Internet – Page 3 – Author Carlo Carrasco

I Love Israel: Israel’s Ministry of Tourism and El Al Airlines Celebrate Ties With Filipino Partners

September 26, 2025September 24, 2025carlocarrasco

Let me start by declaring that my native Philippines committed a major error by favoring a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling for the implementation of a two-state solution on Israel and the stateless Palestine. They even praised the nations who decided to recognize a so-called state of Palestine…and now they are all on the WRONG side of history. I personally strongly disagree with the move of the Filipino diplomats (under the Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA) and I want to make clear with all my friends from Israel that those diplomats do not represent the Filipinos’ love for Israel and the Lord. I should stress that any concept of multilateralism that involves supporting illegal immigrants and empowering terrorists is absolutely wrong! Regardless of what the DFA does and what they currently believe in, I urge my fellow Filipinos to keep standing united in support of Israel and never give any room to Islamic terrorists, the Islamo-Leftist mobs and their mainstream news media partners-in-crime. Let me remind you all the you cannot trust the wicked United Nations (UN) and make sure you watch the DFA’s moves much closely.

On with the news about Israel and the Philippines…

The ties between Israel and the Philippines remain strong and the new Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh is focused on strengthening the ties more. Recently, a major event happened that brought Israel’s Ministry of Tourism and Filipino partners together, according to a Manila Bulletin news article.

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

In a vibrant prelude to Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT), in partnership with El Al Airlines Philippines, hosted a festive gathering for key figures in the Philippine travel industry and media. The event celebrated the deepening tourism ties between Israel and the Philippines, spotlighting Israel’s rich cultural appeal and the visa-free access now extended to Filipino travelers.

Her Excellency Dana Kursh, ambassador of Israel to the Philippines, opened the celebration with a heartfelt message: “As Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines, my vision is for Filipinos to experience the beauty of Israel — from the Galilee of my childhood to the wonder of Jerusalem — and for Israelis to discover the Philippines, its people, its hospitality, and its 7,000 islands of paradise. This vision inspires our Embassy’s efforts to make direct flights between our countries a reality.”

The event showcased Israel not only as a spiritual haven but also as a land of striking contrasts, where golden deserts meet snowy peaks, and ancient history blends seamlessly with modern vibrancy.

Anna Oraiza Aban, marketing manager of IMOT’s Philippine office, emphasized this unique appeal: “Israel is a land of contrasts, where you can marvel at golden deserts and snowy peaks in the same journey. With the gift of visa-free entry for Filipinos, we are excited to welcome you to discover Israel’s beauty, culture, and unforgettable experiences.”

Tisha Escalona, president of APG Philippines and general sales agent of El Al Airlines, reaffirmed her commitment to expanding travel opportunities: “As the General Sales Agent of El Al in the Philippines, APG is proud to collaborate with the Israel Ministry of Tourism to inspire more Filipinos to discover Israel.”

In keeping with Rosh Hashana traditions, Ambassador Kursh led a symbolic toast with a ruby-red drink inspired by the pomegranate, a symbol of abundance, renewal and sweetness. Guests also shared apples dipped in honey, reflecting hopes for a fruitful year ahead and the belief that even life’s challenges can bring sweetness.

This newest development shows the continuing growth of Israel-Philippines ties and I am confident that eventually new breakthroughs will be realized in the years to come. The new Ambassador Dana Kursh is dedicated to strengthening ties between the Jewish state and the Philippines. I urge you readers to pray to the Lord in support of Ambassador Kursh, the Israeli embassy, the Israeli businesses in our country so that progress benefitting both Israel and the Philippines will manifest regardless of external developments. Pray also that the DFA will be enlightened so that it will stop committing diplomatic blunders.

To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray to Him so that Israel-Philippines ties and cooperation will keep growing stronger and more resilient no matter what happens around the world.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel and its ties with the Philippines!

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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

I Love Israel: Iron Beam Fully Operational For Defense

September 21, 2025September 19, 2025carlocarrasco

Israel’s defense was recently enhanced with its new military laser – the Iron Beam – which became fully operational, according to a news article by The Jerusalem Post. Several Iron Beam units will soon be deployed across Israel.

For the newcomers reading this, the Iron Beam is a laser defense system capable of shooting down drones, missiles, rockets and mortars. Ultimately, better defense in Israel means more safety for its people, the infrastructure, the establishments, the Holy Land sites and foreigners who are already present. The Iron Beam also costs much less to operate when compared to the Iron Dome and Arrow interceptors.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from The Jerusalem Post news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that Israel’s “Iron Beam” is now operational and that a full series of batteries will be deployed across the country to provide cutting-edge new air defense capabilities within the coming months.

Already in June, the ministry and Rafael, the lead company of multiple defense tech companies involved, including also Elbit and others, had announced that Lite Beam, a smaller relative of Iron Beam, was operational.

At the time, the ministry also disclosed that Israeli laser defense systems had shot down around 40 Hezbollah drones in October 2024.

However, Wednesday’s news signals multiple additional jumps forward.

What’s new? – Second, Iron Beam can specifically shoot down not only drones, but also missiles, rockets, and mortars, making it far more formidable than if it were only capable of shooting down drones, a relatively slow-moving threat.

Third, the announcement means that Iron Beam batteries will be produced and dispersed around the country at scale, as opposed to serving in just one or two locations where its impact would take time to be judged.

The ministry and the IDF expect Iron Beam to immediately start reducing the cost of shooting down aerial threats, an issue that has been out of control for Israel during this war, in which tens of thousands of threats have been launched through the air at Israel on six fronts.

Firing Arrow interceptors can cost millions of shekels, Iron Dome interceptors can cost tens of thousands of shekels, but firing the Iron Beam is as cheap as turning a light on.

Defense Ministry Director-General Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amir Baram said that the current announcement regarding Iron Beam was only the foundation stone to start the process, which will change battle zones worldwide until they become filled invariably with cheaper laser platforms.

Security officials stated that Iron Beam also has the capacity to counter barrages of simultaneous aerial threats and is not limited to shooting down one or two at a time.

Head of the directorate’s R&D Division, Brig.-Gen. Yehuda Elmakayes, said that the Knesset already approved an extensive budget two years ago to cover as many Iron Beam batteries as would be needed at this stage of deployment.

In June, IDF M.-Sgt. “A” told The Jerusalem Post in an exclusive interview that his time on the laser team protecting the country with this game-changing, cutting-edge system has been “incredible.”

A is a reservist who was stationed in the North to work on how to operate the laser in real combat situations, and who had spent time in the IDF’s air defense units, mostly over a decade ago, but returned to assist when the current war broke out.

He said that he and everyone else had to learn how to best operate the laser in real time in the field since it is essentially something that no one has ever done before.

“We received the system, we made adjustments while operating in the field, and we improved with the industry developers [Rafael] after we got a better understanding of what we needed to increase our shoot-down success,” said A.

Although Raytheon in the US, as well as England, Russia, China, Germany, and Japan, are all at various stages of developing laser defense systems, the ministry said on Wednesday that Iron Beam is the only one that has moved beyond test firings to actual use in the field.

Defense sources also revealed on Wednesday that the new family of lasers could eliminate the need for Israelis to run to bomb shelters versus most aerial threats.

They explained that a major advantage of lasers, such as Iron Beam, Iron Beam M, and Lite Beam, is that they can shoot down enemy rockets and drones much earlier in the threat process. This means that most of the time, no siren warnings or bomb shelters would be necessary.

How does this work?

Light energy of laser travels much faster than Israeli interceptors – The reason would be that the light energy of the laser travels much faster than any interceptor in Israel’s arsenal and would already potentially destroy the enemy aerial threat shortly after it launches, and invariably while still in enemy territory.

In fact, because the laser fires so much faster, the IDF will also likely have more chances to hit a target that it initially misses, since it will know it has missed earlier on in the process.

That means that Israelis would likely only hear a siren and need to run to bomb shelters in those rare cases where the laser system missed its target, and then likely missed it multiple more times.

Thank the Lord for this significant development on the part of Israel. Defense is essential and protecting the people in Israel requires the very best technology has to offer. I believe that the Iron Beam will improve Israel’s overall defense from enemy projectiles in the long run.

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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I Love Israel: Israel Sees the Philippines as Emerging Market for Cybersecurity Solutions

August 22, 2025August 13, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently, Israel and its technology and cybersecurity companies saw potential in the Philippines as an emerging and interesting market for cybersecurity solutions, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Israel also noticed the Philippines’ strong potential for long-term business partnership.

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

The Israeli Embassy to the Philippines as well as Israeli technology and cybersecurity companies on Tuesday acknowledged the potential of the country as an emerging market for cybersecurity solutions.

In a cyber roadshow initiated by the Israel Economic Mission to the Philippines held in Taguig on Tuesday, Economic Counsellor Ofek Venecianer highlighted the country’s rapid digital transformation, cyber threat exposure, and its strong potential for long-term business partnership.

She also cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s speech during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), wherein he stressed the need for digitalization for the Philippines to keep up with its neighboring countries and do business with them.

In an interview, Venecianer said the level of interest from Israeli cybersecurity firms in the Philippine market is “one of the highest in Asia,” with many Israeli companies actively seeking to enter or expand in the country.

Venecianer cited Israel’s security situation, which she said led to it being one of the countries with the most advanced technology.

“It is very natural for Israel to look towards the US and Europe, but now Asia is a growing market and the Philippines specifically is really an interesting market for them,” she said.

“They really understand the potential in the market and they are approaching us actively to have our assistance in entering the Philippine market, but I also [look at] it the other way around, with Philippine entities and agencies from the government and the private sector reaching out and seeking cybersecurity solutions.“

Eight Israeli companies specializing in various cybersecurity fields, from cloud and data protection to securing physical devices, joined the event to meet with government agencies, private companies, and academic institutions.

Venecianer said some of these companies already have local partners, while others are considering expanding operations in the Philippines.

Israel Deputy Ambassador Ester Buzgan, meanwhile, cited the importance of the similarities in the cultural orientation of Israelis and Filipinos. She also pointed to the Philippines’ English proficiency and strategic role in Southeast Asia as factors that make it more attractive for Israeli firms.

“We do business with friends, and Filipinos and Israelis share that connection of trust,” Buzgan said.

In opening the event, Ambassador-designate Dana Kursh said the Philippines’ ongoing digitalization presents a critical opportunity to integrate strong cyber safeguards at the outset. She also cited the long-standing relationship between the Philippines and Israel, making the country attractive to Israeli companies.

“I think that what connects both of our people is basically three F’s —family, friendliness, and faith. It’s something that connects us, and its something that is present both in the Philippines and in Israel,” Kursh said.

This newest development shows the continuing growth of Israel-Philippines ties with cybersecurity in mind. Here in the Philippines, a lot of scammers are still hounding Filipinos through email and mobile devices, and some people became victims of cybercrime. These trends and unfortunate events only show that the Philippines still needs to do more to ensure cybersecurity not only for the citizens but also for enterprises of all sizes. That being said, a strong engagement with the Jewish state on cybersecurity will be beneficial to the Filipino people. Also beneficial is the increased trade and Israeli investments coming in once cybersecurity gets better.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus! Always stand in support of Israel and its ties with the Philippines!

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Over 3 million cyber-attacks counted by COMELEC

May 19, 2025May 16, 2025carlocarrasco

In relation to the recently concluded National and Local Elections, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) confirmed that there were more than three million cyber-attacks on their official website and precinct finder apps, according to a news report by The Manila Times.

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

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) website and precinct finder apps have been the subject of more than 3 million cyberattacks aimed at taking over the systems and to inject malicious information.

Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said on Wednesday that the attacks were recorded from May 11 to May 14, covering the eve of the elections to the canvassing of votes.

Laudiangco said the Comelec precinct finder registered 76.81 million visits, with about 46.17 million legitimate searches. At least 1.45 million, however, were identified as hacking attacks.

“We’re considering it as DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks,” Laudiangco said.

A DDoS attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal traffic of a targeted server, service or network by overwhelming the target or its surrounding infrastructure with a flood of internet traffic.

On the other hand, Laudiangco said, the Comelec website registered 113.41 million visits with mitigated confirmed attacks of 1.75 million.

Laudiangco said none of the said attempts were successful because of the security measures and constant monitoring being done by the Comelec Cybersecurity Division and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the integrity of the 2025 National and Local Elections was compromised in relation to the revealed cyber-attacks? Who do you think could be responsible behind the many millions of cyber-attacks on the COMELEC website and precinct finder apps?

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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Troublesome Russian streamer to stay in country to be formally charged

April 9, 2025April 8, 2025carlocarrasco

The troublesome Russian streamer Vitaly Zdorovetskiy won’t be leaving the Philippines any time soon as he will be formally charged for what he committed in public recently, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). He was presented to the media in the presence of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

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

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday said Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will have to stay longer in the country to face criminal charges for harassing and insulting Filipinos for content.

Remulla said Zdorovetskiy will not be deported until such time that a final verdict is handed down by a Philippine court.

“Babala na rin ito (This is also a warning). People have to take responsibility for the content they create. It is not a license to shame or to hurt or to besmirch anyone,” Remulla said in a press conference in Quezon City.

Remulla said the Russian, arrested April 2 in Pasay, is under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration “as an undesirable alien and a flight risk.”

At least five criminal charges were filed against Zdorevetskiy, including a case in Boracay Island where he allegedly insulted a windsurfing instructor.

“He has been making vlogs and making money out of disrespecting people. But not in our own land. We will not allow him to insult and disrespect any Filipino,” Remulla said.

During the press briefing, the moderator had to remind the Russian to behave after he was seen murmuring and making gestures apparently aimed at the DILG chief. Remulla said he heard Zdorevetskiy cursing at him.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the way the local authorities are handling Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will send a strong message to troublesome foreign streamers that they will be held accountable if they harass locals while staying in the Philippines? Do you think Congress should pass new laws to deal with problematic vloggers and live streamers? Should the national government be more active in dealing with streaming platforms whose account holders include troublesome streamers and vloggers? Do you think the government Russia will do something about the arrested Vitaly Zdorovetskiy?

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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Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) expresses concern over Philippines’ digital tax and regulations

November 6, 2024October 28, 2024carlocarrasco

The Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) – a Washington, DC-based group whose members include several prominent technology companies – expressed concern over the Philippines’ 12% value-added tax (VAT) on foreign digital services plus rules on online transactions, 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…

US-based tech giants are worried that the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) to be collected from digital services providers (DSPs), plus more stringent rules on internet transactions under two new Philippine laws, could make it harder for global firms to operate here.

While this law imposing VAT on DSPs does not discriminate between US non-resident DSPs (or other foreign DSPs) and local DSPs, industry is concerned that (its) implementing rules and regulations, which are currently being developed, could impose unworkable requirements on foreign DSPs similar to what has happened for [non-resident] income-tax payers,” the Washington, DC-based Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) told the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in an Oct. 17 submission for its 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, which also covers digital trade.

CCIA is referring to Republic Act (RA) No. 12023 enacted into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last October, whose implementing guidelines are due before this year ends in order to collect VAT next year.

CCIA’s member-companies include Amazon, Apple, Cloudflare, Coupang, eBay, Google, Intel, Meta, Opera, Pinterest, Rakuten, TSMC, Uber and X (formerly Twitter), among other global tech firms.

Arlington, Virginia-based Consumer Technology Association (CTA) also flagged RA 12023 as a barrier to US electronic commerce in its USTR submission, citing that this new Philippine law encompasses not only digital goods and marketplaces but also cloud services as well as online advertising, media and search engines.

Back in 2021, the Washington-based multilateral lender International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that slapping digital services taxes (DSTs) may “open the door to retaliatory trade measures” from the US, as it did with India’s DST.

CCIA pointed out to the USTR that implementation of the Income Tax Convention of 1976, in which both the Philippines and the US are parties, has been “challenging” due to “complex and burdensome documentation procedures” or so-called request for confirmation (RFC) required by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) from income taxpayers.

“The BIR has not established standard processing timelines, and businesses are subsequently required to wait indefinitely without any commitment toward a resolution of the filing. These requests are required of all US non-resident service providers operating in the Philippines and, therefore, this policy is not limited to digital services and impacts members of all industries seeking to provide their services and goods to the Philippine market,” CCIA noted.

CCIA added that the BIR revenue memorandum circular (RMC) issued in January of this year “added further confusion to income-tax obligations of non-resident suppliers of cross-border services.”

Referring to RMC No. 5-2024, CCIA said it “appears to depart from established principles of income taxation of cross-border services (using the place where the services are performed to determine if the transaction is income-taxable) and treats the place of receipt of the services as being crucial in determining the taxability of the transaction.”

As such, CCIA called upon the Philippine government and the BIR, in particular, to hold comprehensive industry consultations, “including with US non-resident service providers, to clarify the income-tax position under Philippine law in line with well-recognized and established international practices.”

Like CCIA, the also Washington-based National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) bewailed in its comment to the USTR that “there is significant ambiguity on how long the BIR will take to review the RFC and there is no guarantee of a positive outcome.”

“Such requests have to be made by each and every income payor (customers) of US non-resident service providers selling to the Philippines,” NFTC lamented.

Also, CCIA expressed concern about the Internet Transactions Act signed by President Marcos Jr. last year.

“Industry is concerned that the [Internet Transactions Law] would introduce obstructive requirements on electronic commerce platforms to have regulatory oversight such as mandatory collection of valid business certificates of merchants and subsequent submission to the government authority,” CCIA explained

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the national government should respond to the concerns of the CCIA? Do you think the digital tax and current laws will turn away technology giants?

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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COMELEC requires candidates and political parties to register their digital accounts for 2025 election campaigning

September 26, 2024September 19, 2024carlocarrasco

With the 2025 National and Local Elections gradually approaching, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) told candidates and political parties to have their social media and online accounts registered and they must follow the rules that were recently announced, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

For the newcomers reading this, the heavy use of social media, digital activities and websites is election campaigns of the past several years by candidates and parties or political groups is the new normal here in the Philippines and there is simply no stopping it from further rising. Along the way, fake news, rumors and misleading pieces of information transpired. If these negative elements are left unchecked, it could make election integrity in the Philippines very questionable.

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

Candidates and political parties that would use internet and social media in campaigning for the 2025 midterm polls have to register their accounts with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In a Sept. 17 resolution made available Wednesday, the poll body said official social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms of candidates, and parties intending to participate in the polls and their respective campaign teams that are primarily designed or used to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates should be registered with the Comelec-Education and Information Department (EID).

The registration period will commence within 30 calendar days after the filing of the Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) or from Nov. 8 to Dec. 13 this year. The filing period of COCs is from Oct. 1 to 8.

The registration form for social media accounts and other online and internet-based campaign platforms may be submitted only by the candidates and their authorized representatives, as well as authorized representatives of registered political parties/ coalitions, and party-list organizations.

The forms should be submitted to the EID, through the official online channels that will be provided by the Comelec.

Prohibited acts – The Comelec also listed acts that would be considered misuse and malicious use of digital technology in campaigning:

– use of “false amplifiers”, such as fake accounts, bots, and astroturf groups filled with fake users to propagate disinformation and misinformation in endorsing or campaigning against a candidate, a political party / coalition, or party-list organizations, or to propagate disinformation, and misinformation targeting the Philippine election system, the Comelec, and electoral processes during the election and campaign period;

– coordinated inauthentic behavior and utilization of hyperactive users for the aforementioned purposes;

– creation and dissemination of deepfakes, cheapfakes, and soft fakes for the aforementioned purposes;

– use of fake and unregistered social media accounts during the election and campaign period for the same purposes;

– creation and dissemination of fake news in furtherance of the aforementioned purposes.

It warned that such acts may constitute as an election offense under Section 261 (z) (11) of the Omnibus Election Code.

Task force – The poll body also created the Task Force sa Katotohanan, Katapatan at Katarungan sa Halalan (Task Force KKK sa Halalan) tasked to oversee the implementation of the guidelines, review of registration forms, validation, approval and endorsement to the Commission en banc.

It is also tasked to monitor registered and unregistered social media and online accounts or websites which are used to endorse or campaign against candidates, political parties/ coalitions, party-list organizations; to issue show cause order, and initial investigation of detected or reported prohibited acts under these guidelines; motu proprio filing of complaints against erring candidates, parties, individuals, and other entities.

The task force will be headed by the chiefs of the poll body’s EID and Law Department as chairperson and co-chairperson, respectively.

Election, campaign period – The Comelec added the election period for the 2025 midterm polls would be from Jan. 12 to June 11, 2025.

The campaign period for those seeking national positions (senator and party-list groups) will start on Feb. 11, 2025 and will run until May 10, 2025.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think all those many rules announced by COMELEC will help reduce, if not prevent, misinformation, fake news and other distortions from impacting the election campaigns and the voters? Do you agree with the COMELEC requiring candidates and political parties to have their digital accounts registered before they could campaign?

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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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 32

September 11, 2024September 5, 2024carlocarrasco

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 Popcorn in Bed’s Logan reaction video – I saw Logan three times in different cinemas – the first viewing on IMAX – here in the Philippines in 2017. The movie is still great to watch as it carries the R-rated vibe of 1980s Hollywood action cinema and it remains Hugh Jackman’s greatest performance as Wolverine. Unsurprisingly, Logan is the subject of several YouTubers’ movie reaction videos and in recent times Popcorn in Bed released its own reaction video which I really enjoyed watching. If you have not seen Logan, I urge you to watch it first before seeing any reaction videos. Otherwise, Popcorn in Bed’s video is posted below for your enjoyment.

#2 Sega Lord X’s Retro Awful video – I’ve been having retro gaming fun on my Xbox Series X this year with Grandia, Grandia II, Contra, Gradius, and Elevator Action Returns to name some. I am also enjoying the Atari 50 Collection Xbox copy as well. When it comes to old games that are not fun or are simply terrible, Sega Lord X published a video about which games from the past to avoid. Watch the video and pay close attention to the games shown.

#3 Chuck E. Cheese documentary – Have you ever heard of Chuck E. Cheese? It started as a restaurant that had a clever blend of entertainment (arcade games, amusement rides and musical shoes) with dining that attracted families. It also became known as a fun-filled place to have wholesome parties at. Although I have visited the United States many times, I never got to visit a single Chuck E. Cheese branch nor was there ever an opportunity for me to try the food they cooked.

Chuck E. Cheese (original name: Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theater) was established in the late 1970s by Nolan Bushnell, the same man who founded Atari. The restaurant chain went through several developments and changes as each decade passed by. The most comprehensive video about Chuck E. Cheese that I found is from YouTuber Bright Sun Films and you can watch it below.

#4 Angry Video Game Nerd’s (AVGN) 3DO console video – If you are into video games for a long time, then you might at least have heard of the failed 3DO (formally called the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer) game console which was notable for its multimedia approach with gaming. The console was also known for not having a strong lineup of video games and for launching with a very high price. As a part of retro gaming culture, the 3DO is the subject of many retrospective videos by YouTubers. The one retrospective 3DO video that I found entertaining to watch is that of the Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) which you can watch below. Be warned of brash humor and foul language.

#5 Minty Comedic Arts’ “The Version You’ve Never Seen” videos – YouTuber Minty Comedic Arts is great with making entertainment trivia videos and he has attracted a lot of viewers from around the world. Apart from trivia videos, he is also good with “The Version You’ve Never Seen” videos which provide viewers a captivating new look at movies that could change the way they perceive them. Since there are many, I selected three for your viewing pleasure. To see more of these kinds of videos, visit Minty Comedic Arts’ YouTube channel.

#6 ESPN’s “Nobody came closer to ending the Bulls’ dynasty than Reggie Miller’s Pacers” video – When I look back at the 1998 NBA Playoffs, I could never forget the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the eventual repeat champions Chicago Bulls. Both teams played hard, there were a few games that concluded with a high level of suspense, and the series went to a full seven games. Apart from seeing Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller doing their on-court heroics, it was a unique experience to see NBA legend Larry Bird coaching the Pacers (note: Bird led the Boston Celtics to NBA Playoff victories over the Chicago Bulls when Jordan was much younger). To see a detailed and engaging retrospective about the Bulls-Pacers series of 1998, watch the video below.

#7 Ashleigh Burton’s Citizen Kane movie reaction video – Citizen Kane is one of the most revered American movies ever made. Starring and directed by the late Orson Welles, the movie dramatized the story of fictional media tycoon Charles Foster Kane while showcasing many creative filmmaking techniques that influenced other filmmakers through the decades. Citizen Kane was one of the very first Blu-ray discs I ordered through Amazon and I occasionally replay it. Among the many movie reaction videos of Citizen Kane posted on YouTube, Ashleigh Burton’s own reaction should be seen. Before you watch Ashleigh Burton’s video below, I encourage you to watch the classic movie first.

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Muntinlupa City Mayor tells graduates to live life with integrity instead of wanting social media likes

June 11, 2024June 1, 2024carlocarrasco

During a graduation ceremony held recently in the City of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon told the graduates to live life with integrity instead of wanting likes of social media, 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…

Amid the popularity of social media like Facebook and Instagram, Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon reminded graduates to live life with integrity and purpose beyond online validation.

“Live for others instead of for ‘likes.’ Think about how we can serve our families, communities, and fellow citizens,” he said in his speech to the Class of 2024.

He added, “Work hard to be a champion, not to chase clout. Strive for excellence and become champions in everything you do.”

Biazon attended the graduation and moving up ceremonies of more than 20,000 students in public elementary and high schools in Muntinlupa from May 29 to 31.

He acknowledged the importance of social media and noted that while likes are not inherently bad, they should not dictate people’s actions or compromise their values and principles.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you strongly agree with Mayor Biazon’s advice to the graduates? Do you think that the Filipino youth has gotten too addicted by social media? Do you think that social media companies genuinely care about the mental health of teenagers among their many users?

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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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

DTI intensifies scrutiny of online sellers who engaged with offering mystery boxes to customers

February 16, 2024February 8, 2024carlocarrasco

If you are fond of ordering items online, better stay away from those mystery boxes offered to you because the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is closely watching online sellers offering those things, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news report.

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

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has intensified its scrutiny of online sellers, particularly those offering mystery boxes or parcels, to ensure consumer protection and uphold fair trade practices.

In an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon Wednesday, DTI Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said all online shops selling mystery items are subject to stringent verification procedures requiring them to provide evidence regarding the sourcing of the items they offer on their platforms.

Nograles said sellers must substantiate the items’ origin, demonstrating that they have acquired them through legal means. This could include proof of purchase from valid auctions or confirmation that the items were legally obtained from sources such as the Bureau of Customs (BOC) or through legitimate means like through abandoned parcels or “balikbayan” boxes.

“Kailangan iyong online seller ay makapagbigay ng ganoong ebidensiya; ngayon kung hindi, puwede natin siyang ipa-takedown doon sa platform – we have a good relationship with most online shopping platforms and kapag ni-request po ng DTI, napapakiusapan po natin na tini-takedown iyong mga seller na ganito at nang hindi po makabiktima ng mga consumers natin (The online seller needs to provide such evidence; now if not, we can have them taken down from the platform – we have a good relationship with most online shopping platforms, and when requested by the DTI, we ask them to have such sellers taken down so that they cannot victimize consumers),” she said.

Nograles said the DTI is regularly monitoring online stores.

Some items inside mystery boxes or parcels are illegally sourced, such as stolen products from warehouses, which is against the Anti-Fencing Law, the DTI official said.

The Anti-Fencing Law prohibits the selling of stolen goods or items obtained through illicit means. Both sellers and buyers can be charged if these items were stolen.

The DTI’s move to tighten regulations on online sellers aims to safeguard consumers from potentially fraudulent or unsafe products while also promoting transparency and accountability within the e-commerce sector, Nograles said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent report? Are you concerned that mystery boxes are harmful to consumers who are often looking for the best deals online? Do you think that items placed inside mystery boxes may have been stolen or smuggled? How many times have you availed of mystery boxes offers online?

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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