Business group recognizes Mayor Fresnedi’s response vs COVID-19, assistance to local businesses
PCCI-Muntinlupa awarded City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi for sterling growth and leadership. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Muntinlupa (PCCU-Muntinlupa) has recognized the City Government’s efforts in curbing the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the city and its assistance to local businesses amid the pandemic.
During the local business chamber’s virtual general assembly on Wednesday, PCCI-Muntinlupa president Elvie Sanchez-Quiazon conferred the Sterling Growth Catalyst Award to Muntinlupa 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.”
PCCI-Muntinlupa has also awarded the City Health Office with Noble Award for its “unwavering generosity of providing its expertise on allocating help to the community to attain public health safety.”
CHO chief Dra. Teresa Tuliao virtually received the awards from PCCI-Muntinlupa. Annually, the local chamber recognizes outstanding innovators and leaders through its Paramount Awards.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi extended his thanks to PCCI-Muntinlupa for their recognition of the local government’s COVID-19 response efforts to minimize its health, economic, and social impacts in the city.
Fresnedi said the recognition is not a testament to a single person’s efforts but to the hard work of Muntinlupa’s front-liners who are driven by a shared goal to eliminate COVID-19 in the city.
Further, the mayor assured the group of the City Government’s continuing concern and support to MSMEs and local businesses in Muntinlupa.
Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release.
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COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City releases food packs to displaced workers
A package of food released by the City Government to a displaced worker. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Recently, the City Government of Muntinlupa provided much-needed assistance to hundreds of displaced workers whose livelihoods were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specifically, on July 16 the City Government organized a registration process for the displaced workers residing in the city. The number of applications received was at eight hundred forty-five (845) and food packages were released to them.
Registration was required in order for applicants to receive food packages. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
At first, the registration covered workers in the formal sector but will eventually cater to other sectors. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has ordered assistance packages for displaced workers, formal and informal sectors, whose livelihood were affected by the pandemic.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book, watching the movie 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.
I already published that I really love the 1990 sci-fi action movie Total Recall which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside and Rachel Ticotin under the direction of the highly talented Paul Verhoeven. The movie is one of my all-time favorites and most notably it has aesthetics that are totally unique mainly due to the combined expressions and artistry of Schwarzenegger and Verhoeven. Behind it all, Total Recall would not have been realized without the short story We Can Remember It For You Wholesale written by the late sci-fi author Philip K. Dick whose published works led to other movies from Hollywood.
As part of a business strategy, Total Recall also had multi-media releases in the form of a novel (by Piers Anthony), video games and a comic book published by DC Comics. Very recently I was able to finally read the comic book adaptation of the film titled Total Recall Movie Special #1. It had a cover that was technically a copy of the American movie poster with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s face dominating it and it came with a cover price of $2.95 which was pretty high for 1990.
Is the comic book adaptation any good? Does it capture the essence of the blockbuster film? We can find out by finally starting this look back at Total Recall Movie Special #1, published in 1990 by DC Comics with a story written by Elliot S. Maggin and drawn by the late Tom Lyle (read my first article of Lyle’s work).
The cover of the comic book.
Early story
The story begins on the surface of planet Mars where a man and a woman (both wearing space suits) walk together heading towards an unknown destination. Suddenly a small stone cracks the glass face shield of the man’s helmet exposing him to the deadly atmosphere of Mars.
Like in the movie, Douglas Quaid and Lori wake up.
It turns out it was just a dream for Douglas Quaid who was in bed with his wife Lori. The dream turned out to be a recurring one as Lori asked him if the dream lady was in there again. Lori then asked Doug who the dream lady was. A short time later, Doug reports to work and while doing construction work on the field, he asked a colleague about Rekall (note: he saw a video ad of it on his way to work). The guy told Doug about someone getting lobotomized at Rekall and discouraged him from availing of their service.
Douglas Quaid at Rekall for his virtual holiday.
Doug eventually visits Rekall after work and availed of their virtual holiday as a secret agent. Something goes wrong as Doug goes berserk while strapped on one of Rekall’s seats. Dr. Lull (in-charge of the operation) explains to her boss that Doug was not acting out his virtual holiday as her team has not even implanted it yet on him…
Quality
The bad guys on the hunt for Douglas Quaid.
When it comes to presenting the story, Elliot S. Maggin clearly paid close attention to the details, the plot and dialogue of the movie while implementing adjustments along with artist Tom Lyle to make the story work in comic book format. Clearly, this is not a word-for-word, scene-for-scene adaptation but it comes close to capturing the essence of the film. Unsurprisingly, the comic book adaptation never captured the unique Schwarzenegger-Verhoeven aesthetics of the movie but it still performed well on replicating the sci-fi, hard action moments. I find it surprising that Total Recall Movie Special #1 carried the seal of approval of the Comics Code Authority (CCA) as there were some bloody shots and several moments of strong violence inspired by the R-rated film.
When it comes to the visuals, Tom Lyle succeeded in capturing the sci-fi look of the movie and even had the literary Douglas Quaid occasionally resemble Arnold Schwarzenegger. Lyle’s drawings on other characters like Lori, Melina, Coohagen and Richter looked NOTHING like the actors who played them but that’s not a problem at all as this gives this comic book its own unique touch. In fact, there were some drawings of people that sometimes reminded me of what I saw in EC Comics’ Weird Science comic books.
While Lyle scored nicely with the action scenes, his own drawings of planet Mars and the human colony are quite nice to look at. With regards to the urban environment, Lyle drew a nice mix of 20th century inspired urban areas laced with futurism. Unsurprisingly, the futurism got stronger when the story was set in Mars.
If there is anything lacking with the art, it would be visual dynamism. This can be forgiven however given the high amount of dialogue and story details that had to be presented with each page carrying a lot of panels.
Conclusion
The human colony in planet Mars.
I can say it out loud that Total Recall Movie Special #1 is a fun read and serves nicely as a literary companion to the cinematic masterpiece Total Recall. As a comic book adaptation of a blockbuster movie, this one is pretty good and in some ways captured some of the flair of the film even as it never successfully replicated the Verhoeven-Schwarzenegger aesthetic in the film. Really, if you want the best of Total Recall you really should watch the movie. This comic book on its own is entertaining and should encourage you to watch the film.
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Total Recall Movie Special #1 (1990), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $11 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $31. If you are looking for something more valuable, the near-mint copy of the numbered-and-signed edition of the comic book costs $51.
Overall, Total Recall Movie Special #1 (1990) is highly recommended!
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
Las Piñas City Police Force at Work – July 21, 2020
The Las Piñas City Police Department continues to serve the local constituents by means of securing places, implementing rules and helping those who need assistance. Check out these recent media releases and pay close attention to the details written.
On July 20, 2020, the above-mentioned personnel led by PCPT ELEAZAR B CAMILING C, SIDMS thru the SCADS Office led by PCPT ERNIE B ORTEGA C, SCADS/PIO under the supervision of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, OIC conducted PNP GOOD DEEDS/ONLINE DALAW to the Persons Deprive of Liberty (PDL) held at the said venue. This is to ease the worries of their loved ones who could not visit them due to Pandemic COVID-19.(source – Las Piñas City Police Station)On July 20, 2020, elements of Sub-Station 2 under the supervision of PMAJ JOEL P GOMEZ, SS-2 Commander through the strong leadership of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, OIC of Las Piñas City Police Station conducted Distribution of Flyers and Ugnayan/Dialogue/Lecture re: Safety Precautionary Measures against Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), Health Advisory Flyers, General Community Quarantine Flyers, Anti-illegal Drugs Flyers, Anti-Rape Flyers, Wakasan ang Pang-aabuso sa Kababaihan Flyers and RA 9710 Magna Carta of Women Flyers. (source – Las Piñas City Police Station)In line with the PNP Full Alert Status and Presidential Proclamation No. 922, PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, OIC, LPCPS led the distribution of face shields to all station personnel held at the said venue. This is to ensure that all PNP personnel are complying to IATF guidelines on safe distancing, washing of hands, and as a safety measure to avoid COVID-19. (source – Las Piñas City Police Station)On July 20, 2020, elements of LCPS with personnel of Sub Station 3 Outpost under direct supervision of PMAJ ALBERT DT AREVALO, Sub-Station 3 Commander through PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, OIC of Las Piñas City Police Station conducted Re: Strict implementation of Social Distancing and Mandatory wearing of Facemask at Puregold Naga Road Pulang Lupa Dos Las Piñas City and Oplan Galugad in relation to General Community Quarantine (GCQ).This operation is conducted purposely for crime prevention,possible apprehension of law violators and remind health protocols to the public to include the presence of police in the area. (source – Las Piñas City Police Station)
The above information and images were provided by the Las Piñas City Police Station for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.
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Muntinlupa City receives frozen fish donation from OCD
Receiving the donation from OCD were Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Erwin Alfonso, Social Service Department head Analyn Mercado, and Youth Affairs and Sports Development Officer Cynthia Viacrusis. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa received two thousand and five hundred frozen fishes from the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD).
One of many boxes of relief goods being passed on. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
The donation, which was official received on July 16, will be given to communities on localized community quarantine and other barangays. Already residents of Filinvest Socialized Housing Buildings 1 and 2 have received the goods.
The City Government is also set to distribute other frozen fish packs to other barangays.
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 and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments.
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.
This is it! The thirty-fifth and final issue of the X-Men 2099 monthly series from Marvel Comics is at hand. How times have changed in the American comic book industry back in the 1990s. When X-Men 2099 #1 was released in 1993, there was still good demand and room for expanding the 2099 imprint beyond the pioneering characters Spider-Man 2099, Punisher 2099, Ravage 2099 and Doom 2099. By the time the X-Men 2099 series came to an end, Marvel Comics was in turmoil internally and several 2099 series talents behind the scenes left as a result of the termination of 2099 line editor Joey Cavalieri.
With the short history lesson done, we can now take a look back at X-Men 2099 #35, published in 1996 by Marvel Comics with a story written by John Francis Moore (who wrote ALL the series’ issues) and drawn by Jan Duursema.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins with some members of the X-Men facing off with Darkson (his name is Joaquim, the accelerated grown-up son of Metalhead and Rosa) and his evil mentor Vulcan. Following Vulcann’s command, Darkson lets go of Luna (who was carried earlier by him) who lands on the ground in a weakened state and was approached by Krystallin. In reaction, Krystallin launches some crystals to Vulcann and Darkson but got blocked by a protective aura.
The X-Men realize that Darkson is as potentially dangerous as Zhao. Darkson then strikes at Bloodhawk with a psionic blast and then attacks the other X-Men…
Quality
Two X-Men veterans and one X-Nation member in a scene.
In terms of storytelling, John Francis Moore did what he could with all the plot details and with what was built up during the previous issues leading to this issue’s final conflict. The problem, however, is that the pay-off was ultimately unsatisfactory.
Firstly, having Vulcann and Darkson parallel God and Jesus (complete with doing something about the destiny of people who need saving, which in this comic book referred to the futuristic mutants) in a twisted fashion was just hollow and never engaging. Secondly, the way the X-Men members got together was very rushed in execution. Thirdly and more importantly, the final conflict was pretty shallow and only led to a sequel-bait ending designed to lead into 2099: World of Tomorrow #1.
If you are looking for superhero spectacle, you will find some here but they all feel rushed and unsatisfying. If you care about key X-Men 2099 characters like Skullfire and Xi’an, the way they developed and appeared here will disappoint you. In fairness, Shakti remains the strong-willed mutant as before.
To say the least, there was an effort to emphasize what was at stake for the mutants of 2099 living in Halo City and there was also the idea that the world was coming to an end. The problem here was the execution as the comic book basically showed the X-Men in the presence of Vulcann and Darkson. There was no epic battle here at all and the climax at the end clearly showed rush and even a lack of creativity (note: most likely due to the internal turmoil at Marvel at the time).
Conclusion
Vulcan and Darkson (carrying the X-Men’s Luna).
I should say that X-Men 2099 #35 is indeed a disappointing conclusion not only to its series but also in the final conflict the X-Men had with Vulcann and Darkson. The pay-off was very unsatisfying and it did not help that this comic book served as just another build-up leading to another Marvel 2099 publication. By the time the conflict ended, I did not care much about the X-Men which, for the most part, became irrelevant. This is too bad because in issue #1 they were very interesting and (after some stories of misadventures showing the X-Men members separated) they became interesting again with the events in issue #25.
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of X-Men 2099 #35 (1996), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $17 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $51.
Overall, X-Men 2099 #35 (1996) is unsatisfying. I don’t recommend spending a lot of money for it. Better save your money.
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
Are You Ready for the Next Generation of Xbox Gaming?
Previously I expressed what I hoped to see in the upcoming Xbox games showcase by Microsoft. Now that it has officially been announced that the event – Xbox Games Showcase – will take place officially on July 23 at 9AM Pacific Time in the United States, the moment of truth is at hand for the Xbox team led by Phil Spencer, their technology partners and makers, and, of course, the loyal Xbox fans and others who love video gaming.
Take note of the details here.
To makes things clear for everyone, Xbox’s Aaron Greenberg stated via Twitter: I know everyone is excited for Xbox Games Showcase next Thursday. Seen some wild expectations so if helpful this show has one focus, games. No business, devices or similar news, just games. A whole show about hour long focused on games. Hope you enjoy it!
Greenberg’s Twitter statement made clear that the July 23 event will be all about the video games and that expectations that go beyond games are unnecessary. What is clear is that the showcase itself is an opportunity for Microsoft to show to the world what its many Xbox game studios are working on for future release on the next-generation Xbox Series X console.
On Xbox.com, Greenberg wrote: Xbox Game Studios is pushing the industry forward with a huge variety of games, all of which support services and features that put the player first, including Xbox Game Pass and Smart Delivery.
He also confirmed that there will be the first-ever preview of the campaign gameplay from the much-anticipated Halo Infinite.
For his part, Xbox head Phil Spencer emphasized that gamers and fans are essential in their video game business efforts and the launch of the new console generation. He wrote:
At Xbox, we listen to what you – players, game developers, and content creators – tell us you want from the future of gaming. Based on your feedback, we’re building a future where you and your friends can play the deepest, most immersive and interactive games ever created across your Xbox console, PC, and mobile devices.
At the dawn of the next generation, it’s important to be clear about what you can expect from the future of Xbox.
Our vision has one hero at the heart of it all: You.
With regards to the next Xbox generation, Spencer stated:
Xbox Series X is designed to deliver a new level of fidelity, feel, performance and precision never seen before in console gaming. All games will look and play best on Xbox Series X – whether they come from our 15 Xbox Game Studios, like Halo Infinite, or from our world-class publisher and developer partners. Packing over 12 teraflops of GPU power including new technologies like hardware-accelerated Direct X raytracing and variable rate shading, and with four times the processing power of an Xbox One X, Xbox Series X enables developers to provide you with transformative gaming experiences through richer, more dynamic living worlds, more realistic AI and animations, and support for higher frame rates including support for up to 120 FPS.
Xbox Series X also enables you to spend less time waiting and more time playing, as it virtually eliminates load times with the 40x boost in I/O throughput from last generation. With our custom next-generation SSD and Xbox Velocity Architecture, nearly every aspect of playing games is improved. Game worlds are larger, more dynamic and load in a flash, and fast travel is just that – fast. The Xbox Velocity Architecture also powers new platform capabilities like Quick Resume, which enables you to seamlessly switch between multiple titles and resume instantly from where you last left off without waiting through long loading screens. Right now, Xbox Series X is in the hands of our 15 Xbox Game Studios teams and thousands of third-party developers, empowering them to create a new generation of blockbuster games for you to enjoy.
Furthermore, Spencer stressed that the subscriber system Xbox Game Pass will continue and provide gamers choices when it comes to games (complete with Day One releases of games under Xbox Game Studios) and memberships. He added that Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud will be offered together this September at no additional cost for those who already signed up for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Backward compatibility, which is one of the most defining features of the Xbox experience in this current console generation that has been very positively received by gamers, will continue and anyone who acquires an Xbox Series X unit will be able to play games of four console generations right from the start.
The brand new Smart Delivery will be in effect and this means that gamers – (Spencer’s own words) don’t need to buy the same game twice – once for the current console generation and once for the next generation. You always have the best available version of supported games on whatever Xbox console you are playing on, at no additional cost. If you own a title that supports Smart Delivery like Destiny 2, Gears 5 and Halo Infinite, you automatically have access to the version that plays best on your Xbox console. Highly anticipated games from the world’s biggest developers, like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Cyberpunk 2077, Marvel’s Avengers and more have already committed to supporting Smart Delivery and more will be announced soon.
The Xbox games up for showcase
As I write this, we are just days away from seeing the Xbox Game Showcase happen. This is easily the one big event that Microsoft will organize themselves and there is very little room for errors to happen. With the focus on games, we can already rule out the possibilities of Microsoft formally announcing the rumored Xbox Series S (Xbox Lockhart), the launch price for Xbox Series X, and the like.
Previously, I mentioned what I hope to see happen or showcased. Let me go a bit further with the following:
Halo Infinite – Already confirmed by Aaron Greenberg to be featured, I should say that showing how the game will play is exciting. I hope to see not just the action and shooting, but also see the rumored open-world gameplay get implemented. Frankly enough, I have gotten tired of linearity in the level designs (no matter how wide open specific areas got) of Halo games and therefore having a more open-world design will be very welcome. In addition, I really am curious as to what situation Master Chief has gotten into as far as the story goes, especially given the disappointing story and conclusion of Halo 5: Guardians. I only hope that uninteresting characters like Agent Locke will be limited to strictly supporting roles or short appearances, and that the plot will be more character-driven following Master Chief. As for The Banished, I’d really like to see them brought to life within the main storyline of Halo and become the new opposition for Master Chief to take on.
Obsidian Entertainment’s fantasy RPG – Previously I hoped to see RPG specialist Obsidian Entertainment announce a sequel to their hit game The Outer Worlds which would add tremendous value to the Xbox brand by being Xbox-exclusive. In his July 7, 2020 video (related to the Xbox Games Showcase), YouTuber colteastwood stated that Obsidian has hundreds of people working on the next fantasy RPG to rival the awe and wonder of the Elder Scrolls franchise. Considering that The Outer Worlds is still new, it makes more sense for Obsidian to work on a brand new project than a sequel to the mentioned sci-fi RPG. I hope that the fantasy RPG project is real and that it would be announced that it exists and is progressing with production. I don’t expect to see a trailer announcing it but if Microsoft and Obsidian could pull it off this early, that would be great!
Check out colteastwood’s video here.
A new Perfect Dark game – Whether it will involve Xbox studio The Initiative or not, it is high time for the Perfect Dark game franchise to be revived with a big budget production involving great game makers who could ensure a new game will be a lot of fun. I really hope that Microsoft will at least announce a new Perfect Dark game is coming for Xbox Series X and assure that the protagonist Joanna Dark herself will come back big time. While the past Perfect Dark games had been first-person shooters, having the new game redesigned as a 3rd-person view, action-adventure game much in the style of Splinter Cell (if possible, mixed with some of the rapid firing of Gears of War games) will be a welcome development. Apart from crafting a new PD game for the sake of selling games, it is high time also to explore more of the universe that Joanna Dark is in, not to mention emphasizing her character for the new generation of Xbox fans. There is so much untapped potential in the Perfect Dark IP and I hope Microsoft have decided to really invest in it. In my honest opinion, Perfect Dark can add even more excitement to the Xbox brand alongside the shooter, action-oriented Halo and Gears of War.
Joanna Dark and the Perfect Dark franchise returning big time?
Potential surprises? Well, if Microsoft announces that their studio Undead Labs would temporarily move away from the State of Decay series to make a brand new, single-player, story-focused open-world game involving zombies and monsters, that would be something! Announcing the reboot and complete redesign of the Crackdown game franchise can still surprise. What would really be surprising would be an announcement of a sequel or a prequel to Lost Odyssey with or without Mistwalker, and that it would be redesigned from the ground up (because Lost Odyssey’s design is outdated by today’s standards). I personally do not expect to see the Xbox team revive the Lost Odyssey franchise but, who knows what will happen on July 23?
While Microsoft clearly stated that their showcase will be focused on the games, I believe they will make room for an exception – the announcement of something so significant they will really have to make an exception and that would be the acquisition of Warner Bros. Interactive which has several experienced game studios under its umbrella including the acclaimed Rocksteady (Batman Arkham games) and NetherRealm Studios to name a few. As reported already, Microsoft has been exploring the possibility of acquiring WB Interactive as a result of WB’s parent company AT&T considering selling off WB’s game division to raise funds and pay off a massive debt. Compared to other reported potential WB Interactive buyers like Activision, Electronic Arts, and Take-Two Interactive, Microsoft has the financial muscle (and the ambition to strengthen its gaming business drive which includes producing new content) to make the deal.
YouTuber Dealer Gaming discussed the possible buyout of WB Interactive in this video below.
The Xbox Games Showcase is only a few days away from happening. Better get yourselves ready for the expected excitement and surprise as this is easily the single most important event yet from team Xbox in a long time.
See you soon!
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.
Having read the first several issues of Hardcase, I must say that the late James Hudnall did an incredible job on developing the titular character. Hardcase #9 was very memorable as it marked a turning point in Hardcase’s life and the further development of his relationship with Choice, the lady he has been helping for some time. That particular comic book had a powerful ending as well.
That being said, now we can take a look back at Hardcase #10, published in 1994 by Malibu Comics with a story written by James Hudnall and drawn by Kelly Krantz.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins with Tom Hawke/Hardcase being spied on electronically by Aladdin. It turns out, the secret organization has been spying on him for eight weeks as they viewed him as a potential danger to them given his ultra abilities, his capability of solving mysteries and recent interactions he had with other existing ultras. Aladdin continues to collect more data needed to launch a pre-emptive strike against Hardcase.
Meanwhile, Hardcase and Choice start a heartful talk about some serious, personal matters now that they are in a relationship. Choice admits that her memories of the past have been coming back since they returned from the moon.
Quality
Choice and Hardcase in a dramatic scene.
I’ll say it straight here – this comic book is full of character development laced with mystery and intrigue. It clearly lacks superhero action (which issue #9 had so much of) but that is NOT a problem at all. This is because James Hudnall’s script is truly compelling to read and his writing was successfully brought to life visually by Kelly Krantz. Not even the slowest scenes felt boring.
What I enjoyed a lot here, apart from character development, are the flashbacks presented as Choice recalled the past. They were very well written and moved at a nice pace. The more the past of Choice was revealed, the more I wanted to discover. The same goes with how the past fit smoothly with Hardcase’s search for answers. It’s really great writing done by Hudnall.
Conclusion
Really nice visual presentation of how Aladdin spies on Hardcase. This was long before Wikileaks and the modern age of electronic surveillance.
No doubt about it. Hardcase #10 is a great read! It has almost no superhero spectacle but the story, characterization, suspense and intrigue all more than made up for it. Other than exploring the deepening relationship between the Hollywood ultra and Choice, this comic book is one of the most defining stories about the secret organization Aladdin and what it has been doing behind the scenes. How Aladdin is portrayed, you really have to read the comic book and I assure you all, it is worth discovering on your own!
If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Hardcase #10 (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $4 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $11.
Overall, Hardcase #10 (1994) is highly recommended!
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
Las Piñas City Police Force at Work – July 18, 2020 (news video included)
The Las Piñas City Police Department continues to serve the local constituents by means of securing places, implementing rules and helping those who need assistance. Check out these recent media releases and pay close attention to the details written.
First, here is a news video for your viewing…
Here are the recent photo releases…
On July 16, 2020, the above-mentioned SCADS personnel led by PCPT ERNIE B ORTEGA C, SCADS/PIO under the supervision of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, OIC conducted Distribution of Flyers re: ECQ, Prevention Tips for COVID-19, Anti-sexual Harassment, and Illegal Drugs held at the said venue. (source – Las Piñas City Police Station)PLTCOL YAHYA B YUSUP ACOPA together with PCPT ERNIE B ORTEGA, Chief SCADS /PIO through the strong leadership of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, OIC LPCPS conducted Ugnayan/Dialogue with CATA Lecture with IMAM JAWAD BUKHARI, White Mosque Samata Village, Imam Nurainah L. Bukharie, President Muslim Christian Federation, Moonwalk and Hadja Samira I Tasil President, Muslim Christian President, Samata Talon 1, Las Pinas. In relation to Proclamation No. 922, PCPT ERNIE B ORTEGA reminded our Muslim brothers and sisters that in the observance and celebration of Eid-al-Adha, continue practicing general preventive measures, such as proper hand washing, physical distancing, wearing of mask, avoidance of non-essential travel outside their homes, and to observe minimum health standards to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. He reiterated that mass gatherings shall not be allowed. (source – Las Piñas City Police Station)On July 16, 2020, the above-mentioned SCADS personnel led by PCPT ERNIE B ORTEGA C, SCADS/PIO under the supervision of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, OIC conducted Adopt an Indigent Family Program thru the Office of City Mayor led by Hon. Mayor Imelda T. Aguilar. Extended their helping hands by sharing some relief goods to selected Muslim brothers and sisters who are very much in need of such assistance. (source – Las Piñas City Police Station)
The above information and images were provided by the Las Piñas City Police Station for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.
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Hey everyone! Welcome to the latest edition of the Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) series. Today I’m about to review another Christian worship song – Because of Who You Are.
Before reviewing, let me start that I’ve been following the Sunday worship sessions of EpicLife Church most of which were led by pastor Martha Munizzi whom I admire and followed. For the newcomers reading this, Martha Munizzi is an acclaimed music minister and a prominent figure of Christianity having led worship many times, sang a lot of songs leading people to the Lord, and became a speaker across the United States. She and her family – her husband Dan, son Nathan and daughters Danielle and Nicol – established EpicLife Church on January 2014 in the city of Winter Park, Florida.
Here’s the story behind EpicLife Church as published on its official website:
After 12 years of traveling in full time ministry, we felt called by God to establish a place where those seeking fulfillment in life feel like they belong. We set out to launch EpicLife Church in January 2014. we have a heart for those who have never set foot in church or maybe for those who have been hurt by church in the past. We desire to see you fall in love with Jesus, his church, and his people. we believe you belong in the local church. EpicLife church is a place where you can know god, find freedom, discover your purpose, and make a difference.
Going back to pastor Martha, she wrote and performed a whole lot of Christian songs. The one song of hers that I always love listening to is Because of Who You Are, which she wrote with her husband. The song was released many years ago on Martha’s album Say The Name. To this day, a lot of people claimed that Because of Who You Are is their favorite among Martha Munizzi’s songs. That song also helped the pastor earn two Dove Award nominations for Contemporary Gospel Recorded.
Now we can start looking at the lyrics of Because of Who You Are.
Because of who You are, I give You glory.
Because of who You are, I give You praise.
Because of who You are, I will lift my voice and say
Lord, I worship You because of who You are.
Lord, I worship You because of who You are.
–
Jehovah Jireh, my provider.
Jehovah Nissi, Lord, You reign in victory.
Jehovah Shalom, my Prince of Peace
And I worship You because of who You are.
–
Because of who You are, I give You glory.
Because of who You are, I give You praise.
Because of who You are, I will lift my voice and say
Lord, I worship You because of who You are.
Lord, I worship You because of who You are.
–
Jehovah Jireh, my provider.
Jehovah Nissi, Lord, You reign in victory.
Jehovah Shalom, my Prince of Peace
And I worship You because of who You are.
–
Jehovah Jireh, my provider.
Jehovah Nissi, Lord, You reign in victory.
Jehovah Shalom, my Prince of Peace…
–
And I worship You
Worship You, worship You
Yeah, yeah.
–
And I worship You
Worship You, worship You
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
–
I worship You because You’re holy, holy.
I worship You because holy is who You are.
I worship You because You’re worthy, worthy.
I worship You because worthy is who You are.
I worship You because You’re mighty, mighty.
I worship You because mighty is who You are.
Worship You, worship You.
(And I worship You because of who)
Lord, I worship You because of who You are.
Lord, I worship You because of who You are.
The first part to analyze here are the following lines: Because of who You are, I give You glory. Because of who You are, I give You praise. Because of who You are, I will lift my voice and say Lord, I worship You because of who You are. Worship is clearly emphasized in those lines and it is no surprise at all that we as the creations of God are destined to praise Him, thank Him and honor Him eternally for He created us and the world we live in. This truth led me to post below the following scriptures from the Holy Bible that relate easily with the posted lines from the lyrics.
For love is supreme and must flow through each of these virtues. Love becomes the mark of true maturity. Let your heart be always guided by the peace of the Anointed One, who called you to peace as part of his one body. And always be thankful. Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises, and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts! Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!
Colossians 3: 14-17 (TPT)
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving! Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God. And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.
Psalm 95: 1-7 (NKJV)
Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Psalm 29: 2 (NKJV)
The next lines to examine are as follows: Jehovah Jireh, my provider. Jehovah Nissi, Lord, You reign in victory. Jehovah Shalom, my Prince of Peace. Jehovah Jireh is the reference to God who is our eternal source and the main provider. Our Heavenly Father makes the provision when He sees the need, and He clearly is aware of our needs. Let’s take a look at the scripture below recalling the time when Abraham’s faith was tested by God who ordered him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering on one of the mountains in Moriah.
But the Angel of the LORD called to Him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”
And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided.”
Genesis 22: 11-14 (NKJV)
As our source and provider (Jehovah Jireh), God saved the promised son Isaac from being a sacrifice and He preserved His promise to make him a great nation. The Lord also acted faithfully in response to the faith Abraham had in His provision. Furthermore, there is an additional reference in Hebrews 11: 17-19. As such, we Christians must always remember that it is not the economy that is our source for it is only the Lord who is our definite source.
Moving forward, Jehovah Nissi refers to the Lord as the banner and Moses’ acknowledgment of God’s presence. The specific scripture below.
And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner;
Exodus 17: 15 (NKJV)
To put things in perspective, a banner is the pole-like standard beneath which armies or communities rallied. When the banner is lifted up, it calls the people together to meet, or to follow instructions or to unite to battle. With regards to the altar established by Moses, it is his recognition of God’s presence as well as the way to honor Him as the giver of the victory over the Amalekites. As such, the Jehovah Nissi reference in the song correctly acknowledges the victory that the Children of God can always look forward to for as long as they faithfully follow Him and maintain personal relationships with Him.
The other reference from the song, Jehovah Shalom, relates to one of several names for God in connection to peace. The first to use the reference was Gideon who witnessed the appearance of an angel of the Lord. Holy scripture below…
So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Judges 6: 24 (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)
The-LORD-Is-Peace literally means Yahweh Shalom. With regards to Gideon, he gained a new sense of security in his relationship with God and is effectively expressed by the word shalom, meaning peace, wholeness, security, friendship and prosperity. Speaking of peace, Lord Jesus Himself made clear that peace from Him is perfect and He left it as a gift to those who believe in Him. The reference of Jehovah Shalom in the song makes perfect sense for us Christians.
The next line from the lyrics: I worship You because You’re holy, holy. God, who is all-powerful, just, gentle and loving, is undeniably holy. He loves us so much, He sent to us His begotten Son Lord Jesus to redeem humanity. Below are the following scriptures (a few of many, take note) that confirm His holiness.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”
Leviticus 19: 1-2 (NKJV)
Instead, shape your lives to become like the Holy One who called you. For Scripture says: “You are to be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1: 15-16 (TPT)
And one called out to another, saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, Commander of Angel Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
Isaiah 6: 3 (TPT)
For I am the LORD your God. You shall consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.
Leviticus 11: 44-47 (NKJV)
The last line from the lyrics to analyze is this: I worship You because You’re worthy, worthy. That line strongly relates to the following scriptures below…
You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.
Revelations 4: 11 (NKJV)
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.
Psalm 145: 3 (NKJV)
So there you have it! Because of Who You Are is indeed a very holy song. It was written by pastor Martha Munizzi and her husband with direct influences from the Holy Bible which itself is the ultimate authority of Christianity for it is the Word of God. There is no denying that the Munizzis were anointed to compose the song and make an impact on leading people to the Lord and helping them deepen their faith in Him.
Apart from being holy, Because of Who You Are is also a very beautiful song to listen to and it is easily a very worthy song to play to fellow Christians during Sunday worship church services. Ask yourself: have your church musicians played Because of Who You Are on Sundays lately?
In ending this CMA, embedded below is the YouTube video of Because of Who You Are. Listen to it, enjoy it and always praise and honor the Lord. Let pastor Martha (whose voice is always beautiful) and the song lead you to Him.
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.
Author Carlo Carrasco 