Category: Blog

My Observations: Sigekiya Ramen’s Yokohama Tantanmen

My Observations: Sigekiya Ramen’s Yokohama Tantanmen

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Recently I visited Sigekiya Ramen at Commercenter, Filinvest City, Muntinlupa City and there I tried out their latest ramen called the Tantanmen (full name: Yokohama Tantanmen).

According to the good people of the business, Tantanmen is the newest ramen variant created by their master Mamoru Sugizaki. It comes with a thinner version of Sigekiya’s made-in-store ramen noodles combined with a soup that rich, flavorful and spicy. Also present are some ground meat and a few green vegetables.

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A close look at Sigekiya’s Yokohama Tantanmen.

From my first experience tasting of the soup, I felt this delicious flavor in my mouth. To my surprise, there was spice that was more tolerable than I expected. Normally I go only for Level 1 spice at Sigekiya Ramen and their Tantanmen’s default spice was at around Level 5. As the spice was tolerable, I kept consuming more of the dish and the thinner noodles was nice change. By the time I finished it, I was really satisfied and I truly enjoyed it.

So would I recommend this new dish of Sigekiya to you? Yes! In fact, I highly recommend it! If you love your ramen to be spicy (note: at Sigekiya, you get to customize the spice level), filling and tasty while at the same time you crave for ground meat, then the Yokohama Tantanmen is for you!

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The Tantanmen from above!

Sigekiya’s 3rd anniversary

This month of April, Sigekiya Ramen celebrated its 3rd anniversary and I am happy for them that they made it this far attracting loyal customers as Commercenter keeps on establishing itself as a good venue for shopping, dining and movies in the highly competitive commercial zone of Alabang.

I remember Sigekiya Ramen opened on April 6, 2016. Back in those days, I was already tired of eating ramen served by many other Japanese restaurants which bought their noodles wholesale and just cooked and served those. With Sigekiya, I was already interested to find out how good, how tasty and how unique their ramen would be. A day or two after their opening in 2016, I went inside, sat down and ordered their default ramen. Right from the first serving, I enjoyed their soup and made-in-store noodles (which have a rich texture, is thicker and more ideal to chew than other ramen noodles).

Since then I return to them whenever I can afford their meals (which by the way are made with imported ingredients which explain the high prices). I also enjoy ramen again only this time it’s Sigekiya that is my first choice.

I also wrote about their Tsukemen (my favorite!) and the Gojira Ramen.

If you are interested to try Sigekiya Ramen’s offerings, visit them at the ground floor of Commercenter. Inquiries are accepted by phone at 805-0400.

Kudos to Sigekiya Ramen!

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. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format. 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

 

My Observations: Tahanan Village’s HOA Makes Notable Announcements (April 2019)

My Observations: Tahanan Village’s HOA Makes Notable Announcements (April 2019)

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I recently passed by Tahanan Village in Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City, and apart from their election (which took place on April 6 and 7) for the new directors to form part of the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Tahanan Homeowners Association, Inc. (THA), I learned some important details worth sharing here. These details can help you, especially if you are organizing a homeowners’ association (HOA).

Report by the THA President

On April 1, 2019, or five days before the village election took place, the THA BOD led by their President Augusto Tejada published a report in the form of a 3-page document which I posted below for your viewing pleasure.

It’s a report about what the HOA has been doing for the past year.

The most notable items were:

  1. Continued security of the village provided by Bulldog Security resulting the handling of 31 incidents (examples: disputes between neighbors, dugo-dugo attempts), the limiting of the akyat-bahay incident into just one, and continued foot and bicycle patrols around the village.
  2. Some progress achieved on taming over-speeding vehicles within the village by means of the installation of traffic regulatory signs and speed humps (which were quite expensive to do by the way). There is a need however to acquire speed guns or devices that can help the THA read the speed, plate license and capture images of over-speeding vehicles.
  3. Continued repairs on the concrete road cracks. There is a need however to use a roller to compact asphalt down the concrete cracks and already the THA consulted with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Future developments

The THA’s Directors approved the following projects:

  1. The installation of an ATM (automatic teller machine) within the village, specifically at the area in front of the gazebo near the office gate. Already the association negotiated with Sterling Bank and the casing of the ATM will be deigned by a local architect. Installation schedule is May 2019. If this project is realized, it means villagers do not need to go all the way out of Tahanan Village to withdraw money.
  2. Replacing the current closed circuit television (CCTV) with a more advanced model. This one had to be done because the current model does not have the new functionalities to protect the village from the entry and exit of criminal elements.

But there is more!

For future activities, the THA announced it will be organizing the Tahanan LIFEBLOOD ’19 Love Life – Give Blood Program which is in partnership with Red Cross. This will take place on June 1, 2019 (Saturday, 9AM to 3PM) at the village’s multi-purpose hall and it is open to all homeowners, relatives, staff and friends. Minimum age requirement is 16 years.

The activity’s purpose is to create a supply of fresh blood needed for emergencies within the community, especially if accidents, surgeries, Dengvaxia-related cases, Dengue cases and other unfortunate events happen.

Those who are willing to donate blood should contact the THA’s main office by calling 842-5955 (Weng) or 09175351072 (Dr. Maricar Silva) or 09178155679 (Richard Estuesta).

That’s all for today for community news. I end this post with the 3-page report by THA President Tejada.

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A Look Back At Fantastic Four #375 (1993)

A Look Back At Fantastic Four #375 (1993)

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When it comes to cinema, Marvel’s Fantastic Four has yet to achieve greatness commercially and critically. Already four movies were made and the last one released in 2015 was so terrible, I felt that the Fantastic Four brand suffered.

Truly the best way to enjoy the stories of Fantastic Four is in the comic books with a long bridge connecting to its past. Through the decades no doubt. Like any other comic book series, Fantastic Four had its high points, low points as well the unusual or intriguing stuff.

Today we take a close look at Fantastic Four #375.

Released in 1993 by Marvel Comics at a prize of $2.95, Fantastic Four #375 came with a foil cover which shines under direct light. The gimmick cover, which was part of the trend of the 1990s, had that “Bling!” visual effect when the brightest light is used on it.

Written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Paul Ryan, the comic book follows the Fantastic Four with Lyja and Sharon who find themselves suddenly transported into space inside a facility with Uatu, the Watcher. They learned from Uata that their mortal enemy Doctor Doom usurped the power of a renegade Watcher called Aron. Uatu expressed that Doom has grown into a greater threat.

The Fantastic Four and their companions split up in an attempt to find Doom before it is too late.

Storywise, the splitting of the protagonists allowed some notable character development moments to happen. I liked the scene wherein Sharon tries to comfort Ben (The Thing) whose solid face got damaged by Wolverine during a very recent encounter (told in Fantastic Four #374) which makes him vulnerable to excruciating pain when he gets hit on the soft spots. Johnny Storm meanwhile deals with the Skrull woman Lyja whom he has a conflict with. And then there is Reed Richards with wife Sue struggling with some issues as they work together.

Sue said to Richard: I can’t believe that you allowed the Watcher to buffalo you into fighting his battle especially since Johnny is still wanted by the police back on Earth!

When they finally confront Doom, there was this division between them.

Richard: Susan! We must protect the optimizer at all costs!

Sue: Then you guard it! If he’s hurt my brother, Doom is mine!

When it comes to quality, the story can be hard to grasp if you missed out on the previous issues. This was because the conflicts between the characters clearly started from some time back. Also it was interesting to see the Inhumans in the mix.

On spectacle, there is a lot of action to satisfy readers. As this was released in 1993, the 1990s superhero trends were unsurprisingly present such as those large futuristic guns and excess pouches/pockets. While they do make sense in the context of the story, the use of guns by key members of the Fantastic Four (which is reflective of the decade of the comic book’s release) can be alienating to any Fantastic Four fan who has gotten used to seeing the team NOT using such weapons.

Artist Paul Ryan, for the most part, delivered serviceable visuals and clearly tried his best to add impact on the action scenes.

Overall, Fantastic Four #375 delivers some temporary fun. Is it a very memorable Fantastic Four story? Absolutely not. Is it a must-read or a must-buy for new comic book collectors? Not really. In my opinion, the most engaging feature of the comic book is just its shiny cover. Once readers get past the cover and immerse themselves into the story, they won’t got much value in return other than temporary fun.

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The cover with the “Bling!” visual effect under bright light!

 If you find Fantastic Four #375 at a bargain bin for less than $1, then it would be a good purchase. Don’t pay any higher than $1 for it.

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. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format. 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

My Observations: Las Piñas Is Modernizing Public Transportation With Electric Tricycles (E-Trikes)

My Observations: Las Piñas Is Modernizing Public Transportation With Electric Tricycles (E-Trikes)

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In recent times the City Government of Las Piñas headed by its Mayor Imelda “Mel” Aguilar has been making a lot of progress with modernizing public transportation within its jurisdiction by releasing to local tricycle drivers and operators electric tricycle (e-trike) units that they received from the Department of Energy (DOE).

The DOE donated 100 e-trikes to Las Piñas which in turn coordinated with the varied tricycle operators from the city’s twenty barangays. On April 5, 2019, the City Government’s Facebook page posted pictures of its most recent turnover of e-trikes to specific operators. Posted below is one of them.

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Las Piñas City Government officials with the recipients in a turnover ceremony at City Hall. (photo by Shawnette Ramos for City of Las Piñas Facebook page)

Right below is a picture of electric tricycle units that I photographed during my visit at Las Piñas City Hall.

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From my visit at Las Piñas City Hall.

The future of local public transportation in the city is looking bright. Once these electric tricycles go into full operation, the following is expected to happen:

  1. A more comfortable ride for passengers thanks to the new tricycle design. The e-trike is one whole unit (versus the motorcycle linked with a passenger-carrying unit of the old tricycle design).
  2. Reduction on noise pollution because there is no fuel-based engine.
  3. Reduction on air pollution because there is no fuel-based engine and no exhaust.
  4. Complete avoidance on spending money on fuel which by the liter, as of this writing, is expensive. Recharging, not refueling, is the way for E-Trike operators to recover and keep operating the next day.

Think about it carefully. E-Trikes can bring passengers through the quiet villages more safely, quieter and without adding anymore air pollution that would affect families at their homes.

Now that the benefits of E-Trikes have been discussed, it’s time to take a close look as to how these positive developments in Las Piñas happened in the first place.

The answer is City Ordinance Number 1536-18 (Series of 2018). and below is a summary of the details written on it.

The Ordinance

Formally titled “An Ordinance Allowing The Operation of E-Trike in The City of Las Pinas and Providing Guideliness Thereto.”, with “E-Trike Ordinance” as the shorter title, City Ordinance Number 1536-18 (Series of 2018) was approved by the City Council and Mayor Aguilar on May 28, 2018. As written on the Ordinance, it was deemed that the adoption of the e-trike project is a necessary step in combating unreasonable high oil prices and ending dependency on oil. The E-Trike was viewed to be eco-friendly, noise-free and air pollution-free. It has the potential to generate higher income for operators and even create new jobs.

Section 2 of the Ordinance states: The City of Las Pinas fully supports the national government’s e-tricle project. It is also committed in enforcing the applicable provisions of the Clean Air Act and in addressing community concerns about high oil prices, pollution and health hazard as well as in providing new job opportunities.

Section 4 (E-trike Franchise Grant) legalizes the use of electric tricycles within the territorial jurisdiction of the city. For this purpose, one hundred units of three-wheeled electric power driven vehicle or e-trike shall be granted franchise by the City of Las Pinas through the Sangguniang Panglunsod.

Section 5 (Guidelines) states that no e-trike franchise shall be granted unless the unit utilizes environmental-friendly batteries as determined by the Environment and Natural Resources Office, has an on-board charger and is deemed roadworthy while also possessing the required safety features.

The individual applicant is an actual resident and registered voter of the city. The transport cooperative may be granted in its name up to five franchises subject to compliance with the qualification requirements of the drivers.

For E-Trike Rent-To-Own Program or variations thereof and/or meanwhile that the ownership of the unit is not yet fully transferred to the intended buyer, a provisional franchise may be granted in favor of the proponent. Provided, that the qualification requirements of the intended buyers or drivers of the vehicle are complied with.

Section 6 (Parts Availability) – the proponent shall make available within the city such parts as may be needed for the continued operation of the E-Trike.

Section 7 (Charging Stations) – charging stations shall be established in strategic public places in the city. For the total franchises herein fixed, no less than two charging stations shall be required of the proponents to establish. In this regard, not all contemplated franchises shall be issued by the Sangguniang Panglunsod unless the establishment of the charging stations is assured or completed.

Section 8 (Incentives) – Franchisees shall be granted a 50% discount on all fees applicable to trimobiles specifically the franchise fee, the annual supervision fee, the mayor’s permit fee, the legal research fee, the sticker fee and the police inspection fee.

If you wish to obtain copies of the Ordinance, visit City Hall.

Conclusion

With the E-Trike Ordinance in full force, Las Piñas City is clearly on its way forward with modernizing public transportation within its jurisdiction using electric tricycles which serve passengers traveling between the important city roads and the villages.

As far as South Metro Manila is concerned, Las Piñas has joined the electric vehicle bandwagon with Muntinlupa City (which has e-trikes and electric jeepneys already for years) for public transportation.

The City of Parañaque meanwhile remains behind. Last time I checked at Parañaque City Hall, they don’t even have a draft ordinance needed to legalize the use of electric vehicles for public transportation.

Speaking of Parañaque, I can’t forget the embarrassing failed launch of the electric tricycle project of the BF Federation of Homeowner Associations, Inc. (BFFHAI) of 2016. From the way things looked back then, BFFHAI failed to verify if Parañaque (which occupies a huge portion of BF Homes subdivision) had any ordinance legalizing the use of electric vehicles for public transportation. Back then, Las Piñas (which occupies another large portion of BF Homes subdivision) obviously did not have a similar ordinance.

Right now in South Metro Manila, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa are leading the way for public commuters with electric vehicles.

Darna No More

Darna No More

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It’s all over the news here in the Philippines. Actress Liza Soberano will no longer be playing Philippine pop culture icon Darna as she withdrew herself from the long-delayed movie superhero movie project. The network ABS-CBN (which controls movie company Star Cinema) confirmed the withdrawal.

“I have decided to withdraw from the project of Darna,” Soberano said in an interview.

It is no secret that the Philippines is a hot market of moviegoers who pay a lot of money to enjoy the latest superhero movies from Hollywood and so far Philippines-made superhero productions just cannot keep up with those foreign productions in terms of quality and entertainment value. This is why local production companies prefer to play it safe by making superhero (or superhero-inspired) productions in the form of TV series or anything that has nothing to do with movies.

The Darna movie project, which was first announced in 2014, was perceived to be a project of hope for Philippine superhero passion. Soberano was announced in 2017 as the new actress to play Darna and she even went as far as promoting the character and the movie project by gracing the 2017 edition of the annual Toycon which back then had a booth of Darna and other Philippine superheroes created by the late Mars Ravelo. Back then there was a lot of hope that the movie project will indeed push through and possibly break new ground for Philippine-made superhero movies.

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A figure of Darna which I photographed during my visit of the Mars Ravelo superheroes booth at the 2017 Toycon.

But then, as I observed, the years passed by and there were very few updates of the Darna movie project made. Today’s news of Soberano’s withdrawal from the project is not only the latest development, it is also the saddest not just for Darna fans but for the actress herself.

During her interview, Soberano revealed that she had injured her finger (finger bones got crushed) due to an incident and as a result she went back and forth to medical professionals to fix her problem. She even had surgery twice and due to the lack of a breakthrough, she decided to back out from Darna as her injury would have hindered her from doing stunts properly. As she kept on doing physical training subsequently, she noticed limited motions with her hand and her grip was nowhere as good as it was before.

Soberano confirmed that already she and the film crew shot some scenes with her playing Narda, the alter ego of Darna. Those scenes were shot when Erik Matti was still the director. Due to reported creative differences, Matti left the project on October 2018 which was quite a blow to the already troubled Darna movie project. On November 2018, the film went through creative revisions with new director Jerrold Tarog on board. Clearly the Darna woes were not limited to Soberano.

Letting go of the Darna role was very painful for Soberano and she knew a lot of fans were looking up to her and the dream project. You can how painful it is to her during the last 21 seconds of the video interview below.

Now that she is gone, the filmmakers now have a new problem of finding a replacement. The movie company insists that the Darna project is still in the works.

Still there are lots of unanswered questions about the Darna movie. While it is still an active project, how much money was spent during the time Soberano worked on it? How much footage was filmed already? What special effects experts have they hired to ensure the movie would be spectacular? Will the movie be a superhero origin story? Will the Darna movie be an official entry in a future edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival? What can the Darna movie offer Filipino moviegoers who have already been entertained with movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Cinematic Universe?

With Soberano gone, the future of the Darna movie – as well as the future of Philippine-made superhero movies in general – remains very uncertain.

The latest Darna news is quite saddening for the people anticipating it but actress Liza Soberano achieved something big that had NOTHING to do with the Philippine superhero – achieving box office success with Alone/Together which grossed a few hundred million pesos in ticket sales as of March.

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. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format. 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

Carlo Carrasco’s Movie Review: Shazam!

Carlo Carrasco’s Movie Review: Shazam!

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I’ll just say it out loud – I had a lot of fun watching Shazam! at the local cinema today. I’m not even a fan of the character Shazam/Captain Marvel (as he was called prior to Marvel’s legal takeover of the name) and still I enjoyed watching the movie. I rarely watch comedies in the cinema but I still had a lot of fun with Shazam!

Whatever challenges the filmmakers led by director David F. Sandberg faced, they succeeded in making their movie fun, action-packed and more importantly telling a story with a lot of heart with the main characters. It also proved crucial that Warner Bros. marketing team did not spoil the pleasant surprise the movie had all along and that surprise alone is already worth the price of admission.

Shazam! introduces moviegoers to Billy Batson who has moved away from multiple homes as he searches for his mother whom he got separated from as a child. At the new family he moved into, he meets Freddy Freeman who lives with a disability. Things change when Billy meets an aging wizard named Shazam and gains his power. By simply saying the wizard’s name, lightning strikes Billy to become the muscular, adult caped superhero. Along the way an obsessed Dr. Sivana rises with a lust for power which only means trouble for the Billy Batson/Shazam and his friends.

Why is storytelling a success in this movie? Answer – it was done with a lot of heart and director Sandberg succeeded in getting very strong performances from the cast. You will really sympathize with Asher Angel as Billy Batson who lives with a missing link in his personal life and often finds himself lonely. This is a movie about a teenager who does not aspire to become a superhero at all but rather find his mother anyway he could. The superhero aspect of the film is an extension (but a very significant one) of that core concept.

In terms of storytelling tone, Shazam! looks so much like a comedy based on the way it was marketed but rest assured the movie is not a dominant comedy at all. In fact it has a lot of dramatic scenes and even some horror elements spread around. Darkness? There is some of that by means of horror elements. Grit? Very little of it too. Cynicism? Non-existent. Clearly the DC Cinematic Universe under the leadership of Warner Bros. executive Walter Hamada continues to move away from the darkness, the grit and cynicism of Zack Snyder’s influence and for me that is a good thing.

In terms of performances, this film has a lot of good acts. While Asher Angel excelled as Billy Batson, Zachary Levi truly brought Shazam/Captain Marvel to life on the big screen. Not only does he really look like the superhero (as if he was ripped straight from the comic books), Levi was successful in playing his character with the act and mindset of a teenage boy. Jack Dylan Grazer was pretty engaging as Freddy Freeman (who is the in-movie geek and superhero culture researcher) and so was Mark Strong as Dr. Sivana. The other cast members like Grace Fulton, Ian Chen and Faithe Herman were good players as well. To sum it up, the quality of performances from the cast is varied and at the same time of good quality and nice artistry. From drama to humor, these cast members really pulled it off.

Shazam! was made to tell a compelling story that can be taken seriously while at the same time it delivered the humor and spectacle to satisfy moviegoers who want their superhero cinema experience to be enjoyable. When it comes to weaknesses, I say that the first twenty minutes was kinda slow. While the film is indeed very wholesome, the horrific imagery of the monsters can scare little kids and compel their parents to cover their eyes.

As a superhero comedy, it definitely is a more fun to watch than any of the Deadpool movies. As a superhero spectacle, Shazam! is quite comparable not only with DC Cinematic Universe movies but also with other humor-laced superhero movies from Marvel Studios. As a DC Cinematic Universe movie, Shazam! is 3rd best to Wonder Woman.

Given its high amount of fun, engaging storytelling, good comedy and solid performances, Shazam! is highly recommended! I urge you to watch it as soon as you can and for the best visual experience, I recommended watching it on an IMAX screen if you can afford it. Shazam! is a lot of fun and you will love it! Very clearly the DC Cinematic Universe continues to improve and its future under Warner Bros. and Walter Hamada looks very bright!

For your enjoyment, posted below are some videos related to Shazam.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article to be engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format. 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.

 

 

 

 

 

My Observations: Summer Swimming Lessons in Alabang Hills Village to Start April 10

My Observations: Summer Swimming Lessons in Alabang Hills Village to Start April 10

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The Alabang Hills Village Association, Inc. (AHVA) announced that a series of summer swimming lessons will be held at the Alabang Hills Village (Muntinlupa City) swimming pool starting April 10, 2019.

The program is the result of their partnership with Optimum Sports.

There are four levels of swimming lessons as follows:

Level 1 – Toddlers (3-years-old to 5-years and 11 months old) which is P5,000 good for ten sessions.

Level 2 – Beginners (6-years-old and above) which is P4,500 good for ten sessions.

Level 3 – Advance (6-years-old and above) which is P4,500 good for ten sessions.

Level 4 – Adult (18-years-old and above) which is P4,500 good for ten sessions.

Schedule for all the levels is Tuesday to Saturday 8AM to 10AM and 3PM to 6PM each day.

The pool fee is P750 for residents and P1,000 for non-residents.

To list up, you have to visit the AHVA clubhouse to fill-up and sign the registration form and pay the fees to the cashier.

All inquiries are to be directed to Donnabelle Carabuena at 850-8254 and 850-9631.

These details are sourced from the AHVA March 25, 2019 announcement signed by their director for socials, sports and youth – Cynthia Manalo.

 

 

 

TRI-Factor Asian Series Run-Bike-Run 2019 National Duathlon Championship In The News (April 2019)

TRI-Factor Asian Series Run-Bike-Run 2019 National Duathlon Championship In The News (April 2019)

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The TRI-Factor Asian Series Run-Bike-Run 2019 National Duathlon Championship made it in the sports news yesterday and below are the publications that printed the post-race story.

Philippine Star

Manila Standard

The Freeman 

Cebu Daily News

Malaya Business Insight

People’s Journal

People’s Tonight

Tempo

Business Mirror

Manila Times

Sun.Star Cebu

Congratulations to the winners and finishers and also thanks to the supporters who made the race possible. Remember the multi-sport franchise name TRI-Factor.

 

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE: Chicano tops TRI-Factor National Duathlon Championship in Clark

PRESS RELEASE: Chicano tops TRI-Factor National Duathlon Championship in Clark

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Chicano tops TRI-Factor National Duathlon Championship in Clark

Clark, Philippines – March 31, 2019 – Hard work, dedication and strategies paid off well for John Chicano and Phoebe Kee as they topped the inaugural TRI-Factor Asian Series Run-Bike-Run 2019 National Duathlon Championship held this morning in Clark.

For the Elite Male (Standard Distance 10 Km run – 40 Km bike – 5 Km run) title, Chicano led all the way from run 1 with no letup in the grueling 40-km bike and cross the finish line in 1 hour, 58 minutes and 24 seconds almost a minute ahead of surging Emmanuel Commendador (1:59:21) and Singapore’s mien Mau Lim (1:59:33).

Among the ladies in the event organized by TRI-Factor Philippines and co-presented by Clark Development Corporation (CDC), the Bases Conversion & Development Authority (BCDA) and the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and supported by Cignal and Oakley, Phoebe Kee of Singapore coasted to a surprisingly easy victory clocking 2:20:53. She defeated former junior champion Jelsie Sabado and national standout Mirasol Abad finished 2nd and 3rd timing 2:22:15 and 2:25:06 respectively.

Other Standard Distance champions declared were Chrissa Borja and Carl Gutierrez (20-29), Jayline Balatibat and Dan Concepcion, jr. (30-39), Martes Christabel and Rene Tayag (40-49) and Jojo Macalintal (Male 50-above).

The Sprint Distance (5 Km run – 20 Km bike – 2.5 Km run) champions meanwhile were Mary Joy Trupa and Kim Remolino (Elite), Angelo Quitlong and Erika Nicole Burgos (16-19), Celina Constantino and Reymart Songco (20-29), Noelle Frances De Guzman and Stephen Zarate (30-39), Jonalyn Unlayao and Alexander Luterio (40-49).

Super Sprint Distance (2.5 Km run – 10 Km bike – 2.5 Km run) champions: Moira Erediano and Matthew Hermosa (19-below), Jena Valdez (Female 20-above), Ryan Laurino (20-29), and Marc Dela Cruz (30-39).

For complete race results, visit https://trifactor.ph or TRI-Factor Philippines’ Facebook page.

 

Adam’s Rebellion Towards God Is The Root Cause of All The Chaos And Suffering of The World

Adam’s Rebellion Towards God Is The Root Cause of All The Chaos And Suffering of The World

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We all live in a world that is often problematic and we share the pain of living in it. Were you able to randomly watch the news on cable TV or through social media? There is always some sort of intrigue or bad news happening around the world like political strife, social division, economic collapse, civil war, military strikes and the like. There were times that watching or reading news became so depressing, I myself decided to avoid the news temporarily to get some much-needed peace of mind. Staying away from the global chaos magnified by giant media also allowed me to set my priorities straight and do something better. The best way to recover from the magnified chaos is to read the Holy Bible and keep learning about God’s Word.

Whether we like it or not, global chaos is a part of our lives. It does not matter if the problems happened near us or far away from us. The fact is those unfortunate developments just happen creating a huge temptation for giant media entities to focus on in order to attract viewers/readers and convince advertisers to support their “journalism” by buying advertising space or airtime. Sad to say, there is money to be maid out of people’s misery and suffering.

It cannot be denied that all the chaos, all the suffering and all the problems the whole world has been going through started thousands of years ago when Adam rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden. This factual event, recorded in the Book of Genesis in the Holy Bible, is often referred to as the Fall of Man and it was emphasized heavily during a Sunday worship service I attended at our church. The teaching of this event struck me deeply.

The Fall of Man

To put things in perspective, you have to go to Genesis chapter 2, verses 8 to 10 (Genesis 2: 8-10) in the Holy Bible. It states:

The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads.

Genesis 2: 8-10 clearly explains the establishment of the garden which also has both the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was also explained what God planned for the garden involving man who is actually Adam.

This brings us to Genesis 2: 15-17 which states:

Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

God placed Adam in charge of the garden of Eden and this shows He trusted him to do the job to take care of it. God also made clear to Adam that it is forbidden to eat a fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and that a severe consequence will happen if he violates His command. There is no denying that Adam was commanded.

As many of us know already, God gave Adam a companion in the form of a woman named Eve. God stated “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2: 18) So God took a rib from Adam and formed Eve (who was named by Adam after the fall of man).

Some time later, the Temptation and Fall of Man took place as recorded in the entire Genesis Chapter 3 and it happened gradually.

Firstly, Eve encountered the serpent (the evil one) who communicated with her and deceived her into eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In response to Eve’s mentioning that she and Adam were forbidden to eat from that particular tree, the serpent told her “You will surely not die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3: 1-5)

Secondly, Eve saw the tree of knowledge and found it to be pleasant to her eyes. She took a fruit from it and ate. Then she gave to Adam who ate it as well committing rebellion against God who previously commanded him to never eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Thus the fall of man started. (Genesis 3: 6)

As a result, Adam and Eve realized they were naked and got ashamed of it they went on to cover themselves with sewed fig leaves. Then God arrived and noticed Adam and Eve hiding.

After hearing Adam’s response to His inquiry and confirmation that he was afraid, God said “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3: 11)

Adam pointed to Eve as the giver of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve then pointed to the serpent that deceived her into eating the fruit. God then established enmity between the serpent and the woman.

To Eve, God declared he will multiply her sorrow and conception and that in pain she shall bring forth children. Her desire shall be for her husband who will rule over her.

To Adam, who rebelled by eating the fruit already knowing what God commanded him back in Genesis 2: 15-17, God stated (Genesis 3: 17-19):

Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:

Cursed is the ground for your sake;

In toil you shall eat of it

All the days of your life.

Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,

And you shall eat the herb of the field,

In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread

Till you return to the ground,

For out of it you were taken;

For dust you are,

And to dust you shall return.

After being clothed by God, Adam and Eve eventually left the garden of Eden and the presence of the cherubim wielding a zigzagging sword (that certainly would cause death) at the east of the same garden ensured that they would not be allowed access to the tree of life. Given their impure status, God’s decision of sending them out was made.

The lesson about Adam’s rebellion towards God impacted me, corrected what was wrongly taught to me

Long ago in my old life, I was in a high school in Paranaque. At age 13, my classmates and I were taught during class that Eve was fully responsible for the fall of man for she allowed herself to be tempted and be deceived by the serpent to eat from the tree of knowledge. Adam was hardly mentioned in the class session of that day as far as I can remember because attention was focused on Eve.

Unsurprisingly, there were voices near me stating “It’s all Eve’s fault!”, “She caused original sin!” and “We all became sinners because of Eve.”

Going back to that day decades ago, I remember clearly that our teacher did NOT point out God’s command to Adam as recorded in Genesis 2: 15-17. As such Adam’s rebellion was NEVER EMPHASIZED in class.

To learn about Adam’s rebellion during our church’s Sunday worship service was more than just an eye-opener or a mind-opener. It completely changed my perception of the fall of man as well as the chaos, the problems and turmoil that our world endured. I strongly admire a fellow sister at our church who preached the lesson.

Now that this essential lesson is made clear, it is recommended that you, the reader, take time out to read the Holy Bible to do your own research about Adam’s rebellion. You want to help other people especially the lost souls around you? Preach the truth to them and help them find direction to the Kingdom of Light.

Impact of the Fall of Man

Adam’s rebellion towards God had major implication on the whole world even up to this day. Famine, war, assassination, crime, scandals, smuggling and plundering are just some of the multiple unfortunate events that affect many people in more ways than one.

The fall of man as recorded in Genesis 3: 16-24 clearly shows that disobeying God means man will lose his dominion under Him. Everything of his delegated realm (Earth) comes under a curse as his relationship with God is severed.

It is no wonder why until now so many unfortunate events happen worldwide. Even if these events took place far away from you, you somehow will get affected by it through cable TV news feed, YouTube videos or social media posts that get shared with you. In other words, these distant unfortunate events can affect your perception and worse they can take your attention away from the Word of God. All the more reason why we all need to have our Holy Bibles with us to read, understand and apply into our lives.

There are many unfortunate events that can distract you like the collapse of Venezuela. Even turmoil from the past can affect you like the socio-economic-political turmoil caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 or how World War I and World War II caused the deaths of many millions of lives and global destruction. Before the Iran-Contra Scandal of the 1980s broke out in the news, multiple men, women and children in Nicaragua got tortured and killed by the Contras. And then there are those “small-time” incidents of conflicting personalities like the 2018 clash between a political commentator and a US senator in front of reporters who in turn reported the incident as “news”.

Lord Jesus saved us from Adam’s Rebellion

Worldly unfortunate events aside, humanity went through several trials, errors and suffering as recorded in the Holy Bible. Look at how much suffering the Hebrews endured under the rule of Egypt as recorded in the Book of Exodus. It took the ultimate sacrifice and victory of our Lord Jesus Christ to redeem humanity from the rebellion of Adam (refer to Hebrews 2: 14-15, Romans 8: 38-39, John 11: 25, Romans 6: 3-5, Galatians 3: 13 and Revelation 20: 6). These events recorded in the Bible clearly show that Jesus is indeed the Eternal Savior and the Definitive Redeemer of humanity.

As such, as part of maintaining strong faith to the Lord, we must never give in to the spirit of rebellion, never be disobedient to God and never give in to the mystery of lawlessness. For the said mystery, learn from the amplified version of 2 Thessalonians 2: 7 which states:

For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way.

We must also realize that it is not God’s will to see his believers suffer or be distressed (caused by the acts of going on with their own ways after God saved them as told in Psalm 107: 1-14 which also reveals people’s rebellion against Him).

The lesson is very clear. Rebelling against the Lord is itself forbidden as it truly led to suffering, distress and death. We who are faithful to the Lord should never forget the truth from the Holy Bible about Adam’s rebellion and Jesus Christ’s ultimate victory of saving humanity from the fall of man.

God’s Plan and Redemption by Jesus

Truly God has a plan for each and every soul He created and those plans were already written even before people got born in the flesh. To be redeemed through Jesus is part of God’s plan and in order to realize it, one must have faith in the Lord who Himself rewards the faithful abundantly. We are also the Lord’s workmanship and there is no doubt that God is the Master Designer! Learn from the following scriptures:

As written in Jeremiah 29: 11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

As written in Acts 16: 31

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.

As written in Ephesians 2: 10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

You need to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ if you want to be saved and be spared from the chaos that originally started with Adam’s rebellion. You still have hope and all it takes is to believe in the Son of God and reforming yourself deep inside. Learn from the following scriptures.

As written in John 3: 16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Finally, as written in John 3: 3

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

If you have not read the Holy Bible recently, I encourage you to do it now and don’t forget to open your heart to the Lord. Pray to Him and always be faithful. Hope for renewal is real and you can be saved by the Lord by believing in Him and by being faithful. Jesus is truly alive and you only need to believe in Him.

If you seek salvation now, learn that the first step is to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.

Then pray this simple prayer in sincerity from your heart:

Dear God,

I believe that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross to pay the penalty of my sins. I believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that He is alive! Right now I call on the name of Jesus. Jesus, come into my heart. I receive You as my personal Lord and Savior. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me by the power of Your blood. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life! Help me now to follow Your plan for my life. Amen.

Congratulations, reader! You are now a child of God! Praise the Lord and always be faithful to Him! The Holy Spirit is in you.

 

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