United States – Author Carlo Carrasco

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 141

June 10, 2026June 5, 2026carlocarrasco

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 Reaction Videos Of Scary Movie 3 – After enjoying the original Scary Movie of 2000, I saw its 2001 sequel and left the cinema disappointed. Two years later, I saw Scary Movie 3 and it was an indeed an improvement over Scary Movie 2. What is very notable about Scary Movie 3 is the fact that the Wayans Brothers were no longer involved and it was directed by David Zucker of ZAZ (Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker). Scary Movie 3 is popular with YouTubers and already there are several reaction videos about it posted online. For your enjoyment, I posted below the reaction videos I found entertaining.

#2 Ranting For Vengeance Debunks Zealots Who Believe Anime Is Leftist – If you were fortunate enough to watch multiple anime productions dating back to the 1960s, you would be aware about the collective mindset of the creators, what the anime trends were and what the messages came with what was shown through the decades. Still, there are some zealots on social media who have this foolish belief that all anime is woke and leftist in nature. That said, Ranting for Vengeance recently posted another video debunking those zealots and his explanations have strong details. Watch his video now.

#3 The Enduring Story Behind Super Mario Bros. 2 – Back in the mid-1980s, Super Mario Bros. became a massive commercial success for Nintendo and it went on to make an impact not only on gamers but also on pop culture. Shigeru Miyamoto and his team worked hard to make Super Mario Bros. 2 which was released on the Family Disk System in Japan. Strangely, the Super Mario Bros. 2 released on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in America was not the same game the Japanese gamers enjoyed. Confused? There is a lot of details in GTV Japan’s video below and they are all worth discovering. Go watch it and pay attention to the details closely.

#4 Wagyu For Breakfast In Japan – When was the last time you had Wagyu for a meal? Was there ever a time you experienced a luxurious breakfast while traveling overseas? Japan is where you can find them and you can discover where exactly they are and what other types of food is offered to customers in the Nippon TV video below. Watch, learn and enjoy!

#5 The Worst NBA Arenas – Considering how many teams there are in the National Basketball Association (NBA) representing different cities, America clearly has a lot of venues where the basketball games can be held at. Some stadiums have modern designs that can accommodate not only lots of people but also the high-spending spectators (those who can afford luxuries) while providing everyone convenience and comfort for game viewing. Meanwhile, there are places that are sub-par or even undesirable for watching basketball games. The video below explores and explains what the worst NBA arenas are.

#6 No Chances For A Remake Of Xenogears? – When it comes to Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) that were released on the PlayStation console in 1998, the one game I want to play again is Square Enix’s Xenogears. I played it on the PlayStation but I never got to finish it. While Square Enix managed to remaster Chrono Cross and released it on different platforms in recent years, the company has been very quiet about any remake or remastering of Xenogears. Apart from the fact that many of the people who worked on Xenogears under Square’s umbrella have left the company, there are other possible factors as to why remaking Xenogears is complicated in ways that have yet to be revealed to the public. To find out why, watch the in-depth video below.

#7 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To What Lies Beneath – In late-2000, I saw What Lies Beneath on a Friday night inside a packed cinema at Festival Mall. The film, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford as a couple, really made moviegoers around me stressed and scared. There were even some bouts of screaming as the movie unleashed its scary moments. Recently, I watched Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video of the movie and it is a must-see!

#8 Rhetorical Thrill Reacts To Dragonslayer – When it was released in the early 1980s, Dragonslayer was one of many fantasy movies that got released. On its own, Dragonslayer was dark, gritty, violent and even gruesome to see. The Walt Disney Company and Paramount Pictures banded together to co-produce the film and eventually it ended up as a commercial failure. Even though it failed, Dragonslayer managed to gain a following and people who want to watch dark and violent fantasy movies are attracted to it. To see how it impacts Rhetorical Thrill, go watch her reaction video below. It’s a must-see.

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

America Tags BYD, Alibaba, Baidu And Others For Involvement With Chinese Military

June 10, 2026June 9, 2026carlocarrasco

Business giants Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and many other Chinese companies have officially been identified by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) as entities that were involved with the military of Communist China, according to a Kyodo News report.

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

The U.S. Defense Department said Monday it has added Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Baidu Inc., BYD Co. and other leading Chinese companies to a long list of entities it believes to be working with China’s military.

The expansion of the list comes after U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to stabilize bilateral relations during talks in Beijing in mid-May, despite intense geopolitical rivalry and disputes over numerous issues.

In designating the companies, the U.S. department asserted that BYD, China’s largest electric vehicle maker, and internet titans Alibaba and Baidu contribute to the country’s defense industrial base as they are affiliated with its Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

The Pentagon believes China’s “military-civil fusion” strategy has helped modernize the People’s Liberation Army. It is required by law to annually update and publish the list of so-called Chinese military companies operating directly or indirectly in the United States.

While appearing on the list does not lead immediately to legal steps by U.S. agencies, such as export controls or sanctions, the reputations of those named can be impacted. The department is also restricted from entering into contracts with designated entities.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this development will influence other governments and corporations to avoid signing contracts with Chinese companies that have been working with China’s military? Do you think your local or regional government has signed deals with any of the Chinese companies that have been tagged by the US Department of Defense? Are you concerned that Chinese businesses have stolen technologies and other pieces of critical information from your nation’s government or the private sector?

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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American AI Companies Targeting IT-BPM Sector Of The Philippines

June 9, 2026June 8, 2026carlocarrasco

With a thriving information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector, the Philippines is attracting the attention of American artificial intelligence (AI) firms due to revenues generated and the existing large employment base, according to a Manila Bulletin news report citing the United States Commercial Service (USCS).

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

The Philippines’ information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) sector has emerged as the most viable investment destination for American artificial intelligence (AI) firms, according to the United States Commercial Service (USCS).

USCS Manila commercial specialist Easter Villanueva said the IT-BPM sector is a promising market for US-based AI companies given the revenues it generates and its large employment base.

“Given the size of this sector, AI could play an important role in modernization, productivity, and movement toward higher value services,” she said in a webinar organized by the USCS last week.

The IT-BPM sector generated more than $40 billion in revenues last year, up five percent from $38 billion in 2024, based on data from the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

IBPAP said the industry employed 1.9 million workers last year, four percent higher than the previous year’s 1.82 million employees.

This year, the IT-BPM industry is expected to generate $42 billion in revenues and create 1.97 million jobs.

As AI threatens to disrupt the industry, Villanueva said the sector is increasingly becoming more open to integrating AI into its operations, especially when it comes to voice-based services.

“I would think that they would be very much willing to explore [AI], since it is also important for workforce development,” said Villanueva.

“They want to also protect the jobs here in this market, [so] they would want to upskill their agents to be able to integrate their daily operations with AI,” she added.

Aside from the IT-BPM sector, other promising industries for American AI companies include digital transformation, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and the public sector.

Villanueva said there are also opportunities in cybersecurity, data governance, and responsible AI, especially as companies become more conscious of data privacy and security.

Based on USCS estimates, AI adoption in the country remains limited, with only about 14.9 percent of companies currently using AI tools.

“This is not yet a mature AI market, and many buyers are still learning what AI can do, what it cannot do, how much it will cost, and how results can be measured. For US companies, this means that the opportunity is not only to sell, but also to educate, build trust, and demonstrate practical value,” said Villanueva.

For AI companies looking to enter the market, she said it is critical to make their use case clear by helping address a specific problem with measurable outcomes while offering cost-effective solutions.

She also recommended that firms work with local partners for market access and implementation support, embed data privacy and AI governance measures early, and adopt a consultative approach with buyers.

“Buyers can be price-sensitive, and companies may face competition from lower-cost providers…So the opportunity is real, but it will require patience, education, and a clear business case,” Villanueva said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think several AI firms in the United States will proceed to tap the IT-BPM sector of the Philippines soon? What kind of business developments do you think will happen once American AI firms start investing in the Philippines’ IT-BPM sector? Do you think political scandals or government-related blunders of the Philippines might discourage American AI companies from investing?

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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What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 140

June 3, 2026May 25, 2026carlocarrasco

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 Retro Videos Of Scary Movie (2000) – Some of you might be aware that a brand new Scary Movie (2026) is coming out very soon. Although it’s nice to see Anna Faris and the Wayans brothers in the trailer of the new movie, I am not very motivated to see it. That said, I am more nostalgic about the original Scary Movie of 2000 and that film is significant as there are many retrospective videos about it in YouTube. As such, I posted below the selected videos of Scary Movie (2000) for your enjoyment.

#2 How Tekken 3 Was Made Possible On PlayStation – When I first played Tekken 3 in the arcades in 1997, I was already an avid fan of Tekken 2 which I played a lot on the PlayStation console. Back then, I wondered how Namco would be able to port Tekken 3 on PlayStation are the arcade version had much more powerful hardware. A year later, Tekken 3 was released on PlayStation and I played it a lot. The more I played it, the more impressed I was with how the game looked and felt on PlayStation. Not only that, Tekken 3 on PlayStation had features that the original arcade version did not offer. To find out how Namco made the “impossible port” of Tekken 3 using the PlayStation’s aging hardware, watch the video below.

#3 1990s NBA Plays That Are Still Great To Watch – Remember how exciting NBA basketball action was back in the 1990s? It was during the 1990s when the NBA became a global phenomenon, when the NBA had such super stars like Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and others who made great basketball plays. Back in those days, the Internet was slowly emerging and there obviously was no social media to amplify the great NBA moments. Posted below is a video that looks back at sixty great NBA plays that would have rocked the world had social media existed much earlier.

#4 Lunch At Ginza – Have you ever been to Ginza when you visited Japan? For the newcomers reading this, Ginza is the premier upscale district in Tokyo famous for shopping, fine dining and entertainment. Believe it or not, there are places in Ginza where visitors can have lunch at affordable rates and be satisfied. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#5 You, Me And The Movies React To Resident Evil: Degeneration – When the computer-generated movie Resident Evil: Degeneration was released in 2008, it created a lot of buzz for the dedicated fans of the Resident Evil video games, particularly those who followed the iconic characters Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield (the Resident Evil 2 characters). The limited theatrical releases did not stop the movie from achieving good box office numbers and it went on to sell a lot on DVD and Blu-ray later. But has the movie aged well and does anyone here enjoy it more than the live-action Resident Evil movies of Milla Jovovich? Watch the reaction video below and observe how it impacts You, Me and the Movies.

#6 Shoplifting Rampage By Hijabi Muslim Goes Very Wrong – Did you notice any woman wearing a hijab who engaged in theft lately? Overseas, someone committed shoplifting and things went very wrong. If you manage a store or if you care much about preventing the crime of theft from happening, you better watch the video below and pay close attention to the details. Do not let the Islamists manipulate you and never let them terrorize you.

#7 Origin of The Jackal – You ever heard of The Jackal in comic books? The Jackal is one of Spider-Man’s super villains and he is involved in one of the most tragic events of the icon’s life and also in the sagas about clones. Veteran creator J.M. DeMatteis called the Jackal as “a terrific villain.” To get to know more about the Jackal, watch the video below.

#8 Rhetorical Thrill Reacts To Toy Soldiers – Remember back in the 1990s when there was a slew of action or adventure films with terrorists as the antagonists? This was the so-called “Die Hard effect” in reference to the 1988 classic action film that starred Bruce Willis. In 1991, the movie Toy Soldiers was released and it was about an all-male boarding school that got occupied by terrorists, and only a group of rebellious students can achieve a breakthrough. Recently, Rhetorical Thrill posted her reaction video about Toy Soldiers and it is entertaining to watch.

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Philippines President And US Secretary Of State Discuss Important Matters Over The Phone

June 2, 2026June 1, 2026carlocarrasco

During the morning yesterday, Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos received a telephone call from United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and they discussed security and economic priorities, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. Rubio reaffirmed America’s commitment to peace and stability in the South China Sea and the Luzon Economic Corridor (for references, click here and here).

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

President Marcos and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed bilateral security and economic priorities, including developments in the South China Sea and regional energy concerns, during a phone call on Monday morning, June 1.

In a Facebook post, President Marcos described his phone call with Rubio as “productive.”

“I had a productive phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this morning, during which we discussed critical regional and economic priorities, and bilateral trade matters,” he said.

“Our exchange underscored our countries’ mutual commitment to strengthening the PH-US alliance and addressing shared regional interests,” he added.

Details of the conversation were first released by the US State Department through a readout attributed to spokesperson Thomas Pigott.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to discuss a range of bilateral economic and security priorities, including efforts to advance peace and security in the South China Sea,” the statement read.

According to the US State Department, Rubio also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the Luzon Economic Corridor — a trilateral initiative involving the Philippines, the US, and Japan aimed at accelerating infrastructure and investment projects in Luzon.

“The Secretary reaffirmed US commitment to developing the Luzon Economic Corridor and exploring ways to address the energy challenges in the region,” the statement added.

Rubio also underscored the strength of the long-standing alliance between Manila and Washington.

“The Secretary emphasized the strength of the United States-Philippines Alliance and the continued close cooperation as the two countries commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years as Allies in 2026, the US readout stated.

The Philippines and the United States are treaty allies under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and have expanded defense cooperation in recent years amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the current state of ties between America and the Philippines will eventually get stronger soon? Do you think the anticipated economic benefits of Pax Silica and the Luzon Economic Corridor will be realized before the end of President Marcos’ term? Do you think the Philippines will have to drop whatever agreements it recently made with America’s enemies such as Communist China, the Palestinian terrorists and the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran?

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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Retro Gaming Ads Blast – Part 43

June 1, 2026May 25, 2026carlocarrasco

Welcome back readers, fellow geeks and electronic gaming fans!

In this edition of the Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) series, we will take a look at another batch of retro gaming print ads from the 1980s to the 1990s.

For the newcomers reading this, Retro Gaming Ads Blast (RGAB) looks back at the many print ads of games (console, arcade, computer and handheld) that were published in comic books, magazines, flyers, posters and newspapers long before smartphones, social media, the worldwide web and streaming became popular. To put things in perspective, people back in the 1980s to the 1990s were more trusting of print media for information and images about electronic games and related products.

With those details laid down, here is the newest batch of retro gaming print ads for you to see and enjoy…

1. Taito’s 4-in-1 Print Ad

*I remember seeing this ad in some comic books I read back in the 1980s.*

There is nothing like taking the clever approach of promoting multiple video games using only one single print ad in the size of a single page. Taito did exactly that in the 1980s when it promoted Elevator Action, The Legend of Kage, Arkanoid and Renegade for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) promising excitement as the mentioned games were making the jump from arcade to console. What is very notable in Taito’s single-page print ad was that it did not show any screenshots of the games. Instead, they used hand-drawn artwork to emphasize each game’s theme or setting, and leave it up to the viewers’ imagination as to how those games would look like on NES. This old ad is intriguing and amusing at the same time.

2. Chase H.Q. II: Special Criminal Investigation Print Ad

*Cars and high-speed action emphasized in this ad.*

Following the huge success of the original Chase H.Q. on both arcade and consoles in the late-1980s, the sequel Special Crime Investigation was released in the arcades in 1989 and ported to game consoles and computers in the early 1990s under the title Chase H.Q. II: Special Criminal Investigation. To promote Chase H.Q. II: Special Criminal Investigation for home computers, game publisher Ocean came up with a colorful print ad showcasing a few cars, a city background and elements of gun-related action presented in nice art. The ad has an image of the original arcade machine to remind gamers that they are playing the sequel to Chase H.Q.

3. Dancing Eyes Japanese Arcade Flyer

Released by Namco in Japan in 1996, Dancing Eyes is a puzzle arcade game that became notorious due to its overtly sexual nature. With the way it was designed, players control a small monkey called Urusu-San and crawl along a 3D grid mapped over characters (mostly ladies) or various objects. If the 3D grid is mapped over a young lady, any tile of the grid destroyed by the player exposes the lady’s underwear or skin. Such sexuality is reflected in the arcade flyer of Dancing Eyes which has a suggestive hand-drawn art on the front while the game’s mechanics are explained in the rear. Even the rear of the flyer shows sexual nature of the game with screenshots. While the game was officially released only in Japan, Dancing Eyes actually was made available for gamers to play at the arcade of X-Site amusement center inside Festival Mall in Alabang during the early 2000s and it attracted a lot of guys. I bet Namco did not know about that.

4. Sega Saturn North American Print Ad

*This print ad always caught people’s attention.*

When the Sega launched the Saturn console in America roughly four months ahead of schedule in 1995, the company suffered as the sales were disappointing, ties with business partners were strained and the available Saturn games were very few. By the fourth quarter of that year, more games became available for the Saturn and this gave Sega the opportunity to aggressively market the console as the one that gamers should get for their enjoyment. To promote the Saturn, Sega came up with a two-page print ad that had a dominant image of a naked woman whose private parts were cleverly covered by screenshots of the available games. Since most gamers were predominantly male from teenagers to adults, it made sense for Sega to come up with an eye-catching sexy ad to promote their console and the video games (including those from other companies). This old ad is considered by the woke and rabid feminists as very offensive today.

5. Blockbuster Video Print Ad

*If you won the grand prize and wanted a lot of entertainment, you would not want to leave your home.*

Back in the late 20^th century, Blockbuster Video was the dominant retailer that offered customers movies in home video format for sale and for rent. Along the way, the company offered video game rentals and attracted millions of gamers around the nation. Given the tremendous growth of video gaming in America in the 1990s, Blockbuster got itself more involved by launching the Games of Summer Sweepstakes in 1996. Utilizing print ads, the sweepstakes offered the Ultimate Game Rooms – composed of a 41-inch big-screen TV, Surround Sound speakers, hi-fi VCR, NBA Jame Extreme arcade game, the Sega Saturn, the PlayStation, a gaming chair, Acclaim games for Saturn and PlayStation, and a 1-year free Blockbuster Video game rentals privilege – as the grand prizes. Do you know anyone who won in Blockbuster’s sweepstakes?

6. Independence Day (ID4) Print Ad

*A nice looking ad for a game that was actually mediocre.*

Remember how big a blockbuster Independence Day (ID4) was in cinemas in 1996? The film grossed over $800 million worldwide and it revived the disaster movie genre using modern filmmaking techniques and the latest technologies of the decade. Given the massive success of the movie, it was not surprising that an official video game adaptation was released in 1997. To promote the game, Fox Interactive (the video game company of the movie studio behind the film) came up with a 2-page print ad using official artwork from the movie showcasing the alien spaceship being attacked by a military fighter plane. The ad showed only 3 screenshots and the descriptive text was written to make gamers feel like they have the role to lead Earth’s fight against the aliens. While the art looks good, it can only go so far to hide the mediocrity of the game itself.

7. GoldenEye 007 Print Ad

When GoldenEye achieved both critical and financial success in movies, it revived the James Bond movie franchise big-time and Pierce Brosnan was easily accepted by the public as the newest Agent 007. Several months before the movie was even released, an official video game adaptation started development. After much revisions and hard adjustments, the project evolved into a first-person shooting game for the Nintendo 64 console titled GoldenEye 007. To promote the game, Nintendo came up with a 2-page print ad that cleverly showed Brosnan as James Bond on the left and displayed the screenshots and other details on the right. This ad was easily eye-catching and it made lots of gamers excited. As history showed, GoldenEye 007 got released in 1997 and became a huge critical and commercial success while also proving that first-person shooters on game consoles can be a lot of fun.

8. North American Sega Saturn Games Promo Print Ad

*There definitely was something fun offered to gamers. Who could go wrong with titles like Tomb Raider, Nights into Dreams, Virtual On and Virtua Cop 2?*

As mentioned earlier, the Sega Saturn had a bad launch in America in 1995 which caused a lot of problems for the company. In 1996, Sega of America went on the offensive to really capture gamers’ attention by launching their Saturn games promo. The message of this 2-page print ad was very clear…Sega offered one free first-party game (limited to four specific games including Nights into Dreams) to those who bought two games (from a lineup of twelve specific titles). It should be noted that the Christmas season of 1996 was the most successful sales period of the Sega Saturn in America as gamers really responded to the promo. Even though some called this promo an act of desperation, nothing changes the fact that Sega succeeded during the most critical sales season of 1996.

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America Plans Transfer Of Coast Guard Cutter To The Philippines

June 1, 2026May 31, 2026carlocarrasco

On the sidelines of the recent International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the plan to transfer a US Coast Guard Cutter to the Philippines to help its maritime security in the West Philippine Sea, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

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

The United States plans to transfer a Coast Guard cutter to the Philippines to bolster the latter’s maritime security amid ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the vessel transfer following a high-level bilateral meeting with Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. on Saturday, May 30, on the sidelines of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

“Honored to meet Secretary Teodoro for the fifth time as we bolster defense cooperation along the First Island Chain—backed by our most advanced-ever BALIKATAN exercise and a Coast Guard cutter transfer,” Hegseth said in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter).

“We continue to put Peace through Strength into action,” he added.

The meeting took place as Manila and Washington mark the 75th anniversary of the Philippines-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT). The 1951 accord binds both nations to defend each other in the event of an armed attack in the Pacific.

During the meeting, Teodoro reaffirmed the Philippines’ “ironclad alliance” with the US. He also underscored Manila’s “strong support for the US’ commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.”

Teodoro emphasized that the Philippines stands as a “witness to the robustness of US partnerships in the region,” noting that such efforts contribute to “greater resilience and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.”

Meanwhile, Hegseth highlighted that the frequency of their meetings underscored the “depth and consistency of Philippines-US defense cooperation.”

The Pentagon chief also commended the successful conduct of the recent Exercise Balikatan, noting it as the “largest iteration to date and a testament to the growing interoperability and readiness of both armed forces.”

The US reaffirmed its commitment to support the monitoring of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) amid ongoing maritime tensions and Hegseth expressed continued American support for Philippine defense interests.

To sustain long-term operational defense ties, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US Indopacom) renewed for another 15 years the Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA), a defense agreement that allows the two forces to use secure and encrypted communications systems when operating together.

Teodoro also invited Hegseth to the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus later this year, recognizing the upcoming occasion as an “opportunity to strengthen engagement not only with the Philippines but also with defense counterparts.”

Capitol Hill backing – Aside from his meeting with Hegseth, Teodoro also secured commitments from the US legislature during separate engagements with US Senate and House of Representatives delegations.

Teodoro expressed appreciation for the “continued bipartisan support of the United States (US) Congress for Philippine defense priorities” and reaffirmed the “enduring strength of the Philippines-US alliance.”

Meeting with a US Senate delegation led by Senator Pete Ricketts and joined by Senator Tammy Duckworth, Teodoro underscored the importance of “consistently exposing malign actions that threaten human lives, as well as regional peace and security.”

The defense chief highlighted the importance of “principled and collective action in upholding international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”

In response, the American senators expressed appreciation for the Philippines’ “efforts in addressing malign activities and promoting adherence to international law.”

They also recognized the successful conduct of Exercise Balikatan and its contribution to “enhancing interoperability among the Philippines, the US, and other like-minded partners.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the planned transfer of a US Coast Guard vessel to the Philippines will prove to be very helpful soon? Do you think China will be intimidated by the strong alliance between America and the Philippines?

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

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Twenty Nations Will Accept Illegal Aliens From America

May 29, 2026May 28, 2026carlocarrasco

The Trump administration’s enduring efforts to bring down the number of illegal aliens still present in America achieved a huge breakthrough deportations as twenty nations have formally agreed to accept the said illegals, according to a Newmax news report. This development could lead to an acceleration of deportations.

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

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the United States has secured agreements with 20 countries to accept migrants living in the U.S. illegally who refuse to return to their home nations, describing the deals as a key part of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy.

Rubio said the agreements allow the United States to deport certain illegal aliens to so-called “safe” third countries when returning them directly to their countries of origin is not possible.

“A part of securing our border is dealing with the people that are in this country unlawfully, many of whom do not want to go back to the country that they originally came from,” Rubio said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.

He said in some cases deportations are blocked because the migrants’ home countries refuse to accept them or because court rulings delay removals.

“One of the key things we have achieved is now 20 countries have signed third-country national agreements,” Rubio said. “These are safe countries where individuals who refuse to go back to their country of origin can be sent to that country instead.”

The agreements mark a significant expansion of the administration’s deportation efforts as President Donald Trump pushes forward with a broad immigration crackdown focused on border security and removal of illegal aliens living in the country illegally.

Rubio said the administration has worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security to implement the policy. He did not identify the countries that have signed the agreements or specify when the deals were finalized.

According to Rubio, the threat of deportation to a third country has also encouraged some illegal aliens to voluntarily return to their home countries.

“What often happens when you go to the person who’s here unlawfully and say, ‘We’re going to send you to this third country,’ is all of a sudden they decide they’d rather go back to their home country instead,” Rubio said.

Immigration enforcement and deportation policies have remained central priorities for the Trump administration, which has argued tougher enforcement measures are necessary to deter illegal immigration and strengthen border security.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this breakthrough will lead to more deportations of illegal aliens soon? How many illegal immigrants are living within 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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What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 139

May 27, 2026May 26, 2026carlocarrasco

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 Maximum Carnage Revisited – With Spider-Man, Venom and Carnage all in high demand in 1993, Marvel Comics launched the 14-part Maximum Carnage storyline published on the four Spider-Man monthly comic book series and the quarterly Spider-Man Unlimited series. Carnage back then was a still new super villain who is more insane and more bloodthirsty than even Venom. Maximum Carnage has a divisive reception among fans and comic book collectors. Some called it the worst Spider-Man storyline while others found it exceptional as the chaos in New York City attracted other Marvel superheroes – notably Captain America – to help Spider-Man solve the crisis. Regardless of opinion, Maximum Carnage made an impact on pop culture and it got its own official video game adaptation. To discover more about Maximum Carnage in comics and in video game form, watch and learn from the videos below.

#2 The World’s Largest Truck Stop Diner – While I have visited the United States a number of times since 1989, I never had the opportunity to spend time at a truck stop diner nor have I ever experienced traveling long distances in a truck. Having seen truck stop diners (or rest places for truckers) on videos and on TV, I noticed those places have a unique vibe, its own culture and assorted meals customers can enjoy. As such, I urge you to watch the video below and pay attention to the details.

#3 You, Me And The Movies React To Scary Movie (2000) – In November of 2000, I saw Scary Movie in the local cinema here in the Philippines and almost all the seats were filled. That film was released in America in July that same year and it became a surprise box office hit. Even though it was not heavily promoted here in the Philippines, it still attracted a lot of local moviegoers upon opening. Regardless, the Keenen Ivory Wayans-directed movie was a mature parody of varied horror movies (notably the Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer movies) and its success made Anna Faris popular. Local moviegoers who enjoyed American Pie had their enjoyment watching Shannon Elizabeth again. Now that the movie is over a quarter-century old, one has to wonder if it still has the power to entertain viewers, especially those who missed out on it. That said, you should watch the reaction video of You, Me and the Movies below.

#4 Ashleigh Burton Reacts To Patriot Games – Recently, Ashleigh Burton posted her reaction video of the 1992 movie Patriot Games starring Harrison Ford as Jack Ryan. For context, Patriot Games was the cinematic sequel to The Hunt For Red October and both were based on novels by Tom Clancy. At the time of Patriot Games’ release, there was some buzz and even debates about Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Jack Ryan, especially when compared to Alec Baldwin’s take on the same character in the 1990 film. How Ashleigh Burton reacts to Patriot Games is a must-see.

#5 Bears Cause Trouble In Japan Again – Recently in Japan, bears are causing trouble once again and there was one person who got attacked. As there is still a lot of forests and untouched land in Japan, bears are present and arguably multiplying. From time to time, bears come out of the woods and appear in places where people dwell. As such, there is a lot for you to learn about them and you can stay safe in Japan by watching the Nippon TV video below.

#6 Why Gamers Stopped Buying Games At Full Price – Are you a hardcore gamer who got so disappointed with the current state of gaming that you decided to refrain from buying video games at full price? You definitely are not alone. In my experience as an Xbox gamer, I got very turned off by the changes made by Team Xbox as well as the quality of their high-profile first-party games of the past two years, I decided to go for bargains and retro gaming. I also extended my patience for brand new games to drop their prices first before I could even consider buying them. The video posted below explains in detail how the gaming landscape shifted and how the behaviors of gamers have changed which should concern every video game company that invested so much on making new video games. Watch it and pay attention to the details.

#7 Minty Comedic Arts’ Revenge Of The Nerds Trivia Video – During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minty Comedic Arts posted his trivia video about the 1984 raunchy comedy classic Revenge of the Nerds. Directed by Jeff Kanew and starring the late Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Ted McGinley and Julia Montgomery, the movie follows a group of socially awkward students who are compelled to form their own fraternity after getting harassed and bullied by a dominant fraternity. Filled with adulterated gags, funny dialogue and memorable character moments, Revenge of the Nerds was a commercial success and it spawned three sequels. The story behind the movie’s production is filled lots of details that are worth exploring and you can learn all about those by watching Minty Comedic Arts’ trivia video below.

#8 The Forgotten Cartoons Based On Video Games – You may have played the video games of Tomb Raider, Darkstalkers, Wing Commander, Mutant League and Bubsy. But have you seen the cartoon shows based on them? Indeed, there were animated adaptation of the said games and not too many gamers remember them. That said, you have to see GoodBadFlicks’ video about them now.

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A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #361 (1992)

May 25, 2026May 19, 2026carlocarrasco

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 early 1990s to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.

When it comes to the argument as to who is the most evil or the deadliest foe Spider-Man ever has, many point towards Venom (Eddie Brock and the alien costume from Secret Wars) who is murderous, filled with revenge against Spider-Man, is physically formidable and knows Peter Parker and his family members. In the early 1990s, the creative guys behind the Amazing Spider-Man series made the key decision to create another symbiote-wearing super villain like Venom but much more violent, more murderous and truly insane.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #361, published in 1992 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins inside the agro-lab of the Empire State University where an awful figure in black-and-blood intimidates a male worker. The awful figure is Carnage and he decides to play with the worker a bit before fulfilling his intention to kill him. The worker tries to escape but ends up failing as Carnage throws a huge piece of hardware at the door. Carnage grabs the man, slams him on the wall and uses sharp makeshift blades that suddenly stretched to murder the him.

At the a certain home in Forest Hills, Peter Parker spends quality time his aunt May Parker as he repairs an important machine in the basement. Moments later, the phone rings and May goes up to answer it. Peter follows and learns that the call was meant for him.

Upon using the phone, Peter learns the tragic news that his friend Chip at the university was murdered. He excuses himself from May to go outside to secretly change into Spider-Man and make his way to Empire State University. Struck by the tragic news, Spider-Man is aware that there have been a dozen brutal murders in New York City over the last week. He is also aware that a message was written in blood by someone called Carnage…

Quality

*The first-ever battle between Spider-Man and Carnage is very intense to look at.*

To make things very clear, this comic book has the first full appearance of Carnage which is Cletus Kasady with a living costume spawned from Venom’s symbiote. Kasady himself first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #344 in 1991, and it is very clear that the creators deliberately modeled him after DC Comics’ super villain the Joker to have the psychopath appearance (distinctive messy hair, crazed facial expressions, slim body frames and the unusual jawline). Kasady and the Joker also have a nihilistic view of the world focused on spreading chaos while enjoying unrestrained violence.

David Michelinie was really methodical when it came to build-up the tension, presenting key details and pacing the narrative when showing Carnage (who actually appears on the first page) and emphasizing the details about him (including Kasady’s background history and personality as observed by the witnesses who knew him). The appearance of Carnage in the first half was deliberately limited to ten panels and as the story moved on, details of him were revealed especially when Peter Parker did his own detective work. By the time Spider-Man and Carnage finally faced off with each other, the spectacle (action scenes) really ramped up high and the Michelinie-Bagley duo succeeded in showing Carnage being deadlier and unrelenting towards the webslinger.

*Spider-Man doing detective work in costume and in civilian form as Peter Parker. This is also one of the finest pieces of Spider-Man art done by Mark Bagley.*

More on the iconic hero, Peter Parker here was portrayed as being highly disturbed by the recent murders of the city and the loss of his friend which compelled him to do very serious detective work leading up to his discovering of Kasady (and the eventual face-off in a ruined property where Carnage took refuge in). Parker also felt uneasy about remembering his recent encounter with Venom and the details of the murder reminded him of the old nemesis. The pacing here is excellent and as the narrative went on, the tension really intensified.

Spider-Man’s encounter with Carnage – which the cover art obviously emphasized without restraint – is really intense to look at. As he is completely unprepared as to what Carnage was capable of doing, the webslinger really struggled and was in danger in key moments. Carnage also has unique capabilities using the symbiote such as forming sharp blades and shooting small but sharp projectiles. If you want super villain-led moments of action that really challenged the superhero, you will find a good amount of that here. Also, I can say that Mark Bagley is very good in presenting the action scenes with dynamism, danger and intensity mixed together well.

Conclusion

*The news image of Cletus Kasady on the lower-right corner is obviously patterned after Batman’s nemesis the Joker. That image really looks like it was ripped out of a Batman comic book.*

Amazing Spider-Man #361 (1992) marks the very intense debut of Carnage and the way he was presented as the newest super villain for Spider-Man to deal with, he is nastier and deadlier than Venom (who would eventually have the delusion of protecting the innocent while remaining murderous). In fact, the way the battle between the two was executed here made me forget about Venom temporarily which shows the Michelinie-Bagley duo pulled the right moves in making this comic book. To be clear, Carnage is pure evil laced with insanity and with absolute disregard towards people. Both Carnage and Venom are murderers and they should be condemned always. It happens that Carnage is more disastrous and has no regard for human life, which ironically makes Venom looking a bit less evil by comparison.

As for Spider-Man, his portrayal here is really dramatic and his superhero pursuits only added to the trouble of his marriage with Mary Jane. As such, you could end up feeling sorry for MJ even though Peter Parker himself wants to solve problems while protecting not only their lives but also the lives of the innocent.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #361 (1992) is highly recommended.

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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

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