In a serious effort to weaken the fighting capability and severing the resources (financially and militarily) of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran, the United States sanctioned entities and individuals in four nations that enabled the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to the official announcement of the Department of State.
To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire announcement of the State Department. Some parts in boldface…
The United States today sanctioned six entities and individuals in China, India, Russia, and Iran that enable the Iranian regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
These include entities that support Mahan Air, the IRGC’s airline of choice for moving weapons, military personnel, and equipment. Today’s action also targets DadeNegar Startup Studio, an IRGC-affiliated front company supporting Iranian military targeting by soliciting locations of American and Israeli equipment in the Middle East.
The United States calls on the international community, particularly companies and individuals doing business with Mahan Air or any other sanctioned Iranian carrier, to recognize the serious risks raised by continuing such engagement.
The United States will continue to expose and disrupt entities providing the IRGC with the tools and information it uses to threaten American personnel, our partners, and regional stability.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this new move by the US will cripple the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran financial and militarily? Do you think members of the international community will follow America’s initiative? Do you think other nations like Pakistan, Malaysia and Bangladesh have entities or individuals who are supporting the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran?
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, Spider-Man fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the mid-1990s to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.
We are finally here! I’m talking about the fourth chapter of the Pursuit storyline featuring a broke-hearted and revenge-obsessed Spider-Man who has been more violent in his search for the Chameleon. It should be noted that his marriage with Mary Jane has turned for the worse as time went on. For my previous retro comic book reviews about the Pursuit storyline, click here, here and here.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #389, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.
Early story
The story begins at a very familiar tomb stone. It marked the very spot where Spider-Man was once buried in (refer to Kraven’s Last Hunt). Nearby is the tomb stone referring to the late Kraven the hunter. Moments earlier, Spider-Man discovered the coffin is empty which shocked him. Even though he is burdened with stress fighting the Chameleon, memories of his past encounters with Kraven and the impostors (who posed as his late mother and father) flashed in his mind bringing back pain and anguish.
Spider-Man decides that the time of mourning (dating back to the day he lost his parents when he was little) has to stop and slowly makes his way into Kraven’s mansion. As soon as the door opens, he shouts the Chameleon’s name…
Quality
Spider-Man deals with a physical distraction set-up by the Chameleon inside the mansion of the late Kraven.
As the conclusion to the 4-part Pursuit storyline, this comic book is very intense and it is clear to me that the Michelinie-Bagley duo went all-in to pack it with a lot of punch and a startling revelation that really defined the Chameleon.
While previous chapters showed the broken and revenge-hungry Spider-Man getting more violent towards others as he pursued the Chameleon, this comic book has the webslinger fully unhinged within the setting of Kraven’s property. Spider-Man here goes through two so-called death traps before finally encountering the Chameleon in person. As he fought with the tigers and the mechanized set-ups (in the forms of the type of animals hunted by man), Spider-Man was truly determined to kill the master of disguise and he did not hold back with his violent attacks.
Readers will witness the moment when the spectrum of good and evil got twisted as the Chameleon becomes very fearful of Spider-Man who is so unrelenting he looked truly murderous. That said, the famous webslinger himself is a shadow of what he was and there were moments when I felt he was becoming evil. Indeed, the loss of beloved family members combined with the obsession for revenge against the responsible one can turn good people into destructive individuals moving towards evil. At this point of the Pursuit storyline, Michelinie and Bagley took huge creative risks as they worked to make a conclusion that is believable, intriguing and compelling at the same time.
But that is not all. The Chameleon himself got highly developed in this very late stage of the Pursuit storyline. His relationship with Kraven the hunter was revealed with lots of details pointing to their heritage in Russia with clear separate paths – Kraven was privileged while the Chameleon (Dmitri Smerdyakov) had a more painful life. Chameleon’s perception towards Kraven is complicated as he admires him while still harboring a deep resentment towards him. The revelations about the Chameleon’s past and connections with the late hunter really added dramatic value and tension in the story.
Conclusion
This is the calm before the storm (Spider-Man’s rage and obsession with revenge).
Amazing Spider-Man #389 (1994) is indeed a powerful conclusion to the Pursuit storyline. It went as far as showing Spider-Man as the unhinged force of destruction who was determined to really kill the Chameleon and is also succeeded on defining the super villain’s personality with revelations about his Russian heritage with the late Kraven. This comic book also sheds light as to why the Chameleon became proficient with impersonating people and changing his face physically. There will be times when you could feel pity for both Spider-Man and the master of disguise as their respective emotional states and obsessions were powerfully dramatized by the Michelinie-Bagley duo. When it comes to conclusions, the very ending of this comic book is startling and it does not have much to do with the Chameleon.
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
In relation with the recent wave of cyberattacks that impacted several businesses and their customers in Japan, the president of S&J Corp. pointed to artificial intelligence (AI) that made the said attacks faster and more sophisticated, according to a news article by Jiji Press.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…
Cyberattacks are becoming faster and more sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence, Nobuo Miwa, president of Tokyo-based information security service provider S&J Corp., has said in a recent interview.
His remarks came after a series of cyberattacks on major Japanese companies, including frozen food maker Nichirei Corp., household goods supplier Askul Corp. and beverage maker Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., which suffered serious disruptions to their corporate activities due to system failures.
Asked about trends in cyberattacks, Miwa said AI-driven attacks have increased in recent months, shortening the time between the discovery of a vulnerability and the launch of an attack. “Attack programs can be created in the blink of an eye with AI,” he said.
Because Japanese companies have historically faced fewer cyberattacks, many lack adequate defenses, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals, Miwa added.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? How do you think Japanese businesses and the government will react to prevent further cyberattacks enhanced by AI? Do you think an international group of hackers or activists or Islamic terrorists could be behind the recent cyberattack wave in Japan? What do you think cybersecurity experts in Japan should do to protect the nation from more cyberattacks?
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
Rockwell Land Corporation – the developer of Rockwell Center in Makati – strengthened its ownership of Alabang Town Center (ATC) by sealing a P6.2 billion deal with the Madrigal family to acquire the remaining stake in the mall operator Alabang Commercial Corp. (ACC), according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. The ATC will be redeveloped over a number of several years.
For previous developments about Rockwell and its acquisition related to ATC and ACC, click here, here and here.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Lopez-led Rockwell Land Corp. expanded its ownership of Alabang Town Center (ATC) to near-total control after striking a ₱6.2 billion agreement with the Madrigal family to acquire an additional 22.96 percent stake in the property’s operating entity.
In a disclosure filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday, July 30, theproperty developer said it executed share purchase agreements with the majority of the remaining shareholders of Alabang Commercial Corp. (ACC)
Thetransaction elevates Rockwell’s total equity interest in ACC from 76.3 percent to 99.26 percent, cementing its operational dominance over the 17.5-hectare prime estate in Alabang, Muntinlupa.
The move allows Rockwell to execute an ambitious and decade-long master plan designed to modernize the suburban retail and lifestyle landmark. Following the acquisition, the company confirmed that preliminary planning is already underway. To lead the redesign, Rockwell has engaged Uruguayan-Canadian architect Carlos Ott—renowned internationally for iconic modern landmarks—alongside local architect Jun Rodriguez of PRSP.
Night-time shot of Alabang Town Center.
Theimmediate priorities over the next two years will center on foundational operational upgrades, specifically focusing on expanding parking capacity, optimizing traffic circulation, and recalibrating the commercial tenant mix to boost retail performance.
Over a five- to 10-year horizon, Rockwell’s broader vision aims topreserve the site’s original suburban character while modernizing the venue into a high-density, experiential lifestyle and retail hub.
The deal reinforces Rockwell’s growth trajectory in 2026, building upon operational milestones across its residential, commercial, and hospitality portfolios.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Alabang or if you usually visit the Alabang Town Center every week, what do you feel about Rockwell’s redevelopment plans of the decades-old, high-end property? Have your favorite stores or restaurants at ATC already stopped operating recently? What do you hope to see in the ATC as the redevelopment happens over the next several years? Do you think Rockwell’s presence in Alabang will alter the entire business environment in Muntinlupa City?
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
Recently in the City of Parañaque, a Chinese national was arrested for harassing a man while carrying a dangerous weapon, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
Parañaque City police officers on routine patrol arrested a Chinese national Wednesday, July 23, after he allegedly harassed a 35‑year‑old man while carrying a bladed weapon.
City police chief Col. Nicolas Pinon said the suspect, identified as Linagding, 34, a resident of Makati City, wascollared on Mayuga Street in Barangay Tambo.
The victim claimed that the suspect confronted him for no apparent reason, shoved him to the ground, attempted to punch him, and drew a fan knife from his pocket.
The victim sought assistance from patrolling Tambo Police Substation officers, who promptly pursued and arrested the suspect. The cops recovered from the suspect a cutter knife.
He was taken to the Investigation and Detective Management Section (IDMS) for documentation and the filing of appropriate charges.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, are you concerned there could be more Chinese nationals who intend to commit acts of crime while in the city? Do you still believe in the concept of the Parañaque Renaissance?
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
In Phuket Island in Thailand, the local authorities recently raided three properties – two of which were originally developed for residential purposes – that illegally operated as hotels catering to foreign tourists, according to a news report by VnExpress. This is only a part of the ongoing crackdown against illegal hotels and already something wrong have been uncovered.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…
Thailand has intensified its crackdown on illegal hotels on its largest island Phuket after inspections found three properties operating without licenses.
Deputy Interior Minister Polapee Suwunchwee recently led a joint inspection in Phuket targeting three hotels with about 200, 240, and 45 rooms. Authorities found thatnone had valid construction permits or hotel operating licenses, according to Bangkok Post.
Investigators saidtwo of the properties had originally been approved as residential buildings or condominiums but were later converted into hotels without authorization.
Officials also carried out online booking tests, confirmingthe hotels were primarily marketing rooms to European and other foreign tourists, with virtually no Thai customers.
Theinvestigation also uncovered suspected nominee ownership arrangements involving companies with 49% foreign and 51% Thai shareholding. Some properties werelegally owned by Thai nationals but leased to Chinese investors, who allegedly operated hotels without the required licenses.
The inspections were part of a broader operation covering more than 10 locations across Phuket. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat has been instructed to order businesses to shut down immediately if operators fail to provide the required documentation.
Narucha Kosasivilize, director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, said operating a hotel without a license violated the law and caused widespread harm, according to The Nation.
He said the problem hadthree major consequences: it hurt the economy by placing legally compliant, tax-paying operators at a disadvantage; it posed safety risks because illegal accommodations often failed to meet government safety standards, putting tourists’ lives and property at risk; and it tarnished Thailand’s imagewhile undermining long-term confidence in the country’s tourism sector.
The Department of Provincial Administration is working with the Royal Thai Police, the Ministry of Commerce, the Department of Special Investigation, and other agencies to expand investigations into foreign business networks across the country.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the authorities in Thailand will be able to find and raid all existing illegal hotels?
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
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 Heaven’s Gate Revisited – What is there to be said about the 1980 historical epic Heaven’s Gate apart from the facts that it failed spectacularly and brought down United Artists a lot? To its credit, it has a grand look that required a massive amount of money to be spent and the sheer depth of authenticity implemented under the direction of Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter) is eye-catching. The film also had fine performances by Kris Kristofferson, Jeff Bridges, Christopher Walken and Isabelle Huppert. Historically, the massive failure of the movie impacted Hollywood as a whole and movie studios rarely grant the final cut privilege to movie directors. That said, there is a lot more to learn about Heaven’s Gate and I encourage you all to watch the video below.
#2 Moments That Destroyed Political Careers – Imagine yourself working so hard to get elected into public office in America followed by efforts to solidify the trust of voters who helped you win. With huge expectations, there obviously is pressure on you (the elected official) to serve them and fulfill your promises. Then one day, you committed a blunder or a very embarrassing moment that eventually leads you into a painful downfall. In America, there are Democrats and Republics who saw their political careers get destroyed because of the moments gone wrong. Watch and learn from the video below.
#3 History Of Sega And Its Impact On Video Gaming – Remember long ago when Sega was a highly prolific and innovative maker of games for arcades and consoles? Remember seeing consoles and add-ons with Sega branded on them? Decades ago, Sega was a gaming titan and it was a powerful competitor with Nintendo during the so-called 16-bit wars of the 1990s. Today, Sega is still operating but it is a shadow of what it used to be. To find out what happened, watch the very informative video game documentary below. It also has interviews with Tom Kalinske and other important video game personalities.
#4 Totally Whatever Reacts To Deep Impact – Back in 1998, I encountered some people who claimed to have cried while watching Deep Impact inside the movie theaters. When I saw it in the cinema, I saw a few other moviegoers near me having tears flowing from their eyes. Indeed, Deep Impact was made to move viewers emotionally with its themes of family, strained ties, and the struggle to remain intact before a massive tragedy happens. That said, you must see how the movie impacts the YouTubers in the video below.
#5 Tuna In Japan – Whenever I visited Japan, I always made the effort to enjoy a meal with tuna on it. I enjoy eating sashimi (specifically raw tuna), sushi and cooked meals that have tuna in different forms in them. If you love eating tuna and if you plan to visit Japan soon, watch the video below. Learn the details.
#6 Child’s Play 3 Reaction/Review Videos – Believe it or not, the 1991 movie Child’s Play 3 was released less than a year after Child’s Play 2. The movie followed the character Andy Barclay again, only this time he was portrayed as a troubled teenager who enters a military school. Unsurprisingly, the evil Chucky was revived and pursued Andy once more. Having seen Child’s Play and Child’s Play 3 on home video just months apart from each other, the viewing experience was unique given each film’s differences in terms of casts and settings. When Child’s Play 3 came to an end, there was this feeling among many moviegoers that the film series concluded solidly. To see what kind of reactions the 1991 movie attracted from YouTubers, watch the videos below.
#7 The Legend Of The Lone Ranger’s Failure Explained – As a young boy, I saw The Legend of the Lone Ranger on home video and enjoyed it. Back then, I was completely unaware about the controversy regarding past Lone Ranger actor Clayton Moore who was legally barred from appearing in public wearing the trademark black mask. That controversy alone hounded the movie and was arguably the single biggest factor behind its failure. By the way, the film’s star Klinton Spilsbury was dubbed over as the Long Ranger and he never acted again. To learn more, watch the video below.
#8 Minty Comedic Arts Examines Tales From The Crypt – When you hear the title Tales From The Crypt, do you think about the about the horror anthology TV series or the original comic book series published by EC Comics in the 1950s? I myself read several reprints of EC Comics – including Tales From The Crypt – and saw some episodes of the TV series. That said, both the TV series and the comic books delivered a very unique kind of entertainment that is sadly missing today. In his video, Minty Comedic Arts revealed a lot of interesting details about the TV series as well as EC Comics. I encourage you to watch his video now.
#9 The Unification Church Exposed – When former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in 2022, the killer Tetsuya Yamagami committed the act not because of politics but because of the perceived connections the politician had with the controversial Unification Church which he blames for financial ruining his family and his own life. The killer’s own mother was a member of the Unification Church and because she donated so much money to it, her own family ended up lacking money for survival, education and other needs. The murder investigation eventually unraveled decades of allegations about financial exploitation, shattered families and the immense influence the said church had on its members from Japan to South Korea and the United States. There are a lot of very intriguing details in Dark Asia with Megan’s video below and I encourage you all to watch it.
Recently in the City of Las Piñas, a Regional Trial Court (RTC) sentenced a Taiwanese national to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of possessing more than seventy kilos of shabu, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The convict was also ordered to pay a fine of P2 million.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
The Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court sentenced a Taiwanese to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of possessing over P250 million worth of shabu following a search warrant operation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Tuesday, July 21.
Citing decision from the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court Branch 255, PDEA said “Chen Te Ho Chang with aliases “Tanda’’ and Te Hi Chen’’ was found guilty of violating Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002″ forpossession of 71 kilos of shabu.
Aside from life imprisonment,the court also ordered Chen to pay a P2 million fine.
“The conviction arose from the implementation of a search warrant on June 13, 2017, at a warehouse leased by the accused in BF Martinville Subdivision, Manuyo, Las Piñas City,’’ the PDEA said.
Prior to the warehouse raid, Chen was arrested during an interdiction operation conducted by PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) inside a hotel in Parañaque City on June 3, 2017.
PDEA Director General Isagani R. Nerez said the conviction demonstrates the government’s resolve to ensure that major drug cases culminate in successful prosecution.
“This conviction affirms that our anti-illegal drug campaign extends beyond arrests and seizures. We remain steadfast in building strong cases that will withstand judicial scrutiny and ensure that drug traffickers are convicted and punished to the fullest extent of the law. Justice is best served when those responsible are held fully accountable,’’ Nerez pointed out.
The PDEA chief noted thattransnational drug syndicates continue to exploit leased warehouses and storage facilities to conceal large quantities of illegal drugs before distribution.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Do you think there are absolutely no illegal drugs hidden within your local community?
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
Recently in the City of Parañaque, a man who failed to settle cockfight bets worth P300,000 placed on credit was arrested, according to a news report by The Daily Tribune.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from The Daily Tribune report. Some parts in boldface…
A 42-year-old man was arrested Sunday evening after he allegedly failed to settle P300,000 worth of cockfight bets placed on credit at a local cockpit arena in Parañaque City.
The incident took place at about 9:30 p.m. on 19 July inside the cockpit arena located along Quirino Avenue, Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.
The suspect was identified only by the alias Rommie, a freelance agent and a resident of Barangay Moonwalk, Parañaque City.
Initial investigation disclosed thatthe suspect, who was a regular customer at the establishment, placed multiple bets totaling P300,000.
Due to his familiarity with the arena, the teller permitted him to place the wagers on credit without immediate payment. However,after losing the bets, the suspect attempted to leave the premises without settling his outstanding account.
The teller blocked his path and demanded payment, but the suspect admitted he had no money to settle the debt, prompting the establishment’s management to seek immediate police assistance.
Responding personnel from the Tambo Police Sub-station arrived at the scene, verified the circumstances, and placed the suspect under arrest.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque, do you want cockfight betting to be banned locally? Are many people in your local community addicted to gambling activities?
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
Due to the low supply of electricity and the high demand recorded this past June, the Philippines had the most expensive electricity rates among member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a news report by GMA News.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…
The Philippines had the most expensive electricity rates among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in June due to low supply and high demand recorded during the month, the Department of Energy (DOE) reported Monday.
According to DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, the country reported an average rate of P12.43 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June, surpassing that of Singapore by P0.093 per kilowatt-hour.
“Sa Visayas, siya talaga ‘yung pinakamahal dahil talagang may kakulangan tayo sa supply doon. Meron tayong 21 plants na naka-forced outage and therefore, dependent siya talaga sa Luzon at sa Mindanao for imported power,” she said in a virtual briefing.
(Visayas was really the most expensive because there was really a lack of supply there. There are 21 plants on forced outage, and therefore, it is really dependent on imported power from Luzon and Mindanao.)
“Alam niyo naman, naka-yellow alert sila palagi (As you know, they have been on yellow alert regularly) since May 13, and that is the one that is driving the price high for Visayas,” she added.
The Visayas grid has been on yellow alert — indicating that the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement — for several days in June, due to the continued forced outage of major coal plants in the region.
Among the outages recorded were Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) units 1 and 2 and Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC).
“For the rest… Meron kasi din tayong mga matataas na demand during the summer months, and therefore we have to operate the more expensive power plants. Imbes na mag-blackout, paandarin na lang ‘yung mga medyo mahal na plant,” Guevara said.
(For the rest… Demand was also high during the summer months, and therefore, we have to operate the more expensive power plants. Instead of blackouts, we ran more expensive plants.)
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think must be done to ensure abundant electricity for the Filipinos? Are you convinced now is the time for the government of the Philippines to go all-in on nuclear power? How much was your electric bill this past June?
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
Author Carlo Carrasco 