Pasay City – Page 2 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Flavors of NCR 2024 was a blast of delicacies, discoveries and fun

April 23, 2024April 22, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently Muntinlupa City hosted the 2024 edition of the Flavors of NCR food festival at the Filinvest City Central Park in Alabang and I personally witnessed the formal opening ceremony which involved many high-level officials and special guests. A lot of people visited the food festival on April 19 and 20 which added to the credibility of Filinvest City Central Park as a suitable open-air venue for special events.

For the newcomers reading this, Flavors of NCR is a special event presented by the Association of Tourism Officers – NCR which collaborated with the City Government of Muntinlupa for this year’s event. It is a showcase of unique cuisine found in the sixteen cities and one municipality of the National Capital Region (NCR). The local government units (LGUs) that participated include: Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, and the Municipality of Pateros.

Event launch

The ribbon cutting led by high officials that include Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano (3rd from left), Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon (3rd from right) and Department of Tourism-NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin (2nd from left) to name a few.

The opening ceremony of Flavors of NCR 2024 was attended by Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Department of Tourism-NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Association of Tourism Officers-NCR headed by Manila City Tourism chief Charlie Dungo, and Pasay City chief of staff Peter Eric Pardo. Also present were Muntinlupa Vice Mayor Temy Simundac and Muntinlupa City Council Raul Corro.

“We are delighted to host the Flavors of NCR,” Mayor Biazon stated during his welcome remarks to all the guests. “(We acknowledge) the presence of other cities here so that their products will be showcased and we are proud to have you here.”

Biazon stressed that hosting the Flavors of NCR opens up opportunities for Metro Manila’s LGUs and their respective food-and-beverage stakeholders access to the Calabarzon region composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon with a collective population of over sixteen million people.

It should be noted that the Alabang area of Muntinlupa is a popular destination for Calabarzon residents as well as those from nearby cities who enjoy shopping and recreational activities during the weekend. That being said, Flavors of NCR fits nicely with the weekend vibe at Filinvest City.

After the formal ribbon-cutting was done, Flavors of NCR 2024 officially opened and a lot of people and photographers followed Biazon and the guests visit the different food booths of each city.

Each LGU and their best

I visited and explored the designated areas (also referred to as “booths”) of each LGU during the food festival. Each area had a different style of interiors and layouts of food, drinks and other products being offered to visitors. There were also chairs and tables present for those who need to seat down and eat. Check out my raw YouTube videos plus pictures below…

*Native delicacies on display for sale at the Las Piñas City booth.*

*Burger patties being cooked at the Mandaluyong City area.*

*Delicious halo-halo from Aling Consuelo Halo-Halo sa Ugbo. This was sold at P100 each.*

*Marikina City had four sellers that attracted customers during the food festival.*

*Drinks, dessert and other stuff offered to customers at the Las Piñas City booth.*

Flavors of NCR was indeed a true showcase of what local businesses per LGU has to offer. Manila had halo-halo sold by Aling Consuelo Halo-Halo Sa Ugbo, Las Piñas City had Bea’s Home of Quality Kakanin and Other Native Delicacies selling native delights, Quezon City had Papa Diddi’s Handcrafted Ice Cream for those wanting something cold and sweet, Mandaluyong City had Ben’s Burjer for customers who love hot burgers, Marikina City had Mang Ding’s BBQ and Nanay Ipang’s Everlasting, and so on.

As expected, the variety of food and drinks were really great. Offered to customers were chicken, beef, pork, siomai, barbeque, puto, bibingka, pansit, siopao, fried chicken, roasted pig, pastries, cakes, halo-halo and ice cream to name some. There were also non-food products being sold such as bags and accessories in some booths.

*Sea food and other food items being sold at the Parañaque City booth.*

*Fried chicken being prepared for customers.*

*The best of Muntinlupa City offered to customers.*

*Food and bags for sale inside the booth of Malabon City.*

It was really nice to see these small businesses represent their locality and offered their best products to visitors at Filinvest City Central Park. Adding zest to the food festival were some performances by different bands from the cities of NCR. There also was a modern dance activity that drew in lots of visitors which added to the customers at the food festival.

Conclusion

The 2024 edition of Flavors of NCR at Filinvest City Central Park was indeed a nice showcase of what each LGU had to offer for those who love food and drinks. In addition, this festival really emphasized unity between the local governments of NCR and it also promoted local tourism. The festival also attracted some residents of Filinvest City’s residential towers (plus others from Ayala Alabang, Palms Pointe Village and other residential communities) and some employees (who worked at offices near the park) whose shifts ended.

In the perspective of tourism, this event really boosted Filinvest City Central Park’s status as a venue for special events or activities. To date, the said park continues to be an attraction for visitors and already it has been used by organizers of sports events and musical events.

The successful staging of Flavors of NCR could inspire food festival organizers to have their events held within Filinvest City in the future.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: Were you able to attend Flavors of NCR at the central park in Filinvest City? If you did, how was your experience? Do you wish to see another food festival to be held at Filinvest City Central Park 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.

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

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

LTO suspends license of controversial taxi driver

January 3, 2024December 30, 2023carlocarrasco

During the past Christmas season, it was widely reported in the local media that a certain taxi driver charged his passengers (foreigners) several thousands of Pesos at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which was recorded on video which in turn became viral online. Very recently, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) suspended for 90 days the driver’s license of the controversial taxi driver, according to a news report by the Daily Tribune.

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

The Land Transportation Office has issued a 90-day preventive suspension on the driver’s license of a taxi driver caught in a viral video charging P10,000 fare to a foreign tourist at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

In the Show Cause Order issued to the driver of the taxi with license plate ABG 7845, LTO chief Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II said that the driver was ordered to explain why no sanction would be imposed for violations of at least three provisions of the Joint Administrative Order 2014-01 for overcharging passengers, discourteous and arrogant to passengers and violation of the franchise.

Citing the result of the investigation, Mendoza said the taxi driver was identified as Arnel Acle.

“Under the guidance of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, we are now coordinating with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on the sanctions that may be imposed on the operator of the taxi,” Mendoza said.

Bautista earlier disclosed that the entire fleet of the taxi company that owns the cab will no longer be allowed to operate at the NAIA as Mendoza also stressed that the incident was a clear violation of the law.

He added that the investigation they conducted led to the identification of the taxi through a CCTV and later resulted in the identification of the driver.

To recall, the taxi was seen in parking area of the taxi company in Valenzuela City and based on the statement of the operator after the video went viral, Acle told them that he would go on vacation in his province.

Acle, however, did not report for work since he last appeared to remit his earnings to the taxi owner on 19 December and is believed to have gone into hiding.

“We are now coordinating with the Philippine National Police and our local offices to locate this man,” Mendoza said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the suspension issued by the LTO will send a strong message to errant drivers that they will be held accountable for their actions?

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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Bureau of Immigration (BI) prevents two foreign sex offenders from entering the country

December 19, 2023December 12, 2023carlocarrasco

Two foreign sex offenders who arrived from Taipei by airplane were prevented from entering the country by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) which has a database of undesirable aliens, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

Two Americans with criminal records for sexually abusing minors in the United States and the country were recently barred from entering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City.

In a statement Tuesday, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the passengers were identified as Keith Michael Lacek, 63, who was intercepted on Dec. 5, and Peter Maehler de Leon Guerrero, 54, who was turned away on Dec. 2.

Both foreigners arrived at the NAIA Terminal 1 aboard Air China and Eva Air flights from Taipei. They were immediately sent back to their country of origin.

“We had to remove them out immediately after they arrived at the airport. They are undesirable aliens who pose a very serious threat to our children,” Tansingco said in a statement. “Consequently, they are perpetually banned from re-entering the Philippines.”

He noted that Lacek was excluded after his name prompted a hit in the bureau’s derogatory base, indicating that he was banned from entering the country for his involvement in sex tourism.

The BI blacklisted Lacek in June 2020 after the bureau received information from the Office of Cybercrime of the Department of Justice that he was reportedly involved in the online enticement and sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism.

Lacek allegedly enticed a Filipina to produce and send indecent photographs of children and to engage in sexual activity with a minor in exchange for money.

On the other hand, Guerrero is a registered sex offender in the US due to his record of conviction as a child rapist.

For the newcomers reading this, the BI has been working hard to not only protect the nation from undesirable foreigners but also to prevent the potential rise of sex tourism in the entire Philippines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the BI will be able to detect and reject incoming sex offenders from overseas?

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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Philippine athletes meet with President Marcos before proceeding to Cambodia for 32nd SEA Games

April 28, 2023April 25, 2023carlocarrasco

Before proceeding to Cambodia for the 32^nd edition of the Southeast Asian Games (also referred to as SEA Games and Cambodia 2023), members of the Philippine Team as well as top sports officials met with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news report.

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

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. believes that sports is too valuable of a support to the society that it must be kept that way.

Speaking to the athletes who will compete in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) during the formal send-off ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay on Monday, Marcos said even their wins alone give the Filipinos joy already.

“That is why it has to be kept as a very, very important part of our support to our society. And beyond that, ang ating mga champion, ang ating mga nag-uuwi ng medalya at saka tropeo ay talaga namang nagdadala ng kasiyahan at naipagmamalaki ng buong madla na kami ay Pilipino. ‘Yang mga ‘yan Pilipino ‘yan, mga champion namin ‘yan at ‘yan ang siguro ang pinakamahalaga na dinadala — nagdadala kayo ng dangal sa Pilipinas (our champions, those who bring home medals and trophies really bring joy and become pride of the Filipinos. Those Filipinos, those are our champions and that’s perhaps the most important thing – you bring honor to the Philippines),” Marcos said.

He added, “It’s good for your discipline. It’s good for your health. It’s good for your camaraderie. It’s good to mature young people.”

This is the first time that Marcos attended an athletes’ send-off event since his overwhelming victory in the May 2022 presidential elections.

“It is my great, great pleasure to be able to be with you just very quickly. Pinilit kong makapunta rito dahil gusto kong makilala ‘yung mga champion (I made sure to come here because I want to meet our champions),” he said.

He expressed willingness to help the athletes and sports officials by any means possible.

“If there is anything more that this government can do, that this administration can do, that I personally can do, you please make sure you will tell me because we are all rooting for you,” Marcos said.

He wished the Cambodia SEAG-bound athletes and officials “good luck”.

“At huwag niyong kakalimutan kapag talagang napagod na, nahirapan na, na-injure na nang kaunti, pakinggan niyo ulit ‘yung sigaw, maririnig niyo kami ‘yun, ‘yung mga kapwa niyo Pinoy, sinisigaw (Don’t forget when you’re tired, you’re having hard time, you’ve been injured, listen to those rooting for you, you’ll hear us your fellow Filipinos shouting): Go! Go! Go! Go!,” he said.

The above article ended stating that over 800 Philippine Team athletes will compete in over 600 events covering 38 sports in the SEA Games this year. The games in Cambodia will run from May 5 to 17, 2023.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will be able to win enough gold medals to finish in the Top 3 of the SEA Games in Cambodia?

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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New Planetshakers worship event here in the Philippines set for July 22, 2023 at SM MOA Arena

April 18, 2023April 18, 2023carlocarrasco

Great news! The Lord is blessing the Philippines once again as Planetshakers announced it will be having another worship event in the country on the evening of July 22, 2023 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The selling of tickets for the worship event will commence online at SM Tickets on May 11, 2023. This newest event is part of the Show Me Your Glory Planetshakers Tour 2023.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Planeshakers official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Planetshakers is so excited to visit Manila once again in July 2023!

It has always been our desire and pursuit to run after God with the intent of seeing His glory. Just as Moses would not go anywhere unless God’s presence accompanied Him, we have that same heart’s cry, and this year, people from all over Asia will be coming together with that same common passion.

Show me Your glory.

We cannot wait to encounter Him and sit back in wonder at all the incredible things that will take place. It’s going to be awe-inspiring!

To those who intend to attend the worship event, the ticket prices have been confirmed as follows: VIP for P1,600, Patron for P1,600, LB Premium for P1,600, Lower Box for P1,200, Upper Box for P1,200, and General Admission for P600.

In preparation for booking tickets online on May 11, 2023, I encourage you to prepare your credit cards and be early to log-in at SMTickets.com because in my experience, there was long virtual line of over 2,600 ahead of me before I got my turn to purchase my tickets and choose my seat.

If you believe in Lord Jesus, I encourage you to attend the upcoming Planetshakers worship event as I myself attend their event this past September. Yes indeed, I was blessed by the Lord and so were many others around me. Read my feature article about the September 2022 Planetshakers event I attended at https://carlocarrasco.com/2022/09/16/the-lord-blessed-the-philippines-with-planetshakers/ and check out the short clips I recorded from the said event posted below…

Whenever a very anointed church like Planershakers holds an event here in the Philippines, it is God’s blessing for the country! Apart from the excellent worship music, Planetshakers has very anointed worship leaders like Pastor and church co-founder Sam Evans and Joth Hunt. If you attend the worship event and pray to the Lord with Pastor Sam Evans leading the prayer, it is a blessing from the Lord because whenever she leads prayers, it is always powerful, truly wholehearted, engaging and compelling! I got blessed like that during the Planetshakers event I attended! The event is, indeed, fellowship with the almighty God, His Son Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit! The same can be said about this July’s Planetshakers event!

If you are thinking about this July’s Planetshakers worship event, I encourage you to seek the Lord’s Kingdom and praising Him with all your heart and passion. Learn from the holy scriptures below…

“So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.”

Matthew 6:33 (TPT)

Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;

Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;

Praise Him with the lute and harp!

Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;

Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!

Praise Him with loud cymbals;

Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150:1-6 (NKJV)

*The view from my spot during the Planetshakers worship event I attended on September 2022.*

If you want to discover and learn more about Planetshakers, I encourage you to click here (Facebook page), here (Instagram), here (Twitter) and here (YouTube). To know more about Planetshakers itself, visit https://www.planetshakers.com/

In closing this, posted below are some Planetshakers worship music videos (including a few from their September 2022 Philippines events) for your faith in the Lord and viewing pleasure. Jesus is our Lord and Savior! Move forward with unbreakable and uncompromising faith in Him! Be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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Police arrest suspect accused of raping a lady who was lured to a cosplay photo shoot by him

September 7, 2022September 6, 2022carlocarrasco

Cosplay – the act of dressing up as a character from a work of fiction – can be fun to watch and do for as long as violations are not committed. The concept of cosplay here in the Philippines took a dark turn as the Manila Bulletin reported yesterday a crime news report about the arrest of man who was accused by a lady of rape after he lured her to what was supposed to be a cosplay photo shoot. Reportedly the arrest took four years to do and it turns out there was a warrant of arrest issued for the suspect.

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

A man who was accused of raping a woman he lured into posing as a cosplay artist was finally nabbed by authorities at a Quezon City mall on Monday afternoon, Sept. 5, 2022, after eluding arrest for more than four years.

Carl Jefferson Soriano, 26, was collared by operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD)-Special Operations Unit (SOU), and the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) of the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) of the National Capital Region (NCR) based on a warrant issued by Pasay City Regional Trial Court Judge Gina M. Bibat-Palamos last May 30, 2018. No bail was recommended for his temporary release.

Soriano’s arrest came four years after the complainant reached out to then broadcaster and now senator Raffy Tulfo in his complaints/civic action show, seeking justice for what Soriano had done to her.

The complainant told Tulfo in his show Raffy Tulfo in Action on Feb. 21, 2018 that she met Soriano on Facebook where the suspect engaged her in chats, and was able to convince her to model for him in cosplay costumes.

She said Soriano promised him P7,500 for the photoshoot.

She added that, on the day of the photoshoot, Soriano fetched her on a transport network vehicle service (TNVS), and brought her to a hotel in Pasay City.

According to the victim, Soriano even asked her to pay for the TVNS fare, and the hotel room, and that he will just add on these costs to her talent fee later.

Soriano then told her that two more models and another photographer would be arriving soon to join them.

But it was while they were waiting that the suspect was able to force himself on her, and even banged her head on the wall before raping her.

After she was violated, Soriano belligerently told her that they would have to go to his condominium.

However, after arriving at the lobby of the condominium, Soriano excused himself, saying that he was going to get something from his motorcycle. He never came back.

Indeed, the Manila Bulletin news report above is very disturbing. This might affect the way cosplay is done here in the Philippines from organizing private photo shoots to doing cosplay at special events like comic conventions or pop culture events that involve the use of costumes. Can you just imagine how vulnerable a female cosplayer would be playing Darna whose traditional look exposes a lot of skin?

Speaking of crime related to cosplay, the Anime News Network (ANN) published last January an article about a photographer who got arrested for allegedly drugging and assaulting multiple cosplayers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the allegations of rape and the mentioned cosplay photo shoot are real and could be proven in court? If you are a parent who has a child fond of cosplay, does this crime news report make you feel worried about your child’s safety? Do you think that new rules are need to protect cosplayers from sexual assault, harassment and rape?

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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Planetshakers’ Greater Asia Tour events in the Philippines set for September 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2022

July 16, 2022July 26, 2022carlocarrasco

Praise and thank the Lord for His newest blessing to His children here in the Philippines as Planetshakers announced they will be returning to the country and will have their Greater Asia Tour events scheduled on September 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2022 starting 8PM each night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City! Tickets for this anointed event will start selling online at SM Tickets on July 21. This is also the first time in over two years since Planetshakers last had an event here in the Philippines. Last September, they released their album titled REVIVAL.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from their official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Planetshakers is so excited to visit Manila once again in September 2022! God is greater! He is greater than any circumstance that we may face and our trust in Him will see us overcome any obstacle and see victory over every enemy that may come our way.

With this belief in our hearts and that declaration in our mouths, we will experience greater than our highest thoughts and prayers. Join us at “Planetshakers – GREATER TOUR” to experience the greatness of our God as we worship together and come in faith around His word. He has greater things in store for us so with this in mind we know we will see His miracles unfold and the empowering of His Spirit to take us to that greater level in Him.

As of this writing, ticket categories and prices are listed as the following:

VIP – P1,600

Patron – P1,600

Upperbox – P1,200

Lowerbox – P1,200

General admission – P600

The ticket prices do not include the ticketing service fee. When purchasing the tickets online at SMTickets.com, be sure to have your own website account up and running, and your credit card should be prepared as well. Again, ticket sales will go live online on July 21, 2022.

*Planetshakers is coming back to the Philippines for the first time since 2020! Truly a blessing from God!*

For the newcomers reading this, Planetshakers is a Christian church based in Australia and their worship music team produced a lot of worship songs that became not only popular with Christians around the world but also became part of their worship of the Lord. For your enlightenment, posted below is their official church statement…

The heart of Planetshakers Church is to see people’s lives radically transformed as they encounter Jesus, His tangible Presence and God’s family in a personal and powerful way.

Planetshakers Church is a church for all. It is a large, diverse and rapidly-growing family, made up of people of every age and cultural background (over 150 nationalities) who genuinely love each other and are whole-heartedly committed to the church’s mandate of Empowering Generations to Win Generations.

Planetshakers Church is led by Senior Pastors, Russell and Sam Evans, and an incredible team of pastors and leaders who are driven by an urgency to present the good news of Jesus Christ to a broken and hurting world. We have multiple campuses, both locally and internationally, and believe that the local church is the greatest vehicle through which people’s lives can be touched and changed by the power of God’s love.

Everyone is welcome!

With regards to the Planetshakers music team, their worship songs are truly anointed and I reviewed several of them on this website. Check out my Christian Music Appreciation (CMA) pieces of Planetshakers’ songs by clicking here, here, here, here, here and here.

Very clearly, the return of Planetshakers to the Philippines is a new blessing from the Lord and we should all be thankful to Him, praising Him and honoring Him! In closing this post, posted below are varied worship music videos of Planetshakers for your enjoyment and your praise to the Lord.

For more information about Planetshakers, visit https://www.planetshakers.com/ and also on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others as well as 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/

Chinese national apprehended by Parañaque cops for kidnapping, robbery and extortion

July 4, 2022July 1, 2022carlocarrasco

The wave of crime involving Chinese nationals in Metro Manila just would not ease. Thanks to the efforts of the police force of Parañaque, however, a Chinese national was arrested for acts of kidnapping, robbery and extortion, according the a recent Manila Bulletin news report.

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

A Chinese national who allegedly kidnapped his fellow citizen and demanded P1,050,000 for the victim’s release was arrested during a follow-up operation conducted by members of the Investigation and Detective and Management Unit (IDMU) of the Parañaque City Police on Friday, July 1.

Col. Maximo Sebastian, city police chief, identified the suspect as Liu Jinkai, 29.

Sebastian said the suspect was nabbed on Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City and is now detained at the Parañaque City Police custodial facility. He was charged with kidnapping and robbery-extortion.

The city police chief said that one Fe Melana, 25, appeared at IDMU and reported that she received a telephone call on Wednesday (June 28) from her live-in partner, victim Ji Ming, asking for her help as he was kidnapped at a casino.

Melena told police that Ji Ming informed her that the suspects were demanding P1,050,000 for his release.

She claimed that the suspects instructed her to meet them at Bonifacio Global City, but later told her to proceed to the casino and bring the ransom money.

The above report ended stating that the place of meeting was changed to a Dampa restaurant along Macapagal Avenue. The arrest eventually happened there.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are living in Parañaque City, what is your reaction to this report? Are you concerned that Chinese nationals spending time in your city could be doing serious criminal acts? Do you believe that something as serious as the incident in Barangay BF Homes could happen soon in your local community?

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 and also please consider sharing this article to others. 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/

Muntinlupa City passes in Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH)

June 16, 2022June 15, 2022carlocarrasco

The progressive City of Muntinlupa made positive waves recently as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) published its findings confirming that the said city passed along with five other Metro Manila cities, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

The Muntinlupa City government has passed the Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The DILG released the list of LGUs in Metro Manila which passed the GFH as of November 2021. These are Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Makati, Quezon City, Pasay, and Pasig.

According to the DILG, the criteria to pass the GFH are that the most recent available Commission on Audit (COA) Audit Opinion is unqualified or qualified for 2019 or 2020, and compliance with the full disclosure policy (FDP) including posting of financial documents in three conspicuous places and in the FDP portal for 2020 (all quarters) and 2021 (first quarter).

In a past circular, the DILG defined GFH as “an LGU that exhibits compliance with accounting and auditing standards, rules and regulations i.e. with an Unqualified or Qualified COA Opinion of the immediately preceding year; as well as Compliance with the Full Disclosure Policy of Local Budget and Finances.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a Muntinlupa City resident, what is your reaction to this recent development? Does this make you more confident in the way the City Government does financial housekeeping? Is Muntinlupa a good example for other cities to follow?

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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COVID-19 Crisis: Beware of fake vaccination cards and the scammers behind them

February 1, 2022January 30, 2022carlocarrasco

As more people are lining up at vaccination sites around the country to get vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19, there is a rise in the number of fake vaccination cards as reported in the news which, in my view, is most likely related to the implementation of the No Vax, No Ride policy as well as the imposed restrictions on unvaccinated individuals.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the first Manila Bulletin report about fake vaccination cards. Some parts in boldface…

The Pasay City police arrested a graphic artist who was allegedly the source of fake vaccination cards proliferating in the city and being sold to unvaccinated commuters, Tuesday afternoon.

Col. Cesar Paday-os, Pasay City police chief, identified the suspects as Marcelo Cabansag, 28, a resident of 366 F. Rosario St., Barangay 59, Pasay City.

Paday-os said Cabansag is now detained at the Pasay City police custodial facility and is facing charges for violation of falsification of public documents in relation to RA 11332, Sec. 9 paragraph (b).

He said Cabansag was arrested in an entrapment operation at about 5:30 p.m. at No. 32 P. Arnaiz Avenue, Libertad, Barangay 94 Zone 11, Pasay City.

The city police chief said Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano came out with an order for the arrest of Cabansag after learning that he was the main source of fake vaccination cards proliferating in the city.

The police arrested two public transportation barkers identified as Alex Bagayan, 39, and Eddie Garcia, 46, on Monday at about 6:30 o.m. along Apelo Cruz St., Barangay 151, Malibay, Pasay City for selling fake vaccination card for P500 each to unvaccinated commuters.

Paday-os said the arrested barkers pinpointed Cabansag as the person behind the printing of fake vaccination cards that are being sold to them at P100 each.

He said Cabansag admitted that he already printed around 50 pieces of fake vaccination cards this January after the “no vaccination card, no ride” police was implemented.

And now here is a look at another Manila Bulletin news report about fake vaccination cards, only this time the story is set in Quezon City. Some parts in boldface…

Police arrested a woman for allegedly selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards in Barangay E. Rodriguez, Cubao, Quezon City on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 26.

Lt. Col. Elizabeth D. Jasmin, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Cubao Station (PS 7) commander, said the suspect, identified as Huwela Mifuel Gabrido, 51, was nabbed in an entrapment operation.

According to the police, they launched the operation after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen. They were able to buy from the suspect a fake vaccination card for P15,000, which was paid through G-Cash.

Gabrido, who came with two cohorts, was arrested upon meet-up with a police poseur-buyer at No. 44 Cambridge St., Brgy. E. Rodriguez at around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

However, her two cohorts escaped.

As seen in the above excerpts of the two news reports, the making and selling fake vaccination cards is unlawful. It shows that making money using illegal methods will lead to trouble and punishment under the justice system. There are people out there who are daring to take advantage of the unvaccinated people who in turn are willing to pay a lot of money to obtain an illegal item to get through the restrictions. As for the unvaccinated, using a fake vaccination card itself will make them violators of varied rules and regulations.

To be clear, the issue of fake vaccination cards here in the Philippines is not new. In fact, there were computer shops in Muntinlupa City that engaged in producing and selling fake vaccination cards. For added insight about the issue of fake vaccination cards, watch these Philippines news videos.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think local government units and police officers must do to fight the spread of fake vaccination cards? Are there unvaccinated people in your local community who are eager to obtain fake vaccination cards even though it will put them at risk of getting into trouble with the law?

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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