More cancer, diabetes and mental illness medicines exempted by BIR from Value-Added Tax (VAT)

Some good news for those who need medicine but have limited financial resources. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) announced that several more medicines for cancer, diabetes and mental illness have officially been declared exempted from the Value-Added Tax (VAT), according to a GMA Network news report.

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

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you happy to hear that the BIR declared VAT-exempt more medicines of diabetes, mental illness and cancer?

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

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

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

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 48 (Christmas Special)

Welcome back and Merry Christmas to all my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Today is the Christmas Special for this series and I want you to celebrate the season in remembrance of Lord Jesus who is our Savior and the Hope of ALL nations! Lord Jesus’ birth in Israel thousands of years ago will always remain highly significant not just during Christmas season but for all time.

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found. May these videos bring you closer to Lord Jesus this Christmas.

#1 Christmas music videos – To start with, I selected for you all varied music videos celebrating Christmas and the honoring of Lord Jesus as presented by Christian churches. Watch, enjoy and come closer to Him.

#2 Christmas special presentations and the Word of God – Churches of Lord Jesus have their own special presentations about Christmas. If you want a more extensive viewing experience of Christmas celebrations plus teachings of the Word of God (the Holy Bible), watch the videos I selected for you all.

#3 Christmas in Israel – As some of you may already know, I have visited the Holy Land in Israel and I would love to return there to deepen my faith in Lord Jesus even more. I pray that someday I could spend Christmas in Israel and witness how the season is celebrated right there. Of course, Christmas is all about Lord Jesus and His birth in Israel thousands of years ago is forever a holy event. Enjoy the sights of Christmas in different parts of Israel as captured by YouTuber Relaxing WALKER.

In concluding this Christmas special, I want to remind you to celebrate the season by praising and honoring Lord Jesus. Rejoice with Him every Christmas. Lord Jesus is the Savior and the Hope of ALL nations! Each and every lost soul still has time to come to Jesus for repentance and submission so that salvation will happen. Learn the truth from the holy scriptures below.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (AMPC)

For God is one, and there is one Mediator between God and the sons of men—the true man, Jesus, the Anointed One.

1 Timothy 2:5 (TPT)

Jesus told him,

John 14:6 (NLT)

John 3:16 (AMPC)

And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

To be enrolled with Mary, his espoused (married) wife, who was about to become a mother.

And while they were there, the time came for her delivery,

And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.

Luke 2:4-7 (AMPC)

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,

John 8:12 (NKJV)

Thank you for reading this blog post. Merry Christmas to everyone! Jesus is our King, He loves the faithful and He will return to us someday!

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

Philippines attracted more international visitors than last year but still behind 2024 target

When it comes to attracting visitors from overseas, the Philippines improved over the 5.45 million international visitors of 2023 but they have yet to hit the declared 2024 target of 7.7 million international visitors and time is already running out, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think it is still possible for the Philippines to be able to attracted at least 6.5 million international tourists by December 31, 2024? Do you think the Philippines could do better or worse in 2025? What do you think is the one single issue that made it hard for the Philippines to attract more visitors from overseas? Do you think the new law of Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund for foreign tourists will make an impact by the middle of 2025?

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

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

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 47

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

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

#1 You, Me and the Movies react to 1984’s Runaway – When it comes to the works of the late Michael Crichton, you might be familiar with Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Sphere and Westworld. Way back in 1984, Runaway was released in cinemas and it was directed by Crichton himself. The result was a very unique way of telling a crime story with a heavy touch of techno thriller. Hollywood has not made another movie like Runaway. To discover more about Runaway, watch the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies.

#2 Minty Comedic Arts’ look at The Indian in the Cupboard – I remember way back in the mid-1990s when I was inside a local movie theater anticipating a movie to start playing. As I waited, a few movie trailers were shown and the one trailer that really caught my attention was that of The Indian in the Cupboard. Apart from having an interesting concept (based on the 1980 children’s book), the trailer even showed a few but special seconds of Darth Vader and RoboCop in motion. I never saw the movie but there is a lot of interesting stuff to learn about it. Watch the video by Minty Comedic Arts.

#3 The incompetence and delusions of super woke Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – Let’s be very clear here. Justin Trudeau, who has been Canada’s Prime Minister since 2015, is living with a very distorted view of reality and his fellow Canadians are already suffering economically and socially. A proud feminist, Trudeau recently attacked Americans for rejecting his fellow Communist and American counterpart Kamala Harris in the 2024 US Presidential Election. Trudeau’s recent speech only proved his delusional views and lack of common sense. Most likely, he is panicking already over US President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on Canada. Watch the Sky News Australia video to find out more.

#4 The sinister truth about the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry that the mainstream news media is not telling you – I already said it before – electric vehicles (EVs) are dangerous and can harm you and your local community. There really is a conspiracy between the electric vehicle industry players, the mainstream news media and the climate change zealots. Together, those sinister forces are hiding the dark truth about EVs and they will do anything to get your money. Watch the Piston Pundit video now.

#5 More videos about Planet of the Apes (1968)  – Did you notice that every time a new Planet of the Apes movie got released, there is the temporary revival of interest in the original movie of 1968? By today’s standards, Planet of the Apes of 1968 has little spectacle as it was more philosophical, more suspenseful and more about shock. If you want to discover more about the Planet of the Apes film that starred Charlton Heston, watch the selected videos below.  

#6 PatmanQC’s look back at The Combatribes – The Combatribes was a hit in the arcades both in Japan and America way back in 1990. Unsurprisingly, the game was ported to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1992. Believe it or not, the company behind The Combatribes also made the Double Dragon games. If you wish to learn more about the history of The Combatribes, watch PatmanQC’s in-depth video.

#7 Decker Shado’s video review of City Hunter (1993) – Believe it or not, the 1993 Jackie Chan-led action comedy movie City Hunter was a live-action adaptation of the City Hunter manga series (which was adapted into an anime TV series). I never saw City Hunter when it was played in cinemas here in the Philippines in 1993 but I heard so much feedback from my friends as the claimed to laughing so hard inside the cinema. Years ago, YouTuber Decker Shado had a series of retro video reviews of Jackie Chan films and his City Hunter video review is entertaining.

#8 Slope’s Game Room’s Dino Crisis series retrospective – I can hardly believe it has been 25 years since I first played Dino Crisis on the PlayStation which was a memorable game as it was directed by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. A lot of gamers called Dino Crisis “Resident Evil meets Jurassic Park” but in my view, it was daring creative choice by Mikami who led a team that worked so hard to animate dinosaurs while using a game engine that rendered full polygonal environments for players to explore. To my surprise, Dino Crisis 2 was released a little over year later and it had radically different gameplay that emphasized more of speed, shooting and scoring. A few years later, I played Dino Crisis 3 on a rented Xbox console and it was a very disappointing experience. To find out more about the history of the Dino Crisis games, watch Slope’s Game Room’s retrospective.

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

Chinese national arrested in Parañaque City for possessing illegal drugs and firearm replica

Recently in the city of Parañaque, the local police arrested a Chinese national who was carrying illegal substances and a firearm replica, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The apprehension happened in Barangay Tambo.

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

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned about the presence of Chinese nationals carrying firearms (replica or actual guns) and illegal substances within the jurisdiction of the city?

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

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

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

Armed men disguised as police personnel entered Parañaque village and kidnapped a foreigner

Very recently in the city of Parañaque, a group of armed men mostly disguised as personnel of the police entered a residential community and managed to kidnap a foreign national who was described as a “boss” of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO), according to a GMA Network news report. The kidnapping was captured on camera.

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

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that your local community could someday get infiltrated by armed kidnappers pretending to be police officers or government agents and get away with criminal acts? When was the last time a kidnapping incident happened inside your village? How reliable are your village security guards?

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

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

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

A Look Back at Backlash #6 (1995)

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Image Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1995 to take a close look at one of the many tales of the original WildStorm universe through one of the comic books of the Backlash series.

For the newcomers reading this, Backlash is one of the major characters of the WildStorm universe which started in the early 1990s when the famous Jim Lee was one of the founding fathers of Image Comics. Backlash, Deathblow, Wetworks, Gen13 and WildCATS: Covert Action Teams were all connected with each other and many of the major characters were linked together in the Team 7 series of prequel stories.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Backlash #6, published in 1995 by Image Comics with a story written by Brett Booth, Jeff Mariotte and Sean Ruffner. Booth and Dan Norton were the illustrators.

The cover.

Early story

The story begins inside the Wildlife Organization Research institute in northern Montana. After Dane and Grail (the Filipino soldier Salvador Joel Alonday) of Wetworks easily took out two guards, a third one suddenly tried to attack them only to be killed by Backlash. While the three of them are on a stealth mission, Backlash tells Dane that it’s not too late for Wetworks to pull out as it is not their fight. Dane dismisses the remark and insists on pursuing their objective.

Over at a medical institute in Detroit, Taboo and Cyberjack are operating on their own mission which is directly linked with that of Backlash and Wetworks.  

Quality

Backlash and the WildC.A.T.S. at the team’s headquarters.

As the sixth issue of its series, this tale has a lot at stake and the writers took their time to balance the build-up with pay-offs and twists. Without spoiling the plot, I can say that a lot is at stake for Backlash as there is something really personal about the missions and the final scene. I can also say that this is a well-crafted comic book that was clearly made with Backlash fans in mind even as the creative team did their parts in expanding the lore of the original WildStorm universe using a clever mix of science fiction and paramilitary action.

I really enjoy reading this comic book and it also has some fine moments that defined Backlash’s personality. The added crossovers with WildC.A.T.S. and Wetworks added not only to the spectacle but also to the depth of the plot. This Backlash comic book is clearly not another adventure but an actual turning point for the former Team 7 member and the series as a whole. That being said, I am looking forward to reading the next issue.

Conclusion

Backlash with Dane and Grail of Wetworks during the mission.

Backlash #6 (1995) is a very solid read. Not only was it an improvement over the previous issue, it raised the stakes high and managed to live up to the expectations. The build-up is really powerful and the way the story ended justified it. I can say that anyone who managed to start reading each of the first five issues of Backlash will experience the power of the ending of this comic book. That being said, you better read all the previous issues before reading this one.

Overall, Backlash #6 (1995) is highly recommended.

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

Bureau of Immigration (BI) intensifies search for foreign fugitives all over the Philippines

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it is intensifying its efforts to find and arrest foreigners who illegally staying in the Philippines, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. The BI also warned fugitives overseas not to attempt to enter the country.

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

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the BI will be able to arrest and deport foreign fugitives nationwide while also preventing undesirable foreigners from entering the country?

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

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

Las Piñas City to add P40 million into Green Card program

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, Councilor Mark Santos announced that the local Green Card program will have an additional P40 million in funding in order to serve the residents who need health-related help, according to a Manila Standard news report.  

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

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 many people in your local community holders of the Green Card?

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

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

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

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 46

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

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

#1 American shopping malls could solve the nation’s housing problems? – It is no secret that there is a shortage on housing in the United States. In recent times, there is a trend that sounds unbelievable at first but it is indeed happening – the conversion of certain shopping malls into new residential places. You have to watch the CNBC video below to find out more. Perhaps you want to check if the failing shopping mall near you is being converted into new housing for your community.

#2 Japanese RPGs with mature stories – Role-playing games made by Japanese game developers always have stories to tell regardless of the types of game design and gameplay features that were made. There are JRPGs with fantasy tales that were inspired by other works of the genre while other tales were made to be original by their respective game developers. From time to time, developers come up with stories that can be described as mature. To find out what I mean, I encourage you to watch the video by Gaming Broductions below.

#3 Slope’s Game Room examines the legacy of Paperboy – Among all the arcade games I played inside Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas in 1989, Paperboy was the one that stood as the most memorable. The game was a lot of fun and its presentation was also humorous in a cartoony way. Then there was also the bicycle handle the arcade machine had for controlling my character. By today’s standards, it is unlikely you will find an existing and working machine of Paperboy in your local arcade. If you are a newcomer and you want to learn more about the origin and impact of the Paperboy game franchise, watch the video by Slope’s Game Room.

#4 A look back at 2001’s Swordfish  – Hollywood today keeps on making sub-par action movies because a lot of filmmakers as well as production teams are obsessed with identity politics and woke garbage. Not only are there woke and Leftist activists among Hollywood’s workers, there are private investors funding film projects with DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). That being said, it is more entertaining to watch action movies from the pre-woke era of Hollywood and among them is Swordfish (2001) which starred John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Don Cheadle and Halle Berry. The film is not exactly a gigantic blockbuster nor was it an action genre classic. In fact, it is flawed and does not require much thinking from viewers. But the mere fact that it is NOT WOKE makes it much more entertaining to watch than any of the action movies made by woke Hollywood people over the past several years. To get to discover Swordfish, watch GoodBadFlicks’ exploratory video and TBR Schmitt’s movie reaction video below.

#5 You, Me and the Movies’ Cliffhanger reaction video – Way back in 1993 here in the Philippines, there was a short period when both Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park and Sylvester Stallone’s Cliffhanger played simultaneously in the cinemas which resulted in a huge amount of moviegoers lining up for tickets. While Jurassic Park is iconic, Cliffhanger has a more intriguing pre-production and production history. Even though Carolco had major financial problems and Stallone had a fear of heights, the film was eventually made and became a big hit worldwide. To find out if Cliffhanger is still entertaining, watch You, Me and the Movies’ reaction video.

#6 A look back at Die Hard with a Vengeance – I still remember way back in the middle of 1995 how disruptive Die Hard with a Vengeance was as soon as it opened in cinemas here in the Philippines. People left and right suddenly started making plans to watch the film and find out what kind of opposition John McClane (Bruce Willis) would face. While I found the 1995 movie inferior to the classic Die Hard of 1988, it still was enjoyable. For some reason, the film was released in Philippine cinemas as “Die Hard 3” and on local TV as “Die Hard 3: With a Vengeance.” If you have seen the movie and you want to revisit it, watch the follow videos I selected.

#7 Die Hard Arcade documentary by PatmanQC – Decades ago, there was a Sega-produced video game that had a notable movie license – Die Hard Arcade. I had friends who enjoyed that game so much in the local arcades and later on Sega Saturn. A few of them even were convinced to replay Die Hard (1988) on home video. You might be wondering if Sega and 20th Century Fox collaborated to make Die Hard Arcade for many people to enjoy. Actually, it’s more complicated than that and to find out why, I encourage you to watch PatmanQC’s Die Hard Arcade documentary now.

8. Woke Disney’s Snow White movie massively rejected online – Even if there were no controversies at all, I really have no intention to watch the 2025 Snow White movie of woke Disney. Even until now, a lot of members of the public have been rejecting it online and no matter what Disney does, they just keep on failing to salvage the film. Watch and learn from the video of RK Outpost below.

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