Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government conducted the screening and health checkup for street sweepers in order to keep them capable of doing their jobs, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Mayor April Aguilar was present during the activity.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The city government of Las Piñas conducted screening and an annual checkup for members of Kaagapay street sweepers to keep them healthy while maintaining cleanliness and order around the city.
Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar said the annual checkup for the street sweepers is part of the city government’s commitment to give them better health care, especially the elderly and those with limited access to medical services.
Aguilar was present during the medical checkup and was joined by City Environment and Natural Resource Office (CENRO) head Engr. Cesar Perillo and City Health Office (CHO) head Dr. Julie Gonzalez.
She said Kaagapay members were given free medical consultations, laboratory tests, and dental check-ups to help them save on health expenses and provide them with timely medical advice.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you glad the City Government is helping the local street sweepers with health-related assistance?
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
Welcome back Xbox fans, geeks, retro gaming fans and other gamers!
If you are disappointed with modern console gaming and if you don’t like what the game makers are doing, retro gaming will restore the fun and help you forget about the disappointment.
When I was a very young boy, I saw Cloak & Dagger on home video. The movie – starring Henry Thomas and Dabney Coleman – was a thriller laced with Cold War elements, espionage and video gaming. In fact, the video game giant of the time – Atari – was involved in the movie production and their arcade game Cloak & Dagger appeared in the form of a fictional Atari 5200 game. Each time I saw the gameplay footage while watching the movie (read my retro review by clicking here), I was thrilled and always wanted to play it.
Finally, in 2024, I was able to play Cloak & Dagger on my Xbox Series X after purchasing the physical copy of Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. Since then, I’ve been replaying Cloak & Dagger a lot in the comfort home and it sure is challenging and fun.
To be clear, this is not a retro game review of Cloak & Dagger. Rather, it is a nostalgic close look at the Atari video game that happened to be featured in the 1984 movie which in turn was released on 4K Blu-ray in 2022. Combine that with the Atari 50 release also in 2022, the Cloak & Dagger game made a comeback in the retro gaming radars of many while also becoming available to play with on modern consoles and Windows PC.
Game design and gameplay
In the arcade game, you play Agent X (the 2D sprite colored green and wearing the hat) and you will encounter challenges from enemies (often robot guards which can fire shots at you), conveyor belts that can impact your movement and the possibility of the giant bomb exploding.
Developed by Atari for the arcade, Cloak & Dagger is a 2D multi-directional shooter in which you play Agent X (who appears wearing a hat, a mask and a coat) whose mission is to infiltrate the massive base of an enemy that goes very deep underground (33 levels/floors).
Each level the player enters require surviving obstacles and defeating (or avoiding) the enemies (robot guards are the most common opposition while the crawling eye occasionally appears) and then move to the other side of the level in order to get into another elevator to keep on descending. The ultimate goal is to reach the final level below to recover top secret plans from Dr. Boom (the main villain and the one responsible for stealing the said plans), destroy his underground bomb factory (which explains the existence of oversized bombs and many explosives on conveyor belts) and get out.
As registering high scores was the trend of video gaming back then, players will be rewarded with shooting at the enemies (example: robot guards are worth 50 points each when asleep or 200 points when awake, while the main villain Dr. Boom is worth 50,000 points) as well as interacting with in-game items such as the unarmed explosives (10 points when shot but worth 100 when collected), armed explosives (50 points each when destroyed) and mystery boxes (worth 200 to 1,800 points plus random effects on the player such as extra life, improved speed and even extra life). For every 30,000 points scored, the player will be granted an extra life. In many levels are gigantic bombs that players can ignite using the Fuse button for extra points.
Between levels, you will see an animated Agent X during the short rides in the elevator.
The game is very challenging because so much is going on around you. The robot guards will always fire shots at you while the conveyor belts often move items and explosives (both the armed and unarmed). You can ride a converyor belt to move around but make sure you do not touch the armed explosives (red containers) as they will kill you upon contact.
Other items players can collect are the extra boxes (resulting in extra life) and the secret maps (which partially reveal safe paths through each fourth level).
When it comes to the controls, Cloak & Dagger has a dual joystick (twin sticks) setup similar to Robotron 2084 and Smash T.V. (read my retrospective look at it by clicking here). One joystick allows players to move Agent X around while the other allows shooting projectiles (using Agent X’s weapon) at any direction. The fuse action (for igniting the oversized bombs in the enemy lair) is done by simply pressing a button. As I am playing this game on Xbox Series X, the game’s controls functioned well on the Xbox controller. Both precision and response of the game are sharp with the Xbox controller.
When it comes to the enjoyment and overall value of Cloak & Dagger, I can say that it is indeed more challenging and more chaotic when compared to the more notable twin stick games Robotron 2084 and Smash T.V. For one thing, each level has different layouts complete with obstacles or hazards plus enemies that will certainly challenge players. Many levels have conveyor belts moving unarmed explosives, armed explosives (which you must avoid touching because you will die upon direct contact) and items around which form obstacles when it comes to shooting robot guards on the other side (note: you can use the obstacles defensively when the robot guards fire at you).
From time to time, you will enter a somewhat sparse looking level like this which actually has mines hidden. The locations of the mines do get revealed in specific moments but only for a few seconds. That being said, it is always best to be able to collect maps that appear on conveyor belts.
Apart from the robot guards and the crawling eye, there are also forklifts which don’t attack you but their solid exterior will deflect any projectile you fire at them and send them back to your direction.
To be clear, you are not required to destroy all the robot guards (or the huge crawling eye enemies) in each level. You can simply try to avoid obstacles and enemies to make it to the next elevator to keep on descending although doing so means scoring much lesser points. Picking up items will add points and randomly alter your character’s capabilities (by picking up mystery boxes).
Adding pressure to you on each level is the giant bomb located in the middle which you can ignite using the fuse action. Once ignited, you only have a few seconds left to make it to the next elevator as the giant bomb will explode and spread fire throughout the whole level. Igniting the said thing will grant you a lot of points provided you survive and made it to the elevator going down.
To be able to play the Cloak & Dagger arcade game on your console or on PC, purchase a copy of the Atari 50 collection.
Cloak & Dagger is indeed a fun game but the opposition, the obstacles, time limit (indicated by the giant bomb) and chaotic turn of events make it more challenging than Midway’s two notable twin stick shooters. The game would have been more forgiving and more playable if only it did not have the one-hit-death embedded on it. Considering the challenges each level has and the many levels players have to go through, it would have made more sense to have Agent X have a life bar/health meter/shield and be able to absorb some enemy projectiles (before dying).
Of course, the game was never designed to be like that and the one-hit-death is also found in Robotron 2084 and Smash T.V. That being said, if you played Cloak & Dagger with a high level of success and completed everything without losing all your lives, then you would be a great achiever.
Pop culture significance
It has been reported that Cloak & Dagger – which was released as an arcade kit for machines that ran Robotron 2084, Joust, Defender and Stargate – did not have a big presence in the arcades in America. The 1984 movie dramatically increased public awareness of it.
Print ad of the arcade game.
When Cloak & Dagger was still in game development (created and led by Russell Dawe) under the title “Agent X”, Atari and certain movie producers became aware of each other’s projects and decided to work together. The deal made business sense as Atari could benefit from reaching a mainstream audience through the cinemas while the movie producers joined in the 1980s Hollywood trend of movies that featured powerful computers, software and artificial intelligence as seen in WarGames (1983), Superman III (1983), and The Terminator (1984).
Much to the credit of the filmmakers, the presence of the game actually added good value to the plot. The film’s concept of the Cloak & Dagger game becoming a very wanted object (plot device actually) resulting in chases, intense action scenes and suspense turned out to be very believable as well. It should be noted that director Richard Franklin took inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock which gave the film a unique touch on the suspense and shock scenes. Check out the movie clip below…
When it comes to the Cloak & Dagger game appearing within the movie of 1984, you will see how the filmmakers and Atari cleverly created the illusion of the game operating on the Atari 5200 console by showing not only video game footage, but also having Henry Thomas acting like he’s playing it using the Atari 5200 controller (which has an analog joystick and buttons on one side). When I was a young boy watching the movie, I found the game footage very entertaining and wanted to play it.
Cloak & Dagger portrayed as running on Atari 5200 in this scene with Henry Thomas and Dabney Coleman. (photo source – AtariProtos.com)
A Cloak & Dagger arcade cabinet seen in the background (right side). (photo source – IMDB.com)
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday strongly condemned the fatal shooting of two Japanese nationals in Manila.
In a statement, the agency extended its sympathies to the families and called on law enforcement agencies to conduct a “swift and thorough” investigation into the incident.
“Tourism, a vital pillar of livelihood for millions of Filipinos, heavily depends on creating and maintaining conditions of peace, safety, and security,” the statement read.
“We note with deep concern that recent events have already prompted advisories from foreign embassies in the country’s top visitor source markets, which could adversely affect tourist confidence and the Philippines’ image as a safe and welcoming destination,” it added.
The DOT is working with relevant agencies, including local governments and stakeholders, to reinforce security measures for visiting foreigners.
“[T]he Department also continues to coordinate with its Regional Offices, local government units, and tourism stakeholders to reinforce protective measures, reassure foreign and domestic visitors, and safeguard the tourism industry that sustains so many Filipino families,” it said.
The two Japanese were shot by motorcycle-riding assailants while exiting a taxi along Malvar Street in Manila on Aug. 15.
The Manila Police District on Monday said one suspect has been taken into custody while another person of interest has been identified in connection with the robbery with homicide.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the fatal shooting of the two Japanese nationals in Manila is already heavily damaging the Philippines’ standing as a tourist destination? Do you think that people in Japan are already turned off by the tragedy of August 15?
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
In preparation for emergency situations, the City Government of Las Piñas – specifically their Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) – released handheld one hundred radio units to all twenty barangays, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The turnover of the units was done at City Hall in the presence of Mayor April Aguilar and Vice Mayor Imelda Aguilar.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Las Piñas Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) has distributed a total of 100 handheld radios to the city’s 20 barangays to enable faster communication during emergencies.
Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar led the turnover ceremony, during which each barangay received five units of the communication equipment.
Aguilar said the distribution of handheld radios is part of the DRRMO’s initiative to enhance communication and ensure swift response during emergency situations.
She added that the equipment will help each barangay strengthen its preparedness and improve rapid response to disasters, accidents, and other incidents requiring immediate action.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the City Government is doing enough to prepare local child development centers for emergency situations?
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
In preparation for emergency situations, the City Government of Las Piñas distributed first aid kits to the many child development centers around the city, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Mayor April Aguilar led the distribution.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The city government of Las Piñas distributed first aid kits to all Child Development Centers (CDL) as part of emergency readiness and also as a proactive approach in protecting the city’s children in times of emergency.
Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar led the distribution of emergency kits last August 12, at the fourth floor of the Mayor Nene Aguilar Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Building.
Aguilar said the distribution of first aid kits is a project of the DRRMO to keep the CDL ready and keep the children safe in any emergency that may occur. She said the first aid kit contains acetone, alcohol, band aids, blood pressure apparatus, burn ointment, plastic canister, cotton balls, elastic bandage, clean gauze, and others.
The mayor also distributed Certificates of Recognition to all daycare teachers after passing and graduating from basic life support and standard first aid.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think the City Government is doing enough to prepare local child development centers for emergency situations?
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
Recently, Israel and its technology and cybersecurity companies saw potential in the Philippines as an emerging and interesting market for cybersecurity solutions, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Israel also noticed the Philippines’ strong potential for long-term business partnership.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…
The Israeli Embassy to the Philippines as well as Israeli technology and cybersecurity companies on Tuesday acknowledged the potential of the country as an emerging market for cybersecurity solutions.
In a cyber roadshow initiated by the Israel Economic Mission to the Philippines held in Taguig on Tuesday, Economic Counsellor Ofek Venecianer highlighted the country’s rapid digital transformation, cyber threat exposure, and its strong potential for long-term business partnership.
She also cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s speech during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), wherein he stressed the need for digitalization for the Philippines to keep up with its neighboring countries and do business with them.
In an interview, Venecianer said the level of interest from Israeli cybersecurity firms in the Philippine market is “one of the highest in Asia,” with many Israeli companies actively seeking to enter or expand in the country.
Venecianer cited Israel’s security situation, which she said led to it being one of the countries with the most advanced technology.
“It is very natural for Israel to look towards the US and Europe, but now Asia is a growing market and the Philippines specifically is really an interesting market for them,” she said.
“They really understand the potential in the market and they are approaching us actively to have our assistance in entering the Philippine market, but I also [look at] it the other way around, with Philippine entities and agencies from the government and the private sector reaching out and seeking cybersecurity solutions.“
Eight Israeli companies specializing in various cybersecurity fields, from cloud and data protection to securing physical devices, joined the event to meet with government agencies, private companies, and academic institutions.
Venecianer said some of these companies already have local partners, while others are considering expanding operations in the Philippines.
Israel Deputy Ambassador Ester Buzgan, meanwhile, cited the importance of the similarities in the cultural orientation of Israelis and Filipinos. She also pointed to the Philippines’ English proficiency and strategic role in Southeast Asia as factors that make it more attractive for Israeli firms.
“We do business with friends, and Filipinos and Israelis share that connection of trust,” Buzgan said.
In opening the event, Ambassador-designate Dana Kursh said the Philippines’ ongoing digitalization presents a critical opportunity to integrate strong cyber safeguards at the outset. She also cited the long-standing relationship between the Philippines and Israel, making the country attractive to Israeli companies.
“I think that what connects both of our people is basically three F’s —family, friendliness, and faith. It’s something that connects us, and its something that is present both in the Philippines and in Israel,” Kursh said.
This newest development shows the continuing growth of Israel-Philippines ties with cybersecurity in mind. Here in the Philippines, a lot of scammers are still hounding Filipinos through email and mobile devices, and some people became victims of cybercrime. These trends and unfortunate events only show that the Philippines still needs to do more to ensure cybersecurity not only for the citizens but also for enterprises of all sizes. That being said, a strong engagement with the Jewish state on cybersecurity will be beneficial to the Filipino people. Also beneficial is the increased trade and Israeli investments coming in once cybersecurity gets better.
To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!
I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray to Him so that Israel-Philippines ties and cooperation will keep growing stronger and more resilient no matter what happens around the world.
More than twenty years ago, I had a job at an American call center in Mandaue City, Cebu Province here in the Philippines. Back then, the call center industry of the nation was very young and yet quickly growing in terms of revenues, new foreign investments and new jobs. Today, the Philippines has a large information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector.
That being said, America today is quickly reforming under the leadership of President Donald Trump and already business ties and trade relationships have quickly been changing. In the United States Senate (US Senate), a bipartisan bill was formally filed – the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025.
To make things clear, I am not taking sides here. I am a citizen of the Philippines who worked for a few months in an American call center a very long time ago and at my age, I have no intention to return to call center work. I am already engaging in a new business that has nothing to do with call centers and business process management. As for how America’s leaders deal with call centers and business processing centers located in different parts of the world, that is their decision to make. It would be interesting, perhaps intriguing, to see how the Philippines IT-BPM sector will adjust if ever the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 becomes a law someday.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippine information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector is bracing for the potential impact of a bill in the United States (US) Senate that seeks to end the practice of offshoring among American call centers.
The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), the country’s leading IT-BPM group, said the industry is currently monitoring the progress of this proposed legislation.
“At this stage, we are continuing to track developments,” IBPAP told Manila Bulletin.
The proposed Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025, filed as a bipartisan bill in the US Senate, is aiming to curb offshoring or relocation of business operations from one country to another as it pertains to call center jobs.
In a statement by Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, he said the bill looks to reverse the continued decline of call center operations in America, driven by the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) offshoring.
Citing data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Gallego noted that the American call center industry will lose approximately 150,000 workers by 2033 if such practices persist.
“The Keep Call Centers in America Act would work to reverse this trend by limiting federal benefits to companies that ship call center jobs overseas,” said Gallego, who filed the bill with West Virginia Senator Jim Justice, a Republican.
Under the proposed bill, companies are required to notify the US Department of Labor (DOL) at least 120 days before relocating operations overseas or contracting out call center work to another entity that relocates abroad.
The DOL, meanwhile, will be mandated to maintain a public list of employers that have relocated operations. Companies will remain on the list for five years “unless they return an equal or greater number of call center jobs in the US.”
Call center firms on this list will be ineligible for new federal grants and guaranteed loans and will not be given preference when awarding contracts.
In a CBS News report, Gallego said that aside from supporting the return of domestic jobs, the bill will likewise address consumer concerns when it comes to “security around their private information.”
The bill, if enacted, will cover businesses with either 50 or more full-time employees, or 50 or more employees whose combined work hours total at least 1,500 per week. As such, the measure will impact large-scale call center operations such as those that are currently operating in the Philippines.
Based on a 2023 report by the Ateneo Policy Center, more than 200 US-based firms have invested approximately $7.8 billion to set up operations in the Philippines since 2003.
The proposed Keep Call Centers in America Act could not have come at a worse time, given that the Philippines’ services exports are slowing down.
In a report, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. noted that services exports shrank by 4.2 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This followed a 6.3-percent growth rate in the first quarter, which decelerated from a 13.2-percent expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Neri said the services export sector is weighed down by a sharp drop in travel and signs of weakness in the IT-BPM sector.
To examine the details of the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025, click here and here.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you know a lot of people here in the Philippines who work in American call centers? Do you seriously believe that if ever the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 becomes a law, it will someday compel American companies to close down its call centers here in the Philippines and create a wave of new job losses? Without American companies and clients, do you think the Philippines IT-BPM sector will shrink dramatically? Do you think the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 will be passed by US Congress and get signed into law by US President Trump?
Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government confirmed that it will reward 2025 Chemical Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination Topnotcher and local resident Patricia Isabel Soriano P100,000 for her achievement, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
The topnotcher in the 2025 Chemical Engineers Computer-Based Licensure Examination will be rewarded P100,000 by the Muntinlupa City government for her feat.
Patricia Isabel Soriano, who graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree from De La Salle University-Manila, bagged the No. 1 spot in the licensure examination with a rating of 88.6 percent.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) said 602 out of 799 examinees passed the chemical engineers licensure exam given by the Board of Chemical Engineering in the National Capital Region, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena and Rosales in May.
Soriano, a resident of Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa, recently paid a courtesy call on Mayor Ruffy Biazon.
“At such a young age, nakapag-publish at present na rin siya ng papers about fuel treatment and energy storage, both in national and international conferences. Talagang nakakabilib ang iyong achievements, Patricia! (Your achievements are truly impressive, Patricia!),” Biazon posted on Facebook.
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 delighted to know about the great achievement by Soriano?
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
Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?
I recommend you check out the following videos I found.
#1 Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky Scandal Remembered – Remember how wild the news and opinions were back in 1998 over the scandal of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky? Even though there was no social media and people’s access to the Internet was not so massive at the time, there was no escaping the media buzz about the scandal which is arguably the most defining scandal of the 1990s. It also made Clinton not only look even more immoral, it damaged the reputation of the Democrats as well. I encourage you all to watch the video below.
#2 The Democrats Who Destroyed Themselves as They Tried to Destroy Donald Trump – By today’s standards, the Democrats of America are the Satanic Left, the Islamo-Leftists, the woke mob, the DEI nuts and also the most foolish group of politicians. That being said, take a close look at the Democrats who tried to destroy Donald Trump only to end up ruining themselves. Watch the video below.
#3 Independence Day Revisited – Way back in 1996, I saw Independence Day in a fully packed cinema here in the Philippines, and almost everyone enjoyed it for the thrills and the so-called ride experience. While it was the highest grossing movie of the world during its year of release, Independence Day clearly had flaws and it did not age well in my view. I have no intention to buy a Blu-ray or a 4K Blu-ray copy of it. Still, a lot of YouTubers made videos of the movie and you can see how it impacts them or what they learned about it by watching the selected videos below.
#4 Poltergeist a Cursed Movie? – If you have seen the 1982 film Poltergeist (directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg), chances are you got scared and startled while watching it. That being said, do you believe the claims and reports that the production of Poltergeist was cursed and haunted? To find out, go watch Minty Comedic Arts’ detailed video below. Then decide for yourselves after completing it.
#5 Foreign Tourists Enjoying Eels in Japan – Have you ever tasted eel with your meal? In Japan, it is a tradition for people to eat eels as those have a place in Japanese cuisine. I’m referring to unagi (Japanese for freshwater eel) which is served as part of unadon which is the popular meal consisting of a donburi type bowl (large size) filled with steamed white rice topped with eel fillets. It is not surprising that as Japan is attracted a high number of visitors from around the world, more foreign tourists there are consuming and enjoying it. Watch and learn from the video below.
6. Woke Hollywood Pathetically Freaks Out Over Dean Cain’s Decision to Join ICE – I can say it out loud that actor John Leguizamo – who is very woke and allied with illegal aliens and illegal immigrants – is pathetic with his response to Superman Dean Cain’s decision to join United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to serve the nation in getting rid of illegal immigrants. This goes the same with other woke nuts of Hollywood (Commiewood) who reacted the same way. Watch and learn the details from RK Outpost’s video below. I also want to state again the illegal immigrants are criminals, not refugees.
This past weekend, national triathlete Kira Ellis achieved tremendous honor for the Philippines by winning the gold in the 2025 Europe Triathlon Junior Cup held at Riga, Latvia, according to a Manila Bulletin sports news report.
For the newcomers reading this, Kira Ellis came back from injury and was sidelined for several months which makes her victory in Latvia even more special not only for her career but for the entire nation. It should be recalled that she was the champion in the 2024 Asia Triathlon Junior Cup. To see the official race results of this past weekend’s event, click here.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the sports news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
Triathlete Kira Ellis lived up to her lofty billing as she captured the Junior Women crown in the 2025 Europe Triathlon Cup in Riga, Latvia over the weekend.
Despite being the lone Filipina and Asian in the class, Ellis, 18, impressed and timed in one hour, five minutes, and seven seconds in the 750m-swim, 22km-bike, and 5.1km-run event to outshine 15 other foreign rivals.
It was also a sort of stellar comeback for Ellis who suffered a shin splint (medial tibial stress syndrome) that sidelined her for six months.
The feat just added to Ellis’ trophy collection that includes golds in 2024 Asia Triathlon Junior Cup in Malaysia and in 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.
Author Carlo Carrasco 