Game Reviews

March 5, 2025: Showing my non-standard Paint Schemes from the Metalstorm Shop for the Mirage III and Mig-23 Aircraft 

Just “flexing” two of my Favorite “rides” on Metalstorm, which is why I bought them non-Standard Paint Schemes in the first Place, the Mirage III in Blue and White Colors and the Mig-23 in disruptive Blue-White-Gray Camouflage Pattern ... :D 

I love “flying” these two Aircraft, but at higher Levels against better Aircraft and Pilots, they do get beaten quite a bit, which is expected as the Mirage III is a 1960s era Plane while the Mig-23 is 1970s Era. However, the F-4E Phantom II seems to be an Exception, although I want to play it more at higher Levels before I make my Judgment. 

So far some of my “Dogfights” with the F-4E at mid-Levels have been pretty intense ... the speed, the maneuverability ... It is proving in the Game why it is one of the Classic and longest-serving Aircraft of the World ...

Here is the Link to the official Website of the Metalstorm Game: https://www.playmetalstorm.com/

SOURCE: Metalstorm Game Official Website {Archived Link}

February 25, 2025: China/Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder to be available soon on the Metalstorm Fighter Plane Video Game

The Chinese and Pakistani developed JF-17 Thunder Fighter Aircraft will very soon be available on the Metalstorm Fighter Plane Video Game, and I am looking forward to “flying” it in there. Based on the Picture, it seems it will be armed with two short-range Missiles and two medium-range Missiles. 

The JF-17 is a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) just like the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle Aircraft being used by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) right now. Makes me wonder though why the FA-50 is not in the Game, especially since it is somehow connected to the Aerospace Manufacturer “Lockheed Martin (LM)” as I’ve read somewhere. 

LM helped develop the FA-50 with South Korea. Other notable Aircraft that are not in the Game yet are of course the JAS-39 Gripen and Rafale. It’s possible though that these will be made available in the Game in the Future.

Here is the Link to the official Website of the Metalstorm Game: https://www.playmetalstorm.com/

SOURCE: Metalstorm Game Official Website {Archived Link}

Movie and Series Reviews, 2025

February 10, 2025: Surviving Black Hawk Down (2025) Limited Documentary Series Review

This is a pretty good Limited Documentary Series on Netflix which is produced by no less than Ridley Scott, the Director of the Movie “Black Hawk Down” that was released back in 2001. It tells the Story of “The Battle of Mogadishu” where two Black Hawk Helicopters of the United States (US) Army were shot down in 1993. 

Great to see the Series interview not only the US Side but also those on the Somali Side as well, and great to see many Pictures and Videos being shown that were likely not shown anywhere else before. There’s just three Episodes ranging from 47 to 57 minutes long, and the Storytelling was pretty good that I watch all of it in just one Evening. 

I highly recommend this, especially for Military Enthusiasts as it shows some valuable Lessons about what really happened during that Event which is already three Decades ago. The People that were involved in that Battle who were in their twenties when it happened are now in their fifties, just shows how fast time flies. 

On a Side Note, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) itself now operates the Black Hawk Helicopter, and will be the largest Operator of the S-70i Variant of that Aircraft once the Deliveries are completed by next Year of 2026.

Here is the Link to the “Surviving Black Hawk Down” Series on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/ph-en/title/81737703

SOURCE: Surviving Black Hawk Down – Netflix {Archived Link}

November 23, 2024: Pantheon (2022) Season One Animated Series Review

I decided not to post the usual Stuff today because I am currently binge-watching the Science Fiction (SciFi) Technothriller “Pantheon” which just dropped on Netflix very recently. The first one or so Episodes were somewhat derivative and predictable, the usual Stuff about the uploading of Human Consciousness into Computers which is a relatively common Themes nowadays in SciFi Movies and Series. 

However, as the Series develops, it becomes a lot better, with decent Characterizations and nice Twists. The World-building is also quite detailed and the Writer really dug in deep into the Theme and came up with some really Thought-provoking Angles on the Topic. 

Don’t let the Fact that this is an Animated Series make you think not to take this Series seriously, it does have a very Adult Theme, and even goes quite dark in some Spots. This is one of the very best SciFi Thrillers I have recently, it is Outstanding and it is a Must-Watch for me.

Here is the Link to the Series on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/ph-en/title/81937398

SOURCE: Pantheon on Netflix {Archived Link}

OUR SEA NEIGHBORS: Vietnam, 2025

February 14, 2025: The China-Vietnam Friendship Movie “Border Sea” featuring Actors from both Countries premiered in China 

The China-Vietnam Friendship Movie called "Border Sea" starring Actors and Actresses from both Countries premiered in Theaters all over China recently. The Film tells the Story of a Chinese Man and a Vietnamese Woman who fell in Love in the City of Fangchenggang which is located along the Border of China and Vietnam. 

The Film reportedly took three Years to produce and shows an Authentic Portrayal of Life along the Border of the two Countries. China and Vietnam have strengthened their cooperation in recent Years in Films through Joint Projects, Actor Exchanges and Film Screenings. 

Activities like these show the close Alliance of both Countries despite their ongoing and still unsettled Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea (SCS). 

Here is the Link to the Article on the “ECNS” Website: https://www.ecns.cn/m/news/cns-wire/2025-02-14/detail-ihentfhp8761618.shtml

SOURCE: China-Vietnam Friendship Movie 'Border Sea' Premieres {Archived Link}

February 9, 2025: China-Vietnam Freight Train Trade grew by over seven times in January 2025

The "China Railway Nanning Bureau Group Company Limited" reported a large increase in Freight Transport between China and Vietnam last Month of January 2025 with a total of 3,062 TEUs, an increase of 760% compared to the same Period last Year of 2024. 

"TEU" means "Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit" which is a Shipping Container measuring twenty feet long and eight feet wide and eight feet high. Railway transport from Nanning, China to An Vien, Vietnam takes only 14 hours which is a big Advantage in Terms of Time and Cost. 

The Commodities transported were mostly Fiberboard, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Screens, Diesel Engines, Candies, Beverages, Seasonings, etc. 

Here is the Link to the Article on the “Vietnam Global” Website: https://vietnamnet.vn/en/chinavietnam-rail-freight-soars-in-january-2369829.html

SOURCE: China–Vietnam Rail Freight soars in January {Archived Link}

China to help build 3 Railway Lines in Vietnam, one of which is funded by and will link to them

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In December of last Year of 2024, the Governments of China and Vietnam signed an Agreement to build three Standard Gauge Railway Lines in Vietnam, one of which will link both Countries. The three Railway Lines will involve the Cities of Hanoi and Hai Phong, and also three Provinces that are on the Border of China which are Lao Cai, Lang Son and Quang Ninh. 

The first Train Line which will run from Hanoi to Lang Son will be 156 km long and cost Usd 6 billion. Another Train Line running from Mong Cai to Ha Long to Hai Phong is 187 km long and cost Usd 7 billion. 

China-Malaysia Trade at Usd 212 billion in 2024, almost ten times that of Philippine-US Trade

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I initially posted about this last Year of 2024, but now it's official, the overall Trade between China and Malaysia for the entire Year of 2024 is now at a record-high of Usd 212 billion. This also marks as the 16th consecutive Year that China is Malaysia's biggest Trading Partner. 

In contrast, Trade between the Philippines and its supposed Ally, the United States (US) was only at a paltry Usd 23.47 billion for the Year 2024, or almost ten times less than that of China and Malaysia. Remember again that Malaysia has Territorial Disputes with China also in the South China Sea (SCS), but they have insisted on settling their Dispute among themselves only. 

Malaysia now doing a “Creeping Invasion” on Balabac Island in Palawan

I just find it a bit amusing and Tragic that while this current Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) is constantly trying to goad China over our Territorial Disputes in the South China Sea (SCS), at the same time it is allowing what I would only describe as a “Creeping Invasion” of our Territories near Malaysia. 

A TikTok Account for Example recently showed how Stores in the Balabac Island in Palawan are mostly selling Goods that are sourced from Malaysia. These have likely been smuggled in, without the Proper Paperwork and Taxes. 

This is not good because the Filipinos in that Island will start identifying themselves as Malaysians since they are constantly exposed to Malaysian Culture and Goods. Why couldn’t we develop our Logistic Supply Routes to make it easier and cheaper for Filipino Goods to reach that Island instead of Malaysia? 

Also if you read the Comments Section, the People there say that Filipino Children in Balabac are now being sent to School in Malaysia instead of Philippine Schools. And that also Balut Island in Davao Occidental is being similarly influenced, but by Indonesia. Just shaking my Head at this Hypocrisy ...

Here is the Link to the original Video by the “Xzar Lim” Account on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xzarlim/video/7466637860272098567

Check out the Links to my other Social Media Accounts at https://linktr.ee/rhk111

Don’t forget to click on the Ads or to donate to help support this Website. 

Malaysia now doing a “Creeping Invasion” on Balabac Island in Palawan

OUR SEA NEIGHBORS: Thailand, 2025

The Flag of Thailand from the Wikimedia Commons

January 4, 2025: Thailand offers Boats, Drones and Armored Vehicles to the AFP

The Ambassador of Thailand to the Philippines Tull Traisorat recently met with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Camp Aguinaldo where he relayed his Country's offer of Offshore Boats, Drones and Armored Vehicles to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). 

Looking at the Thai Armed Forces Equipment, they do make and use the U1 Drone as well as different Models of Armored Vehicles. They also make their own Landing Ship Tanks (LST) Vessels, Corvettes and Patrol Boats. 

However, as those of you know from my previous Posts, like all of the other Countries in South East Asia (SEA), Thailand is a very close Ally of China, so I am not sure if this Pro-United States (US), Anti-China Administration of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) will factor that in when buying their Military Equipment. 

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Manila Bulletin” Website: https://mb.com.ph/2025/2/4/thailand-offers-ships-drones-armored-tanks-for-afp-modernization-dnd

SOURCE: Thailand offers Ships, Drones, Armored Tanks for AFP Modernization – DND {Archived Link}

January 30, 2025: Thailand’s Rail Link to China and Laos to be completed by 2030

Thailand is targeting to complete its first High Speed Rail Network in five Year's time, or by 2030 which will be connected to China thru Laos. The Project, once completed, is expected to give a big boost to the Economy of Thailand. 

The first Phase of the Project connecting the City of Bangkok to the Nakhon Ratchasima Province is now 36% complete. The Design of the second Phase, which will extend the Network to Nong Khai, has already been finalized and currently awaiting Cabinet Approval. 

The Network Line has a total Length of 609 km and cost around Usd 12.9 billion and includes a Bridge over the Mekong River that will connect Thailand to Laos and China. It is Part of China's "Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)" Project.

Here is the Link to the Article at the “Times of India” Website: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/news/travel-between-china-and-thailand-will-soon-be-possible-via-high-speed-rail/articleshow/117733023.cms

SOURCE: Travel between China and Thailand will soon be possible via High Speed Rail {Archived Link}

https://archive.is/fIzc1