vacation – Page 5 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Crimson Hotel In Filinvest City Rebrands Into Quest Plus Conference Center, Manila

November 12, 2025November 4, 2025carlocarrasco

Remember the Crimson Hotel located in Filinvest City across Festival Mall? Better get used to calling the premium hotel Quest Plus Conference Center, Manila as a major rebranding happened recently, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The final message carrying the Crimson Hotel brand was posted on social media on October 27.

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

Announced on October 28 by Chroma Hospitality, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila officially transforms into Quest Plus Conference Center, Manila. With a refreshed identity, the rebranding promises more comfort, more connections, and more reasons to stay in the South.

“Quest Plus is about giving guests more. More ease, more experiences, and more reasons to come back,” said James Montenegro, country manager of Chroma Hospitality. “With this transformation, guests can expect the same trusted service with a renewed focus on delivering practical comfort and premium value every step of the way.”

The rebrand reinforces Chroma’s vision to make Quest Plus Hotels & Resorts the premium value-driven choice for both business and leisure travelers across the Philippines.

The recent move represents a new chapter for guests travelling to the South, as they can look forward to refreshed rooms, elevated event spaces, and dynamic dining concepts. All are designed to make every stay smart, seamless, and satisfying.

At Quest Plus Manila, guests can expect comfort from freshened rooms and thoughtful amenities that make every stay easy and enjoyable, value-driven by flexible packages for meetings, corporate stays, and family getaways, and more flavors from dining experiences that highlight familiar favorites in the South.

Whether for a quick business trip, a weekend getaway, or a full-scale conference, Quest Plus Conference Center, Manila invites guests to discover South’s new stay destination—one that’s familiar yet excitingly new.

“Alabang has always been a key destination for corporate and leisure travelers,” Montenegro added.

On its official website, Quest Plus Conference Center, Manila posted a welcome message as follows:

Welcome to Quest Plus Conference Center, Manila, your gateway to effortless comfort and rewarding experiences in the heart of Alabang.

Whether you’re here for business, leisure, or a bit of both, you’ll find more than just a place to stay — you’ll find space to connect, unwind, and make every moment count.

Located right within the vibrant Filinvest City, our hotel offers a refreshing balance between work and play, with contemporary guestrooms, elevated dining options, and thoughtfully designed meeting spaces for every kind of traveler.

To know more about Quest Plus Conference Center, Manila, click https://www.questhotelsandresorts.com/manila. You can also visited their Facebook page by clicking https://www.facebook.com/QuestPlusManila. For their Google Maps location, click https://maps.app.goo.gl/y1zEa1tSYc9o3bDYA

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you surprised by the rebranding of the premium hotel in Filinvest City? Quest Plus Conference Center, Manila can make Alabang a more attractive destination for tourists and foreign investors?

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

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

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

Have You Been To The New Starbucks With Drive-Thru In Filinvest City?

November 10, 2025November 4, 2025carlocarrasco

When Starbucks Philippines opened its newest branch in Filinvest City right across the Filinvest City Central Park in late October, there was a lot of social media buzz as well as discussions within Alabang community members about it ranging from happiness to being concerned.

To be clear, the said Starbucks Filinvest City branch is in a standalone place (no other business establishments beside it as of now) and it is the first-ever Starbucks Drive-Thru in Alabang. Being across Filinvest City Central Park, the coffee shop is a short walk away from East Asia Drive establishments like Parque España, Commercenter and The Mondrian Residences.

*This is what the new standalone Starbucks in Filinvest City looks like.*

*A view within the 2nd floor. There is a lot more space off-camera.*

Although the new Starbucks branch was described as being located along Filinvest Avenue, its front (entrance and exit) is actually located along East Asia Drive as it faces Filinvest City Central Park. It also has its own parking area where motorized customers can park for free. For the Google Maps location, click https://maps.app.goo.gl/MVohqcwfrzRdry9C9

For a clear view of the location of Starbucks Filinvest City, watch the video I recorded and posted below. It is my solo walk video from Commercenter to Starbucks.

The coffee shop operates Monday to Sunday, from 6AM to 11PM.

On November 1, I made my first visit at the place to see it personally. It has a nice interior and the typical Starbucks look on the menus, the counter and display of food and drinks. What caught my attention was how spacious the 2^nd floor was in terms of seats and walking space. The large windows provided visitors nice views of the Filinvest City Central Park and Filinvest Avenue. On that day, I did not order anything as I went there to look and observe.

On November 4, I finally made my first order of coffee by means of drive-thru. Even though there were two vehicles ahead of me, the drive-thru experience at Starbucks near Filinvest City Central Park was pretty smooth lasting less than ten minutes. I had a hot white chocolate mocha.

*The menu displayed during my drive-thru experience.*

As mentioned earlier, there were some people online who expressed concern about how the newest Starbucks branch in Alabang would affect the ambience very near the park which is a popular weekend destination for both local residents and visitors who enjoy the fresh air and open space.

There were those who expressed concern about the anticipated increase of vehicles along East Asia Drive by the park, and the possibility that someday, a long line of cars could be formed in the event a lot of motorists decide to buy coffee via drive-thru. Some commented that more vehicles attracted by Starbucks might make East Asia Drive less friendly and even risky for those who enjoy jogging or biking on the said road.

A few commented that Alabang alone has lots of branches of Starbucks already and I can relate with that. There is a Starbucks Reserve inside Westgate. Alabang Town Center has one (two if you count there other one at Metro Alabang), Molito Lifestyle Complex has one, One Griffinstone building has one, Festival Mall has two, a few in Northgate Cyberzone, and so on.

On the other hand, some people commented that having coffee at Starbucks will somehow boost their chances to visit Filinvest City Central Park which itself has special events during weekends depending on the season and weather conditions. The park has been a special place for Christmas activities (read my 2024 Christmas spectacle at the park by clicking here) and night-time music shows (recently held at The Nest, a special structure that provides a wide roof). For the Google Maps location of Filinvest City Central Park, click https://maps.app.goo.gl/vzt8D9yLzRSVVhae9

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Have you been to Starbucks near Filinvest City Central Park? If you have been there, what do you think about the design of the coffee shop? Have you tried their drive-thru?

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 108

November 5, 2025October 30, 2025carlocarrasco

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 Jim Shooter Remembered – I am a long-time comic book reader and I can say out loud that modern day superhero comics are NOT worth pursuing anymore. So many woke activists, LGBTQ activists and rabid feminists have entered the comic book industry and they made superhero comics worse. That being said, what happened in recent years in superhero comics only made me revisit not only the comics of previous decades but also focus on the late Jim Shooter (1951-2025) who has a legacy of great creativity as well as big involvement on the business side of comic book publishing. He was the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics for almost a decade. I recently saw this particular YouTube video about Shooter’s prediction of the industry collapsing and I can say it is very compelling to watch. Go watch the video below.

#2 The Matrix Resurrections Revisited – When The Matrix Resurrections was released in 2021, I never bothered to watch it at all. To be clear, I saw the first three Matrix movies a long time ago and when it was announced that a sequel would actually be made, I was never interested nor intrigued. As such, I checked the movie through varied videos on YouTube and posted below are references that should interest you even if you are not a Matrix fan. By the way, when was the last time you saw Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss together?

#3 Where To Have Burger Steak In Japan – When you think about Japan as your next destination as a traveler, do you think about having very meaty meals there? Recently, Japanese Food Noodles posted a video about five Japanese food joints that serve burger steaks and side dishes to customers. In the video below, you can find out what those food joints are and you can enjoy watching how the food is prepared.

#4 Greta Thunberg Hilariously Mocked – Greta Thunberg, the climate change zealot and active partner-in-crime of Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, was hilariously mocked in an Israeli satire program. As it is a fact that Thunberg and her woke activist pals attempted (for a 2^nd time) to reach Gaza WITHOUT ANY HUMANITARIAN AID at all, it is clear that they did it to generate buzz on social media and on the corrupt mainstream news media while serving Hamas. As such, the satire of Thunberg and her woke pals is a smart move and well-timed. Watch the Sky News Australia video below.

#5 Police Academy Revisited – What could be said about the 1984 comedy Police Academy? Apart from being a hilarious film, it was one of those very low-budget movies that struck gold with moviegoers grossing almost $150 million worldwide. To this day, Police Academy continues to entertain YouTubers and film buffs who were born after the movie was released. There are also some notable details about how the film was made, who made it in the cast and why it still is significant. Watch the selected videos below…

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I Love Israel: Israel Exploring Opportunities Of Cooperation With The Philippines On Tourism, Cybersecurity And More

November 5, 2025October 28, 2025carlocarrasco

During an important discussion with the Manila Bulletin, Israeli Ambassador to the Philippine Dana Kursh stated that the Jewish state and the Philippines are exploring opportunities of cooperation over important topics such as tourism, cybersecurity, trade and direct flights, the newspaper reported.

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

The Philippines and Israel are exploring “more avenues of cooperation”—including a possible free trade agreement, direct flights between the two countries, and cybersecurity agreements—that will improve the “bond” that has been going strong since World War II, Israel Ambassador to Manila Dana Kursh said on Monday, Oct. 27.

In an exclusive roundtable discussion with The Manila Bulletin, the envoy underscored the importance that Israel puts in the Philippines, citing high-level visits of its ministers for foreign relations, economy, and tourism, as well as its deputy foreign minister.

“That shows that the Israeli government thinks very highly of the Philippines because it is working top down—our Prime Minister said look east and he specifically said also the Philippines and our ministers are coming here to explore more avenues of cooperation,” she said.

“So, this is one time that it relies on the past and it looks at the present and if we are looking at the future there are two things that are important,” she added.

The first, Kursh shared, is the possible free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, of which discussions on building the mechanisms have already started in July.

“So, hopefully, there will be a free trade agreement. We are now just finalizing things so, we initially started in July and when it’s done, the potential of bond between the two nations will become even more,” she pointed out.

PH, Israel eye revival of direct flights – Another important component of this relationship is the establishment of direct flights.

Noting the big potential of tourism between the two countries, the ambassador lamented the travel advisory currently raised in Israel by the Philippine government.

“We have to move aside is a travel advisory. I know that tourists are still coming despite the travel advisory, but we need to overcome this challenge and God willing, now with the voices, with the wind of peace from our region, I do hope that the DFA will decide, together with other ministries, will decide to lift this,” she said.

Travel Alert Level 2 is currently raised in Israel, which reminds Filipinos to avoid non-essential travel to the country. This includes, among others, tourism visits, pilgrimages, temporary stays with relatives and friends, volunteer work, sports events, entertainment, and similar activities.

After going past that hurdle, Kursh said the two countries can start discussion two possible options for direct flights, with one options having only direct flights on a certain amount of days a week.

The envoy added they have already met with the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines on how the direct flights will benefit the company.

“I do hope that more and more Filipinos will come to Israel and vice versa more and more Israelis will come to more than 7,000 mini paradise that we have in the Philippines.”

“So if I’m trying to answer, I think that God willing, within the next year and a half, we’ll be able to reach some progress, or even, but I cannot commit, we cannot commit to what’s going on in Israel, and at the end of the day, because it’s a decision of the airlines, we need to find ways to create the best formula that will be a win-win,” she added.

According to Kursh, there are some 30,000 or 40,000 tourists on both sides, but the “potential is tremendous.”

Cybersecurity partnership – Pointing out Israel’s expertise in technology, Kursh also said that her country has “added value” when it comes to exchanging best practices on innovation and technology, including cybersecurity.

“So, it’s both business and both tourism, we need to provide in our nations, to other next generation, we need to provide them food security and we need to provide cybersecurity and we need to provide them with health, with mental health and physical health and in all those realms and more Israelis and Filipinos can work together to have a better future for everyone,” she added.

This newest development shows the continuing growth of Israel-Philippines ties and Ambassador Kush pointed out the high-level visits of ministers from the Jewish state. In my view, the Philippines and Israel can become greater partners than they are today. Apart from travel, Israelis and Filipinos can help each other out in business, cybersecurity, and trade. We all have to pray that the Philippines and Israel will work together more closely sooner than later.

To my fellow Filipinos reading this, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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I Love Israel: Philippines Is A Priority Market For Israel On Tourism

November 4, 2025October 28, 2025carlocarrasco

Following the end of the 2-year war in Gaza and the return of twenty living hostages connected with US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza and the Middle East, there is now a renewed optimism in Israel particularly on tourism and that includes efforts to revive the travel sector while providing foreigners new opportunities to visit the Holy Land. Israel made clear that it sees the Philippines as a priority market on tourism, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

For the newcomers reading this, I myself had visited Israel on a pilgrimage tour with my local church in 2023. You can read some of my blog posts by clicking here, here, here, here, here and here. My faith in Lord Jesus is uncompromising and I will always stand in support of Israel and its people.

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

Israel sees the Philippines as a “priority” market in its efforts to revitalize its tourism sector, its tourism ministry said.

Intense promotions and trade engagement are underway in Asia following the “renewed travel optimism” seen after the Gaza ceasefire deal was signed this October, according to the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT).

The agency, during its participation at the recent Internationale Tourismus Borse (ITB) Asia 2025 travel event in Singapore, underscored Israel’s intent to deepen ties across Asia’s high-growth travel markets and highlighted the destination’s “evolving identity that unites its heritage and modern leisure offerings.”

“The enthusiasm we’ve seen from Filipino travelers and partners at ITB Asia truly reflects how Israel remains a top bucket-list destination for many Filipinos,” Anna Oraiza Aban, marketing manager at IMOT’s Philippine office, said on Friday.

“With visa-free access for Philippine passport holders, we’re confident that more Filipinos will soon turn their dream trips into reality. The strong interest from the market and travel trade inspires us to continue developing experiences that connect deeply with Filipino travelers, whether through faith, culture, or adventure.“

In a briefer, IMOT said insights from ITB Asia 2025 will guide its regional strategy through 2026, with emphasis on joint marketing campaigns, airline collaborations, and education programs to build awareness and drive sustainable visitor growth in Asia.

Israel received 118,200 tourists in August, a 39 percent increase from July. Between January and August, it recorded 814,000 tourist arrivals, up from 672,400 in the same period last year.

“Asia has been a key market for Israel with India, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, and South Korea leading,” IMOT said.

“This steady rise shows Asia’s growing confidence and curiosity in Israel’s mix of culture, culinary, eco-conscious, wellness, and adventure travel experiences,” it added.

This newest development shows the continuing growth of Israel-Philippines ties and I am confident that new travel breakthroughs between Israel and the Philippines plus other nations in Asia will happen. That means better commercial and investment opportunities, and more people in Asia will be able to visit the Holy Land in Israel and witness the Holy Bible come to life during their visit. This also means more Asian travelers – the faithful and those who are still spiritually lost – will have golden opportunities to realize that Lord Jesus is the hope of all nations!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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Leechiu Property Consultants See Bright Future Ahead For Philippine Tourism Due To Key Factors

October 28, 2025October 19, 2025carlocarrasco

There is no denying the fact that the Philippines is having trouble attracting foreign tourists this year but for Leechiu Property Consultants there is still a bright future ahead for the nation’s tourism industry due to growth in domestic tourism and a few other factors, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Although Asian tourist arrivals decline, the Philippine tourism industry is still perceived to be entering “a new era of opportunity” because of the growth in domestic tourism, improved flight connectivity, and the 99-year lease reform.

Leechiu Property Consultants said in its third-quarter media briefing that, as investors refocus on long-duration assets, the country’s hospitality and leisure industries are expected to see renewed capital flows and expanded capacity through 2026.

“With the anticipated growth in domestic and long-haul tourism, along with increased hospitality FDIs (foreign direct investments) driven by the newly-approved 99-year lease to foreign investors, the tourism sector is poised to strengthen its position as a key investment area and a vital pillar of the Philippine economy,” said LPC Director of Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure Alfred Lay.

He said the sector continued its steady recovery in the third quarter of 2025, but “while there are signs of resilience, no significant shifts have yet created real momentum in foreign arrivals. Without a major catalyst, arrivals are unlikely to surpass 2024 levels.”

Traditional leaders, such as South Korea and China, show steep declines, while the USA, Japan, and Australia are emerging as stronger contributors, reflecting changing travel patterns and opportunities to diversify source markets.

While international arrivals remain below pre-pandemic peaks, Lay said “domestic travel is surging toward historic highs, establishing a solid foundation for long-term tourism growth and investment confidence.”

Domestic tourists are projected to reach 58.7 million in 2025, rising further to 62.2 million in 2026, a trajectory supported by the country’s forecast gross domestic product growth by 7.63 percent and 5.8 percent in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Over the past two decades, domestic tourism spending has outpaced GDP, underscoring the sector’s resilience and capacity to drive nationwide economic activity.

Meanwhile, rising travel demand has spurred a wave of hotel developments nationwide, with a total of 5,210 new keys to be added in 2025—over 4,300 of which are expected to open in the fourth quarter.

A majority of these projects are led by domestic operators, reflecting local developers’ agility in capturing demand across destinations such as Metro Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Davao, and Palawan.

Lay said the newly approved 99-year lease law has created a strong foundation for long-term tourism investment as it provides global investors with the security to pursue large-scale resort and mixed-use developments.

Over time, the law is expected to stimulate foreign direct investment in tourism and hospitality, similar to the trends observed in the Maldives, where long-term leases have transformed the sector into a global investment hotspot.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think domestic tourism, improved flight connectivity and the 99-year lease reform will boost Philippine tourism in the short-term? Do you think domestic tourism will keep on growing to life up the nation’s tourism industry as a whole?

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 107

October 27, 2025October 20, 2025carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Lost Odyssey Revisited – Back in 2008, I played Lost Odyssey on my Xbox 360 console and it was my most anticipated game of the time as I enjoyed playing Final Fantasy role-playing games (RPGs) on different consoles several years prior. In my experience, Lost Odyssey truly is a Final Fantasy game without the name and it remains an Xbox 360-exclusive game that happens to be compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X consoles (still available digitally online). For the newcomers reading this, Final Fantasy creator and former Square Enix producer Hironobu Sakaguchi co-wrote the story of Lost Odyssey and his own independent studio Mistwalker laid the foundation and the other studio Feelplus did the coding of the game. Not only that, famous game musician Nobuo Uematsu composed and scored the music of the Xbox RPG. To find out how the game was conceptualized, how its production happened and why it became an Xbox-exclusive game, watch the selected retrospective videos below.

#2 No Kings Protest Fails – In America, the Satanic Leftists, the woke extremists, the climate change zealots and other pawns of the Democrats organized the No Kings protests which eventually failed. The Leftists hatred for US President Donald Trump is so intense, they became out of touch with reality and they end up hating America. Lastly, many on the Left cannot tell the difference between a president and a king. The Democrats meanwhile are still obsessed with embracing immorality, destroying the traditional American family, empowering Islamic terrorists and support illegal immigrants. Watch and learn from the videos below.

#3 Delicious Meals With Big Portions In Japan – If you plan to do food trips while touring Japan, what exactly will you be looking for among the many food joins there? If you crave delicious food with big servings, there are indeed places to visit, and you can find what they offer and where could visit them by watching the Nippon TV video below. A friendly reminder for all who intend to visit Japan as foreign tourists…always behave yourselves by following local rules and being respectful to the Japanese.

#4 VKunia Reacts To Scary Movie – In 2000, Scary Movie was released in cinemas in America on July which was during the summer blockbuster season. The horror comedy parody film succeeded beyond expectations making almost $280 million worldwide on a budget of less than $20 million. Here in the Philippines, Scary Movie opened on November 1 of 2000 and I saw it that day inside the local cinema which was almost full. I noticed a lot of local moviegoers enjoyed its crude comedy under direction of Keenen Ivory Wayans and the performance of Anna Faris. Recently, VKunia posted her reaction video of Scary Movie and her reactions are similar to how the moviegoers around me reacted on November 1, 2000. Watch her video below.

#5 WarGames Revisited – Back in the 1980s, the Cold War was still hot in people’s minds and information technology (IT) itself was gradually becoming important in America. The 1983 movie WarGames featured a tale about war simulation, hacking, artificial intelligence (AI), the use of super computers for military operations and more. Back then, US President Ronald Reagan saw the film and this led to discussions with members of Congress, advisers and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A review of full nation security was eventually ordered by Reagan. In today’s age, artificial intelligence is very common and it is causing varied disturbances worldwide which makes WarGames still relevant. To see how the movie impacts YouTubers, watch the selected reaction videos below.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 106

October 22, 2025October 16, 2025carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 You, Me and the Movies React To G.I. Joe: The Movie – When I was very young, me and my friends were fortunate enough to watch the 1987 animated movie G.I. Joe: The Movie on home video which was in high demand for rental in our entire village. We were all very entertained and astounded by the feature film and, unsurprisingly, a lot of G.I. Joe fans in the community started talking about it. Considering its pop culture significance and the involvement of Don Johnson as Lt. Falcon, it is surprising that there are actually few reaction videos of G.I. Joe: The Movie on YouTube as of this writing. Recently, You, Me and The Movies posted its reaction video which I found entertaining. If you have not seen G.I. Joe: The Movie yet, watch it entirely first. Otherwise, enjoy the reaction video below.

#2 Panzer Dragoon Saga Revisited – I never played any of the Panzer Dragoon games released by Sega. What caught my attention was the critical acclaim Panzer Dragoon Saga received in 1998 and it was not only a Sega Saturn-exclusive game but also a role-playing game (RPG). I found this retrospective YouTube video of Panzer Dragoon Saga and it has a fascinating look at the game’s production, history and the fact that two members of game developer Team Andromeda died. Watch it now.

#3 Explore a 7-Eleven Convenience Store In Japan – Months ago, Nippon TV (NTV) posted an exploratory feature news video about the many interesting stuff foreign visitors will find inside a 7-Eleven convenience store in Japan. Apart from the usual food and beverage stuff people expect to see inside convenience stores, 7-Eleven stores in Japan has its own features ranging from unique products to the consumer-friendly services available. The good thing about Nippon TV’s feature video is that the information is presented in English. Watch the video below.

#4 The Fifth Element Revisited – What can be said about the 1997 sci-fi film The Fifth Element? For me, it was a zany action movie that had a strong European touch on comedy and expressions, and it so happens that it had the famous Bruce Willis as the action hero. Of course, the film managed to arouse certain emotions or reactions from moviegoers, and the same can be said about YouTubers who did reaction videos about it. Watch and enjoy the selected reaction videos of The Fifth Element below.

#5 Steven Spielberg’s Animation Legacy – If you have extensively researched the work and creative history of Steven Spielberg, then you should be aware of his involvement in the production of animated movies…both hand-drawn and computer-generated. Since the 1980s, Spielberg produced animated feature films that happened to be directed by others, and I saw An American Tale as a young boy. Much later in life, I saw The Adventures of Tintin which Spielberg himself directed. Spielberg’s history with animation is extensive and you can discover a lot by watching the video below.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 105

October 17, 2025October 13, 2025carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Tour of Tokyo Game Show 2025 – When I was very young, I used to be obsessed with visiting the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) in direct connection with my love for playing video games and arcade games. The obsession is now gone now that I am much older and console gaming has changed drastically over the past thirty years. From time to time, I watch videos on YouTube that explored the TGS and found two videos of this year’s TGS that are amusing to watch. Watch the videos below.

#2 Pasta in Japan and more – Moving from steak, I found another video about pasta – spaghetti specifically – prepared by Japanese cooks in a local food joint (referred to as a pasta shop) to a lot of people who clearly enjoyed what they ate. You might learn something new about how to prepare a spaghetti for others. Watch the video below.

#3 Learn to Reject Radical Islam – Asmongold TV posted recently a video in which he reacted to another video that specifically focused on how a certain country rejected radical Islam. It is indeed a very sensitive matter but it still is significant because there are so many Islamists – both people from Muslim-majority nations and people in the West who declared themselves strong believers of Islam – worldwide and they are always destructive and extreme. There are these Westerner Islamists who arrogantly declared they want to destroy Western civilization and replace it entirely with Islam. Go watch Asmongold TV’s video now.

#4 Rocky V revisited – Way back in January 1991, I saw Rocky V inside the local cinema with my father and brother. Having enjoyed the first four Rocky movies a lot, we were excited to see Sylvester Stallone reprise his iconic role in the fifth movie even as we wondered where the story will go following Rocky’s victory over Ivan Drago. Ultimately, we, along with many others, left the cinema feeling disappointed with Rocky V’s story and direction. Even though the 1990 film – which had Tommy Morrison and Sage Stallone as new additions plus the short return of Burgess Meredith – was disliked by a lot of Rocky fans, Rocky V still went on to become a popular feature in many movie reaction videos as well as retro video reviews. For your viewing pleasure, posted below are the selected videos.

#5 Ashleigh Burton reacts to The Birds – If you are fond of Ashleigh Burton doing reaction videos and if you are an Alfred Hitchcock enthusiast, then you will be very interested in the YouTuber’s reaction video of 1963’s The Birds. Posted below is Ashleigh Burton’s reaction video and I encourage you to watch it.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 104

October 13, 2025October 6, 2025carlocarrasco

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Heavy Steaks in Japan – If you were able to visit Japan, did you crave for steak as a meal there? I found another video by the Japanese Food Noodles channel that showed another place to enjoy steak. Apart from seeing the food cooked and served, there is something new to learn from the individuals who managed the food joint. Watch and learn from the video below.

#2 Overtourism in Japan – In Japan, there is a massive number for foreign tourists who kept coming in and spending quality time there. The number of visitors from overseas is so great, it is resulting in a mix of positive and negative results. While certain local businesses are benefiting from foreign tourists, others are experiencing negative effects such as littering, worsening traffic congestion and even the violation of privacy. Let’s be clear: overtourism in Japan is undeniably real and there are some foreign tourists who could not behave themselves. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#3 The Twilight Zone Movie Tragedy and Trial – Have you ever seen the 1983 film Twilight Zone: The Movie? I did but not inside the cinema. I previously blogged about retrospective videos about it. The movie was an ambitious revival of The Twilight Zone franchise and among the directors who worked on it (note: the film had short stories) were Steven Spielberg and John Landis. The movie was mired in strong controversy due to the tragedy that happened in Landis’ segment starring Vic Morrow who died along with two minors her carried with him. Not only did deaths and injuries happen, there were also some violations of established laws committed. To find out what happened and how the trial against the filmmakers ultimately turned out, watch the video below.

#4 Trump confronts the wicked United Nations and other evil stakeholders – Recently US President Donald Trump spoke to the members of the wicked United Nations in their building in New York City. He bravely confronted the many evil stakeholders there – the Islamo-Leftists, the socialists, the terrorist-loving members, the illegal immigration advocates and climate change zealots – and spoke the truth that they refused to realize. Watch and learn from the videos below.

#5 Top Secret! revisited – While the 1984 ZAZ comedy Top Secret! never came close to achieving the success and impact of 1980’s Airplane!, the movie still went on to entertain others who were born after it was released. Top Secret! is also the cinematic debut of the late Val Kilmer and it was an early showcase of his artistry and creativity. That being said, it is not surprising that there are lots of reaction videos of Top Secret! on YouTube and I found three entertaining videos for you to enjoy. Watch the videos below.

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