investment – Page 4 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Philippines Takes Major Step Forward With Nuclear Energy Safety Act

October 5, 2025September 25, 2025carlocarrasco

The movement towards a safe, nuclear-powered Philippines moved forward again recently when Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., signed into law the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act which formally created the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

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

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed a law promoting the safe utilization of nuclear energy by creating the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM).

Marcos on Sept. 18 signed Republic Act (RA) 12305 or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, providing for a comprehensive legal framework for the peaceful, safe, and secure use of nuclear energy in the Philippines.

Under RA 12305, the PhilATOM is established as an independent and quasi-judicial body with sole and exclusive jurisdiction to exercise regulatory control for the safe uses of nuclear energy radiation sources in the country.

“The regulatory functions of all other government agencies with jurisdiction, functions, and authorities with respect to nuclear energy and radiation sources shall be transferred to the PhilATOM,” the law read.

The PhilATOM will be headed by a Director General who will be appointed by the President. According to the new law, the Director General of PhilATOM will serve a five-year term with a Salary Grade of 31 and may be reappointed for successive terms of the same duration.

“The DG shall be responsible for the overall management of the PhilATOM and shall exercise supervision of its administrative, technical, and financial operations,” RA 12305 said.

The PhilATOM is mandated to issue and periodically update regulations, standards, and guides to specify the principles, requirements, and associated criteria for its regulatory judgments, decisions, and actions.

It is directed to establish processes for developing and amending regulations, standards, and guides that include consultation with the public and other interested parties.

RA 12305 prohibits the unauthorized siting, construction, operation, commissioning, and decommissioning of a nuclear or radiation facility; acquisition, production, manufacture, import, export, distribution, sale, transfer, use, storage, or disposal of nuclear or other radioactive materials; use of testing of radiation generators; and radioactive waste management activities.

The law allows the PhilATOM to establish an inspection program and enforcement policy to ensure compliance by authorized parties.

The PhilATOM is mandated to enforce the implementing rules and regulations of RA 12305; assist the national government in the development of national policies and strategies for safe nuclear energy use; and review and assess applications for authorizations for nuclear and radiation facilities and associated activities.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the details behind the law creating PhilATOM is legally strong and clear? Do you think enough safety measures have already been assured within the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act? Do you think the establishment of PhilATOM will convince nuclear energy companies in America and France to invest in the Philippines and be part of the establishment of new nuclear power industry?

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

I Love Israel: Trump’s New Peace Plan For Gaza And The Middle East

October 1, 2025October 1, 2025carlocarrasco

During a high-level press conference in the White House, United States President Donald Trump revealed an ambitious new plan to achieve peace not only in the Gaza Strip but also in the Middle East, and already Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to it.

To get straight into what happened, watch the official video of the press conference from the White House below. Pay close attention to the details.

It should be noted that during the conference, Trump made it clear that if the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas (which has always been supported by terrorist state Iran and Qatar) rejects the plan, America will support Israel to eliminate the terrorists. Be aware that Hamas never cared for their fellow Palestinians in Gaza as they used them as human shields, and Hamas fed their greed and selfishness using humanitarian aid they snatched for a long time. Hamas, not Israel, is guilty of committing genocide and other crimes against humanity. There clearly is no justification for the Palestinian terrorists to exist the way they are. Hamas has a chance to stop their terrorism and we will find out soon if they will give in or not.

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

WHAT DID TRUMP SAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS CONFERENCE? – Trump said that the US would be involved in Israel’s security after the ceasefire agreement.

The president said that if his deal were accepted by Hamas, all of the hostages, living and dead, would be released almost immediately.

Trump intends to end the war itself, and said that he was “hearing that Hamas wants to get this done.”

He also stated that during his meeting with Netanyahu, the Israeli PM clearly stated his opposition to a Palestinian state.

Trump slammed other countries that had “foolishly” recognized a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly last week.

He noted that if Hamas rejects the deal that Israel has agreed to, he would give Israel the backing to destroy Hamas.

“And if Hamas rejects the deal, which is always possible, they’re the only one left. Everyone else has accepted it, but I have a feeling that we’re going to have a positive answer,” he said. “But if not, as you know, Bibi, you have our full backing to do what you would.“

In addition, he said Israel and others were “beyond very close” to reaching an agreement on ending the Israel-Hamas War in the Gaza Strip.

Trump, standing alongside Netanyahu, said the agreement would involve Arab countries and should help to achieve a broader peace in the Middle East.

“At least we’re at a minimum, very, very close. And I think we’re beyond very close,” Trump told reporters. “And I want to thank Bibi for really getting in there and doing a job.”

Trump affirmed that Israelis want a return to peace and want the hostages home. He also added that there were “many Palestinians who wish to live in peace,” adding that they had a “rough life under Hamas.

Trump stated that he believes Iran will one day become a member of the Abraham Accords.

He concluded his statement by again calling on Hamas to accept his plan, calling it an “extremely fair proposal.”

WHAT DID NETANYAHU SAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS CONFERENCE? – Netanyahu stated that Trump was Israel’s greatest friend in Washington.

“You are the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House,” the prime minister said, adding that “it’s not even close.”

He also said that Trump’s plan achieves all of Israel’s war aims. Netanyahu outlined his cabinet’s “day after” plan for Gaza and the end of the war.

The objectives included: the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarization of Gaza, the return of the hostages, Israel maintaining security parameters within the enclave, and the establishment of a peaceful civilian administration in the Gaza Strip.

The prime minister also said that there would be no role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza until it underwent major transformations.

Netanyahu said that Trump’s plan provides a “realistic path for Gaza.”

WHAT IS TRUMP’S PLAN? – Trump released his plan to end the Israel-Hamas War.

Notably, the statement said that within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.

The released statement states that Gaza will be “a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors,” and that the enclave will be redeveloped for the citizens of Gaza, “who have suffered more than enough.”

If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed-upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.

Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1,700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th, 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.

Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

For additional insight about the press conference, watch the videos below.

Thank the Lord for this significant development on the part of Israel. President Trump and his team truly have a grand strategy to achieve peace in the Middle East and it involves Gaza (note: Trump previously revealed a Gaza plan) which has long been a hot bed of Islamic terrorists and literally the launch pad of terrorist attacks against Israel. Trump has been able to make peace agreements happen since he returned to the White House and in this year alone, many breakthroughs happened diplomatically, socially and economically.

That being said, it is a must for people to focus on what would happen next after the announcement of Trump’s bold peace plan for the Middle East. You can simply ignore the foolish acts of the corrupted United Nations (UN) and its many member nations who joined the wrong side of history by deciding to recognize a Palestinian state, getting close with terrorist state Iran and walking out of Netanyahu’s UN address. The Gaza and Middle East peace plan revealed by Trump and agreed to by Netanyahu is the one people of faith should focus on and pray to the Lord to make it happen.

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.

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!

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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.

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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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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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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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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A Look Back at Uncanny X-Men #281 (1991)

September 5, 2025September 27, 2025carlocarrasco

For the newcomers reading this, Marvel had a major reorganizing of their X-Men-related comic book series in the 2^nd half of 1991. After the events of the Muir Island Saga, the X-Men grew into such a large group they had to be divided into two teams – Blue and Yellow – under Charles Xavier who returned as their leader. When X-Men #1 (by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee) launched in 1991, it showed the Blue Team dealing with Magneto. Uncanny X-Men #281 was released the same month as that comic book and it shows the first mission of the Gold Team composed of Storm, Jean Grey, Colossus, Iceman and Archangel. Very notably, its story took place immediately after X-Men #5 was released in 1992.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Uncanny X-Men #281, published in 1991 by Marvel Comics with a story co-written by Jim Lee and Whilce Portacio and script by John Byrne. The art was done by Portacio with ink work by Art Thibert.

Early story

The story begins in the Australian outback where the Reavers are relaxing while the sandstorm is happening and with them is Donald Pierce. Suddenly, a group of Sentinels attacked them resulting in deaths of some of their members.

Elsewhere in New York City, Storm, Jean Grey, Archangel, Colossus and Iceman – all in formal attire as civilians – attend a lavish party at the headquarters of the Hellfire Club. It turns out, they were invited by Emma Frost who leads the club. Even with several guests and a lot of enjoyable things around them, the X-Men remain prepared to react if something unfortunate happens.

After a brief moment of tension between the X-Men and the Hellions, someone in a powered suit of armor crashed through a door near Jean, Storm and Archangel. Emma Frost emerges, takes the helmet off the armored person (a young woman) and even welcomed the X-Men. Frost claims that the armored lady was another assassin who tried to take her life and it is the 2^nd assassination attempt she encountered over the past weeks….

Quality

*The Sentinels, Lady Deathstrike and Donald Pierce in an intense scene.*

As this comic book was part of the new era of the X-Men, the creative team came up with tale that is loaded with sub-plots that had a mix of old (the X-Men fought with the Hellfire Club during the Dark Phoenix Saga, and had encounters with the Sentinels a number of times) and new (Trevor Fitzroy – the illegitimate son of Sebastian Shaw – and the Upstarts are the new antagonists of the X-Men) creative elements for the X-Men’s Gold Team to encounter. The fact that the Hellfire Club is present in the story requires readers to have some knowledge about them from previous X-Men comic books as well as other characters and past tales that formed the background of the newer characters.

The story was made to modernize the X-Men and their struggle with people they encounter, while creatively reconnecting with the past. This should not be a surprise because writer John Byrne (yes, the same creator behind The Man of Steel mini-series) himself was involved in the Dark Phoenix Saga. The result is a tale of intrigue, twists, action and a lot of tension here.

When it comes to encounters, I enjoyed the discussion the X-Men had with Emma Frost (first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #129) who was their fierce enemy (Frost previously tried to manipulate Kitty Pryde) before having a change of heart and partnered with Professor X. Their exchange of words was civil, smart and there were some nice pay-offs in the form of intriguing revelations. The script by John Byrne was really solid here.

The artwork by Whilce Portacio here is still great to look at and his contribution on modernizing the X-Men’s look for the 1990s is a must-see. The same can be said with his take on Emma Frost, and the other established characters here. Portacio’s visualization of Trevor Fitzroy has that strong science fiction vibe combined with that fluffy early 1990s look.

Conclusion

*The X-Men witness an intense moment followed by the emergence of Emma Frost.*

Even though there were a few bumps on the flow of the narrative, I can say that Uncanny X-Men #281 (1991) is a very enjoyable read filled with intrigue, twists, reconnections to the past, notable character moments and sufficient spectacle. Its story has a lot of details and attachments to the past which will resonate with long-time X-Men fans. At the same time, Whilce Portacio’s art works made this one of the finest looking Uncanny X-Men issues of the 1990s and that is saying a lot. Considering the details and the richness of the writing, this Uncanny X-Men comic book should be read at a moderate pace as paying close attention to what was presented is essential.

That being said, this first tale of the Gold Team of the X-Men is a great read.

Overall, Uncanny X-Men #281 (1991) is highly recommended!

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Vietnam-based Thien Long to invest almost $3 million in the Philippines

September 2, 2025August 26, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently the Vietnam-based office supplies company Thien Long announced that it will be investing almost $3 million in the Philippines as it is expanding in the Southeast Asian region, according to a news report by VnExpress.

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

Vietnamese office supplies company Thien Long plans to invest US$2.8 million in the Philippines as part of efforts to expand in Southeast Asia.

It will establish the Flex Office Philippines brand to distribute stationary products imported from Vietnam, according to a recent announcement.

In an interview with VnExpress in April, the company’s chairman, Co Gia Tho, had outlined plans to gain a bigger share of the Southeast Asian stationary market.

In recent years the pen and stationery market in the region has been shrinking, with businesses shifting to more profitable industries, offering Thien Long the chance to expand overseas, he said.

Exports currently account for 20% of the company’s sales, and have been growing in double digits over the last decade, reaching VND1 trillion ($38 million) for the first time in 2024.

The management aims to increase this share in the coming years through a “glocalization” strategy, leveraging domestic strengths and adapting them for international markets.

In May, through a subsidiary, it acquired Phuong Nam Cultural Corporation, which operates a chain of nearly 50 bookstores.

The management said the purchase is a strategic step to develop new product categories, particularly toys and lifestyle consumer goods, on which the company has been focusing in recent years.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Have you ever heard of Thien Long before? Do you think the Vietnam-based office supplies company will succeed with its $2.8 million investment in the Philippines?

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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Philippines Seeking US Tariff Exemptions For Agricultural Commodities, Electronics and More

August 31, 2025August 30, 2025carlocarrasco

Remember the big meeting between United States President Donald Trump and Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., over a month ago? A 19% tariff by America on Philippine goods was set and now the government of the Philippines is seeking exemptions specifically for exports of agricultural commodities, electronics, vehicle tires, bags and aircraft parts, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

THE PHILIPPINES is asking the US to exempt exports of agricultural products and other goods from the 19% tariff imposed by US President Donald J. Trump, a Trade official said on Thursday.

Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said the government is seeking US tariff exemptions for exports of agricultural commodities, electronics, vehicle tires, bags and aircraft parts.

“We submitted a list of products we asked the US to exempt from the imposed tariff rates, because these are key and complementary items. And some of them, in fact, are not even produced or manufactured there (in the US),” he told senators at a Senate briefing on the tariff set by Washington on Philippine exports.

“The immediate need right now is we want to negotiate for an exemption, because we want to protect our industries whose main export market is the US,” he added.

The US began imposing a 19% tariff on Philippine goods starting Aug. 7.

“We already submitted to the US the products that should be exempted from the reciprocal tariffs,” he said.

Mr. Gepty said about 23% of the country’s total exports to the US are exempted from the 19% tariff.

In June, the United States was the top destination for Philippine-made goods amounting to $1.22 billion, 35.2% higher from the same month a year ago. Around 53% of the Philippines’ total exports to the US were semiconductors and electronics, Mr. Gepty said.

The US has yet to set new global tariffs for semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. Mr. Trump had earlier said he plans to announce higher tariffs on imports of semiconductors, but companies that plan to build manufacturing facilities in the US would be exempted.

“Ninety-nine percent of our semiconductors as of now are still exempted, there’s still no problem” he said. “If the 100% continues, that’s a big problem,” he added.

Mr. Gepty said most of the semiconductors are made by US companies in the Philippines and exported to the US. He noted the higher tariffs would pose problems for the US supply chain, particularly for its defense industry.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has not formally granted zero tariffs on US products, as negotiations over a reciprocal trade agreement remain ongoing, he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the recent developments? Do you think the Philippines will succeed in getting an exemption from the Trump tariff on key exports?

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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Philippines Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Sector and Government React To Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025

August 28, 2025August 27, 2025carlocarrasco

It is not surprising that both the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector of the Philippines and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) reacted to the filing of the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 which was filed in the United States Senate, as reported separately by BusinessWorld, BusinessMirror and the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

For the newcomers reading this, the Philippines BPO sector (sometimes referred to simply as the call center industry even though many local firms have gone beyond taking calls) is now a major part of the national economy with more than 1.7 million Filipinos employed, $35 billion in annual export revenues and the United States of America (USA) alone is the single largest market with 2024 export revenues reported at $25 billion (reported by BusinessMirror).

In the Filipino perspective, call centers are very important because they offer a lot of high-paying jobs for Filipinos who badly need employment. The so-called call center effect on local society and economics includes new stores and food vendors opening up nearby, the opening of new convenience stores operating 24/7, the established restaurants nearby serving customers around-the-clock, and the opening of new branches of banks. Of course, the income Filipinos earned from their BPO jobs enabled them to acquire new things, pay their bills, subscribed to digital services, and move into better residences while helping their families make ends meet.

Having been a call center agent myself a very long time ago, I have witnessed such socio-economic developments happen whenever a call center is present and I was in Cebu province.

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

Diversification will help cushion the possible impact of the proposed “Keep Call Centers in America Act,” aimed to protect local jobs by removing federal grants to companies that have call centers outside the United States.

The business process outsourcing (BPO) industry contributes a big part to the Philippine economy, with employment of around 1.4 million in 2024 and revenues of about USD38 billion. Around 70 percent of clients are based in the US.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque said there are no discussions yet with officials of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) but expressed openness to talk about possible measures to help the sector.

“But for us, (the) DTI, of course, we’ll continue to help the IT-BPO (and) IBPAP businesses in whatever they need from us. Of course, we’ll assist the same way we’ve assisted in the past,” she said.

“We can’t just look at the US as the only market. The world is the market. If you look at their population as compared to the world, it will show you that we should really find other avenues to explore.”

Next, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) confirmed it is still evaluating the potential impact of the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025. For insight, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld report. Some parts in boldface…

THE IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said it is still evaluating the potential impact of the proposed Keep Call Centers in America act.

“It talks about US call centers so I really do not know who that will affect with the way that it is worded,” IBPAP President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan R. Madrid said on the sidelines of an ECCP AI Forum.

“We need to understand it a little bit more. I think I know what their intention is. But I don’t know the likelihood of this passing. Obviously it is something we are monitoring, and with the way that it is worded, we need to study it more,” he added.

Introduced in the US Senate last month, the bill aims to impose restrictions on US firms outsourcing their call center operations.

In particular, the bill, if signed into law, will render employers outsource call center work overseas ineligible for new federal grants or guaranteed loans.

“I am speaking to the American Chamber of Commerce; we are discussing it and we will see. But we are all aligned on how we will manage this,” he said.

“While the bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process, we remain committed to keeping our stakeholders informed, providing timely guidance, and ensuring that the Philippine IT-BPM industry is well-positioned to adapt and thrive in a changing regulatory environment,” he said.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies Senior Research Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera said that the proposed bill poses a “clear risk to the Philippine IT-BPM industry, especially in the call center segment.”

“By restricting access to US federal grants, contracts, and loans for companies that offshore customer service jobs or do not properly disclose them, the bill raises the regulatory and reputational costs for offshore operations,” he said via Viber .

He said the Philippine industry has been evolving beyond voice-based call centers, which are less exposed to call center-specific legislation.

“We now see strong growth in high-value services such as finance, healthcare information management, legal process outsourcing, software development, and data analytics,” he said.

With the US Senate’s proposal to bring back call centers to the US, he said that the Philippines must continue to move up the value chain to reduce exposure to such policies.

“While the bill underscores vulnerabilities in our call center export model, it also reinforces the importance of accelerating investment in high-value, tech-enabled services where the Philippines can maintain global competitiveness,” he added.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said the bill could be “a potential drag on future growth of the industry.”

For this year, the IT-BPM industry is expected to generate $40 billion in export revenue and increase its workforce to 1.9 million.

To examine the details of the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025, click here and here.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to the recent developments? Do you think the IT-BPM sector of the Philippines has what it takes to protect itself from whatever effects the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 could create if ever it gets signed into law? Do you personally know anyone who is working in a BPO firm or a call center here in the Philippines? What kind of assistance do you think the national government will offer to the IT-BPM sector? Do you think the existing call centers should search for English-speaking clients in England, Ireland, Scotland, Israel and the like?

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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