Tag: Tumblr

Noel Bazaar in Filinvest Tent, Alabang Set for December 17 to 20

Noel Bazaar in Filinvest Tent, Alabang Set for December 17 to 20

carlocarrasco

If you are looking for a lively Christmas shopping experience here in Alabang, be aware that the popular Noel Bazaar will be held at the Filinvest Tent from December 17 to 20, 2026. Each day of the bazaar starts at 11AM and will last until 9PM.

To be clear, the Alabang bazaar will be the 2nd bazaar to be organized by Noel Bazaar this year.

In its September 7 social media post, Noel Bazaar stated the following:

Wondering what’s waiting for you at Noel Bazaar 2026?

It’s more than just Christmas shopping! From exciting local finds, delicious holiday treats, and unique gifts to fun workshops, special activities, and the GMA Ukay-Ukay, there’s something to make every Christmas visit extra memorable.

So start making that Christmas list, tag your shopping buddies, and get ready to discover what’s in store this year!

Noel Bazaar already promised that there will be a wide selection of sellers that collectively have a lot of products to offer shoppers such as clothes, accessories, footwear, home décors, handmade crafts, food items, and other items that can be ideal for Christmas gift-giving.

Apart from the shopping experience, Noel Bazaar has prepared special activities to entertain shoppers.

In preparation for the Noel Bazaar in Alabang, you can find the precise location of Filinvest Tent by clicking https://maps.app.goo.gl/JR9CHWQtSM8JLbYv9

While Filinvest Tent has its own parking area, parking spaces are limited. There are others nearby places that offer paid parking such as Commercenter and South Supermarket.

Watch out for Noel Bazaar in Alabang this December 17-20.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: Are you looking forward to Noel Bazaar in Alabang this December? If you have visited a Noel Bazaar in the past, how was your shopping experience and were you able to find the items you wanted?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH 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

America Sanctions Palestinian Authority and PLO Members

America Sanctions Palestinian Authority and PLO Members

carlocarrasco

It is official! The United States has officially sanctioned the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for failing to live up to their commitments as described in two historical commitment acts from 1989 and 2002, the US State Department announced.

As such, the so-called PA president Mahmoud Abbas has been denied an entry visa to the US ahead of the General Assembly of the wicked United Nations (UN). Be aware that the Palestinian Authority is guilty of paying terrorists and actually commits apartheid.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire announcement of the State Department. Some parts in boldface…

The State Department has reported to Congress that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA) have, once again, failed to live up to their commitments as described in the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA). This includes initiating and supporting actions at international organizations that undermine and contradict prior commitments in support of Security Council Resolution 242 and 338, taking actions to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict including through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking to bypass negotiations through seeking unilateral recognition, and continuing to pay stipends to terrorists and to glorify acts of terrorism and terrorists in public pronouncements and school textbooks.

As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials in accordance with section 604(a)(1) of the MEPCA. The Department has maintained the standing waiver for personnel notified to the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations as was the case in the Department’s prior determinations. It is in our national interest to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for glorifying terrorism.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this latest move by the United States will impact the PA, the PLO and their international partners significantly? Do you think the other nations that took sides with the Palestinians and normalized themselves with Islamic terrorists will think twice about how they do diplomacy? Are you convinced that the Palestinians have a religious and ethnic commitment to terrorism?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar inside Alabang Hills Village on November 21 and 22

Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar inside Alabang Hills Village on November 21 and 22

carlocarrasco

If you want to do early shopping for Christmas, then you should watch out for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar which will take place on November 21 and 22 (Saturday and Sunday, 10AM to 8PM), 2026, at the Phase 2 Park Grounds inside Alabang Hills Village.

Promotional poster for 'Sip & Stroll', an early Christmas bazaar at Alabang Hills Village, featuring event details like dates, times, and booth options.
Details of the early Christmas bazaar. (source – Alabang Hills Village website)

Having attended Christmas bazaars inside Alabang Hills Village myself many times in the past, I anticipate that there will be a lot of sellers who will collectively offer a lot of options to shoppers such as clothes, handcrafted materials, home décor, footwear, accessories, toys, food and beverages, and many other things that can make good gifts to give with Christmas in mind.

The Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) first announced the early Christmas bazaar through its website with a message aimed at the village residents. Alabang Hills residents were given 15 days to register as bazaar sellers/vendors.

Sponsorship packages – On September 16, the AHVA announced that it is searching for bazaar partners and they offered four partnership packages with varying rates. The three highest packages include sponsor booths, mentions in event circulars, display of tarpaulins and more. For transparency, look at the image below and pay attention to the details.

Colorful graphic detailing sponsorship packages for an event, including Premier, Prime, Standard, and Community Partner options with associated costs and benefits. Features illustrations of festive booths and decorations.
The sponsorship packages offered by AHVA. (source – Alabang Hills Village website)

As mentioned earlier, the Phase 2 Park Grounds is where the bazaar will be held. Locate there are basketball court and the badminton court which were used in previous bazaars. For the location of the Phase 2 basketball court, click https://maps.app.goo.gl/ofBxyXKYkaTV2Sxs7

For the location of the Phase 2 badminton court, click https://maps.app.goo.gl/5FtjVuTaroRUqrN29

Non-residents who have private vehicles (without Alabang Hills Village stickers) and intend to attend the bazaar, be ready to leave your ID card at the village gate and tell them were you are headed. Once inside, it is a must that you should follow their rules and speed limits at all times.

If you have inquiries for Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar, send your email to ahvcommunityaffairs@gmail.com

Let me end this post by asking you readers: Are you looking forward to Sip & Stroll: An Early Christmas Bazaar this November? If you have visited a Christmas bazaar inside Alabang Hills Village in the past, how was your shopping experience and were you able to find the items you wanted?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH 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

Hitachi to Build $528-million Transformer Manufacturing Plant in America

Hitachi to Build $528-million Transformer Manufacturing Plant in America

carlocarrasco

Hitachi Energy Ltd. – a global leader in energy technology and electrification – announced yesterday that it will invest almost $530 million to construct a transformer manufacturing plant in the state of Mississippi in the United States, according to a news article by Jiji Press. The investment is to help meet the rising power demand as the use artificial intelligence (AI) keeps on rising.

Hitachi Energy Ltd. is the energy arm of the Hitachi Group with over a century of innovation, and a long list completed projects that helped people for their access to dependable energy.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Hitachi Energy Ltd. said Wednesday that it will invest 528 million dollars to build a transformer manufacturing plant in Mississippi to meet surging U.S. power demand amid wider use of artificial intelligence.

The Swiss unit of Hitachi Ltd. expects the plant to more than double its production capacity compared with an existing transformer plant in Mississippi. Construction of the new plant will begin later this year, with production scheduled to start in 2029.

The new plant will be “the cornerstone” of Hitachi Energy’s 1.5-billion-dollar U.S. investment plan, the company said.

In September last year, Hitachi Energy said it would invest 1 billion dollars in the United States. It later expanded the plan as Japan pledged to make 550 billion dollars in investment and loans to the United States as part of a bilateral trade agreement.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you consider this new investment by Hitachi a crucial one in relation to the rising demand for power in the United States? Are you hoping that the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Japan will create economic and energy breakthroughs for Americans 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.

+++++

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 154

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 154

carlocarrasco

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Ashleigh Burton reacts to A View to a Kill – It has been over a year since Asheigh Burton made a Roger Moore-led James Bond movie reaction video. That said, she recently posted her reaction video of A View to a Kill and that film happens to be Moore’s final movie as Agent 007. In my honest opinion, Roger Moore was at his best as Bond in 1981’s For Your Eyes Only before everything went downhill with his last two 007 flicks. As such, I can say that Ashleigh Burton enjoyed A View to a Kill more than I did and her reaction video is fun to watch. Go watch her reaction video now!

#2 Sega Lord X examines Bram Stoker’s Dracula on Sega CD – When Bram Stoker’s Dracula (directed by Francis Ford Coppola) was released in cinemas worldwide in 1992, there was a lot of marketing for it and its presence through local media was felt. The same cannot be said about the official video game adaptations which was limited to video game-related publications. Among those video games was the Sega CD game of Bram Stoker’s Dracula which was somewhat ambitious in design connected with its use of full-motion video and digitized elements for the 2D side-scrolling gameplay. In his retrospective video, Sega Lord X offers viewers a close look at Bram Stoker’s Dracula on Sega CD which is engaging to watch.

#3 When Michael Jordan taught the Orlando Magic a big lesson – Remember back in 1995 when Michael Jordan came out of retirement to significantly boost the Chicago Bulls? The Bulls won 13 of the 17 remaining regular season games with Jordan and they reached as far as the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 1st-seeded Orlando Magic. While the Bulls got stronger with their NBA legend, the fact was Michael Jordan was still far from recovering 100% of the basketball greatness he had in 1993 (the year he had a sudden retirement after winning another NBA championship and losing his beloved father). The series with the Orlando Magic has always been remembered for Nick Anderson’s remarks of “45 is not 23” which eventually led to a huge consequence later. This is about trash talk that compelled Jordan to react with action not only within the 1995 series against the Orlando Magic but also beyond it. Watch and learn from the video below.

#4 A look at Hong Kong – Have you ever visited Hong Kong? There is this YouTube video about the city and there are many real-life elements and locations that are unique to see. Back in the 1990s, Hong Kong was also known for its neon lights shown during nights and the city itself became the visual inspiration for the fictional New Port City in the Ghost in the Shell anime feature film of 1995. There is a lot to learn about Hong Kong in the video below.

#5 Nuclear Fusion in Japan – What is nuclear fusion? It is the reaction in which two or more light atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing a massive amount of energy in the process. As of now, nuclear fusion is being developed in Japan and the Japanese are investing a massive amount of over three trillion Yen on it. With said investment, the government of Japan aims to achieve fusion power generation in the 2030s and capture 30% of the global market. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#6 You, Me and the Movies react to Hudson Hawk – If you enjoyed watching Bruce Willis in Die Hard films, do you enjoy watching him in action-comedy movies? Way back in 1991, Willis starred in Hudson Hawk which was an expensive action-comedy film that ended up as a huge critical and commercial failure in America. Even though it flopped big-time, it did not n necessarily destroy Willis’ career and the film somehow gained a cult following. There are also some film buffs online who admitted even enjoying it. Perhaps there is something within Hudson Hawk that was good and misunderstood. To learn more about the movie, watch the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies below.

#7 Totally Whatever reacts to Predator and Predator 2 – I enjoy watching the reaction videos posted by Totally Whatever. I took time to watch their reaction videos of 1987’s Predator (a true action classic which has Arnold Schwarzenegger and a memorable cast) and the 1990 sequel Predator 2 (which starred Danny Glover). Considering how different each movie was and how unique the presentations and characters were, the reaction videos to the Predator films are fun to watch. I encourage you watch the videos below.

+++++

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

America Sanctions Major Russian Bank for Aiding Iran’s Sanctions Evasion

America Sanctions Major Russian Bank for Aiding Iran’s Sanctions Evasion

carlocarrasco

VTB Bank, one of the major financial institutions of Russia, has officially been sanctioned by the United States for assisting the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran evade sanctions, according to the US State Department’s official announcement.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the whole announcement of the State Department. Some parts in boldface…

The United States sanctioned VTB Bank, one of Russia’s largest financial institutions, for helping Iran evade sanctions and sustain its support for terrorism. VTB Bank opened offices in Iran, built banking ties with sanctioned Iranian financial institutions, and worked to move billions of dollars in Iranian assets.

The United States remains steadfast in cutting off the financial lifelines that allow the Iranian regime to fund terrorism, destabilize the region, and threaten U.S. economic security.

Today’s action sends a clear message to governments and financial institutions considering similar arrangements: any effort to help Iran evade sanctions will carry serious consequences, including exposure to U.S. financial restrictions.

The United States will continue to use every diplomatic and economic tool at its disposal to isolate the Iranian regime. We urge the international community to join this effort to sever the financial lifelines of a regime that threatens peace and security.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this latest move by the United States will convince more members of the international community to join in the effort to cut the financial lifelines of the Islamic terrorist state Iran? Do you think VTB Bank has a lot of financial ties with your local business 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.

+++++

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Bahay Pag-asa Muntinlupa City Established

Bahay Pag-asa Muntinlupa City Established

carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon signed into law a key ordinance which formally established the Bahay Paga-asa Muntinlupa City, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The Bahay Pag-asa Muntinlupa City is a 24-hour institution for the rehabilitation of children who are in conflict with the law.

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

Mayor Ruffy Biazon signed an ordinance establishing the Bahay Pag-asa Muntinlupa City, a 24-hour institution for the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law (CICL).

Muntinlupa Ordinance 2026-133, passed by the City Council, institutionalizes the Bahay Pag-asa Muntinlupa City as a juvenile justice welfare and rehabilitation center, setting the system, protocols, and management of the facility.

Under the local law, the center will be managed by the city government’s Social Services Department (SSD), providing short-term residential care and rehabilitation for CICL who are awaiting court disposition of their cases or transfer to other agencies or jurisdictions.

The facility will also offer rehabilitation services “under a structured therapeutic environment with the end view of reintegrating them into their families and communities as socially functioning individuals.”

Physical mobility of residents may be restricted pending resolution of their court cases.

Under Muntinlupa Ordinance 2024-280, or the City Child Protection Policy Ordinance, Bahay Pag-asa is mandated to formulate its own child protection policy for children below 15, or those above 15 but not more than 18 years old, “who have been charged in court or are undergoing trial for the commission of a crime, and are currently under the rehabilitation and diversion program of the SSD through Bahay Pag-asa, or are otherwise undergoing a community intervention program.”

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 think the Bahay Pag-asa Muntinlupa City will create positive results socially?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH 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

Russia and the Philippines Emerge as Fast-Growing Tourist Markets for Vietnam

Russia and the Philippines Emerge as Fast-Growing Tourist Markets for Vietnam

carlocarrasco

As Vietnam successfully attracted almost sixteen million foreign tourists during the first eight months of this year, Russia and the Philippines have emerged as the fast-growing tourist markets at 166% and 58% respectively, according to a VnExpress news report.

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

Tourist arrivals from Russia and the Philippines surged 166% and 58%, respectively, in the first eight months, as Vietnam recorded nearly 16 million international visitors, up more than 14% year-on-year.

The rise in Russian tourists has made Russia the largest European market and the third largest source of international arrivals to Vietnam this year, with around 1 million visitors, only after mainland China (3.5 million) and South Korea (2.8 million).

Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of AZA Travel, said: “Russian tourists enjoy swimming, sunbathing, eating seafood, and relaxing at resorts. Vietnam fully meets these needs, so it is understandable why they are visiting in large numbers,” Dat says.

Kristina Zagumennaya, director of a Russian travel agency, told the Russian news agency Sputnik in early August that Russian tourist flows are shifting between markets. While Turkey remains the top choice, Vietnam and China have recorded outstanding growth.

“Vietnam stands out as a popular choice this tourist season,” Zagumennaya said, noting that multiple charter flights are operating to destinations across the country to meet demand for both beach holidays and cultural tourism.

In addition to charter flights, Vietnam Airlines increased the frequency of its direct Hanoi-Moscow route from three to four flights per week starting in July.

Ranking behind Russia, the Philippines also showed notable growth, despite not being a prominent source market for Vietnamese tourism prior to 2025.

Filipino visitors have risen to nearly 470,000 this year, among the 10 largest group of foreign visitors to Vietnam.

Bui Thanh Tu, marketing director of BestPrice Travel, attributes this rise to more convenient flight routes, especially from Manila and Cebu, competitive costs, and tourism products that differ from the island destinations familiar to Filipinos.

He also cites the viral impact of TikTok and YouTube videos featuring Hanoi, Sa Pa, Da Nang, and Hoi An.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you find it surprising that Russia and the Philippines became the fastest growing tourist markets for Vietnam? Do you think it is only a matter of time before Vietnam could someday attract at least 30 million foreign tourists per year?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Xbox to Publish Hideo Kojima’s Physint, Expands Partnership with Kojima Productions

Xbox to Publish Hideo Kojima’s Physint, Expands Partnership with Kojima Productions

carlocarrasco

Welcome back Xbox fans and fellow geeks!

There is still a lot of buzz flowing online as a result of yesterday’s sudden and unexpected breakthrough that boosted Xbox as a video game entity and as an entertainment brand. I am talking about Team Xbox acquiring the right to publish Physint, an ambitious next-generation gaming project by the legendary game creator Hideo Kojima (Metal Gear, Policenauts, Death Stranding) and this is the result of PlayStation’s move to cancel that project internally.

To be clear, Physint started as a project of the PlayStation partnership with Kojima Productions a few years ago. Watch and learn from the official PlayStation video below.

Physint marks Hideo Kojima’s return to the action-espionage genre of gaming. As such, it is a loss on the part of PlayStation and now a significant gain for Xbox which itself has reset its gaming business with improvements in mind.

To put things in perspective about the expanded Xbox-Kojima partnership and Physint itself, posted below is an excerpt from the official Xbox announcement. Some parts in boldface…

Hideo Kojima has spent his career challenging conventions and expanding what games can be. Today, KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS announced the next chapter of its partnership with XBOX.

“Creators have choices about where and how they bring their ideas to life. We’re honored that Kojima-san has chosen XBOX to work with KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS on PHYSINT. His ambition to challenge conventions reflects the kind of creativity we want to support at XBOX,” said Asha Sharma, XBOX CEO.

“This expands our relationship with XBOX beyond OD. As we move forward with the development of PHYSINT, we remain committed to redefining the action-espionage genre for players around the world,” said Hideo Kojima, Game Creator and Founder of KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS.

In addition to OD and PHYSINT, this relationship will also extend beyond games, with XBOX and KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS collaborating across film and television to bring new stories to broader audiences.

Being a long-time Xbox fan myself and having played Kojima’s work in Metal Gear games long ago, I am very delighted and surprised by this sudden breakthrough. Kojima already has OD in its partnership with Team Xbox, and to see Physint added is both intriguing and exciting. Also notable is Xbox’s statement that it will collaborate with Kojima’s company across film and television in a serious attempt to entertain a wider audience.

Am I surprised to see PlayStation to step away from its collaboration with Kojima Productions on Physint? Not at all because PlayStation’s leadership has changed so dramatically, the Japanese perspective and interest on video gaming has faded away. There are PlayStation executives who want more live-service games instead of the single-player experiences that have long defined PlayStation’s gaming history and enduring success. PlayStation learned nothing from the multi-million Dollar failure of their exclusive game Concord. Worse, PlayStation itself has turned woke and that means it does not prioritize the interests of gamers anymore. Insomniac is the most blatant example of wokeness in PlayStation and their executives are fine with that. These are facts that many PlayStation fanboys and fangirls don’t want to acknowledge.

Let’s be very clear here…PlayStation betrayed Kojima over the Physint project and it paved the way for Team Xbox to save it and expand their strategic partnership even more. I can feel the PlayStation fanboys/fangirls expressing disappointment and embarrassment right now. I believe Physint will be in good hands under the Xbox leadership of Asha Sharma as she clearly values the partnership with Kojima.

This is truly the biggest video game surprise of the year and Xbox fans should get excited. Watch out for future updates about Physint and the growing Xbox-Kojima partnership!

+++++

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Vietnam Attracts Almost 16 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

Vietnam Attracts Almost 16 Million Foreign Tourists in First 8 Months of 2026

carlocarrasco

The tourism boom in Vietnam continued strongly as the nation successfully attracted almost sixteen million foreign tourists during the first eight months of 2026, according to a news report by VnExpress.

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

Vietnam welcomed nearly 2 million international visitors in August, up 19.7% from July and 18.4% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

In the first eight months of this year, the country received nearly 16 million foreign visitors, an increase of 14.4% from the same period in 2025 and equivalent to 63.6% of the full-year target.

The August figure is notable as the month is usually considered part of the low season for international tourism.

The result shows that the country’s tourism market continued to maintain and expand its appeal. Air travel remained the main mode of entry, accounting for 83% of international arrivals, while arrivals by road continued to increase, particularly from neighboring countries.

By region, Asia was still Vietnam’s largest source market, with about 11.8 million visitors in the eight-month period, making up nearly 74% of the total and increasing 7.4% year-on-year.

Europe recorded the strongest growth among major regions, at 53.4%, with about 2.68 million visitors.

Arrivals from the Americas reached around 887,000, up 20.7%, while those from Oceania rose 23.3% to nearly 489,000. Africa sent about 45,000 visitors to Vietnam, up 25.1%.

The tourism authority said the figures show that Vietnam is expanding its reach beyond nearby Asian markets, with strong growth from long-haul markets, helping diversify the visitor base and reduce dependence on individual markets.

By country, China remained Vietnam’s largest source market, with 3.54 million visitors, accounting for about 22.3% of the total. South Korea ranked second with approximately 2.76 million visitors, or 17.3%. Together, the two markets provided more than 6.3 million visitors, nearly 40% of the country’s total.

Russia ranked third with more than 1 million visitors, representing a year-on-year increase of about 165.7%, the highest growth among major source markets.

Other key markets also posted strong growth. Visitors from the U.S. increased 20.4%, Cambodia 41.5%, Japan 9.2%, the Philippines 58.8% and Australia 23.3%.

European markets continued to perform well, with arrivals from the U.K. rising 9.8%, France 13.4%, Germany 15.1%, Sweden 25.1%, Switzerland 27%, Poland 51.2% and the Czech Republic 28.2%. In Southeast Asia, tourists from Malaysia grew 20.5%, Singapore 31.7%, and Indonesia 26.7%.

India was another fast-growing market. The number of Indian visitors rose from just 102,000 in 2019 to more than 612,000 in the first eight months of 2026.

The expansion of direct air services between major Indian cities and Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang has helped make Vietnam more accessible to Indian travelers.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Vietnam can attract at least 25 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? If you plan to visit Vietnam soon, what are your three main reasons for visiting?

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 @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco