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A Look Back at Uncanny X-Men #282 (1991)

September 26, 2025September 27, 2025carlocarrasco

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, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1991 to explore one of the many tales of the Marvel shared universe through the Uncanny X-Men series.

Uncanny X-Men #281 was a great read. For most of the early 1990s, I read more X-Men stories about the Blue Team than the Gold Team. In Uncanny X-Men #281 – which took place after X-Men #5 – the spotlight was on the Gold Team which showed the strategic leadership of Storm, the X-Men revisiting the headquarters of the Hellfire Club, Jean Grey’s own recollections of past events and the new threat of Trevor Fitzroy and the Sentinels.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Uncanny X-Men #282, published in 1991 by Marvel Comics with a story co-written by Whilce Portacio and by John Byrne (script). The art was done by Portacio with ink work by Art Thibert.

Early story

The story begins inside the School For Gifted Youngsters when the Gold Team arrives (with Colossus carrying the inactive body of Jean Grey) and disrupts the chess game between Professor X and Forge. Charles Xavier mentally examines Jean and notices that her psyche survives and has been displaced. He realizes Jean is alive but not in her body.

In New York City, Trevor Fitzroy (who is carrying the body of an inactive Emma Frost) and his Sentinels surprise Shinobi Shaw showing what is left of the cyborg of Pierce. Trevor boasted to Shinobi that he won claiming that he has terminated one of the founders of the inner circle, captured a small band of Hellions and has Emma Frost as a trophy. Very slowly, Jean Grey – now occupying Frost’s body – wakes up…

Quality

*Trevor Fitzroy does not know who is inside Emma Frost’s body.*

I can say out loud that this is a great follow-up to the previous issue (which itself is a great read) as it has a lot of hefty payoffs to the build-up from before. With the story concept already established in issue #281, the progression continued strongly, the narrative is clearer and the stakes were raised even higher.

In this issue, Trevor Fitzroy still has extreme tendencies and he might look insane or unhinged to you. Still, Fitzroy really has diabolical plans to execute and those plans involves his ability to open portals to bring in his reinforcements from far away, including the “denizens of the future.” Adding to Fitzroy’s merciless and arrogant personality is his use of the captives’ life force to energize himself to open portals. Really, he does not care much about the lives of captives as he treats them as nothing more than bodies of energy for his use. Whilce Portacio really excels in not only bringing the script to life but also showcasing the personality and expressions of Fitzroy who at this point in comic book history was a brand new villain for the X-Men.

As for the X-Men’s Gold Team, not having Jean Grey was really disadvantageous to them which compels Professor X to actually join them on their mission. This is a notable development as Xavier is very close with Jean (his original student and fellow telepath) and he knows that great odds await their team. Xavier’s involvement added a lot to the plot itself and I love the way John Byrne and Portacio portrayed him here.

When it comes to the storytelling, the pace noticeably moved faster as a lot of payoffs to the build-up were executed here. The X-Men themselves each got their respective share of the spotlight and all of them were portrayed consistently in character. The stakes were raised here this time and the handling of all the details and developments was very solid.

Conclusion

*Knowing great odds await them, Charles Xavier joins the X-Men on their mission to save Jean Grey.*

Even with the stakes raised higher, the creative team delivered the great stuff Uncanny X-Men #282 (1991) is a very worthy follow-up to the previous issue. In fact, I find this comic book more entertaining and more intriguing to read from start to finish. Fitzroy is indeed a very worthy new enemy for the X-Men’s Gold Team, and there is much that long-time X-Men fans can enjoy here.

Overall, Uncanny X-Men #282 (1991) is highly recommended!

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Better than Streaming: Do You Have Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind In Your Blu-ray Collection?

September 24, 2025September 17, 2025carlocarrasco

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

In recent times, the 1984 anime classic Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was shown in some cinemas here in the Philippines as part of the Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 which was exclusive to SM Cinema (the largest cinema chain in the country).

For the first time ever, I saw Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind inside the cinema at SM Southmall in Las Piñas City, and I can say it was an immersive experience to replay Hayao Miyazaki’s classic. To make things clear, I saw Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind a number of times since the mid-1980s starting with the bad English version Warriors of the Wind. I eventually saw the anime feature film in its uncut form on DVD (with the new English dub from Disney).

This leads me to my next point… Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind was released three times on Blu-ray disc format over the past several years. The first was from Disney in 2011. Six years later, a 2^nd Blu-ray release came from Shout! Factory which had a newer scan of the film and improved picture quality over the Disney Blu-ray.

*The 2017 Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind from Shout! Factory.*

In 2020, Shout! Factory released Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in Steelbook (Blu-ray.com describes the picture quality as follows: “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind has received a top-notch video-presentation with a high bit-rate encode from Gkids. The encode is of a new remaster of the film. This is a much better video-presentation than that of the original Disney Blu-ray released in North America. Colors are significantly better and more accurate to the original animation cells.”)

As the Steelbook Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is the most recent release, posted below for your reference are the technical details from its Blu-ray.com page.

Video

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC (35.00 Mbps)

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)

Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)

French: Dolby Digital 2.0

Note: French track is (192kbps)

Subtitles – English, English SDH, French,

Discs –Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-50, 1 DVD)

Packaging – SteelBook, Inner print, booklet

Playback – 2K Blu-ray: Region A

What caught my attention is the fact that – as of this writing – the 2020 Steelbook Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind is only a few Dollars higher than that of the 2017 Blu-ray. As a Blu-ray movie collector, I see a really good deal with the Steelbook Blu-ray at its current price. Both the 2017 and 2020 Blu-ray versions of the classic anime feature film carry a booklet. There is a choice that both Studio Ghibli fans and casual anime fans can take advantage here.

*This is what the 2020 Steelbook Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind looks like.*

At this stage, I can only wonder if Studio Ghibli has plans to produce and release a 4K Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind someday. Perhaps if more than enough fans and 4K Blu-ray collectors would get together to express their demand for it, Hayao Miyazaki and his studio would be aware.

If you have decided to buy the 2017 Blu-ray of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, click here. If you want the 2020 Steelbook Blu-ray version, click here.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, cinematic trends, Blu-ray releases and more relevant stuff, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Philippines Secures Investments Worth Over P50 Billion From Japan

September 24, 2025September 15, 2025carlocarrasco

Japanese business entities confirmed they will be investing more than P50 billion in the Philippines following the recent meetings with and presentations by a Filipino delegation composed of government and economic officials, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine delegation secured around PHP51 billion worth of investments during its trip to Osaka, Japan, last week, according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque.

The bulk of the investments, amounting to PHP34 billion, is from the operator of the world’s largest karaoke chain, Koshidaka Holdings Co., Ltd., which intends to open 300 outlets over the next 10 years.

In a press release Monday, Roque said this particular investment is projected to generate over 1,500 direct jobs and support thousands through construction and supply-chain activities.

Another conglomerate, Marubeni Corporation, committed PHP15-billion investments for real estate, financial technology, healthcare, and afforestation.

Sojitz Corporation, a general trading corporation, will also invest PHP2 billion to PHP3 billion in a property developer to attract firms that are into artificial intelligence, semiconductor design, software, and healthcare, and expressed interest in aviation-related projects.

Roque said Mitsui & Co., a major Japanese trading company, will expand its existing investment in the Philippines after it reaffirmed its partnership with Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Steel Asia for a steel recycling entity targeted to support decarbonization bid.

“These commitments in green energy, smart housing, healthcare, and creative services highlight the strength of our partnership with Japan. DTI and the Economic Team will work together to ensure these projects generate quality jobs, strengthen supply chains, and advance the country’s shift to a green, digital, and broad-based economy,” she said.

“These investments are a testament to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision for an agile, innovation-driven economy that welcomes partnerships and delivers inclusive growth.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the recent developments? Are you delighted that the Philippines secured P51 billion worth of investments from Japanese business entities? Do you think this will help the Philippines attract more foreign investments over the next six months?

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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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 101

September 22, 2025September 22, 2025carlocarrasco

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 Rhetorical Thrill’s First Blood Reaction Video – I have seen a lot of movie reaction videos of First Blood on YouTube, and almost all of them were by YouTubers who really never saw the said Rambo movie before. For the newcomers reading this, First Blood was released in 1982 starring Sylvester Stallone at a time when the Vietnam War was still fresh in the minds of many Americans. The film was a crucial success for the production company Carolco and its theme music from Jerry Goldsmith made waves in pop culture easily reminding people about Rambo. Recently I took time out to watch Rhetorical Thrill’s First Blood reaction video which is entertaining to see as her reactions were really catchy. As First Blood is a classic among American action films and films related to the Vietnam War, I encourage you all to watch it entirely first if you have not seen it. Otherwise, enjoy Rhetorical Thrill’s reaction video below.

#2 Silent Hill (1999) Retrospective – I played Silent Hill a lot on PlayStation in 1999. I got far into the game’s story and through the many settings and challenges, but ultimately I never finished it. It was not just unique horror-themed video game. Silent Hill was very atmospheric and its approach on storytelling contributed a lot video gaming as a whole. If you want to discover who were the people responsible for Silent Hill and what the game had to offer, watch the two retrospective videos below.

#3 AI: Artificial Intelligence Revisited – AI (artificial intelligence) is wildly popular with people today for various purposes. Long before AI became a popular digital tool, the themes about artificial intelligence in general was explored by Steven Spielberg in a movie project that previously involved Stanley Kubrick (who died in 1999). That film was AI: Artificial Intelligence directed by Spielberg and released in 2001. I saw the movie on home video but it never engaged me. Of course, that did not stop AI: Artificial Intelligence from being featured in retrospective videos, review videos and movie reactions. To see what Spielberg’s movie is about, watch the selected videos below.

#4 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To The Land Before Time – What can be said about the 1988 animated movie The Land Before Time? It was directed by American animation legend Don Bluth and it involved Steven Spielberg and George Lucas as executive producers. More notably, the movie was about a group of young, talking dinosaurs who go on a series of unexpected events and adventuring which touched a lot of moviegoers back in 1988. That being said, Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video is a must-see.

#5 Ramen In Osaka – It has been almost thirty years since my first and only visit to Osaka in Japan. I had a fun few days of touring Osaka and there was a series of new discoveries I enjoyed there. I just could not remember eating ramen there. As such, I found a video about a certain ramen shop that has been serving customers with delicious meals for at least forty years now. You can learn about how ramen is prepared and what it takes to make delicious ramen that will keep customers coming back for more.

#6 You, Me and the Movies React To Pee-wee’s Big Adventure – What was the directorial debut of Tim Burton? It was in Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, a comedy adventure film starring the late Paul Reubens and released in 1984. Some fans of the film called it a classic of the comedy genre and one of the funniest Hollywood comedies of the 1980s. The film keeps on making viewers laugh or smile, and you can see why by watching the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies below.

#7 The Assassination of Charlie Kirk Exposes The Evil Of The Leftists – I have said it before and will say it again…the Left is so evil and so twisted, it is truly Satanic. I am referring to the woke, the Islamo-Leftists, the liberals, the socialists, the Communists and the more. To put things in perspective, a lot has happened since the assassination of Charlie Kirk who was an American patriot, a true family man, an ally of Israel and a faithful follower of Lord Jesus. His assassination drew cheers and celebration among the Leftists which exposed further the burning evil deep within them. The Leftists are so pathetic, they and their mainstream news media partners-in-crime are LYING to the people about the assassin Tyler Robinson and about the victim Kirk. Even Bethesda – the game publisher behind The Elder Scrolls video game franchise – shamelessly mocked Kirk via social media before deleting its Tweet. Watch and learn from the videos below.

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Mandatory Trustmark for E-Commerce in the Philippines

September 21, 2025September 12, 2025carlocarrasco

Business in the Philippines with established presence online will be required to get registered for E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark (Trustmark) as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) announced that digital verification system for e-commerce will be mandatory, 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 digital verification system in e-commerce to ensure reliability of online transactions will no longer be voluntary and instead now mandated for every merchant and platform, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DTI launched the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark to serve as a digital badge issued to online businesses that comply with fair e-commerce practices.

In July, the department said the trustmark was only “voluntary,” with merchants only “encouraged to apply to build consumer trust.”

The trustmark is designed to help consumers identify legitimate online merchants, thereby safeguarding them from unfair trade practices and threats of scams and other fraudulent activities.

Under Department Administrative Order (DAO) No. 25-12, the DTI said the trustmark will now be mandatory and also serve as the permit for e-commerce merchants and online platforms to use the internet for conducting their business.

“Issuance of the trustmark shall signify that the products, goods, or services sold online by the holder comply with applicable standards and good e-commerce practices,” the DTI said in the order.

The DTI, headed by Secretary Cristina Roque, said the mandatory registration is a direct response to the recent surge in consumer concerns. Between January and August, the agency reported over 13,000 complaints related to online transactions.

As indicated under DAO No. 25-12, all online merchants, e-retailers, e-marketplaces, or digital platforms availing of the Philippine market over the internet shall apply for and obtain the (Trustmark) by Sept. 30

The DTI said this is to ensure that the merchant or platform is permitted to “use the internet for conducting e-commerce.”

While the order did not explicitly detail potential violations for not having a trustmark, it noted that those who have submitted an application on or before Sept. 30 must clearly state on their page that their trustmark is still pending evaluation and approval.

To apply for the trustmark, interested applicants must submit an application form accompanied by a sworn undertaking to comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

E-commerce merchants must meet key regulatory standards, including full business disclosure, protection of consumer data, and an internal redress mechanism to address consumer complaints.

As embodied under the order, the DTI emphasized that Trustmark does not exempt the holder from compliance with other applicable laws or regulations.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the recent developments? If you are operating a local business with presence online, do you think the mandatory registration for the Trustmark is hassle?

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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Deadline For E-Commerce Trustmark Registration In The Philippines Set On September 30, 2025

September 20, 2025September 11, 2025carlocarrasco

Here in the Philippines, businesses that have established their presence online are supposed to get themselves registered for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark (Trustmark) and they have until September 30, 2025, to do it, according to a news article by Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Businesses with online presence are given until Sept. 30, 2025 to register for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark (Trustmark), a move aimed to address consumer concerns, the Department of Trade and Industry said Thursday.

Online merchants are mandated by the DTI, in a Department Administrative Order, to register for the Trustmark to increase consumers’ confidence on the electric commerce (e-commerce) space and in compliance to Republic Act 11967, otherwise known as the Internet Transactions Act of 2023.

“The mandatory registration is also a direct response to the surge in consumer concerns, with DTI recording over 13,000 complaints related to online transactions from January to August 2025,” DTI said in a press release Thursday.

Under the Internet Transactions Act of 2023, consumers may file damage claims against the erring online businesses before the court or the DTI. Penalties have been set, with the third and subsequent violations penalized PHP1 million.

DTI said it has already issued digital badges to several major entities that include Shopee Philippines, Inc. (Shopee), Bytedance Philippines Inc. (TikTok Shop), Lalamove Philippines, Inc. (Lalamove), and LG Electronics Philippines, Inc. (LG).

The others are Asahi Electrical Manufacturing Corporation (Asahi), Cherenz Global Mfg., Inc. (TOUGHMAMA), Concepcion Midea, Inc. (Midea), Concepcion Carrier Air Conditioning Company (Carrier), First Digital Finance Corporation (Billease), Mailtag Ortigas Corporation (DHL Express), Pan-Eurasia Sales Marketing Corporation (Dowell, Edamama and Tefal), QuadX Inc. (Gogo Xpress and ShippingCart), and Tosot Philippines Corporation (Tosot).

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the recent developments? Do you think Trustmark will is good for both the legitimacy of businesses as well as the safety of consumers? Do you own a business with online presence?

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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A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #293 (1987)

September 19, 2025September 11, 2025carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1987 to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.

For this particular review, we will explore the 2^nd chapter of classic storyline Kraven’s Last Hunt. The storyline started in Web of Spider-Man #31 (read my retro review by clicking here) and creators J. M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck crafted it to last six chapters.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #293, published in 1987 by Marvel Comics with a story written by J. M. DeMatteis and drawn by Mike Zeck.

Early story

The story begins on a rainy night as a tall figure wearing a black costume and mask stands over the grave stone that read “Here lies Spider-Man slain by the Hunter.” The figure takes off his mask revealing Kraven who delightfully laughs believing he has achieved greatness by defeating Spider-Man, burying him and taken his identity.

Elsewhere in New York City, a woman struggles with walking down the sidewalk during the rain. As a rat runs near her, she loses her balance and falls on the road. Suddenly, a manhole near her opens revealing the hand of an unseen creature which pulls the lady down to the sewer. Moments later, she finds herself surrounded with rats and toxic materials. Slowly, the Vermin approaches her…

Quality

*This is Kraven’s Spider-Man in action!* *How people perceive Spider-Man is an emerging theme in this storyline.*

Considering what happened in Web of Spider-Man #31, it is not a spoiler to point out that the iconic Spider-Man is not really present in this very comic book. That being said, writer J. M. DeMatteis shifted the spotlight on Kraven – now in a Spider-Man costume and being the webslinger we know – while leaving some of it for Mary Jane Parker and Vermin.

Following what was established in the first chapter of Kraven’s Last Hunt, Kraven here continues with his obsession over his destiny while remembering lessons he learned not only from his personal past but also the legacy he inherited from his family. In his other obsession of becoming Spider-Man, Kraven went to the extreme being with countless spiders, consuming green liquid believing that spiderness will come into him, and more. Some may perceive him as a mad man while others might see him being mystical somewhat.

The DeMatteis-Zeck duo excelled in developing Mary Jane in this story as she feels uneasy over her husband’s absence. She really feels the weight of inconveniences and loneliness that come being married to a superhero who is far away doing something or being captured by a capable enemy. Mary Jane’s personality here shows signs of fragility too.

Vermin – the rat-like monster – is portrayed as an eater of human beings who turns out to be afraid of Spider-Man and he still remembers his past conflict not only with him ut also with Captain America. Vermin is a tragic character and the presence of rats in different parts of the story suggest that his presence in the storyline will only grow stronger. Some readers might find Vermin an abomination while there might be others who could get sympathetic towards him.

The plot itself has a strong structure and builds up nicely on what was established in the first chapter of this storyline. This time around, Kraven becomes Spider-Man and how he is perceived by others – who do not know the truth that Peter Parker is temporarily gone – is an emerging theme of the storyline.

Conclusion

*Alone in the apartment, Mary Jane took action against the rat.*

Filled with gritty darkness, drama and suspense, Amazing Spider-Man #293 (1987) is an engaging 2^nd chapter of the Kraven’s Last Hunt storyline. Even though Spider-Man is not present here, the DeMatteis-Zeck duo succeeded in making the tale compelling to read from start to finish. What they did to develop Mary Jane and Vermin added depth not only to this comic book but to the storyline as well. Right now, I am convinced to read the next chapter of this storyline.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #293 (1987) is highly recommended.

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Wanted Man Apprehended After Getting Spotted During Online Live Selling

September 19, 2025September 11, 2025carlocarrasco

Believe it or not, a man who was wanted for carnapping and estafa was arrested by the police in Pampanga after he was recognized during an online live selling session, according to a GMA Network news report. The suspect wore a face mask, a cap and sunglasses during the live selling.

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

A man wanted for estafa and carnapping was arrested after he was recognized by authorities in an online live-selling video.

According to Emil Sumangil’s exclusive report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the informant identified the suspect via the live video through the shape of his face and tattoo on the arm.

“Siya ay naka-face mask, naka-sumbrero, at naka salamin na hindi typikal sa paningin ng ating mga kababayan kapag sila ay nagbebenta o nagla-live selling,” said Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group spokesperson Police Lt. Nadame Malang.

(He was wearing a face mask, a ballcap, and a pair of sunglasses on, which are not a typical appearance for those doing live sellings.)

Authorities were able to trace the location of the live selling at Lubao, Pampanga, which also led to the arrest of the suspect.

The PNP-HPG said the suspect was charged for estafa for fraudulent selling of anime figurines worth P800,000 to P900,000.

One of the alleged victims, who is now based in Australia, shared photos with GMA Integrated News that will prove his transactions with the suspect.

“Nangako po siya na babayaran ako through post dated checks, so nag-isyu po siya ng anim na post dated checks sa akin. Unfortunately po, lahat po ‘yun tumalbog,” he said.

(He promised that he would pay me through post dated checks which he did by issuing six. Unfortunately, all of them bounced.)

“Tinaguan na po kami, hindi na po siya totally nagre-reply sa mga messages ko,” the victim said, adding that there are 40 other victims.

(He hid from us and he was not totally replying to my messages.)

The PNP-HPG called on the other victims to coordinate with them.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Does this development make you concerned that there could be crime suspects among the many people who sell online live? Does the arrest of the suspect turn you off from attending online selling sessions? If you recently bought products from online selling sessions, were the good legitimate? Do you know anyone who became a victim of the suspect in the above news story?

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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HSBC Says Philippines Should Focus On Strengthening Services Sector

September 18, 2025September 10, 2025carlocarrasco

As far as HSBC is concerned, the Philippines would be better off strengthening its services sector instead of playing catch up with manufacturing, according to a business article published by the Manila Bulletin.

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

The Philippines should leverage its services sector to stand out in the global investment landscape, as competition with manufacturing-led economies is well out of reach, according to an HSBC economist.

The country has been lagging behind its peers in Southeast Asia in terms of attracting foreign investments.

Last year, the Philippines secured the sixth spot in the region, trailing behind Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, according to the report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

This trend is expected to continue this year amid uncertainties in global trade and especially due to the country’s relatively low manufacturing activity.

HSBC Asia Economics Associate Director Ines Lam said the limited scale of the manufacturing sector in the Philippines hinders its ability to draw foreign capital.

Lam explained that attempting to be competitive in manufacturing at this late stage could ultimately be ineffective and counter to the government’s efforts to secure investments.

“Everyone wants to get a piece of the global supply chain. Everyone wants to be a supplier to Apple. But for the Philippines, I think the Philippines’ unique value proposition is its people and soft skills,” she said during the 23rd International CEO Conference hosted by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP).

Instead of trying to catch up in manufacturing, Lam said the country could instead shift its focus to strengthening its services sector, in which it has an advantage compared to regional partners.

The economist said upskilling the country’s talented pool of workers is a critical component in boosting the sector. She noted that the educational proficiency and English expertise of Filipino workers are the top qualities sought by global employers and investors.

“I’m not saying that manufacturing is not important, but because the Philippines has already found its advantage, I think it’s important that the Philippines does not lose this,” said Lam.

“You provide something new and you improve your offerings in terms of BPO (business process outsourcing) and exports of services. Then, that will help the Philippines to stand out in this world,” she added.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the recent developments? Do you agree with HSBC’s economic opinion about the Philippines? Do you think the Philippines should focus more on strengthening the services sector instead of manufacturing? What do you think makes the Philippines not so good at manufacturing when compared with its Asian neighbors?

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

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Couple Arrested In Valenzuela City For Mass Producing And Selling Fake Government ID Cards

September 18, 2025September 11, 2025carlocarrasco

In the City of Valenzuela, the local police officers arrested a couple suspected of mass producing fake government ID cards and selling them online, according to a news report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

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

Valenzuela police apprehended a couple allegedly mass producing and selling fake government IDs online, Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian announced on Wednesday at a press conference.

PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) Acting Director PBGen. Bernard Yang said the couple was tagged as the main suppliers by another online seller the police previously arrested.

Apart from forging tools, and a printer, operatives seized over 300 pieces of the fake government-issued identification cards: PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS), Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID), Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and Driver’s licenses. The suspects also reportedly forged government documents such as PhilHealth Member Data Records.

“We have confiscated so many IDs. They can do almost anything. And these are being sold online on different social media platforms ranging from P40 to P1,000,” Yang stated in Filipino.

The cops identified the couple as “Chippie,” 44, and “Kaye,” 40, who, when asked by the media, admitted to printing the IDs saying they were only doing their jobs, but they failed to name their employer.

They will face charges of falsification of documents, a violation of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Gatchalian advised against the production of fake IDs as it affects local businesses, as well as persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

“Disadvantaged here are the establishments that are losing money… The real senior citizens and the real PWDs of our city are disenfranchised,” the mayor said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Additionally, PhilHealth NCR Vice President Bernadette Lico reminded that registering to Philhealth can be done online, and the IDs can be claimed for free, highlighting that there’s no need to pay for fake documents.

“There are many people online who are buying PhilHealth IDs ranging from P200 to P900… There is no need to do this anymore. Because all Filipinos are covered by PhilHealth, When you get an ID made, there is no fee. And with the e-gov app, you can register for a PhilHealth ID online.” Lico explained.

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