Tag: Author Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at Sludge #1 (1993)

A Look Back at Sludge #1 (1993)

carlocarrasco

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

Welcome back, superhero geeks, comic book collectors and fans of the Ultraverse! Before we revisit the Ultraverse, I should state that I am not a fan of monsters as comic book protagonists, especially when it comes to the superhero genre. In the world of pop culture, a lot of people get fascinated with monsters especially those that are dangerous to people. You got the likes of the Swamp Thing, Dracula, the monster of Frankenstein, the Werewolf, etc.

When it comes to the Ultraverse, they have a monster for a protagonist named Sludge. What I find really intriguing was that Sludge was introduced to readers not by making appearances in existing Ultraverse comic books but by actually being featured in full force in the launch of issue of his own series – Sludge .

With those details settled, we can find out if there is something special or unique about the Ultraverse monster in this look back at Sludge , published by Malibu Comics in 1993 with a story written by Steve Gerber (who previously worked on Marvel’s Man-Thing) and drawn by Aaron Lopresti.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in a very low place of Manhattan where society’s substratum meets the crust of the earth. Sludge, a grotesque monster with a human perception and a body made out of slime, slowly walks towards a group of poor and homeless people.

Elsewhere somewhere in the city, a radio talk show host talks to his listeners about Frank Hoag, a detective sergeant who worked for twenty years for the New York Police Department or NYPD. It turns out, Hoag has been missing for the past few weeks and the last thing someone knew about him was that he responded to a call about a break-in at the headquarters of a pharmaceutical firm. The next morning at the said place, company employees spotted signs of violence including blood, bullet holes and shell casings. No sign of the detective.

As the radio talk show host engages his listeners by making an issue out of the disappearance of Hoag, police officers got offended while a gang of armed thugs paid close attention to what was said. As the said gang (riding their car) move down the street of homes, they opened fire at the people.

As the gang’s car moves on, the manhole ahead of them opens. Sludge comes out of it and finds himself right on the path of the moving car…

Quality

This is why you don’t mess with Sludge.

The writing is top-notch and this is no surprise not only because of Steve Gerber’s extensive writing experience but also because he knew how to write a story with a monster as a protagonist which was what he did with Marvel’s Man-Thing. Unlike that other monster, Sludge has intelligence and awareness, therefore he is a monster with humanity still existing within. Very cleverly, Gerber introduced Sludge and notable aspects of him in a very smooth and efficient manner. By the time I finished this reading this comic, I realized that I witnessed Sludge’s first appearance and origin story which were done very nicely. I should also state that Sludge here is not a mere monster but really a struggling character worth following.

For his part, Aaron Lopresti’s art is pretty good. His visualization of Sludge really stands out and he did not pull back his punches when it came to drawing the action and presenting the violence.

Conclusion

Considering his physical state, Sludge coming out of the manhole is justified.

I can say that I am very pleasantly surprised and entertained by what was presented in Sludge (1993). It really is a great monster-protagonist story written by Steve Gerber and his work here really shines. By the time I reached the end of the story, I got eager to look forward to the next issue and find out what Sludge will do next. It is a very engaging read and one of the strongest debut issues of the Ultraverse.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Sludge (1993), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $8 while the near-mint copy of the ultra-limited edition costs $32.

Overall, Sludge 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

Muntinlupa launches the BEST (Business E-payment System), online business registration as e-governance innovations amid the pandemic

Muntinlupa launches the BEST (Business E-payment System), online business registration as e-governance innovations amid the pandemic

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The City Government of Muntinlupa formally introduced a contactless and cashless processing of business applications and payments through the launching of BEST (Business E-payment System), an e-governance innovation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a bid to address the challenges of the pandemic to face-to-face transactions, the City Government, through its partner banks Development Bank of the Philippines and Landbank of the Philippines, formally launched the Business E-payment System (AKA Muntinlupa BEST) yesterday.

The counters where business applicants and taxpayers can do their transactions. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi says the City Government developed the project to adapt to the “new normal” of public service which requires an open government approach and use of digital platforms.

Fresnedi added that through the e-governance initiative, the risk of COVID-19 transmission will also be prevented due to reduced contact of clients and government employees who will process their applications.

Muntinlupa BEST is an online payment alternative that will allow locators in Muntinlupa City to accomplish business permit applications and transactions through any internet-enabled device. Taxpayers can access the online platform via www.muntinlupacity.gov.ph and accomplish transactions including application for New Business Permit, Renewal of Business Permit, Application Status Inquiry, Billing and Payment, and Payment History.

Upon assessment and verification of payment, the Muntinlupa Business Permits and Licensing Office shall endorse an advanced e-copy of the requested permit to the client via email.  The total processing time is shortened to around 30 minutes for applications with complete set of requirements.

Clients can schedule the pick-up of original documents or arrange delivery via courier service. The platform also serves as online portal for transactions processed by the Treasury Office which include application and submission of requirements, acquisition of assessment billing, Order of Payment and e-Payment for the convenience of taxpayers.

Payments can be processed through Bancnet and PESONet partner banks or over-the-counter via ECPAY, Bayad Express and 7-Eleven outlets. Taxpayers can now conveniently pay their taxes at their own time and within the safety of their homes.

Safety protocols and high-tech equipment are on place to ensure a safe environment for everyone. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Muntinlupa BEST is facilitated by the city’s BPLO, the Mayor’s Office, the Management Information Systems Office, and the City Treasurer’s Office, Muntinlupa City is a frontrunner in business innovations which include the Single Window Transaction – Muntinlupa Business One Stop Shop. It is an innovative single-interface business registration process consisting of three simple steps with one and the same staff from start to end of the transaction for as fast as fifteen minutes.

Muntinlupa’s initiative in government efficiency has been recognized by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) as one of the best practices in the country.

SWiT-MBOSS qualified as a finalist in the 4th International Best Practice Competition (IBPC) organized by the Asian Productivity Organization. Muntinlupa City shared runner up standing with Texas Instruments (Philippines) and City of El Paso, Texas (USA), while tied as the competition’s champions were Al Jazeera International Catering LLC (UAE) and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (UAE).

Further, Muntinlupa City has been adjudged as one of the winners of the Digital Cities Philippines Awards for Best Practices in eGovernance for Local Government Units. In 2018, Muntinlupa bagged the 2nd place in the Best in eGOV Government Inter-operability (G2G) category for its Budget Management and Monitoring System (BMMS) besting 65 entries from 36 LGUs in the country.

Muntinlupa City is the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Most Business-Friendly LGU in 2017 and 2018.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Hope Alive Conference by New Life Church on December 11 and 12, 2020

Hope Alive Conference by New Life Church on December 11 and 12, 2020

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Are you looking for an event online to deepen your faith in the Lord and adjust yourself accordingly? If you are seeking such an event, then you should know that the Hope Alive Conference soon to be organized by New Life Church is all set to happen on December 11 and 12, 2020 online.

The good news here is you still have time to prepare for it.

Hope Alive Conference will be held online on December 11 and 12, 2020. (credit: Hope Alive PH and New Life Philippines)

To put things in perspective, the Hope Alive Conference is an online event that will bring words of fresh hope right in the comfort of your home. There will be pastors who will speak out the Word of God and share their insights about Christianity. The activities will be streamed live through Facebook and YouTube. You simply should look for New Life Philippines’ channels to avail of the livestreaming.

Day 1 of the conference is on December 11. There will be a morning online rally set for 10AM local time with pastors Paul and Shoddy Chase (the founder and senior pastors of New Life Church) leading it. On the evening at 7PM is another online rally led by pastor Lawrence Lim of the New Creation Church based in Singapore.

Day 2 of the conference on December 12 will see the morning online rally at 10AM which will be led by pastor Chad Mansbridge of the Australia-based Bayside Church. The evening rally set for 7PM will be led by New Life Philippines lead pastors Jocel and Mylene Evangelista.

The Hope Alive Conference will mark the culmination for the campaign to share hope, speak hope and give hope to those who seek it during this time of pandemic. It will also provide troubled Christians inspiration, enlightenment and the holiness of the Lord that they need.

You still have time to prepare for the conference and you can start by visiting  https://www.facebook.com/events/1449121155478971/

Once the Hope Alive Conference finally happens, be sure you have good Internet connection, your mobile device or your personal computer fully operating (with the Facebook and YouTube apps already running), and you have your notebook, your pen and the Holy Bible with you. For the faithful reading this, always keep on being the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Take part in the Hope Alive Conference!

Note: Images here are properties of Hope Alive PH and New Life Philippines.

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For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Muntinlupa City Government officials and employees raise P700k personal donation for two flood-stricken Cagayan towns

Muntinlupa City Government officials and employees raise P700k personal donation for two flood-stricken Cagayan towns

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In the spirit of “bayanihan” and solidarity especially in the Christmas season, officials and employees of the City Government of Muntinlupa donated a portion of their bonus and allowance raising P700,000.00 financial assistance to two flood-stricken towns in Cagayan.

Muntinlupa City Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (MCDDRM) chief Erwin Alfonso, representing Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, turned-over the personal donation of Muntinlupa City Hall employees and officials to the municipalities of Baggao and Solana, Cagayan on December 1.

Alfonso said the Baggao LGU received P400,000.00 which will be used for the procurement of a rescue vehicle while Solana LGU received P300,000.00 to be used for the town’s recovery and rehabilitation. Baggao Mayor Joan Dunuan and Solana Mayor Jenalyn Carag expressed their utmost thanks to the officials and employees of the local government for their generous donation.

The personal assistance is on top of the P11 million financial aid of the City Government of Muntinlupa already donated to 21 LGUs in the provinces of Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Cagayan, and the City of Marikina that were worst hit by Typhoons Rolly, Quinta and Ulysses.

Recently, the Muntinlupa City Council approved the financial aid be sourced from the City Government’s 2020 Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund as per recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and MCDDRM.

Muntinlupa City Government has extended P1,000,000 financial assistance to the City of Marikina; while P500,000 each were given to the towns of Bato, San Andres, San Miguel, Baras, and Gigmoto in Catanduanes; Bato, Iriga, Calagbanga, Caramoan, Garchitorena, and Siruma in Camarines Sur; Tiwi, Ligao City, Camalig, and Malinao in Albay; Naujan and Gloria in Oriental Mindoro; Tingloy in Batangas; Alcala and Claveria in Cagayan.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said this initiative is the city’s share in helping our kababayans who are in need. “In the spirit of bayanihan, the local government of Muntinlupa will continue to lend its hand to towns in the country needing assistance,” the local exec added.

During the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, Muntinlupa City sent Rescue Boats and a Water Search and Rescue Team in Marikina to augment their rescue operations. Further, BFP Muntinlupa has also sent teams for the clearing operations in Marikina.

On November 25, the City Government of Muntinlupa and JRF Scholarship and Development Foundation, Inc. has also delivered groceries packs to 200 families of the Dumagat Tribe in Tanay Rizal. Affected Dumagat Tribe families also received 1,600 face masks, 440 new underwear and sando (for adult and kids), 420 Towels and towelette, 150 Assorted Size Slippers, 150 Banig, 150 Blankets, and 150 Toiletries/Hygiene Kit. Some of the students from the tribe are also part of the JRF Foundation scholarship program since 2018.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to distorted views, NO to reckless publishers, and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila-related community developments, engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, visit and join the South Metro Manila FB group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

A Look Back at Mantra #10 (1994)

A Look Back at Mantra #10 (1994)

carlocarrasco

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

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, comic book collectors and fans of the Ultraverse! We are about continue the retro review of comics from the Mantra monthly series. Previously, details and a close friend of Eden Blake from her past came back which obviously caught Lukasz (the male warrior occupying Eden’s body since issue #1) off-guard and added further pressure on him. And then something happened during the wedding of that close friend which compelled Mantra to fight someone in armor which eventually led to some revelations.

What will happen next to Mantra? We can all find out in this look back at Mantra , published in 1994 by Malibu Comics with a story written by Mike W. Barr and illustrated by Rob Phipps (who illustrated Mantra #4). This comic book is another one of those flip-side comics with the other side being Ultraverse Premiere which contains short stories within the Ultraverse.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in the middle of a city when a man arrives at his office at a place called the Conjurirs’ Club. Upon entering, he is surprised to see three sinister looking men and one of them identifies him by his name – Edgar Strauss. Refusing to give in to them, Strauss puts up a seraphic shield. One of the magic users hits Strauss with force pushing him into his office chair. A servant of Strauss comes into the office but is confronted by another man with a hideous looking chest. Strauss suddenly gets overwhelmed with visions. In response to his question, the three men wanted information about Mantra whom they describe to be a witch.

Over at the Blake residence, Lukasz/Eden wakes up after having a very disturbing dream. It turns out, the dream had been repeating. Looking at the mirror, he sees Eden’s face and thought to himself: Still, it’s not much worse than my life which is a nightmare. I’m a warrior. I should be fighting the foes of Archimage with broadswords and mace…instead I was reincarnated as a woman – Eden, a housewife…worse, a housewife with kids!

After going through the morning traditions of feeding Eden’s son and daughter, sending them to school and getting dressed for work, he reports to work at the office inside the highly secured facility of Aladdin in southern California. While working as Eden, Lukasz uses magic to access the digital files via the computer. Suddenly, someone touches his shoulder from behind…

Quality

Mantra using a piece of the armor that the antagonist in issue used.

I’ll start first with the art. Robb Phipps, like his previous Mantra work, delivered a fine job visualizing the script with a smooth pace, drawing spectacle nicely and making Mantra and the established characters look recognizable. I also like the way the artist drew facial expressions.

When it comes to the story, this one is even more intriguing and surprising than issue . The startling revelations from Lukasz’s past and his history with his tribe under Archimage expanded further here and this added more to the conflict with Boneyard. These revelations confirmed that not everything in the Archimage-Boneyard war is as simple as black and white. When it comes to characterization, Mike W. Barr really developed Lukasz in Eden’s body further and it was pretty notable to see Lukasz (who was oriented to fight with weapon instead of magic) become more adjusted using magic more proficiently while getting around the physical weakness of the lady’s body he is occupying.

As mentioned before, sorcery is an abomination in Christianity and this comic book further adds elements of the occult into the narrative. There was even a short scene of Boneyard (himself an abomination) in a location that looks like Hell.

Conclusion

Homosexuality hinted on the part of the man? Insanity perhaps?

If I were to describe Mantra (1994), it’s an obvious shift to more fantasy and sorcery elements than the previous issues. It certainly is not a tale about good-versus-evil because Mantra is not exactly innocent (note: Lukasz is an established killer and has displaced so many people’s lives) even when compared to Boneyard. Technically, Boneyard is pretty much the Ultraverse version of Satan.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Mantra (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the comic book costs $12.

Overall, Mantra (1994) is satisfactory.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

A Look Back at What If #13 (1990)

A Look Back at What If #13 (1990)

carlocarrasco

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

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, comic book collectors and X-Men fans. I’m about to review an issue of Marvel Comics’ What If monthly series which was published 1990 and was related to the X-Men as the central figure of the comic book is Charles Xavier (AKA Professor X).

To put things in perspective, Charles Xavier is forever known as the founder and leader of the X-Men. Within the Marvel Comics universe, he is one of the most powerful telepaths as well as a genius in science and genetics. He is a paraplegic who can do quite a lot and make an impact on the delicate relationship between his fellow mutants and the humans. In the movies, Xavier was portrayed by Patrick Stewart (first performance as Xavier in X-Men) and James McAvoy (first performance as Xavier in X-Men: First Class). Given his legacy of helping mutants gain rights through peaceful means, Charles Xavier has been compared with Martin Luther King, Jr. Going back to the comics, Xavier has a step brother named Cain Marko who became the X-Men villain Juggernaut.

With the background lesson done, we can now take a look back at What If , published by Marvel Comics in 1990 with a story written by Kurt Busiek and drawn by Vince Mielcarek.

The cover drawn by Jim Lee.

Early story

The story begins in New York in the so-called near future. Graffiti artists attempt to run away from a team of mutants riding a floating vehicle. As Thunderbird is about to hit one of the humans, Cyclops stops him. Suddenly the mutants receive a telepathic message from their big boss who turns out to be Charles Xavier the Juggernaut.

Xavier is leading the effort against a group of humans who have been conspiring against them. Xavier declares, “They must be stopped—for the good of mutantkind!”

The X-Men in this particular story are fascist storm troopers policing a wretched, helpless humanity…

Quality

Xavier-Juggernaut with the X-Men and the invading Fantastic Four.

I can start by say that this comic book written by Kurt Busiek has one of the most compelling what-if scenarios that reflect not only its concept (of Charles Xavier becoming Juggernaut) but also the Marvel Comics universe as we know it. As dedicated X-Men fans know, Cain Marko was the one who touched the ruby in the cave which made him the mainstream Juggernaut. In here, the scenario was altered to make Charles Xavier become Juggernaut and the radical changes did not end there. Without spoiling the great stuff, I can say that this is one great exploration of an alternate version of events that affect not only the X-Men and their villains but also the many other superheroes of the Marvel universe as Xavier-Juggernaut went all-out with his dedication to mutantkind. I can say that in this story, symbolically speaking, Xavier easily outclasses the extreme Magneto on prioritizing mutants over humans.

Comic book concept aside, Kurt Busiek’s writing here is really excellent. Not only did he capture the traits of Xavier as he turned him into the alternate Juggernaut, Busiek also emphasized the many twisted events in the Marvel shared universe with sufficient details. The details implemented made the scenarios really believable. His script for this comic book was brought to life by Vince Mielcarek who did a good job making the characters recognizable (note: there were a lot of superheroes and villains here), showcasing the wide scope of changes made on people and places (in relation to Xavier-Juggernaut’s actions) and there was good pacing with the visuals.

Conclusion

Charles Xavier as you’ve never seen him before.

What If (1990) is great to read and it is a must-have with its story alone. Apart from showing the concept’s deep impact on the Marvel Comics universe, I also enjoyed the way Kurt Busiek blurred the boundaries that separated good and evil. If you are an X-Men and you want to see something different with the mutants – especially Professor X – then you you will find a lot to enjoy here. This is a great alternate superhero story and definitely more people should be aware of this.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of What If (1990), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $30 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $60.

Overall, What If (1990) is highly recommended!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

Watch the Blade Moto radio show hosted by Love-Love Tioseco on Tuesdays

Watch the Blade Moto radio show hosted by Love-Love Tioseco on Tuesdays

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Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from Love-Love Tioseco by means of an interview, viewing the Blade Moto radio show and 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.

Months ago, my very dear college buddy Love-Love Tioseco acted on the direction of the Lord to provide frontliners food to eat during the height of the COVID-19-related lockdown here in the Philippines. You can read all about that in my special feature in this website.

A lot has changed since then. Although the authorities are still cautious and monitoring cases of COVID-19, the community quarantine levels around the country have eased which helped pave the way for more people to travel around and among them are employees and business owners/managers who were allowed to move on with their economic activities. The Philippines still has a long way to go to recover the economic momentum that was lost as a result of the initial lockdown. We are all moving on the road to recovery.

Going back to Love-Love (note: she is the Secretary of the Luzon Motorcyclists Federation, Inc. or LMFI), in recent times she has been hired to host the official radio show of car accessories chain store Blade Auto Center called Blade Moto (also referred to as Blade Mo To). Specifically, she hosts the radio show on Tuesdays in two segments at 11AM and 2PM and it is streamed live online via the Blade.ph Facebook page, the Blade Auto Center Facebook page, the Blade Auto Center YouTube channel, and Blade Auto Center on Instagram to name some.

Love-Love Tioseco hosts the Blade Moto radio show every Tuesday at 11AM and 2PM. Her jacket is that of Colegio de San Juan de Letran. (contributed photo)

Officially, Love-Love started hosting the Blade Moto show on November 3, 2020, the morning segment of which I tuned in and even had a comment read on the air. I’m not a motorcyclist myself but I learned a lot from the topics discussed between Love-Love and the guests on the show. Of course, it was also fun reading comments from viewers who got acknowledged on the air. Through the show, you will also learn about motorcycling, what the motorcyclists’ culture of the Philippines is like, who is who among the motorcyclists, what the bike clubs are, how to drive properly during times of disaster, and more. I should also state that Blade Moto is also an ideal show where motorcyclists can reach out to the public and share their views so that people can understand them better.

Love-Love interacting with viewers who commented live during the November 24 morning show.
My question highlighted during the November 10 morning radio show.

To get the scoop about how she got involved with Blade and their radio show (under the Blade Radio line), I asked Love-Love some questions and below are her answers (in blue).

How Blade Moto came to be

How did you get your break to become host of Blade Moto radio show?

Many thanks to my boss Blade CEO Mr. Robertson Sy Tan who offered me the job to be one of his radio show host at the same time, it is an honor to be a part of the Blade Family so i immediately accepted the job on the spot.

Since the show started, how was the reception from the motorcyclists and other viewers? Did you and the producers receive lots of feedback via text, email or online messages?

The number of viewers has been growing especially those who inquire about the laws that discriminate motorcycle riders and those who like sending funny comments to my featured guests which actually makes the radio show lively.

Most of the messages we receive from our viewers are those who demand for shout outs while watching us live online.

What can people expect from future editions of the show you are hosting? Is something exciting coming?

I do not want the public to have high expectations but rest assured that our radio show will not endorse government officials and we will make it a point to always promote safety for all road users.

Conclusion

In concluding this article, posted below are the November 3, November 10, November 17 and November 24 YouTube videos of Blade Moto in full for your viewing pleasure. I encourage you all to watch out for all future shows of Blade Moto with Love-Love every Tuesday via Blade Auto Center’s YouTube and social media channels. There is always something new to learn and enjoy!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

A Look Back at X-Men Unlimited #1 (1993)

A Look Back at X-Men Unlimited #1 (1993)

carlocarrasco

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

As mentioned before (refer to my reviews of X-Men 2099 #1 and X-Men #25), 1993 was the year when the 30th anniversary of the X-Men was celebrated. Back then, Internet connection was not very accessible to the public, social media had not been invented and streaming movies and TV shows was not yet the norm. How did Marvel Comic organize the celebration for X-Men fans? By publishing a lot of comic books and selling merchandise.

In the first quarter of 1993, Marvel Comics went on to feed the perceived high demand of X-Men fans by launching X-Men Unlimited which was an all-new comic book series with a schedule of quarterly releases per new comic book (initially with 64 pages of content using glossy paper). They released X-Men Unlimited in March 1993 and I bought a copy for a hefty $3.95.

So what exactly did the said comic book feature? Was it good? We can all find out in this look back at X-Men Unlimited published by Marvel Comics with a story written by Scott Lobdell and drawn by Chris Bachalo.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins on the snowy surface of Antarctica where the Blackbird (the X-Men’s jet) has crashed. Cyclops is outside the crashed jet already suffering from internal bleeding and other injuries. As his ruby quartz visor has been lost, he desperately keeps his eyes shut to avoid firing any optic blast. Even with tremendous odds against him, Cyclops concentrates very hard to reach out to Charles Xavier and successfully makes contact. Xavier is surprised.

With telepathic assistance provided by Xavier, Cyclops successfully reaches him and carries him. After some searching, they spot Storm alone on the snow. Elsewhere, a lady gets up from the snow and walks towards a facility. Upon entering, there are scientists working with computers and they called her Ms. Blaze. She asked them if she succeeded in killing Cyclops, Storm and Xavier…

Quality

Artist Chris Bachalo failed to pace his art properly on this page.

To get to the point, I should state that the main lesson of this X-Men story written by Lobdell is about leadership mixed with responsibility and survival. Symbolically, the three leaders of the X-Men (Xavier the head with Blue Team leader Cyclops and Gold Team leader Storm) were placed in a situation of great odds and their respective powers cannot just help solve their problems nor help them get away easily. Here we get to see Cyclops, Storm and Xavier really struggling and having no choice but to use their wits as well as skills learned from the past in order to survive and progress. This is easily the comic book’s most unique feature and it is very rare to see Xavier and the two team leaders spend a lot of time together and work with each other. As far as emphasizing the leadership dynamics of the X-Men is concerned, Lobdell succeeded. I should also state that Lobdell really dramatized the respective personalities of the three.

Still there are some notable flaws. I should say the story had lots of dragging moments in between and the overall pace is between slow and medium. The dialogue is quite wordy and ultimately a lot of it felt like fillers than actual attempts to develop personalities and explain things. There were attempts to make the dialogue more philosophical but end up dragging the narrative. I should state that verbal descriptions or narrations in certain pages were quite excessive. If you are looking for superhero spectacle, there is actually little to enjoy here and by the time the final conflict is over, you will end up unsatisfied. Of course, there are also scenes of incidental moments (examples: explosions, the environment causing damage, etc.) that were emphasized as if to make up for the lack of superhero spectacle.  

The antagonist Sienna Blaze is not a compelling villainess. There is no justification as to why she tried to kill the X-Men. The way she is presented, Blaze is more like a reckless and impulsive teenager than a real opposing force against Xavier and his mutants.

Psylocke and Bishop were the other X-Men members who appeared.

Lastly, there is the art by Chris Bachalo which has always been sub-par and disappointing to look at. While Bachalo did a decent job drawing disaster-related moments, his art on drawing the X-Men really sucked. There were many times when Charles Xavier LOOKED LIKE A DUMMY (think mannequin) than a living person as drawn by Bachalo. The art of this comic book was disappointing in 1993, and it has aged badly by today’s standards.

Apart from the main story, this comic book has a gallery of artworks highlighting the X-Men (including members who did not appear in the said story) done by varied illustrators. The quality of the art, unsurprisingly, is a mixed bag. Ultimately the art gallery served as convenient filler made to satisfy the cravings of X-Men fans.

Conclusion

This is how Wolverine and Colossus look as drawn by Mark Bagley who was the Amazing Spider-Man artist of the time.

Apart from being made to sell a bunch of copies and take advantage of the comic book collector craze of the time, X-Men Unlimited (1993) was an effort to keep defining the X-Men for fans and comic readers of the 1990s by adding depth to the bond between Xavier, Storm and Cyclops. The problem is with the execution as the story dragged a lot, and a whole lot of dialogue and text descriptions were made as if to ensure that enough content would fit the 64-pages of content of the comic book. As far as 1993 X-Men comic books go, this one has one of the worst looking artworks used in storytelling. When it comes to its connection with the 30th anniversary of the X-Men, what happened to Xavier in this comic book is connected to the events of Uncanny X-Men and #310.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of X-Men Unlimited (1993), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $10 while the near-mint copies of the signed edition (without certificate), the newsstand edition and the signed edition (with certificate of authenticity) cost $105, $32 and $105 respectively.

Overall, X-Men Unlimited (1993) is unsatisfying. If I were you, I would avoid spending any money above its cover price. Considering its quality, the near-mint copy of this comic book is really worth only $1.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

A Look Back at Prototype #13 (1994)

A Look Back at Prototype #13 (1994)

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

Welcome back superhero geeks, comic book collectors and fans of the Ultraverse. In this latest Ultraverse-related retro comic book review, we will check out what happened to Prototype and his companions after the events that took place in issue #12. I personally enjoyed that particular comic book and it has been almost three months since I last reviewed an issue of Prototype.

Now we can start this look back at Prototype , published in 1994 by Malibu Comics with a story written by Len Strazewski and drawn by Dean Zachary.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with TV news coverage of an explosion that happened at one of the buildings along Wall Street. The TV newscaster reports that another battle between ultras rocked the headquarters of Ultratech in downtown Manhattan which sparks rumors of corporate infighting.

Behind the scenes at the corporate tower, Jimmy Ruiz/Prototype, Bob Campbell/Ranger and Felicia Campbell discuss matters in front of the robot Prototype 2000 (the same machine responsible for the loss of Bob’s arm) which projects an image of Ultratech chairman Gordon Bell as its head. They noticed that the robot thinks and acts like Gordon Campbell, even going as far as calling the name of a secretary who left the company some years back. Felicia believes the robot has some sort of body detachment syndrome. For Bob, it does not matter as Gordon Bell still owns a controlling interest in the corporation.

After some intense talk, Jimmy uses his Prototype armor switch off Prototype 2000 but got blasted by energy which pushed him back to Bob and Felicia. Prototype 2000 then shows the virtual Gordon Bell telling “Katie” to turn the TV on so he can see how the company stock is performing…

Quality

How do you you deal with a machine that actually thinks and acts like a human?

I can declare that Len Strazewski really ramped up the corporate intrigue several notches high in this particular issue. There is a lot of corporate world talk and the good news here was that nothing ended up being boring. The most notable aspect of the story was the presence of Prototype 2000 with the mind of Gordon Bell really reacting to the corporate developments. Of course, there was still sufficient focus on the protagonist Prototype piloted by Jimmy Ruiz. At this stage of the Prototype series, Jimmy has gone through not only many battles using the powered suit of armor but several setbacks in his personal life. Apart from the turmoil at Ultratech, Jimmy not only has to keep his job but also save his reputation. Not to be outdone is Bob Campbell (the original Prototype pilot) whose relationship with Felicia got developed a bit more and their exchange of dialogue was nicely written.

Within the story is a major twist that really added a whole lot of depth into the narrative. It’s a twist that I did not anticipate and I strongly recommend you discover it yourselves once you read this comic book. Oh, and there is a certain supporting character from the Mantra series who also appeared here.

As for the art, Dean Zachary did a descent job visualizing Len Strazewski’s script and capturing the typical smooth sequencing of Prototype in action scenes. There is enough scenes of spectacle here to keep you entertained.

Conclusion

Jimmy Ruiz, Bob Campbell and Felicia discuss matters in the presence of virtual Gordon Bell.

I can say that I had a blast reading Prototype (1994). To put things in perspective, this one is just a part of the Hostile Takeover storyline that eventually connected with other characters of the Ultraverse such as the Night Man and The Solution (a heroes-for-hire team). The writing of Len Strazewski is so good, this one is worth reading all over again. It should be noted that topics like corporate intrigue or business world internal affairs got presented with a strong flavor of superhero stuff that prevented the story from turning into a bore. This is one intriguing and compelling read. Lastly, I should state that this comic book is one of those Ultraverse Premiere flipside issues, the other side of which contained short stories about Iron Clad, Pixx of UltraForce, Flood and Lady Killer of The Strangers.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Prototype (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the comic book costs $8.

Overall, Prototype (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

Muntinlupa Assessor’s Office releases new schedule of operations, advices taxpayers to transact online

Muntinlupa Assessor’s Office releases new schedule of operations, advices taxpayers to transact online

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Due to the influx in the number of clients transacting business with Muntinlupa City Assessor’s Office and to ensure strict enforcement of physical distancing, a new schedule for document requests shall be implemented starting Tuesday (December 1, 2020).

MCAO released a new schedule of daily operations in the city’s website in a bid to limit the number of taxpayers transacting in Muntinlupa City Hall in adherence to IATF health protocols.

The processing of Certified True Copy of Tax Declaration and Certificate of No Improvement and other certifications will only be accommodated during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Documents requested will also be released during the same schedule.

Further, Assessment Transactions are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Depending on the property subject of assessment, the turnaround time for the release of documents is 1 to 2 weeks. While the schedule for the processing of Order of Payment will remain on a daily basis with daily issuance within 10 minutes.

The public is encouraged to accomplish forms online thru Assessor’s Online Application Form (bit.ly/2zEQ6jb) or Real Property Tax Order of Payment Online Request (bit.ly/2ZdqTGM).

The City Assessor’s Office will accept walk-in requests only during the indicated days per transaction. Online requests shall be received daily but subject to the indicated release days.

For more information, you may visit www.muntinlupacity.gov.ph or reach MCAO at 8862-5111 or 8862-6450. The City Assessor’s Office is located at G/F Main Building, Muntinlupa City Hall, National Road, Putatan, Muntinlupa City.

Recently, the City Government of Muntinlupa waived penalties and surcharges incurred for the non-payment of business taxes from 2nd to 4th quarter of 2020 through City Ordinance 2020-150 in a bid to help the private sector to recover from losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, all business taxes due for the said period shall however be subject to the penalties and interest prescribed by Muntinlupa Revenue Code if not paid on or before December 29, 2020. Muntinlupa City Business Permits and Licensing Office advised business taxpayers in the city to settle all outstanding balances on or before the deadline to avoid incurring penalties.

As of November 26, Muntinlupa City has 4,891 confirmed cases with 4,675 recoveries, 58 active cases, 158 reported deaths, 34 suspect cases, and 293 probable cases.

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Latest City Government of Muntinlupa details sourced from their official media release. Some parts were edited for this website.

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