In response to the killings of two Americans during a clash between Filipino soldiers and a terrorist group in the province of Negros Occidental, the United States Embassy in the Philippines (Manila) issued a security alert for its citizens and advised them to follow local laws to avoid situations with heightened security risk, according to a news report by GMA News.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the news report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…
The United States Embassy in Manila on Friday issued a security alert for its citizens in the Philippines following the deaths of two Americans in a reported clash in Toboso, Negros Occidental.
In the security alert, the US embassy flagged as “areas of heightened concern” the rural and mountainous parts of Leyte, Mindoro, Negros, and Samar.
“We advise Americans in the Philippines and around the world to abide by local laws and to avoid situations with elevated security risk,” the embassy said.
Two US citizens were among those 19 killed in the operation of the Philippine Army against alleged New People’s Army (NPA) members in Barangay Salamanca on April 19.
The embassy informed its citizens that the NPA is designated a foreign terrorist organization by the US and Philippine governments.
“Anyone in proximity of NPA elements is at grave risk of arrest, injury, or death. Foreign terrorist organizations actively recruit Americans to participate directly in terrorist activities and/or provide financial support,” it said.
The US embassy urged Americans in the Philippines and worldwide to follow local laws and avoid situations with heightened security risks.
US citizens are also advised not to affiliate with insurgent or terrorist groups and to immediately leave areas where armed individuals not linked to police or military forces are present. It also cautioned that some non-governmental organizations may have ties to armed groups.
Americans planning humanitarian work were encouraged to coordinate with organizations registered with the Philippines National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency and local government units to ensure safety and proper documentation.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Leftist and terrorist groups in the Philippines are still attracting American citizens to come into the country to get involved with them? Do you consider the Philippines a hot spot of Islamo-Leftists, woke forces and terrorists?
Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!
In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads from the 1980s to the 1990s.
For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers, posters and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s to the 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.
With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…
1. Space Duel Arcade Flyer
The front.
The rear.
When the 1979 arcade classic Asteroids achieved massive success for Atari, the company went on to make ports of it on different platforms as well as follow-ups in the arcades. The first follow-up Asteroids Deluxe had a positive reception but never reached the huge impact of its predecessor. Since Asteroids Deluxe was well regarded for improved visuals and higher level of challenge, Atari went on to make the 1982 follow-up Space Duel. To promote the game, Atari’s artists made fascinating original artworks for both the arcade cabinet and the arcade flyer itself. Apart from looking great, I noticed the spaceships of Space Duel’s art looks similar with those of Xevious (a Namco arcade game distributed by Atari in America) and I can only speculate that the same artist made those.
2. Midway Auxiliary Show Monitor Print Ad
Did you experience watching arcade gameplay footage displayed on an overhead monitor?
As video arcades in America became massively popular with people and became a major economic sector, it was not surprising that crowding became a trend especially whenever a very popular game attracted both players (waiting in line) as well as onlookers. Midway, which was an arcade giant in the 1980s, came up with their own concept of a specialized secondary display called the Midway Auxiliary Show Monitor designed to let onlookers watch a video of ongoing gameplay without physically standing by the player. As the print ad above shows precisely the use of the monitors, those were used at trade shows or in arcades with a setup to make turn the single-player experience into a makeshift show for the people nearby. Back in the 1980s, there was indeed a spectator approach to the arcade experience but players had to deal with the disturbance of many onlookers standing near to see the on-screen action. At the very least, Midway’s concept and hardware was a bold attempt to solve overcrowding.
3. Sega Genesis North American Print Ad
Did this 1989 ad convince you to buy a Sega Genesis console?
While the Sega Genesis has always been identified with 1990s console gaming in America, the console was officially launched there in August 1989. At the time, Sega of America was not too creative nor aggressive when it comes to marketing the Genesis. The above 1989 print ad showed a lot of screenshots to promote the games, showed the console with a TV and a few peripherals and a text description that emphasized the Genesis as the so-called ultimate dimension in game play. Considering how dynamic and aggressive Sega’s marketing of the Genesis and games became a few years later when Tom Kalinske became the CEO, it is not surprising that this old ad has been forgotten.
4. The Punisher NES Print Ad
Fact: The Punisher started as an assassin in the comic books in 1974 before being turned into an anti-criminal killer.
By the year 1990, The Punisher became one of Marvel Comics’ most popular figures and the character had two monthly series published. As such, an actual video game featuring the character was made for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and to promote it, three screenshots were shown, a brick wall with stylized short messages was shown and a hand-drawn art of the Punisher was displayed. As seen in the screenshots, elements from The Punisher comic books were displayed such as shooting and fighting the criminals. Considering how wholesome the NES audience was at the time, this print promotion of The Punisher game looks odd although it is a fact that entertainment products featuring violent entertainment properties or characters were made and marketed towards children less than 12-years-old. Remember the Rambo animated series and video games of the 1980s?
5. Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters Arcade Flyer
Did you enjoy this Lethal Enforcers sequel?
After achieving both critical and big-time commercial arcade success with Lethal Enforcers in 1992, Konami proceeded with the sequel Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters which was released in arcades two years later. While the 1994 game used 2D sprites and digitized photographs like its predecessor, Konami used the 19th century Old West as the setting making it totally different from the 1992 original. To promote the game and emphasize the Old West setting, Konami came up with this arcade flyer that showed actors in cowboy costumes with a background that looks like a cowboy movie set. Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters went on to become successful in the arcades and it later got ported to game consoles.
6. Wipeout XL Print Ad
This is an ad and not an article.
1996 was a tremendous year for console gaming. As Nintendo launched their highly anticipated Nintendo 64 console (N64) that year, game publishers came up with new games that further utilized the features of both Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn. Wipeout XL was a sequel sci-fi racing game exclusive to the PlayStation and developer/publisher Psygnosis went all-in promoting the game with a lot of creativity and energy. They came up with this 2-page print ad to make gamers excited while creatively informing them what features, rave music and fun gameplay it has. On face value, this print ad looked more like a dazzling article.
7. Nights into Dreams Print Ad
The team behind the popular Sonic platform games on the Sega Genesis made Nights into Dreams.
If there is anything notable about the history of the Sega Saturn, it is the fact that there were no new dedicated platform games of Sonic The Hedgehog released for it which is very odd as the Sonic platform games on Sega Genesis were big sellers, critically acclaimed and even made their mark on pop culture. During the mid-1990s, Sonic Team (which had Sonic game creators like Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima) were laser-focused on making Nights into Dreams (stylized as NiGHTS into Dreams) which was an all-new intellectual property that allowed them to utilize the 3D capabilities of the Saturn while making room for their creativity. Sega knew Nights into Dreams was special so they came up with this 2-page print ad which had an eye-catching display of screenshots of the game on the left (with the Saturn in the middle) while using the other half for descriptive text and explanations (with the special Saturn controller in the middle) to grab people’s attention. This old ad from 1996 is a mixed bag for me as the left side was captivating to see while the description on the right side requires some effort to read properly due to the small size of the text.
8. Super Mario 64 Print Ad
This one was simple, clean and yet memorable.
What is arguably the most memorable video game released in 1996 was Super Mario 64 which was not only a fully featured launch game of the Nintendo 64 console, but also the first-ever Super Mario platform game made with 3D polygons complete with a large 3D environment that can be explored a lot. There was a huge anticipation for this game by both gamers and the media, and whenever it was previewed before release, it drew lots of crowds and many ended up being very impressed and wanting more. Nintendo knew they had some very special under the production and direction of Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto. As such, Nintendo had an ambitious marketing campaign that includes print media, video advertising on MTV, Fox and Nickelodeon and even sending video tapes to thousands of Nintendo Power magazine subscribers. This 2-page print ad was part of the campaign and it had a fine visual design that strongly emphasized the iconic Mario in polygonal form in most spaces, leaving the screenshots in the bottom. This old ad from 1996 never looks outdated and its clean approach is really effective in helping people understand that something great would be launched along with the N64. Both the console and this game sold a lot of copies ultimately and it remains one of Nintendo’s biggest achievements ever.
Takuto Oshima and Manami Hayashi, both from Japan, take a crack at extending their hold on their respective titles in the NTT Asia Triathlon Cup Subic Bay, more commonly known as the Subic International Triathlon (SuBIT), at Subic Bay Freeport Zone on May 2 (Saturday).
SuBIT’s 33rd staging carries with it the NTT Asia Triathlon Junior Cup for first time and henceforth the official Philippine National Triathlon Championships and qualifier for National Training Pool.
While Oshima (ranked #88 male in the world) and Hayashi (#36 female) will enjoy strong support from their compatriots, Oshima will face the strongest challenge from Canadian Liam Donnelly who is ranked higher by 15 notches.
Hayashi on the other hand is top-ranked among the female entries and the closest to her who are non-Japanese are Turkey’s Sinem Servera (#87) and USA’s Michelle Magnani (#91).
Organized Triathlon Philippines in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the oldest and longest running triathlon event in Southeast Asia is sponsored by Philippine Sports Commission, NTT, Gatorade (official hydration partner), Western Guaranty Corporation, C-Vitt and Subic Bay Travelers Hotel (official race hotel).
One of the more popular triathlons in Asia, this year’s SuBIT drew 92 elite triathletes and 31 elite juniors from 24 countries including Australia, Brazil, Bahrain, Canada, Cambodia, Guam, Hongkong, Indonesia, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Qatar, Thailand, Taipei, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Singapore, UAE, Bangladesh, Samoa and Philippines.
Looming as top bets from Southeast Asia include 2025 Southeast Asian Games champion Indonesian Rashif Amila Yaqin, also 2023 SEAG silver medalist, in the male division.
French Cambodian Margot Garabedian, 2023 SEAG gold medalist and runner-up in the 2026 Asian Beach Games aquathlon last April 24, lead the ASEAN campaign in the distaff side.
The non-elite athletes in the field of nearly 500 will display their wares in the second day of action.
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Note: This post was sourced from the official press release of the event from Triathlon Philippines.
For the first time since the United States and Israel started their joint military operations against the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran, a tanker carrying American oil arrived in Japan, according to a news report by Kyodo News.
It should be noted that Japan imports over 90% of oil from the Middle East and the government also released some of its oil reserves. As such, importing oil from other destinations is crucial for the Japanese. US President Donald Trump already told the international community to buy oil from America.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…
A tanker carrying U.S. oil arrived in Japan on Sunday, marking the first such shipment from the United States since the Iran war began in late February.
According to Cosmo Energy Holdings Co. that procured the crude oil from the United States, the tanker, which arrived in Tokyo Bay, transported 145,000 kiloliters, equivalent to half a day of domestic consumption.
The U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global energy shipments. Japan relies on the Middle East for more than 90 percent of its crude oil imports, most of which pass through the strait.
The tanker departed Texas on March 22 and transited the Panama Canal, which can accommodate smaller vessels.
The Japanese government and oil wholesalers have been trying to secure oil from alternative routes to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this development is the first of what could be many oil shipments from America coming to Japan?
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 fans, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Image Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1990s to examine one of the many tales of Jim Lee’s original WildStorm universe through the original Gen13 mini-series.
There is a lot to enjoy in the WildStorm comic book universe of the 1990s with such titles like WildCATS: Covert Action Teams, Team 7, StormWatch, Grifter, Backlash and Wetworks to name some. The WildStorm depicts the world as chaotic filled with strong paramilitary concepts, conspiracies and even aliens from deep space.
Along the way, WildStorm has its own take on the sub-genre of super-powered teenagers which was realized as Gen13 (stylized as Gen13). Strangely enough, the team – which actually first appeared in the Deathmate Black crossover comic book in 1993 – was originally titled as Gen X but WildStorm had to rebrand it into Gen13 as Marvel Comics already trademarked the name Generation X for an X-Men-related comic book project. To learn more about production history and background of Gen13, click here.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Gen13 #1, published by Image Comics in 1994 with a story written by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi with artwork done by Jeffrey Scott Campbell (ink work by Alex Garner). This is the first issue of the mini-series.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins sometime in 1979 when a married couple (Stephen and Rachel Callahan) desperate runs away with their two little children. A team of armored troops (the Black Razors) riding two hovering vehicles catches up with them and hit Rachel with bullets passing through her body. Stephen, who is carrying his son Matthew, uses his power to destroy one of the hovering vehicles. One of the Black Razors realized that the husband is gen-active and nobody informed their team that he was with Gen12.
Agonizing with severe head pain, Stephen tells Matthew to take his little sister Nicole with him and run to the trees. As far as Stephen is concerned, he is finished and all he can do is buy time for the two little children to escape. He tells Matthew to protect his sister. Suddenly, the Black Razors killed Stephen right in front of Matthew and Nicole.
Fifteen years later, a young, nerdy college student named Caitlin Fairchild makes her way through the college campus in Princeton. She is a gifted student who has been focused on maintaining a high grade and graduate with her advanced degree in computer science in the near future.
Upon arriving at the dormitory, she meets her promiscuous roommate Alexa who informs her that some guys arrived earlier looking for her. The guys were described as middle-aged suits and they wanted to talk to Caitlin about some internship program. Alexa then leaves.
A few hours later, Caitlin wakes up as the door gets knocked. Special agent baker of the National Security Committee tells her that she has been accepted into the Gen13 program and her presence is immediately required in order to process her into the program before it begins the next day…
Quality
Roxy, Burnout, Grunge and Caitlin Fairchild together for the first time at the secret facility of the Gen13 program. One other member – Rainmaker – has yet to appear.
I enjoyed this comic book the first time I had it in 1994. I can clearly say that it is still fun and engaging to read again today.
This comic book was written with the intention to introduce super-powered teenagers as a new and really distinctive team in one corner of the original WildStorm universe while also expanding the lore by focusing more on International Operations’ unethical covert operations which will easily remind people about government conspiracies, top secret missions and the like. The story has really strong elements about conspiracies, unethical scientific experiments and even human rights violations. The story by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi has a strong structure but what stood out to me was the really creative writing done to bring the characters to life complete with a touch of the 1990s vibe (in reference to comic book trends and real-life society).
John Lynch, a former member of Team 7 and also one of the high-ranking officials of IO who occasionally appeared in prior WildStorm comic books, gets a nice share of the spotlight in the story and indeed he is not full control of his organization. In fact, IO’s execution of a new program about developing people with special abilities or powers (without their knowledge) raises Lynch’s concerns as he himself was a victim of betrayal and exposure to an experimental gas during his time with Team 7. Lynch also appeared in The Kindred mini-series (read my reviews by clicking here, here and here).
When it comes to the characters, Gen13’s members here are introduced with notable differences in terms of personality. The nerdy Caitlin Fairchild is the very promising smart young lady who has the potential to succeed. Bobby (Burnout) is the quiet guy who quickly realizes that true unity is needed in order for a group to succeed under the program they are in. Roxy is the undisciplined and rebellious young lady while Grunge is the loose cannon and has trouble with authorities. While it is clear you won’t see much of their powers yet in this comic book, they turned out to be interesting enough to follow thanks to the strong creative writing by Lee and Choi.
When it comes to the visuals, Jeffrey Scott Campbell’s artworks really stood out mainly due to his distinctive style. If you look closely at how he draws the faces of women – particularly the ones who are young and fit – you will realize the exaggerated look complete with the big eyes and curves seen on females in anime or even manga (Japanese comics). If you are looking visual realism on the characters, you won’t find it here at all. Campbell’s style truly defined the look of the characters and yet he was able to draw armored troops (Black Razors and the armed security guard) with a really high level of details (including their weapons) which really stood out visually. Campbell is also good with superhero spectacle and hard action. Last but not least, there is a deliberate amount of erotic imagery in this comic book which serves as a reminder that this is a story aimed at young adult and adult readers.
Conclusion
John Lynch and Ivana having a confidential talk about International Operations and its current project about super-powered beings. Even though he is a very high officer at IO, Lynch was kept in the dark about something crucial.
Indeed, Gen13 #1 (1994) remains entertaining to read mainly because of the strong writing. The story moved at a smooth pace, the exposition was done cleverly, and the characters ended up being worthy enough to pay attention to. By the time I reached the end, I am convinced to go on to the next issue and rediscover not only more of the mini-series but also the way it expanded the lore of the WildStorm universe of the 1990s. This comic book alone strongly emphasized the connections with other elements of the WildStorm universe, particularly with Team 7 (its mini-series launched months after this one) and the dark legacy of IO. It is an adulterated superhero comic book that really offered readers something new and intriguing.
Following the major announcement of the United States and the Philippines plan of launching a historic economic security zone of four thousand acres, it was revealed recently that New Clark City (NCC) in the Philippine province of Tarlac has been chosen as the site for an industrial hub focused on artificial intelligence (AI), according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…
The New Clark City in Tarlac will host an industrial hub centered on artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and investments on a 1,618-hectare property.
This development comes as the Philippines formally joins the Pax Silica Declaration, a United States-led initiative that seeks to build a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain covering critical minerals, semiconductors, AI, and advanced manufacturing.
“By joining Pax Silica, the Philippines is ensuring that our mineral resources and strategic location are not simply supporting global industries from the margins, but are actively harnessed to build the industries of the future,” Finance Secretary Frederick Go said in a statement on Monday.
The country’s participation in this initiative signals its intent to play a more active role in the rapidly evolving AI and semiconductor landscape.
This is in sync with the Marcos administration’s target of establishing the Philippines as a regional AI powerhouse under the National AI Strategy Roadmap.
Strategically located within the Luzon Economic Corridor, the Coordination Office is the first of its kind to be established under Pax Silica. It is being designated as a “Golden Node,” a new model for AI-native investment acceleration hubs.
“The Golden Node is not about recreating the factories of the last century. It is about building the manufacturing ecosystems of the next century – AI-native from day one, anchored in the rule of law, and integrated into a network of trusted nations that will define global supply chain resilience for decades to come,” US Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said in a separate statement.
New Clark City as next AI hub – Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang said this development places New Clark City at the center of a pivotal transformation, one that will shape a more innovative, inclusive, and future-ready Philippines.
“By establishing this Golden Node, we stand to position New Clark City as a vital link in the global supply chain for advanced technologies and next-generation manufacturing. On the ground, this will translate into more quality job opportunities for Filipinos and greater participation of local enterprises in the growing innovation-driven economy across the globe,” he said.
The BCDA will extend a two-year grace period on lease payments, which will be treated as an unconditional in-kind contribution to support the development of economic cooperation initiatives between the two countries.
Initially referred to as Clark Green City, New Clark City was planned, designed and founded by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA). It has an area of more than 23,000 acres and is designed to accommodate over a million people. The NCC’s formal groundbreaking happened on April 11, 2016. For further information about New Clark City, click here.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Were you surprised to learn that New Clark City has been chosen as the AI-focused site of the 4,000 acre economic security zone of the United States and the Philippines with the Pax Silica initiative? If you have visited New Clark City lately, what can you describe about the place?
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, Valiant Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1990s to examine a key part of the Valiant Comics universe through a tale of X-O Manowar.
Valiant – under the banner of Voyager Communications – was established in 1989 by former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter and Steven Massarsky. This happened following their failed attempt to acquire Marvel Comics. Early on, Valiant hired several creators from Marvel and together they brainstormed to create an all-new shared superhero comics universe which will have varied characters of originally creations as well as some licensed creations. In 1991, the company officially launched with titles of Magnus: Robot Fighter and Solar: Man of the Atom.
In 1992, the first wave of Valiant’s original intellectual properties were launched starting with Harbinger in January followed by X-O Manowar in February.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-O Manowar #1, published in 1992 by Valiant Comics with a story written by the late Jim Shooter and Steve Englehart with art by Barry Windsor-Smith.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins inside an alien space ship traveling through deep space. A brave Visigoth warrior named Aric fights hard against Spider Aliens which he referred to as hard-skins. Even though he is naked and surrounded, he is determined to kill the aliens which have kept him as their slave and prisoner for many years.
Using the makeshift map marked by blood on his right palm, Aric makes his way through the ship until he finds a futuristic, metallic armor which puzzles him as he anticipated something useful in his desperate fight against the aliens. As a Spider Alien approaches him, Aric remembered the map giver advised him to take the ring which he does.
Suddenly, the armor moves to fit into him. Aric calls the armor a good skin and he realizes that it is stronger than fire-light. By instinct, Aric fires a powerful energy blast which not only kills two Spider Aliens but also damaged the hull of the space ship leading him into outer space.
When the space ship blows up near him, the armored Aric is pushed down into Earth’s atmosphere landing him on a snowy hill. He takes the armor off, leaves it behind and walks away fully naked. He still has the ring with him…
Quality
Even though he clearly has yet to fully master the use of the X-O armor, Aric is able to learn and adjust fast in a dangerous situation like this one.
Reading this Valiant comic book is indeed a great experience and it has indeed aged well. Right from the start, Aric is the protagonist designed to lead readers to get immersed into the story, follow his experiences, learn from his views and discoveries, and experience his development.
The story Jim Shooter and Steve Englehart came up with had a really strong structure and the narrative moved at a consistent medium-pace which allowed readers to follow the developments and learn the details.
As the titular hero, Aric here is a man from the distant past of Earth who got abducted by aliens and spent time as a prisoner and a slave in space for a number of years (note: time on Earth moved faster due to time dilation) before finally being able to free himself using his bravery and the armor.
Aric was written to be a man out of time and in this comic book, you will see how he struggles to not only survive but also adjust to life in 20th century Earth. He no longer has his tribe and the ancient world he lived in has long passed away. With the ring still with him, Aric holds the key and the ability to control the armor, and this makes the people of Orb Industries (a company serving as a front of the Spider Aliens who turned out to be operating in Earth for centuries) bothered. As such, Orb sees Aric as prey (who tasted power with the armor) and they have so much resources to commit mass murder and destruction just to get to him.
The build-up of the tale gradually intensified as the narrative moved on. The good news here is that the pay-offs are very rewarding to see. The spectacle is a mix of explosive scenes, shooting and superhero action with a strong science fiction flavor.
Conclusion
Orb Industries has the armor and they know Aric has the ring.
X-O Manowar #1 (1992) is absolutely a great comic to read and also one of the very best superhero introduction ever told. It has an adulterated tale that is believable and compelling to follow. By the time I reached the end of the story, Aric became a more relatable protagonist and I am convinced to follow the next issue. The story Shooter and Englehart came up with is indeed immersive and there Valiant shared universe itself became even more attractive to discover. There is no surprise that this comic book is one of the most significant comic book launches of Valiant.
The United States and the Philippines formally opened this year’s edition of Balikatan (Exercise Balikatan 41-2026) which is their annual joint military exercise focused on readiness, unity and defense, according to a news report by GMA News. Several allied nations and seventeen thousand troops are expected to participate in the exercise which will have military drills across various parts of the Philippines.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippines and the United States on Monday formally opened their annual joint Balikatan Exercise for this year, with 17,000 troops and several other countries expected to join.
“I hereby declare Exercise Balikatan 41-2026 officially open starting today,” AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said during the opening ceremony.
“Let this exercise not only demonstrate our readiness but affirm our commitment to stand together, to act together, and when necessary, defend together,” he added.
More than 17,000 troops from the Philippines, the United States, and partner nations including Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and New Zealand. At least 18 more countries are expected to serve as observers in the exercise.
The drills will be conducted across various parts of the Philippines from Luzon to Mindanao.
Balikatan 2026 will cover multiple domains such as air and missile defense, maritime security, live-fire exercises, and joint readiness operations.
The exercises will also include humanitarian and civic assistance programs such as building schools, supporting healthcare initiatives, and enhancing disaster preparedness in local communities.
Brawner said the expanded scope of the exercise reflects the evolving security environment.
Balikatan 2026 will be transformed from a bilateral activity between the Philippines and US into a multilateral effort aimed at improving interoperability and collective defense capabilities.
Brawner pointed out that the drills are anchored on respect for international law, national sovereignty, and the goal of promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think transforming this year’s Balilkatan from a bilateral US-Philippines activity into a multilateral effort makes sense? Considering the number of allies and soldiers expected to participate in the 2026 Balikatan, do you think Communist China will feel intimidated?
A lot happened between the United States and the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran lately. Previously there was progress reported in the latest talks between them and the result was the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. A short time later, Iran closed the strait and blamed America with a bunch of allegations. Iran even fired at ships in the strait as if they don’t really care about the ceasefire. In his latest move over the situation, US President Donald Trump told Islamic regime of Iran to take the deal or else they would face destruction, according to a report by Newsmax.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from Newsmax report. Some parts in boldface…
President Donald Trump on Sunday morning threatened to “knock out every single power plant and every single bridge” in Iran unless the country’s leaders accept a “very reasonable deal” offered by the United States.
Trump accused Iran of blatantly violating a ceasefire agreement by firing on ships in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, including vessels tied to key U.S. allies France and the United Kingdom.
“Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz — A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, criticizing Tehran’s actions as reckless and provocative.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran.“
Trump made clear that patience with the Iranian regime is running out, declaring “NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!” and vowing decisive action if diplomacy fails.
He framed the moment as long overdue, arguing past administrations failed to confront what he called Iran’s “killing machine” over decades.
The president also underscored what he described as a strategic advantage for the United States, noting Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit chokepoint, are backfiring.
Trump said a U.S.-led blockade has already effectively shut down the passage, costing Iran an estimated $500 million per day while redirecting energy demand toward American producers in states like Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska.
Meanwhile, the administration is continuing diplomatic efforts.
Trump said U.S. representatives are heading to Islamabad, Pakistan, for negotiations, signaling that talks remain active despite rising tensions.
A White House official confirmed to Newsmax’s Mike Carter on Sunday that Vice President JD Vance, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner will be leading the negotiations.
According to Axios on Saturday, Trump convened a high-level Situation Room meeting with top officials, including Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, to address the escalating crisis.
The current ceasefire is set to expire within days, and officials warn that without a breakthrough, hostilities could quickly resume.
Iran has acknowledged receiving new U.S. proposals and says it is reviewing them, but has not yet committed to a deal.
The renewed tensions come after signs of progress in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, particularly limits on uranium enrichment.
However, Iran’s latest military actions in the Strait appear to have complicated those discussions.
Speaking Saturday, Trump dismissed Tehran’s tactics as ineffective brinkmanship.
“They got a little cute … they wanted to close up the Strait again,” he said, adding that Iran “can’t blackmail us.”
For addition insight, watch the YouTube news videos below.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If diplomacy fails again, do you think America and Israel will unleash a new wave of offensive attacks against the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran? Did you notice there is division between Iran’s diplomats and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)? Are you convinced that the so-called supreme leader of Iran is not really leading the regime at all? Do you think the rebellious Iranians should leave their country before a new wave of attacks against the Islamic regime happens?
In the latest development between the United States and the Philippines, the US Department of State announced that the two nations plan the launch of a historic economic security zone of four thousand acres which will shore up supply chains and it will be located in the main island of Luzon.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the fact sheet posted by the State Department. Some parts in boldface…
Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg today announced the United States’ and the Philippines’ plans to establish a 4,000-acre industrial hub to secure inputs vital to American and global supply chains. The site is located in the Luzon Economic Corridor of the Philippines. The site—the first of its kind—is being designated by the Philippines as an Economic Security Zone, a new model for AI-native investment acceleration hubs being developed under the Pax Silica Initiative.
The Economic Security Zone is part of a broader strategy to surge production for inputs vital to U.S. supply chains. It is expected to serve as a purpose-built platform for allied manufacturing—an investment acceleration hub where the specific industrial activities are shaped by market demand, host-country comparative advantages, and the evolving needs of the allied network. Situated within the Luzon Economic Corridor, the Zone can leverage the Philippines’ geographic centrality in the Indo-Pacific, its young and technically skilled workforce, and its deepening alliance with the United States.
Structure and Planned Governance
Joint governance: The two governments intend to identify appropriate frameworks for the long-term development of the Zone that facilitate sovereign alignment and shared upside as it scales.
Enhanced Operational Certainty: The Economic Security Zone is intended to fuse American expertise in institutions and legal regimes – internationally enforceable contracts, transparent regulatory standards, and expert dispute resolution – with enhanced access to the Philippines’ outstanding workforce and talent, mineral endowments, energy resources, and strategic position at the crossroads of Indo-Pacific trade.
The Philippines and Pax Silica
Critical minerals: The Philippines holds significant reserves of nickel, copper, chromite, and cobalt—minerals increasingly vital to global supply chains.
Infrastructure: The Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) is a coordinated, high-impact investment in key sectors, including in transportation, energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. The LEC will transform Luzon into a more prosperous and interconnected region while delivering value to American investors.
The Economic Security Zone
First of many: The Luzon hub is intended to be the first Zone in a broader industrial network—a constellation of integrated manufacturing sites, logistics corridors, and shared financial instruments spanning partner nations across multiple continents.
System transformation: This interconnection can transform Pax Silica industrial policy from a collection of bilateral projects into a genuine system capable of competing with—and ultimately displacing—the concentrated supply chains on which the world currently depends.
For insight, Pax Silica is the State Department’s flagship effort on artificial intelligence (AI) and supply chain security, advancing new economic security consensus among allies and trusted partners. To learn more, click here.
Meanwhile the Philippine News Agency (PNA) published its news article about this development revealing that the Philippines officially joined the Pax Silica Initiative described as a strategic coalition among fourteen states to create a secure supply for semiconductors and AI. To read the news article, click here.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think both the Philippines and America will benefit from the planned 4,000-acre special economic security zone in the long-term?
Author Carlo Carrasco 