as well. Figures he didn’t choose them just for their looks. At any rate…I can’t walk around here like a Playboy centerfold all day! I’m getting cold,” Mantra thought.
Quality
This is the first time Mantra wore a new costume which was carried over to issue #12.
No surprise, Mike W. Barr successfully kept the story engaging not only maintaining the engagement carried over from the few previous issues but by raising the stakes for Mantra personally while pulling off some pretty notable revelations that date back before the events of issue #1. Going beyond Boneyard and his three wives, there is a lot of fantasy related stuff waiting to be discovered which further adds depth to Mantra’s struggle (finding a male body to occupy and the ways to leave Eden Blake’s body). The plot really thickened with the revelations and how they turned out is something that you yourselves must pick up a copy of this comic book and read.
Of course, having reviewed issue #12 recently, it is no surprise that the build-up of engagement and suspense in this comic book contributed to its successor. More importantly, by the time you reach the end of this comic book, you will get a deeper understanding of what has been going and what preceded them. Clearly Mike W. Barr made solid preparations and took his time with the revelations just as he kept on telling the present-day story of Mantra.
Like the previous issue, I enjoyed Robb Phipps’ artwork here. If you were disappointed with the cartoony aesthetic of Terry Dodson’s work in issue #10, you will like the expressions as well as the overall style of Phipps.
Conclusion
With a male soul inside the body of Eden Blake, Mantra quickly analyzes the messy situation to find an advantage.
Mantra #11 (1994) is indeed a pretty entertaining and compelling Ultraverse comic book. There is nothing like watching the spectacle happen in between moments of Mantra realizing answers to her questions, and learning new details (including stuff that emphasized how rotten, how wicked and twisted Boneyard truly is as the major villain of not only this particular series but also of the Ultraverse itself) that deepened the narrative for readers.
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Mantra #11 (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the comic book costs $8.
Overall, Mantra #11 (1994) is recommended.
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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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
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 geeks, comic book collectors and fans of the Ultraverse! Some time ago, I reviewed the sixth issue of The Solution and it turned out to be a pretty compelling and fun comic book to read. I was pleasantly surprised by its high quality and presentation, and by the end I found Lela Cho/Tech (the leader of The Solution) to be a very interesting character of the Ultraverse. Clearly the creative duo of James Hudnall (who also wrote Hardcase) and John Statema literally scored a home run with The Solution #6.
As The Solution #6 focused on the background story of Tech, its portrayal of the current-day events was laced with suspense, drama and intrigue that only teased what could happen in the next moment. What else could be told about Lela Cho’s past and what might happen next in the present day? We can find out in this look back at The Solution #7, published in 1994 by Malibu Comics with a story written by Hudnall and drawn by Statema.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins with Lela Cho accompanied by Troy Wilde standing in front of her father’s grave. The two don’t seem to know that they are being spied on from a distance. A group has set up snipers to take them down.
As the two begin to talk, Lela tells Troy details from her past. She recalls that after the sudden death of her father, she could not fully gain the inheritance from her father – the corporation – as its board of directors refused to accept her. As it turned out, a crime gang anticipated her every move and stole her company. To enhance herself, she paid specialists to install wetware implants into her body to make her the mistress of electronic devices.
She arrived in the city of New York already aware that she has been marked by her enemies, and she knew they would come for her. In New York, she meets with Peter Bazinni to seek help. Not only is he a man with many powerful connections, he was also her old flame. While Peter admitted he could not help her in her conflict with the international crime gang, she gives her a reference to another professional who is her best bet. His name was Troy Wilde…
Quality
Discovering the secret locations.
James Hudnall delivered another pretty solid story. It’s got a nice mix of elements here and there. From time to time, I felt like I was reading a detective story, then a murder tale, then a hard action tale and then a hard-edged superhero tale. While this comic book continued on telling the origin of Lela Cho, it shifted focus on the background of Troy Wilde who would eventually join the team with the codename Dropkick. How Lela and Troy first interacted with each other was very carefully crafted with believable dialogue and well-defining personalities from each (as reflected in the way they talked with each other). Another member of The Solution appeared in here is as well.
What surprised me here was the revelation of a certain villainess. At first, she looked like a probably disposable villainess but proved to be more significant than meets the eye. If you get to read the succeeding issues of The Solution, you will realize what I just stated.
As with his past works, John Statema’s art here is pretty good. The good stuff he delivered in issue #6 continued to shine here.
Conclusion
Lela Cho’s ultra ability to hack systems and alter digital stuff would help her fit in nicely with this age of social media and streaming.
The Solution #7 (1994) is not only a worthy follow-up to its predecessor, it is one of the stronger origin-type comic books of the Ultraverse as a whole. While the previous issue was focused mainly on Lela Cho, this one shows Troy Wilde/Dropkick making his first involvement with her as well as the eventual formation of their team. At this stage, the story of how The Solution got formed really took shape here. I should state, however, that the level of engagement fell down a bit compared to the previous issue.
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of The Solution #7 (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the comic book costs $8.
Overall, The Solution #7 (1994) is recommended.
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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 as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com
The City Government of Muntinlupa partners with the Department of Health – Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC) in Bicutan to subsidize the treatment and rehabilitation of indigent drug-dependent residents in the city. Under the agreement, Muntinlupa LGU will be financing the seven-month treatment and aftercare program of first time patients and indigent drug-dependent residents of the city. Shown in the photo: (L-R) City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela, DOH-TRC Financial and Management Officer Esteban Dino, DOH-TRC execs led by Chief of Hospital Dr. Alfonso Villaroman, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac, Coun. Francis Bagatsing, and DAPCO chief PSSUPT Florocito Ragudo (Ret.). (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
In response to the campaign of the National Government against substance abuse, the City Government of Muntinlupa formally partnered with the Department of Health – Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC) in Bicutan to subsidize the treatment and rehabilitation of indigent drug-dependent residents in the city.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed a memorandum of agreement with DOH-TRC execs led by Chief of Hospital Dr. Alfonso Villaroman and other local officials recently at Plaza Central, Poblacion, Muntinlupa City.
Fresnedi hopes that the financial assistance from the City Government will encourage indigent drug dependents in Muntinlupa to seek medical help in resolving the adverse effects of illegal drugs.
Under the agreement, Muntinlupa LGU will be financing the seven-month treatment of first-time patients and indigent drug-dependent residents of Muntinlupa amounting to P26,250.00 per beneficiary.
The City Government shall also shoulder the expenses for the following services: laboratory services (P820.00), drug dependency examination prior to admission and prior to discharge (P1,000.00), and three months Intensive Aftercare Program (P5,400.00). Further, Muntinlupa Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Office (DAPCO) will facilitate the continuation of the aftercare program for beneficiaries following their admission to DOH-TRC Bicutan.
The local aftercare and reintegration program (Mamamayan at Pamilya Laban sa Droga – MAPALAD) consists of livelihood trainings, job placement initiatives, and continuation education in partnership with the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa and Muntinlupa City Technical Institute.
DAPCO targets to cater to at least 150 beneficiaries. Admission of patients to DOH-TRC Bicutan will begin on the second week of January 2021. Interested residents should coordinate with their Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) for assessment to avail the subsidy from the local government.
Other officials attending the MOA signing ceremony were DOH-TRC Financial and Management Officer Esteban Dino, Muntinlupa Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac, City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela, Coun. Francis Bagatsing, and DAPCO chief PSSUPT Florocito Ragudo (Ret.).
Recently, the City Government of Muntinlupa also entered a partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the University Research Company for the implementation of USAID RenewHealth project that aims to strengthen the city’s community-based drug rehabilitation program.
USAID RenewHealth Project seeks to address drug dependency problem by expanding access to evidence-based and culturally-appropriate community-based drug treatment and recovery (CBDR) services.
For more information, the public may coordinate with the Muntinlupa Drug Abuse and Prevention Control Office located Muntinlupa City Hall, G/F Main Building, Putatan with telephone no. 8403-6689 / 8862-2525 loc. 212.
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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.
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 distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the growing South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
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 geeks, comic book collectors and fans of the Ultraverse! Before we revisit the Ultraverse, I should state that I am not a fan of monsters as comic book protagonists, especially when it comes to the superhero genre. In the world of pop culture, a lot of people get fascinated with monsters especially those that are dangerous to people. You got the likes of the Swamp Thing, Dracula, the monster of Frankenstein, the Werewolf, etc.
When it comes to the Ultraverse, they have a monster for a protagonist named Sludge. What I find really intriguing was that Sludge was introduced to readers not by making appearances in existing Ultraverse comic books but by actually being featured in full force in the launch of issue of his own series – Sludge #1.
With those details settled, we can find out if there is something special or unique about the Ultraverse monster in this look back at Sludge #1, published by Malibu Comics in 1993 with a story written by Steve Gerber (who previously worked on Marvel’s Man-Thing) and drawn by Aaron Lopresti.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins in a very low place of Manhattan where society’s substratum meets the crust of the earth. Sludge, a grotesque monster with a human perception and a body made out of slime, slowly walks towards a group of poor and homeless people.
Elsewhere somewhere in the city, a radio talk show host talks to his listeners about Frank Hoag, a detective sergeant who worked for twenty years for the New York Police Department or NYPD. It turns out, Hoag has been missing for the past few weeks and the last thing someone knew about him was that he responded to a call about a break-in at the headquarters of a pharmaceutical firm. The next morning at the said place, company employees spotted signs of violence including blood, bullet holes and shell casings. No sign of the detective.
As the radio talk show host engages his listeners by making an issue out of the disappearance of Hoag, police officers got offended while a gang of armed thugs paid close attention to what was said. As the said gang (riding their car) move down the street of homes, they opened fire at the people.
As the gang’s car moves on, the manhole ahead of them opens. Sludge comes out of it and finds himself right on the path of the moving car…
Quality
This is why you don’t mess with Sludge.
The writing is top-notch and this is no surprise not only because of Steve Gerber’s extensive writing experience but also because he knew how to write a story with a monster as a protagonist which was what he did with Marvel’s Man-Thing. Unlike that other monster, Sludge has intelligence and awareness, therefore he is a monster with humanity still existing within. Very cleverly, Gerber introduced Sludge and notable aspects of him in a very smooth and efficient manner. By the time I finished this reading this comic, I realized that I witnessed Sludge’s first appearance and origin story which were done very nicely. I should also state that Sludge here is not a mere monster but really a struggling character worth following.
For his part, Aaron Lopresti’s art is pretty good. His visualization of Sludge really stands out and he did not pull back his punches when it came to drawing the action and presenting the violence.
Conclusion
Considering his physical state, Sludge coming out of the manhole is justified.
I can say that I am very pleasantly surprised and entertained by what was presented in Sludge #1 (1993). It really is a great monster-protagonist story written by Steve Gerber and his work here really shines. By the time I reached the end of the story, I got eager to look forward to the next issue and find out what Sludge will do next. It is a very engaging read and one of the strongest debut issues of the Ultraverse.
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Sludge #1 (1993), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $8 while the near-mint copy of the ultra-limited edition costs $32.
Overall, Sludge #1 is highly recommended!
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The City Government of Muntinlupa formally introduced a contactless and cashless processing of business applications and payments through the launching of BEST (Business E-payment System), an e-governance innovation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a bid to address the challenges of the pandemic to face-to-face transactions, the City Government, through its partner banks Development Bank of the Philippines and Landbank of the Philippines, formally launched the Business E-payment System (AKA Muntinlupa BEST) yesterday.
The counters where business applicants and taxpayers can do their transactions. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi says the City Government developed the project to adapt to the “new normal” of public service which requires an open government approach and use of digital platforms.
Fresnedi added that through the e-governance initiative, the risk of COVID-19 transmission will also be prevented due to reduced contact of clients and government employees who will process their applications.
Muntinlupa BEST is an online payment alternative that will allow locators in Muntinlupa City to accomplish business permit applications and transactions through any internet-enabled device. Taxpayers can access the online platform via www.muntinlupacity.gov.ph and accomplish transactions including application for New Business Permit, Renewal of Business Permit, Application Status Inquiry, Billing and Payment, and Payment History.
Upon assessment and verification of payment, the Muntinlupa Business Permits and Licensing Office shall endorse an advanced e-copy of the requested permit to the client via email. The total processing time is shortened to around 30 minutes for applications with complete set of requirements.
Clients can schedule the pick-up of original documents or arrange delivery via courier service. The platform also serves as online portal for transactions processed by the Treasury Office which include application and submission of requirements, acquisition of assessment billing, Order of Payment and e-Payment for the convenience of taxpayers.
Payments can be processed through Bancnet and PESONet partner banks or over-the-counter via ECPAY, Bayad Express and 7-Eleven outlets. Taxpayers can now conveniently pay their taxes at their own time and within the safety of their homes.
Safety protocols and high-tech equipment are on place to ensure a safe environment for everyone. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Muntinlupa BEST is facilitated by the city’s BPLO, the Mayor’s Office, the Management Information Systems Office, and the City Treasurer’s Office, Muntinlupa City is a frontrunner in business innovations which include the Single Window Transaction – Muntinlupa Business One Stop Shop. It is an innovative single-interface business registration process consisting of three simple steps with one and the same staff from start to end of the transaction for as fast as fifteen minutes.
Muntinlupa’s initiative in government efficiency has been recognized by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as one of the best practices in the country.
SWiT-MBOSS qualified as a finalist in the 4th International Best Practice Competition (IBPC) organized by the Asian Productivity Organization. Muntinlupa City shared runner up standing with Texas Instruments (Philippines) and City of El Paso, Texas (USA), while tied as the competition’s champions were Al Jazeera International Catering LLC (UAE) and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (UAE).
Further, Muntinlupa City has been adjudged as one of the winners of the Digital Cities Philippines Awards for Best Practices in eGovernance for Local Government Units. In 2018, Muntinlupa bagged the 2nd place in the Best in eGOV Government Inter-operability (G2G) category for its Budget Management and Monitoring System (BMMS) besting 65 entries from 36 LGUs in the country.
Muntinlupa City is the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Most Business-Friendly LGU in 2017 and 2018.
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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.
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