COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City extends deadline of biz tax payment to Sept 18,2020 amid extension of CQ
In a bid to extend assistance to the private sector experiencing disruption of economic activities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and community quarantine, the City Government of Muntinlupa extends the payment of business tax payments.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi approved City Ordinance No. 2020-115 extending the deadline of payment of the 3rd Quarter Business Tax payments from August 19, 2020 to September 18, 2020 without penalties, surcharge and interest.
However, all business taxes due for the said period shall be subject to the penalties and interest prescribed by Muntinlupa Revenue Code if not paid on or before September 18, 2020.
Fresnedi assured the members of the private sector that the City Government will continue to support local businesses in Muntinlupa during these trying times.
Recently, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Muntinlupa has recognized the City Government’s efforts in curbing COVID-19 in the city and its assistance to local businesses amid the pandemic.
During the local business chamber’s virtual general assembly last July, PCCI-Muntinlupa president Elvie Sanchez-Quiazon conferred the Sterling Growth Catalyst Award to Mayor Jaime Fresnedi in recognition of his leadership in addressing the health crisis while still boosting the sustainability of local economy.
Quiazon said the local chamber lauds Mayor Fresnedi’s “transformational and adaptable leadership, commitment and eminent public service to boost the development and sustainability of the Muntinlupa City in challenging times.”
The mayor extended his thanks to PCCI-Muntinlupa for their recognition of the City Government’s COVID-19 response efforts to minimize its health, economic, and social impacts in the city.
Fresnedi said the award also recognizes the hard work of Muntinlupa’s front-liners who are driven by a shared goal to eliminate COVID-19 in the city.
As of August 10, Muntinlupa City has 2,038 confirmed cases with 1,222 recoveries, 726 active cases, 90 reported deaths, 968 suspect cases, and 675 probable cases.
Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release.
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 distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Time for Rare and Microsoft to emphasize Everwild’s gameplay and features
Everwild developed by Rare and published by Microsoft.
I have to admit that it’s been quite a long time since Xbox game studio Rare released a game that captivated me. I’m talking about their two games that launched with the Xbox 360 – Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo: Elements of Power.
They went on to make Viva Piñata, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (a major disappointment), Kinect Sports, Kinect Sports II, Kinect Sports Rivals (the commercial failure), Killer Instinct, Rare Replay (the compilation of their legacy), and Sea of Thieves (which never interested me). Lastly, I should mention that Rare’s next project Battletoads is coming out on August 20!
When I least expected it, Rare caught my attention at last during the XO19 this past November when their newest game was unveiled…Everwild. The game is being developed specifically for the next-generation Xbox Series X and Windows 10 PC (also coming to Xbox Game Pass) and below is the announcement trailer.
The first time I saw that trailer, I was captivated with the great looking visuals which had stunning digital art work and smooth animation. When I noticed the characters move in the game and they faced a scenic view with birds flying in the air, I had the impression that Everwild is an adventure-type game that may have open-world exploration elements. It should be said that the animation and artistic design of the wild animals are astounding to see! By the time the trailer ended, I hoped to see more of it as I am fond of open-world games (and games with wide-open areas that still satisfy gamers’ open-world interests) with adventuring and exploration.
And this past July, Microsoft released the 2nd trailer for Everwild during the Xbox Games Showcase which you can see below…
That Xbox Games Showcase Everwild trailer looks more amazing and having replayed it more, it is clear to me now that it is an adventure game (confirmed at the game’s Xbox.com page) with a world to explore. It also shows that the characters do interact with animals, even to the point of making changes to the natural environment. There are also mystical acts performed. Even with such details visualized, Rare and Microsoft have yet to emphasize clearly (and in detail) how exactly Everwild will play and what it will feature. In reality, beautiful visuals can only go so far on selling the game and ultimately it is the fun factor and engagement that need to be strong to really connect with gamers.
My questions for Rare and Microsoft are as follows:
Is Everwild a single-play game with co-op as options or is it an online multiplier game?
Does Everwild have a living, breathing open-world or will it have separate wide-open areas meant to be explored and discovered?
Apart from interacting with animals and the environment, will the game have a good amount of action scenes to keep gamers engaged?
Does Everwild have creature/monster hunting? Village building?
Will the game have some role-playing game (RPG) elements in terms of leveling up the characters?
Will Everwild launch along with Xbox Series X?
A shot the July 2020 trailer of Everwild.
Being very interested with Everwild, I really hope that the publisher and developer will get their acts together to emphasize more of their game’s gameplay and features. It would be very nice if they could not only show more gameplay footage but also demonstrate how the game plays in live fashion in an upcoming Xbox-focused event. I personally enjoy open-world games that have lots of exploration, action and a solid story to follow, and I hope that Everwild will have such values. If Everwild will indeed by an open-world game, it could literally break the mold with its out-of-this-world concept and possibly feature action scenes that don’t involve guns. Rare’s game just might provide the open-world experience radically different (from the likes of Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row, etc.) and still deliver a ton of fun. Really, it’s high time for the game makers to emphasize the game! Oh yeah, I’d like to see Phil Spencer or Colteastwood or Dealer Gaming organize an interview with the creative team at Rare to talk about the Everwild!
Speaking of upcoming Xbox events, check out the following YouTube videos about a possible August event by Microsoft done by Colteastwood and Dealer Gaming.
By the way, have you heard about the leak relating to the long speculated Xbox Series S? Watch these videos by Dealer Gaming and Rand al Thor 19.
In closing this, here is a video by Gaming Bolt. If you are an Xbox One owner, it should convince you to look forward to Xbox Series X.
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
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.
Hey everyone! Are you ready for another return to the Ultraverse? This time, it’s a return to the Prototype monthly series published by Malibu Comics.
That being said, here is a look back at Prototype #8, published by Malibu Comics in 1994 with a story by Tom Mason and Len Strazewski, and art done by Roger Robinson.
Early story
The story begins with the continuing destructive battle between Prototype (piloted by Jimmy Ruiz) and Arena (a past foe that Bob Campbell dealt with as Prototype) inside a building in the middle of the city. As the two armored figures fight, an Ultratech executive calls out for Veil. Facing disadvantages against Arena, Prototype decides to fly out of the building to try something more strategic.
Meanwhile, Bomb Campbell learns about the ongoing battle in the news while working on a part of powered suit of armor he has. He notices the return of Arena and analyzes that Jimmy Ruiz will end up losing to the old foe…
Quality
Even flying away did not help Prototype from avoiding Arena’s attacks.
I’m happy to say that this is another well-written story here by Mason and Strazewski. While the battle between Arena and Prototype is the main feature, the script focused nicely on other developments such as Bob Campbell’s recollection of his past encounter with Arena (from his time as Prototype), how the city officials perceive ultras as a threat and danger to the locality, and how the people react to gang violence striking their community.
What is pretty striking with this comic book is the further development of Jimmy Ruiz as a character. Not only will you see him struggle a lot not only with fighting and piloting the powered sit of armor, you’ll also see how the frustration with his high-paying job impacts him deeply. His personality got fleshed out during his battle with Arena who in turn thinks with tradition and philosophies. The way the story ended is a must-see and the good news is that it builds up the suspense for the next issue.
Conclusion
The money shot!
Prototype #8 is fun to read and compelling for anyone who is focused on Jimmy Ruiz. This comic book, which by the way is loaded with lots of action, is not the typical hero-beats-antagonist type of story rather it went the extra mile on developing the present-day Prototype. It is also the most engaging portrayal of Jimmy Ruiz yet!
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Prototype #8 (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $4.
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
The City Government of Muntinlupa warns the public of the strict enforcement of community quarantine measures in the city and violators will be meted with fines and penalties.
Muntinlupa City Police Station has launched Oplan Galugad to apprehend residents violating city ordinances for the duration of community quarantine including curfew hours, mandatory wearing of face masks, quarantine pass system and liquor ban, among others.
As of August 10, MCPS recorded 305 apprehensions in which six (6) individuals were charged with cases for regular filling. Among recent violators were 60 minors who were given a stern warning for their offense. Minor violators or those below 18 in Muntinlupa will lose their city scholarship on their second offense.
Muntinlupa Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said members of Muntinlupa PNP, city security officers, and barangay police will continue to augment round-the-clock inspections to ensure that health protocols and quarantine guidelines in public places and business establishments are strictly followed.
Navarro added that the stringent measure aims to limit movements and interactions in public places which are hotspots for the transmission of COVID-19. She noted that the public can report cases of violation to PNP or barangays.
Recently, the City Government reverted curfew hours to 8:00 PM – 5:00 AM for the duration of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and approved a liquor ban that will be in effect for all types of community quarantine.
Curfew violators may face penalties of up to P1,000.00, while liquor ban violators will pay up to P2,000.00 penalty. Establishments who will be caught selling alcoholic beverages in the city will incur a P5,000.00 fine, suspension or revocation of business permits, and one-year imprisonment.
Further, the City Council has also passed an ordinance imposing tougher implementation of home quarantine pass system during ECQ and MECQ.
Qpass holders in the city are required to bring a government-issued ID for verification and can only purchase essential goods from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Establishments and Homeowners Associations are mandated to inspect quarantine passes from persons entering or exiting their premises. Violators of the Qpass system may face penalties of up to P1,000.00.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi asks for the cooperation of the public and says that the strict quarantine measure aims to slow down the transmission of COVID-19 in the city. He also urged residents to observe health protocols such as wearing face masks, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing.
As of August 9, Muntinlupa City has 1,984 confirmed cases with 1,169 recoveries, 726 active cases, 89 reported deaths, 1,061 suspect cases, and 763 probable cases.
Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release.
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 distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Let me start by making clear to you all that I love eating the pandesal (a roll of bread common in the Philippines) sold by Mang Pandesal located at El Grande Avenue corner Tropical Avenue in BF International, Las Piñas City. Every day they sell freshly baked pandesal that is both affordable (at P2 each as of this writing) and very delicious. Mang Pandesal is so good, many times lines of customers are formed just outside of their store, as well as vehicles suddenly parking nearby with a driver or a passenger coming out to line up and buy pandesal. If you are not familiar with Mang Pandesal, check out my opinion piece.
This past weekend, I passed by Mang Pandesal to take home freshly baked bread. Look at the pic below…
Freshly baked pandesal at Mang Pandesal! Highly recommended!
Normally, I ate Mang Pandesal’s bread standalone because each and every pandesal tastes great. There never was a time I had any bad bread from the BF International baker. This time around, I decided it was high time to experiment something that could be very enjoyable. As such, upon arriving home, I placed the Mang Pandesal bread on the table and pulled out a can of the worldwide favorite meat SPAM.
The world-famous SPAM canned meat, just with less sodium.Some of the Mang Pandesal bread arranged on the small plate for SPAM.
So step by the step, I pulled out some pandesal and carefully cut out slices of SPAM and divided each slice of the meat into three. Each pandesal from Mang Pandesal were cut into half to resemble clamshells. Then carefully I placed each SPAM portion into each pandesal.
Mang Pandesal’s bread with SPAM meat inserted.A shot from above.
With the best tasting pandesal and the best tasting canned meat combined, the result was, unsurprisingly, a very delicious experience and totally enjoyable eat! This is an experience that food enthusiasts should have whenever they have Mang Pandesal bread and SPAM available!
And then out of curiosity, I decided to try another experiment…I decided to try pandesal with SPAM with a thin layer of white cheese added.
Thin layers of cheese added.
The result? A very creamy taste that’s also very nice for consumption!
Depending how you like your Mang Pandesal bread and SPAM together, you will definitely get a great taste of the two. If you want the cheesy or creamy taste, that is what you will get with pandesal and SPAM with white cheese added.
As such, having Mang Pandesal’s pandesal and SPAM’s meat together is highly recommended! That being said, whether you like meat with your pandesal or you simply want the best pandesal around, I recommend you to go to Mang Pandesal in BF International now and buy.
Let me end this piece with a scripture from the Holy Bible, the Passion Translation to be precise.
Whether you eat or drink, live your life in a way that glorifies and honors God.
1 Corinthians 10: 31 (TPT)
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
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book, watching the V mini-series (Original Miniseries and The Final Battle) and the 1984 TV series, 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.
Back in the 1980s – a time when Netflix, Blu-ray, social and other forms of digital entertainment were not yet realized – watching a special show on television was really something. During that particular decade, science fiction in cinema was already popular (thanks to George Lucas and Star Wars plus the resurgence of Star Trek) but there was still room for growth on the TV market.
The cover of V: The Original Miniseries. (source – IMDB.com)
Then came the very memorable sci-fi TV mini-series titled V (also referred to as V: The Original Miniseries) in 1983 which not only became a big hit with viewers but also brought the sci-fi concept of reptiloids (reptilian humanoids) to the mainstream. The mini-series also had parallels to the Nazis and the Holocaust. The original mini-series was such a big hit, it spawned a sequel mini-series titled V: The Final Battle (1984) and even a TV series (1984-1985).
Jane Badler as Diana, Faye Grant as Julie Parrish and Marc Singer as Mike Donovan. (source – IMDB.com)
With the history lesson done, it’s high time to start taking a look back at V #1, published in 1985 by DC Comics with a story written by Cary Bates and illustrated by Carmine Infantino.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins in the city of Los Angeles, California, with millions of locals try to co-exist with the visitors (reptilian beings disguised as humans) who are armed and still have power over Earth’s people. Los Angeles stands as a so-called neutral zone but some things are not what they seem.
Inside a restaurant, Mike Donovan, Julie Parrish, Ham Tyler and Chris Farber talk about their situation. For Ham and Chris, the neutral zone stinks but for Mike, the current situation spares the city from turning into an open battlefield. Suddenly, three men wearing trench coats standing by the bar pull their guns out and fire at Mike and his companions who take cover…
Quality
The struggle between the resistance and the visitors goes on.
Before discussing the quality of this comic book, I should state that having sufficient knowledge about the two TV mini-series and the TV series is required in order to understand what has been going on in the literary tale and who the characters are.
On quality, let’s start with the storytelling done by Cary Bates. It is clear Bates carefully researched the TV materials to make a comic book script that pretty much captures not only the essence of V but also the notable differences of each character (examples: Tyler is sarcastic, Mike is determined, Willie occasionally speaks with a misplaced word, and Diana is sadistic). This comic book’s plot was written to be aligned with the events of the TV series as it is clear that its tale took place some time after the climax of V: The Final Battle.
When it comes to translating V’s essence from TV to comic book format, Bates script worked surprisingly well and more importantly there was a careful balance between exposition, plotting, spectacle and suspense. When it comes to character development, what you get from the TV series (in terms of doing characterization) is also present here.
When it comes to visuals, Carmine Infantino’s work is serviceable. The artist did what was possible with the script provided although there were key moments in which the panels and drawings were structured to be a little disorienting. Was this Infantino’s way of trying to be dynamic with the visuals? Lastly, don’t expect to see the major characters resemble their TV counterparts. Ham does not look like Michael Ironside, Mike does not look like Marc Singer and Julie does not look like Faye Grant.
Conclusion
Recognize Mike, Julie and Ham here?
I can say it straight that V #1 is a solid science fiction comic book that specifically will strongly resonate with fans of the V franchise’s entertainment of the 1980s. This comic book strongly captures the essence of the V franchise, specifically the TV series itself, and the good news is that the major characters are nicely dramatized which should delight fans. That being said, it’s tricky to recommend this to people who did not grow up with nor knew the V mini-series and TV series. When it comes to trading and making money out of this comic book, you could be in luck.
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of V #1 (1985), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $28 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $33.
Overall, V #1 (1985) is highly recommended specifically for the fans and the collectors. Those who are not oriented with the franchise need to see the mini-series and TV series first in order to realize this comic book’s value.
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
The Lord is always watching us and there is simply no hiding from Him. What ever happens around the world, He sees them clearly. There is no doubt about that.
According to a news report by CBN News (with details sourced from KOIN News), the radical activists burned copies of the Holy Bible and an American flag in front of a federal courthouse in the city of Portland, Oregon, in the United States. While the protest movement involved with rioting and looting has lasted for months in America mainly due to the tragic death of George Floyd, the burning of the Bible is clearly very wrong and sinful.
That being said, it is unwise and wrongful for anyone to do the same thing committed by the radical activists. Burning the Bible is precisely what Satan wants to happen because he knows that when people know God through His Word, the evil one will be defeated.
Be assured that He will definitely punish the disobedient and the wicked in due time. When the Lord punishes, the punishment can NEVER be avoided!
Let’s take a close look at key segments of Chapter 28 of the Book of Deuteronomy regarding disobedience.
“But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country.”
Deuteronomy 28: 15-16 (NKJV)
As seen in the above holy scripture, God is watching each and every one of us. While those who are faithful will be blessed, protected and loved by Him, those who are disobedient or rebellious or simply evil will be punished!
To all the protesters, all the rioters, all the looters, all the crooks, all the radical activists, all the terrorists and anarchists reading this, take note of the words from the above scripture: Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country.
Now we continue with Deuteronomy below…
“Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit for your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doing which you have forsaken Me. The LORD will make the plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess. The LORD will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew they shall pursue you until you perish. And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. The LORD will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heave it shall come down on you until you are destroyed. The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. Your carcasses shall be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and no one shall frighten them away.”
Deuteronomy 28: 17-26 (NKJV)
To all the protesters, all the rioters, all the looters, all the crooks, all the radical activists, all the terrorists and anarchists reading this…Deuteronomy 28: 17-26 makes it very clear that if you keep on committing evil and disobedience, you will not only be punished by the Lord for sure but you will suffer very severely. You guys think that radical rebellion and disrupting societies will make your world better? Wrong! You guys believe that defunding the police will make society secure and stable? Wrong! You guys believe that rebellion is the answer to everything? Absolutely wrong!
You are only digging deep holes for yourselves, holes that you will have trouble climbing out of later. Even if you managed to climb out of the holes, your suffering will only keep lasting for as long as you keep on being wicked and disobedient. You may not realize it now but the undeniable truth is that God created you and it is your destiny to realize your true purpose under Him, a destiny that you failed to realize because you limited yourself to your own understanding and because you got carried away by evil influences. You really need to study the Holy Bible (God’s Word) to start your path to become good and reformed under the Lord.
If you insist with sticking with disobedience and wickedness, then you will keep on suffering as revealed more in the Book of Deuteronomy…
“The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart. And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness; you shall not prosper in your ways; you shall only be oppressed and plundered continually, and no one shall save you.”
Deuteronomy 28: 28-29 (NKJV)
To all the protesters, all the rioters, all the looters, all the crooks, all the radical activists, all the terrorists and anarchists reading this…you joined rebellious movements and allowed yourselves to be manipulated by your political/social/radical idols? You practice idolatry? That is sinful! Who exactly are your idols right now? Has it occurred to you that your political/social/radical idols are serving Satan and they lied to you and manipulated you to be evil? Has it occurred to you that idolatry is exactly what Satan wants you to do to prevent you from realizing God is your true creator? Did your political/social/radical idol influence you to burn copies of the Holy Bible? You keep on being idolatrous, you will only keep suffering and you will never inherit the kingdom of God. Learn from the following scriptures below.
Absolutely not! However, I am implying that when an unbeliever offers a sacrifice to an idol, it is not offered to the true God but to a demon. I don’t want you to be participants with demons!
1 Corinthians 10: 20 (TPT)
Surely you must know that people who practice evil cannot possess God’s kingdom realm. Stop being deceived! People who continue to engage in sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, sexual perversion, homosexuality, fraud, greed, drunkenness, verbal abuse, or extortion—these will not inherit God’s kingdom realm.
1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 (TPT)
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘You have seen all the calamity that I have brought on Jerusalem and on all the cities of Judah; and behold, this day they are a desolation, and no one dwells in them, because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke Me to anger, in that they went to burn incense and to serve other gods whom they did not know, they nor you nor your fathers. However I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying ‘Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate!’ But they did not listen tor incline to their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense to other gods. So My fury and My anger were poured out and kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as it is this day.”
Jeremiah 44: 2-6 (NKJV)
More on the issue of disobedience and rebellion against authorities, the Holy Bible is clear about people’s relationship with civil authorities. Let me share to you that disobedience is simply wrong and God is always watching! If you are always rebelling and being disobedient, have you ever thought about having a clean conscience and being a good citizen? If not, the holy scripture below will enlighten you.
Every person must submit to and support the authorities over him. For there can be no authority in the universe except by God’s appointment, which means that every authority that exists has been instituted by God. So to resist authority is to resist the divine order of God, which results in severe consequences. For civil authorities don’t intimidate those who are doing good, but those who are doing evil. So do what is right and you’ll never need to fear those in authority. They will commend you for your good citizenship. Those in authority are God’s servants for the good of society. But if you break the law, you have reason to be alarmed, for they are God’s agents of punishment to bring criminals to justice. Why do you think they carry weapons? You are compelled to obey them, not just to avoid punishment, but because you want to live with a clean conscience.
Romans 13: 1-5 (TPT)
To all the protesters, all the rioters, all the looters, all the crooks, all the radical activists, all the terrorists and anarchists reading this…you surely spent a lot of your energy and time believing in the falsehood that looting, rioting and destroying businesses and properties are just ways of reforming society. Wrong! You seriously believe it is right to harm people who don’t share your radical views? Very wrong! You seriously believe it is right to bring down crosses because of your distorted views about racism? Very wrong! What you have committed (and keep on committing) is wicked and unjust! You are trapped by evil and the spirit of rebellion! You should learn that Adam’s rebellion towards God is the root cause of the chaos in this screwed-up world we live in and God sent His Son Jesus to redeem the world. Be assured that the Lord will punish those who stay wicked as well as those who keep on committing injustice! Read the scriptures below…
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the despicable, the murderers, the perverts, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all deceivers, they will find their place in the lake of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21: 8 (TPT)
Lovers of God hate what is phony and false, but the wicked are full of shame and behave shamefully. Righteousness is like a shield of protection, guarding those who keep their integrity, but sin is the downfall of the wicked.
Proverbs 13: 5-6 (TPT)
There are six evils God truly hates and a seventh that is an abomination to him: Putting others down while considering yourself superior, spreading lies and rumors, spilling the blood of the innocent, plotting evil in your heart toward another, gloating over doing what’s plainly wrong, spouting lies in false testimony, and stirring up strife between friends. These are entirely despicable to God!
Proverbs 6: 16-19 (TPT)
Now the LORD gave me knowledge of it, and I know it; for You showed me their doings. But I was like a docile lamb brought to the slaughter; and I did not know that they had devised schemes against me, saying, “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”
But, O LORD of hosts, You who judge righteously, Testing the mind and the heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them, For to You I have revealed my cause.
Jeremiah 11: 18-20 (NKJV)
Very clear is the truth in the Holy Bible that God will punish the wicked and the disobedient. Those who decide to stay wicked and disobedient are destined to be punished by Him very severely.
There is good news however…it is not too late to save yourselves in front of the Lord who Himself is just, gentle, forgiving and caring. Let me reach out to those who have been wicked and disobedient reading this…you can still save yourselves not within the screwed-up world we live in but in the presence of God. It is only through the Lord you can become Christian, get reformed and experience peace. Learn from the words of Lord Jesus Himself below.
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3: 3 (NKJV)
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark 16: 16-18 (NKJV)
“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!”
John 14: 27 (TPT)
How? Firstly, you have to stop being wicked and disobedient. Next, you must open your heart to the Lord. Next, you confess your sins straight to Him. Finally, you must submit to Him by getting born again and become Christian (a Child of God and a believe of Jesus). To be clear, you are not being forced here. Nobody is forcing you to submit to the Lord. The decision is all up to you.
As for the others reading this, if you have made your final decision to get born again, we can do it right here, right now!
Are you ready? Firstly, open your heart to the Lord and pray this simple prayer in sincerity from your heart:
Dear God,
I believe that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross to pay the penalty of my sins. I believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that He is alive! Right now, I call on the name of Jesus. Jesus, come into my heart. I receive You as my personal Lord and Savior. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me by the power of Your blood. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life! Help me now to follow Your plan for my life. Amen.
Congratulations! You are now a child of God as the Holy Spirit is in you! This is easily your greatest decision ever made and also the greatest miracle of your life. Always praise, thank and honor the Lord. No more darkness in your life caused by politics, radicalism, toxicity, rebellion, religion, unbelief, evil, idolatry, traditions and rituals! Leave behind the darkness of your life and don’t look back to it. With Lord Jesus, you are already moving forward!
With your new life realized, make an effort to acquire a copy of the Holy Bible (New King James Version is recommended), study it and apply its lessons into your life no matter what situation you are in right now. I also recommend you to join a church of born-again Christians near you and find your place in the spiritual family. Worship the Lord together with them and remember that each of you has a personal relationship with Him. Understand that your personal relationship with God is strictly off-limits to everyone, even to your biological family. Always remember that faith, not religion, is essential in your personal relationship with God. Take note that the Lord blesses the faithful abundantly.
The Holy Bible – the Word of God – is the ultimately authority to follow. God’s Word is essential, sacraments and radicalism are not! Remember always that Lord Jesus did not die on the cross to start religion. He died to redeem us all and showed that we must be led by faith in Him, faith in the Holy Spirit and faith in God the Heavenly Father.
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. Sharing this Christian piece means spreading the good news of the Lord to others. It can help you save the unsaved and the lost souls out there.
COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa imposes liquor ban for all levels of community quarantine, stricter QPass system
In a bid to slow down the transmission of COVID-19 in the city, the City Government of Muntinlupa will be enforcing a liquor ban during all levels of community quarantine and stricter home quarantine pass system.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi approved City Ordinance 2020-111 ordering a city-wide liquor ban for the duration of all levels of community quarantine as determined by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
This initiative aims to prevent gathering opportunities of city residents and minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Under the local ordinance, sale, trade, delivery, and consumption of liquor and other alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Muntinlupa City with a penalty of P5,000.00, suspension or revocation of business permits, and one year imprisonment for violating establishments.
Individuals who will consume liquor during the ban will be meted with P500.00 for first offense, P1,000.00 for second offense, and P2,000.00 for third and subsequent offenses. While violators who are minors, charges shall be fined against their parents or guardians: stern warning for first offense, withdrawal of scholarship grants from the City Government or P500.00 (non-grantee) for second offense, and P1,000.00 for third and subsequent offenses.
Muntinupa City Council Majority Floor Leader Coun. Raul Corro said the liquor ban will only be lifted if the city is no longer under any community quarantine. He noted that the City Council decided to impose stricter regulation on alcoholic beverages because many residents still violate quarantine and health protocols despite the alarming increase of COVID-19 cases.
Corro added that the measure also responds to the call of the national government and medical frontliners for stricter home quarantine measures.
Members of PNP Muntinlupa, Public Order and Safety Office, City Security Office, Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau, Business Permits and Licensing Office, and Barangay Chairpersons shall take the lead in enforcing the liquor ban. Local homeowners’ associations, including security guards, will also be deputized to augment operations.
Further, the City Council has also passed ordinances imposing tougher implementation of home quarantine pass system and curfew hours during the Enhanced and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Qpass holders in the city are required to bring a government-issued ID for verification and can only purchase essential goods from 6:00AM to 12:00PM. Establishments and Homeowners Associations are mandated to inspect quarantine passes from persons entering or exiting their premises. Violators of the Qpass system may face penalties of up to P1,000.00.
Curfew hours in Muntinlupa during ECQ and MECQ have been reverted to 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Authorized Persons Outside their Residence (APOR) and other individuals determined by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield are exempted from the curfew.
Curfew violators may face penalties of up to P1,000.00 and withdrawal of scholarship grants from the City Government for minor violators.
As of August 6, Muntinlupa City has 1,849 confirmed cases with 1,035 recoveries, 736 active cases, 78 reported deaths, 971 suspect cases, and 726 probable cases.
Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release.
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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.
If there is anything I love about the comic book format in relation to creative fiction, it is the fact that the said format allows certain crossover match-ups (that could not be realized in movie or TV format) to happen. In this case, I’m talking about having the science fiction monster warrior Predator in conflict with Batman.
Historically, in the early 1990s, DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics teamed up to publish the highly memorable crossover Batman versus Predator with the creative talents of Dave Gibbons, Andy Kubert and Adam Kubert.
The two publishers did not stop there. In 1995, they teamed up again to bring the two pop culture icons together but with a brand new story, a new creative team and with the involvement of the Huntress to support Batman. I was in college back in 1995 and you can’t imagine how surprised I was to see the first issue of the 2nd Batman-Predator crossover displayed on the shelf of the comic book store I visited. I was surprised because there was not much media spotlight for it in the comic book industry magazines I read.
That being said, here is a look back at Batman versus Predator II: Bloodmatch #1, published in 1995 by DC Comics and Dark Horse Comics with a story written by Doug Moench and drawn by Paul Gulacy.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins in the city where three guys are about to complete an illegal drugs deal by the dock. As one of the dealers fires his gun at the other party, Batman breaks into the scene to bring him down and pressures him to reveal the location of Terraro. As the downed thug tries to shoot Batman, an arrow fired by the Huntress hits his arm which caught the Dark Knight by surprise.
After knocking the thug out, Batman and the Huntress talk. It turns out both of them are after Terraro. The Huntress leaves as Batman remains to do some detective work on the three men.
Meanwhile from a far distance, a Predator reviews archived video footage of Bruce Wayne/Batman’s final encounter with a Predator (as told in the final issue of the first Batman Versus Predator series) and listens to the audio recording. The Predator is preparing himself to fight Batman by doing research (including familiarizing himself with how Bruce Wayne and his butler Alfred sound like) and he uses his deadly disc to cut off the head of a statue resembling the Dark Knight…
Quality
The Predator in action!
Let me start with the story. This comic book essentially tells a crime story mixed with some sci-fi elements. Unsurprisingly, there is a lot of exposition used to help build-up the expected conflict between Batman and the Predator. That’s not to say that the story is hollow. In fact, I still found it compelling even though some of the spotlight was spent on the Huntress who is clearly involved in the crime tale. To say the least, the Huntress adds variety to what could have been a typical Batman-does-all-the-detective-work story.
Batman, who by this time gained tremendous knowledge about the Predator, turns out to be targeted as “dead meat” by a gang leader and it’s nice to see him solve the crime problem while being at odds with the Huntress whom he finds to be too eager and reckless.
As for the Predator, unsurprisingly the alien warrior appears sparingly but that’s not a problem at all. In fact, the writer implemented the spotlight on the Predator without ever overdoing it which added nicely into the anticipation of the so-called rematch with Batman. I also liked how the Predator was portrayed in dealing with the criminal and law elements of the city.
As for the visuals, this one is a mixed bag for me. Firstly, I like the more vibrant and stylish use of colors which made this comic book look radically different from the dark, gritty and less colorful visuals of its predecessor. Secondly, Paul Gulacy’s art on drawing people lack punch and consistency. There were times that his drawings of Batman and Huntress were good, other times not. His work on the Predator is good, however. What Gulacy excelled in was drawing action scenes which are not only dynamic in presentation but also went strong with the violence (lots of bloody scenes, weapons penetrating the body, etc.) which reminded me a lot about the first two Predator movies. Gulacy’s take on the Batmobile looks corny.
Conclusion
The Huntress watches as Batman takes action.
Way back in 1995, I enjoyed reading Batman versus Predator II: Bloodmatch #1 the day I first bought it. Today, I still find it enjoyable to read. It has a nice mix of suspense and spectacle, and the creative team was granted a lot of creative freedom to tell the story with mature readers in mind. The story was well paced and the build-up was worth the time.
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Batman versus Predator II: Bloodmatch #1 (1995), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $23 while the near-mint copy of the promotional version with a poster costs $40.
Overall, Batman versus Predator II: Bloodmatch #1 (1995) is highly recommended!
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COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa offers mental health e-consultation for COVID-19 patients, frontliners
Providing a holistic approach for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and in a bid to help local frontliners to de-stress from heavy workload, the City Government of Muntinlupa offers free psycho-social support and mental health services via online and limited face-to-face consultations.
The Muntinlupa Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) provides psychological first aid and psychiatric check-up, including psychotherapy, through the Mental Health and Wellness “Alay Malasakit” Program for city residents who tested positive for COVID-19, suspect cases, frontliners, and the general public experiencing anxiety and stress during the pandemic.
In a Facebook post, MHPSS invited city residents who are experiencing fatigue, depression, fear of COVID-19, difficulty in sleeping due to anxiety brought about by stressful situations, or having suicidal thoughts to send them a message and avail of their free online mental health consultation.
Mental Health Psychosocial First Aids and online counselling are administered via Muntinlupa Mental Health Psychosocial Support Services Facebook page.
Psychiatric and Mental Health Crisis e-prescription for self-injurious/suicidal and acute amphetamine psychosis, among other related concerns are also available via MHPSS FB page or through Dr. Nicanor Echavez’ Messenger, Viber (0977 277 4402), or email (echaveznicanor@gmail.com) from Mondays to Fridays 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
While, limited face-to-face check-up for psychiatric consultation is offered at Poblacion Health Center every Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
The MHPSS Team is composed of a psychiatrist, registered psychometrician, nurses, social workers, a SPED teacher, barangay health workers, and other staff members from the City Government of Muntinlupa.
As of August 5, MHPSS Team has free provided free mental health service and referrals to 900 clients. The project is facilitated by the City Health Office, Social Service Department, Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office, Schools Division Office – Muntinlupa, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, and Muntinlupa City Technical Institute.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the City Government recognizes the need to support the people’s mental health as fear and anxiety grow from various factors including the virus’ threat to public health, the implementation of strict quarantine, and a wave of social media misinformation, among others.
“We are taking a holistic approach in the COVID-19 health emergency by also providing psychological support for our constituents. We made it accessible online so Muntinlupeños can consult with our medical personnel in the comfort of their homes during the quarantine period,” Fresnedi added.
The Muntinlupa Mental Health and Psychosocial Support program was established last 2016 to cater to persons in crisis such as fire victims and displaced families during calamities. Social workers has provided counselling in evacuation centers and self-care seminars for calamity victims.
As of August 4, Muntinlupa City has 1,686 confirmed cases with 893 recoveries, 716 active cases, 77 reported deaths, 767 suspect cases, and 789 probable cases.
Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release.
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 distorted views and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Author Carlo Carrasco 