For some time now, the Philippines has been underperforming in the race of attracting foreign tourists and its 2025 numbers have been disappointing. Recently, Philippine tourism suffered another blackeye as a taxi driver in Cebu overcharged a very prominent entertainer from South Korea – K-pop star Soobin – and already the details of the incident spread like wildfire on social media and in foreign news, according to a news article by VnExpress. The said taxi driver has been suspended for 30-days and was ordered by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to surrender his driver’s license.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the VnExpress news article. Some parts in boldface…
Philippine authorities have taken action against a taxi driver who overcharged Soobin, a member of the K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, during a trip to Cebu.
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, a video posted April 1 on the group’s official YouTube channel, titled “Soobin’s Super Fun and Super Tiring Vacation,” shows the singer and his friend navigating the incident. In the footage, Soobin and the friend arrive at the airport and attempt to take a taxi to their accommodation.
“I checked beforehand, it should be about 300 pesos (US$17),” Soobin says in the video, as quoted by Chosun Biz. “If they charge more than 300 pesos, let’s act angry once.”
However, a taxi driver subsequently approaches them and initially quotes the pair 500 pesos. After failing to negotiate, Soobin gets into the taxi, only for the driver to suddenly demand 1,000 pesos, claiming it was a “car with expensive gas.”
Soobin immediately confronts the driver, saying, “Did you hear that? I’m going to report you,” while documenting the attempted overcharge.
His friend later remarks, “Still, it’s better that we arrived safely. We’re so tired,” and Soobin ultimately pays the originally agreed 500 pesos.
Following the broadcast, the Philippines’ Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ordered the driver to surrender his license plate and driver’s license and imposed a 30-day suspension.
“The taxi driver excessively charged the fare and deliberately did not use the meter during the ride,” the board said, as quoted by the South China Morning Post. “This is a serious offense that tarnished our country’s honor in the international community.”
Philippine National Police Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. also ordered a nationwide crackdown on taxi drivers accused of overcharging passengers. Authorities have since been deployed to monitor transportation hubs, particularly airports.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If have traveled overseas over the past twelve months, were there any local taxi drivers who overcharged you? Do you think Philippine tourism will be able to recover from this recent embarrassment?
Recently the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was recognized by the Australia and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCham) for strengthening economic ties between the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand during a prestigious event held in Makati City, according to the official announcement.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from official announcement by the SBMA. Some parts in boldface…
The Australia and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCham) recognized the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for its efforts in fostering strong economic linkages between the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand.
The citation was given during ANZCham’s 45th Annual General Meeting and Awards Night held at the Makati Shangri-La on March 24, 2026, where SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III accepted the award on behalf of the agency.
“We are strengthening our global linkages not only to attract capital but also to bring in innovation, technology, employment, and long-term partnerships that create real economic value,” Lee said.
The Bridges of Progress Award is conferred to Philippine institutions that have demonstrated exemplary collaboration and actively contributed to strengthening trilateral and economic ties with Australia and New Zealand.
SBMA’s recognition reflects its role in advancing international partnerships and investment promotion, a testament to SBMA’s growing role in the regional investment landscape.
It recognizes its sustained efforts to streamline investment processes, support foreign enterprises, and position Subic Bay Freeport as a competitive hub for global business.
Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño emphasized the award’s broader significance in reinforcing international cooperation: “This honor reflects the strength of our partnerships with the Australian and New Zealand business communities.”
“We remain committed to policies that encourage greater investments, deepen economic engagement, and promote shared prosperity across our regions,” he added.
ANZCham officers, headed by its President Benjamin Romualdez, attended the event, along with members of the diplomatic corps and leaders from both the public and private sectors, and gathered to celebrate organizations that have contributed significantly to enhancing cross-border partnerships.
ANZCHAM Philippines is a prominent, non-profit business organization that has been active for over 45 years. It serves as a bridge for enterprises looking to expand within the Philippine-Australian-New Zealand business corridor.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the SBMA’s continued efforts on strengthening economic ties with the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand will result in investment breakthroughs?
In a serious effort to ramp up agricultural exports to the Philippines, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lead a trade mission in the country from April 13 to 26, 2026 and the delegation will be composed of several American agribusinesses farmers and trade groups, according to a news article by Farms.com.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article from Farms.com. Some parts in boldface…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lead a trade mission to Manila, Philippines, from April 13 to 16, 2026. The goal is to expand export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses.
This mission follows a major trade agreement reached in July last year, which created new pathways for U.S. agricultural products in the Philippines market. The delegation will be led by Deputy Under Secretary Michelle Bekkering and will include 58 agribusinesses, trade groups, and representatives from state agriculture departments.
Participating states include Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Companies such as American Egg Board, American Peanut Council, California Milk Advisory Board, Potatoes USA, U.S. Dairy Export Council, U.S. Soybean Export Council, and U.S. Meat Export Federation are part of the mission. Other businesses like Foodlinx, BNutty Peanut Butter, Global Export Marketing Co., Wonderful Citrus, and USA Poultry and Egg Export Council will also attend.
The Philippines is an important market for U.S. agriculture. It ranks as the tenth-largest buyer of U.S. farm and food products, with average annual imports of $3.4 billion over the past five years. Its growing population of 118 million and rising middle class make it a strong market for future growth.
During the visit, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will organize meetings, market briefings, and site visits. These activities will connect U.S. exporters directly with Filipino buyers and strengthen business relationships.
“USDA is committed to getting American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses better access to strong markets and fair opportunities abroad,” said Deputy Undersecretary Bekkering. “Since the Philippines is one of the fastest-growing markets in Asia, this mission will connect U.S. exporters directly with reliable buyers, strengthen our trade relationship, and help keep American agriculture globally competitive.”
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think American agriculture is set to grow with exporting goods worldwide under the leadership of US President Donald Trump over the next three years? Do you think Filipinos will continue to consume even more American agricultural goods?
Fuel giant Petron confirmed that it has almost 2.5 million barrels of crude oil from Russia, according to news report by GMA News. The acquisition has been perceived by many as crucial as the Philippines is struggling with very expensive fuel.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…
Petron Corp. on Monday confirmed the procurement of 2.48 million barrels of crude oil from Russia to augment its inventory until June, as the country’s supply reaches what it described as a “precarious” level amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The listed fuel retailer, which holds a 30% share of the Philippine market and operates the country’s only oil refinery, said it closely coordinated with the Departments of Energy (DOE) and Finance (DOF) on the purchase after both agencies called on local companies to secure alternative sources of crude and finished products.
“The corporation wishes to emphasize that the procurement of Russian crude oil is not part of its business-as-usual sourcing strategy,” Petron said in a regulatory filing.
“The purchases were undertaken strictly out of extreme necessity, as an extraordinary emergency measure in response to unprecedented geopolitical and supply chain disruptions, and only after exhausting all commercially and operationally viable alternatives,” it added.
Petron said it also received confirmation from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) that there is no prohibition under Philippine law on sourcing foreign currency for import and trade transactions, clearing the way for the importation of Russian crude oil.
The corporation said that if the current crisis persists and alternative crude sources remain unavailable or insufficient, it may again be compelled to consider purchasing Russian crude oil to augment the national fuel supply.
It added that this would help directly mitigate the adverse consequences arising from the absence of a stable and reliable source of crude.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Does Petron’s procurement of 2.48 million barrels of Russian crude oil make you feel relieved when it comes to the overall supply of fuel in the Philippines?
While the Philippines continues to be active on attracting investments from around the world, it still has yet to wipe out the plague of corruption which remains a persistent challenge in the private and public sectors. That being said, the United States pointed to the corruption as a major barrier to trade and investment with the Philippines, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. This is not the first time America noticed Philippine corruption in relation to economics.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
The United States (US) has once again flagged corruption as a major barrier to trade and investment with the Philippines, as recent efforts to clean up regulatory and judicial processes have failed to yield positive results.
In this year’s National Trade Estimate (NTE) report, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) said corruption continues to be a “pervasive and longstanding problem” in doing business in the Philippines. The report was released on Tuesday, March 31.
This year, unlike last year’s NTE report, the USTR specifies that corruption remains a persistent challenge in both the private and public sectors.
“National and local government agencies, for example the Bureau of Customs (BOC), are beset with various corruption issues, including allegations of overt bribery,” it said.
The USTR said attempts by the BOC to address customs and corruption concerns continue to fall short, as reports of corruption and irregularities in customs processing remain widespread.
In particular, US businesses are complaining about incidents of undue and costly delays, irregularities in the valuation process, exhaustive inspection and testing of some products, and inconsistent assessment of fees.
The USTR also called out the “lack of transparency in judicial and regulatory processes,” which ultimately undermines efforts to address corruption.
The agency is urging the Philippine government to deal with corruption once and for all, warning that it may impact trade and investment flows between the two longtime allies.
“If left unchecked, bribery and corruption can negate market access gained through trade negotiations, frustrate broader reforms and economic stabilization programs, and undermine the foundations of the international trading system,” the USTR said.
Despite the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen its intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement, the USTR said the US remains dissatisfied with “inconsistent enforcement activities.”
“Stakeholders report issues with online piracy and sales of counterfeit goods, including apparel, shoes, watches, jewelry, perfume, and electronics,” it said.
Issues involving counterfeiting and piracy led to the continued inclusion of Greenhills Shopping Center in the 2025 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy, or the USTR’s Notorious Markets List, released last month.
The government’s efforts to combat issues involving IP rights are weakened by the slow prosecution and conviction of cases, the USTR said.
Further, the USTR said that the US has concerns about the Philippines’ laws regarding the protection of internationally recognized labor rights, as well as the enforcement of labor laws.
The USTR noted that the Philippines currently does not have a ban on the importation of goods produced with forced or compulsory labor, which earlier prompted the agency to investigate the country along with 59 other economies.
Meanwhile, the agency also raised its objections to the country’s persistent problem with wildlife trafficking, which undercuts regulated trade in wildlife products and may lead to the contamination of global supply chains that would ultimately reach US consumers.
Without sufficient measures in place, the USTR said these market-distorting practices may weaken the trading relationship between the US and the Philippines.
“The Philippines has not entered into an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the US that includes commitments to address these distortions,” it said.
Philippine imports to the US, minus some exemptions, are subject to a 10-percent global tariff. This is lower than the 19-percent tariff imposed on such goods during the second half of last year.
Unlike countries that have negotiated tariff deals with the US, the Philippines remains at the whim of US President Donald Trump and his ever-unpredictable global trade agenda.
With the 2025 NTE report essentially shaping Trump’s tariff scheme last year, the USTR said the new 2026 report is no different, as it seeks to outline the US’ aim to rectify what it considers unfair trade practices of its trading partners.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the government of the Philippines consistently fell short on wiping out corruption and improving the many processes? Is the Philippines the least transparent nation in Southeast Asia when it comes to international trade and foreign investments? Do you think the deep corruption of the Philippines will become a major campaign issue in the 2028 Presidential, National and Local elections? Do you think the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit will make Filipinos complete forget about corruption?
With a lot of economic disruptions connected with the conflicts in the Middle East, the Philippine Peso has been exposed as one of the most vulnerable currencies of Asia and already the nation is struggling with spiked fuel prices and rising inflation, according to a business news report by the Manila Bulletin.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the announcement by the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
Singapore-based DBS Bank Ltd stated that the Philippine peso is emerging as one of Asia’s most vulnerable currencies as deepening global oil crisis exposes the nation’s heavy reliance on imported energy and the lack of government subsidies.
DBS wrote in a commentary published last Friday that the peso is expected to underperform in the foreign exchange (forex) market alongside the Indian rupee, which recently hit a record low against the United States (US) dollar. The peso also plummeted to another all-time low last Friday, finishing at P60.55 per dollar.
Like India, the Philippines is grappling with vulnerabilities from oil price shocks, which have led the peso to reach a new all-time low, according to DBS senior forex strategist Philip Wee and forex and credit strategist Chang Wei Liang.
“Similarly, the peso remains highly vulnerable,” Wee and Liang said. Last Friday, the peso breached the 60.5 level as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East intensified, and the central bank stood firm in its view that there is no immediate need to defend the currency.
Wee and Liang said the Philippines stands as “most exposed to oil price pass-through due to zero subsidies and a 90 percent energy reliance on Gulf energy.”
Japanese financial giant MUFG Bank Ltd. and think tank Capital Economics also emphasized the Philippines’ high exposure to external market volatility, which is hurting the peso amid investors’ risk-off sentiment.
MUFG analysts said the peso is among the “weakest performers in the region” last week, declining by a total of 4.9 percent since the Israel-Iran conflict flare-up. It was surpassed only by the Thai baht, which has dropped 5.9 percent month-to-date.
Following the peso are the declines in the South Korean won (4.7 percent), Indian rupee (4.1 percent), and Malaysian ringgit (three percent). Meanwhile, the Vietnamese dong and Chinese yuan have been the most resilient currencies, with only around a one percent decline each.
DBS said that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is facing a dilemma: it must contain skyrocketing consumer prices while defending the peso amid extreme vulnerability to the worsening energy crisis, with the impacts more pronounced in heavy oil-importing economies.
Citing metrics from an Institute of International Finance (IIF) study, Wee and Liang labeled the currencies of the Philippines, South Korea, and Malaysia as “somewhat vulnerable” to oil price spikes stemming from the Middle East war.
Such metrics include direct trade exposure to oil imports, the growth impact of oil usage intensity, and vulnerability to agricultural and fertilizer supply shocks.
DBS assessed India, Thailand, and Vietnam as the most vulnerable to oil market shocks, while China and Indonesia are the least sensitive.
Despite the peso’s recent weakness, DBS projects the local currency to rebound toward 57.8 per dollar by the end of 2026. However, the pair is also seen climbing back to 59.9 by late 2027 and remaining within the 59 level through 2030.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the government of the Philippines and its economic managers will be able to execute moves to prevent strengthen the Peso ensuring economic growth?
Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from my personal experiences and observations during the Israel pilgrimage tour I joined and what happened during my free time. 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, readers and fellow followers of the Lord! This is the 11th chapter of my ongoing series of articles about the holy nation of Israel with recollections about the experiences and discoveries I had during the pilgrimage tour I joined with my local church (hosted by strategic partner Behold Israel) in 2023. To see my previous Israel tour articles, click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. No matter what happens in this unpredictable and chaotic world we live in, I will always stand with Israel and my faith in the Lord remains uncompromising!
In this latest edition of my Israel 2023 series, I share with you what I experienced when I visited Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem not once but twice. Also referred to as the Wailing Wall, the Western Wall is a very holy site and is one of the most definitive places to be in with regards to worshiping the Lord.
For starters, I share with you the very video I recorded about my first time ever to arrive at the Western Wall Plaza (note: I was with my pilgrimage tour group companions, our pastors and our hard-working local tour guide) as well as my first-ever approach (starts at 2:01 in the video) to the Western Wall itself. It’s a video of more than three minutes and it’s available for public viewing via YouTube. Watch the video below and pay attention to the details closely.
As you can see in the above video, I stopped recording before entering the perimeter to get closer to the Western Wall. What happened after was my personal discovery and my personal sensing of the Lord’s presence.
About The Western Wall
To put things in perspective, the Western Wall is a retaining wall which was part of the Temple Mount expansion that King Herod (Herod the Great) did in around 19 BC. It is one of the four supporting walls of the Temple Mount which remained intact after the destruction of the Second Jewish Temple many decades later. Above it is the Temple Mount already.
Historically, the First Jewish Temple was built on the top of Mount Moriah during the time of King Solomon. The temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. In 19 BC, King Herod started rebuilding a new temple and this includes enlarging the Temple Mount platform a lot which made it 1,575 feet long and 985 feet wide. Herod had ten thousand men working and trained a thousand priests to work on the most sacred parts of the Second Jewish Temple.
The construction was done after several years but the decoration was completed in 64 AD. Six years after the Second Jewish Temple was fully completed, the Romans destroyed it but the western side of the Temple Mount survived. This happened in 70 AD, long after Lord Jesus conquered death and ascended to Heaven.
At the part of the Western Wall near the corner of the Southern Wall is this area that was massively damaged when the Romans destroyed the Second Jewish Temple. Several huge rocks that fell from above during the 70 AD destruction have remained.
The Western Wall faces westward and it is the closest in proximity to the site of the Holy of Holies, the most sacred location in the Temple for the Jewish people. Be aware that Mount Moriah is the same exact mountain where Abraham almost sacrificed his son Isaac before God sent the angel to intervene and provided the ram as the sacrifice.
For centuries, the Western Wall became a great source of influence and inspiration. It became the focus of yearning and prayer for the Jewish people for countless generations. The open-air section of the Western Wall serves as a place of worshipping the Lord and it is officially a synagogue. Apart from worship, the Western Wall keeps the memory of the Jewish Temples alive and it has also been used by the State of Israel for formal ceremonies. For centuries, pilgrims from around world came to the wall to pray and leave written noted in its ancient stones.
Physically, the Western Wall is 488 meters long and the height of the exposed section reaches a height of 40 meters above the bedrock of the eastern hill of Jerusalem (Mount Moriah). The open-air section of the wall (visible to the Prayer Plaza) is comprised of 46 layers of stone and the very large stones (that many are able to touch) were put in place during the time of King Herod (Second Jewish Temple period).
My First Visit – February 13, 2023
The widest shot of the Western Wall I managed to take during my first-ever visit.
After recording the video, I placed my smartphone into my pocket, entered the worship area and gradually made my way to the wall.
With my Holy Bible in my left hand, I touched the Western Wall with my right hand and started spending quality timewith the Lord God, praying to Him. With all my heart, I expressed my thanks and dedication to Lord Jesus there at the wall. I also prayed in support of Israel and the peace of Jerusalem.
Each moment I had there, I truly felt God’s presence and I did not confuse it with the wall’s visual magnificence. As I prayed, I felt the unction from the Lord to open my eyes and look straight up at the blue sky above knowing that He is spiritual, and He is in Heaven. The Lord is not inside the stones of the wall but in His Kingdom. That said, I did not worship the stones (reminder: idolatry is foolish and unholy) as I directed my worship directly to the Lord knowing He is in Heaven.
Many people praying at the wall touching it. There were others who did the same while standing or seating on a chair. In the lower-left corner of the picture is Wilson’s Arch which leads into the indoor synagogue.
Partly seen in the background is the fence that separates the men from the women. Above everyone at the right is the platform leading to Temple Mount.
The men’s side on the left and women’s side on the right. More of the high platform leading to the Temple Mount.
Because we only had fifteen minutes to spend as our tour group had a schedule to follow, I wisely spent time to praising and honoring the Lord. Let me remind you all that Lord Jesus will someday return and He will fulfill His promise. He will return in Israel and Jerusalem will be His destination.
After praying to Him, I spent the remaining minutes looking around and observing. I was surrounded by Ultra-Orthodox Jews, National Religious Jews, rabbis, tourists and Christians. I witnessed the religious rituals and practices of the Jewish people and I know deep inside that the ties between Jews and Christians are biblical.
As I walked out to rejoin my pilgrimage tour group, I took shot of the women’s area of the Western Wall.
The whole area is indeed sacred and that means visitors should be respectful and should practice decency near the Western Wall. People praying to God are to be respected and when there are many others praying while touching the wall, you will really have to wait for your turn. Be mindful that the Lord is always watching you as there is simply no reason to cause disrespect, playing around and causing trouble at the Western Wall.
When my fifteen minutes ran out, I went to the exit to rejoin my tour group.
My Second Visit – February 15, 2023
I took this shot of the Western Wall after making my way through from the Temple Mount.
Two days later, it was our tour group’s one and only rest day. After having a really early breakfast at our hotel, I marched to the Old City of Jerusalem and visited the Temple Mount for the first time ever. After spending time up there, I took the exit and made my way down to return to the Western Wall.
Once again I took time touching the wall and praying to the Lord and expressing my thanks to Him with a lot of heart. After several minutes, I took a seat to pray to Him while resting my legs. Then I noticed a North American man (who looked so much like Hillsong Church’s Phil Dooley) with the Holy Bible at one end of the fence (separating the men and the women) by the wall facing at the other direction (his back on the wall). He preached the Word of God and asked the Lord to save everyone. What he said reminded me that God has a plan for everyone, including the Jews (His chosen people) and there is still time for the lost and unsaved to realize Jesus as the Lord and the Savior of all.
My hand touching the Western Wall. I spent much more time praying to the Lord during my 2nd visit there.
After I was done praying by the wall, I decided to visit Wilson’s Arch as I was so curious why a lot of people had been entering and exiting it. It turned out to be Western Wall tunnel (with an arch area) and inside was a synagogue where there lots of Jews read the Old Testament, the Torah and pray. At the entrance/exit, a Jewish rabbi invited me in and assured me that foreigners and non-Jews were welcome. So I went in and he showed some parts of the indoor synagogue.
As it was a place of worship by the Jews, I was cautious moving inside and spending time observing. Carefully I only took a few photos for this feature article and it was astonishing to see more of the Western Wall indoors. Not only that, it was impressive to see the arches – including those huge stones above our heads – and it turns out they were constructed during Herod’s time and without any cement at all. There were also lots of shelves of books on both sides.
I took this shot during my short visit inside the Western Wall tunnel.
See those huge stones above everyone? Those were put into place during the time of King Herod and no cement was ever used. It is amazing to see as it was constructed without any of the modern construction technologies of today.
The Western Wall tunnel synagogue is one of the holiest synagogues in Israel due to its proximity to where the First Jewish Temple was wherein the Holy of Holies resided.
The indoor synagogue is one of the holiest synagogues in Israel due to its proximity to where the original Jewish Temple was wherein the Holy of Holies resided. Since it was my plan to revisit the Upper Room and visit both King David’s Tomb and Oskar Schindler’s grave, I eventually left the Western Wall tunnel. Before tracing my way back to the Jewish Quarter (where we visited two days prior), I took one last look back at the Western Wall. I intend to revisit it and spend quality time with the Lord there again in the future.
Biblical Significance
While it is a fact that the Western Wall was not explicitly mentioned in the Holy Bible, it has always been part of the Temple Mount since Herod’s time. To put things in perspective, we need to go back to the time when King Solomon dedicated the First Temple asking God to hear the prayers made toward it. Learn from the holy scriptures below.
that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
1 Kings 8:29-30 (NKJV)
“Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake (for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.
1 Kings 8:41-43 (NKJV)
The First Jewish Temple eventually got destroyed by the Babylonians. Centuries later, Herod executed the massive rebuilding of the Temple (Second Jewish Temple) in Jerusalem as well as the expansion of the Temple Mount itself. What was achieved drew reactions from many people who saw it and there were references of such reactions in the New Testament. For insight, read the scriptures below.
Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!”
Mark 13:1 (NKJV)
Then the Jews replied, It took forty-six years to build this temple (sanctuary), and will You raise it up in three days?
John 2:20 (AMPC)
To be clear, the forty-six years mentioned in John 2:20 refers to the massive renovation and the expansion of the Second Jewish Temple.
Long before the Second Temple got destroyed, Lord Jesus prophesied its destruction. By the time Lord Jesus made the prophesy, He was already rejected by the religious Jews. Those people refused to accept Him as their Messiah and they had disobeyed God as a result. Lord Jesus wept for Jerusalem knowing that suffering and destruction would come and it happened in 70 AD. Learn from the scriptures below.
Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Luke 19:41-44 (NKJV)
Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them,
“Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Matthew 24:1-2 (NKJV)
As it is very clear that God always has a plan for the faithful and His chosen people, it was prophesied that He would bring the Jews (scattered around the world) back to Israel in the last days. This prophecy was fulfilled in May 1948 when the modern State of Israel was formally established and a lot of Jews returned or settled in since then. Lord Jesus will return to us some time in the future and there is time for the Jews to accept Him as their Messiah, to repent and submit to Him. The other lost and unsaved people of the world still have opportunities to realize Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Very clearly, Lord Jesus is the hope of ALL nations! Learn from the scriptures below.
If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you. Then the Lord your God will bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.
Deuteronomy 30:4-5 (NKJV)
Jesus answered him,
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 (AMP)
Beloved ones, let me repeat emphatically that the gospel entrusted to me was not given to me by any man. No one taught me this revelation, for it was given to me directly by the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
By now you have heard stories of how severely I harassed and persecuted Christians and how systematically I endeavored to destroy God’s church, all because of my radical devotion to the Jewish religion. My zeal and passion for the doctrines of Judaism distinguished me among my people, for I was far more advanced in my religious instruction than others my age.
But then God called me by his grace, and chose me from my birth to be his. He was pleased to unveil his Son in me so that I would proclaim him to the peoples of the world. After I had this encounter, I kept it a secret for some time, sharing it with no one. And I had no desire to run to Jerusalem and try to impress those who had become apostles before me. Instead, I withdrew into the Arabian Desert. Then I returned to Damascus, where I had first encountered Jesus.
Galatians 1:11-17 (TPT)
For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us,
By abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the enmity [caused by] the Law with its decrees and ordinances [which He annulled]; that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two], so making peace.
And [He designed] to reconcile to God both [Jew and Gentile, united] in a single body by means of His cross, thereby killing the mutual enmity and bringing the feud to an end.
And He came and preached the glad tidings of peace to you who were afar off and [peace] to those who were near.
For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction (access) by one [Holy] Spirit to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him].
Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God’s own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God’s [own] household.
You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.
In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].
In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:14-22 (AMPC)
Conclusion
This was me during my first-ever Western Wall visit on February 13, 2023. I had The Passion Translation (TPT) Holy Bible with me. My thanks to the guy who took this picture for me.
My two visits to the Western Wall were very significant to me personally. As seen above, each visit has been different, new discoveries happened and I spent quality time with Lord. The place is holy and it is a must-visit for anyone going to Israel. If I ever visit Israel again, I would return to the Western Wall to praise, thank and honor the Lord. If you are a person of faith who is about to visit Israel for the first time, I urge you to visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Learn from my experiences. I also encourage you all to stand united in support of Israel, learn to love and bless the Jewish people, help the lost and unsaved come to Lord Jesus and always pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they prosper who love you [the Holy City]!
May peace be within your walls and prosperity within your palaces!
For my brethren and companions’ sake, I will now say, Peace be within you!
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek, inquire for, and require your good.
Psalm 122:6-9 (AMPC)
Israel is the holiest place to visit in the whole world! Visit Israel with the Holy Bible! Pray to the Lord wholeheartedly and reveal to Him your heart’s desire to visit Israel to deepen your faith in Him. Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Follow the light of Lord Jesus, keep on praying to support Israel, learn to love and bless the Jewish people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Watch out for more Israel 2023 travel articles here. There is more to come! Thank you for reading.
Recently inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) headed by its Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño hosted a delegation from the Embassy of Belgium led by Ambassador Vladislava Iordanova. During the visit, Aliño proposed to them a Sister Port Agreement between the Port of Subic and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, according to the official announcement by the SBMA.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from official announcement by the SBMA. Some parts in boldface…
A sister port agreement between the Port of Subic and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is being considered during the visit of delegates from the Embassy of Belgium to the Philippines here on March 16, 2026.
Belgian Ambassador Her Excellency Vladislava Iordanova paid a visit along with officials from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (PoABI), the consultancy and investment subsidiary of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
During their visit, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) team, led by Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, proposed a Sister Port Agreement between the two ports to enhance the traditional friendship between the SBMA and the PoABI.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is the largest petrochemical cluster in Europe and the second-largest in the world; it is also the largest car-handling port in Europe, handling more than 3 million cars per year. It has two oil refineries and is a frontrunner in the energy transition.
The port is also a driver of economic growth with 4.5% GDP contribution and a total annual throughput of +370 million tonnes, including +13 million TEUs.
Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Freeport has several locators with European Equity, including Agila NY Naval Inc. and Agila South Inc. from the Netherlands, with a combined investment commitment of US$350 million.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the proposed Sister Port Agreement between the SBMA and Belgium will eventually be approved in the near future? Do you think that better trade will happen between the Port of Subic and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges will be realized?
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 videos I found.
#1 Resident Evil Bonanza (1996 Original and 2002 Remake) – Thirty years ago this month, the original Resident Evil video game was released on PlayStation and it impacted console gaming by moving towards an adulterated direction with zombie horror and mad science as core elements. The 1996 game led Capcom to making Resident Evil sequels and spin-offs in the years that followed. Then in 2002, an ambitious remake of Resident Evil was released on the Nintendo GameCube and it became the definitive version RE creator Shinji Mikami and his team came up with. To explore Resident Evil in its original version and the remake, watch the videos below.
#2 Living In Las Vegas –For decades, Las Vegas in Nevada has always been known as a major tourist destination with lots of hotels, casinos and other entertainment joints clustered together. There is also the perception that a lively city like it means there are lots of job opportunities and business or investment options to pursue there. What most people do not realize is that Las Vegas is not exactly the ideal city to move into and live in due to many factors that can be challenging and stressful to deal with. To discover why, watch the videos below.
#3 Popcorn In Bed Reacts To Logan’s Run – It has always been argued that science fiction movies released before Star Wars were not too exciting to watch. One of them was Logan’s Run which continues to have a divisive reception among movie buffs both young and old. There are some who liked its concept and execution, while others dismissed it for being corny or even being symbolic about the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s. If you want to discover the film without spending money on it, watch Popcorn in Bed’s reaction video below. Observe how the movie impacts her.
#4 The History Of Atari Arcade Games – I was fortunate enough to have played games in video arcades in the 1980s. In the old days, Atari was a major arcade industry player apart from being big on console gaming. Atari was also responsible in bringing its arcade games to Japan (with Namco as its partner) and also brought some of Namco’s games into American arcades. If you love Atari, arcade games and retro gaming in general, watch the video documentaries below.
#5 Ranting For Vengeance Demolishes Woke Nuts’ Take On Resident Evil’s Chris Redfield – Going back to Resident Evil, it is not surprising that the mob of woke zealots, LGBTQ activists and other Leftists keep on creeping in on existing entertainment franchises to deform them and make it fit their wicked ideology. Recently there were woke nuts online who targeted the Resident Evil icon Chris Redfield and perceive him as gay. Ranting For Vengeance posted a video to demolish the woke mob’s take on Redfield and he explains in detail why the iconic hero has always been straight since the very beginning. Watch the video below and share it with all Resident Evil fans out there.
#6 Forgotten Video Games Based On Movies – Remember back in the old days when there were a lot of video games based on movies released? Back then, there was money to be made on licensing and merchandising. As a gamer and movie buff since youth, there definitely was excitement whenever I learned a game about a film I enjoyed was made available. Of course, there were games that turned out fun and others ended up being disappointing or even very poor in quality. Check out the video below about the forgotten movie-based games.
#7 How Hollywood Killed The Oscars – Avoiding the Academy Awards (AKA Oscars) is absolutely fine. It no longer celebrates the best of filmmaking and it has been overwhelmed by woke activists, Satanic Leftists, modern day Commies and the like. Communist Hollywood (Commiewood) has been using the Academy Awards to amplify its wicked agenda for a long time now. The old glory and the celebration of the best of filmmaking are truly gone. Watch the video below.
#8 National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani And Basij Commander Of Iran Eliminated By Israel – I recently blogged about the eliminations of two high-ranking officials of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran as the conflict in the Middle East went on. It was Israel which successfully killed Ali Larijani and a Basij commander and it was the most significant achievement since the elimination of the demon Ali Khamenei. Right now, it is not clear who is really leading the remaining wicked regime and Iran’s military has been decimated by America and Israel. Keep in mind that the military operations against Iran is all about bringing down the Islamic terrorist regime and liberating the oppressed Iranians so they can take their country back after 47 years. For insight about what happened, watch the videos below.
#9 The Revival Of A Japanese Sake Brewery – It is always depressing to see your own business get destroyed because of a natural disaster. In Japan, a certain brewery that produced sake got ruined when a huge earthquake struck. Since then, the owner started hard efforts to revive the business. To discover what happened, watch the Nippon TV video below.
Recently inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño formally led the opening of a new two-storey Starbucks Coffee shop with drive-thru, according to the official announcement of the authority. The newest branch of the coffee giant was made with an investment of over P36 million.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from official announcement by the SBMA. Some parts in boldface…
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño led the opening of the first two-storey Starbucks Coffee Shop with drive-thru facility here on March 6, 2026.
According to Aliño, the opening of the two-storey Starbucks Coffee Shop indicates Subic Bay Freeport’s status as a popular tourist destination, anticipating a year-round influx of customers.
The Starbucks Coffee Shop invested ₱36.75 Million in a 1,700-square-meter area at the portion of Lot 75-A, Rizal Highway, Central Business District, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
The inauguration was attended by Engr. and Mrs. Rhammeth Paras, Arch. and Mrs. Adonis Co, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Tang, and Engr. Aries Tanglao, owners of Pandabest Realty and Trading, Inc.
The two-storey Starbucks locations usually offer enhanced, often scenic, spaces with increased seating, frequently housed in restored, architecturally unique, or heritage buildings.
Notable examples include the heritage shophouse in Singapore’s Chinatown, the sprawling Reserve Hiraya in Tagaytay, and a colonial-style bungalow in Rochester.
“Now we have one here, with the building designed to be ‘work and study-friendly,’ providing more intimate, quiet spaces on the upper level compared to the busy ground floor,” Aliño said.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Have you visited other Starbucks branches inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone during your recent visit there? Do you think there is still more room for further coffee shops or cafes inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone? How often do you order coffee by drive-thru?
Author Carlo Carrasco 