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u/Trick_Top_313

r/PhilippineMilitary r/Philippines r/Antiscamph r/FilipinoHistory r/Cebu r/lifestylecheckPH r/CebuPolitics r/BrickMilitary r/insanepinoyfacebook r/legaladviceofftopic r/CartoonNetwork r/Carolinian r/camouflage r/KpopDemonhunters r/Bohol r/ScammersPH r/decadeology r/CebuClassifieds r/brickmania r/martialarts
▲ 7 r/brickmania

Some Custom LEGO money-saving tactics lifehacks that I use (and preferably you should too)

Being isolated in the Philippines wherein LEGO and custom LEGO is very expensive with shipping fees worth the product, here's some of our tactics in order to save money:

  • Wait for a relative living in the U.S., UK, Europe, or Australia to return or if a friend/family member goes abroad. Have the minifigures shipped to their address and let them carry it on their luggage. In that way, one bypasses the expensive shipping fees and taxes when shipping to another country.
  • Scour the pre-owned market: Be it here, FB groups, or Discord. You may get good deals or even steal prices. I'm already at this phase of clamshell packaging be damned. I usually avoid eBay, knowing how notorious that platform is for scalpers and greedy resellers that mark up the price.
  • Regional resellers: Being in Asia, Momcom (Japan) and Ministry of Arms (Singapore) is my best bet to escape the expensive shipping fees. I've recently used Zen Market - a third party forwarder based in Japan - to look for some militaria and some custom LEGO. The shipping is acceptable to say from Japan to my country.

One would say to use the sales Brickmania offers from time-to-time, but to my dismay, the sales are just evened out by the tax and shipping.

What other money-saving tactics do you use?

reddit.com
u/Trick_Top_313 — 7 days ago
▲ 0 r/Cebu

Before the Samgyeopsal craze erupted in 2018, there was Kogi-Q

Na reminded ko sa akong memories karon sa FB. Nakita diay na exactly 10 years ago, nangaon mi ug Kogi-Q with my family sa SM Seaside. This was one of our frequented Korean-style grilling restaurants in SM Seaside and SM City Cebu. Tig frequently mi ani from 2016-2019.

It's price was also descent ug daghan choices na apil na ang pork, beef, chicken, fish, squid, mussels, vegetables, soup, and unlimited non-softdrink drinks like juices. Ang mussels, shrimps, and squid jud pirmi nako kwaon kay mahal na per plate sa ala carte restaurants.

Sayang lng na close ang Kogi-Q sa SM Seaside kay na sunogan pag 2023. Wala na jud ni nalik. Then ang Kogi-Q sa SM City Cebu gi merge nalang sa Chobi Chobi kay I learned they are coming from the same owner. Half of the space is occupied by Chobi Chobi and the other hald by Super Bowl of China.

Just feeling nostalgic lng. Kogi-Q was the first Korean-style na mainstream that I knew before Pearl Meatshop and other samgyeop places popped out in 2018, just like how the Pickleball courts are popping out left and right today.

Share mo guys sa inyung experience sa Kogi-Q, whether positive and negative.

reddit.com
u/Trick_Top_313 — 13 days ago
▲ 59 r/insanepinoyfacebook

Pro-DDS/CCP page thinks Lans was paid by the CIA to visit Pag-Asa Island. Show us the money then

Talk about brainrot from these crowd.

Posting this here for record-keeping purposes.

u/Trick_Top_313 — 23 days ago
▲ 3 r/brickmania

Has anyone tried ordering from Momcom? Where did you order, the Japanese site or the English site?

I joined a Japan-to-Philippines group buy and the one traveling has a five-day window in Tokyo. I already contacted Momcom's customer service and they said they can deliver within Tokyo in a day or so.

For those who tried ordering from this official Brickmania seller, what site did you use?

I've read that Momcom is a bit problematic in the sense they don't update which is out-of-stock and which is in stock.

Thanks for the tips in advance!

reddit.com
u/Trick_Top_313 — 24 days ago
▲ 1 r/martialarts

A suspected pickpocket allegedly tried to intimidate a Filipino passenger during a train commute in Italy, but the situation quickly turned against him. The Filipino commuter stood his ground as other passengers watched the confrontation unfold.

Looking at those videos, the Filipino tourist is a boxer.

Pickpocket just FAFO'd.

instagram.com
u/Trick_Top_313 — 29 days ago
▲ 1 r/Antiscamph

Scammer posing as a Maya representative

Last week, I got a call from a scammer who claimed he was from Maya. He said that I have a pending 15K purchase for credits for an online gambling platform. This is weird because my Maya wallet is empty, my savings in the Maya bank is only 1000 pesos, and I never play any online gambling platform.

This is a different scammer because the person on the other end can speak professionally like trained CSRs. The scary part is he was able to say my full name.

What I did was pretend to play along (scambaiting tactic) or purposely go to an area where there is no signal to waste their time. Then I called the real Maya customer care and they said that neither the number nor the agent is associated with them. As a precaution, they told me to change my email, phone number, and password. They also said Maya agents DO NOT call users; it's the other way around.

The scammer called again yesterday but I decided to troll the fuck out of him since I was in an area with no signal. I then blocked his number.

I then searched online on forums including here on Reddit. Apparently, some users have also reported that a fake Maya reps have been targeting users with faux purchases in the hopes of creating urgency that have users giving away their passwords and PINs.

Please be aware of these kinds of scams.

reddit.com
u/Trick_Top_313 — 1 month ago
▲ 12 r/brickmania

Our mindset as custom LEGO collectors based in the Philippines

There's a reason why we Filipino collectors love all brands equally.

We can't easily buy Brickmania, The Minifig Co., Citizen Brick, Battle Brick Customs, Brick Battlefield, The Brick Service, United Bricks, BrickArms, Brickforge, Brick Warriors, Firestar Toys, Neva Brick, Brick Dragoon, EclipseGrafix, and Minifigs.me.

We don't have stores that sell these physically unlike in the U.S., Britain, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan.

Moreover, our location is just far from North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. If one has a lot of disposable money, then for them the shipping and tax is just nothing. For us, our best option is to let our friends and relatives living in these countries to house it for us and then hand it over when they visit the Philippines. Alternatively, it can be sent via Balikbayan boxes (repatriate boxes). The waiting time may be long but at least it removes the expensive shipping and taxes.

Vanilla LEGO is already expensive here, so custom brands take it up to eleven. Since our budget is super limited, we are forced to choose the best. Once we choose one and pass on the others, we face the prospect of no second chances and restock on things we passed on. We know how many price gougers there are on eBay. That's what makes it even more valuable for us.

There are third-party middlemen that can get it for you, for a very steep price. Since it is also very niche here in the Philippines, collectors don't easily let it go. It's very rare to see a custom LEGO collector sell part of their collection for the very said reason.

Ironically, Brick Creator (sold by War Brick) and MinifiCat has the cheapest shipping, since these are based in Hong Kong and Taiwan, respectively. Momcom (Japan) and Ministry of Arms (Singapore) unfortunately has expensive shipping despite being in the same region as the Philippines.

One cannot comprehend the feeling of joy once we get to touch the Brickmania boxes or clamshell packaging or getting to hold the custom-printed bricks and minifigures. It would be akin to holding a Holy Grail or a piece or precious treasure. I definitely felt the same way when I first touched Brickarms in 2012, bought my first Brickmania preowned kit in 2020, and bought my first custom printed minifigure (St. Javelin) with my own money that I earned while as a working person in 2022. Previous ones were just allowances that I saved over time.

TLDR: Expensive and custom toys, spawn point sucks, shipping and tax is expensive, middleman services charge so high, and our only way to get it while bypassing the shipping fee and tax is to let friends and relatives living abroad to hold it for us until we return. Hence, this is why we value it like treasure once we get our hands on one.

u/Trick_Top_313 — 1 month ago
▲ 32 r/Cebu

Long-term feasibility of a Disney Store in Cebu

Gikan ko sa SM Seaside recently and I saw a Disney Store pop-up stall didto sa Mountain Wing. My childhood was restored when I saw a Woody, Jessie, and the Bullseye full figure size and official product.

I've always wanted these characters as a kid kay favorite nako ang Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Unfortunately, the price for one doll/figure is 3,400.

Nangutana ko sa mga staffs didto and they said temporary ra sila. Until July 14. They are obviously testing the market here if kaya ba.

It reminds me of the time back then in April 2012 when LEGO Philippines held a huge exhibit didto sa Northwing sa SM City Cebu. It was the time our Toy Kingdom in Cebu started selling LEGO. Then a separate store known as Yellow Hat opened in Ayala in November 2012 but closed in 2014 since LEGO is not sellable.

Same ra sad atong NBA Store sauna sa Ayala. Opened in November 2016 but closed by May 2018. That's a mere 18 months of operation. Grabe ang hype sa sugod pero naka turn off jud ang ka mahal sa official merchandize na lupigon lng ug imitation products or ukay2x bargains.

Long-term, I don't think Disney Store is feasible. Even Blue Magic closed in 2024 after almost 30 years of operation. I think better mag consignment nalang sila in SM or Rustan's/

reddit.com
u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago
▲ 22 r/FilipinoHistory

80 years ago today, the Republic of the Philippines became independent from the United States. It also marks the 80th Philippine-American Friendship Day.

80 years of the Republic becoming independent from the United States, which coincides with the 80th Filipino-American Friendship Day and the 250th independence anniversary of the United States.

u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago
▲ 44 r/Philippines

10 years ago: Duterte took his oath of office as the 16th President of the Philippines

What followed next was 6 years of madness, humiliation on the domestic and global stage, a botched economy, and a messed-up COVID response.

The wave of populism and far-right nationalism in the Western World and we were in the crossfires of it too. The promise of removing crime and drugs seemed to promising to the masses. Such would ensure the returned of the Marcoses to power.

I was only in my final year of college at this time. No wonder why the following year in 2017, it felt like crap.

The rest day say is history.

u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago
▲ 15 r/KpopDemonhunters

A trio of ancient Chinese demon hunters from the French-Chinese cartoon Shaolin Wuzang compared to the original Joseon hunters

The premise is the same: three kids with powers fighting demons and monsters in their respective culture and area.

It's set in 7th Century China, so they would not time the first generation of Korean hunters at the Joseon Dynasty in 1625 (est. since Jinu is mentioned to be 400 years old). Korea at this time was still under the Silla Kingdom.

Nonetheless, I find it interesting about a cartoon set in ancient China that has the premise of three kids fighting demons. Said cartoon predates K-pop Demon Hunters by 20 years!

Note: For those wondering, Shaolin Wuzang is a jointly produced cartoon between a French and Chinese animation studio. It showed in Disney Channel Asia in 2007, while also showing in Jetix, France 3, and CCTV.

u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago
▲ 546 r/decadeology

The time when there were a ton of Far East and Asian-themed cartoons in the 2000s

The 2000s were full of Asian-themed cartoons or Asian cartoon characters. I think this was because anime is famous and Western cartoon producers wanted Asian characters to shine with their own animation style.

The shows either showed martial arts or traditional Chinese or Japanese culture such as the clothing, the colors, the food, and the family structure.

Let me know if there are other cartoons or characters not listed here.

The most recent thing I can think of is K-pop Demon Hunters bringing more of Korean culture and identity towards Western audience while the upcoming Dreamworks animated films, Forgotten Island, will showcase Filipino culture and identity.

u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago
▲ 13 r/Cebu

Happy Haus Donuts: Possible local competition to Dunkin and Mister Donuts?

Naka kita ko ani na Basak Mandaue sa una. At bang ra sa Gaisano. Akong gi taste ilang donuts ug duol ra ang timpla sa Dunkin ug Mister Donut. Although wala nato dido (basin ni balhin) akong gi search sa Facebook, dili ra kaayo ni recent na brand. Mga 2019 pa diay ni.

Originally from Quezon City, but eventually nag expand nation wide. Based on their Happy Haus Donuts Visayas page, naa silays stalls in major transit areas like mga terminals, mga malls or kilid sa Colon-Magallanes area, and even the poblacion area of Moalboal.

Naa silay flavor na wala sa DD ug sa MD: Ube donut and ube dimples (mao tawag sa ilang munchkins).

Mas barato sad ilang donuts kay dili pa sila commercialized kaayo. Ilang franchise fee gani kay 50,000 pesos ra. Feel nako mo increase na if ma sakit na ni samot.

Kinsay naka tilaw ani? Unsay thoights ninyo ani?

reddit.com
u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago
▲ 96 r/brickmania

Cold War U.S. Army Rifleman: 2018 vs. 2023 vs. 2025. Which do you prefer?

I personally like the 2023 version as the best variants because of its unique gas mask piece and an upgraded M81 Woodland printing.

On the other hand, I like how the the 2025 version has different skin tones if you want to diversity your Cold War-era MOCs.

u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago
▲ 27 r/brickmania

USAF PJs (2022) vs USAF PJs (2026): Which do you prefer?

I think I like the 2022 version better. I remember this being my second Brickmania purchase with my very own money earned from my newly-hired job, the first was the Saint Javelin minifigure. I personally like the details of the MultiCam better in the 2022 version than the 2026 version.

What about you guys? What do you think?

u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago
▲ 22 r/legaladviceofftopic

Is it legal to disrupt a scam center such as using subtle acts of sabotage?

I originally posted this on r/NoStupidQuestions but unfortunately, no response was made.

I've been watching a lot of Scammer Payback, Jim Browning, Nano Baiter, and Kitboga videos and I find it hilarious when they troll and expose scammers, even though in the long run, it won't stop the scam. Scammers are like cockroaches. You stop one, multiple more will pop-up elsewhere.

On the other hand, it always got me curious how legal it is to scam the scammers (i.e. fool them to take their money and let them have a taste of their own medicine).

Despite our want for revenge against the scammers, scamming them back or stealing from them is still considered illegal. The law doesn't suddenly give you pass for robbing or stealing from a scammer because "He/she did it first" or "They deserved it" will not pass in court of law.

The most recent Scammer Payback video explains why they can't empty the scammers' wallets and give it back to the victim because it will still count as international theft and money laundering. Sucks, doesn't it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqgcX2SHstQ (Around the 4:07 - 7:27 time stamp)

They have been given blessing by the local authorities and the FBI to conduct their grey-zone operations, but the moment they start moving money around - even if it is to give money back to the victims - they will face legal action.

So that said, that's why scambaiters like those channels I mentioned above use other means including cartoon-style humor to stop scammers.

One video had them hire a local in Pakistan or India to plant rodents in the scam center and it had funny results:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U86Tt3jk00

Another one had them hire a local in Pakistan to throw a large amount of flour that blanketed the scam center office, thus causing the scammers to take up most of the time cleaning their computers and their office:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyA7UE-rCRc

The last funny example is using a classic jump scare video (the iconic German coffee brand K-fee commercial with the zombie jump scare) that terrified scammers as the scam happened. It turns out Indians are superstitious so the scammer really thought a ghost possessed his computer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyA7UE-rCRc

So I it got me thinking, what is the legality of hiring someone to sabotage a scam center? It is not considered as tampering (introduction of rodents), destruction of property (cutting of wires or messing the whole place with flour), or trespassing?

I'm just curious on the legality on disruption tactics used by locals hired by the scambaiter. Though laws in India and Pakistan may be different such as those in the West.

u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago
▲ 18 r/decadeology

What year did Cartoon Network begin to decay in your country?

Related to my post on r/CartoonNetwork:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CartoonNetwork/comments/1trzqd1/any_users_here_from_the_philippines_how_do_you/

In my place, it's 2009.

That's when most classic Powerhouse and mid-2000s TV shows were taken out in favor of late 2000s shows such as Chowder, Flapjack, and The Secret Saturdays. 2009 was also the year Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends concluded. There was more emphasis on live-action TV shows such as Tricky TV (a British magic trick prank show; apart from CN Philippines, it also showed in CN Taiwan and CN Australia) and Japanese live-action hero series on Toonami such as Kamen Rider and Ryukendo.

The City Era ended on August 31, 2008 in my country, but the network was still airing the classics. I read in some regions like Europe and Latin America, the city era ended around 2010-2011.

Coinciding with how analog TV ended in the U.S. in 2009 with the shift to digital.

Keep in note that this was before 2010s Cartoon Network such as Adventure Time, The Regular Show, and Clarence. Most Zoomers would associated CN with these shows. As such, the same demographic barely have any memory of the Powerhouse and City Era.

I am not sure if you guys agree, but 2009 seems to be the year that Cartoon Network was in limbo. The shift was also so sudden that CN fans in my country immediately became nostalgic for both the Powerhouse and Toon City era. Considering this was in 2009, DVDs for our favorite TV shows were not available (on top of being expensive), YouTube was limited to clips and slideshows, and there was no streaming. It took until 2013-2014 for CN Philippines to at least re-air some classics and again in 2020-2022 during the pandemic era. Sometimes in the regular CN channel, but I mostly watched most in Boomerang.

reddit.com
u/Trick_Top_313 — 2 months ago