Philippines – Author Carlo Carrasco

Bureau of Immigration (BI) says tighter visa rules for Chinese tourists to help ensure national security

May 13, 2024May 12, 2024carlocarrasco

The government here in the Philippines are trying to balance the nation’s need of security and the gains from attracting foreign tourists. Specifically speaking, the spotlight is currently on the handling of visa requirements from Chinese tourists as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) made clear the need to help ensure national security, according to a GMA Network news report.

The BI responded to the statement of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese nationals could harm the nation’s tourism as well as the businesses connected with tourist activities. Take note that criminal/illegal activities involving Chinese nationals happened many times here in the Philippines (click here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here).

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

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Sunday that tightening the visa requirements for Chinese tourists would also help the Philippines protect national security, considering the illegal activities involving Chinese nationals.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval explained that while tourism is very important to the Philippine economy, the government also needs to implement stricter measures to protect public interest.

“We also have to look into the national security issue, the safety of the country. Kung merong mga ilegal na ginagawa [if there are illegal activities], I think it’s also important to have strict measures kung may nakikita na tayo na kakaibang nangyayari [if we see anything different happening] or mga activities that are probably inimical to national security or public interest,” she said.

Sandoval made the remark in reaction to the statement of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese nationals visiting the Philippines could “discourage tourism and hurt businesses.”

She said that the BI has always been strict in inspecting arriving foreign nationals, particularly those involved in illegal activities.

Several Chinese nationals have reportedly been involved in organized crimes such as human trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping, and fraud. Some of them were also linked illegally working for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).

This prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to tighten the Philippines’ visa requirements for Chinese tourists amid a high number of fraudulent applications received in its embassy and consulates in China.

The DFA, however, ruled out ongoing tensions with China in disputed areas in the South China Sea as the reason for imposing more stringent visa measures for Chinese visitors.

Sandoval welcomed this development, saying it would add a layer of security in the Bureau of Immigration’s assessment of foreign nationals entering the Philippines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) that tighter visa rules for Chinese visitors could hurt Philippine tourism? Do you think that Chinese tourists could not behave themselves while they are in the country? Do you want visa rules on all Chinese visitors be tightened for the long-term? Did a Chinese national cause trouble in your local community lately?

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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Almost 2.5 million voter registrants for 2025 elections counted by COMELEC

May 13, 2024May 1, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that almost 2.5 million people submitted applications as registered voters for the next national and local elections of 2025, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. People still have until September 30, 2024 to register.

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

Over 2.4 million Filipinos have already submitted applications as registered voters for the May 2025 midterm polls.

Latest data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed there are now 2,473,922 individuals who filed their applications since the start of the resumption of registration activities last Feb. 12 until April 29.

In an interview Tuesday, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said these figures indicate they are “on the right track” in achieving their target of 3 million voter registrants.

He attributed the high number of applicants to Filipinos who would like to exercise their right to suffrage.

“Each Filipino now values the importance of voting more than ever,” Laudiangco said.

Of the number, Region 4-A (Calabarzon) still has the most number of applicants with 454,313; followed by the National Capital Region with 367,869; and Region 3 (Central Luzon) with 286,190.

Meanwhile, Region 7 (Central Visayas) has 176,584; Region 11 (Davao Region), 135,654; Region 6 (Western Visayas), 129,711; Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), 121,982; Region 5 (Bicol Region), 103,399; and Region 12 (Soccsksargen), 102,598 were the other areas with more than 100,000 applicants.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are there many young adults or adults in your local community who intend to get registered with the COMELEC but have yet to do so?

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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A Look Back at RoboCop 2 #1 (1990)

May 10, 2024April 28, 2024carlocarrasco

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 1990 to take a close look at the comic book adaptation of the movie RoboCop 2 (1990).

Before getting to the new retro comic book review, I should state that my friends and I had a fun time watching RoboCop 2 in the cinema shortly after it opened here in the Philippines. Back then, I was not yet a comic book collector and I rarely visited comic book specialty stores. That being said, I was unaware that Marvel Comics actually published an adaptation in the form of a 3-issue mini-series.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at RoboCop 2 #1, published in 1990 by Marvel with a story written by Alan Grant and drawn by Mark Bagley based on the movie screenplay by Frank Miller and Walon Green.

Early story

The story begins in Detroit where the cops are run by corporations and the streets have turned into red-alert war zones. Crime is overwhelming the city and the highly addictive narcotic poses the greatest threat facing societies. The surgeon general who made the public warning about nuke was killed and the crime boss Cain (leader of a cult of nuke addicts and pushers) claims responsibility. Through the news media, Cain tells the public that nuke will make people’s problems go away and people want its paradise.

Under the management of Omni Consumer Products (OCP), several of Detroit’s police officers go on strike demanding better terms from their employer. The City Government of Detroit under Mayor Kuzak missed a payment (in relation to them owing $37 million) and OCP begins to move to foreclose the city and its assets in accordance to the terms of the contract. Mayor Kuzak accuses OCP of engineering the police strike which made crime rampant.

Elsewhere in the evening, the cruel activities of the thugs got disrupted by the arrival of a police car. Even though the police car got destroyed by the thugs, RoboCop emerges and begins to fight back…

Quality

*There is simply no holding back for RoboCop when it comes to doing police work at a time when many police officers are on strike while crime has turned more rampant in Detroit.*

This opening issue of the mini-series sticks close the basic plot of the movie (right until after Cain’s gang dismantled RoboCop) although there were a few notable differences with the sequence of events and there were scenes that showed the creative team took liberties to make the story suitable with the literary format in mind. That being said, don’t expect to see the key moments of the movie look exactly the same in this comic book and don’t expect to see the characters here looking like the actors who played them on the big screen. In terms of visual and literary presentation, this adaptation has a lot in common with the Total Recall comic book adaptation which coincidentally was released the same year.

For me, this is indeed a really readable comic book that has its stylized approach on telling the movie’s concept. OCP is the most powerful entity in the story while Cain and his gang are clearly the force of evil that strongly pose danger not only to Detroit’s people but even to the very divided police force. Nuke as the dangerous object of the plot clearly was inspired from elements of the real life war against drugs in 1980s America which made this story socially relevant.

*Very clearly these villains look nothing like actors Tom Noonan, Galyn Görg and Gabriel Damon.*

Like in the movie, RoboCop here performs his law enforcement duty in an uncompromising manner even though memories of his past life as officer Murphy re-emerged deep inside. That being said, there are a few moments in which you might sympathize with the titular hero as this comic book pays close attention to the conflict between humanity and technology.

The action scenes here are sufficient but clearly don’t come anywhere close to the intensity of the film in terms of violence. Still, there is enough action for readers to enjoy.

When it comes to the visuals, the artwork done by Mark Bagley eerily looks comparable with Tom Lyle’s art in the Total Recall comic book of 1990. For the newcomers read this, Bagley became a popular artist through the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series and the Venom: Lethal Protector comic books that were released after years after this one. Having seen many of Bagley’s works published in 1992 to 1995, I can hardly recognize his art style in this comic book adaptation. The way he drew people’s faces in this comic book looks very different from those seen in Amazing Spider-Man issues. At the same time, Bagley’s own take on RoboCop has that balanced approach on depicting humanity with machinery while also making the hero look less bulky compared to the movie’s version.

Conclusion

*Julie Faxx of OCP sure talks like a woke nut and rabid feminist in this scene.*

RoboCop 2 #1 (1990) is clearly not a faithful adaptation of selected parts of the movie but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This is more about the Grant-Bagley team doing their own visual presentation of the movie script copy they had and ultimately they succeeded in making this comic book a stylized and worthy reading experience. This is indeed a surprisingly entertaining read and I can say that I am looking forward to reading the next issue.

Overall, RoboCop 2 #1 (1990) is recommended.

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Las Piñas City hosts clean-up drive with DILG Secretary Abalos

May 10, 2024May 1, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a major clean-up drive attended by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos took place within Barangay BF International-CAA, the City Government announced through social media.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post of April 30, 2024. Some parts in boldface…

Las Piñas City held the KALINISAN sa Bagong Pilipinas Clean-Up Drive at the Arratelis Open Court, Brgy. CAA/BF International on Saturday, April 27th. The event was spearheaded by DILG Secretary Atty. Benhur Abalos Jr. and attended by city officials, including Vice Mayor April Aguilar.

The clean-up drive forms part of the broader KALINISAN or “Kalinga at Inisyatiba Para sa Malinis na Bayan” program, aimed at enhancing environmental health and safety through community efforts.

The initiative focuses on integrating all segments of society to take part in environmental preservation through the traditional Filipino value of ‘bayanihan.’, with the goal of fostering public awareness about environmental care and motivating local government units to invest in solid waste management and sustainable ecological practices.

The day’s activities included a series of community cleaning efforts, such as trash collection and the beautification of public spaces and a planting activity at the urban garden.

By focusing on community engagement and responsibility towards the environment, the KALINISAN program seeks to instill a sense of duty in maintaining cleanliness and ecological balance.

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 to see more major clean-up activities held in other parts of the city? Do you think the presence of the DILG adds credibility to such activities in the city?

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

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Philippines eyes high-spending tourists from America

May 9, 2024April 30, 2024carlocarrasco

As part of its pursuit to attract more foreign tourists and generate higher tourism revenue this year (click here and here), the Philippines is targeting tourists from the United States with the perception that they are heavy spending tourists, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

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

The Philippines targets to attract about 15 percent more inbound visitors from the United States, seeing the “highly valuable” market as a big contributor to the full recovery of the country’s tourism sector.

In 2023, at least 903,299 visitors from the US arrived in the Philippines, generating PHP35 billion in tourism revenue— the highest among the country’s top tourist markets.

“This (receipt) is 215 percent higher than the tourism receipts from South Korea, so this is how important the American market (is). While the arrivals are fewer, the contribution is bigger,” Philippine Tourism Director-Attache in New York Francisco Hilario Lardizabal said over the weekend.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that visitor receipts in 2023 reached PHP482.54 billion, with the US as the top spending market, followed by Australia with PHP17.74 billion, South Korea with PHP16.41 billion, Canada with PHP15.85 billion, China with PHP12.24 billion, and Japan with PHP10.02 billion.

In a briefing with visiting Filipino journalists on April 26, the official said the American market tends to spend more and stay longer in a destination.

In the Philippines, Lardizabal said the majority, or 55 percent of inbound travelers from the US are former Filipino citizens, whose main travel motivation is to visit friends and relatives.

“Filipinos from the US do go around the Philippines and stay longer in the Philippines, and mind you, they also spend a lot. Apart from the money they spend on travel, they sometimes also give out money to their relatives,” he shared.

Presenting the country’s planned promotion efforts for the entire year, Lardizabal is confident the Philippines would achieve 15 percent more of the 2023 arrival figure.

Lardizabal said the DOT was taking a multi-pronged approach to entice the market by forging partnerships, conducting more training for travel agents, joining B2B (business-to-business) travel trade events, and organizing curated familiarization tours.

Emerging trends – Before the pandemic, most US travelers to the Philippines were baby boomers, or those in the age bracket of 60 to 78, and Generation X, or those aged 44 to 59.

Citing a 2022 study, the majority of US travelers “showing interest in the Philippines” now are millennials or those born between 1981 and 1996, Lardizabal said.

“Iyon ang dapat natin bigyan ng pansin (That should be our focus), how do we address the needs and preferences of the millennials,” he said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines should do more to attract American tourists?

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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Muntinlupa City Job Portal online

May 9, 2024April 30, 2024carlocarrasco

If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City who must have noticed members of your local community being able to find jobs within the city, it is most likely because of the online job portal launched recently by the City Government as reported by the Manila Bulletin. The job portal can be accessed at https://jobportal.muntinlupacitygov.com/

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

The Muntinlupa City government launched an online portal to connect employers and job seekers.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon led the launch of the 1Munti Job Portal, a collaboration between the city government and partner private institutions led by the Lingkod Muntinlupa Foundation and 1Munti Party.

“The 1Munti Job Portal is an innovation that helps break down barriers of unemployment. For companies and employers, as part of our City’s mission to be a business-friendly hub, this Portal is free, and you can gain exposure to a diverse range of candidates tailored to your company’s specific needs and requirements,” said Biazon.

The online job portal can be accessed at https://jobportal.muntinlupacitygov.com/

For job seekers, they need to visit the website, create an account, and search for employment opportunities, the mayor said.

Biazon also revealed the upcoming Dress for Success Program which aims to equip job seekers through a series of capacity-building training on the basics of job-hunting and employment, writing good resume, and presenting oneself well in an interview.

Once they finish the short modules, they can claim their set of business attires that will hopefully help boost their confidence in their job seeking journey.

Biazon also said the portal is still part of the city government’s effort to attain “Smart City” status, describing 1Munti Job Portal as “created at the nexus of leadership and technological innovation” to solve human issues.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you know anyone who applied for a local job through the 1Munti Job Portal? Have you visited the job portal already?

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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Four POGO workers arrested in Parañaque City over illegal detention

May 8, 2024April 28, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Parañaque, local police officers arrested four employees of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) and charged them for illegal detention and grave coercion, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The suspects were all foreigners.

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

Police arrested four Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers during a rescue operation in Parañaque City on Thursday, April 25.

The Southern Police District (SPD) said Parañaque City police chief Col. Reycon Garduque reported the arrest of the suspects identified alias Wu, 29; alias Fan, 30; alias Liu, 31; and alias Xueyu, 33.

Garduque said the suspects were nabbed at around 6:30 p.m. in Merville Park, Barangay Merville, Parañaque City.

The operatives rescued the victim, identified as alias Zhang, 35, also a Chinese national, who was reportedly detained by the suspects.

Prior to the operation, the victim’s common-law wife, Jenny Rose, requested for police assistance claiming the victim was threatened and illegally detained by the suspects.

She said the suspects offered the victim a job. When the victim realized that the job was illegal, he tried to leave but was prevented by the suspects.

The suspects reportedly detained the victim and demanded P500,000 in ransom money from his relatives and family.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned that the city still has lots of foreigners secretly committing acts of crime? Are there still lots of POGOs in the city operating? Are there many Chinese nationals living in your local community right now? Do you think that POGOs in Parañaque could be used by mainland China for secret spying operations in the country in relation to the Philippines-China conflict in the West Philippine Sea?

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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Muntinlupa City Government sets tricycle fare

May 8, 2024May 7, 2024carlocarrasco

The City Government of Muntinlupa formally sets the minimum fare for all tricycles with franchise by means of passing a local ordinance, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Tricycle drivers or operators who violate the ordinance will be fined P1,000.

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

The Muntinlupa City government passed an ordinance setting the minimum fare for all tricycles with franchise.

Ordinance No. 2024-171 increased the minimum tricycle fare to P12 from P10 based on the request of the Muntinlupa Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association, Inc. (FEDMUNTODAI).

The Tricycle Regulatory Unit (TRU) of the city government is mandated to recommend fares and it recommended to the City Council to approve the increase.

“Kinikilala ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Muntinlupa ang tungkulin ng mga Traysikel bilang isa sa mga pangunahing pamamaraan ng pampublikong transportasyon (The Muntinlupa City government recognizes the duty of tricycles as one of the main means of public transportation),” according to the ordinance. The ordinance covers all tricycles with franchise.

Under the ordinance, all tricycles are mandated to give 20 percent discount to senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities (PWD).

All tricycles in Muntinlupa are required to post a Uniform Fare Matrix (UFM) of each tricycle operators and drivers’ association (TODA) at their terminal and inside each tricycle to inform passengers.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you always ride a tricycle to go around the city? Did you encounter any abusive tricycle driver lately?

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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Chinese nationals – including a fugitive – arrested in Parañaque and Mandaue

May 7, 2024April 24, 2024carlocarrasco

In separate operations, agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested two Chinese nationals in the cities of Parañaque and Mandaue, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. One of them is wanted in China for contract fraud.

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

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday said two Chinese nationals recently arrested in Cebu province and Parañaque City are now awaiting deportation.

Commissioner Norman Tansingco identified them as Zhu Yuanjiang, 25; and Ma MIngjie, 51, who were arrested last week in separate operations of the BI’s fugitive search unit (FSU).

Both are now detained at the BI detention facility at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City while awaiting deportation.

Zhu was arrested on April 17 in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City after the BI board of commissioners issued a warrant of deportation against him last year.

He was ordered deported for overstaying and for working in the country without proper permits.

Investigation showed that Zhu previously worked in Xinchuang Network Technology Inc., an online gaming hub in Pasay City that was raided by authorities in June last year for alleged engagement in various criminal activities such as human trafficking and cyber fraud.

Meanwhile, Ma was nabbed on April 19 at his residence in a subdivision in Parañaque City. He is wanted by Chinese authorities for contract fraud.

Ma has a warrant of arrest from the Jiangbei district sub-bureau of the Public Security Bureau in Chongqing, China issued on Dec. 6, 2017.

Chinese authorities alleged that Ma and his cohorts deliberately tampered with bank accounts and account names of a point of sale machine merchant which resulted in the unauthorized transfer of over 58 million yuan (more than USD8 million) from China Minsheng Banking Corporation to his altered bank account.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you concerned that there could be more Chinese criminals or fugitives living 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.

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Las Piñas City Government’s health and wellness initiative attracts a few hundred adolescents

May 7, 2024April 26, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government announced that the opening session of the “Healthy Young Ones” activity attracted over two hundred adolescents at Robinsons Place Las Piñas.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s social media post of April 25, 2024. Some parts in boldface…

On Friday, April 19th, over 200 adolescents gathered at Robinsons Las Piñas for the first session of the “Healthy Young Ones” Activity, a health and wellness event focused on educating young individuals about reproductive and sexual health. The event, spearheaded by Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor April Aguilar, in collaboration with the City Health Office under Dr. Juliana Gonzalez, aimed to foster awareness and responsibility among the youth regarding gender, sexuality, reproduction, and the prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

This impactful session was part of a broader initiative to encourage healthy lifestyle choices among adolescents while steering them away from harmful behaviors, including drug use. The program was well-received, demonstrating the community’s commitment to nurturing well-informed and responsible young citizens.

Participation from various government sectors including the City Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Sangguniang Kabataan, Local Youth Development Office, Social Hygiene Clinic, and the Dental Health Unit, highlighted the collaborative effort. The private sector also played a significant role, with contributions from The Challenge Initiative (TCI), Rotary Club Las Piñas, and Robinsons Place-Las Piñas, all supporting the city’s vision of a healthier future for its younger population.

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 think the health initiative will remain helpful for the adolescents?

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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