Metro Manila – Page 15 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Las Piñas City’s Solo Parents Program Anniversary Celebrated

September 25, 2025September 16, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government celebrated the 10^th anniversary of its local program for solo parents at the Aguilar Sports Complex and Mayor April Aguilar personally distributed rice to the participants, according to the LGU’s social media post.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…

Las Piñas City celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Solo Parents program with a vibrant gathering at the Aguilar Sports Complex in Barangay Pilar.

With the theme “Solo Parent na Rehistrado, sa Gobyerno Tiyak na Protektado,” the event drew 800 participants and highlighted the city’s commitment to provide care, recognition, and protection for solo parents.

A key moment was the launch of the Solo Parent Purchase Booklet. The City Social Welfare and Development Office, led by Ms. Lowefe Romulo, detailed the qualifications, registration requirements, and benefits for solo parents which include a comprehensive package of social protection services, educational support, automatic PhilHealth coverage, and a 10% discount on essential needs such as baby products and prescribed medicines for children aged 6-years and below.

Each participant also received 3 kilograms of rice personally distributed by Mayor April Aguilar.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are there many solo parents in your local community right now?

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

+++++

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

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

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

September 24, 2025September 17, 2025carlocarrasco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Video

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC (35.00 Mbps)

Resolution: 1080p

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1

Audio

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

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

French: Dolby Digital 2.0

Note: French track is (192kbps)

Subtitles – English, English SDH, French,

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

Packaging – SteelBook, Inner print, booklet

Playback – 2K Blu-ray: Region A

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

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

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

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

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

+++++

Around 800 Las Piñas City Residents Avail Of Services From Medical Mission

September 23, 2025September 14, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, around eight hundred local residents availed of the services from a medical vision involving the Aivee Group, the City Government confirmed via social media.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post. Some parts in boldface…

Mayor April Aguilar, together with Vice Mayor Mel Aguilar and The Aivee Group led by Dra. Aivee Aguilar, brought premium medical care to the community through the “Aivee Beyond Borders” free medical mission held at the Equitable Covered Court, Barangay Talon Kuatro. Around 800 Las Piñeros benefited from the activity, receiving expert consultations, treatment procedures, post-procedure medicines and creams, as well as follow-up guidance.

The event also became a celebration of community spirit, with free meals and treats shared by the City Nutrition Office and Potdog, plus giveaways from The Aivee Group and the Las Pin̈as LGU. A raffle was likewise held, made possible through the generosity of sponsors including Unilab Foundation, Omni Med Hub Corporation, Vanguard, Siklab, and Ms. Maribel Mijares.

Joining Mayor April were Congressman Mark Anthony Santos, Councilor Alelee Aguilar, and special guest Mika Salamanca, PBB Celebrity Collab Big Winner, who all came together to show support for the beneficiaries.

Mayor April reiterated her commitment to bring quality health services closer to the people.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you wish that another medical mission involving the Aivee Group will be held again in the city soon?

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

+++++

Muntinlupa City Receives 2025 CROWN Award For Nutrition Programs

September 22, 2025September 13, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently the City Government of Muntinlupa received a new Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner (CROWN) award for its nutrition programs, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The National Nutrition Council-National Capital Region recognized the Muntinlupa City government for its nutrition programs.

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon received the Second Year CROWN (Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner) Maintenance Award Contender during a ceremony on Sept. 11.

“Ang CROWN o Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition Award ay ibinibigay sa mga LGU na consistent na top performer sa nutrition programs matapos makuha ang Green Banner Award ng tatlong sunod-sunod na taon (The CROWN or Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition Award is given to LGUs that are consistent top performers in nutrition programs after winning the Green Banner Award for three consecutive years),” the mayor posted on Facebook.

In addition, the Muntinlupa City government also received the awards for Best LGU in Mandatory Food Fortification Program, Best LGU in Nutrition-Sensitive Programs and Best LGU in Nutrition Investment.

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, are you delighted with the city receiving another CROWN award? Do you think Muntinlupa has the best nutrition programs among all other cities of Metro Manila?

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

+++++

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

September 18, 2025September 11, 2025carlocarrasco

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

+++++

Most Wanted Man in Muntinlupa City Arrested For Qualified Rape and Lascivious Conduct

September 16, 2025September 9, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the most wanted person was apprehended by the local police over charges of qualified rape and lascivious conduct, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Police arrested a 42-year-old man tagged as Muntinlupa’s No. 1 top most wanted person for qualified rape and lascivious conduct on Friday, Sept. 6.

The suspect, identified as alias “Ranielle,” was nabbed in Barangay Alabang, Muntinlupa by operatives from the Warrant and Subpoena Unit of Muntinlupa police.

He is facing charges of lascivious conduct under Republic Act 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and qualified rape under Republic Act 11648 (An Act Promoting for Stronger Protection Against Rape and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Increasing the Age for Determining the Commission of Statutory Rape).

According to the Supreme Court website, lascivious conduct, based on the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act, 7610, is “the intentional touching, either directly or through clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks, or the introduction of any object into the genitalia, anus or mouth, of any person, whether of the same or opposite sex, with intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person, bestiality, masturbation, lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of a person.”

The Supreme Court Office of the Spokesperson stated that “qualified rape, on the other hand, refers to sexual intercourse with a woman against her will, committed under any of the circumstances listed in Article 266-B of the RPC (Revised Penal Code), such as abuse of authority, moral ascendancy, relationship, or the victim’s vulnerability.”

Presiding Judge Phillip Aguinaldo of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 207 issued the warrant of arrest. Bail was set at P200,000 for each of four counts of lascivious conduct and no bail for qualified rape.

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, are there many property owners in your local community who have yet to know about the real property tax amnesty offered?

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

+++++

Las Piñas City Government To Deploy Several TUPAD Beneficiaries To Fight Dengue

September 15, 2025September 9, 2025carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government formally deployed more than one hundred fifty beneficiaries of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) to do a series of activities to combat dengue, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The city government of Las Piñas announced that over 150 beneficiaries of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) will be deployed to conduct cleaning operations in different communities and schools to fight dengue.

Las Piñas City Mayor April Aguilar said the TUPAD program against dengue is a collaborative effort between the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), City Health Office (CHO), and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Aguilar said the beneficiaries will help clean the community, clear potential mosquito breeding sites, and the school surroundings to prevent students from being infected with the mosquito-borne disease, and also to fight and reduce dengue cases in the city.

Beneficiaries are set to work for 24 days and will receive P695 per day, or a total of P16,680 compensation for their work.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Does your local community have a serious dengue problem right now?

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

+++++

Las Piñas City Congressman Santos Says 13 Infrastructure Projects Awarded To 4 Discaya Construction Firms

September 14, 2025September 9, 2025carlocarrasco

Here in the Philippines, a lot of people are angry over the flood control projects scandals. This is in reference to several flood control projects that collectively remained incomplete, completed but got damaged later due to using sub-standard materials, and that alleged kickbacks were involved in the awarding of contracts by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to contractors.

In the City of Las Piñas, Congressman Mark Santos revealed that four construction firms owned by the controversial Discaya couple were awarded contracts for thirteen projects in the city worth more than P450 million, according to a Malaya Business Insight news report. It should be noted that a lot of DPWH projects lacked permits from the City Government. On the other hand, Sarah Discaya admitted owning several construction firms that bid for DPWH projects.

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

FOUR construction firms owned by Sarah Discaya cornered 13 flood control and national infrastructure projects, worth about P452 million, in Las Piñas City in the past three years, city Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said yesterday.

Santos laughed off Discaya’s denial in the Senate, saying records from the Department of Public Works and Highways would show that her firm Alpha & Omega’s P18.9-million flood control project in Barangay Zapote was a “glaring failure” as it was only 26.41 percent completed when the construction deadline lapsed in August 2025.

The neophyte lawmaker said that aside from Alpha & Omega General Construction and Development Corp., Discaya’s other companies, St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp.; Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor; and Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc., also got several multi-million-peso projects in Las Piñas between 2022 and 2025.

Alpha & Omega, which cornered about P100 billion of the P545.6-billion budget from July 2022 to May 2025, was among the top 15 contractors for flood control projects earlier identified by the President.

Santos disclosed that the Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), formerly headed by district engineer Isabelo Baleros, awarded Alpha & Omega a P49-million contract in February 2022 for the construction of a flood control structure along Mahabang Ilog in Barangay Zapote.

However, just a month later, Santos said the DPWH office handed another P49-million flood control project in Mahabang Tubig, also in Zapote, to another Discaya’s firm, St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp.

He said Discaya’s Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc. also received a P26.3-million contract in February 2023 for a flood control project along Manarigo Creek.

Just a month later, in March 2023, Santos said another P49-million flood control project for Paliwas Creek was awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor, also one of the nine construction firms of the Discayas.

Santos said all flood control projects in his city from 2022 to 2025 that were awarded to the Discayas’ construction firms were confirmed by DPWH Undersecretary for Technical Services Ador Canlas.

“Records speak louder than claims. The Discayas’ repeated awards in Las Piñas are documented, and they cannot hide behind denials or excuses,” Santos said in a statement.

Santos said Canlas also told him that nine multi-million-peso government infrastructure projects had been awarded to the four construction firms of the Discayas, which includes the P9.7-million road rehabilitation in Barangay Zapote, the P6.8-million road rehabilitation in Barangay Talon 5, and the P9.8-million rehabilitation of Las Piñas Elementary School–Central.

The lawmaker said all three projects were awarded to Amethyst Horizon Builders in 2022 under Baleros who was appointed head of the DPWH Las Piñas–Muntinlupa District Engineering Office in August 2018 when the DPWH was headed by then Secretary now Sen. Mark Villar.

Santos said Discaya’s Great Pacific Builders “further solidified the family’s stranglehold on Las Piñas infrastructure” when it also secured the P4.8-million school building rehabilitation in Barangay Talon 1 in 2023.

He said the contracts did not end there as these were followed by another two P14.4-million multi-purpose building rehabilitations in 2024 in Barangay Manuyo Dos and Barangay Pulang Lupa Dos, “underscoring a clear pattern of cornering lucrative government contracts.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that the many questionable flood control projects in the city will leave people vulnerable to more flooding incidents in the near future?

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

+++++

Parañaque Congressman Yamsuan Pledges To Make 2nd District A Model For Transparent DPWH Projects

September 13, 2025September 11, 2025carlocarrasco

With the ongoing controversies caused by many scandals related to flood control projects and infrastructure projects nationwide, Parañaque City’s 2^nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan made a pledge that his district will be a model for transparent projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), according to a Journal.com.ph news report.

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

PARANAQUE Representative Brian Raymund Yamsuan has pledged to make the city’s second district a model in helping ensure the transparent and accountable implementation of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) infrastructure projects to aid the agency in instituting an integrated, comprehensive flood control master plan for Metro Manila.

Yamsuan said he will realize this commitment by giving newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon a “free hand” in reviewing all of the department’s projects in the district, which he represents in Congress.

“Ako, bilang kinatawan ng pangalawang distrito ng Parañaque, I am giving you a free hand to review all the projects in my district. Ikaw na ang bahala. Kung tingin mo nararapat ang proyekto sa aming lugar, gawin mo. Kung anong tatanggalin mo, anong idadagdag mo na sa tingin mo na makakatulong sa masterplan natin upang maibsan ang lahat ng problema ng ating bayan, gawin mo,” Yamsuan told Dizon during the briefing conducted by the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget of the DPWH.

(I, as the representative of the second district of Parañaque, are giving you a free hand to review all the projects in my district. I leave it all up to you. If you think the project is feasible for our area, implement it. Remove or add what you think will help our masterplan that is designed to ease the problems of our country. Do it.)

Providing Dizon the opportunity to correct and fix the deep-seated problems besetting the DPWH’s flood control projects will start in Parañaque’s 2nd district, Yamsuan stressed.

Yamsuan also thanked Dizon for continuing to set high standards in delivering clean, honest and efficient service to the people.

“Maraming, maraming salamat sa serbisyo mo sa bayan. Napakaganda ng ginagawa mo. You have inspired people. We have known each other for about three decades now and I was fortunate enough to work with you. I had a bird’s eye view on how you deal with things and how efficient you are in what you do,” Yamsuan said.

“Ako ay nagpapasalamat na ikaw ang andiyan. At least puede na kaming makatulog ng mahimbing na ikaw na ang secretary ng DPWH,” Yamsuan added.

In response, Dizon thanked Yamsuan whom he described as his “batchmate in government service.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you like Congressman Yamsuan’s pledge about the 2^nd district and transparency with DPWH projects within it? Do you think this development will improve the quality of construction, infrastructure and flood control in Parañaque’s 2^nd district in the years to come?

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

+++++

Parañaque City Officials at Congress

September 12, 2025September 4, 2025carlocarrasco

Officials from the City Government of Parañaque were at the House of Representatives of the Philippines to witness the first privilege speech of Parañaque’s 2^nd District Representative Brian Yamsuan.

The city officials were Vice Mayor Benjo Bernabe, City Councilor Tess de Asis and City Councilor Binky Favis. For the newcomers reading this, the three mentioned officials were teammates of Congressman Yamsuan during the last election under the banner of Team Pag-Asa.

Parañaque City Councilor Tess de Asis, Vice Mayor Benjo Bernabe, Congressman Brian Yamsuan and City Councilor Binky Favis at the House of Representatives of the Philippines. (photo source – Brian Yamsuan Facebook page)

“We started the first day of September with a successful sharing of our privilege speech and a delightful visit of (Team PagAsa) to the House of Representatives,” Yamsuan posted on social media. “We discussed the importance of social media and correct information so that more people can be informed and avail the services reserved for our countrymen.”

The Congressman delivered a speech about the value of information in effective governance. To watch Yamsuan’s speech entirely, click https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19sntEMB2w/

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you like what Congressman Yamsuan has been doing? Any comments about the works that Vice Mayor Bernabe, Councilor De Asis and Council Favis have done since they took office?

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

+++++

	#blogpost on Panel By DHSUD To Check Concer…
	Politics Channel on Panel By DHSUD To Check Concer…
	AI Channel on Panel By DHSUD To Check Concer…
	#tumblr on New Clark City To Host AI Hub…
	#southies on Panel By DHSUD To Check Concer…

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: