The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are a little over two months away from happening and to ensure security, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will coordinate with the Philippine Army, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA report. Some parts in boldface…
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will coordinate with the Philippine Army to beef up security preparations for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.
In a Viber message, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said newly installed Philippine Army Commanding General Lt.Gen. Roy Galido on Friday paid a courtesy call to Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia.
“Chairman Garcia took this occasion as an opportunity, not only to touch base with one of the most hardworking AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) brass, but more so, to jump-start the continuing working coordination between the Comelec and the AFP, in particular, the more than a hundred thousand strong Philippine Army,” he said.
Included in their discussions were preparations for the upcoming BSKE, he added.
Laundiangco said it is not new for the Comelec to coordinate with Galido on matters related to nationwide polls.
“Comelec has worked with Gen. Galido in previous elections, notably the 2022 NLE (National and Local Elections) where he was then Commander, 6ID (Infantry Division), thereafter as Commander, WESMINCOM (West Mindanao Command), and now, CGPA (Commanding General of the Philippine Army),” he said.
Galido now serves as the 66th Commanding General of the largest arm of the country’s military force.
Laundiangco said the poll body is set to conduct a command conference this month with law enforcement.
“The command conference between the Comelec, the AFP, the PNP (Philippine National Police), and the PCG (Philippine Coast Guard) for the 2023 BSKE is scheduled on August 22, 2023,” he said.
The Comelec is wrapping up preparations for the October polls, which will be manually done in over 42,000 barangays nationwide, except for the three pilot sites for automated elections in Dasmariñas City and Quezon City District 6.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are there many members of your local community who intend to vote in the BSKE on October 30?
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from 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.
Welcome back fellow geeks, pop culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Way back in 1982, the horror comedy anthology film Creepshow was released in cinemas featuring the combined talents of author Stephen King and the late director George Romero who were clearly inspired by the 1950s horror comic books published by EC Comics. That being said, Creepshow was a comic book movie that was not even based on a comic book.
To make things clear, the movie was first shown on the big screen in France during the Cannes Film Festival in May 1982. The comic book adaptation of Creepshow (note: read my retro comic book review) was released in July 1982 and the art it contained is not the same as the in-movie comic book (also titled Creepshow) that appeared in transition scenes. The movie’s general release in America happened on November 10, 1982 and it was successful commercially and critically. In recent times, Creepshow was released on 4K Blu-ray with lots of extra stuff for fans and moviegoers to enjoy. The said 4K Blu-ray release can be ordered online now.
Some of you might be wondering if the Creepshow movie has aged well and what exactly does it offer for younger moviegoers and movie collectors to enjoy. Some of you might be wondering if King and Romero were ever a special creative duo for cinema.
Prologue – A father very angrily berates and hits his young son after discovering the horror comic book titled Creepshow was with him. The father called the comic book’s content crap.
Father’s Day – Sylvia Grantham, her nephew Richard, niece Cass and Hank (husband of Cass) enjoy time together at the Grantham estate anticipating the arrival of Bedelia for the annual family dinner. There is a dark secret regarding Bedelia and her late father…
The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verril – A lonely farmer named Jordy witnesses the unexpected arrival of a meteorite from out space which landed violently on his farm. After realizing what it is, he touches it without any protection and gets his fingers burned…
Something to Tide You Over – a prominent man named Richard visits Harry at his home. It turns out, Harry has been having an affair with Richard’s wife Becky. Even so, Richard maintains his cool and made clear his uncompromising determination of always keeping what is his. Richard plays an audio recording of Becky’s voice which even includes a call for Harry to help her….
The Crate – In the basement level of Amberson Hall (science building of Horlicks University), a janitor accidentally finds a very old wooden crate located right under the staircase. The writings “Ship to Horlicks University via Julia Carpenter – Arctic Expedition – June 19, 1834” were marked on the crate…
They’re Creeping Up on You – A cruel businessman named Upson Pratt is alone in his well-lighted apartment. He has been suffering from mysophobia and has been living in isolation and only communicates with others using the telephone and other electronic methods. Slowly but surely, cockroaches begin to multiply in his apartment…
Quality
Two couples from different short stories of the movie: At left were Hal Holbrook and Adrienne Barbeau. At right were Elizabeth Regan and Ed Harris.
To begin with, I’d like to focus on the combined creativity of Stephen King and director George Romero. While all five short stories, the prologue and epilogue each have varying levels of quality, engagement and entertainment value, it is safe to say that Creepshow as a whole remains entertaining and intriguing to watch. This is a cinematic horror-comedy anthology that is still fun to watch from start to finish.
Very clearly, the King-Romero team were heavily inspired by the EC Comics-published horror comics of the 1950s and along the way, they added their own creative touches to make each short story not only unique but also memorable. Given the fact that Romero remains remembered for his zombie movie works, two of the five short stories can be viewed as shorter zombie tales by the director but with notable differences – the comic book-inspired visuals used (note: moody lighting, stylish backgrounds and comic-inspired frames) and the fine performances from the actors involved. As for the three other short stories that have nothing to do with zombies, I felt they reflected more of Stephen King’s concepts (note: King himself acted as Jordy) which Romero apparently directed to be reflective of the author’s works while still injecting EC Comics-inspired visuals. Speaking of comic books, the filmmakers used traditional animation (note: hand-drawn) specifically in the transition scenes when the movie moved from one segment to the next. Within the context of the movie was the comic book Creepshow which made the father mad at his son.
With moody lighting combined with Leslie Nielsen’s convincing terrified expression, this image captures the look and feel of similar moments in the horror comic books of EC Comics.
As it is clear that each short story has different concepts and varying levels of quality, entertainment and engagement, I can describe them in short results as follows: Father’s Day really looks and feels like it was written for EC Comics in the 1950s; The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verril is a clever mix of dark humor, science fiction and horror; Something to Tide You Over is very intriguing to watch and Leslie Nielsen pulled off a very unique portrayal of a villain; The Crate is a fine combination of monster horror and struggling characters with a university setting; and They’re Creeping Up on You is symbolically a socialist mobbing against someone powerful in the most unusual fashion, and it definitely is the weakest of all the five short stories as it was made to disgust viewers who are afraid of bugs. Creepshow’s prologue and epilogue meanwhile carried an anti-family theme that supposedly reflects the moral outrage against EC Comics in the 1950s made to resonate with people who love comic books at the expense of morality and family. I personally dislike the anti-family theme because I truly believe that minors should never read adulterated comic books and they should never become rebellious.
As each short story, the prologue and epilogue were strongly presented to be entertaining and engaging in varying ways, there is one aspect of the creativity that made Creepshow stand the test of time – the respective performances of the actors.
Leslie Nielsen’s portrayal of the villain Richard is the performance highlight of the entire film. Here’s a powerful man dealing with pain as a result of being betrayed by his wife by being in full control of his emotions and he keep moving on with uncompromised determination to proceed with his diabolical plans patiently and orderly. He is a very angry man who happens to be very calm. He is definitely evil who happens to be very principled. You will even see little traits of comedy in Richard and this should remind you of Nielsen’s eventual move into comedy in his later years. In the same short story, Ted Danson is believable as the man who had the affair with Richard’s wife.
In another short story, Adrienne Barbeau really stands out as the obnoxious and unhinged Wilma (AKA Billie) who is the complete opposite of her mild-mannered husband Henry (played by Hal Holbrook). She is so wild, she easily embarrasses her husband and the others who were present in the faculty social gathering. Quite symbolically, Barbeau’s act as Wilma is easily the most lively thing to watch in the said gathering. Without spoiling the plot of The Crate short story, I can say that Hal Holbrook has a nice range of displaying emotions within Henry as the story progressed. Even the guy who played the professor Dexter Stanley (Fritz Weaver) had his own share of the spotlight and displayed a good acting range as well.
Even author Stephen King himself acted in a leading role in another short story as Jordy. King is surprisingly good in being comedic and he really knows his character in and out. In the first short story Father’s Day, you will see a very young Ed Harris as part of a family waiting for the arrival of Bedelia (Viveca Lindfors). The waiting family members were nicely played by Elizabeth Regan, Warner Shook and the late Carrie Nye. They were convincing as relatives. In the final short story, the late E.G. Marshall played Upson Pratt to be so ruthless, he will irritate you.
Conclusion
Comic book-style visuals implemented cleverly in the movie.
It is clear that Creepshow (1982) remains fun and engaging to watch thanks to the combined creative efforts of the King-Romero team as well as the fine performances of the actors involved. Although the final short story starring E.G. Marshall is the least interesting tale to watch, this horror-comedy anthology has lots of good stuff to entertain viewers. By today’s standards, Creepshow (1982) is very unique and also fun to watch. If you want to see this movie with the best visuals possible today, I urge you to buy the 4K Blu-ray release.
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, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1990 to take a close look at one of the more significant non-superhero crossover comic book events ever published – Aliens vs. Predator!
In my previous review, most of the humans living and working in Prosperity Wells are unaware about the creeping danger coming at them. Alien eggs were laid in the wilderness while a ship carrying multiple Predator hunters has landed. At the human outpost, the leader Machiko Noguchi remains disrespected as the staffers and ranchers still trust her predecessor Hiroki Shimura.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Aliens vs. Predator #2, published in 1990 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by Randy Stradley and drawn by Phill Norwood.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins with the huge spaceship still at the launch platform of Prosperity Wells. The ship should have launched already with a huge cargo of indigenous animals – the Rynth – for export. It turns out that the two human pilots were captured by the Xenomorphs and in the presence of the Alien queen inside the ship, they witness one rynth (part of the herd from the ranching) die as a Chestburster alien comes out of its body.
Meanwhile, Machiko wakes up as her respected predecessor Shimura arrives and tells her that Dr. Revna still has not returned. During her talk with the wife (also a doctor), Machiko learns that the missing doctor was on his way to Iwa Gorge to find more aliens (note: the Facehugger alien) and that a lady worker (who made the first discovery of a Facehugger) informed him of the place.
As Machiko and Shimura analyze what they know, two outpost personnel discover the remains of a destroyed Predator space ship and, more notably, one unconscious Predator hunter…
Quality
The Predators looks really odd with the colors implemented on them by the creative team of this comic book.
If you were deeply engaged in issue #1, then you will have a lot to be engaged with in this issue. The script by Stradley is very solid and with a medium pace, details were consistently laid out for readers’ understanding while the build-up for the inevitable chaos – between Xenomorphs and Predators with humans in the middle literally – is strongly felt.
Machiko Noguchi’s management and ability to analyze situations really get tested in this story and along the way, you will see how much the outpost changes reflecting the moves made by her administration which is ultimately a response to a brewing crisis. At this stage of the comic book mini-series, the danger of the two galactic species begin to make impact on innocent humans in violent ways. The scene showing the home of people (located some distance away from the main complex of the outpost) getting invaded by the Predators has uncompromising violence which makes the incidental action look really disturbing.
More on the human characters, this comic book has very rich dialogue backed with special attention to details implemented by Stradley. This is very evident in the scene in which Machiko, Roth, Ackland and Shimura talk intensely about what happened and what factors caused those things to happen. Through the verbal exchange, you will witness Machiko’s bravery and leadership come to life as she confronts a rebellious rancher (who insulted her in a very personal way) over the truth about what happened. Not only that, you will also feel the stress she experiences as she manages the outpost at a time of crisis.
For the fans of Predators and Aliens reading this, you will see a lot more of them in this issue and I can assure you that Norwood is really great in visualizing them and showing them with violent action that will remind you of the movies. As with the previous issue, the colors implemented on the Predators remains very odd to look at.
Conclusion
Live humans helplessly watching an animal die as a Chestburster alien comes out of it in the presence of the Alien queen.
Aliens vs. Predator #2 (1990) is a great follow-up to issue #1. As expected, the stakes were raised higher and the tension really intensified as the narrative went on. The creative team really should be admired for not only crafting this high-quality chapter of the mini-series, but also for their believable and engaging build-up of the plot, the characters and conflict altogether. This comic book is a lively reminder of how great a non-superhero comic book crossover could be.
Overall, Aliens vs. Predator #2 (1990) is highly recommended!
Today at Kep in Cambodia, the multisport squad composed of Erika Burgos, Iñaki Emil Lorbes, Kira Ellis and Matthew Justine Hermosa won the gold for the Philippines during the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event of the 2023 Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023). This big victory happened hours after the silver medal victory of Andrew Kim Remolino in the men’s individual aquathlon and it added to the growing number of gold medal victories for the Philippines. Specifically, the mixed aquathlon team relay victory is the 7th gold for the nation in the ongoing regional games as of this writing.
The pose of victory at the SEA Games in Cambodia. (note: photo sourced from Triathlon Association of the Philippines Facebook page).
To put things in perspective, the official results showed that the Philippines finished first with an overall time of 1 hour, 9 minutes and 56 seconds (1:09:56). In terms of breakdowns, the Filipino multisport squad scored 16:20 in Leg 1, 19:21 in Leg 2, 16:16 in Leg 3 and 17:59 in Leg 4 of the Mixed Aquathlon 4X Team Relay event. The way the results were presented online, it was not made clear which team member participated per leg.
Meanwhile, Indonesia captured the silver medal in 1:11:27 while the bronze went to Vietnam which finished in 1:13:29. Host nation Cambodia finished at 7th place with 1:26:41.
Considering what the Philippines achieved today in the inaugural SEA Games aquathlon events, it is essential to thank and honor the Lord for the silver and gold medals won.
I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30 (NKJV)
Keep on giving your thanks to God, for he is so good! His constant, tender love lasts forever!
Psalms 118:1 (TPT)
As mentioned before, the competition in this edition of the SEA Games is tough and there is still a long road ahead for the Philippines to win as many gold medals as possible. To overcome the challenges and obstacles, faith in the Lord is essential.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
From this point on, the Philippines will proceed with its quest for gold in the Men’s Individual Duathlon which will start tomorrow at 6:30 AM and also in the Women’s Individual Duathlon which is set to take place at 8:30 AM.
On May 8, the Women’s Individual Triathlon will go first at 6:30 AM followed by the Men’s Individual Triathlon at 8:30 AM.
Watch out for more 2023 SEA Games multisport updates right here.
Welcome back my readers and fellow people of faith! By now, you should be aware of my love for Israel and the Jewish people. I was there in Israel this past February because I seek God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33) in the Holy Land, and I blogged many times about it (to read my Israel 2023 articles, click here, here, here, here, here and here) and I’ll be posting more about the pilgrimage tour I joined. Check out the video clips of my time in Israel below…
For this post, I want to highlight the 75th year of independence of Israel. Seventy-five years ago, the State of Israel was established which marked the fulfilment of God’s promise to the Jewish people (Abraham’s descendants through his son Isaac and grandson Jacob).
For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’
Jeremiah 30:3 (NKJV)
The land of Israel was designated by God for the Jewish people and no other (read Genesis 35:10-12 in the Holy Bible). The Lord Himself declared that He bless those who bless His people, and He will curse those who curse His people (read Genesis 12:1-3). God protected Israel and the Jewish people when the Arab nations attacked them shortly after the 1948 establishment of the State of Israel, during the Six Day war in 1967 and the war in 1973.
Israel survived and their people are growing and thriving no matter what attacks the terrorists and Leftists do against them. Let it be clear that evil forces of the world such as Iran, the Palestinian terrorists, Black Lives Matter, Antifa, socialists, Communists, Marxists, liberals, the demonic Democrats of America and all the other terrorists and anti-Semitic forces have no stake in Israel and its future while the eternal God is watching! Israel and the Jewish people are here to stay and they still have time to come to Lord Jesus willingly! I encourage you to stand united with Israel as part of your Christian living. When you think about your faith in Lord Jesus, be mindful of the time He spent in Israel and the impact of His holiness on the people.
Seventy-five years ago, a declaration signed in a Tel Aviv art gallery changed the world forever.
Against overwhelming odds, the fledgling State of Israel not only survived, but has grown beyond expectation, launching it for the next three quarters of a century on the path to becoming a world power.
David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s leading founder and first prime minister, declared the birth of modern Israel in Tel Aviv’s Independence Hall on May 14, 1948, and for the first time in nearly 2,000 years, the Jewish people had a nation.
“Ben-Gurion chose the words, ‘we hereby declare the establishment of a Jewish state in the Land of Israel to be known as the State of Israel,’” Independence Hall tour guide Isaac Dror recalled. “This was the birth of a Jewish state as for all Jews. Ben Gurion was standing here as the voice of 11 million Jews around the world who had no voice, who had no address and nowhere to go to.”
Dror leads the education effort at the site. “This was promised to us by God,” he explained. “We are the only people in the history of the world that live on the same land, speak in the same language and believe in the same God more than 3,000 years.”
From a Biblical perspective, many see Israel fulfilling the prophecy in the book of Ezekiel, where the “dry bones” of the Jewish people come to life after two thousand years of exile.
Organizations such as the Jewish Agency helped lay the groundwork for the two thousand years in the making of the Jewish state.
Danielle Mor of the Jewish Agency told CBN News, “The Jewish Agency was the lead organization in establishing and giving birth to the modern state of Israel. The whole purpose of establishing the Jewish Agency was, on the one hand, unite the global Jewish people, and to bring the global Jewish people in front of the British mandate to be the organization that would lead and establish a national home for the Jewish people in the land of Israel.”
Dani Dayan, Chairman of Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, recounted the genocide that preceded Israel’s independence. “To fully comprehend the miracle of the country’s birth,” he said,” consider that it happened in the shadow of the Holocaust – or “Shoah” in Hebrew – when the world learned how Nazi Germany murdered six million Jews.”
He continued, “When you understand that only three years after the end of the Shoah, the lowest point the Jewish people reached in its exile, we started our redemption process and we … regained our independence after 2000 years of terrible events. Well, if that’s not a miracle, I don’t know what a miracle is,” he said.
Even so, Dayan dispels one myth about the connection between Israel’s beginning and the Holocaust.
“Israel was not established because of the Holocaust. Israel was established in spite of the Holocaust,” he insisted. “Israel would have been a much (more) robust, greater, secure, successful country if there were additional 6 million Jews and their descendants in the world. But Israel is the guarantee that they will be no more – no other Shoah for the Jewish people.”
Now, after 75 years, Israel maintains its safety and security with one of the most powerful militaries in the world.
Former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Jonathan Conricus described how the military was transformed.
“Then, it was small units of very (patriotic) people, some of them Holocaust survivors, who just came off the boat from Europe and put on IDF uniforms and joined battle and defended Israel in 1948 against six Arab armies. Today, we are a highly organized, developed, and well-funded military, perhaps the strongest in the region, that enjoys a significant technological advantage over all of our enemies.”
Israel is also an economic miracle. This tiny country of less than 10 million people has the highest concentration of new businesses per capita in the world, earning it the nickname of “Startup Nation.”
Jon Medved, founder of Our Crowd, a venture capital investment company, showcases these accomplishments in his annual investor summit.
“This is what Israel is supposed to be doing,” he explained. “If Israel wasn’t the startup nation, what are we going to be? Okay, I’m sorry, this is our destiny. Our destiny is to create. Our destiny is to you know, fix the world.”
Medved added, “And we’re just a little people. We make a lot of noise, but I think most Israelis – if they wear a yarmulke or they don’t wear a yarmulke – view this as a spiritual undertaking, that we are doing this not just to make money, but to do good.”
Yet throughout its history, Israel has faced nearly insurmountable odds. Just hours after Ben-Gurion declared the state, 6 Arab nations drive to drive it into the sea.
While it survived, Israel would be challenged again in the 1967 Six-Day War the 1973 Yom Kippur war. After thousands of years in exile and 75 years as a country, Israel stands, despite enemies within, along each border, and beyond.
For Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., the phenomenon has one explanation. “It’s a modern miracle, the rebirth of the Jewish state against all odds,” he told CBN News.
Be thankful to God that the State of Israel continues to thrive no matter what their internal problems and external challenges are. Be thankful to Him as many millions of people around the world who believe and follow Lord Jesus now have more opportunities to visit the Holy Land to deepen their faith in Him even more.
Great news! The Lord is blessing the Philippines once again as Planetshakers announced it will be having another worship event in the country on the evening of July 22, 2023 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The selling of tickets for the worship event will commence online at SM Tickets on May 11, 2023. This newest event is part of the Show Me Your Glory Planetshakers Tour 2023.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Planeshakers official announcement. Some parts in boldface…
Planetshakers is so excited to visit Manila once again in July 2023!
It has always been our desire and pursuit to run after God with the intent of seeing His glory. Just as Moses would not go anywhere unless God’s presence accompanied Him, we have that same heart’s cry, and this year, people from all over Asia will be coming together with that same common passion.
Show me Your glory.
We cannot wait to encounter Him and sit back in wonder at all the incredible things that will take place. It’s going to be awe-inspiring!
To those who intend to attend the worship event, the ticket prices have been confirmed as follows: VIP for P1,600, Patron for P1,600, LB Premium for P1,600, Lower Box for P1,200, Upper Box for P1,200, and General Admission for P600.
In preparation for booking tickets online on May 11, 2023, I encourage you to prepare your credit cards and be early to log-in at SMTickets.com because in my experience, there was long virtual line of over 2,600 ahead of me before I got my turn to purchase my tickets and choose my seat.
Whenever a very anointed church like Planershakers holds an event here in the Philippines, it is God’s blessing for the country! Apart from the excellent worship music, Planetshakers has very anointed worship leaders like Pastor and church co-founder Sam Evans and Joth Hunt. If you attend the worship event and pray to the Lord with Pastor Sam Evans leading the prayer, it is a blessing from the Lord because whenever she leads prayers, it is always powerful, truly wholehearted, engaging and compelling! I got blessed like that during the Planetshakers event I attended! The event is, indeed, fellowship with the almighty God, His Son Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit! The same can be said about this July’s Planetshakers event!
If you are thinking about this July’s Planetshakers worship event, I encourage you to seek the Lord’s Kingdom and praising Him with all your heart and passion. Learn from the holy scriptures below…
“So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”
Matthew 6:33 (TPT)
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:1-6 (NKJV)
The view from my spot during the Planetshakers worship event I attended on September 2022.
If you want to discover and learn more about Planetshakers, I encourage you to click here (Facebook page), here (Instagram), here (Twitter) and here (YouTube). To know more about Planetshakers itself, visit https://www.planetshakers.com/
In closing this, posted below are some Planetshakers worship music videos (including a few from their September 2022 Philippines events) for your faith in the Lord and viewing pleasure. Jesus is our Lord and Savior! Move forward with unbreakable and uncompromising faith in Him! Be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!
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
Recently Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., emphasized the need to use new technologies so that the country will be able to improve the management of its water resources and ensure a stable supply for the people, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Along the way, Marcos mentioned Israel as a role model that the Philippines can learn from to achieve water security.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA article. Some parts in boldface…
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday emphasized the need to use new and emerging technologies to improve the management of the country’s water resources and provide safe and affordable water to all.
Marcos made the statement during the opening of the 6th Edition of the Water Philippines Conference and Exposition at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
“I happened to have been given the opportunity to walk around a little bit and see some of the exhibitors. And it is very gratifying to note that in fact, the technologies that are being used, that are being employed in terms of water treatment, in terms of water management are well-known technologies,” he said. “And so, I am very optimistic that the solutions that we need to formulate are out there, the technologies are out there. What has continued to change in the light of climate change is the management, the stratagems on how we manage our water.”
Marcos particularly pointed out that flood control projects have evolved through the years, along with the changing times, noting that these are no longer just exclusively used for that.
“We take the water and we use it for irrigation, we use it for drinking water if we have a treatment plant,” he said, adding that water can be used to produce power with small hydroelectric plants.
He also cited Israel’s experience showing how it promotes the sustainable use of clean water for various purposes despite having a limited water supply.
“I’d spent some time in Israel and I saw how they treat the water because water is very scarce. They live in the desert. Nevertheless, they are able to collect the water during the rainy season, whatever is available, they put fish in it to grow fish. When the summer comes, they take it out, take out the water, harvest the fish, and then that goes to irrigation and so forth,” Marcos said.
He said the Philippines could learn from Israel and apply this approach to achieve water security.
“These are the kinds of thinking that we have to apply to the Philippines because of the crisis that we are facing and how debilitating it will be to the entire economy, to the entire society if our water supply problem continues to get greater, continues to become more dependent on what we have been doing in the past,” he said.
It is very notable that President Marcos mentioned Israel while talking about the state of water in the Philippines. I myself had been to Israel recently on pilgrimage tour and there were times when our tour bus traveled great distances on desert areas, I did not just see sand and rocks. I saw lots of plantations along the road and the sight of lively vegetation in the desert of Israel was astounding. Israel is very well known not only for their highly advanced treatment and management of water, they are also highly proficient on agriculture and creating abundant supplies of food. Very recently, the 65th anniversary of friendship between Israel and the Philippines was commemorated. We need to pray to the Lord that President Marcos and an official delegation of the Philippines will someday visit Israel and have official meetings with their Israeli counterparts, meet with the Filipino community there and come up with new agreements for greater cooperation between the two nations.
To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed by all. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel.
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, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the wild 1990s by examining one of the many tales of Marvel Comics’ 2099 line of franchises, specifically through the Hulk 2099 monthly series.
For the newcomers reading this, Hulk 2099 first appeared in 2099 Unlimited #1 (1993)which also had his origin story told. Hulk 2099 was not a mere version of the classic Incredible Hulk with a futuristic touch. In fact, the futuristic green creature highlighted the protagonist John Eisenhart as a very selfish and obsessed Hollywood studio executive who happens to stumble upon the idolaters/worshipers of the classic Hulk Bruce Banner because he was searching for new properties and stories for his studio. Hulk 2099’s origin has notable similarities to that of the classic Hulk and gamma radiation exposure is one of them. As tales of the futuristic Hulk were told through the quarterly releases of 2099 Unlimited, Marvel decided it was time to give the green creature his own monthly series.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Hulk 2099 #1 published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Gerard Jones and drawn by Malcolm Davis.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins with the Hulk of 2099 destroying security droids and verbally attacking civilization. As he retains the intellect of John Eisenhart, he expresses his opposition against civilization for keeping people out of the water reclamation zone.
The story then shifts to California where Lotus Entertainment (Eisenhart’s employer) and its crew work on producing a film which is a dishonest telling of Eisenhart’s dealings with the Knights of Banner (already eliminated in 2099 Unlimited #1). During the production, one of the executives notices the absence of Eisenhart.
Elsewhere, John Eisenhart drives his flying car with Knights of Banner youth survivor Gawain as his passenger. Already struggling with the guilt over the deaths of all the adult Knights of Banner members, Eisenhart intends to end his employment and cash out of his contract. Gawain remains hostile towards Eisenhart.
Quality
The creative team used flashback images that look really similar to what was told in 2099 Unlimited #1.
If there is anything that is very obvious to talk about, it is the fact that this tale shows a radically different John Eisenhart who wants to get out of Hollywood’s multiple mazes of crookedness as he feels very guilty over what happened to the Knights of Banner. This happens just as a new entity took corporate control of Eisenhart’s employer before he could leave the company. In many ways, Eisenhart’s distress and struggle with being guilty reminds me a lot about Hardcase of the Ultraverse and the way the creative dramatized him was engaging.
For the story, there is a lot of corporate intrigue going on and Eisenhart’s failure to quit quickly was inevitable because the new enemy he faces here has a lot to do with the sudden takeover of Lotus Entertainment. At least on face value, this looks like an attempt by the creative team to change the status quo and move Hulk 2099 to a new creative direction away from what was established in 2099 Unlimited. Without spoiling the details, I can say that something very significant happened before the comic book’s ending and it will impact readers who followed the futuristic Hulk’s stories closely in the 2099 Unlimited series.
Along the way, there is a lot of action and unfortunate physical happenings which symbolize the chaos concept of the script. The notable thing here is that you won’t see very much of Hulk 2099’s monstrous form as the script was specifically written to tell a tale that went beyond one issue. Clearly, the creative team were sparing Hulk 2099 for a conflict in the next issue.
Malcolm Davis’ art has that visceral aesthetic that fits the established look of Marvel’s 2099 universe of the time but there were instances when he showed so much happening, the visuals looked chaotic and even disorienting. In fairness, his take on Eisenhart, Quirk, Gawain and others made them looked recognizable.
Conclusion
The future of Commiewood, wokeness, and dishonesty.
While its story has little of the green monster in it, Hulk 2099 #1 (1994) does a decent job building up the tension on top of the guilt-filled Eisenhart while setting up events that looked like a bold new creative direction was coming. By the time this comic book was published, several Hulk 2099 tales were already published in the quarterly 2099 series. On its own, this comic book lightly builds up the lore of the 2099 universe as it was clearly focused on Hulk 2099’s creative concept and characters.
While Eisenhart was indeed determined to change, it is a turnoff to see him lie and exaggerate details to protect himself from a certain corporate psychologist who is after the truth. There is also a lot of anti-corporate expressions here which seems to suggest that someone within the creative team had been thinking with socialist concepts and decided to use the script as an outlet of expression. The weird but true thing is that by today’s standards, Hollywood is filled with Commies/socialists/Marxists/liberals/woke nuts from the film crew up to the executives that run studios and produce films or shows that are dumb, lies about reality, self-centered and extensions of their ideologies. This showed that this comic book was prophetic in some ways.
Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! If you enjoy disaster movies mixed with science fiction concepts, or if you enjoy Hollywood flicks of the 1990s, then you might want to consider Deep Impact 25th Annniversary 4 Blu-ray which is scheduled for release on May 2, 2023. For the eager fans of Deep Impact reading this, 4K Blu-ray is now available for pre-ordering online and it will come with native 4K visuals.
Paramount Home Media Distribution will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mimi Leder’s Deep Impact (1998) with a brand new 4K Blu-ray edition of the film, which will be available for purchase on May 2.
Description: What would you do if you knew that in a handful of days an enormous comet would collide with Earth and all humanity could be annihilated?
The countdown to doomsday is underway in this “gut-wrenching, eye-popping blast of a movie experience” (Jeff Craig, Sixty Second Preview). Mimi Leder (The Peacemaker) directs, guiding an all-star cast featuring Robert Duvall, Tea Leoni, Elijah Wood, Vanessa Redgrave, Maximillian Schell and Morgan Freeman. With the film’s dynamic fusion of large-scale excitement and touching, human-scale storylines, Deep Impact makes its impact felt in a big and unforgettable way.
Originally released on May 8, 1998, Deep Impact grossed nearly $350 million worldwide on an $80 million budget.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
Audio Commentary by director Mimi Leder and visual effects supervisor Scott Farrar
Preparing For The End
Making An Impact
Creating The Perfect Traffic Jam
For additional insight, posted below are the details from the Blu-ray.com page of Deep Impact 4K Blu-ray.
Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Audio
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Subtitles – English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-100, 1 BD-50)
Digital – Digital copy included
Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing
Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A
Way back in 1998, I saw Deep Impact in the local cinema. The movie had an ensemble cast showcasing veteran Morgan Freeman as the United States President, Robert Duvall as the veteran astronaut, Téa Leoni as the troubled TV journalist, as well as the very young Elijah Wood and Leelee Sobieski as the teenage love team. With its pending disaster approach to storytelling, the movie had lots of drama occasionally mixed in with sci-fi spectacle and suspense to keep moviegoers entertained. The movie was entertaining enough for me, I got to replay it on cable TV a few times and even bought myself a DVD copy of it.
Deep Impact was released at a time when Hollywood was modernizing disaster movies using the latest in computer-generated imagery (CGI) of the time and along the way, their production team also had some practical effects.
I can only wonder how good and detailed the 4K visuals of Deep Impact 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray will turn out. Based on the details of the announcement, there is no indication if director Mimi Leder will be involved in the 4K restoration of the movie. If you look at Leder’s record, you will realize she has been much more involved in TV than in movies.
Watch out for Deep Impact 25th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray on May 2, 2023.
In ending this, posted below are YouTube clips of the movie. If you will be watching Deep Impact for the first time ever, I recommend you avoid watching anymore short clips of the movie online. Also you should avoid watching retro movie video reviews and movie reaction videos of Deep Impact.
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from my personal experiences and observations during the Israel pilgrimage tour I joined. Additional information from the official social media account of the subject business is also used. Take note that this is not a sponsored article at all. 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.
During the free day I had on February 15, 2023 – the day-off from the Israel pilgrimage tour I was part of – I used the additional time to not only go to key sites in the old city of Jerusalem (the Temple Mount, revisiting the Western Wall, revisiting the Jewish Quarter, King David’s Tomb, revisiting the Upper Room plus Oskar Schindler’s grave in a cemetery outside the city wall) but also explore what Jerusalem has to offer in terms of food and beverages.
The popular Mahane Yehuda market was my destination of choice to have lunch at and explore other joints within. This was actually my return to Mahane Yehuda as I had my first visit to the place a few days prior. On my way to the market marching along Jaffa Street all the way from the old city, I managed to find time to have a much-needed break at Tmol Shilshom. It was an elegant place that was worth the challenge finding.
After the short-but-sweet stay at Tmol Shilshom, I proceeded to Mahane Yehuda but I noticed something…the weather suddenly got colder as a light rain took place. This is Israel winter season I am talking about here and a little rain is enough to make the air colder.
Eventually, I returned to Mahane Yehuda market. The difference compared to my first visit is that the air was colder and the pavement was slightly wet due to the weather. As I was desiring to have Shakshuka for lunch, I went into the roofed part of the market and eventually made my way to the one food joint that specialized with what I wanted to eat – Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda.
The view from my seat at Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda. This was taken while waiting for my lunch special.
For the newcomers reading this, Shakshuka (also spelled as Shakshouka) is a dish composed of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, oliver oil, pepper, onion and garlic topped with green vegetables and some spices.
Going back to my arrival at Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda, I was fortunate enough to find a vacant seat (located near the small restroom). The pretty lady behind the counter handed me their menu in English which I carefully viewed. For my meal, I eagerly ordered their lunch special composed of Shakshuka with bread, pickles, colored tahini and a soft drink. The type of Shakshuka I specifically chose was the Classic/Fire (48 Shekels).
The pretty lady behind the counter proceeded with my Classic/Fire Shakshuka order. She prepared the ingredients for the Shakshuka and had it cooked within her workspace. The bread, meanwhile, was cooked in a toaster oven.
This is my Classic/Fire Shakshuka lunch special served to me hot and with a nice aroma.
When my meal was served really hot, there was this nice aroma that greeted me. There was also this instant relief from the cold air. While I was already hungry considering how far I walked from the hotel to the sites in the old city, to Tmol Shilshom and the Mahane Yehuda market, I paused for a while to admire the my Classic/Fire Shakshuka meal. It was, after all, my first-ever Shakshuka meal and the end of our Israel pilgrimage tour was near.
A close look at my Shakshuka. The sauce is rich and you can see parts of the two eggs within.
Finally, I decided to take my first bite of the Classic/Fire by eating like a local. I cut off a piece of the hot bread and moved it through the Shakshuka to catch a portion of it, and then ate it. Instantly, I really enjoyed the unique taste of the Shakshuka and this includes the freshness of the tomatoes and ingredients cooked together. Consuming it with a piece of bread (note: which I learned from consuming bread with Humus) along with the green vegetables added this nice texture into what I consumed. Then I went on to cut off another piece of hot bread, moved it through the Shakshuka (note: I got more of the egg this time) and ate. It was a really joyful eating experience.
With a piece of bread, I managed to get a portion of the Shakshuka and consumed it.
After running out of bread, I started using the provided spoon to slowly consume the Shakshuka. The heat was really nice and I really felt it inside me after consuming portions. I ended up being fully satisfied and really happy to have my lunch there at Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda. I paid my bill and, in support of the business, I gave a tip.
Conclusion
I really had a great lunch at Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda inside the popular Mahane Yehuda market. Their lunch special was very delicious, nicely cooked and fulfilled what was promised. The Classic/Fire variant of their lunch special is just one of several types of Shakshuka offered. Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda also offers Eggplant Shakshuka, Spinach Shakshuka, Yellow Pepper Shakshuka, Alfredo Shakshuka, Eggplant Parmesan Shakshuka, Cream-Spinach and Feta Shakshuka, and even Pizza Shakshuka. The food joint has so much to offer customers looking for not only freshly cooked Shakshuka but also sandwiches, French Fries, Israeli Salad and coffee.
The next time I visit Jerusalem and the Mahane Yehuda market, I would not hesitate to come back to Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda and try their other Shakshuka variants. I am deeply thankful to our Lord for the great Shaksuka lunch I had. Never forget to thank the Lord and glorify Him in return for the good food and drinks you enjoy. In fact, always thank and glorify the Lord for the blessings you receive from Him and for His plans for you. Also, learn to stand united with Israel and love and bless the Jewish people. Learn from the holy scriptures below…
So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (AMPC)
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
Psalm 9:1 (NLT)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
Again God said to him, Your name is Jacob [supplanter]; you shall not be called Jacob any longer, but Israel shall be your name. So He called him Israel [contender with God].
And God said to him, I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall come from you and kings shall be born of your stock;
The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and to your descendants after you I will give the land.
Genesis 35:10-12 (AMPC)
God told Abram: “Leave your country, your family, and your father’s home for a land that I will show you.
I’ll make you a great nation and bless you. I’ll make you famous; you’ll be a blessing. I’ll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I’ll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 12:1-3 (MSG)
Looking for Shakshuka, sandwiches and other nice food within Mahane Yehuda market? I highly recommend visiting Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda.
If ever you will be visiting Israel and you will be spending time in Jerusalem, then I highly recommend visiting Shakshuka Machaneh Yehuda for meals as part of your visit in the Mahane Yehuda market.
