Tag: Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at Wonder Woman #13 (1988)

A Look Back at Wonder Woman #13 (1988)

carlocarrasco

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 book collectors and fans of Wonder Woman! In case you missed the updates, the new movie Wonder Woman 1984 will eventually be released in 4K Blu-ray format although there is no release date announced yet nor a price. As the nearest cinemas remain closed, it looks like buying the movie in 4K Blu-ray is the best alternative for me and at the same time I am not a fan of streaming movies. Let me point out that what customers pay to stream Wonder Woman 1984 does NOT pay that movie’s producers, investors and creditors! You want to make a difference for the people behind Wonder Woman 1984? Buy movie tickets to watch it in the movie theaters (you will also help the theater operators and their employees) and for home viewing, buy the movie on Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray in the near future.

Anyway, we are here to look back at the comic books of Wonder Woman as rebooted by the creative duo of George Perez and the late Len Wein. We are going to examine the Challenge of the Gods storyline (started in issue #10) which I personally find really intriguing and engaging to read. It is the struggle of Wonder Woman with a really strong fantasy and mythology flavor that made it stand out among superhero comic book stories in the late 1980s. Last time around, there were these great revelations about an untold chapter of the past of the Amazons as well as greater focus on Diana’s mother Queen Hippolyte who joined in the dangerous trek.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Wonder Woman #13, published in 1988 by DC Comics with a story written George Perez and Len Wein. Perez drew the comic book with ink work done by Bruce D. Patterson. This is the 4th chapter of the Challenge of the Gods storyline!

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with the armored Queen Hippolyte staring at a huge, deformed man-like figure made of rock which she realizes is none other than Heracles, the same man who deceived and abused her long before the birth of Diana. She reflects on her personal hatred of him that lasted for centuries and remembers that her years in Themyscira taught her the folly of anger. She wonders what Heracles had committed to be condemned the way he is. Noticeably, anything that pierces the stony surface causes great pain and tears from Heracles.

Hippolyte moves on toe find a sleeping cyclops in a lair filled with skeletons. Behind him is a tunnel that she believes her daughter took. As she quietly sneaks, she looks back at Heracles and actually hears him mournfully moaning louder as if he was calling to her.

Among the skeletons in the cyclops’ lair is a horned human skull which Zeus and his fellow deities in Olympus believe belongs to Pan. They realize that the Pan who had spent a lot of time with them is an impostor and this causes division among them. Hera speaks out again Zeus pointing out his enormous pride and arrogance as sources of trouble. Hera believes that Gaea’s destiny will be fulfilled through the Amazons and she will not allow Zeus to abuse them.

Hera then sends Hermes to reach Wonder Woman who just joined the company of several superheroes in the California citadel of the Green Lantern Corps…

Quality

The tremendous impact of the challenge felt.

This is another high-quality creation by Perez-Wein and the stakes for not only Wonder Woman but also her mother has been raised even further. As if that was not enough, there are also some solid revelations (pertaining to the Amazons, their heritage and their destiny under the Olympus deities) and in-story surprises that made the story very engaging. As the challenge for Wonder Woman continued on, Queen Hippolyte’s involvement grew even bigger and this added and connected smoothly with her daughter’s struggles. In terms of characterization, the bond between Diana and her queen mother is dramatically deepened and their respective purpose in life got emphasized a lot more.

In terms of spectacle, this one is very loaded with action while still having a very strong fantasy element behind it all. Seeing Wonder Woman and her mother engage the minotaur and mythological creatures are sights to behold. George Perez expectedly visualized everything with high details and well-constructed panels that moved the action.

Conclusion

Wonder Woman and her mother in the heat of battle with the evil creatures.

No doubt about it! Wonder Woman #13 (1988) successfully kept the Challenge of the Gods storyline compelling and at the same time stay fresh by pulling off strong revelations that will make you think deeper about the Amazons, their heritage and their future. The portrayal of Wonder Woman here shows how pure she is as a purposeful protagonist who simply won’t give up in fulfilling the challenges, proving her true worth and making a major impact to all around her. Her role as a daughter is also very well defined.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Wonder Woman #13 (1988), 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 $60.

Overall, Wonder Woman #13 (1988) is highly recommended!

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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

A Look Back at 2099 Unlimited #1 (1993)

A Look Back at 2099 Unlimited #1 (1993)

carlocarrasco

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.

During the first half of 1993, Marvel Comics had published four monthly series of their 2099 franchise of comic books: Spider-Man 2099, Ravage 2099, Doom 2099 and Punisher 2099. X-Men 2099 debuted in the 2nd half of 1993 but months before that happened, Marvel went ahead with expanding their 2099 franchise by launching what was back then a new, quarterly comic book series simply titled 2099 Unlimited.

That being said, the mentioned quarterly series was officially launched with 2099 Unlimited #1 which, as its cover showed, featured Spider-Man 2099 as well as Hulk 2099. The comic book came with a high price of $3.95 on its cover and it had 64 pages of content (including ads and bulletins). I myself bought a copy of it as soon as it appeared on the shelves of the local comic book store here in the Philippines.

Was the debut comic book fun? Is it good by today’s standards? We can all find out in this look back at 2099 Unlimited #1, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with stories written by Evan Skolnick and Gerard Jones, and drawn by Chris Wozniak and Dwayne Turner.

The cover.

Early stories

“Nothing ever changes!” – the story begins at New York City’s Koop Memorial Hospital where an investigation is happening. A married couple arrives and noticed the unusual activity happening there. As they arrive at another floor to visit their son Michael, they noticed the hallway is full of dead bodies. They panic and start running to find their son. Suddenly a muscular man appears and kills the husband, stating his action is justified by his belief about the natural order of things and his effort to ensure humanity’s survival. The killer escapes.

Weeks later, Spider-Man/Miguel O’Hara returns home from fighting crime just in time to rush and prepare himself for his date with Anna. During their date, Anna talks about her sister who has a rare genetic deformity. She intends to visit her sister at the hospital, and Miguel asked if she wants him to come along…

“Hulk 2099” – the story begins in the Mojave Desert with the Hulk traveling alone in the middle of the night. He has been traveling for over three hundred miles alone hunting something. The Hulk arrives at the private residence of a lady who spots him and alerts the armed personnel of Sweat Dreams Security Services. Soon enough, Sweet Dreams personnel arrive and its tank charges at the green monster…

Quality

Imagine Hulk 2099 trespassing on your property.

The first story featuring Spider-Man 2099 has a pretty interesting concept that was nicely executed and proved to be surprisingly satisfying. The creative team introduced the new villain Mutagen and they succeeded in building his personality (including his obsession with perfecting human genetics and altering the so-called gene pool) which resulted a justified conflict with Spider-Man. The character development, focused mainly on Mutagen, was well done and by the end of the story, he became a pretty interesting villain.

As for Spider-Man, his character development was pretty limited to his interactions with Anna laced with little references to his career with Alchemax, and there were no references to his personal life and the people who mattered most to him. Clearly, the first story was more about Mutagen than Spider-Man, and it has a very satisfying conflict between the two. I also enjoyed the way the creative team presented Mutagen being able to adapt to his environment and the attacks Spider-Man threw at him. While the story is strong, I should say that Chris Wozniak’s art is uneven. His drawings on Mutagen were pretty details but the same cannot be said about his art on Spider-Man.

The second story, featuring Hulk of 2099, is the actual gem in this comic book. Not only was it the first-ever appearance of the character, it unsurprisingly took inspiration from the origin of the classic Hulk (Bruce Banner) and made some twists with themes of the business of entertainment and the human desire of idolatry (always unholy). The new Hulk here is an entertainment executive named John Eisenhart who has been researching the Knights of Banner, a group of people who worship the classic Hulk. What he does in the real world and with people, he strives to make something out of them to boost his career and stand out in the business of amusement. Eisenhart sees Banner’s idolaters having the makings of a new cult of Thor complete with living in isolation

Eisenhart is not the typical good-natured protagonist. Quite the opposite in fact as he is obsessed with success and is a walking tool of Hollywood who exploits people and insists that being civilized is essential and that strength is knowing where the power is. That being said, this story has a lot of build-up on Hulk 2099 while still having sufficient space to tell his origin that arguably links him with the legacy of Banner Hulk. For the most part, the bouts of build-up resulted worthy pay-offs that readers can enjoy.

More on Hulk 2099 himself, this version of the classic character is more monstrous and freakish looking. While Hulk 2099 maintains the intelligence of Eisenhart, he still is deadly and unpredictable. Supporting characters like Gawain and Quirk both lacked scenes and dialogue but that is not surprising since the focus of the comic book is on Hulk 2099. For the art, Dwayne Turner’s work here is satisfying.

Conclusion

Spider-Man 2099 and Mutagen in battle!

When I first read this way back in 1993, I felt underwhelmed. By today’s standards, 2099 Unlimited #1 (1993) surprisingly aged well and it is actually deeper, more meaningful and engaging than I previously thought. Apart from Hulk 2099’s debut, the introduction of Mutagen was pretty engaging and he had a lot of potential to be a major 2099 universe villain. Too bad that Mutagen was not used to be a nemesis against Ravage 2099 or Punisher 2099 or even X-Men 2099. Hulk 2099 meanwhile went on to have a dedicated monthly series which came at a time when the 2099 imprint and the comic book industry in general went way down. This comic book, in my opinion, is more cerebral than it looks and that is thanks to the writers.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of 2099 Unlimited #1 (1993), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $15 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $32.

Overall, 2099 Unlimited #1 (1993) 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

Muntinlupa City Government turns over 20,000 tablets for public school students

Muntinlupa City Government turns over 20,000 tablets for public school students

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In an effort to help local learners in the ongoing distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Government of Muntinlupa has provided several tablet computers for local public school students. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi recently turned over 20,000 units of mobile tablets to the Schools Division Office – Muntinlupa, led by Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Dominico Idanan, to be given to underprivileged public elementary, junior, and senior high school students.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (4th from right) turns-over 20,000 tablets to Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Dominico Idanan (center) and student representatives last January 8. Fresnedi says the initiative aims to help Muntinlupa students access online learning resources and help them adapt to the changes and challenges of the new normal in the education system. Earlier, the local government also turned over the first batch of 2,557 laptops and 28 photocopiers to the Schools Division Office for public schools and teachers. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)
A few of the many tablets that were turned over for the benefit of public students of the city. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Fresnedi says the initiative aims to help Muntinlupa students access online learning resources and help them adapt to the changes and challenges of the new normal in the education system. The turn-over ceremony was attended by public school principals and some student representatives.

Previously, the City Government also turned over the first batch of 2,557 laptops and 28 photocopiers to the Schools Division Office for public schools and teachers.

“The City Government of Muntinlupa will continue to support our teachers and students to adapt to the changes of the education system, no one will be left behind. We will ensure that everyone can access all kinds of learning modalities whether online or offline,” Fresnedi said.

This past January 4, the City Government also inaugurated the Muntinlupa Mobile Learning Hub, the first innovative roving ‘learning bus’ in Metro Manila to teach city residents about disaster resilience.

The learning bus is equipped with state-of-the-art Virtual Reality area where residents can wear VR headsets to experience being in ‘close-to-actual’ scenarios of disasters including earthquakes, flooding, storm surge, bomb explosion, chemical poisoning, volcanic eruption, tsunami, and landslide. The VR facility aims to provide immersive, visual and sound-based experience of weather disturbances and calamities and to train residents on disaster response.

Further, the DDRM Mobile Learning Hub has an interactive Lecture Area with informative videos on COVID-19 Protective Measures, Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Preparedness, First Aid Response and Management, and Basic Life Support, among others.

Public Information Officer Tez Navarro said the Learning Hub will visit several barangays and health and safety protocols will be strictly implemented. Regular disinfection of the facility will also be conducted.

Navarro noted that the learning bus will also be used for the information campaign of the City Government on COVID-19 vaccination.

As of January 7, Muntinlupa City has 48 active cases, 5,152 confirmed cases with 4,937 recoveries, 167 reported deaths, 23 suspect cases, and 287 probable cases.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

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

Christian Music Appreciation: My Strength

Christian Music Appreciation: My Strength

carlocarrasco

Welcome back, my fellow faithful Christians, pursuers of our Lord and readers who love music. This is the latest edition of my ongoing Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) series and today we will examine together the holiness and beauty of the worship song My Strength.

My Strength was performed live at EpicLife Church during a Sunday worship service in 2020 with Pastor Martha Munizzi leading the singing with their church music team (including her two very talented and anointed daughters). The video of the said performance is posted near the end of this article.

That being said, we can start looking at the official lyrics of My Strength and analyze them afterwards. Here are the lyrics for your reference and faith in the Lord…

Verse 1

My strength My strength

Oh, the joy of the Lord is

My strength My strength

Oh, the joy of the Lord is

My strength that is enough to overcome the world

–

Chorus

You’re the joy no one can take away

You’re the joy no one can take away

You’re the peace inside I can’t explain

You’re the strength I need you will always be

–

Verse 2

My strength my strength

Oh, the joy of the Lord is

My strength my strength

Oh, the joy of the Lord is

My strength that is enough to overcome the world

–

Bridge

Stronger stronger, I’m getting stronger

The joy of the Lord, it makes me stronger

Greater, greater, my God is greater

His power, His power it make me stronger

What is easy to point out here for analysis are the following lyrics that served as the first and second verses of the song: My strength My strength, Oh, the joy of the Lord is, My strength My strength, Oh, the joy of the Lord is, My strength that is enough to overcome the world.

So more than once, the joy of the Lord is our strength was expressed. It is about strength that is so abundant, it is enough to overcome the world. Overcome the world not in the political sense and certainly not in the militaristic sense. It is all about faith in the Lord that will heal people in our screwed-up world, restoring them to God’s original plan for each of them, blessing them, uplifting them from the darkness of the world and leading them to His kingdom. There is one notable holy scripture that easily comes to mind…

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)

Nehemiah 8:10 in the New King James Version (NKJV) emphasized the cultivating and promotion of the joy of the Lord among the people of God as a powerful source of spiritual strength. As Christians, we are meant to be strong, optimistic, fearless and aggressive since we are led by our faith in the Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The joy of the Lord as our strength is a key part of our growing into Godliness. In fact, understanding and obeying scriptures in the Holy Bible (the Word of God) brings joy to our lives and orients us to acknowledge His hand in our success. This is something we can do to help all the unsaved and lost souls find their way back to the Lord. Now let’s take a look at Nehemiah 8:10 in two other translations…

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

Then he said to them, “Go, eat the festival foods, drink the sweet drinks, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your refuge.”

Nehemiah 8:10 (NASB)

Nehemiah 8:10 in the New Living Translation (NLT) has the exact same nine last words as the same scripture in the New King James Version. In the North American Standard Bible (NASB) translation, the joy of the Lord is described as the Christian’s refuge, meaning a spiritual stronghold. Stronghold obviously reflects our strength in God.

In Nehemiah 8, Ezra (the associate of Nehemiah) read God’s Word to His people who suffered through severe consequence for their rejection of the Lord, rejection of His covenant and because they did not live in accordance to God’s law. Rebellion was also a defining value of the people Ezra read to. Still, God was willing to forgive the people and restore them. This was emphasized by what Ezra declared to them in Nehemiah 8:10, which ultimately lifted them up. They were told not to grieve as the joy of the Lord is their strength. Along with strength came restoration, forgiveness of sins, and a greater understanding of God’s will for them. The joy of the Lord provided people strength to reach for the provision of love and salvation from Him. Learn from the following scriptures…

Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:3 (NKJV)

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephania 3:17 (NKJV)

You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)

Going back to the song, the lyrics used in verses 1 and 2 make sense and are indeed holy with their composition. The joy of our Lord is our strength and with it, we can spread His Word around the world, help Lord Jesus save the lost and unsaved souls, and free them all from the darkness of unbelief, religion, idolatry, traditions, rituals and Satan.

Furthermore, other lines from the lyrics such as You’re the joy no one can take away, You’re the peace inside I can’t explain, You’re the strength I need you will always be and The joy of the Lord, it makes me stronger, Greater, greater, my God is greater, His power, His power it make me stronger seamlessly connect with the holy scriptures mentioned here.

Now that we know the truth about the joy of our Lord, here is one more holy scripture to help deepen your faith in Him.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:3-6 (NKJV)

Going back to the song My Strength, I can declare that its lyrics are indeed holy and written in close attention to the Holy Bible. Musically, My Strength is a smooth yet motivating worship song and Pastor Martha Munizzi’s lead performance of it is indeed lively. It is such a good song, I would suggest to church leaders and ministry organizers reading this to consider have their church band play My Strength as an opening song during Sunday worship services.

Finally, in concluding this CMA, embedded below is the official church performance video of My Strength held at EpicLife Church in Florida with Pastor Martha Munizzi leading the song with their church band. It is a very fine performance and it should help you get motivated in worshiping the Lord. For your strong faith in the Lord, always remember to have fellowship with the Lord Himself in private, practice Christian habits (click here and here), get planted and stay planted in a local church, and always keep on being the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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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. Sharing this Christian piece means spreading the good news of the Lord to others. It can help you save the unsaved and the lost souls out there.

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

A Look Back at The Strangers #9 (1994)

A Look Back at The Strangers #9 (1994)

carlocarrasco

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 book collectors and fans of the Ultraverse! We return to the Ultraverse and this time we will join The Strangers in one of their misadventures. In recent times, I reviewed issues number 16, 17 and 18. This time, I want to go back to one of their comic books that were published within the first year of the Ultraverse.

With that being said, here is a look back at The Strangers #9, published in 1994 by Malibu Comics with a story by Steve Englehart and drawn by Rick Hoberg.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins in the Caribbean where the US Coast Guard is patrolling. They receive a distress call and the captain commands the ship to move full speed ahead. He is searching for pirates they encountered previously. They come close to another ship and start communicating with them. Suddenly something caught the crew off guard and an explosion happens.

The next day, at a local port within the Caribbean, the Strangers rent a large boat to explore the see. Although they have been warned about pirates, they still set sail with Lady Killer doing the navigating (using the coordinates Yrial handed to them). As Lady Killer works, the rest of the team relax (as instructed).

From a distance, a band of creepy looking pirates watch the Strangers from a distance and prepare to board them…

Quality

The Strangers meet the pirates in the Caribbean.

This is another fun-filled, compelling story done by the Englehart-Hoberg creative team. It is one unique misadventure of the Strangers set in a tropical environment in which their relaxing exploration suddenly turns into a series of unfortunate events. The pirates introduced here really gave the Strangers their biggest challenge yet (as far as team battles go). I should state that very clever creativity was implemented on how the action was presented and how the pirates’ respective abilities were introduced. More on the powers of ultra beings, there are references to a certain entity on the moon as well as the bolt of energy that hit the San Francisco cable car in issue #1.

When it comes to character development, there is additional attention paid towards Atom Bob who is bothered somewhat about not have the ideal lady in his life. Also emphasized was Elena (Lady Killer) who turns out to be over 30-years-old and tries her best to avoid getting personally involved with any of her teammates as she is their leader and organizer. Of course, Atom Bob and Lady Killer would eventually get romantically involved in subsequent issues.

Conclusion

Nothing like enjoying the natural wonders of the Caribbean.

The Strangers #9 (1994) is one thrill ride which I believe will satisfy not only Ultraverse fans but also any reader who like action-packed team superhero stories in general. Steve Englehart and Rick Hoberg succeeded in telling another fun-filled story that had a nice mix of spectacle, surprise and some character development.

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of The Strangers #9 (1994), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the comic book costs $8.

Overall, The Strangers #9 (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

Wonder Woman 1984 4K Blu-ray listing spotted online

Wonder Woman 1984 4K Blu-ray listing spotted online

carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks and Wonder Woman fans!

Have you seen Wonder Woman 1984 yet? I have not and I am waiting for local cinemas to reopen to screen it. The pandemic really brought down movie theaters which is really bad not only for their industry but also because a lot of employees of cinemas lost their jobs. I’m not just talking about the people handling the tickets but also those who work to cook food, prepare drinks and serve them to moviegoers.

More on Wonder Woman 1984, the film is available for viewing via HBO Max (mainly in the United States) without a premium fee required. This, in my opinion, is a terrible move by AT&T-controlled Warner Bros. because customers’ payments for HBO Max do NOT really go to the producers and financiers who made the Patty Jenkins-directed sequel.

As I mentioned before, I prefer to watch Wonder Woman 1984 in the movie theater instead of streaming it. Back in June 2017, I went to the local IMAX cinema to watch Wonder Woman by buying a premium movie ticket, buying popcorn and a drink, sat comfortably and watched the movie in its full greatness. Truly, VOD streaming will NEVER match the experience of the cinema. Right now, I’m waiting for the opportunity to watch Wonder Woman 1984 in the local movie theater.

As for home viewing, I personally prefer watching movies via optic disc media over streaming. Blu-ray is notable for advantages over streaming. That being said, there is a much better option to view Wonder Woman 1984 in the comfort of home – the upcoming 4K Blu-ray combo release of Wonder Woman 1984!

When it comes to watching Wonder Woman 1984 in the comfort of home, this is the BETTER option than streaming! (source – Blu-ray.com)

Recently Wonder Woman 1984 has been listed at Blu-ray.com to be released in 4K Blu-ray disc format along with a Blu-ray disc (1080p) and a digital copy. While this is not in any way an official announcement (note: as of this writing, the listing does not have a release date yet), it is inevitable that Wonder Woman fans and consumers will have the option to buy the new movie in 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray discs.

According to the listing at Blu-ray.com, Wonder Woman 1984 4K Blu-ray will have a native 4K (3840x2160p) resolution. This alone is a major improvement over the upscaled 4K resolution (read: fake 4K) that the Wonder Woman 4K Blu-ray had. Upscaled 4K means digitally stretching a lower resolution video until it reached 3840x2160p resolution. Native 4K means the footage truly got rendered in 3840x2160p resolution, and this means more detailed visuals! Take note that the new movie that starred Gal Gadot had scenes filmed with IMAX cameras and their high visual details should translate nicely in 4K Blu-ray.

More on Wonder Woman 1984 4K Blu-ray, its original aspect ratio is 2.39:1, its audio has Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 confirmed, its subtitles are in English, French and Spanish. For playback, the 4K Blu-ray will be region-free while the Blu-ray (1080p) will be coded for Region A.

How much will Wonder Woman 4K Blu-ray combo package cost and when will be released? We will find out soon enough. Personally, as soon as it becomes available for ordering at Amazon, I will order it. It should be noted that what you pay for Wonder Woman 4K Blu-ray (or the standalone Blu-ray 1080p release), part of your money will go to the movie producers and investors who are struggling to recover their investment. This is another solid reason why I will not stream this movie. Dump HBO Max!

If you are looking for more Wonder Woman-related content, just search here in my website’s search engine. For those who have not seen Wonder Woman 1984, I recommend reading my retro review of the 1987 comic book Wonder Woman #9 which itself is required reading to get yourselves oriented about the first full appearance of Cheetah (Barbara Minervia). Also check out my most recent Wonder Woman retro review as well as my 2017 Wonder Woman movie review and my No Man’s Land scene special feature.

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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

A Look Back at Ravage 2099 #5 (1993)

A Look Back at Ravage 2099 #5 (1993)

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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 book collectors and fans of Marvel’s 2099 universe! Do you want to see more of 2099 stories written by the late Stan Lee? There is Ravage 2099, the one original character for the 2099 universe co-created by Lee and illustrator Paul Ryan. In my last review, the story had Ravage desperately trying to survive in an island which is toxic and filled with lots of bad guys hunting him down.  

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Ravage 2099 #5, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Stan Lee and drawn by Paul Ryan.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins with Ravage, in the presence of Ursell (the one who saved his life), reacting to his hands burning with light-blue flame. Ursell states it is the radiation causing it. Ravage accuses him of turning him into a troid and that he is not better than Dethstryk, the ruler on the island. As he could not control his anger, Ravage attacks Ursell (who told him his hands are lethal as they destroy what they touch).

Outside, one Dethstryk’s troops spots light (the result of Ravage’s energetic hands) coming from the same cave Ravage and Ursell are in. Eventually Ravage calms down and the energy of his hands weaken. Ursell hands him gloves (composed of complex molecular formula) which help him contain the energy but only for one hour.

Suddenly, Dethstryk’s thugs spot the two in the cave. One of them identifies Ursell as the betrayer of their leader…

Quality

I wonder if SJWs, socialists, Communists and the radicalized feminists will find this image offensive…

In terms of storytelling, this comic book is a big improvement over the last issue. While issue #4 was pretty much limited to Ravage just struggling to survive, this one had more elements of discovery and surprise which made it feel fresh. Ravage having his hands energetic and getting bothered deeply by it was a nice touch to spice up the character while building him up to be potentially more powerful. I also enjoyed the sub-plot in which Tiana, who has been portrayed as an erotic damsel-in-distress since issue #1, finally gets to do something important with trying to free the troubled youth Dack. Not only that, there is also another sub-plot involving a race of aquatic creatures that seek to invade the surface.

Conclusion

Spider-Man 2099’s very brief appearance!

Ravage 2099 #5 (1993) is fun to read and surprisingly engaging as it is a big improvement over issue #4. Considering the uneven quality of this particular series, it’s nice to see Stan Lee make storytelling improvements just as they are needed. Still the quality of dialogue is sub-par and there were corny lines like Ravage saying, “You’re cornier than breakfast cereal!”

If you are seriously planning to buy an existing hard copy of Ravage 2099 #5 (1993), be aware that as of this writing, MileHighComics.com shows that the near-mint copy of the regular edition costs $8 while the near-mint copy of the newsstand edition costs $24.

Overall, Ravage 2099 #5 (1993) is satisfactory.

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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

Gold Delight’s Pastillas de Langka

Gold Delight’s Pastillas de Langka

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You guys and gals enjoy the taste and coolness of gelato? For the newcomers reading this, gelato is a frozen dessert of Italian origin and what makes it different from ice cream is that it is composed with more milk and less cream than ice cream, and is also usually made without egg yolks.

For us living in Metro Manila here in the Philippines, there is a certain gelato that consumers can avail of locally thanks to the Ice Cream House company and it is called Pastillas de Langka.

The Pastillas de Langka from Gold Delight.

Called a coconut gelato, Pastillas de Langka is pastillas ice cream with bits of jack fruit. It is composed of coconut milk, jackfruit, milk powder and extract, sugar, water, stabilizer and emulsifier. Served in 1-liter plastic containers, the Pastillas de Langka I bought in nearby Las Piñas City (note: vendor of Gold Delight ice cream there can be contacted for orders and inquiries 09154606505) cost me P135.

For the newcomers and foreigners reading this, pastillas (AKA Pastillas de Leche) is a popular Philippine delicacy made with milk as its core ingredient with refined sugar and calamansi juice as additional ingredients. I remember way back in my high school days when we were taught at school to make pastillas with powdered milk, refined sugar and condensed milk (liquid).

Going back to the Pastillas de Langka, I noticed how smooth, creamy and yet firm it is even when exposed to room temperature minutes after being brought out of the freezer. In short, it takes longer to melt compared to ice cream. If you want to know specific differences between gelato and ice cream, check this out.

How does it taste? Really good! Each serving of Pastillas de Langka I had was mildly sweet (with light flavors of pastillas and coconut milk). The bits of jackfruit (langka) added variety to the flavor.

A close look at Pastilla de Langka after a few servings scooped up. See the jackfruit bits?

If you are fond of cold dessert and want something tasty and mild with the sweetness, not to mention having lower fat content, then Ice Cream House’s Pastilla de Langka is recommended.   

For more content about Gold Delight and Ice Cream House, check out my Coffee Crumble-Cocoflan article as well as my DIY Sundae Box article. If you are interested in ordering Gold Delight ice cream products and have them delivered to your household, call mobile number 09190091543 or visit them on their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/icecreamhouseph

The details regarding ordering such as how to pay, what form to fill up and how long it will take for orders to be delivered are available for viewing at the FB page.

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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

Business Permit Renewal processing in Muntinlupa City to last until January 29, 2021

Business Permit Renewal processing in Muntinlupa City to last until January 29, 2021

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The annual Business Permits Renewal process in Muntinlupa City commenced in a bigger venue with strict health measures in place to comply with IATF safety protocols.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi assures business locators in the city that health protocols are strictly observed in the 2021 Muntinlupa Business Permit Renewal Hub located at the Center Court of Muntinlupa Sports Center, Brgy. Tunasan.

Fresnedi inspected the venue with Local Economic Investment Promotions Officer Gary Llamas, City Administrator and Business Permits Licensing Officer Allan Cachuela, and other local officials during the opening of the renewal event last January 4.

Strict health standards and distancing protocols are implemented which include sterilization and disinfection of submitted documents using UV box, body temperature check, installation of alcohol sprays, and monitoring of ‘sneeze guards.’.

The public is advised to wear face mask with face shield and bring their own ballpen for their safety and convenience.

Business taxpayers are also instructed to download the StaySafe app on their mobile device to scan the QR Code at the entrance of the Renewal Hub for contact tracing purposes. The City Government partnered with Staysafe.PH through City Ordinance No. 2020-181 to implement a “No QR Code, No Entry Policy” in all establishments for mandatory contact tracing starting January 2021.

Further, senior citizens will not be allowed entry into the Renewal Hub, unless they are business owners renewing their permits in compliance with IATF guidelines. A One-Stop Shop arrangement in the Business Permit Renewal Hub has been installed in the venue for the convenience of taxpayers.

Business taxpayers can pay using Debit Cards in the Renewal Hub. Mobile ATMs and a Closed-Circuit Television System are also installed across the venue. Free shuttle service is provided for clients going to the venue with pick-up points located at Muntinlupa City Hall Quadrangle in Putatan.

The 2021 Business Permit Renewal will run from January 2 to 29, 2021 and BPLO Muntinlupa will serve clients from Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Currently, there are 15,144 registered business in the city. Earlier, BPLO Muntinlupa also encouraged business taxpayers to renew their business permits online through the Business E-payment SysTem (BEST).

Muntinlupa BEST is an online platform that will allow locators in Muntinlupa City to accomplish business permit applications and transactions through any internet-enabled device.

Top Ten “Early Bird” Taxpayers in the 2021 Muntinlupa Business Permit Renewal receive cerficates of recognition and grocery packages from the City Government. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (5th from left) and City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela (left) greeted early taxpayers and extended his gratitude to the business owners for renewing their businesses in the city last January 4. The business renewal event will run until January 29 at Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Tunasan. (source – Muntinlupa PIO)

Taxpayers can access the online platform via www.muntinlupacity.gov.ph and accomplish transactions including application for New Business Permit, Renewal of Business Permit, Application Status Inquiry, Billing and Payment, and Payment History.

Mayor Fresnedi thanked the business owners for their punctuality in paying their dues and renewing their businesses in the city despite challenges brought about by the pandemic. The local exec also encouraged other locators to skip “rush days” of registration nearing the deadline.

He vowed to assist local entrepreneurs in the city through various social and economic programs and services for their recovery.

The list of requirements is posted in the city’s website www.muntinlupacity.gov.ph. For inquiries, you may call BPLO Muntinlupa at 8317-9964 or email at bplo.muntinlupa@yahoo.com.

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The above information was provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

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

Las Piñas City Police Force at Work – January 5, 2021

Las Piñas City Police Force at Work – January 5, 2021

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The Las Piñas City Police Department continues to serve the local constituents by means of securing places, implementing rules and helping those who need assistance. Check out these recent media releases and pay close attention to the details written.

On January 2, 2021, elements of Pamplona Police Sub-Station under the supervision of PMAJ JOEL P GOMEZ through the strong leadership of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, COP of Las Piñas City Police Station conducted Oplan Galugad on the above said location. This activity is being conducted to prevent untoward incidents and security measures to negate criminality within area. (source – Las Piñas City Police Department)
On January 2, 2021, SWAT team led by PLT Renante S Sagot with 5 others, C, SWAT and through the strong leadership of PCOL RODEL ALCANTARA PASTOR, COP of Las Piñas City Police Station conducted Patrolling, Police Visibility, likewise, Establishment Visitation At Mercury Drug Store and SM Southmall located along Alabang Sapote Road Almanza Uno, Las Pinas City. (source – Las Piñas City Police Department)
On January 2, 2021, elements of Pilar Sub-Station utilizing MC 109 under the supervision of PMAJ JOYLENE A BULAN, Pilar Sub-Station Commander and through the strong leadership of PCOL RODEL A PASTOR, COP of Las Piñas City Police Station, conducted OPLAN GALUGAD at St Louie Talon Tres, Las Piñas City. (source – Las Piñas City Police Department)

If you are in Las Piñas City and you need the help of the local police, call 85516401 or visit https://www.facebook.com/pcrstation4/

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The above information and images were provided by the Las Piñas City Police Station for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website. 

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