Muntinlupa City Government recognized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa was recognized and commended by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted over what the City Government achieved with regards to public service, business-friendliness and efficiency?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

IRR of the Maharlika Investment Fund finalized

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., announced through social media that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) have been finalized, according to a GMA Network news report.

Take note that the implementation was previously suspended and things should move forward from this point on. Already there were business leaders of Saudi Arabia who expressed interest in the MIF.

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

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that there is no stopping the implementation of the Maharlika Investment Fund in the near-future?  

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 (1982)

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1980s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1980s to explore Marvel Comics’ launch of a comic book series based on the wildly popular military-themed franchise of toys – G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.

For the newcomers reading this, Hasbro launched the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline in 1982 which was actually a revival of the original G.I. Joe series of toys (sized 12 inches) in the 1960s and 1970s. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toys had a new format for its action figures influenced by the success of the Micronauts and Star Wars toys. Veteran writer Larry Hama (the same guy behind the memorable Wolverine #75 of 1993) was already working for Marvel and was developing the concept of a new comic book about elite commandos fighting terrorists. Such development happened before the 1982 relaunch of G.I. Joe, and eventually Marvel’s editor-in-chief Jim Shooter approached Hama for a new comic book project based on Hasbro’s military toyline. Eventually a series of developments followed that saw the creation of the evil organization Cobra, the core villain Cobra Commander and more.

The impact of G.I. Joe as a licensed comic book series turned out positively as it helped attract new readers at the newsstands and it developed a strong following with young readers who were not highly interested with superheroes.  

With those details laid down, here is a look back at G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 published in 1982 by Marvel Comics with the main story written by Larry Hama and drawn by Herb Trimpe.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with an Amtrak train traveling between New York City and Washington, D.C. Inside the nuclear physicist Dr. Adele Burkhart who previously served as one of the brains behind the Doomsday Project. It turns out, Burkhart was declared a traitor for denouncing the military claiming that she was misled by them to work on the said project. Inside the train, she has several security personnel guarding her as she is on her way to testify in front of a certain congressional committee.

As she speaks during a press conference inside one of the train’s cars, several flying soldiers of Cobra attacked the exterior of the train. In front of Burkhart, a few of the journalists turned out to be elements of Cobra led by the Baroness. The Baroness and her companions succeed in defeating the bodyguards and kidnapped Burkhart by means of flight.

At the Pentagon, the kidnapping of Burkhart compels the military to call in their special counter-terrorist group called G.I. Joe for a rescue operation. The stakes are high as they know that they cannot let Cobra keep Burkhart long enough to use her and they cannot let her die as the whole world is aware that they considered her an embarrassment. They ordered Colonel Clayton Abernathy (code name: Hawk) to assemble the Joe Team composed of Clutch, Flash, Breaker, Rock ‘n Roll, Scarlett, Stalker, Short-Fuse and Snake-Eyes…

Quality

Dr. Burkhart held hostage by Cobra and in the presence of Cobra Commander, the Baroness and many terrorists.

To get straight to the point, the main story (Operation: Lady Doomsday) was carefully structured by Hama to tell a story engagingly while also functioning to introduce readers to the characters and immersing them into the illustrated literary universe of G.I. Joe that is noticeably separated from the popular cartoon series. It is a classic portrayal of good versus evil laced with militarism and espionage.

The story moved at a medium pace and the approach on build-up and pay-off was executed carefully. There were scenes that had a sufficient amount of details regarding the plot or character moments (as opposed to development) that made the reading experience immersive. In short, there was no rush in the narrative while the pace never slowed down to a halt (no boring moments).

That being said, you will get to see lots of scenes that focus on the side of G.I. Joe as well as on the side of Cobra which is led by Cobra Commander (who is obsessed and scheming) followed by the Baroness (who is more focused on achieving goals but cannot do so without authority). You will see a certain gap between Cobra Commander and the Baroness which shows something seems off within their terrorist organization. This served as a creative contrast with G.I. Joe being more straightforward with the way they organize themselves.

The only weakness this comic book has is the fact that with so many characters from both the good and the bad sides, identifying them was pretty challenging especially when their military uniforms obscured their looks. Characters like Cobra Commander, Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Rock ‘n Roll, Stalker and the Baroness are instantly recognizable.

As the main story remains a really good read, the 2nd story (Hot Potato) also written by Hama but drawn by Perlin served as a nice additive to this comic book.

Conclusion

G.I. Joe starts getting ready for the high-stakes rescue mission.

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 (1982) is indeed a very solid reading experience. This is a strong introduction of the literary version of G.I. Joe and its portrayal of good versus evil remains believable and compelling. I also enjoyed the way the creators balanced the build-up of tension, plot and character moments with spectacle or twists utilized as pay-off. Lastly, I should say that this comic book has lots of action for you to enjoy and the execution of the action scenes made sense within the context of the stories. Remember that this marked the beginning of a memorable long run of G.I. Joe comics that reached into the 1990s. This one is a true classic and it should remind you that there was a time when political correctness and wokeness did not get in America’s way of fighting terrorists.

Overall, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 (1982) is highly recommended!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Las Piñas City Government recognized for nutrition program implementation

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, it was revealed that the City Government gained recognition for sheer improvements with its implementation of its nutrition program, according to a Manila Bulltin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin’s news report. Some parts in boldface…

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you happy with the newest recognition that the City Government gained for its local nutrition program implementation?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

BIR admits taxing social media influencers is difficult

As far as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is concerned, implementing taxes on social media influencers and collecting from them are still hard to do, according to a Philippine Star news report.

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

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the BIR’s plan to tax social media influencers? Is your favorite vlogger or YouTuber based in the Philippines who might have made some revenue online based on his or her output?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

National economic managers expect government collections to exceed 2023 revenue target

Even though it looks like that economic growth for the Philippines this year will end up short of 7%, the economic managers of the Marcos administration expect revenue collections to exceed the target for 2023, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that government collections will exceed the 2023 revenue target?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Uncanny X-Men #156 (1982)

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1980s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1982 to take a close look at one of the many tales of the Marvel Comics shared universe told through the monthly series of Uncanny X-Men.

In my previous retro review, the X-Men got involved in a high-stakes mission to find and rescue the kidnapped Shi’ar empress Lilandra. Things are not easy on the X-Men’s side as Cyclops is still uneasy over the truth he learned about his father Corsair while the leader Charles Xavier had to deal with the Shi’ar officials who have their agenda that could cause trouble on Earth. What the X-Men faced was a few of the Brood and Deathbird.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Uncanny X-Men #156 published in 1982 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Dave Cockrum.  

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in New York City. The X-Men just fought with the Brood and Deathbird, and Charles Xavier has gone missing. Wolverine, Storm, Corsair, Cyclops and the Avengers member Tigra attend to a mortally wounded Colossus who was hit with acid.

Just as the local police arrived, Tigra tries her best to talk with them. Suddenly a gigantic space ship arrived floating above New York shocking everyone. The ship unleashes a beam of light down to pick up Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, Corsair and the ailing Colossus. The giant ship then flies away leaving a lot of people stunned.

It turns out the ship belongs to the Starjammers, a group of space pirates that Corsair leads. Colossus then gets treated with alien technology…

Quality

The spectacle and the new encounter with the Brood were nicely done.

Similar to issue #155, the story here is very in-depth and has so much details and plot-related connections, it will require a great amount of attention from you in order to understand what is going and what is happening within. In this issue, you will get to see the Starjammers gang that Corsair spent a long time with, further development between Corsair and son Cyclops, the reunion between Charles Xavier and Empress Lilandra, and more of the Brood.

To put things clearly, Chris Claremont invested a lot of details when it comes to dramatizing the characters, insert revelations from the past, emphasized the many reactions of the X-Men members and carefully implemented stronger science fiction elements that really added depth to the plot. In many ways, this story is a huge pay-off to the build-up of the previous comic book and there is a lot more to the connection between Deathbird (a very capable villainess) and the Brood.

Having read lots of Claremont-authored X-Men stories, I found this 1982 story enjoyable and compelling to read. The big difference is that there is a stronger element of spectacle in this story which is related to the stronger sci-fi elements as well as Claremont’s strategic handling of the X-Men. At this point, it is clear that something new was being built up with the Brood, space travel and new frontiers. This is a strong sci-fi X-Men tale.

Conclusion

Professor X with his beloved Lilandra.

Uncanny X-Men #156 (1982) is indeed an enjoyable read provided that you pay close attention to the details, the characters and you have read the previous issue. This is the X-Men literally going deeper with science fiction and the Brood here was just about to rise further as a major force of opposition that would impact Marvel’s mutants. I should also state that Professor X and Empress Lilandra being together is a pretty compelling scene to read. As of this writing, I am convinced to keep on exploring further tales from this era of the X-Men.  

Overall, Uncanny X-Men #156 (1982) is highly recommended!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

3-week transition period for incoming barangay and SK officials set by DILG

With the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) over and most winning candidates already proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) set a transition period of three weeks for the incoming barangay and SK officials, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the DILG on setting a 3-week transition period for the incoming barangay and SK officials?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Muntinlupa City Mayor looking forward to programs and plans of BSKE winners

In Muntinlupa City, Mayor Ruffy Biazon expressed that he is looking forward to the kind of plans and programs that the winners of the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) would execute within their respective communities, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, were the barangay and SK elections in your local community held peacefully? Are you aware of who has been elected as the captain, SK chair and councilors in your barangay? Were all the winners in your barangay proclaimed already by the local COMELEC?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

Meet Barangay BF Homes Kagawad-elect Mariel Tumang

A few days ago in Parañaque City, the local Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office proclaimed Mariel Angela Tumang as Kagawad-elect (winning candidate for a seat in the barangay council) after the results of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) of Barangay BF Homes were finalized. Tumang, by the way, is the current Chairwoman of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Barangay BF Homes.

To be very clear, Tumang and several of her campaign teammates were proclaimed election winners as follows: Jeremy S. Marquez as Barangay Captain, Cielo Lazatin as Kagawad, Sheryl Ortonio Gonzales as Kagawad, and Paolo Marquez as Kagawad. The BSKE in Barangay BF Homes is notable as this resulted in Jeremy Marquez’s return as chairman of the barangay while his brother Paolo (who served as the chairman since 2018) returned as Kagawad.

Mariel Angela Tumang was proclaimed by the COMELEC in Parañaque as Kagawad-elect of Barangay BF Homes. (photo published with permission)

On the very day she was proclaimed as Barangay BF Homes Kagawad, Tumang posted on social media a touching message to her supporters, friends and family members which went as follows:

Barangay BF Homes Kagawad-elect Tumang with her proclaimed teammates Jonathan Espino (2nd from left, Kagawad-elect), Cielo Lazatin (4th from left, re-elected Kagawad), Paolo Marquez (middle, Kagawad-elect), Sheryl Ortonio Gonzales (4th from right, Kagawad-elect) and Jeremy Marquez (3rd from right, Barangay Chairman-elect) and the local COMELEC officials.

To some you readers, Tumang’s name might sound familiar. That is because back in 2019, I interviewed Tumang and published a special feature of her when she was still new as the Chairwoman of the SK of Barangay BF Homes. She was elected to her previous post in 2018 and it was only this year when the BSKE happened.

Tumang and the members of the SK of Barangay BF Homes worked hard and responsibly for over the past five years and I covered several of their activities which you can read by clicking here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. To say the least, Tumang is entering the barangay council with a lot of public service rendered over the past five years.

To get to know Kagawad-elect Tumang, read my feature of her by clicking https://carlocarrasco.com/2019/07/13/meet-barangay-bf-homes-sk-chairperson-mariel-tumang/

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Note: The social media content and pictures were published with permission granted by Mariel Angela Tumang.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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