Tag: Asia

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 149

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 149

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Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 A Look At The Johnson County War – If you have seen the 1980 movie Heaven’s Gate, then you have been exposed to the Johnson County War which was a ranger war in the state of Wyoming that happened from 1889 to 1893. What the movie showed, however, was a historical fiction presentation and it could not be taken seriously as a reference of American history. To learn about the Johnson County War with historical attention, watch the video below.

#2 Popcorn in Bed Reacts To U-571 – Speaking of historical fiction, have you seen the movie U-571? When that movie was released in 2000, it only reminded me of other submarine movies like Das Boot, The Hunt For Red October and Crimson Tide. The movie directed by Jonathan Mostow and starring Matthew McConaughey made a lot of buzz when it opened at #1 in the American box office and that success influenced a lot of moviegoers here in the Philippines to watch it in local cinemas. I never saw U-571 but I noticed how much of an impact it had on Popcorn in Bed’s reaction video which I encourage you to watch.

#3 Japan Pushes Back Against Islam – There is a disturbing trend that has been happening in Japan that their local media and the international news organizations are not telling you…the Islamic foreigners there have been causing a series of disturbances such as occupying public spaces for Muslim prayers/gatherings, littering, rape, the construction of an illegal mosque and more. That said, there are lots of Japanese nationalists and concerned citizens who are fighting back and expressing demands and complaints to their government officials. It is clear that the Muslim foreigners there in Japan have this collective mindset of conquering Japan, violating the Japanese and gaining power under the guise of multiculturalism and political correctness. Watch the videos below.

#4 The Relevance Of The 1990s – Remember how unique the 1990s was when it comes to the evolution of technology, the marketing of products, the gradual transformation of pop culture in America and the like? There was indeed something special about the said decade which explains the driving force behind the Millennials’ nostalgia about it. To find out more, watch the video below.

#5 When Hollywood Released Two Similar Movies In 1998 – Way back in 1998, moviegoers worldwide saw two movies from Hollywood that had similar concepts about the world getting hit by something from deep space. The movies were Deep Impact and Armageddon, and they were released in the same summer box office season in America. Deep Impact was more dramatic and tried hard to be believable while Armageddon was highly exaggerated and had Michael Bay’s flair all over it. The two films were released at a time when disaster movies had a resurgence and they used computer-generated images to make realize their respective visual concepts. I find an analytical video about the two 1998 movies and I encourage you all to watch it.

#6 You, Me And The Movies React To Ghost In The Shell (1995) – There are many reasons why the 1995 anime feature film Ghost in the Shell is very significant. The adaptation of Masamune Shirow’s literary Ghost in the Shell was made with very high production values under the direction of Mamoru Oshii, the story had many futuristic concepts that became very relevant today, and it was very influential for many Hollywood filmmakers. That said, I liked how the anime feature film drew reactions from You, Me and the Movies, and their reaction video is a must-see!

#7 Casablanca Reaction Video Of EOM Reacts – There is nothing like watching a classic, black-and-white movie like Casablanca. Set in French Morocco, the story follows many characters dealing with the uncertainty of war and it is inside the nightclub and gambling den of American expatriate Rick Blaine where a lot of developments happened. The 1942 movie is memorable with its top-notch stars (Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are phenomenal), the dramatic plot, the immersive settings and many iconic lines and moments. I have seen the movie a few times already on 4K Blu-ray format and I enjoyed watching EOM Reacts’ video of it. Go watch his video below.

#8 Soba Getting Reinvented In Japan – Soba – a Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour – is getting reinvented in Japan as the traditional shops there are struggling with the rising costs of ingredients as well as a growing shortage of successors to the operators. In an effort to stay in business while avoiding raising prices, the surviving soba restaurants (and some new ones) there are reinventing the dining experience and doing other things to preserve the traditional soba culture. Watch and learn from the video below.

#9 Ranting For Vengeance Slams Zach Cregger And His Resident Evil Movie – As some of you already know, there is another new live-action movie of Resident Evil coming out soon and the early previews showed very little connections with the Resident Evil games of Capcom. Actor Zach Cregger is the director and co-writer of the new Resident Evil movie and Ranting for Vengeance slammed him hard in his recent YouTube video. Not only that, the YouTuber also backed up his criticism on Cregger and the 2026 Resident Evil movie with facts and details that you have to see. That said, go watch his video below and pay close attention to the details.

#10 Atari Jaguar CD Revisited – While I played a lot of games of Atari (both on Atari 2600 console and arcade games) in my life, I never owned an Atari Jaguar nor its CD-ROM add-on device. Indeed, there was a time in the 1990s when Atari got back in console gaming starting with the Jaguar console that operated with games in cartridge format. A short time later, the add-on Atari Jaguar CD was released and it looked like a toilet with the lid open. To learn more about the Atari Jaguar CD, watch the retro gaming video below.

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Surpasses Thailand As Southeast Asia’s 2nd Largest Aviation Market

Vietnam Surpasses Thailand As Southeast Asia’s 2nd Largest Aviation Market

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With its booming tourism industry making huge economic impact, Vietnam surpassed Thailand as and emerged as the 2nd largest aviation market in Southeast Asia this past July, according to a news report by VnExpress.

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

Vietnam surpassed Thailand to become the second largest Southeast Asian aviation market with 7.4 million seats in July, an increase in capacity of 5.6% year-on-year, according to a report by British aviation analytics firm OAG.

Indonesia remained the largest Southeast Asia market with 10.9 million seats, up 0.3% year-on-year.

Thailand, which held the second spot in previous months, slipped to third place with 6.9 million seats, a 3% reduction in capacity, followed by Malaysia and the Phillippines. The report said capacity reduced in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines due to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam Airlines is the largest airline in Southeast Asia in July with 2.81 million seats, growing by just 0.1% year-on-year, according to OAG.

Overall capacity in the Southeast Asian market reduced by 1.2% compared to July last year to 50.4 million seats due to rising fuel costs triggered by political tensions in the Middle East, OAG reported.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering its rapidly growing tourism industry, were you surprised that Vietnam registered 7.4 million seats this past July? Considering what was achieved recently, do you think Vietnam will grow further as an aviation market once its new Long Thanh International Airport becomes operational?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan Sees Urgent Need To Prepare Itself For New Ways Of Warfare

Japan Sees Urgent Need To Prepare Itself For New Ways Of Warfare

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In this age of artificial intelligence (AI), the rising use of drones in military operations and Communist China’s disturbing presence at sea, the Defense Ministry of Japan sees the urgent need to prepare the nation for the new ways of warfare, according to a news article by Jiji Press.

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

Japan’s Defense Ministry emphasized the urgent need to prepare for what it calls new ways of warfare leveraging drones and artificial intelligence technology in an annual white paper adopted Tuesday.

The 2026 report, submitted by Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to the day’s cabinet meeting, also displayed vigilance over the Chinese military’s expanding activities in the Pacific, saying Japan should respond with its “comprehensive national power.”

The white paper said that large-scale attacks combining low-cost unmanned equipment and conventional missiles have been conducted on the battlefields of Ukraine fighting Russia’s aggression.

Acknowledging that preparing for prolonged conflicts has become a key issue, the government stressed the importance of securing adequate stockpiles and ensuring sustained operational capability.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you support the idea of Japan tremendously modernizing itself militarily to defend itself while pushing back against Communist China’s military presence at sea? Would you like to see Japan become more sophisticated in the new ways of warfare using whatever state-of-the-art technologies it has? Do you think Japan should approach the United States for more advanced military hardware?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan Immigration Agency Proposes Tougher Requirements And New Pension Rules For Permanent Residency

Japan Immigration Agency Proposes Tougher Requirements And New Pension Rules For Permanent Residency

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In the latest development on reforming immigration in Japan, the nation’s immigration agency proposed tougher requirements and new pension rules for granting permanent residency to foreigners, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

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

Japan’s immigration agency on Tuesday proposed tougher requirements for granting permanent residency to foreigners, including requiring applicants to maintain income above the average for Japanese households and a certain level of projected pension benefits.

The proposed guidelines are part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to create an “orderly society” in which Japanese and foreign nationals coexist while cracking down on illegal activities.

The Immigration Services Agency will solicit public comments before implementing the new rules from April 2027.

Permanent residents can remain in Japan indefinitely without restrictions on their activities while retaining their original nationality. Applicants generally must have lived in Japan for at least 10 years to qualify.

It differs from naturalization, through which a person acquires Japanese citizenship.

Under the current guidelines, the three main requirements for obtaining permanent residency are good conduct, sufficient assets or skills to maintain an independent livelihood, and that granting permanent residency is in Japan’s best interests.

The revised rule would require applicants to maintain annual household income above the average for Japanese households, with the benchmark based on several government data sources.

According to a health ministry survey on living conditions released on July 15, for instance, average income per household in Japan stood at 5.75 million yen ($36,500) in 2024.

Applicants would also be required to have projected pension benefits equivalent to those payable after 30 years of enrollment in the employees’ pension program at their income level.

If the projected pension benefits fall short, they will be allowed to cover the difference with their financial assets.

The revised guidelines would also introduce a Japanese-language requirement, with applicants required to demonstrate proficiency at the level of an “independent user.”

While the population of Japanese nationals has been on a downtrend, the number of foreign residents has been increasing as Japan has been accepting more workers from abroad.

As of the end of last year, about 947,000 people held permanent residency status, with many from China and the Philippines.

Permanent residency is currently granted to a spouse of a Japanese national or a permanent residency holder when their marriage has lasted for at least three years, and the non-Japanese spouse has resided in Japan for at least one year.

The proposal would raise the thresholds to five years of marriage and three years of residence.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the proposed tougher requirements and new pension rules make a lot of sense when it comes to the granting of permanent residency to foreigners there in Japan? Do you think the proposals will discourage foreigners from Third World nations like Pakistan, Somalia and Bangladesh from seeking permanent residency in Japan? Do you think the current government of Japan is doing good enough to reform immigration? Do you think that foreigners in Japan who applied for permanent residency and committed a local crime or an act of violence should automatically be disqualified by the government?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Several Entertainment Venues In Thailand Ordered To Shut Down

Several Entertainment Venues In Thailand Ordered To Shut Down

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Following the raid of illegal hotels in Phuket, Thailand, the local authorities in Bangkok issued orders to almost eighty entertainment venues to shut down over widespread licensing and safety violations, according to a VnExpress news report.

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

Authorities in Bangkok, Thailand’s nightlife hub, have ordered 79 entertainment venues to suspend operations after a week-long inspection campaign uncovered widespread licensing and safety violations across the capital.

Nineteen establishments were ordered to suspend live music performances for lacking the required entertainment permits, while 60 businesses were temporarily shut down for operating without valid licences, Thairath Online news site reported.

The inspections, carried out between July 19 and 26, covered 865 of the city’s 1,204 targeted entertainment venues, or about 72% of the total, Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornphrom Vikitsreth said as quoted by The Nation.

The inspections came after a fire tore through a beer hall and live music venue in Bangkok’s Chatuchak District on July 12, killing 36 people and injuring 70 in Thailand’s deadliest blaze in more than a decade.

Authorities said inspections of entertainment venues and similar businesses will continue across Bangkok to strengthen public safety, ensure operators comply with regulations and restore confidence among both local patrons and foreign tourists visiting the city’s nightlife districts.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you plan to visit Bangkok soon, do you think the current crackdown by the local authorities will make the city safer for tourists?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Student Dies After Getting Stabbed By Classmate In Las Piñas City

Student Dies After Getting Stabbed By Classmate In Las Piñas City

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Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a Grade 9 student died after getting stabbed by a classmate (aged 14) following a verbal altercation between them, according to a news report by Malaya Business Insight.

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

A Grade 9 student at the Las Piñas National High School died after being stabbed by his 14-year-old classmate.

A report from the Southern Police District said the stabbing incident occurred on the fourth floor of the school following a verbal altercation between the victim and the suspect.

Las Pinas City Police Chief Col. Fermin Armendarez III said following the altercation, the suspect pulled put a knife and stabbed the victim.

The victim was brought to the Las Pinas District Hospital for treatment, but he was pronounced dead by attending physicians at 4:53pm.

Armendarez said the suspect was taken into custody after the custody while the investigation is continuing.

In a statement, the school expressed sadness over the incident and said it is fully cooperating with the police in the investigation.

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? Does this tragedy make you feel more concerned about the safety of students nowadays? How do you think the suspect brought a deadly weapon into school?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH 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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Joint Yen-Buying By Japan And America Confirmed

Joint Yen-Buying By Japan And America Confirmed

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For the first time in fifteen years, Japan and the United States conducted a joint buying of Yen following the Japanese currency’s continued weakness to the U.S. Dollar which Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama confirmed yesterday, according to a Kyodo News report. The Yen fell to almost 164 to the U.S. Dollar on July 23.

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

Japan and the United States conducted coordinated yen buying Friday, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said, their first joint market intervention in 15 years, with the two nations ready to act again if necessary.

The intervention during New York trading on Friday came after the yen hit 163.99 to the U.S. dollar on July 23, its weakest level in around 40 years, amid mounting fears about Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s expansionary but vaguely funded fiscal policy.

“This joint action was taken pursuant to the U.S.-Japan Finance Ministers’ Joint Statement issued in September 2025 and countered the excessive volatility and disorderly movements of the Japanese yen in recent months,” Katayama said in a statement on Monday.

“The Japanese Ministry of Finance remains attentive and in close communication with our counterparts at the U.S. Treasury. We will not hesitate to conduct a further joint intervention,” she added.

After warnings by Katayama and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of additional action to prevent the Japanese currency from depreciating, the yen briefly surged to the lower 155 level from the upper 157 range on Monday morning.

While joint currency interventions by the countries are usually reserved for emergencies, Japan has been struggling with the yen’s depreciation, which has increased import costs, threatening to accelerate inflation and jack up yields on long-term Japanese government bonds.

Washington is also believed to be wary of rising long-term Japanese interest rates pushing up U.S. rates before the congressional midterm elections in the fall, analysts said.

The previous Japan-U.S. intervention was carried out to stem the yen’s rise after the massive earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan in March 2011.

Katayama told reporters in Tokyo that Friday’s coordination between Japan and the United States was aimed at linking Tokyo’s “economic security to its unwavering alliance” with Washington.

She stressed the countries’ “close coordination” since the release of their joint statement last September, which confirmed interventions should be reserved for combating excessive volatility as well as “disorderly depreciation or appreciation.”

Japanese and U.S. authorities have pledged to take decisive action “against disorderly moves at any time,” Katayama said.

Atsushi Mimura, Japan’s top currency diplomat, called the latest coordinated intervention a “completed form” of the Japan-U.S. currency alliance, emphasizing the two countries would continue to respond “without missing a beat.”

Saying Japan “wanted a little bit of help,” President Donald Trump indicated Sunday in the United States that Washington had conducted a yen-buying intervention at the request of Takaichi’s government. He told reporters the action would benefit his nation economically.

He added, “We’re always there for Japan. Japan’s been very good to us, with the exception, of course, of Pearl Harbor,” referring to Japan’s 1941 surprise aerial attack on a naval base in Hawaii that resulted in the U.S. entry into World War II.

In New York on Friday, the yen surged to the lower 157 level against the dollar, with Japanese government sources confirming a yen-buying intervention by currency authorities.

The move came after the yen briefly soared to the 157 range Thursday, gaining nearly 5 yen in about 50 minutes before dropping back to the 160 level, as a result of a currency intervention by Japan later confirmed by market and government sources.

On Sunday, Bessent wrote on social media that the intervention “countered disorderly yen movements,” adding the United States would “not hesitate” to conduct further joint currency intervention with Japan, echoing Katayama.

He also said, “We strongly support Japan’s decisive market and monetary steps to correct the substantial undervaluation of the yen.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What do you think the joint buying of Yen by the US and Japan will lead to further stabilization economically in the short term? Do you think this joint move will somehow boost both nation’s economies?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Number Of Japanese Nationals Falls Below 120 Million

Number Of Japanese Nationals Falls Below 120 Million

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The population of Japanese nationals has officially declined to less than one hundred twenty million which is the lowest figure in more than forty years, according to a news report by Kyodo News. Meanwhile, the number of foreign residents has surpassed four million.

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

The number of Japanese nationals fell below 120 million for the first time in 42 years to 119,736,483 at the start of this year, the government said Wednesday, underscoring the challenges faced by a nation battling declining birth rates.

The figure as of Jan. 1 showed a drop of 917,000 people from a year earlier, the largest fall since comparable data became available in 1968, according to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

The number of foreign residents, meanwhile, rose 354,000 to a record 4,031,159. The ministry began compiling relevant data in 2013.

Despite government efforts to reverse the declining birth trend, the country recorded around 670,000 births, a record low, compared with around 1.59 million deaths.

Of Japan’s 47 prefectures, Tokyo was the only one that reported an increase in the number of Japanese nationals, up 0.09 percent.

Faced with labor shortages, Japan has been gradually opening its doors to foreign workers. The number of foreign residents rose for the fourth consecutive year as more people came to Japan in search of job opportunities.

The share of working-age people among foreign residents rose to 86.17 percent.

The prefecture with the largest increase in the number of foreign residents was Hokkaido, at 14.89 percent, followed by Okinawa at 14.36 percent and Oita at 13.90 percent.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? What do you think the Japanese government should do to stop the decline of the Japanese population while limiting the growth of foreign residents? Should Japan implement a ban on Islamic immigration as well as a travel ban on nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

I Love Israel: Israel Seeks More Visitors From Southeast Asia

I Love Israel: Israel Seeks More Visitors From Southeast Asia

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In a serious attempt to attract more travelers from Southeast Asia, the tourism ministry of Israel enhanced the existing ties with travel agencies in the Philippines and Singapore, 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.

Israel’s Ministry of Tourism is seeking to attract more travelers from Southeast Asia by strengthening ties with travel agencies in the Philippines and Singapore, as it promotes the country’s destinations and assures visitors of safety.

The ministry recently hosted a seven-day familiarization tour for travel agents from both countries, showcasing Israel’s religious, historical, adventure and leisure attractions as part of its campaign to expand arrivals from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

The itinerary included visits to Jerusalem, Dead Sea and Tel Aviv, as well as a jeep tour through the Judean Desert and a wine tour in the Golan Heights.

Hassan Madah, international director of the Israel Ministry of Tourism in Jerusalem, said the country remains open to international visitors.

“We welcome you all. Israel is open to everyone, and travelers can be assured that our country is safe to visit,” Madah said.

He said the ministry hopes to welcome more visitors from the Philippines and Singapore, citing the country’s religious sites, historic cities, deserts and beaches as key attractions.

The ministry identified the Philippines as one of its priority markets in Asia, alongside India, China and South Korea, with growth driven largely by faith-based travel.

Singapore, meanwhile, is considered a strategic market because of its position as a regional aviation and travel hub.

The tourism ministry said it has been strengthening partnerships with Southeast Asian travel industry stakeholders through regional events, including ITB Asia in Singapore.

Despite the lack of direct flights between the Philippines and Israel, Filipino arrivals have remained steady, according to the ministry.

The Department of Tourism and the Israel Ministry of Tourism have signed a joint declaration of intent to promote two-way tourism and are engaged in discussions with airlines on improving connectivity.

Israel Ministry of Tourism Philippines Marketing Manager Anna Oraiza Aban said visa-free travel access for Philippine and Singaporean passport holders makes visits to Israel more convenient.

To all my readers, I encourage you to thank the Lord for this breakthrough of cooperation between Israel and both the Philippines and Singapore as the Jewish state seeks more visitors from Southeast Asia.  

As such, I encourage you all to pray to the Lord for this breakthrough to lead to more breakthroughs in terms of improved travel, more connections between Israel and Southeast Asia, and more opportunities for Southeast Asian people to visit the Holy Land and realize the legacy of God, Lord Jesus and the Jewish people.

At the same time, I encourage you all to realize 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.

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!

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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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

SBMA Releases Almost P220 Million Revenue Shares To Olongapo City And Other Local Government Units

SBMA Releases Almost P220 Million Revenue Shares To Olongapo City And Other Local Government Units

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The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced that it has released almost P220 million in revenue shares to the City Government of Olongapo and seven other local government units (LGUs).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the SBMA’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) released a total of PHP 218,115,671.26 in revenue shares to eight local government units (LGUs) contiguous to this premier freeport zone.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that this amount released on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, represents the revenue shares for the first semester of 2026, which is 10.24 percent higher than that of last year’s comparative period.

The recipient LGUs are Olongapo City, the municipalities of Subic, San Marcelino, Castillejos, and San Antonio in Zambales, and the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, and Morong in Bataan.

Taking into account the population and land area, Olongapo was allocated the largest amount of PHP 50,420,165.72, received by Olongapo City Mayor Atty. Rolen Paulino, Jr. This was followed by Subic, Zambales, which received PHP 32,871,521.46, accepted on behalf of Mayor Jonathan John Khonghun.

The remaining LGUs received their allocations as follows: Dinalupihan, Bataan, with PHP 27,438,313.68, accepted on behalf of Mayor German Santos, Jr.; San Marcelino, Zambales, with PHP 26,272,445.97, received by Mayor Elvis Soria; Hermosa, Bataan, with PHP 23,422,520.27, accepted on behalf of Mayor Atty. Anne Adorable-Inton; Castillejos, Zambales, with PHP 19,817,470.23, received on behalf of Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun; Morong, Bataan, with PHP 19,340,287.10, received on behalf of Mayor Leila Linao-Muñoz; and San Antonio, Zambales, with PHP 18,532,946.83, received by Mayor Dr. Arvin Antipolo.

The LGU shares are sourced from five percent corporate taxes paid by business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport. They are distributed among LGUs based on population (50%), land area (25%), and equal sharing (25%).

OIC-Deputy Administrator for Finance Editha Marzal, along with the finance team, led the distribution of the LGU shares.

Marzal noted that the net shares distributed to the LGUs include not only the current collection period’s allocations but also the 10 percent retention withheld during the first semester of the 2024 distribution.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you see the increased amount of revenue shares as a sign of better economic activities and finances within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone? Do you think the revenue shares would be higher once the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and Pax Silica activities finally start economic activities in the near future?

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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