Tag: Africa

Gangs of violent migrants attack Spaniards and other innocent people in Spain

Gangs of violent migrants attack Spaniards and other innocent people in Spain

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Were you able to watch the news about gangs of violent migrants physically present in Spain who attacked Spaniards and other innocent people, and now act as if they have all the authority to take over local societies away from the citizens? This unfortunate development is only a part of a huge wave of migrant-led violence happening in other parts of Europe. Spain itself announced that it will grant residency and work permits each year for the next three years to about 300,000 migrants who are in the country illegally.

If you were not able to receive the news about the recent chaos, then I’m not surprised because the Islamo-Leftist mainstream news media outlets (the ones who favored illegal immigrants and open borders) refused to report the chaos in Spain when it first happened. The more conservative news outlets like Sky News Australia managed to report about it early and I encourage you to watch their news video below.

Now that you have seen the above news video, I encourage you to think very deeply about the many forms of danger that come with mass migration, multiculturalism, humanism and having a government that does not seem to prioritize its citizens when foreigners overwhelm the nation. Wherever you are located in, I encourage you to imagine what would happen to your country and your local community if ever a massive amount of foreigners entered your country as immigrants or as refugees.

Each and every nation has its own sovereignty, its own people, its own heritage and its own culture and sub-cultures to protect. If you are living with a government that does not care about citizens like yourselves, then you are in potential trouble already. Mass migration and violent foreigners could spark a riot and harm you and your family when you least expect it. You need to be careful, be vigilant and observe how your government deals with foreign migrants and the so-called refugees.

I myself never visited Spain but when I was in Italy and France more than twenty years ago, I personally discovered the culture and heritage of the Italians and the French in each visit. There were foreign tourists and some foreign workers here and there, but there were no violent migrant gangs back then. That being said, I enjoyed the peace of Italy and France and touring around was both enlightening and enjoyable. I also admired the way the Italians and the French local authorities managed their local societies.

Going back to what happened in Spain, I encourage you to watch Asmongold TV’s reaction video to Sky News Australia’s news video of the same topic. Watch and listen closely.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Is your government soft towards foreigners who are trying to trespass into your country? Is your government even making efforts to prevent foreign terrorists and foreign criminals from entering the country? How many applications for immigration and asylum does your government receive from foreigners each year? Is there anyone in your local community who blindly supports people to migrate into any country they want and later commit crime without being held accountable? Is your government doing enough to prioritize legal immigration over illegal immigration?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, 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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What you need to know about the war between Israel and Iran

What you need to know about the war between Israel and Iran

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As some of you are already aware, I fully stand with Israel which is very connected with my uncompromising faith in the Lord. I keep on praying to Him for Israel to overwhelm its enemies, rescue the hostages and recover from the effects of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks committed by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. I can assure all of you that nobody from the evil Islamo-Leftist mob, nobody from the pro-Palestine radicals, nobody from the terrorist leadership of Iran and nobody from any evil society would stop me from supporting and loving Israel.

Now, on with the latest developments…

It has been days since the war between Israel and the terrorist state of Iran started. This is a war that did not just start out of the blue. In reality, it has been building up for a very long time going back to the aftermath of the 1979 Iranian revolution when the Ayatollah and his henchmen came to power. Iran drastically changed into what is now an Islamic state driven by an evil ideology that includes genocide (including the annihilation of Israel and Western democracy), hatred, violence and terrorism.

No matter what the Islamists, the Leftists and their mainstream news media partners-in-crime (read: Reuters, Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse) say, it cannot be denied that Iran is a terrorist state and their leaders and officials chanted “Death to America”, “Death to Israel” and “Death to England” so many times through the years. Iran also brutalized Iranian civilians who refused to be part of their culture of terrorism.

Along the way, Iran had been lying to the whole world as they kept moving forward with their uranium enrichment program and nuclear projects which were designed for mass destruction, not for energy. Given how hateful and evil Iran’s government really is, they should never be allowed to have nuclear weapons.

That being said, Israel launched a series of strategic aerial attacks in Iran hitting military facilities, nuclear sites and government facilities. Israel is at conflict with the Ayatollah-led government and not the civilians of Iran. In fact, Israel’s assault against Iran is meant to bring down the wicked regime and pave the way for millions of Iran to become free and hopefully move their nation towards Democracy. Israel is also doing the world a favor as Iran intends to be able to fire weapons of mass destruction (WMD) at Europe, Africa and even America.

To learn about the history between Israel and Iran, watch Ben Shapiro’s explanatory video below.

It should be noted that Israel is not only in conflict with Iran. Israel also has terrorist supporter Qatar (which has Islamic terrorist news network and propagandist Al Jazeera), Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, Houthi terrorists and Hezbollah to deal with. Iran funded and armed Hamas, Houthi terrorists and Hezbollah for a long time now. I should also mention that the corrupted mainstream news media remain antagonistic towards Israel and they allowed themselves to be partners-in-crime of Iran and Islamic terrorists.

Israel’s war with Iran is very costly and they are focused on achieving their goals to not only bring down the evil regime but also secure the safety of the Jewish state. Watch the comprehensive videos of travelingisrael and pay close attention to the details.

As mentioned earlier, you cannot rely on the mainstream news media for international updates or breaking news about the Israel-Iran war. Reuters, Associated Press and Agence France-Presse have sold their souls to Islamo-Leftists a long time ago and it is unfortunate that other smaller news organizations worldwide subscribed to their news feed which are filled with lies and distorted details designed to make Israel look bad and make people hate Israel. If you want truth and clarity, better get the news from TBN Israel and Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Some selected news videos posted below for you all.

As some of you may be aware right now, I will always stand with Israel and I reject all forms of evil. Learn from what God declared in the holy scriptures below.

Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,

From your family

And from your father’s house,

To a land that I will show you.

I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you

And make your name great;

And you shall be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 12:1-3 (NKJV)

Again God said to him, Your name is Jacob [supplanter]; you shall not be called Jacob any longer, but Israel shall be your name. So He called him Israel [contender with God].

And God said to him, I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall come from you and kings shall be born of your stock;

The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and to your descendants after you I will give the land.

Genesis 35:10-12 (AMPC)

No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

And every tongue which rises against you in judgment

You shall condemn.

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,

And their righteousness is from Me,”

Says the Lord.

Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

Also, let me remind you that Lord Jesus is the hope of all nations. Never allow the forces of evil to bring you down. Never let the wicked ones pull you away from the Lord. Learn from the scriptures below.

For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

1 Timothy 2:5 (AMPC)

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (NKJV)

“I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest. The words I have spoken over you have already cleansed you. So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.

“I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless. 6If a person is separated from me, he is discarded; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire to be burned. But if you live in life-union with me and if my words live powerfully within you—then you can ask whatever you desire and it will be done. When your lives bear abundant fruit, you demonstrate that you are my mature disciples who glorify my Father!

John 15:1-8 (TPT)

Always pray to the Lord in support of Israel, its government, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and its stakeholders. Learn to love and bless the Jewish people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray to Him for Israel’s victory over terrorist state Iran, for the existence of the Jewish state and Western democracy, and for the freedom of the Iranian people.

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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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Team 7 #2 (1994)

A Look Back at Team 7 #2 (1994)

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Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Image Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1994 to take a close look at one of the many tales of the original WildStorm universe through one of the comic books of the first mini-series of Team 7.

For the newcomers reading this, Team 7 is set in the past within the original WildStorm universe. This is the one special forces team that had major WildStorm heroes – Grifter (WildCATS: Covert Action Teams), Backlash, Jackson Dane (Wetworks), John Lynch (Gen13) and Deathblow – who were younger, were proficient with combat and were destined to gain special abilities that later defined them. Issue #1 reviewed last time worked well by efficiently introducing the characters while also building up the plot and there were some nice pay-offs here and there.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Team 7 #2, published in 1994 by Image Comics with a story written by Chuck Dixon and drawn by Aron Wiesenfeld. This is the 2nd chapter of the 4-issue mini-series.

The cover.

Early story

Set in the 1970s, a team of armed escorts and some personnel wearing protective gear isolate and examine a battlefield full of dead bodies. Miles Craven and Gabriel Newman analyze the evidence around them. Craven states that what they have is too important an operation to be left to underlings and he wants Gabriel to stay with the project which could use his special talents. Shortly after, the bodies of the Team 7 members were retrieved barely alive.

Seven days later, John Lynch wakes up in a hospital bed feeling traumatized over what happened to his team during the last mission. He was told that they were exposed to a chemical agent and he had been in a deep coma for a week.

Craven then enters the room to provide Lynch crucial updates…

Quality

Do you recognize Deathblow and Dane on this page?

As expected, the gritty and dark storytelling from the previous issue continued in this story. Without spoiling the plot, I can say that this issue has some handsome pay-offs to what was built-up in issue #1 and there were new build-ups established along the way. Because the script was crafted to build-up the plot and sub-plot, the military action scenes are lessened which is not surprising. I can assure you that Chuck Dixon’s writing here remains pretty strong.

While the previous issue served as an efficient introduction of the younger versions of WildStorm’s heroes who are in the middle of a world full of violence and espionage, this issue shed some light as to how the heroes dealt with their new abilities (in connection with the climax of issue #1) and how International Operations is handling matters behind closed doors. The suspense kept on building up and this made the narrative more intriguing to follow. Expect to see elements of high-level espionage, unethical science and war throughout.

When it comes to the characters, Lynch (being the captain of Team 7) has a huge share of the spotlight followed by Cole Cash (Grifter). The two have different views about their special forces duty – Lynch follows the superiors while Cole realizes something is wrong about their leadership and the intelligence fed to them.

Conclusion

This scene showing Cole Cash (Grifter) emerging from dark with a defiant tone is a very defining moment of this comic book.

Team 7 #2 (1994) is clearly a very engaging read. It has the fine mix of war (with uncompromising violence drawn by Wiesenfeld), intrigue and the dark side of global espionage. The science fiction element here worked well in explaining the powers Team 7 members got after what happened in issue #1. This comic book also marks the beginning of showing Lynch and Cole Cash as the co-leads among the teammates. Die-hard fans of Deathblow, Dane and Backlash will have to wait a bit before their favorites get their share of the spotlight. Regardless, this is a very powerful read and a fine example of doing a prequel within the original WildStorm universe.

Overall, Team 7 #2 (1994) is highly recommended.

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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

A Look Back at X-Men Adventures Season II #3 (1994)

A Look Back at X-Men Adventures Season II #3 (1994)

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Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1990s to explore the adaptation of the second season of the X-Men animated series in the form of the X-Men Adventures comic book series.

Before getting to the new retro comic book review, I should state that even though streaming is the norm for millions of people who love entertainment, it would be nice if the classic X-Men: The Animated Series (X-Men TAS) would someday get released on Blu-ray disc format. Even though many X-Men fans are streaming, there are still those who prefer collecting physical releases of what they enjoy. Really, watching entertainment with Blu-ray or 4K Blu-ray format is much better than streaming.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men Adventures Season II #3, published in 1994 by Marvel with a story written by Ralph Macchio and drawn by John Hebert.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins at the border of Kenya and Tanganyika where Mount Kilimanjaro rests. Something destructive emerges at the top of the mountain causing great disturbance on the people below. At a village, two black persons could not help but notice a demonic figure coming down at them. One of them gets possessed by it.

Meanwhile at their headquarters in Westchester County, New York, Jean Grey uses Cerebro to comprehensively scan the world to find Professor X’s location. What Jean detected was a psychic plane which catches Beast’s attention.

Shortly after, Rogue arrives with Storm who just returned from a hospital. As Jean updates them both, Storm realizes that the location of the psychic plane is in Africa…

Quality

Rogue in Africa with Storm.

The first thing I should confirm here is that there is a nice jump in the visual quality – in terms of style and detail specifically – thanks to illustrator John Hebert. Hebert’s work here is a nice relief compared to the rushed works of Andrew Wildman in the previous two issues, and he knows when to use the dynamic moments of spectacle and how to balance it with the calm moments. Hebert’s take on Wolverine is really good.

Regarding the story, I like the way the search for Charles Xavier – which was a sub-plot in the previous issues – unfolded while also opening the opportunity to develop Storm as she returns to Africa. In fact, this tale reveals some really engaging details from Storm’s past as well as her personal connection with a certain tribe of black people. These mentioned elements added nicely to the tension of a particular conflict that followed.

In fact, the Storm-centered story was nicely executed by the creative team and there were revelations that were gripping. Along the way, Rogue got a nice share of the spotlight and was a suitable supporting character even though the comic book had new characters.  

Conclusion

Using Cerebro has big advantages.

X-Men Adventures Season II #3 (1994) is a good read and it also has a nice change of geographic setting as it mainly focused on Africa and Storm’s reconnection with her people. Storm is clearly the main character here and this is a solid pay-off as she only had a tiny part in the previous issue. This is a tale – with themes of family, culture and the responsibility that comes with having special talents or power –  that should interest dedicated fans of Storm.

Overall, X-Men Adventures Season II #3 (1994) is recommended.

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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

Overstaying South African national apprehended by immigration agents in province

Overstaying South African national apprehended by immigration agents in province

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Recently agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) located and arrested a South African national in the province of Albay for overstaying in the country by at least a few years, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

Immigration authorities arrested an overstaying South African national in Albay province.

In a news release Monday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said operatives from the regional intelligence operations unit nabbed Benjamin Michael Theron in an operation along Sikatuna Street, Brgy. 13 Ilawod West, Legazpi City on Jan. 24.

The foreigner was the subject of a mission order issued by the BI chief after receiving a complaint from Theron’s former partner, saying he was causing disturbance in the community.

A check on Theron’s records showed he has been in the country since 2018 and is already overstaying after his visa expired in 2021.

Another foreign national who presented himself as Theron’s employer, attempted to interfere with the operations but eventually yielded after seeing the mission order against the suspect.

BI intelligence division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said any individual who conceal, harbor, employ or give comfort to overstaying foreign nationals may face sanctions for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, which prohibits harboring of illegal aliens.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent report? Are you concerned that there could be overstaying foreigners living within your local community? Do you think the BI is doing a good job locating and arresting illegal aliens?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, 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 athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #1 (1983)

A Look Back at The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #1 (1983)

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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 fellow geeks, pop culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! I want to make things clear to all of you that when it comes to movies, Indiana Jones is truly an American icon who will be remembered for a long time thanks to the combined works of the legendary creative team of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford.

I love watching the films Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). While the respective qualities, artistry and fun factors of those films varied through the years, there is no denying that those are cinematic adventures worth replaying.

In case you are wondering, I have no intention to watch Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) since that movie was specifically handled by Kathleen Kennedy whose leadership of Lucasfilm (under the Disney banner) ruined Star Wars since 2015. It does not help that the new movie was not directed by Spielberg and clearly it does not involve George Lucas on the creative side. I should state that I reject wokeness, political correctness and identity politics which defined Kathleen Kennedy’s handling of Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

That being said, now is a good time to back into the 1980s when the Indiana Jones entertainment franchise was still new and creatively expanding into other forms of media. In fact, Marvel Comics started publishing an Indiana Jones comic book series between Raiders of the Lost Ark and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #1, published in 1983 by Marvel Comics with a story written and drawn by John Byrne with ink work by Terry Austin.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Indiana Jones (wearing formal attire for his academic profession) attempting to whip a small stick off the mouth of Miss Greebly who was standing very still. Jones’ superior Dr. Marcus came in to witness the stunt.

Shortly after, Jones and Marcus meet with former student Charlie Dunne who reveals to them he and his sister Edith learned the location of the Ikons of Ikammanen. Just seconds after stating he could prove that the ikons exist, Dunne suddenly gets hit on the back with a knife.

With Dunne suddenly killed and the discreet killer already gone, Jones and Marcus examine the content of the victim’s bag and find a map of coastal Africa, a photograph of a temple and an address…

Quality

Indiana Jones and Edith on a dangerous search.

I will start by stating the obvious thing about this comic book…it looks and feels like a genuine Indiana Jones adventure with clear inspiration taken from the 1981 movie. The basic elements are here: Indy does research and some detective work, he travels overseas searching for answers, faces danger along the way, and gets involved in a series of unexpected events. The good news is that John Byrne crafted a fun and high-quality literary adventure featuring the cinematic icon.

This comic book has an original story concept and deliberately the narrative flowed at a medium pace which allows build-up to immerse readers into the details, followed by some bouts of pay-off to entertain readers. I also like the way the narrations laid down the details with the intention of helping readers understand not only the situations, locations and people, but also giving them unique perspectives about Indy himself. The dialogue was well written and clearly believable. When Indiana Jones explains details, he really uses the knowledge he gained through academic research as well as recollections from his past expeditions or adventures.

I should also state that Byrne gave Indiana Jones, the other characters and locations stylized looks. I don’t mind Jones not resembling Harrison Ford at all but Byrne still made him recognizable in his own unique way. There were some location images that looked pretty detailed.

Conclusion

And just like that, Indiana Jones takes a leave from academic work for his next adventure.

The best way to describe The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #1 (1983) is this…John Byrne and his team succeeded in making this a fun read inspired by elements of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The story has a strong adventure feel with Indy having a strong presence and the introduction of new characters were executed smoothly. For a launch issue, this one is indeed engaging to read and it succeeded in convincing me to anticipate the next issue. Ultimately it is clear that John Byrne really is an effective Indiana Jones storyteller.

Overall, The Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #1 (1983) is highly recommended!

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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

Over 2,700 workers rescued in Las Piñas City

Over 2,700 workers rescued in Las Piñas City

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Recently in the city of Las Piñas, police officers rescued more than two thousand seven hundred employees – including several foreigners – after raiding a certain Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) site in Barangay Almanza Uno, according to a Philippine Daily Inquirer report.

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

As many as 2,714 people were rescued by police following a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) firm in Las Piñas City early Tuesday morning.

The NCRPO Joint Police Task Force, led by Deputy Regional Director for Operations Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky and Anti-Cybercrime Group Deputy Director for Operations, Col. Villammor Tuliao, executed search and seizure warrants for computer data at a pogo hub on 501 Alabang-Zapote Road, Almanza Uno, Las Piñas City. According to the National Capital Region Police Office, the operation occurred at about midnight.

Police identified the owner, maintainer, facilitator, and manager of Xinchuang Network Technology Inc., formerly known as “Hong Tai,” as follows: Quiha Lui, Liangfei Chen, Jimmy Lin, and Abbey Ng.

Meanwhile, Xinchuang Network Technology Inc. incorporators include Danica Andres Mensah, Oliver Ong, Divina Trillanes, and Daisy Vidal Cidro.

The warrants were served for the alleged violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Initial data from NCRPO showed that 1,528 Filipino workers were rescued.

Meanwhile, 600 of the rescued are from China, 183 from Vietnam, 137 from Indonesia, 134 from Malaysia, 81 from Thailand, 21 from Taiwan, seven from Nigeria, five from Singapore, five from Myanmar, four from Yemen, two from Pakistan, two from Africa, one from India, one from Somalia, one from Sudan, one from Cameroon, and one from Iran.

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? Are you concerned that other POGOs located within your city could possibly be having abused workers kept secret from the public? Do you think that POGOs are somehow connected with local crime incidents?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, 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

Local authorities arrest Ghanaian national suspected of masterminding ATM hacking ring

Local authorities arrest Ghanaian national suspected of masterminding ATM hacking ring

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Have you been withdrawing money from certain ATMs (automatic teller machines) lately? Did you notice something wrong with the same accounts you withdrew money from? The Manila Bulletin reported that in recent times, personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) aided by the Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) arrested a Ghanaian national on suspicion of masterminding a ring of hackers that targeted ATMs. The same news report showed some interesting details about the suspect.

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

Bureau of Immigration (BI) operatives have arrested a (Ghanaian) national posing as a missionary but is suspected to be the mastermind of a West African syndicate hacking automated teller machines (ATMs).

Immigration intelligence chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said 34-year-old Victor Patrick was apprehended in a joint operation with the Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) last Oct. 14 in a mall in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Manahan said the ISAFP reported that the alien was the principal suspect in hacking ATM machines installed by banks in Moonwalk, Paranaque City.

Manahan said Patrick arrived in the country last April 20, 2019 as tourist and later applied for a missionary visa using a Cebu-based company which turned out to be non-existing.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Patrick will be deported for obtaining an immigration document under false representation.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Did you withdraw money from ATMs in Parañaque that the suspect allegedly hacked? If so, did you notice discrepancies on your account related to the withdrawals you made?

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 The Strangers #15 (1994)

A Look Back at The Strangers #15 (1994)

carlocarrasco

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, comic book collectors, 1990s culture enthusiasts and fans of Malibu Comics! Are you ready for another return to the Ultraverse as seen through another tale of The Strangers?

Last time around, I had a lot of fun reading the debut and origin story of Powerhouse who turned out to be an ultra whose powers were realized in 1938 (coincidentally the same year DC Comics launched Action Comics #1 which introduced Superman in real life) and ended up spending more than fifty years of his life in containment. As for the Strangers, only Atom Bob and Grenade were featured but their encounter with Powerhouse (an ultra who was rejected for his being powerful  during his youth and eventually witnessed how modern-day ultras like the two mentioned Strangers were received positively by the public which knew of their powers) proved to be fun and memorable to read.

Now we can go on to another tale of The Strangers but with focus on two other members. To find out, here is my look back at The Strangers #15, published by Malibu Comics in 1994 with a story written by Steve Englehart and drawn by Rick Hoberg.

Early story

The story begins with the Strangers doing a review of their own members (6) plus ten others who happened to have been on the very same cable car with them the day they all got struck by energy from the sky which turned them into ultra beings. Their leader Lady Killer noted that there are still 43 others unaccounted for who may or may not have realized the got powers. The first ten they verified as ultras were all bad guys they fought with in recent times.

After the end of their discussion, the Strangers decide to take time off to go back to their respective private lives. Yrial asked Leon/Zip-Zap if she could join him. Zip-Zap tells her that his local community is very different from the floating island community she came from. Even so, Yrial stressed she wants to come with him and he accepts.

Some time later at another part of town, Yrial and Zip-Zap (both wearing civilian clothes) walk together. A few people somewhat recognized Yrial which reflects the public’s knowledge of her team. As they move on, a gang of tough-looking black people calls Zip-Zap by his real name. It turns out that Colvin (the apparent gang leader) and Leon had a conflict some time back and he knows Leon is with the Strangers.

Colvin introduces Yrial and Zip-Zap to Gangsta and Brazen. This prompts the teenage Leon to warn Yrial that Gangsta is dangerous. Gangsta then unleashes an energy blast on the two Strangers…  

Quality

Yrial and Zip-Zap plus the gang.

I like this story and the way it developed Yrial and Zip-Zap. To be clear, this story is not a typical, good-versus-evil superhero presentation. You won’t see the entire Strangers engage with another group of bad guys nor go against one powerful villain. It’s really all about Zip-Zap and his black lady friend who find trouble at a time when they are supposed to have a restful and easy time together. In other words, what happened to Atom Bob and Grenade in the previous issue also happened to the two black members of the team.

There clearly is a strong visual element of black people here and the story even touches on racial barriers. The new villain Gangsta openly stated that he got his powers from the ancient Egyptian pharaohs which he also described as the direct ancestors of the black race. He even tells Zip-Zap to honor Colvin’s gang, otherwise he will die.

The match-ups here are strategic. Yrial and Gangsta fight each other using magic, and they represent different cultures even as they are both black. For his part, Zip-Zap fights with a gang of black people led by a rival from his past. Their respective conflicts were portrayed in compelling ways.

Going back to Zip-Zap being reluctant in having Yrial with him on his return to his old neighborhood, the teenage member of the Strangers admits that his life has been uneasy. His father died before he was born and his mother died a few years before the day he and his teammates gained their powers while riding the cable car. Zip-Zap also was the littlest kid in a gang. Then life in the neighborhood became harder for him when Gangsta showed up. I should state that the way Steve Englehart emphasized Zip-Zap’s background is really compelling and also believable.   

Conclusion

Visually, having Yrial and Zip-Zap in civilian clothing is a fresh change from the usual.

Thanks to the creative duo of Englehart-Hoberg, The Strangers #15 (1994) is another fun-filled story that succeeded in developing Yrial and Zip-Zap while also keeping the series’ storytelling fresh. It touches on black people and the different cultures that brought the characters together. It even touches on the stereotypes of black gangsters as well as black youth who grew up without a father. That being said, it is a wonder as to how Black Lives Matter (BLM) activists would react if they read this comic book.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of The Strangers #15 (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $14.

Overall, The Strangers #15 (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

My Observations: Lunch at Toucan Brazilian BBQ Buffet Restaurant

My Observations: Lunch at Toucan Brazilian BBQ Buffet Restaurant

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Here in the Philippines, finding a place that serves Brazilian food is quite challenging. For those who live in South Metro Manila, the good news is that there is a new restaurant at the expanded area of Festival Mall, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa, and it’s called Toucan Brazilian BBQ Buffet Restaurant.

As of this writing, the restaurant charges P430 per customer for lunch (I forgot their rate for children, sorry) and P730 for dinner. Out of curiosity, as well as my previous high interest on visiting Brazil for the Rio Carnival and discovering their culture and norms, I tried out their lunch buffet.

As soon as I entered, I saw the buffet table and I took a seat by the wall. The interiors were nice and very notable is the use of the colors yellow and green (plus blue) which easily reminds me of Brazil.

The restaurant really made a lot of efforts emphasizing Brazil to the customers. For decorations, they posted several framed pictures on their walls.

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You like Samba and art?

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At the other wall.

THE FOOD

How about food? On my trip to the buffet selection, there was a mix of meat, vegetables, rice, salad and free flowing drinking (by the wall). What surprised me was the presence of Chinese-style noodles (are those really part of Brazilian cuisine?). For my plate, I decided to have more vegetables than meat. Picture below.

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Pork with caramelized onions plus cabbage and potatoes.

As I started enjoying my drink and meal, the restaurant had personnel walking around carrying metallic sticks (from the grill) with meat attached to them. Because there was this wooden object with its green end on top (red end below), one of the carriers approached me and asked if I were interested to try a slice of beef cattle tongue which I accepted since I wanted to try it.

I had not touched the slice as I was focused on my vegetables and pork. Some minutes later, another guy carrying meat approached me and asked if I were interested in chicken. I asked him to give me some and just add it on the small plate carrying the still untouched slice (beef cattle tongue). Then I took a picture.

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Two different servings of chicken with the slice of beef in the middle.

I finally decided to try out the slice of beef. It was pretty tasty and there was no need for condiments to add flavor. I slowly ate it and then I tried the gold-like colored chicken which, in my view, seemed fried. It turned out, it was very well cooked and was even more flavorful than I expected.

Eventually I got satisfied and decided to flip the wooden object’s red end to the top to signify to the restaurant personnel I don’t want anymore servings. I took my last drink. It was time to cool down, rest and then prepare to pay the fee. When I saw the bill, there was a service charge of P38.36 on top of the buffet fee which I paid.

While waiting for my change to come, I took another picture of the wall decorations nearby.

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More than a dance and a showcase of skin, Samba is a Brazilian musical genre and its most notable music feature is the use of drums done the African way.

Overall, I enjoyed my lunch at Toucan Brazilian BBQ Buffet Restaurant and it was good taste and good value in return for my money. Definitely it is the place to go if you are looking for Brazilian cuisine or if you are looking for a different kind of buffet experience in Alabang. If there is anything lacking, I forgot to ask for their menu for other selections (I always wanted to try Brazilian coffee). Also there were lots of other grilled meats that I have yet to try. Eventually I’ll get them next time.

Toucan Brazilian BBQ Buffet Restaurant is recommended.

Thank you for reading. If you find this news 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