Calling all the shoppers and gift item searchers among you. The Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) will once again be having the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar from December 1 to 3, 2023 at their park in the Phase 2 area. The said bazaar will take place from 9AM to 9PM each day.
This year’s Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar already publicized within Alabang Hills Village.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the AHVA’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…
Once again drawing on the theme of Tchaikovsky’s world-famous Christmas ballet, “The Nutcracker”, this year’s bazaar promises to be even bigger and better!
When: December 1 to 3 (Friday to Sunday), 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Where: AHV Phase 2 Park
Come to the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar and enjoy —
•Christmas Tree & Bazaar Lighting Ceremony on December 2 at 6:00 PM
•Uncle Drosselmeyer’s Enchanted Market (the bazaar)
•The Kingdom of Sweets and Savories (the food pavilion), and
•Harlequin Theatre (the stage and performance area).
The bazaar’s fun highlights will include Bingo & Raffle in the afternoons, Dance, Food, Magic, Music, and more!
Entrance to the bazaar is free! Invite your friends and relatives and together let’s make this a fun and memorable community celebration this Christmas.
A portion of the proceeds from the bazaar will go to the beneficiary of the AHV Christmas Outreach Program.
To know more about Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar, call the AHVA landline at (02) 8850-8254.
For the newcomers reading this, there was a Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar in Alabang Hills Village that happened in December 2022. Watch the video below and observe…
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, would you consider visiting the Nutcracker Christmas Bazaar for your search for items to give?
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
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 culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1982 to take a close look at one of the many tales of the Marvel Comics shared universe told through the monthly series of Uncanny X-Men.
In my previous retro review, Charles Xavier got reunited with his beloved Lilandra, the empress of the Shi’ar Empire, as they were trapped temporarily by the Brood. Elsewhere, Corsair reveals to his son Cyclops what happened before they got separated on Earth twenty years prior. The X-Men and the Starjammers got captured by the Brood’s massive transport which turned out to be a massive organic creature. The conflict that followed saw another battle between the X-Men and the Brood but with the stakes raised higher.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Uncanny X-Men #157 published in 1982 by Marvel Comics with a story written by Chris Claremont and drawn by Dave Cockrum.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins in space where the X-Men and the Starjammers worked together to repair the external parts of the Starjammer ship. An incident happens in which Wolverine starts to float away from the ship while Colossus loses consciousness. One of the Starjammers saved Wolverine.
Just as the Starjammers used their advanced technology to help the unconscious Colossus, Empress Lilandra tells Professor X and a few others that she used her imperial commlink and private code to each Chanellor Araki to confirm to him that she is free and unharmed. Supposedly, Lilandra’s move should compel Araki to call off the punitive strike against Earth.
As Lilandra starts communicating with the flagship that carries Araki, Admiral Lord Samedar takes control of the ship and declares that they will execute Araki’s orders to obliterate Earth…
Quality
Kitty Pryde on the move against all odds.
Following the events of the two previous issues, this story is another engaging pay-off to the established build-up but with the stakes raised higher as Earth becomes a target of the defiant Shi’ar officials who themselves turned out to be defiant towards their empress Lilandra all along. Not only that, there is a good amount of intrigue with the way the Shi’ar people are portrayed here.
The X-Men here continue to struggle not only because of Colossus’ weakness but also because something bad happened to their leader Professor X (a must-read scene). Far away from the rest of their teammates, Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde became major players in this particular story and what happened with them was nicely structured by Chris Claremont. This is clearly a big pay-off to what was staged in issue #155 and it sure is worth anticipating!
If you have great interest with the Brood, you will be delighted to see more of the way they communicate and how they treat foreigners like Deathbird as they live on with their uncompromising belief that their race backs winners only.
Conclusion
How the Brood treats Deathbird.
Uncanny X-Men #157 (1982) is an action-packed sci-fi tale that continued Claremont’s direction of the X-Men while also emphasizing the Brood as well as the Starjammers and the Shi’ar as crucial players in this particular storyline. There is plenty of superhero spectacle to enjoy here, a few memorable character moments and if you are fond of Chris Claremont’s works, you will enjoy the twists and surprises he pulled off here.
Overall, Uncanny X-Men #157 (1982) is recommended!
The Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) recently announced to its members the launch of a new procedure related to messaging with their security team over non-emergency matters formally called Non-Emergency Messaging to Security (NEMTOS). NEMTOS is a joint project of the AHVA Admin & Communications, and the Security & Safety committees.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of the AHVA’s official NEMTOS announcement. Some parts in boldface…
We are happy to announce the launch of NEMTOS, short for Non-Emergency Messaging to Security, AHVA’s new procedure for the relay of your non-emergency messages to Security. Messages are to be relayed through Viber.
The objective of NEMTOS is to streamline non-emergency messaging between ourselves and AHV Security by simplifying and hastening communications while decongesting our two Security landlines so that these may be freed up mainly for emergency calls. It is our hope that, over time, this alternative approach will become our primary way of communicating non-emergency messages to Security.
Examples of non-emergency messages would be when we want to advise Security of:
-food and non-food deliveries to our homes (Grab, Lalamove, restaurants, etc.)
-the entry of guests/visitors into the village
-the entry of appliance repairmen, technicians, workers, manicurists, massage therapists, etc.
-noise disturbances
-road hazards/debris
-lost pets/items
-tricycle requests
With NEMTOS, there will be no need to dial, and repeatedly redial the Security landlines when these are busy. Your non-emergency messages, sent through Viber, will reach Security immediately. Within a couple of minutes, Security will acknowledge receipt of your message. This way, when you have an emergency that you need to communicate to Security ASAP, your call will get through immediately instead of getting held up by a non-emergency call. This will be better for all of us, whether it’s to contact Security for a non-emergency need, or, for a more urgent and critical emergency purpose.
The NEMTOS Viber number is 0939-934-7837.
To begin using NEMTOS, you will first need to register your cell phone number(s) with AHVA Admin. Below please find the Registration Form. The form can also be downloaded and printed from the AHVA website, or picked up at the AHVA Admin Office during regular office hours. Kindly fill out the form and read and abide by the program’s Rules and Guidelines. Don’t forget to sign the form. Drop your completed and signed form at the Admin Office. The Program Rules and Guidelines will tell you exactly how and when to use NEMTOS.
After you have registered AND been enrolled by Admin into the system, you will receive an acknowledgement via SMS. That will be your signal that you can start using the system. Please allow three (3) working days from your Registration Form submission date to receive the acknowledgement message.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you think your village or homeowners association could take inspiration from the NEMTOS project of Alabang Hills?
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
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 culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1980s to explore Marvel Comics’ handling of a series based on the wildly popular military-themed franchise of toys – G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.
Last time around, G.I. Joe members were sent to an island to rescue a very important woman who was kidnapped by Cobra. Along the way, the Joes faced stiff opposition and the duo of Snake-Eyes and Scarlett infiltrated the headquarters facing off with Cobra Commander and the Baroness. The comic book itself was indeed engaging and fun to read.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #2 published in 1982 by Marvel Comics with the main story written by Larry Hama and drawn by Don Perlin.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins when the United States discovers its research station in the North Pole has been attacked and left in ruin. The damage found indicates that it has been wiped out in a commando-style raid, all station personnel were found dead and all the records were missing.
After carefully assessing the available information about the ruined American base, General Austin decides to send the G.I. Joe team to the North Pole. This resulted in cutting short the respective leaves of Stalker, Breaker, Scarlett and Snake-Eyes.
After being dropped at the North Pole, the selected G.I. Joe members carefully make their way to the Russian base and decide to watch from a distance…
Quality
The character Kwinn is the most interesting character in this story.
When compared to what happened in issue #1, this comic book’s concept is smaller in scale but allows room for readers to get to know the Joes closely and follow the simplified plot which itself has details that are worth looking into.
When it comes to entertainment value, don’t expect a repeat of the bombastic action of the previous comic book. Expect to see lesser action but with more suspense and a stronger emphasis on the complexities that come with the world of espionage which itself is never simple.
That being said, the force of opposition here is not Cobra at all but something different. The new character Kwinn is a freelance operative who is quite formidable and he sure has extensive experience that enables him to outsmart the Joes. On top of that, Kwinn’s strong adherence to his principles and code of honor made him quite a pretty deep character which are nicely reflected into the story itself. For this reason alone, this is a must-read G.I. Joe tale.
Conclusion
Have you ever experienced your leave getting canceled suddenly?
With G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #2(1982), the creative team of Larry Hama and Don Perlin took a very different approach that shifted away from the classic G.I. Joe/Cobra rivalry and deep into the world of espionage with a really engaging and refreshing tale. As the story features much lesser characters, you will get to know Stalker, Breaker, Scarlett and Snake-Eyes better. Kwinn is easily the most interesting and most compelling character of this comic book. While the story is fun and engaging, it may not delight fans who love to see the Joes fight the Cobra terrorists.
Overall, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #2(1982) is recommended.
Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, local residents Annie Ramirez and Kaila Napolis were formally honored by the City Government for winning medals for the Philippines in the jiu-jitsu events of the 19th Asian Games that took place in China, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The City Government approved two resolutions for them which were signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon. Previously they were congratulated.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Muntinlupa City government honored Asian Games medalists and residents Annie Ramirez and Kaila Napolis for their feats.
In two resolutions, the Muntinlupa City Council congratulated Ramirez for winning a gold medal in jiu-jitsu (57 kg) and Napolis for taking home a bronze medal in jiu-jitsu (52 kg) at the 19th Asian Games held in China.
Resolution Nos. 2023-339 and 2023-340 for the two medalists were signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon.
“Annie Ramirez, a three-time Asian champion, defended her unbeaten run and ruled the Women’s Jiu-Jitsu Competition (57 kg) in the recently concluded Asian Games,” according to Resolution No. 2023-340.
Resolution No. 2023-339 stated that “Napolis, a two-time world championships medalist, secured the Bronze Medal in Women’s Jiu-jitsu (52kg) adding it to the 18 medals bagged by the Philippine Athletes in the recently concluded Asian Games.”
“The Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Muntinlupa is extending its heartfelt congratulations to all the Muntinlupeno Athletes and Coaches …for bringing honor and prestige to the City of Muntinlupa and serve as epitome of excellence and inspiration to our youth,” the two resolutions added.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted with what local residents Ramirez and Napolis achieved for the city and the nation? Do they inspire you to engage in sports someday?
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
The economy of the Philippines grew almost 6% in the 3rd quarter (July-September 2023) which is a huge improvement over the 2nd quarter growth of 4.3%, according to a GMA Network news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA Network news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippine economy regained its footing in the third quarter of 2023, following a slowdown seen in the previous quarter, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday.
The economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP) or the total value of goods and services produced in a period, grew by 5.9% during the July to September 2023 period, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said at a press conference.
This is faster than the 4.3% growth rate seen in the second quarter of the year —its slowest pace in nine quarters since the country entered the positive territory in the middle of 2021 following a pandemic-induced recession.
“We are pleased to announce that the Philippine economy continues to grow despite several major headwinds that we have experienced and continue to experience,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.
“This performance makes our economy the fastest among the major emerging economies in Asia that have released their third-quarter 2023 GDP growth: Vietnam at 5.3%, Indonesia and China at 4.9%, and Malaysia at 3.3%,” the NEDA chief said.
The third quarter economic performance brought the year-to-date or the January to September 2023 GDP growth rate to 5.5%.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you think there is still a chance for the Philippine economy to accelerate in the 4th quarter and achieve a full-year economic growth of at least 6%?
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.
#1Debunking the lies of the Palestinians and the Satanic Left – Israel has been all over the news for over a month now as the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas attacked them on October 7, 2023, and committed acts of murder, kidnapping and torture of many innocent people (including foreign nationals). Israel responded by going into war with Hamas and already they have several soldiers operating inside the Gaza strip searching for the terrorists while trying to rescue the hostages.
Around the world, anti-Semitism has intensified as a lot of public rallies or protests events supporting the Palestinians and condemning Israel continues to happen. Unsurprisingly, the Satanic Leftist elements in governments, mainstream news media outlets and social media all organized a major misinformation campaign highlighting the Palestinians as victims while portraying Israel as the antagonists. Collectively these Communists, socialists, Marxists, liberal, diversity advocates and other anti-Semitic elements have been spreading lies repeatedly to attack Israel while lifting up the Palestinians.
Fortunately, YouTuber Oren who handles the channel travelingisrael.com published in-depth videos that debunked the Arab-Palestine-Hamas-Leftist propaganda complete with details and facts that the liars did not even bother to check. I stand with Israel and the Holy Bible confirms that Israel is the land that God designated to the Jewish people (read Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 35:10-12), not the Arabs and certainly not the Palestinians. There really never was an ancient Palestine and the Palestinian identity as a people did not even exist before the 20th century (not even during the time when the Ottoman Empire had authority over the land of Israel). That being said, I strongly recommend you watch the videos below and pay close attention to the details…
#2 Trustworthy look at Israel – Still on Israel, I want to tell you all that you cannot trust the mainstream news media outlets as they have an anti-Israel and anti-Semitic agenda in connection with their Leftist worldviews. You cannot trust CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, BBC, Vox and others as they are laser-focused on smearing Israel and putting the lives of Jewish people in danger. Those abusers of media and information are spreading lies and hate! If you want a clearer and more credible look at Israel and the developments that happened, I recommend you follow CBN News (the news program of the Christian Broadcasting Network) and TBN Israel. Posted below are some of their YouTube videos for you to see…
#3 Macross nostalgia videos – And new we shift into the world of entertainment. When it comes to the world of anime, Macross is my favorite franchise. To be more specific, the Super Dimension Fortress Macross TV series, Macross: Do You Remember Love? (read my retro movie review by clicking here), Macross Plus and Macross Zero are the ones I enjoyed replaying and there were some video game adaptations released along the way (read my retro game review by clicking here). If you share my Macross passion or if you are simply interested with anime and related video games, I recommend you watch the videos below…
#4 Cloak & Dagger (1984) nostalgia – A few months ago, I published my retro review of the 1984 movie Cloak & Dagger which remains a very unique film by today’s standards. For one thing, the film was the 4th cinematic adaptation of the short story “The Boy Cried Murder” written by Cornell Woolrich. It also had Henry Thomas (the same kid in Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial) as the protagonist, a plot filled with strong elements of espionage, a video game as a key item in the story, and most notably, a very intense tone complete with shooting and killings. Cloak & Dagger, which is now available on 4K Blu-ray format, is the kind of movie that Hollywood does not make anymore. Of course, I do understand that Hollywood has so many Commies and SJWs (social justice warriors) among its screenwriters, actors and directors who could not understand Cloak & Dagger. To learn about the 1984 movie, watch the videos below…
#5Friday The 13th Part 3 reaction and retro review videos – Some time ago I declared in my retro review that Friday The 13th Part 3 is the 2nd best film of its franchise (note: Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter is still #1). Sure, it was flawed and the filmmakers struggled to make the movie as they intended to film it with 3D cinema viewing in mind, but the way things turned out it marked a crucial turning point in Friday The 13th’s general formula on storytelling and the presentation with Jason Voorhees as the enduring antagonist. This is the very movie when Jason first got his hockey mask and the actor’s muscular build gave him a more intimidating look than in Part 2. That being said, it is no surprise that the 1982 movie became the subject of multiple movie reaction videos and retro reviews on YouTube and you can watch some of them (plus one trivia video by Minty Comedic Arts) below…
NOTE: Shortly after the launch of Mardi Gras Bazaar, Madison Galeries renamed it into Mardi Gras Warehouse Sale which had its last sale on December 2 and 3, 2023. The previous announced schedule of Mardi Gras Bazaar set for November 18 to December 31, 2023, no longer matters.
Madison Galeries, the nice open-air shopping mall located along Don Jesus Boulevard in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City, recently announced the return of their popular Mardi Gras Bazaar which is all set to take place from November 18 up to December 31, 2023 at the 3rd floor.
The official image and details that Madison Galeries posted through social media.
For the newcomers reading this, the Mardi Gras Bazaar is a well-known special event of Madison Galeries’ with an emphasis on shopping as well as a wide variety of products that buyers can choose from for gift-giving or for the use of their respective households. It should be noted that several products will be offered at discounted rates which should easily attract bargain hunters as well.
In 2019, I published two posts about the Mardi Gras Bazaar which you can read by clicking here and here. My post-event article has some pictures which should you give an idea of what to expect at the next edition of the Mardi Gras Bazaar.
For the 2023 edition of the Mardi Gras Bazaar at Madison Galeries, the announced schedule of November 18-December 31 is pretty extensive and it should give people a lot of time and opportunities to shop. The schedule of the bazaar for each day is 10AM to 8:30 PM.
What to expect at this year’s bazaar? Based on the official image from Madison Galeries, there will be clothing, toys, appliances, electronics, hardware and other items that can be ideal for gift-giving this Christmas season. As with the past editions of the Mardi Gras Bazaar, a discount of up to 80% will be applied on certain items for sale.
Still on Madison Galeries, it should be noted that The Madison Events PlaceFacebook page shared the 2023 Mardi Gras Bazaar post which suggests that the 3rd floor venue (The Madison Events Place itself) will be the place to go to. Going back to 2019, I personally attended the Mardi Gras Bazaar and the Village Food Fair 2 (click here) on separate occasions and both special events utilized The Madison Events Place as the main venue. The said venue is a really nice and spacious indoor facility that is also comfortable, secure and fully air-conditioned.
Personally, I am eager to attend this upcoming event. For those of you who have yet to visit Madison Galeries in Alabang, the mall has sufficient parking spaces (note: there are elevated indoor parking levels inside).
Watch out for Mardi Gras Bazaar at Madison Galeries on November 18 to December 31, 2023. Visit the mall along Don Jesus Boulevard in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City. The said boulevard is accessible through Alabang Hills Village (for those who have AHVA car stickers) and the West Service Road. Visit Madison Galeries’ official FB page at https://www.facebook.com/MadisonGaleries
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
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 culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the early 1980s to explore Marvel Comics’ launch of a comic book series based on the wildly popular military-themed franchise of toys – G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero.
For the newcomers reading this, Hasbro launched the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline in 1982 which was actually a revival of the original G.I. Joe series of toys (sized 12 inches) in the 1960s and 1970s. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toys had a new format for its action figures influenced by the success of the Micronauts and Star Wars toys. Veteran writer Larry Hama (the same guy behind the memorable Wolverine #75 of 1993) was already working for Marvel and was developing the concept of a new comic book about elite commandos fighting terrorists. Such development happened before the 1982 relaunch of G.I. Joe, and eventually Marvel’s editor-in-chief Jim Shooter approached Hama for a new comic book project based on Hasbro’s military toyline. Eventually a series of developments followed that saw the creation of the evil organization Cobra, the core villain Cobra Commander and more.
The impact of G.I. Joe as a licensed comic book series turned out positively as it helped attract new readers at the newsstands and it developed a strong following with young readers who were not highly interested with superheroes.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1 published in 1982 by Marvel Comics with the main story written by Larry Hama and drawn by Herb Trimpe.
The cover.
Early story
The story begins with an Amtrak train traveling between New York City and Washington, D.C. Inside the nuclear physicist Dr. Adele Burkhart who previously served as one of the brains behind the Doomsday Project. It turns out, Burkhart was declared a traitor for denouncing the military claiming that she was misled by them to work on the said project. Inside the train, she has several security personnel guarding her as she is on her way to testify in front of a certain congressional committee.
As she speaks during a press conference inside one of the train’s cars, several flying soldiers of Cobra attacked the exterior of the train. In front of Burkhart, a few of the journalists turned out to be elements of Cobra led by the Baroness. The Baroness and her companions succeed in defeating the bodyguards and kidnapped Burkhart by means of flight.
At the Pentagon, the kidnapping of Burkhart compels the military to call in their special counter-terrorist group called G.I. Joe for a rescue operation. The stakes are high as they know that they cannot let Cobra keep Burkhart long enough to use her and they cannot let her die as the whole world is aware that they considered her an embarrassment. They ordered Colonel Clayton Abernathy (code name: Hawk) to assemble the Joe Team composed of Clutch, Flash, Breaker, Rock ‘n Roll, Scarlett, Stalker, Short-Fuse and Snake-Eyes…
Quality
Dr. Burkhart held hostage by Cobra and in the presence of Cobra Commander, the Baroness and many terrorists.
To get straight to the point, the main story (Operation: Lady Doomsday) was carefully structured by Hama to tell a story engagingly while also functioning to introduce readers to the characters and immersing them into the illustrated literary universe of G.I. Joe that is noticeably separated from the popular cartoon series. It is a classic portrayal of good versus evil laced with militarism and espionage.
The story moved at a medium pace and the approach on build-up and pay-off was executed carefully. There were scenes that had a sufficient amount of details regarding the plot or character moments (as opposed to development) that made the reading experience immersive. In short, there was no rush in the narrative while the pace never slowed down to a halt (no boring moments).
That being said, you will get to see lots of scenes that focus on the side of G.I. Joe as well as on the side of Cobra which is led by Cobra Commander (who is obsessed and scheming) followed by the Baroness (who is more focused on achieving goals but cannot do so without authority). You will see a certain gap between Cobra Commander and the Baroness which shows something seems off within their terrorist organization. This served as a creative contrast with G.I. Joe being more straightforward with the way they organize themselves.
The only weakness this comic book has is the fact that with so many characters from both the good and the bad sides, identifying them was pretty challenging especially when their military uniforms obscured their looks. Characters like Cobra Commander, Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, Rock ‘n Roll, Stalker and the Baroness are instantly recognizable.
As the main story remains a really good read, the 2nd story (Hot Potato) also written by Hama but drawn by Perlin served as a nice additive to this comic book.
Conclusion
G.I. Joe starts getting ready for the high-stakes rescue mission.
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1(1982) is indeed a very solid reading experience. This is a strong introduction of the literary version of G.I. Joe and its portrayal of good versus evil remains believable and compelling. I also enjoyed the way the creators balanced the build-up of tension, plot and character moments with spectacle or twists utilized as pay-off. Lastly, I should say that this comic book has lots of action for you to enjoy and the execution of the action scenes made sense within the context of the stories. Remember that this marked the beginning of a memorable long run of G.I. Joe comics that reached into the 1990s. This one is a true classic and it should remind you that there was a time when political correctness and wokeness did not get in America’s way of fighting terrorists.
Overall, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #1(1982) is highly recommended!
As far as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is concerned, implementing taxes on social media influencers and collecting from them are still hard to do, according to a Philippine Star news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Philippine Star news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) continues to have difficulty in making social media influencers comply with the country’s tax laws even amid a widening adoption of various social media platforms as a form of income.
BIR Assistant Commissioner Jethro Sabariaga said the country’s largest revenue collecting agency remains in dialogue with social media influencers for them to pay their tax obligations to the government.
The BIR decided to seek a dialogue with the influencers in March this year. Sabariaga admitted that it is difficult for the BIR to get revenues from the digital space.
“Yes, (it is difficult). We will not mince with words. It might take some time, but that’s what we’ve been doing,” Sabariaga said.
“We are trying to win their side in the engagement process. The more that you can ask them to do voluntary compliance, the better rather than to fight with them,” he said.
BIR defines social media influencers as people whose digital posts are being monetized, classifying them as self-employed individuals or persons engaged in trade or business as sole proprietors.
The BIR earlier said it was looking into some 250 top earning social media influencers to see if they have been paying their obligations.
Based on BIR’s circular, influencers are required to pay income tax and percentage tax or value-added tax, if applicable, as mandated by the Tax Code.
According to the BIR, influencers derive their income from YouTube, sponsored social and blog posts, display advertising and affiliate marketing, among others.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the BIR’s plan to tax social media influencers? Is your favorite vlogger or YouTuber based in the Philippines who might have made some revenue online based on his or her output?
