COVID-19 Crisis: Almost 9,000 minors registered for COVID-19 vaccines in Muntinlupa City

Since it officially launched the online registration process for local minors (12 to 17-years-old) for COVID-19 vaccination, the City Government of Muntinlupa announced that almost nine thousand minors have been registered according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Nearly 9,000 minors from 12 to 17-year-olds have already signed up for the Muntinlupa City government’s vaccination registration program.

According to the city government, from Sept. 14 to 20, or in one week after its launch, 8,812 people belonging to the 12-17 age group are now registered.

The total translates to 16 percent of Muntinlupa’s total population of 55,391 of 12 to 17-year-olds based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing data from Muntinlupa’s City Planning and Development Office.

When the vaccination registration for minors was launched last Sept. 14, a total of 3,477 minors registered.

By barangay, out of the 8,812, Putatan has the highest number of registrants with 1,623, followed by Tunasan, 1,218; Poblacion, 1,153; Alabang, 978; Cupang, 781; Sucat, 570; Ayala Alabang, 493; Bayanan, 484; and Buli, 154. Non-residents who registered totaled 1,358.

Of the 55,391 population of 12 to 17-year-old in Muntinlupa, Poblacion has the highest number with 12,243 followed by Putatan, 10,164; Alabang, 7,244; Tunasan, 6,256; Cupang, 5,830; Sucat, 5,744; Bayanan, 3,990; Ayala Alabang, 2,560; and Buli, 1,360.

As of Sept. 17, the Muntinlupa City COVID-19 Vaccination Program has administered 554,197 vaccines.

A total of 324,690 individuals have received their first dose, or 84.2 percent of the target population of 385,725. In addition, 233,866 people are now fully vaccinated, or 60.6 percent of the target.

The country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had earlier agreed to amend the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) given to Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines to make them available for use for 12 years old and above.

However, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a media briefing on Sept. 20 that there is no recommendation yet from experts to vaccinate those belonging to the 12 to 17 years age bracket.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident and a parent of a child aged 12-17, what is your reaction to the above news?

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

+++++

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

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

A Look Back at X-Men 2099 #7 (1994)

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, fans of the 2099 universe of Marvel Comics, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we revisit the X-Men 2099 comic book series by focusing on the seventh issue. If there is anything that makes the series of Marvel’s futuristic mutants distinct from other Marvel 2099 monthly series, it is the fact that it shows more of wasteland of America which easily reminds me of the Mad Max movies.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at X-Men 2099 #7, published by Marvel Comics in 1994 with a story written by John Francis Moore and drawn by Ron Lim.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in the middle of an abandoned town with the X-Men in battle with the Freakshow. Xi’an fights their leader Breakdown while his teammates struggle with the other members of the Freakshow. Already infected by one of the Freakshow members, Eddie is suffering severe pain even in his metallic form.

The fight suddenly ends when an old lady fires a blast with her rifle. It turns out she is Breakdown’s superior and she is precisely whom the X-Men have been searching for…

Quality

In the heat of battle.

As one of the early stories showing the X-Men of 2099 exploring the American wasteland, this is a well-written piece of work by John Francis Moore which is expected. While it has the usual superhero elements of spectacle and special moves, discovery and exposition are easily the most obvious elements of the story. What I like most about this comic book is that it reveals more of the history about the mutants’ struggle to survive not only with the harshness of the wilderness but also with dealing with rejection from the people who are not mutants (which symbolizes prejudice). This also reveals that the mutants are still searching for a fabled place called Avalon which could be a better destination for all mutants to live in.

As the narrative about the past gets emphasized, the creative team added some elements of emotion and concern on the X-Men visually. This makes a lot of sense since the mutants are clearly searching for purpose and trying to make the most out of their current situation in the hope of having a brighter future. This is similar to the original X-Men and yet X-Men 2099 has its distinct style and concept about mutant survival.

Conclusion

At an abandoned old town that has government secret facilities.

X-Men 2099 #7 (1994) is indeed a good comic book to read. As the X-Men of the far future encounter more people in the wasteland, the discoveries they get impacts them and their efforts to survive. As discovery and exposition are strong elements in the story, the comic book is definitely not your typical good-versus-evil superhero story. The strong writing by John Francis Moore and his approach on expanding the world of 2099 America to the readers really made this comic book a solid read.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of X-Men 2099 #7 (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $30 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $90.

Overall, X-Men 2099 #7 (1994) is recommended!

+++++

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

Disturbance in Ayala Alabang Village

This past weekend, an operation organized by varied officials of Philippine immigration, the police and the Korean Embassy happened within Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City targeting a foreign fugitive according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The focus of the report, however, was more about the protests of the homeowners’ association (Ayala Alabang Village Association) and Barangay Ayala Alabang with regards to an alleged lack of prior coordination and the alleged disregard of the autonomy of the barangay.

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

Officials of the Ayala Alabang Village and barangay in Muntinlupa are protesting the raid conducted by Philippine immigration and police, and the Korean Embassy inside the exclusive subdivision Saturday night.

In a statement issued on Sept. 19, the Ayala Alabang Village Association (AAVA) and Barangay Ayala Alabang (BAA) said at 7 p.m. on Sept. 18, “an armed operation took place in a residential unit in San Enrique Street in alleged pursuit of a Korean fugitive.”

They said the authorities introduced themselves as members of the Bureau of Immigration Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU), Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) and the Korean Embassy.

The authorities entered Ayala Alabang Village through the Madrigal Gate, the subdivision’s main gate, aboard vehicles.

“During the operation, shots were fired which alarmed some residents,” the AAVA and BAA added.

The raiding team showed a warrant of deportation to barangay and AAVA officials who confronted the authorities “for the lack of prior coordination with the local police authorities, the Barangay Ayala Alabang (BAA), and the Ayala Alabang Village Association (AAVA).”

“BAA and AAVA officials decried the authorities’ complete disregard of the autonomy of the Barangay and the security protocols set by AAVA,” according to the statement.

According to AAVA and BAA, they “will send a letter to BI-FSU in light of the recent incident, clearly stating that while the effort of their agency to capture criminals is appreciated, security protocols of the village must still be followed and coordination with local authorities must be sought.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you believe that the AAVA and Barangay Ayala Alabang both have valid points with regards to autonomy in cases of pursuits of wanted people happening inside Ayala Alabang Village? If you are a resident of Ayala Alabang Village, how would you know if a wanted foreigner is living next door to you?

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

+++++

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

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

270 people apprehended in Parañaque City for online sabong

The latest Parañaque City crime news are here and not only was it about a relatively new form of gambling but it also involved a few hundred suspects! Two hundred and seventy suspects to be precise according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

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

Parañaque City police apprehended on Saturday 270 individuals for playing online “sabong” (cockfight) and for failure to observe social distancing.

Prior to the suspects’ arrest, the police received information about mass gatherings inside the Roligon Mega Cockpit Arena on Quirino Avenue in Paranaque City, according to city police chief Col. Maximo Sebastian.

Sebastian said cops in the nearby police sub-station were immediately dispatched and found the 270 gamblers playing online sabong.

He said the suspects were immediately rounded up and given citation tickets for violation of the health protocols under the new quarantine alert system.

The city police chief said those who will be caught for the first offense will be fined P1,000, P3,000 second for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third offense.

Sebastian also said the management of the arena failed to show a permit to operate online sabong.

He said the owner of the arena claimed they have a permit from PAGCOR and that their online sabong was just a dry run.

The above report ended stating that according to the police, any form of gambling is illegal under the new alert level.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Do you believe the claim that a PAGCOR permit was really issued and that the online sabong was just a dry run or trial activity? How familiar are you with online sabong (AKA e-sabong)? Are there lots of people in your local community who engage in any form of gambling during this pandemic? Do you think that the criminal elements are building up illegal gambling all over Parañaque 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.

+++++

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

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

A Look Back at Dazzler #3 (1981)

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

Welcome back, superhero enthusiasts, comic collectors, 1990s culture enthusiasts and fans of Marvel Comics! After a very fine start, things really went downhill with the story and presentation in Dazzler #2. That comic book had Dazzler (then a hot new property for Marvel Comics) completely overshadowed by the big mix of established Marvel superheroes fighting opposition elements. To say the least, Dazzler #2 was a major letdown, a very big disappointment and anyone who loves Dazzler should avoided it.

Will we see Dazzler presented much better in the next issue? We can find out in this look back at Dazzler #3, released in 1981 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by John Romita, Jr., and A. Kupperberg.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Dazzler (not wearing her face paint) participating scientific test conducted by Fantastic Four leader Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic at his team’s headquarters in New York. Dazzler has been converting every nearby sound into radiance and she’s beginning to sense her limitations. The test was done to determine Alison Blaire’s mutant capabilities. Also present were Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm and Sue Richards. Johnny reads a newspaper report about the United Nations’ plan to display the crown jewels that once belonged to their deadliest enemy Dr. Doom.

Afterwards, Dazzler meets her boss at his office and learns that she will be one of the openers at the benefit concert of UNICEF which is supposed to help her with her music career. The next morning, she decides to visit her old home where her father lives in. Over at the Bavarian Alps, Dr. Doom gets informed that among the jewels set to be displayed at the Unite Nations is the Merline stone. This compels him to make a move…

Quality

Dazzler versus Dr. Doom!

When compared to the disaster of issue #2, this comic book’s story is indeed an improvement as it has the expected superhero storytelling formula intact. The good news here is that the character development on Dazzler has returned and there is once again the strong emphasis on her relevance with the people of New York with regards to her being both a superhero and a musician.

The story moved at a moderate pace and it is clear that the creative team took the necessary steps to gradually build up the plot leading to the inevitable encounter between Dazzler and the Fantastic Four’s most definitive enemy (and Marvel Comics’ iconic villain). Take note, however, that the Dazzler-Dr. Doom conflict here is only the beginning.

As this story is more focused on Dazzler, you will get to see an early look at her tainted relationship with her father who desired her to become a lawyer like him, plus there is some focus on the behind-the-scenes development in one of the big events involving her. When it comes to spectacle, there is a right amount of it here which makes this comic book more fun to read than the previous issue.

Conclusion

A look at the business side of the music industry that Alison Blaire/Dazzler is involved with.

Dazzler #3 (1981) is indeed fun to read and the creators succeeded in developing Alison Blaire more while delivering the good stuff. While the match-up between her and Dr. Doom looks awkward from the surface, the strong writing justified it and all along Dazzler never looked like she was out of place being with Marvel’s iconic supervillain.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Dazzler #3 (1981), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $28 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $60.

Overall, Dazzler #3 (1981) is recommended.

+++++

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

COVID-19 Crisis: Over 550,000 vaccinations in Muntinlupa City registered

This past weekend the City Government of Muntinlupa announced through its MunCoVac team that it has administered more than 550,000 vaccines as of September 17, 2021.

To put things in perspective, the following statistics released by MunCoVac were recorded as of September 17, 2021:

Total number of individuals vaccinated: 324,690 (note: 12,916 of these were vaccinated in Muntinlupa private companies)

Total number of individuals fully vaccinated: 233,866 (note: 723 of these were vaccinated with in Muntinlupa private companies)

Declared total of vaccines administered: 554,197

According to MunCoVac: 554,197 vaccines have been administered in our city as of yesterday, September 17. 84.2% have had their first dose, while 60.6% of our target population have been fully vaccinated.

As we are nearing the end of the 3rd quarter of this year, we ask all Muntinlupeños to continue following our health protocols, and, go to your assigned vaccination schedule once you have received a text from MunCoVac.

As before, these latest numbers from MunCoVac do not add up. 324,690 plus 233,866 equals 558,556. There is a discrepancy of 4,359.

Residents of Muntinlupa City who remain unregistered and unvaccinated should make a move to get registered by learning the ways to do it. Those who are prepared (with personal information available) and willing to go through online registration for the free vaccines in Muntinlupa are encouraged to click https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: Are the remaining unregistered and unvaccinated members in your local community making efforts to get vaccinated? Is there a strong awareness about the Delta and Lambda variants among your neighbors?

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

+++++

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

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

Better than Streaming: Mad Max Anthology 4K Blu-ray coming out on November 2, 2021

Welcome back, fellow geeks, film enthusiasts and fellow Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray collectors!

I should state that it has been over forty years since Mad Max was first released in cinemas in Australia and because it achieved a lot of success, it went on to establish its own entertainment franchise with three cinematic sequels and has branched out to other entertainment media forms like video games and comic books.

Warner Bros. just announced that all four Mad Max movies (1979-2015) will be released in a 4K Blu-ray set titled Mad Max Anthology set for release on November 2, 2021 and you can order it online right now!

The cover.

Mad Max Anthology 4K Blu-ray has Mad Max, Mad Max: The Road Warrior (AKA Mad Max 2), Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and Mad Max: Fury Road. These four movies combine for more than 400 minutes screen time. For the newcomers reading this, the Mad Max films follow the stories of Max Rockatansky who encounters several violent people and found himself in the wasteland. The film franchise not only helped Mel Gibson climb the ranks among the many movie stars of Hollywood, it also established Australia’s place in cinema. I should state that director George Miller is the creator, the definitive Mad Max storyteller as well as one of the very best action film directors. The Mad Max film franchise is also very well known for having many great car chases!

Posted below are key details of Mad Max Anthology 4K Blu-ray from its Blu-ray.com page. Take note that as of this writing, it is not yet clear if the visuals will be native 4K or upscaled 4K.

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

HDR: HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.40:1, 2.34:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

English: Dolby Atmos

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Subtitles

Mad Max 4K

English SDH

Mad Max: The Road Warrior 4K

English SDH, French, Spanish

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome 4K

English SDH, French, Spanish

Mad Max: Fury Road 4K

English SDH, French, German SDH, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish

Discs

4K Ultra HD

Blu-ray Disc

Four-disc set (4 BD)

Digital

Digital copy included

Playback

4K Blu-ray: Region free

The rear of the cover.

I’ve seen these movies and in my view the 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road is truly the best action film of the decade of 2010-2019. I own a Blu-ray disc copy of the film that starred Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron and I still replay it as it truly is a great movie. My only disappointment is that the 4K Blu-ray of Mad Max: Fury Road only had upscaled 4K visuals. I really hope that the Mad Max Anthology 4K Blu-ray will have all four movies with native 4K visuals complete with proper color grading.

In ending this piece, posted below are some Mad Max-related videos for your enjoyment. Beware of potential spoilers.

For more entries of my Better than Streaming series of articles, check out my pieces on The Beastmaster 4K Blu-rayThe Transformers: The Movie 4K Blu-rayMortal Kombat 2021 4K Blu-raySpace Jam 4K Blu-rayV: The Original Miniseries Blu-ray (read my retro review), V: The Final Battle Blu-rayHighlander 4K Blu-rayThe Suicide Squad, Super Dimension Century Orguss Blu-ray, Unbreakable 4K Blu-ray, Injustice 4K Blu-ray, The Suicide Squad 4K Blu-ray, Terminator 2: Judgment Day 30th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray and Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within 4K Blu-ray.

+++++

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

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

COVID-19 Crisis: Muntinlupa City implements new COVID-19 Alert Levels system

In connection to the Alert Level 4 rules and guidelines that took effect all over Metro Manila yesterday, the City Government of Muntinlupa formally implemented the new COVID-19 Alert Levels System according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi issued guidelines in the implementation of the new COVID-19 Alert Levels System, the new community quarantine classifications in the National Capital Region (NCR) starting Sept. 16.

Under the new classification, Metro Manila is under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) Alert Level 4 from Sept. 16 to 30.

Fresnedi issued Executive Order No. 40 dated Sept. 15 outlining the various activities allowed and prohibited from Alert Levels 1 to 5, and the implementation of granular lockdowns in communities.

The order is based on the resolution issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the new quarantine classifications.

According to the executive order and resolution, Alert Level 1 “refers to areas wherein case transmission is low and decreasing, total bed utilization rate, and intensive care unit utilization rate is low” while Alert Level 2 pertains to “areas wherein case transmission is low and decreasing, healthcare utilization is low, or case counts are low but increasing, or case counts are low and decreasing but total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate is increasing.”

Areas to be placed under Alert Level 3 are those “wherein case counts are high and/or increasing, with total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate at increasing utilization,” while those to be under Alert Level 4 are “areas wherein case counts are high and/or increasing, with total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate at high utilization.”

Alert Level 5 “refers to areas wherein case counts are alarming, with total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate at critical utilization.”

Under Alert Level 4, according to Fresnedi, the following will not be allowed outside their residence: persons below 18 years old, persons over 65 years old, persons with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities or other health risks, and pregnant women. But they are allowed to go out to obtain essential goods and services, and report for work in permitted industries and offices.

The mayor will have the sole authority to declare an area under granular lockdown, according to the executive order, and he may impose it on an entire barangay, individual house, street, block, purok or sitio, compound, subdivision, village and other gated communities.

Granular lockdown will be in effect for at least 14 days and persons under it will not be allowed to go out.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, do you anticipate significant changes to happen locally? Do you think the new guidelines make sense?

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

+++++

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

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

Better than Streaming: Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within 4K Blu-ray coming out on November 16, 2021

Welcome back, fellow geeks, film enthusiasts and Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray collectors!

All those who love the 2001 computer-generated movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within should be aware, and excited, that it will be released in a 4K Blu-ray combo on November 16, 2021. 4K Blu-ray collectors who have not seen the said movie will have their chances to add it to their collection and the good news is that it can be ordered online right now!

The 4K Blu-ray combo cover.

Posted below are key details of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within 4K Blu-ray combo from its Blu-ray.com page. Take note that as of this writing, it is not yet clear if the visuals will be native 4K or upscaled 4K.

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

HDR: HDR10

Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio

TBA

Subtitles

None

Discs

4K Ultra HD

Blu-ray Disc

Two-disc set (2 BD)

Digital

Digital 4K

Digital copy included

Playback

4K Blu-ray: Region free

2K Blu-ray: Region A

Posted below are the special features and technical specs of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within 4K Blu-ray

  • HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
  • BRAND NEW DOLBY ATMOS TRACK + original theatrical 5.1 audio
  • Original Special Features:
    • Two Feature-Length Commentaries
    • Interactive Documentary: The Making of Final Fantasy
    • Original Opening
    • Aki’s Dream Reconstruction
    • On the Set with Aki
    • Character Profiles
    • Vehicle Scale Comparisons
    • Compositing Builds
    • Joke Outtakes
    • The Gray Project
    • Theatrical Trailers

I first saw Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within on a Friday night at the local theater in July twenty-o-one. While social media was not yet common back in those days, the movie still was hyped a lot through the Internet and traditional media.

As for the theatrical experience, I found the movie to be not so engaging mainly due to the story’s pacing (note: it was directed by Final Fantasy series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and Motonori Sakakibara), the sentimental stuff within the script, the not-so-interesting characters and the lack of true connection between the vocal performances and the motion-captured moves of the digital characters. Being one of the first major movies to be fully made with computer-generated images (CGI) complete with digital human characters and the approach to achieving photo-realism, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was indeed a flashy and fancy looking picture but it really did not have much to appeal to me with regards to my interest in cinema and even with Final Fantasy games. The movie ended up being hollow for me personally.

For the newcomers reading this, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was a tremendous box office failure and it led to the closure of Square Pictures. Still the movie could find new life in 4K Blu-ray format and I know it has its own following of dedicated fans. Perhaps the fans of Ming-Na Wen, Alec Baldwin, Donald Sutherland, James Woods, Ving Rhames, Peri Gilpin and Steve Buscemi would be interested to experience the movie in 4K.

For more entries of my Better than Streaming series of articles, check out my pieces on The Beastmaster 4K Blu-rayThe Transformers: The Movie 4K Blu-rayMortal Kombat 2021 4K Blu-raySpace Jam 4K Blu-rayV: The Original Miniseries Blu-ray (read my retro review), V: The Final Battle Blu-rayHighlander 4K Blu-rayThe Suicide Squad, Super Dimension Century Orguss Blu-ray, Unbreakable 4K Blu-ray, Injustice 4K Blu-ray, The Suicide Squad 4K Blu-ray and Terminator 2: Judgment Day 30th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray.

+++++

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

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

COVID-19 Crisis: Online vaccine registration for minors in Muntinlupa City ongoing

Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa officially launched the online registration process for local minors (aged 12 to 17) for the free COVID-19 vaccines according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Muntinlupa was one of the six local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila to engage with such a process. These recent developments are all part of a collective effort to achieve herd immunity.

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

The Muntinlupa City government on Tuesday launched the online vaccination registration for 12 to 17 years old in the city.

This after the country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for 12 years old and above.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi urged parents and guardians to register their children for the Muntinlupa City COVID-19 Vaccination Program (MunCoVac) as protection from the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

He said the registration is intended to create a database of the adolescents’ group eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in preparation for the final guidelines from the Department of Health (DOH).

Muntinlupa residents aged 12 to 17 may register online through the city’s COVID-19 vaccination registration system at www.vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac and choose category “C – Rest of Population.”

As of Sept. 8, the Muntinlupa City government has administered a total of 507,964 vaccines, according to MunCoVac.

A total of 192,360 individuals are now fully vaccinated in Muntinlupa, or 49.9 percent of the target population of 385,725, while 319,963 individuals got their first dose, or 83 percent of the total target.

The local government also advised residents who registered online but haven’t received their schedule to fill out a form to be scheduled: https://forms.gle/fEAELhwxURe4aNZU8.

Other residents of Muntinlupa City who remain unregistered and unvaccinated should make a move to get registered by learning the ways to do it. Those who are prepared (with personal information available) and willing to go through online registration for the free vaccines in Muntinlupa are encouraged to click https://vaccine.muntinlupacity.gov.ph/muncovac/

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident whose child is qualified for the free vaccines due to his or her age, are you willing to have him or her registered for the COVID-19 vaccines?

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

+++++

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

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