Author Carlo Carrasco

National Duathlon Championships 2025 set for October 19 at Villar City, registration ongoing

August 9, 2025August 8, 2025carlocarrasco

Calling all the multisport enthusiasts, cyclists and runners! The National Duathlon Championships 2025 will be held on October 19 at Villar City in Cavite. As of this writing, online registration is ongoing.

For your reference, posted below are key details of the special event by Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) supported by venue partner Villar City, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Gatorade, Western Guaranty Corporation and RaceYa:

Race Distances

Elite and Junior Elite: 5k run1 20km bike 2.5km run2

STK-Dua:

6 yrs. old & under – 400m run1 1k bike 200m run2

7- 8 yrs. old – 800m run1 2km bike 400m run2

9-10 yrs. old – 1km run1 6km bike 500m run2

11-12yrs. Old – 2km run1 8km bike 1km run2

U15 (Youth 13-15yrs. Old): 3km run1 10km bike 1.5km run2

Sprint Age Group (16 & above): 5km run1 20km bike 2.5km run2

ENTRY FEES

STK- Dua (6 -12 years old)

Regular Registration July 26 to August 20, 2025: Php3,000

Late Registration August 21 to 31, 2025: Php4,000

U15 (Youth 13-15 years old)

Regular Registration July 26 to August 20, 2025: Php3,500

Late Registration August 21 to 31, 2025: Php4,500

Age Group Sprint (Men and Women)

Regular Registration July 26 to August 20, 2025: Php3,500

Late Registration August 21 to 31, 2025: Php4,500

In order to register successfully, users should sign up for a RaceYa account by visiting https://raceya.fit/. Deadline for registration is August 31, 2025 or until all slots are filled.

To register for the National Duathlon Championships 2025, click https://register.raceya.fit/event/ndc2025. To receive more local triathlon and multisport updates, visit https://www.facebook.com/TriPhil.

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

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

Philippine Economy Grew by 5.5% in 2nd Quarter of 2025

August 9, 2025August 7, 2025carlocarrasco

The economy of the Philippines expanded by 5.5% during the 2^nd quarter of 2025, according to a GMA Network news report. Among the factors are strong 2^nd quarter gains by the agriculture, forestry, fishing, industry and services sectors.

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

The Philippine economy grew marginally quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter of 2025 amid the growth seen in services, agriculture, and industry sectors, and posted a deceleration from the same period last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) — the value of goods and services produced in a period — grew slightly faster by 5.5% in the April to June 2025 compared to the 5.4% growth seen in the January to March 2025 period, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa reported at a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday.

The second quarter GDP growth was the fastest in four quarters, however, it was still slower than the 6.5% growth rate in the same period in 2024.

All major economic sectors posted annual growth during the quarter — agriculture, forestry, and fishing with 7.0%, industry with 2.1%, and services with 6.9%.

The PSA attributed the year-on-year growth to wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles with 5.1%; public administration and defense, and compulsory social security with 12.8%; and financial and insurance activities with 5.6%.

Fixed capital investments climbed 2.6%, led by private construction which grew 11.2%, and investments in durable equipment up 10.6%.

Government spending posted an 8.7% growth rate during the quarter, slower than the 18.7% seen in the first quarter, which Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan attributed to the election spending ban.

“We expect to maintain that momentum in the spending side. I think that the next half, the second half of the year, you should see improvements in the construction, public construction spending,” he said in a briefing.

While the election spending ban hit government spending, officials said the campaigns boosted household spending which grew by 9.5%, faster than the 5.29% in the previous quarter, and the 5.4% in the second quarter of 2024.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines will be able to accelerate to achieve 6% gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the entire year?

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 Action Comics #550 (1983)

August 8, 2025August 5, 2025carlocarrasco

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, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, DC Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1983 to take a close look at a part of the DC Comics universe through a tale of the Action Comics monthly series.

If there is anything notable about the presentation of superhero elements in Superman stories, it is the occasional use of science fiction. From time to time, DC Comics published tales of Superman going deep into space, encounter alien species and visit far-away civilizations. Sometimes, sci-fi is used on major disasters that Superman has to solve.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Action Comics #550, published in 1983 by DC Comics with a story written by E. Nelson Bridwell and Bob Rozakis, and drawn by George Tuska.

Early story

The story begins with Clark Kent and Lana Lang presenting television news at the WGBS station telling viewers about The Exploder who attacked a large jumbo jet full of people. As the program continues, breaking news about an enormous underwater eruption north of New Guinea came in.

Shortly after, Clark quickly and discreetly left the station to fly overseas as Superman. By visiting the site of the reported underwater eruption, he notices the entire New Guinea drifting southward. Superman is compelled to go deep underwater to prevent the nation from drifting further and he also realized there is no volcano that caused the blast.

Quality

*Superman goes to outer space to find answers behind the events that took place on Earth.*

This is a Superman tale that does not have the traditional good-versus-evil element of conflict. Instead, it is a sci-fi story that started with solid mystery causing the Man of Steel to do research and detective work to find answers.

The comic book writers behind this were really good in pushing Superman hard on his search for answers to solve mysteries that were really out of this world. Lana Lang’s father appears here as a long-time archaeologist who successfully discovered an ancient artifact described as a so-called disk. The plot turned intense when The Exploder suddenly emerged to take the disk away which unsurprisingly pushed Superman to not only react but also get answers.

I like the fact that as Superman does detective work, Lana Lang and Jimmy Olsen contributed nicely to the plot. At the same time, the mystery and tension really built up as the story went along and the payoff the comic book creators came up with is surprising and also worth it.

Without spoiling the plot, I can say that this Superman tale has its own twists on the concept of UFOs and alien that happen to have special interest on Earth. At the same time, you will realize how dedicated Superman is to protecting the people of Earth and why he would not tolerate aliens who actions would jeopardize billions of lives.

Conclusion

*I liked the interactions Clark had with Lana Lang as he tries to solve mysteries.*

While Action Comics #550 (1983) does not have a super villain for Superman to battle, you will still see him doing good, solving mysteries and prioritizing Earth’s people. The sci-fi concept the creators came up with looked outlandish on face value but when you read the story and pay close attention to all the details, you will realize that the story is actually believable. I also like the mystery aspect which gave the plot a good amount of depth.

Overall, Action Comics #550 (1983) is recommended.

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SBA Rescinds USAID Contracting Authority Following $550 Million Bribery Scandal

August 8, 2025August 6, 2025carlocarrasco

Following the huge $550 million bribery scandal involving an officer of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and two contractors, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced its decision to rescind the independent contracting authority of the agency, according to press release published through Fox2Now.com.

For the newcomers reading this, the USAID global scandal happened months ago and there was a list of overseas projects of questionable and wrongful purposes that were funded with American taxpayers’ money. USAID has formally shut down and was incorporated into the State Department. The latest USAID scandal that involved bribery had four people pleading guilty.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the press release published through Fox2Now.com. Some parts in boldface.

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced its decision to rescind the independent 8(a) contracting authority of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The decision comes after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) uncovered a massive $550 million bribery scandal involving a USAID contracting officer and two 8(a) contractors. Last fiscal year, USAID obligated $3.6 billion through SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program.

“Under the Trump Administration, the SBA will not tolerate the abuse of the government contracting process,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The decision to revoke USAID’s independent 8(a) contracting authority is necessary to prevent further wrongdoing by an agency with a well-documented record of waste, criminal fraud, and bribery. Taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for outright corruption perpetrated by those entrusted with Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars.”

The 8(a) Business Development Program is a government contracting program governed by the SBA, designed to help socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses access sole-source and competitive set-aside contracts within the federal marketplace. SBA authorizes federal agencies to execute contracts to 8(a) certified businesses on its behalf. But today, SBA sent notice to USAID that the agency is no longer authorized to award or execute independent 8(a) contracts based on findings of rampant fraud and abuse at the agency.

Last month, a DOJ investigation revealed that over $550 million in government contracts were fraudulently steered through bribery of a USAID contracting officer. One 8(a) contractor, despite being officially flagged by USAID as lacking “honesty or integrity,” went on to be awarded an additional $800 million federal contract to evaluate “the root causes of irregular migration from Central America.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the Trump administration and United States federal departments still have a long way to find and capture those who were illegally involved with USAID funding? Do you think that there is a trail of USAID money that went into the pockets of Leftists, woke activists, anarchists, thieves and Islamic terrorists around the world?

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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Freelance club DJ shot in Las Piñas City gas station, declared dead-on-arrival at hospital

August 7, 2025July 31, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a freelance club disc jockey (DJ) was shot by an armed man (who has a partner driving a motorcycle) at a gas station, according to a GMA Network news report. The victim was brought to a hospital but was declared dead-on-arrival. The shooting incident was captured on CCTV camera.

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

A club disc jockey was killed in a shooting incident in Barangay Pamplona Uno, Las Piñas City on Wednesday evening, according to a report of GMA Integrated News’ Jhomer Apresto on Unang Balita Thursday.

As seen in CCTV footage, the 34-year-old victim aboard his pickup vehicle was at a gasoline station when two men aboard a motorcycle stopped near him around 10 p.m. The backrider alighted the motorcycle, approached the pickup vehicle, and shot the victim.

The perpetrators on board their motorcycle fled while the victim on his pickup vehicle hit a wall at the gasoline station. The victim was brought to a hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.

According to the police, investigators are looking into the possibility that the crime was drug-related as sachets of suspected illegal drugs were recovered from the hand and bag of the victim.

“Yun ang tinitignan natin maaaring galing sa bahay papunta rito hanggang siya ay sundan, abangan, at pagbabarilin,” Las Piñas Police chief Police Colonel Sandro Tafalla said.

The mother of the victim said that her son just returned home from Malaysia and that she has no idea who is behind the shooting.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think there is more than meets the eye in this crime story? Do you think the police will be able to find and arrest the suspects?

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

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

Land Transportation Office (LTO) urges motorists to avail of online driver’s license renewal

August 7, 2025July 30, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently the Land Transportation Office (LTO) urged motorists to take advantage of the online driver’s license renewal process which would save them time and money when compared to personally doing it at physical renewal centers, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II urged all its clients to avail of the online driver’s license renewal in order to save time and money for the transaction.

By availing of the online platform, Mendoza said motorists would save time and money compared to personally going to LTO offices just to renew their driver’s license.

“With this digital platform, our kababayan, especially the busy workers, will save more time, energy and even their hard-earned money if they avail of this because they no longer have to go to LTO offices for this particular transaction,” said Mendoza.

“And another benefit of this technology is we are able to reduce human intervention, which means that this is an effective anti-fixer and anti-corruption platform,” he added.

The online driver”s license renewal, which was mentioned by President Marcos in his State of the Nation Address (SONA), can also be accessed through the eGov app.

Mendoza said he already instructed all Regional Directors to amplify the traditional and social media campaigns to promote online driver’s license renewal. The online driver’s license renewal is fully available not only in the country but also abroad.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Have you tried renewing your driver’s license online as the LTO stated? Is the online driver’s renewal system functional and efficient? How many motorists in your local community prefer to have their licenses renewed at the physical offices of the LTO?

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 Spectacular Spider-Man #88 (1984)

August 6, 2025August 4, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1984 to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Spectacular Spider-Man monthly series.

In issue #87, Spider-Man revealed his secret identity to Black Cat. That was a turning point on not just the romance between the two but also on their combined efforts of stopping crime and helping others in the city. This opens up opportunities for creative teams of Marvel to explore where Spidey and Black Cat’s relationship will go to next.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spectacular Spider-Man #88, published in 1984 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Bill Mantlo and drawn by Al Milgrom.

Early story

The story begins inside a secret facility wherein several armed guards are preparing themselves for an unseen incoming force. They are guarding a convict known as The Cobra (Klaus Voorhees) who warns them that the one person after him will find some way of killing him.

Suddenly, Mister Hyde breaks through the metallic gate and demands that Cobra should be given to him. The guards used tranquilizer gas to take Hyde out but it turned out useless. Cobra and his handlers secretly moved to the rooftop of the facility to try to escape by helicopter. Suddenly, Hyde emerges, brings down a solid tower and crashes the helicopter with it. He then grabs Cobra who only slithered away.

Meanwhile in New York City, Spider-Man is inside the apartment of Felicia Hardy (Black Cat) and he feels that something dreadful is going to happen…

Quality

*There is a lot of action scenes to enjoy here. Spider-Man and Black Cat have their own moments taking on Hyde.*

I will go straight to the point here. This Spectacular Spider-Man tale sure is packed with a lot of action and intrigue balanced by the romance of Spider-Man and Black Cat (who is now living with the knowledge that Peter Parker is Spider-Man). The conflict between Mister Hyde and the Cobra here is preceded by their past collaboration of getting revenge upon Thor. In fact, Spider-Man had encountered both characters sometime prior and his personal knowledge of Thor’s encounter with them added some depth to the new conflict in this comic book. Spidey here became cautious as he knows the extent of the savagery of Hyde.

As this tale took place after Black Cat learned Spider-Man’s secret identity, the dynamics between the two during battle became intriguing when the former took the initiative to strike the dangerous Hyde even though she was told to protect Cobra. This forces the iconic webslinger to put himself at risk by aggressively hitting Hyde while keeping Black Cat out of the way.

The big battle involving the four notable characters is quite extensive and intense to follow. There are a few strong twists between the scenes and it is entertaining to read. When it comes to character development, I enjoyed how the creators portrayed Spidey being concerned about Black Cat’s wellbeing and her lack of super powers while simultaneously portraying her as being determined to so something significant on solving problems.

Conclusion

*The romance between the two is worth following.*

Spectacular Spider-Man #88 (1984) is not only a good follow-up to the previous issue, it is also a worthy showcase of Spidey and Black Cat’s relationship as Cobra and Hyde engage in a new conflict. As this is an action-packed story, it is not surprising that the character development scenes are fewer. This is a fun read.

Overall, Spectacular Spider-Man #88 (1984) is recommended.

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Economic study finds Starbucks and Dunkin’ leading Philippines coffee market while local brands are gaining

August 6, 2025July 29, 2025carlocarrasco

Are you fond of buying drinks at a local coffee shop or at a small stall that sells coffee? Recently the University of Asia and the Pacific-Center for Food and Agri Business (UA&P-CFA) announced the results of its research revealing that the local coffee market (cafés and small sellers specifically) of the Philippines are being dominated by Starbucks Coffee and Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts) while several local brands are gradually gaining market share, according to a Philippine Star business news report.

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

Global brands continue to dominate the country’s coffee industry, but homegrown brands are gaining traction, helping to diversify and enrich Filipinos’ caffeine options, according to the University of Asia and the Pacific-Center for Food and Agri Business (UA&P-CFA).

In a policy brief, UA&P-CFA said the local café market is led by a “few dominant” global brands, based on a Euromonitor report.

These global brands, the UA&P-CFA noted, maintain their strong presence through solid branding, extensive branch networks and loyal customer base.

The policy brief indicated that Starbucks Corp. remains as the industry leader, accounting for almost 54 percent of total value share among chain café and bar operators.

It was followed by Dunkin’, a foreign brand under Inspire Brands Inc., with a 12.1-percent market share, according to the policy brief authored by Cy Reyes, a research assistant at UA&P-CFA.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s Corp. held a market share of 5.8 percent while Jollibee Foods Corp., which operates The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, accounted for 5.6 percent.

“In addition to global chains, the Philippine café scene is vibrant and diverse, featuring several strong homegrown brands that continue to gain traction and shape local consumer habits,” UA&P-CFA said.

UA&P-CFA said one of the most prominent local cafés is Mary Grace Food Inc., noting that it is known for its “cozy, sit-down atmosphere” and its handcrafted baked goods. The other notable local players, according to the policy paper, are Bo’s Coffee, Figaro Coffee, Coffee Project and But First, Coffee.

The local coffee industry has also been enriched by the growth of specially and so called third-wave coffee shops like Yardstick, % Arabica and El Union, the UA&P-CFA said.

These coffee shops focus on artisanal brewing methods, single-origin beans and minimalist shop designs, it added.

Furthermore, coffee kiosks like Big Brew, Pickup Coffee and various regional iced coffee stalls catering to the fast-growing market for convenient, budget-friendly caffeine options contribute to the vibrant coffee industry.

The emergence of various coffee brands outside the traditional, huge global names indicate the “rich” and “expanding” influence of local café innovators, UA&P-CFA said.

“Though these smaller and niche players hold modest individual shares of the market, collectively they play a vital role in the evolution of the industry,” it said.

“They offer localized flavors, elevate coffee standards, and respond to the preferences of a wide and increasingly discerning customer base,” it added.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the coffee market and coffee sellers industry of the Philippines will keep modernizing as more people keep on buying coffee? Do you think the recent study should focus more on convenience stores selling coffee? What is your favorite coffee shop here in the Philippines?

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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I Love Israel: Talks of possible Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost Israeli investments into the Philippines

August 5, 2025July 30, 2025carlocarrasco

In recent times, Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat visited the Philippines and he has officially confirmed that the Jewish state and the nation of Filipinos are starting the process for initial negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). If an FTA is realized sometime in the future, it would mean more Israeli investments coming into the Philippines.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The announcement of the Philippines and Israel’s intention to pursue free trade agreement (FTA) talks is certain to bring in more Israeli investments into the country.

Visiting Israel Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat said the Philippines and Israel “actually are starting the process” to initiate negotiations on a free trade deal.

“Usually, it takes few years to sign an FTA. By defining that we will, many investors will start collaborating now,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a reception in Taguig City on Tuesday night.

“When investors see that in a year, two years, at some point in time, there’s going to be an FTA, they (start) to invest already. The impact of announcing that we will be doing a deal together is quite immediate.“

Barkat said Israeli firms are eager to expand businesses on a number of areas, specifically agricultural technology and food technology in the Philippines. Israel, he said, is also intent on growing its already robust trade with the country.

“My goal is to have 10 times more trade in 15 to 20 years with all countries, including the Philippines. In order to scale to such volumes of trade, we need to put foundation for long term infrastructure, and that’s what we’re doing in this visit,” he told the Philippine News Agency in a separate interview.

Barkat said he sees the Philippines as a partner that could aptly “complement” Israel both by scale and scope.

In his 4th State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the Philippines is ready to receive local and foreign investors, especially on agriculture.

This newest development shows the continuing growth of Israel-Philippines ties with trade in mind. Even though Israel remains fighting the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, the Jewish state still manages to have economic breakthroughs (click here and here). Given the fact that Israel won the 12-day War over terrorist state Iran, that alone is enough to be confident about Israel’s economy and the prospects of Israeli enterprises and entities investing overseas. Besides, the Philippines can benefit not only from the finances of Israeli investments, but also from Israel’s advanced technologies and job creation for Filipinos.

To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray to Him so that Israel-Philippines ties and cooperation will keep growing stronger and more resilient no matter what happens around the world.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel and its ties with the Philippines!

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Nomura says America’s 19% tariff may cut Philippines GDP growth slightly

August 5, 2025July 28, 2025carlocarrasco

In the middle of mixed reactions towards the United States’ 19% tariff on Philippine exports, Nomura Global Markets Research stated that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth could be cut by 0.4%, according to a BusinessWorld news report. Recently, US President Donald Trump and Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., met in the White House which resulted in the new tariff.

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

THE United States’ 19% tariff on Philippine goods could cut the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 0.4 percentage point (ppt), Nomura Global Markets Research said.

In a report, Nomura said the US tariff of 19% on Philippine goods is “fairly high” and poses downside risks to growth.

“We estimate the direct effects could reduce our baseline GDP growth forecasts by a still-substantial 0.4 ppt in the Philippines.”

Nomura said this projection is “relatively substantial” compared to its baseline growth forecasts of 5.3% and 5.6% for this year and 2026, respectively.

“This is partly because we assigned 10% as the level where the reciprocal tariff rate could settle, on the assumption that the Philippines is a strong ally of the US and is not a third country for transshipments,” Nomura said.

“As it turns out, despite the visit to Washington by President Marcos and both sides reiterating the need for a strong partnership, the tariff was still set at 19%, which is even higher than the ‘Liberation Day’ level of 17%.”

Last week, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. met with US President Donald J. Trump at the White House in Washington, DC. Mr. Trump announced a 19% tariff would be imposed on Philippine goods, which will take effect starting Aug. 1.

“The trade ‘deals’ therefore represent upside surprises in terms of tariff rates, especially for the Philippines,” Nomura said.

“As a result, if implemented and these tariff rates are sustained, these will likely further weigh on growth in both countries relative to our current baseline forecasts.”

The government expects GDP to grow by 5.5-6.5% this year, lower than its previous target of 6-8%.

“While these ballpark estimates make sense to us, uncertainty remains high and these are ‘only’ taking into account the direct effects on these ASEAN countries’ exports to the US,” Nomura said.

These estimates do not account for sectoral tariffs, such as in semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, which are currently exempted, it added.

“But as our US team highlights, the risk is these could be set higher, though some countries could be exempted, adding to the uncertainty. As mentioned above, the details of the trade deals with Indonesia and the Philippines are still limited.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines is in a serious disadvantage with the American tariff of 19% imposed on the nation’s exports? Do you think the Philippine economy still has strong momentum to reach 6% GDP growth by the end of this year?

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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