Tag: diversity

Better than Streaming: Do you have Cloak & Dagger (1984) 4K Blu-ray in your collection?

Better than Streaming: Do you have Cloak & Dagger (1984) 4K Blu-ray in your collection?

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Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs!

Decades ago, I saw on home video Cloak & Dagger (1984) which turned out to be an entertaining film to watch as I was already playing games on Atari 2600 and the arcades. After replaying by chance on cable TV years later, I finally bought myself the 4K Blu-ray and it sure was fun to watch it all over again. Check out my retro movie review of it by clicking here.

The front of my copy of Cloak & Dagger (1984) 4K Blu-ray.
The rear with the details that can be read.

For the newcomers reading this, Cloak & Dagger (1984) is a movie that involved then video game giant Atari in the creative process. The movie’s plot is not based on Atari’s arcade game of the same name (previously titled as Agent X).

Cloak & Dagger (1984) its own original plot of espionage about a young boy Davey (played by Henry Thomas, the star of Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial) who witnesses a murder and receives an Atari 5200 cartridge of the game Cloak & Dagger that contains something very important. This in turn makes him a target of armed henchmen who won’t stop until they get him. Due to his reputation of being too playful and living with his wild imagination as a spy, people don’t believe Davey’s claim of witnessing a murder. This film happens to be inspired by the short story “The Boy Cried Murder” written by Cornell Woolrich.

Cloak & Dagger in arcade form. Atari released it in the form of an arcade conversion kit aimed at arcade machines of certain games of its competitors.
The Cloak & Dagger arcade game can be played on your game console with the Atari 50 collection software (over 100 games). This screenshot I captured while playing it on my Xbox Series X console running Atari 50.

A few weeks ago, my copy of the Cloak & Dagger 4K Blu-ray arrived and it came with two discs: One 4K Blu-ray disc which contained the movie in native 4K (scanned in UHD from the 35mm film) resolution of 3840 x 2160p. The other disc has the same movie in HD (1920 x 1080p) plus the extra stuff which can provide viewers and Cloak & Dagger fans a good amount of important content which will help them learn what the video game elements in the film are, what inspired its creative process and why the film is very unique by today’s standards. There is also an informative new interview with Henry Thomas.

Since then, I saw Cloak & Dagger in 4K twice on my Xbox Series X and its 1080p version on a standalone Blu-ray disc player. Cloak & Dagger in 4K looks better than ever as the picture quality is better, images look sharper and clearer, the colors are vibrant, the small visual details (which were not visible in lower resolution before) are more noticeable now, and film grain structure has been preserved intact!

The two discs. The one on the right is Cloak & Dagger in 4K.

As for the story itself, I still find it engaging and enjoyable to watch from start to finish. Cloak & Dagger is clearly a production of its time as it carries clear Cold War references – the Soviet Union and Iran are the evil forces told in very subtle fashion – as well as video game elements and brands (note: ColecoVision even appeared in this Atari-influenced movie) that dominated America’s console gaming market long before PlayStation, Nintendo and Xbox arrived. For a movie aimed at parents and children, this one has really intense violence as it involves shooting and even some elements of terrorism.

Ultimately, I got a lot of enjoyment from my Cloak & Dagger (1984) 4K Blu-ray and I highly recommend it to Cloak & Dagger fans, gamers, physical media collectors and anyone who loves watching movies in the comfort of home. Cloak & Dagger (1984) is a very unique and fun movie that Hollywood does not make anymore. You really should see it.

In case you are interested or if you have made up your mind, you can order a copy of Cloak & Dagger (1984) 4K Blu-ray by clicking here.

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Suspended Bamban mayor Alice Guo and others charged for alleged human trafficking

Suspended Bamban mayor Alice Guo and others charged for alleged human trafficking

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The controversial and suspended Bamban mayor Alice Guo along with others were formally charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for alleged human trafficking in connection with the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Tarlac, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

In complaints filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ), Guo, former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, and 12 officers and incorporators were charged with violation of Sections 4 and 6 of Republic Act (RA) 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by RA 10364, as further amended by RA 11862.

Among the respondents are Guo’s alleged business partner Huang Zhiyang, who is a fugitive in China, and Zhang Ruijin and Baoying Li, two individuals who are involved in the biggest money laundering case in Singapore.

Guo was also referred to as “a.k.a Guo Hua Ping” in the complaint.

GMA News Online has sought comment from the camps of Guo and Cunanan but they have yet to reply as of posting time.

Evidence – The complainants are the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

“Lumabas na mga ebidensya dito tulad ng fact na siya ang nag apply doon sa dating [letter of no objection] from the local government. Lumabas din ang kanyang involvement doon sa lesser company,” Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking chairperson and Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty said in a briefing.

(There is evidence such as the fact that she applied the letter of no objection from the local government. Her involvement in the lesser company was also noted.)

“At kasama rin yung ibang ebidensya diyan katulad nung pangalan niya na lumulutang sa mga sabi-sabing document na nahanap sa POGO compound,” he added.

(There is also other evidence such as her name appearing in many documents in the POGO compound.)

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Benjamin Samson said authorities believe that Cunanan is part of a “grand conspiracy.”

“We discovered that the Zun Yuan operation actually started with one corporation which was Baofu, and then another corporation was created. All these three corporations, we believe that they are part of a grand conspiracy to commit labor trafficking,” Samson said.

“In one of the corporations, we found a document wherein the name of Mr. Dennis Cunanan appeared. After piecing together the pieces of evidence, we concluded and we decided that he is part of the grand conspiracy to commit labor trafficking,” he added.

Earlier, Senator Risa Hontiveros showed documents where Cunanan had introduced himself as the “authorized representative” for the Hong Sheng POGO in Bamban and the Lucky South POGO in Porac.

Other Complaints – According to Ty, the DOJ is now processing the Immigration Lookout Bulletin against Guo, which may be issued next week.

“Hindi naman natin matatanggi na kahit sinong makasuhan ng kriminal ay may flight risk, lalo na kung may resources ito mangibang bansa. Ngunit ito naman kay Mayor Guo, hopefully, no hindi naman siya lilipad dahil siya mismo at ang kanyang mga representatives ang nag sabi na nais niyang harapin ang mga alegasyon laban sa kanya,” he said.

(Anyone charged with a crime is a flight risk, especially if he they have resources to go abroad. Hopefully, she will not leave as her representatives said that he wants to face the allegations against him.)

Aside from this, Ty said Guo cannot travel without a travel authority as a public official.

Ty said that “there is a possibility” that other complaints may be filed against Guo and others.

POGO – Guo was placed under investigation for her alleged links to the 10-hectare POGO compound that was raided in March for alleged illegal activities that include crypto and love scams.

Earlier in June, the Department of the Interior and Local Government filed graft charges against Guo with the Office of the Ombudsman, prompting it to suspend her for up to six months.

Guo’s identity as a Filipino is also under question before the Senate.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has questioned whether Chinese passport holder Guo Hua Ping is Guo after he presented records from the Board of Investments of the Guo family’s application for a Special Investors Resident Visa.

The documents showed Guo Hua Ping entered the Philippines on January 12, 2003 when she was still 13 years old and her registered mother is Lin Wenyi, the same woman who was alleged to be the mayor’s mother.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think that the mayor of Bamban is indeed connected or responsible with the human trafficking that happened at the raided Bamban POGO? Are you concerned that there could be a POGO operating in your locality and criminal activities are being done secretly? If there is a POGO in your locality, did you notice a rise in crime incidents?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #257 (1984)

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #257 (1984)

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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, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1984 to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.

In my previous retro review, Puma was introduced and quickly made an impact on the plot that connects the Rose with Spider-Man (who foiled the Rose’s criminal operation with the help of Black Cat). Puma is not a one-dimensional villain as he is quite principled. Ultimately, issue #256 served as an entertaining build-up of the conflict between Spider-Man and Puma.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #257, published in 1984 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Ron Frenz.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins on top of a building in New York City. Puma grabs the head of the helpless Spider-Man (who just suffered the dislocation of his arm and endured the pain of shoving it back into place before eventually succumbing to the intense pain). He does not strike immediately as he finds the act of eliminating the webslinger almost too easy and he remembers the Rose promised him of a worthy foe.

Just as Puma starts his move to kill Spidey, Black Cat suddenly strikes him out of nowhere. Puma quickly recovers his balance and tells Black Cat to go away. Suddenly, Puma notices something in her. Using his heightened senses, he sees Black Cat’s aura then jumps at her. He quickly realizes he miscalculated with his movement and finds himself overshooting her. In a desperate attempt, Puma grabs  a pipe but it quickly broke and causes him to slide on the rooftop and hit the edge.  

As Puma picks himself up, the roof beneath him gives in and he falls down…

Quality

Spider-Man’s 2nd encounter with Puma is action-packed and fun to read. Pay close attention to the details.

There is no doubt that the story of this comic book is pretty much a big pay-off to the build-up of the previous issue. Not only that, the creative team continued to gradually develop Puma not only as a formidable foe of Spider-Man but also as a sensible and believable new addition to the Marvel Comics universe of the time.

Here, you will see Spider-Man in a truly vulnerable state which symbolically shows that wearing the alien costume has its limits when it comes to protecting and enhancing him. As seen in the final pages of issue #256, Spider-Man struggles a lot physically and, for the first time ever, struggles to command the symbiote (not realizing it is organic and has its own intelligence). With Spidey in a serious physical disadvantage, you will see Black Cat getting a nice share of the spotlight. Not only does she bravely face off with Puma, her concern for Spidey (note: she knows he is Peter Parker) intensifies in a very believable way. She still loves him but could not figure out why Peter prefers to live like a normal person when he could dedicate himself on being a hero every day as Spider-Man.

As for Puma, the creative team developed him even further both in his animalistic form and in his civilian identity as the head of Fireheart Enterprises. As the man Thomas Fireheart, he is a really intelligent man who analyzes a lot of details before making his next move. You will see more of his intellectual side as he deals with both his corporate affairs as well as his contracted service for the Rose (who in turn is serving the Kingpin).

The plot in this comic book is deeper and more elaborate. Without spoiling much, you will get to see the Puma-Rose-Kingpin connection and, more notably, you will see how complex and intense the situation becomes for Peter Parker when he encounters Puma for the 2nd time. The story is very good, you just have to read it.   

Conclusion

Spider-Man, Black Cat and the alien costume.

Like the previous issue, Amazing Spider-Man #257 (1984) is a great read but in the form of a great pay-off to the build-up that preceded it. The DeFalco-Frenz duo succeeded in developing the newcomer Puma into a significant Marvel Comics universe addition and their portrayal of an injured Spider-Man is very captivating. That being said, I encourage you all to pay close attention to the literary details revealed during the banter between Spidey and Puma which will resonate with you when you read the next issue.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #257 (1984) is highly recommended.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Gears of War: E-Day was the pleasant surprise of the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase

Gears of War: E-Day was the pleasant surprise of the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase

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Welcome back Xbox fans, geeks and gamers!

With the exception of a certain 3rd party games that turned out to be a creative misfires respectively, the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase (also referred to as Xbox Showcase) was clearly a powerful showcase of future games on the Xbox ecosystem and the 1st party games of Team Xbox displayed is the most exciting bunch yet!

As mentioned before, we are now living in the age of Microsoft-owned Activision, Blizzard, King and Bethesda, and Team Xbox has many game studios as a result. The 2024 Xbox Games Showcase is just the taste of many exciting and fun 1st party games coming out in the near future (including the Game Pass services for Xbox and PC) with titles like the Perfect Dark reboot, the Fable reboot, South of Midnight, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and more.

Among the many 1st party games showcased was Gears of War: E-Day which turned out to be the most pleasant surprise as many people heavily anticipated Gears of War 6 and the Marcus Fenix Collection. On my part, I anticipated GOW6 and a Gears Tactics sequel to be announced but what was unveiled officially was both intriguing and captivating. To find out more what Gears of War: E-Day is about, watch the official unveiling below…

Being made by The Coalition using the Unreal 5 engine (the same engine used in Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II), Gears of War: E-Day is the origin story that depicts the horror of Locust invasion on Emergence Day through the eyes of the iconic Marcus Fenix. For the newcomers reading this, Emergence Day refers to the event when the Locus Horde emerged from the depths of the planet Sera and started major assaults on human cities causing massive counts of deaths. Chronologically, Gears of War: E-Day is set fourteen years before the events of the original Gears of War game.

As seen in the above trailer, Marcus Fenix looks younger and you can see him struggling in what seems to be his first-ever personal and physical fight with one of the Locusts. There is also a subtle reference in the video that sends gamers a message – the MK1 Lancer is here and it is NOT the chainsaw-equipped gun that became the iconic weapon of choice in the Gears of War franchise. Again, the story of this upcoming game is set more than a decade before the first GOW and The Coalition developers have planned some changes that will impact not only the interactive experience but also the storytelling.

Do you recognize the eyes of Marcus Fenix in this image? The high level of detail of Unreal Engine 5 combined with the digital artistry of The Coalition make a great combination!

Gears of War: E-Day is looking like a very welcome addition to not only its franchise but also for future releases on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC, as well as for Game Pass subscribers among Xbox and PC gamers. I doubt that a version of the game will be released on aging Xbox One consoles. As to when will the new game be released, I am speculating it would be in November 2026 as that month would mark the 20th anniversary of the release of the original GOW. It is also possible that Microsoft will release the next-generation Xbox console on that same month as well.

Gears 5 was the last main Gears of War game I played during the final months of the existence of my old Xbox One console. I played Gears Tactics on my Xbox Series X a few years ago which was fun experience. That being said, Gears of War: E-Day is the next GOW game to look forward to.

I certainly hope that The Coalition will STOP implementing wokeness, identity politics and foolish feminism (present in Gears of War 4 and Gears 5) into the new game and just make Gears of War: E-Day be much more like the original Gears of War of 2006…a war story about a band of brothers (the grunts) who risked their lives to accomplish mission objectives. The original Gears of War had the vibe of 1980s Hollywood action cinema – specifically from Predator (1987) – and I want to see that implemented in the new game.

Here is hoping that this prequel will be released within two years’ time. Xbox fans have waited long for 1st party exclusive games to be released in this current console generation.

You can learn more about Gears of War: E-Day by clicking https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2024/06/09/gears-of-war-e-day-interview-details-xbox-games-showcase-2024/

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 22

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 22

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

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

#1 The miraculous rescue of hostages – In case you missed the news, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) successfully rescued four Israeli hostages, fought with the Palestinian terrorists and brought the hostages home safely. This not some high-risk operation turned lucky. This operation was a blessing from the Lord God whose covenant with the Jewish people has always been true and standing to this day. All the praise, honor, thanks and glory to Him! Ignore the lies of the Islamo-Leftist mainstream news media and focus on the truth by watching the selected videos below…

#2 European Union (EU) elections resulted in the fall of the Satanic Left – Very recently, a series of elections took place in Europe which determined the composition of the European Union (EU) parliament. European voters who have grown sick and tired of the policies of the Satanic Left (examples: mass migration, taking care of illegal aliens at taxpayers’ expense, fascist climate change policies, government corruption) made their choices by electing more conservative and more nationalistic/patriotic candidates. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni saw her party gain power while the President of France had no choice but to dissolve French parliament (National Assembly) and call for a snap election. Watch and learn more from the videos below…

#3 Documentary of the Houston Rockets’ amazing 1995 NBA championship defense – Never underestimate the heart of a sports champion. That is the moral lesson behind the unbelievable successful NBA championship defense the Houston Rockets achieved in 1995. For the newcomers reading this, the Rockets won the title in 1994 but ended up ranking only 6th place on the Western Conference the following season. This meant that the Rockets had no home court advantage through the NBA Playoffs of 1995. How they defied expectations and overcame tough obstacles to win a 2nd straight NBA championship must be seen in the selected NBA documentary video. Enjoy!

#4 A very deep look back at Lost Odyssey – Lost Odyssey is not just a very notable video game released only on Xbox 360 many years ago. It was arguably the most defining, traditional Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) that can be best described as a Final Fantasy game without the name. To be clear, Lost Odyssey involved the combined talents of Japanese greats Hironobu Sakaguchi (Final Fantasy creator), Takehiko Inoue (famous manga artist) and Nobuo Uematsu (musician always know for Final Fantasy), and it was an ambitious JRPG that also happened to be an Xbox-exclusive game. If you wish to know more about Lost Odyssey, what it has in common with Final Fantasy games and why it remains a very notable game, watch the documentary below…

#5 PatmanQC’s Ring King retrospective – Retro gaming YouTuber PatmanQC published recently his retrospective video about the 1980s game Ring King (also titled as King of Boxer) which is fun and informative to watch.

#6 You, Me and the Movies’ The Blob (1958) reaction – Recently the 1958 version of The Blob was featured by You, Me and the Movies in a movie reaction video which is entertaining to watch.

#7 RK Outpost examines woke Star Wars – It is no secret that under the umbrella of the woke Disney company and the Lucasfilm leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, the established entertainment franchises of Star Wars and Indiana Jones got ruined. Sad to say, Star Wars continues to be made with extreme wokeness and rabid feminism, reaching the point of completely ruining the sci-fi franchise as we know it. Watch and learn from RK Outpost’s videos below…

#8 The evil of Palestinian terrorist group Hamas – It cannot be denied that Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is pure evil. So pure is their evil, they want nothing less than committing complete genocide against Israel and its people. To his day, pro-Palestine zealots cannot even tell the difference between good and evil, and right and wrong. For the Palestinians and its brainwashed supporters (all supported secretly by terrorist state Iran), terrorism, violence and murder are the only ways to achieve what they want. Watch and learn from the videos below…

#9 2024 Xbox Games Showcase videos – Following the lackluster Sony State of Play and Summer Game Fest, Team Xbox and its partners came out blazing with the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase recently. In my view, it was a big improvement over last year’s showcase (which itself was quite good) and there were highlights that should not be ignored. Posted below are selected videos for your viewing pleasure.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Muntinlupa City Government to prohibit all new construction on earthquake fault zones

Muntinlupa City Government to prohibit all new construction on earthquake fault zones

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The City Government of Muntinlupa just announced that all new construction located on earthquake fault zones will be prohibited and already the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of City Ordinance 2024-174 are being drafted, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government will prohibit all new construction on earthquake fault zones in the city.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon announced this on June 13 as he led the meeting of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The Muntinlupa City government is drafting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of City Ordinance 2024-174 or the Fault Zone Ordinance of 2024.

“Through this ordinance, we aim to ensure the safety of our constituents from earthquake risks by prohibiting construction in areas affected by the West Valley Fault and ground fissures,” said Biazon.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), “the West Valley Fault system is an imaginary line marking the area where the different fault systems are located underground and are actively moving from where a big earthquake may originate.”

The Valley Fault System “is an active fault system composed of two fault segments: the 10-km long East Valley Fault (EVF) in Rizal and the 100 km long West Valley Fault (WVF) that runs through different cities and towns of Bulacan, Rizal, Metro Manila, Cavite, and Laguna. The WVF can generate a large earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 or commonly known as ‘The Big One’ which poses threat to people, livelihood, buildings and infrastructures.”

In April, the Muntinlupa City Council passed the ordinance, which was signed by Biazon on April 16.

Under the ordinance, new construction will be barred on earthquake fault zones transected by the West Valley Fault and Fissure in Muntinlupa.

The identification of the no-build zones will be based on the 2015 Valley Fault Atlas published by the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), which “shows an expanded reach and scope of these earthquake fault and fissures in Muntinlupa City.”

The Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance 2024-174 or the Fault Zone Ordinance of 2024, which was signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon on April 16.

“There are existing faults and fissures zones in City of Muntinlupa, which need to be effectively identified, zoned and delineated to promote the safety and provide guidance to the inhabitants of Muntinlupa City and the general public,” according to the ordinance.

The ordinance mandates that “permanent fault markers shall be installed for the purpose of awareness and preparedness following national and international standard roadside traffic designs and materials.”

It added that “buildings, structures, and other properties transected by the West Valley Fault and Fissures, as appearing in the Valley Fault Atlas published by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOCS), are considered dangerous and unsafe for human occupancy.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you agree with the City Government’s prohibition on all construction on earthquake fault zones? Is your local community located near an earthquake fault zone?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #255 (1984)

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #255 (1984)

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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, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1984 to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.

Between the developments of 1980s Secret Wars limited series and the debut of Venom was the time when Peter Parker wore a black new costume as Spider-Man which happens to be the alien costume he gained while spending time with other superheroes in deep space (refer to Secret Wars #8). There was this gradual approach done by the creators to tell new tales of Spider-Man who has the symbiote attached to him most of the time.  

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #255, published in 1984 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Ron Frenz.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins when a black costumed figure arrives at the balcony of a tall building during night time in New York City. He carefully makes an unlawful entry into the place to steal something. The figure was the Black Fox who intends to take valuables not to feed his greed but to properly subsidize his retirement. When he touches an exquisite-looking vase, it disappears and suddenly a monstrous ape appears from nowhere surprising him. Soon enough, he finds himself surrounded by more apes and faces their human leader (one who referred to the apes as pets).

Meanwhile at his apartment, a very tired Peter Parker washes his black costume (the symbiote), reflects on recent events he went through and then goes to bed. During the night, the black costume comes to life and slowly slithers its way into the bedroom wrapping itself on the sleeping Peter…

Quality

The sneaky Black Fox has no chance of escaping Spider-Man (wearing the alien costume that would later lead to the start of Venom).

I want to start with the force of opposition the creative team came up with. This is about the powerful villain the Red Ghost who has super-apes under his control and vast wealth and resources to organize criminal activities. Red Ghost here is not your typical villain as he is actually strategic, smart and even philosophical clearly knowing what he is doing and what he needs to keep on doing crime. The retiring old thief Black Fox happens to be the very criminal that Red Ghost needs for a special task involving the machine called the Cosmicizer which is essential to his need of vastly increasing his cosmic-ray induced powers.

The Red Ghost is struggling with certain limits which are related to his need of the Black Fox to accomplish something for him with the assistance of the super apes. That being said, the presentation of evil awaiting Spider-Man in this tale is a clever move by DeFalco and Frenz.

As for the iconic webslinger, you will see more of Peter Parker’s personal struggles balancing his life between real-world living and performing as Spider-Man to help people and solve problems. In this tale, his personal life is at a low point and it does not help that his has a strained link with his Aunt May. Even though he has the alien costume that is capable of aiding him a lot, there are still problems that the superhero simply cannot solve. The dramatization here is pretty good and the way the final conflict with the main villain turned out was a pretty nice pay-off.

Conclusion

Peter Parker’s sleep has been disorderly since he brought home with him the symbiote.

Amazing Spider-Man #255 (1984) is an entertaining and intriguing read. The creative team’s decision to have the established Fantastic Four foe Red Ghost as the definitive villain for Spider-Man turned out to be a smart move and what they did was fun to read. The presence of Black Fox (note: this comic book is his debut) added a layer of depth to the plot and his declared desire to retire from the life of crime made him an intriguing addition to the Spider-Man list of villains.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #255 (1984) is recommended.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Very strong possibility that the Philippines and Japan will seal defense deal this July

Very strong possibility that the Philippines and Japan will seal defense deal this July

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As the respective foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the Philippines will formally meet this July, the signing of a defense deal will most likely happen, according to a Kyodo News report.

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

Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Thursday that there is a “very strong possibility” for his country and Japan to sign an agreement allowing their defense forces to train in each other’s territories during a meeting involving the two nations’ foreign and defense ministers in July.

In an interview with Kyodo News, Teodoro stated that negotiations on a reciprocal access agreement were nearing conclusion, with no remaining contentious issues. These negotiations commenced in late November, following an agreement earlier that month between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to initiate talks aimed at enhancing security ties.

“It will allow your maritime forces…land (forces) and your air forces to train with us in a different environment (from what) you are used to,” Teodoro said, referring to possible cooperation between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine military.

It will be Japan’s first RAA with a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the third following pacts with Australia and Britain, which took effect last year.

Once both countries ratify the RAA, it will enable Japanese forces to participate in the annual large-scale Balikatan military exercise conducted by the Philippines and the United States, he said.

Teodoro, his Japanese counterpart, Minoru Kihara, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa will attend the bilateral security meeting scheduled for July in Manila.

Teodoro said the Philippines and Japan would eventually consider holding talks about a military intelligence-sharing accord called the General Security of Military Information Agreement, which Manila is currently negotiating with Washington.

Japan and the Philippines, both U.S. allies, have been strengthening bilateral defense ties in recent years in response to China’s intensifying provocative activities and territorial claims in the East and South China seas.

The Philippines is deepening its security ties with other like-minded countries such as Australia. In April, the Philippines, Australia, Japan, and the United States conducted a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea, of which China claims almost the entire area as its territory.

In order to “demonstrate to the world freedom of navigation,” Teodoro said his country hopes to conduct naval activities with the three allies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone “as often as possible.”

Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea were invalidated by a 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the anticipated defense deal between Japan and the Philippines will somehow deter China’s aggression on the sea?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Muntinlupa City Government receives donation of bike racks from private entities

Muntinlupa City Government receives donation of bike racks from private entities

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Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, the City Government received a donation of bike racks from the Makati Business Club (MBC) and Dow Chemical Philippines, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government received 25 bike racks from the Makati Business Club (MBC) and Dow Chemical Philippines.

The bike racks, produced by Envirotech Waste Recycling, are completely made from upcycled materials such as styrofoam, bubble wrap and sando bags, and non-recyclable and multi-layer packaging like sachets, candy wrappers, and foil packaging.

About 1,770 kg of plastic waste was recycled to manufacture 55 bike racks with Las Pinas as the other recipient.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon thanked the Makati Business Club and Dow Chemical Philippines for the donation, saying Muntinlupa is also advocating the use of bicycles to lessen carbon emissions as its contribution to the protection of the environment.

“MBC and Dow Chemical collaborated to turn plastic waste into bike racks because of our mutual advocacy for sustainable transport and circular economy,” said MBC chairman Edgar Chua.

“Apart from reducing plastic waste, installing secure bike parking can reduce traffic congestion and help employees bike to work, and those for whom biking is work.”

According to Dow Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand marketing manager Arnold Benitez, “This project reflects Dow’s commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. By transforming potential pollutants into community benefits, we are significantly reducing waste and promoting a healthier environment.”

He added, “Celebrating Dow Philippines’ 60th anniversary, our ‘Together Towards Tomorrow’ theme emphasizes our dedication to a sustainable future through collaboration and innovation. This milestone highlights our enduring commitment to the Philippines and the importance of working together to achieve our shared goals.”

The Muntinlupa City government turned over 50 kg of plastic waste to support the production of upcycled bike racks, an advocacy that was highlighted by Mayor Biazon.

“Bahagi ito ng pagsulong natin sa circular economy kung saan ang ating waste materials ay nagagamit pa rin natin for other purposes, at nababawasan ang ating pollution sa environment (This is part of our advocacy for circular economy wherein our waste materials can still be used for other purposes and it lessens pollution of the environment),” said Biazon.

The bike racks will be installed at Cupang Health Center, Poblacion Health Center, Schools Division Office, Muntinlupa Business High School, and Victoria Homes Elementary School, benefiting at least 50 cyclists at a time.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you concerned FLiRT variants of COVID-19 could be detected in the city soon?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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

Ombudsman suspends controversial Bamban mayor Alice Guo

Ombudsman suspends controversial Bamban mayor Alice Guo

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Remember the raid of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Bamban, Tarlac? Since that happened, the incumbent Bamban mayor Alice Guo became the subject of the senate investigation as there were documents found that linked her with the raided POGO. Now a controversial figure, Guo officially suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for up to six months, according to a GMA Network news report. Two other local government officials were suspended as well.

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

The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and two other local government officials for up to six months.

This development came after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) filed graft complaints against Guo over her reported involvement with a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in her locality.

According to the DILG, the complaints were filed with the Office of the Ombudsman on May 24 and stemmed from the issuance of a permit to Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc. despite the company failing to complete the requirements and having an expired license from the Philippine  Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).

“Given [the] respondents’ power and authority, there is a strong probability that they may influence witnesses or tamper with any evidence material to the case,” the Ombudsman said in a nine-page order.

Other than Guo, others ordered suspended were Business Permit and Licensing Officer Edwin Ocampo and Municipal Legal Officer Adenn Sigua.

On March 13, authorities raided a 10-hectare area operated by Zun Yuan Technology Inc. and found several devices said to be linked to POGO operations. Over 600 Filipinos and foreigners were rescued during the raid.

The complex was previously raided in 2023 when it was operated by Hongsheng Technology Inc., which is now being linked to Guo as she applied for the letter of no objection for the complex’s license to operate.

“The foregoing considered, this Office finds sufficient grounds to preventively suspend Alice Guo, Edwin Ocampo and Adenn Sigua considering: that, there is strong evidence showing their guilt; that the charges against them involves grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best Interest of the service, and gross neglect of duty which may warrant their removal from the service,” the Ombudsman said.

“Their continued stay in office may prejudice the investigation of the case filed against them,” the Ombudsman added.

Guo, whose nationality as a Filipino is being questioned by lawmakers, was also found to be the incorporator of Baofu Land  Development Inc., which owns the land where the complex — home to over  36 buildings, a swimming pool, and luxury cars — is located.

Guo has denied links to the POGO operation.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the suspension of mayor Guo will turn out helpful as the quest for answers continues? Do you think the national government will make adjustments that will restrict POGOs? Do you think mayor Guo is a spy of mainland China? Do you think that the scam hub in Parañaque is linked with the controversial Bamban POGO?

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

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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