blogging – Page 72 – Author Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at Superman #79 (1993)

February 10, 2025February 4, 2025carlocarrasco

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 pop culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1993 and explore a notable chapter of the post-Crisis DC Comics universe through the Superman monthly series.

Months after DC Comics published the death of Superman with the best-selling Superman #75 (1993), the publisher went on to shake things up with the Reign of the Supermen storyline. One of the four Supermen was Cyborg Superman who first appeared in Adventures of Superman #500 (1993) and had his first story in Superman #78 (1993).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Superman #79, published in 1993 by DC Comics with a story written and drawn by Dan Jurgens.

Early story

The story begins inside a dark part of The Daily Planet with journalist Ronald Troupe starting his work in the absence of Clark Kent. Since Superman’s death, the very accomplished Kent has been absent and was perceived to have died somehow while covering Doomsday’s rampage through Metropolis.

With Kent absent, the newspaper lost one of its best writers. This opened an opportunity for Ronald Troupe to approach Perry White to fill Kent’s slot and work. White, who was close with Kent, values hungry reporters and challenged Troupe to bring him a story so big, he could not turn it down.

With the sudden presence of the Supermen, Troupe viewed Cyborg Superman as a major subject to report about…

Quality

The evil Cyborg Superman handing over a device to US President Bill Clinton. This image is strangely symbolic as both of them are evil figures – one is fictional and the other is real. Clinton’s legacy of empowering Palestinian terrorists through the mass murderer Yasser Arafat still remains.

I want to start with the approach Dan Jurgens took to come up with this particular Reign of the Supermen story. Instead of telling the tale through the viewpoint of the more established Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane or photographer Jimmy Olsen, Jurgens instead used the newcomer Ronald Troupe who happened to be a hungry journalist tasked with coming up with a compelling report about Cyborg Superman. This creative approach resulted in a very fresh look at the events involving the caped cyborg complete with the use of a journalistic narrative Troupe wrote on his computer (the paragraphs are stylishly displayed on each page). The writing done was pretty lively to read from start to finish.

I do have a problem with how specific events turned out. To ensure that Troupe would encounter Cyborg Superman, the established character Max Lord (who is working directly with the US President over very sensitive matters) very unrealistically had his government-provided limousine stop (while entering the White House gate half-way) and actually got out to meet Troupe only because the reporter convinced him too easily. Even back in the 1990s, such a scenario is very unrealistic and no person working with the US President would ever stop to give a reporter special attention while compromising security of the White House.

And then there was the short sequence in which Troupe – already within the White House perimeter with several defense turrets already firing energy blasts – miraculously managed to get close to Cyborg Superman without getting hit was also very unbelievable. Very clearly, Troupe is this comic book’s magical black man.

To come up with the superhero spectacle, elements of Islamic terrorism (represented by the fictional Qurac and its terrorists) attacking the White House plus Cyborg Superman’s sudden involvement were implemented. Quite predictably, the caped cyborg became the centerpiece of the action. I can say the spectacle here was fresh and intriguing to see.

Conclusion

*Cyborg Superman fights the terrorists of Qurac.*

Superman #79 (1993) has a very unique approach on storytelling but the above-mentioned unbelievable turnout of events plus Ronald Troupe being the magical black person (literally protected by plot armor) somewhat ruined the reading experience for me. By the time the story ended, the anticipated pay-off to everything that was built-up ended up weak and unsatisfying. To be clear, this is not a badly made comic book but its flaws really ruined it. Also by today’s standards, Cyborg Superman is a very evil character and having him with the American flag on the cover is disgusting.

With regards to geopolitics, having Bill Clinton as the US President made this comic book age very badly. As President, Clinton empowered Palestinian terrorists and anti-Semitic people through the mass murderer Yasser Arafat (a real-life demon) while disrespecting Israel and its people. People who love abortion, political correctness (which leads to wokeness), victimhood and LGBTQ rights also benefited from Clinton’s sinister leadership. By today’s standards, having Clinton and Cyborg Superman appear together strongly symbolize real-life evil and fictional evil in a rather creative way.

It was destiny that his wife Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 US Presidential Election to Donald Trump. This is because the Clinton legacy remains very bad for the whole world. Trump, who is now the US President once again, is already working to make serious corrections while also restoring dignity in America.

Overall, Superman #79 (1987) is not worth your time. Only those who are really obsessed with the Reign of the Supermen storyline can enjoy it. For those looking for the iconic Superman, better look for another comic book!

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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

More than 400 Barangay Pamplona Dos residents avail of health services from Las Piñas City caravan

February 10, 2025January 31, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, over four hundred residents of Barangay Pamplona Dos got served with health services by the Health and Wellness Caravan, the City Government announced via social media.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the social media announcement. Some parts in boldface…

The Las Piñas Health and Wellness Caravan was held at the Sterling Life Homes Covered Court in Pamplona Dos on Thursday, January 23, bringing essential health services to nearly 400 residents. The initiative, spearheaded by the City Health Office, continues to emphasize accessible healthcare and community well-being.

Attendees availed of free medical consultations, dental services, cholesterol and blood sugar screenings, chest X-rays, ECG tests, and pneumonia vaccinations for senior citizens. Other services included the distribution of free medicines, assistance with PhilHealth registration, and the Green Card program. Nutrition counseling and non-communicable disease risk assessments were also offered, ensuring comprehensive healthcare support.

City Health Office head Dr. Juliana Gonzalez underscored the importance of preventive care, highlighting how early detection and proactive health measures can significantly improve the quality of life for residents. Her guidance emphasized the value of these caravans in promoting healthier communities across Las Piñas.

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? Do you know when will the Health and Wellness Caravan arrive in your local community this year?

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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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 engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Warrantless arrest of vote-buyers and sellers included in new COMELEC resolution for 2025 elections

February 8, 2025February 4, 2025carlocarrasco

Anyone who gets caught selling or buying votes in connection with the National and Local elections this year will get into trouble as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) recently issued a resolution monitoring such activities and warrantless arrests will be allowed, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has issued a resolution allowing law enforcement to arrest vote buyers and sellers without a warrant if they are caught in the act.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on “24 Oras,” Resolution No. 11104 will expand the authority of the poll body’s Committee on Kontra-Bigay” to monitor vote buying and selling in Eleksyon 2025.

The resolution allows a law enforcer to make a warrantless arrest if he or she witnessed an act or attempt to commit election offenses.

“Any law enforcement officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person when, in his or her presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing, or is attempting to commit the election offense of vote-buying and vote-selling or act constituting ASR (abuse of state resources),” the resolution read.

The arrested individual will be brought to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, the materials used in vote buying or selling will be under the custody of the police.

“The money or any other goods of value, sample ballots and any other campaign materials used for vote-buying and vote-selling, and ASR, shall be immediately seized and taken into custody by the apprehending law enforcement officer,” the resolution added.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the newest resolution by the COMELEC will be effective in preserving the integrity of the national and local elections scheduled for May 2025? Do you think the inclusion of warrantless arrests will deter the buyers and sellers of votes?

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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I Love Israel: US President Trump’s ambitious plan for Gaza

February 8, 2025February 7, 2025carlocarrasco

As some of you are already aware, I fully stand with Israel which is very connected with my uncompromising faith in the Lord. I keep on praying to Him for Israel to overwhelm its enemies, rescue the hostages and recover from the effects of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks committed by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas which is sponsored by terrorist state Iran. I can assure all of you that nobody from the evil Islamo-Leftist mob, nobody from the pro-Palestine radicals, nobody from the political correctness extremists, and nobody from evil societies would stop me from supporting and loving Israel.

Now, on with the news…

During the joint conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House, US President Donald Trump unveiled the ambitious plan of America taking over the Gaza Strip to redevelop it, according to a CBN News report. For insight, watch the YouTube videos below.

For the newcomers reading this, the Gaza Strip is coastal land that is physically part of Israel and shares a border with Egypt at the southwest. A lot of Palestinians (note: Arabs who identified themselves as Palestinians specifically) live there and in their presence, terrorists multiplied and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas made it their headquarters long before they attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

Gaza today has been ruined tremendously as a result of the subsequent war that started in late-2023. The massive destruction will take so much resources, time and effort to be realized, the Palestinians themselves are clearly uncapable of rebuilding Gaza themselves. Not even their terrorist sponsors Iran and Qatar could afford to cover the costs of reconstruction. That being said, America under Trump is capable of redeveloping Gaza and the takeover should happen after Israel concludes the war against the terrorists.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the CBN News report.. Some parts in boldface…

On a historic day at the White House, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip. The impact of the presidential announcement is already changing the face of the Middle East.

Trump greeted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House during a stunning day of changes for Israel and the region. At a joint conference with the prime minister, Trump dropped the bombshell:

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job with it, too. We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site. Level the site and get rid of the destroyed buildings, level it out – create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing for the people of the area. Do a real job. Do something different. Just can’t go back. If you go back, it’s going to end up the same way it has for 100 years,” he declared.

A Hamas spokesman slammed the “American racist stance,” saying its aim is “displacing our people and eliminating our cause.”

However, one Israeli leader called the idea a “miracle,” and opposition leader Benny Gantz called Trump’s initiative creative and original thinking.

The president claimed the situation presents a rare moment for action.

“We have an opportunity to do something that could be phenomenal,” he said, “and I don’t want to be cute. I don’t want to be a wise guy. But the Riviera of the Middle East – this could be something that could be so be so magnificent. But more importantly than that is (that) the people that have been absolutely destroyed that live there now can live in peace in a much better situation because they are living in hell. And those people will now be able to live in peace. We’ll make sure that it’s done world-class. It’ll be wonderful for the people, Palestinians – Palestinians, mostly, we’re talking about.”

Netanyahu maintained that Israel’s war goals remain the same.

“As we discussed, Mr. President, to secure our future and bring peace to our region, we have to finish the job. In Gaza, Israel has three goals: destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities, secure the release of all of our hostages, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.”

Trump also says he’ll announce his stand on a potential Israeli annexation of Judea and Samaria, known by some as the West Bank, in four weeks. Declaring sovereignty over Israel’s biblical heartland is a move many Israelis would welcome.

In their talks, the U.S. and Israeli leaders discussed a normalization of relations with Saudi Arabia. The Saudis put out a statement saying there would be no normalizations without a Palestinian state.

The announced plan from President Trump is already changing public perception about not only the Gaza Strip but the entire Middle East as a whole. Make no mistake about it – the Palestinians, Hamas, Iran and Qatar cannot really join forces nor put their resources together to redevelop Gaza on their own. All the diplomatic decisions made through the previous decades never improved the standard of living in the Gaza Strip and the 2005 physical pullout of Israeli presence only led to Gaza becoming a hot spot for terrorists who not only heavily armed themselves to launch many attacks against Israel but also profited from the humanitarian donations they received. Hamas is not just a violent group of Palestinian terrorists…they are also greedy and covetous.

With Trump leading America, it is clear its partnership with Israel will grow stronger tremendously. With the right moves and the right timing, America and Israel can change the Middle East as we know it and that includes bringing down the evil forces starting with terrorist state Iran. The Palestinian terrorists can keep causing trouble but they can only delay their ultimate defeat and the loss of lives on their end.

That being said, I urge you all to pray to the Lord in support of Israel and in support of the reinvigorated US-Israel alliance with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu as leaders to execute the plans and achieve the goals to change the Middle East for the better. Pray also that the terrorists, the Islamists, radicalized Islamo-Leftist mobs will stop being evil and submit to Lord Jesus for repentance. Pray to the Lord for the American takeover of the Gaza Strip and is redevelopment to happen.

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 without hesitation. 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. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

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Economy of the Philippines grew by 5.6% in 2024

February 7, 2025January 31, 2025carlocarrasco

The economic growth of the Philippines for the year 2024 has officially been declared by national authorities at 5.6%, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article (which itself emphasized 2024 4^th quarter economic growth of 5.2%). By comparison, the national economy grew by 7.6% in 2022 and 5.6% in 2023.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines was the third highest-growing economy in the region in the fourth quarter of last year despite the impacts of geopolitical tensions and the series of typhoons that hit the country.

Philippine economic growth settled at 5.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, bringing the full-year economic growth to 5.6 percent.

“While this falls short of our target of 6.0 to 6.5 percent, we are positioned as the third fastest-growing economy in the region, trailing Vietnam (7.5 percent) and China (5.4 percent) but outpacing Malaysia (4.8 percent),” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said in a briefing Thursday.

Edillon said the country faced numerous setbacks like extreme weather events, geopolitical tensions, and subdued global demand.

“While some challenges affect the entire economy, others exert pressure on specific sectors. Consequently, our economic performance in 2024 hinged on the impact of these factors on various sectors and whether we can mitigate the negative effects or enable a swift recovery,” said Edillon.

Last year, economic growth was mainly driven by the industry and services sectors.

National Statistician Dennis Mapa said that among the major economic sectors, industry and services grew by 5.6 percent and 6.7 percent, respectively, last year.

Growth in the manufacturing sector, however, was hampered by subdued global due to geopolitical tensions and the slow recovery of advanced economies. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing declined by 1.6 percent.

Edillon said the six typhoons that hit the country in the fourth quarter, caused disruptions in crop production, livestock, and fisheries. On the demand side, household final consumption expenditure expanded by 4.8 percent.

“During the fourth quarter, we had a succession of typhoons again in October until mid-November and this dampened the growth momentum and travel plans. Although we did see that there was increased spending on travel, transport, recreation and culture but still it was not enough to counter the slowdown in other expenditure items,” said Edillon.

Government final consumption expenditure, meanwhile, grew by 7.2 percent, while gross capital formation rose by 7.5 percent. Exports of goods and services went up by 3.4 percent, while imports of goods and services increased by 4.3 percent.

Building resilience – Edillon noted that the key to economic growth is to build resilience and ensure adaptability to changing preferences.

“To achieve resilient economic growth, we need to diversify our sources of growth,” she said.

Edillon cited the need to encourage more investments in sectors that require workers with higher-level skills.

To keep food inflation low and stable, Edillon said the government must anticipate potential shocks and continue to employ multi-pronged approaches.

“Looking ahead to 2025, we want to regain our growth momentum driven by strategic investments and initiatives designed to strengthen resilience and lay the foundation for long-term inclusive growth,” she said.

Edillon said the government will also ramp up efforts to further develop the country’s infrastructure and boost economic competitiveness by streamlining business processes.

According to Edillon, the government will also expand new free-trade agreements.

To support the recovery in the agriculture sector, Edillon said the government through the Department of Agriculture, will fast-track the implementation of the National Rice Program, invest in irrigation facilities, and fully utilize the increased provision for the Rice Competitiveess Enhancement Fund to improve farm productivity.

Edillon said tourism will also help boost economic growth.

“The government will explore easing visa requirements and actively participate in initiatives such as the proposed ASEAN common visa policy to enhance visitor inflows,” she said.

Edillon said the government will also strengthen the country’s talent pipeline through reskilling and upskilling programs to boost growth in the information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you surprised that the 2024 economic growth of the Philippines ended below 6%? What do you think will help the national economy grow by at least 6% this year?

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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I Love Israel: Israel-DAR strategic partnership on agricultural development discussed

February 6, 2025January 28, 2025carlocarrasco

Now, on with the news…

A few weeks ago, Israel and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) started a strategic partnership that will benefit the Philippines by means of agricultural development, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

For the newcomers reading this, the Jewish state is one of the world’s leaders in agriculture and the Philippines can really use Israeli expertise to make tremendous improvements.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news article.. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has entered into a strategic partnership with Israel to advance agricultural development and innovation in the Philippines.

In a news release on Thursday, DAR said Secretary Conrado Estrella III and Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss have discussed the possibility of a strong collaboration on cutting-edge farming technologies, rural development, and sustainable agricultural practices.

During their meeting, Estrella recognized the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and Israel and highlighted the successful implementation of the Philippines’ agrarian reform program under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

He also noted the positive impact of DAR programs on the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries while emphasizing the need for further growth in rural areas.

Fluss, meanwhile, acknowledged the ongoing challenges faced by Israel due to the ongoing war in the Middle East and shared the resilience of their agricultural sector. He also noted the importance of international partnerships from allies such as the United States in securing food and medical aid for its citizens.

Meanwhile, a key focus of the meeting between Estella and Fluss was the adoption of Israeli agricultural technologies, particularly in irrigation methods and Precision Agriculture (PA).

Israel’s expertise in water-efficient irrigation systems, particularly suited for arid regions, was identified as a critical solution for Filipino farmers facing water crisis concerns.

Both officials expressed enthusiasm about the potential of PA, which uses data and technology to optimize crop yields, water use, and resource management, while Fluss affirmed Israel’s willingness to share expertise in this area.

As part of knowledge exchange initiatives, Fluss also invited DAR officials to visit Israel for training by experts on farming, rural development, and climate change adaptation.

This newest development shows the continuing growth of Israel-Philippines ties through agriculture as well as the opportunities for Filipinos to innovate on agriculture, improve farming methods and ensuring food security for the entire nation. Watch and learn from the videos below…

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 without hesitation. 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. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray to Him so that Israel-Philippines ties and cooperation will keep growing stronger in the many years ahead.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel and its ties with the Philippines!

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San Miguel Corporation’s “Better Rivers PH” initiative removes 93,000 tons of silt and waste from Parañaque rivers

February 6, 2025January 29, 2025carlocarrasco

Parañaque City benefited from the “Better Rivers PH” initiative of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) as ninety-three thousand tons of silt and waste was removed from the rivers of the city and other improvements were also done, according to a Business Mirror news report.

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

San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) “Better Rivers PH” initiative has removed 93,000 tons of silt and waste from Parañaque rivers as of January 23.

The company said this effort aims to improve water flow and address perennial flooding at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and surrounding areas.

The cleanup covers 1.9 kilometers of river channels, including the Parañaque River, Don Galo River, and their junctions with the San Dionisio and Villanueva creeks.

In addition to river cleanups, SMC has also de-clogged storm drain lines along Domestic Road and NAIA Terminal 4. This included reopening 54 manholes and constructing 10 new ones for better access and maintenance. These upgrades are seen to sustain flood prevention efforts around the airport complex.

SMC’s efforts, carried out at no cost to the government or taxpayers, are part of a broader mission to restore waterways and reduce flooding in urban areas.

Bathymetric surveys in Parañaque identified bottlenecks in river systems that restricted water flow to Manila Bay, prompting targeted cleanup and desilting operations in critical areas. The project benefits from the active involvement of key government agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the local government of Parañaque.

“Flooding has been a long-standing issue for Parañaque and NAIA, particularly during typhoon season,” said SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang. “Through Better Rivers PH and with support from government agencies, we were able to implement sustainable solutions that we hope will deliver lasting benefits to residents, businesses, and travelers.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you delighted over SMC’s special assistance that cost you nothing? Do you want to see SMC’s initiative to last long to make Parañaque cleaner, better and safer as a city?

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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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 55

February 5, 2025November 19, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 VKunia’s Akira reaction video – In recent times, I published blog post that had several videos of reviews, analysis and exploration of the 1988 anime feature film Akira. This time around, I posted for your viewing pleasure the Akira reaction video of VKunia. What I like about it is that VKunia herself is quite reactive to what was shown. Watch her reaction video below…

#2 Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise reviewed and analyzed by Cinemology 101 – Way back in 1985, the ambitious anime feature film Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise was released in theaters and eventually made its way into the West with English translation in the cinemas in 1988 and on home video a few years later. While I was not exactly entertained by it on home video, I still was left intrigued by its highly imaginative world, art and animation quality that was comparable in some ways with Akira. YouTuber Cinemology 101 (AKA The Cinemologists) posted its review and explanatory video of the film which is very comprehensive to watch.

#3 Hong Kong Action cinema of the 1980s revisited – If there is anything I miss from the 1980s, it is the dynamic action that came in different styles from the Hong Kong action movies of the time. By comparison, I am disgusted with Hollywood’s so-called modern approach of recording action that involves shaky camera handling and the quick cuts on editing. In Hong Kong action movies, the filmmakers recorded action with stable camera handling and using the right angles to capture the action visibly and clearly. Watch and learn from the video below…

#4 PatmanQC examines Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time arcade – Back in 1991, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time was released in the arcades and it became a big hit for Konami as it earned the approval of the critics and the coins of many gamers who paid for bouts of fun. The game was designed to be very playful and it also had a lot of stuff that resonated with TMNT fans. To find out who were responsible for the game and what inspired their work, watch the in-depth video by PatmanQC.

#5 Lunar games retrospective by Xygor Gaming – In case you missed the news, the first two Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) of the Lunar series – Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue – will be released for modern consoles in a package on April 18, 2025 called Lunar Remastered Collection. If you are fond of Japanese RPGs of the 1990s or if you want to discover what the Lunar series is about, watch the in-depth retro gaming retrospective video by Xygor Gaming.

#6 Sorority House Massacre explored by GoodBadFlicks – Recently, it was revealed that the 1986 horror movie Sorority House Massacre will be released on 4K Blu-ray this coming April. I never saw the movie but heard that it was criticized for being too familiar with a certain slasher horror movie from 1978. Regardless, you can learn about it by watching GoodBadFlicks’ explanatory video and perhaps it can provide insight as to why the movie is being released on 4K Blu-ray.

#7 US President Trump’s efforts against illegal immigration make waves overseas – Even though I am not an American citizen, I personally oppose illegal immigration. I simply believe that no government should ever let lots of foreigners to trespass into the country, violate the national sovereignty and consume taxpayer-funded resources. It is a great thing that Donald Trump is officially back as US President and this early, his efforts fighting illegal immigration is making a lot of impact even overseas. The Leftist leader of Colombia gave in to Trump in humiliating fashion, and you can learn all about it in the Sky News Australia video below. Lastly, let me remind you all that illegal aliens are criminals by default, and they certainly are NOT refugees.

#8 Palestinian discredited! – By now, many of you should know that I will always stand with Israel and the Jewish state. Let me tell you the truth that Palestine never started as country, never started as people but rather it started as a name imposed by the evil Roman empire on Israel centuries ago. The Palestinian identity only started in the 1920s, and the Palestinians have a history of chaos, violence and disruption. History and the facts are on the side of Israel, not the Palestinians. Watch and learn from the video below…

#9 Assorted videos of The Matrix – If have seen 1999’s The Matrix, do you personally consider it to be the most revolutionary action movie of all time? Was it the most definitive movie of 1999? Or have you forgotten much about it? If you are feeling nostalgic about the movie, watch the videos below.

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Muntinlupa City Government will implement reforms at Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun)

February 5, 2025January 27, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, it was announced that reforms at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) will be implemented by the City Government, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The said hospital is located in Filinvest City.

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

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon said the city government will implement reforms at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun) in Alabang.

Biazon held a dialogue with doctors of the hospital about concerns.

The supervision of OsMun was returned to the Muntinlupa City government based on an ordinance passed last year. In 2019, the OsMun was designated as a Local Economic Enterprise (LEE) aimed at generating its own revenue.

“Ngunit sa ilang taon ng operations, lumalabas na hindi niya kaya makamit ang nasabing revenue na nagdulot ng kakulangan sa naihahatid na serbisyo (But after several years of operations, it turned out that it was unable to achieve the said revenue, which caused a shortage in the service delivered),” Biazon posted on Facebook.

During the meeting, Biazon explained to the OsMun doctors the changes that will be implemented and listened to their complaints and suggestions.

He said the return of OsMun under the city government was meant to give the hospital the capability to provide the right service.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you feel confident that reforms at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa will result in improvements?

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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Ownership of Festival Mall transferring to Filinvest REIT Corporation (FILRT) for over P6 billion

February 4, 2025January 27, 2025carlocarrasco

Have you been to Festival Mall in Alabang lately? Some things might change in the near future as the ownership of the shopping and lifestyle mall (first opened in May 1998 as Festival Supermall) is being transferred by the Gotianun Group to Filinvest REIT Corporation (FILRT) in a deal worth more than P6 billion, according to a Manila Bulletin business news report.

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

The Gotianun Group is transferring ownership of its flagship Festival Mall-Main Mall in Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City to Filinvest REIT Corporation (FILRT) in a P6.26 billion deal that marks the real estate investment trust’s entry into the retail leasing business.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) said it is selling the 26-year-old Festival Mall to FILRT in exchange for 1.63 billion FILRT shares at an issue price of P3.85 per share under a tax-free property-for-share swap transaction.

“The transaction fulfills FLI’s commitment as the sponsor of FILRT to continually support the growth and expansion of its REIT portfolio through the infusion of high-quality income-generating real estate assets,” FLI said.

It added that, upon the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval of the transaction, FLI and FILRT shall execute a lease agreement for the building.

In a separate disclosure, FILRT said the issue price represents a 30 percent premium over the 30-day volume weighted average price of P2.94 per FILRT share, and falls within the fair value price range provided by FTI Consulting’s Fairness Opinion and LeeChiu Property Consultants, Inc.’s Valuation Report.

The property was appraised by Leechiu Property Consultants, and a fairness opinion was provided by FTI Consulting. A discounted cash flow (DCF) approach was used as the primary method to determine the value of the property.

Under the DCF approach, the future cash flows of the property were discounted using a weighted average cost of capital (WACC) based on a capital asset pricing model. A direct capitalization approach was also used as a secondary reference for the valuation of the property.

For the valuation of the shares, FTI Consulting used various methodologies such as the DCF approach, a dividend discount model, and a comparable public companies’ method, to arrive at a range of values for the fair value of FILRT shares.

The primary common shares to be issued by FILRT to FLI will come from the unissued common shares of FILRT. This will be subject to the approval by FILRT’s shareholders and regulatory approvals.

Upon the SEC’s approval of the transaction, FLI and FILRT shall execute a lease agreement for the property.

“Pursuant to the approval of the transaction, the Board approved the conduct of a special stockholders’ meeting (SSM) to be held on March 4, at 10:00 AM. The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice and right to vote at the SSM is February 10, 2025,” the firm said.

FILRT’s diversification into mall leasing comes after its expansion into the hospitality space with the acquisition of 2.9 hectares of land owned by Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC) in Boracay Island for P1.05 billion in cash.

The land is being leased by Boracay Seascapes, Inc. (BSI), the building owner of Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay and a subsidiary of FDC.

FILRT President and CEO Maricel Brion-Lirio said this is the company’s first asset infusion since its initial public offering and “not only increases the distributable income to our shareholders in the immediate term but also supports our goal of delivering stable dividends and increasing the potential for capital appreciation in the longer term.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City who happens to be a frequent visitor or shopper of Festival Mall, do you think the incoming, new owners will be able to make improvements on the mall somehow? Do you hope that the original cinemas of Festival Mall will get renovated and reopened with the latest cinema technologies in the 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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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

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