Shooting $9 Ballistic Armor Insert From Lazada (Philippine Temu)

Let's talk about shooting stuff! 

I got this allegedly pistol-rated soft armor insert from Lazada. Of course its sketchy, "how much do you value your life", and all that. 

Its super cheap at less than $9 for a 15 cm X 15 cm square. There are bigger versions of this from the same seller that has em in all kinds of useful shapes. 

I like the ones that can be inserted into the laptop compartments of our backpacks or used as side & abdominal armor coverage. 

You sexy thing 👌 

Firearm: JP Enterprises JP-5 pistol caliber carbine, 9mm Luger

Barrel: JP Supermatch, 8 inches

Ammunition: 

1x Federal Premium Hydra-shok 

1x PMC FMJ, 124gr

2x 9mm-GL: 

• our custom 150 gr subsonic ammo
• 851 fps from JP-5
• Muzzle Energy: 221 FPE

Distance: 5 yards

I am thrilled to report that ALL rounds were captured by the soft armor insert. This is a fantastic development. 

I landed all my shots within 1 inch of each other at the center of the square. That means it can still capture the rounds despite being struck in the same general area. 

If you watch the video I uploaded above, you will see that the 2nd shot was beginning to cave in the body armor. This is an important thing to note because that will effectively reduce the coverage when you are taking more than one hit. 

So if you plan to insert this into a laptop bag or backpack, you will need to secure it to both the strike face and the back part. 

It took some effort on my part to flatten it so I can shoot it a few more times. 

All of the bullet heads were recovered. It is interesting to note that their corresponding weights. The photos clearly show the level of deformity and how their jackets were affected.

The 150 gr subsonic heads kept their weight and had significant deformation despite its low velocity. 

This will now allow me to upgrade various backpacks with pistol-rated protection at a very good price. 

There was a time when my only options were available from the USA. 

I used to think that I'd never buy products from these kinds of sources, but time is of the essence. As you might have noticed I've become increasingly productive. Again, all of them sitting in my head waiting for my workshop to make all of this possible. 

Right now we have 3 EDC backpacks that we bring to work and school that have these armor inserts. What matters is we have improved capabilities thanks to these little DIY projects. 

These backpacks can be turned into effective shields on your left hand while the right employs a handgun. It can be worn in your front torso like body armor. More on that later...

A lot of magic could be done with a little duct tape and double-sided velcro! This was a fun project.  

Stay vigilant! 

DIY Shielded Radio Kit

We can block 80-100+db across harmful frequencies👍 

I've been wanting to finish this project for years. Things are way easier to complete when you have a good workshop with the proper lighting. 

I present to you a Shielded RF kit that can withstand EMP and other hazards like lighting and moisture. Yes, the gasket is in great shape even if this surplus can has been in my garage for the past 7 years. 

Parts are very easy to find at the hardware & school supplies store. 

A few months ago I tested various RF blocking textiles and bags from Lazada. Thanks to the success of that early experiment, we were able to proceed with this project. 

I am able to block wifi, bluetooth, radio, up close and E1 & E3 pulses from high altitude.  

All major components are separated by ziploc bags, each with their own dessicant pouches. Its important to detach batteries, antennas, and all accessories.  

We have these Versa Alerto ham radios and my trusty Baofeng UV-88. They all have pouches on our plate carriers and chest rigs. Some of them are close to 10 years old but their batteries & spares are still good. I'll be acquiring more Baofengs later on so I can transition to USB-C charging for greater field longevity. 

I'm quite pleased at how everything turned out in the end. Everything fits inside a .50 cal ammo can and is light & compact.  Its also robust enough to handle heavy rain or even light submersion. This is definitely much easier to bring around for any occasion.

The only thing left is to add more Amateur Radio stickers and labels so its easy to spot.  Maybe a yellow ammo can would have been better. 😀 

This is just one of a few projects that I've completed in my new Workshop. Things are finally coming together.  Building stuff is terrific fun.👌 

Stay vigilant!

Waiting for The Big One in the Philippines

This article is from Architecture on Facebook. 

"A TICKING TIMEBOMB: In the Philippines, an expected massive earthquake named “The BIG one” is predicted to cause a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. -INQ

The West Valley Fault System moves every 200-400 years.Last recorded movement was in the year 1658. -Phivolcs

The earthquake is predicted to hit Metro Manila from the West Valley Fault, which is 100 km in length (Phivolcs). Metro Manila is the capital, economic, financial, and educational center of the country. It is also the most populated region.

PHIVOLCS is estimating a death toll of around 51,500 from the Big One: 33,500 from the quake itself, and around 18,000 additional deaths from fires, along with 100,000 injured. -GMA News

PHIVOLCS also expect residential buildings, around 12% to 13% would sustain heavy damage. The 10- to 30-storey buildings around 11% heavy damage, and then 30- to 60-storey buildings, 2%. -GMA News"

------------------

This is possibly the biggest natural disaster facing the Philippines.  The warning signs have been building up for decades.  

Adding gasoline to the fire is the immense corruption of the government.  Possibly a trillion Pesos over the years put elsewhere instead of infrastructure improvements and safety projects. 

We survivors are almost entirely on our own. 

We cannot depend on others. 

Getting ready is long overdue. 

------------------

Here are our main threats in the somewhat near-term: 

1. chinese aggression vs Taiwan and the Philippines 

- blockade and invasion of Taiwan, attacking northern bases of the Philippines 

- disruption of infrastructure, communications

- social unrest, sleeper cell attacks to topple the government to install a puppet in favor of china

- economic fallout 

- when the foreigners and collaborators start rounding the men up, its already too late. We learned our lesson back in World War 2. Don't ask me how.

2. The Big One or another major earthquake like in Cebu in Metro Manila

- nothing will work for more weeks to months

- treat this as a once in a century disaster 

3. Political unrest provoked by corrupt politicians. Thanks to the public dissatisfaction over billions stolen from the flood control issue. We might have a Nepal or Indonesia situation. 

All of these will require us to hunker down, activate our trusted friends, and build up our reserves. We might have to be locked down again. 

These calamities will be require us to deal with the human element. 

Expect a majority of people to be once again caught unprepared. Desperation in large numbers will become the biggest problem post-calamity. 

This isn't our first rodeo. So instead of relying on the government to give us those monthly care packages (ayuda), we should expect similar or worse negligence on their part. 

Hella bad time if an Outbreak of a particular kind would take place while all of this is going down...

Stay vigilant!

This is when you BUG OUT: July 30, 2025 Tsunami & M8.8 Quake in Severo-Kurlisk, Russia

 

I really hope you haven't been living under a rock. This is one of the few calamities that can be detected fairly early enough to do something about. 

A responsible adult would have had go bags at the ready, and knows where his whole family is and has secured them. 

Be safe out there, friends. 

Stay vigilant!

Gear Review: Savior Systems Rifle Magazine Pouch

Savior Systems Rifle Pouch

Capacity: 3 pouches per side (2 GI mags per pouch) 

Purpose: low-viz standalone ammunition bandolier, trauma kit carrier

TLDR: I love its versatility and compact design. I think the configuration presented here is a highly effective loadout suitable for a variety of missions. 

*****

Make Holes and Plug Holes

I stuffed two rifle magazines on each pouch for "SIDE A" for a total of six (6). Pretty good for something so small.

"SIDE B" holds the stop the bleed stuff:

• 2x Israeli Bandages
• 1 CAT TQ
• 2x chest seals
• 2 pairs of nitride gloves (I need blue ones)
• 2x hemostatic gauze
• Sharpie (not shown)
• 1 smoke grenade

There is still room for a needle decompression kit when it arrives. 

Versatility is 🔑 

This can be worn as a dedicated bandolier or chest rig if you need significant capability in a small package. Most backpacks of the Jansport size can hold this plus a folded 10.5 rifle or PDW. 

I like having the option to bring this sling bag to augment any plate carrier or chest rig. 

It is also easy to toss this to a friend for a quick re-supply. 

In actual range use, it bounces around but does not get in the way of rifle manipulation or maneuver. 

If I want to go maximum ammo, I can stick a total of 12 rifle magazines.  Only then would the the added weight become an issue. 

The way I have it right now kicks undead @ss. I think this is a highly capable little sling bag. 

Conclusion: 

This item has always been at range for the past 2 years. It has stood up to semi rough treatment and hot summer days. 

It has the versatility to augment any mission, covert or otherwise. Reasonably priced against any amazon alternative.  

I dig this product. Don't hesitate to add it to your gear.

You can't have too much ammo when facing the undead horde 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️ 🔫 💪 

5/5

Stay vigilant!

Ukraine's New Recruitment Video

"NEW YEAR, NEW ME, WORLD WAR THREE"

Ukraine stands! 🇺🇦 

This new recruitment campaign slaps and correctly paints the invading orcs as zombies. 

As a cold war child Ive always recognized the broader geopolitical game where tyrants sacrifice millions of pawns to stay in power. 

Innovation, courage, and information are the best weapons against the undead hordes. Best we learn from their experience.  

Here's the original link on IG: 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFhNRHhs3L7/?igsh=MTJnNjQ0Yjh2aW1xNg==

Stay vigilant! 

Happy New Year! Goodbye 2024, Hello 2025

2024 was a wild ride, even for post-Pandemic standards. 

From my side of the pond these were the biggest things: 

• Political turmoil

• Ukraine still stands

• Myanmar, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria 

• chinese aggression 

• Record typhoons & flooding in the Philippines

• California Wildfire

• Earthquakes

• Consolidating your preps

• Look out for your health

A lot of these events will intensify. Plan accordingly 'coz we're already out of time. 

What do we do? We're still mending wounds and fences. Some of us are just grateful to be intact. 

Unfortunately there are far too many who could not say the same. 

-------------

Let's look out for each other more this year. Make new friends, get out of your echo chamber.  Form your tribe already. 

For countless people around the world, SHTF has already come to them. Time is immensely precious.  Every day wasted could never be taken back. 

To my good readers, thank you for staying with us. I sincerely hope that things go your way in 2025. 

Stay vigilant!

Shooting in the Rain 🌧

Here's the link to the video on Instagram 

2024 had way too many typhoons. I mean almost every month hitting Metro Manila. Strong wind, sideways rain, severe floods. The whole enchilada. 

Two of them were even "once in a decade" in intensity. 

Since I work in the vicinity of a few shooting ranges, I had more than a few chances to try my gear. As a bonus I would usually have the place all to myself since it would be raining cats and dogs. 

Are eclosed emitter optics useless in a storm? 

I wanted to see for myself.  I've shot in the rain a few times, wasn't terrible. I could not resist doing the same during an all out tropical cyclone. 

Optic: Holosun 510c

It was not a pleasant experience. I needed to make a few hard shakes on the gun to toss the water pooling into the emitter so I could get a serviceable retice.

Taking precise shots will be nearly twice as hard. That directly correlates to taking more time. 

As you can see in the reel, 8-inch plates at 25 meters sometimes needed more than one round. 

What about mud, blood, and undead guts? Who knows what life will throw at us? At the very least I will take more than twice the time needed to engage each target. 

When SHTF, everything has already gone sideways. So if you intend to use an open emitter optic, you'd better be practicing in ways that simulate all of these bad things rolled into one. 

Solutions

I can get an enclosed emitter optic like the Holosun AEMS or the Holosun 515GM. 

Im gravitating towards any model that has a quick-detach mount. There are also good options from Primary Arms, Trijicon, and Aimpoint. 

There are also 3d printed shrouds that can be clipped on very handily. This will be my immediate option in a few weeks. 

Having back-up iron sights are also a great option. They are inexpensive and take up little rail space. 

Our most valuable lessons come from getting out there. Might as well have some fun while you're at it. Touch some grass folks. 

Stay vigilant!

Merry Christmas!🎄

 

Yes these ARE a few of our new toys coming soon to this blog ;-) 

Wishing that your family stays safe, healthy, blessed, and happy this Christmas 🎄

I can't believe December is ending already. We've been busy in a very good way. A lot of growth, hard lessons, struggles, and little triumphs here and there. I hope things have also gone well for all of my kind readers. 

And for those who have had it rough this year: hang in there. There are people who care and are always cheering you on. You will always matter. 

Stay vigilant!

7.4 Magnitude Taiwan Earthquake, April 3, 2024

 

This blog supports the country of Taiwan 🇹🇼 and all her people. 

You know the drill: 

• Have you made an emergency plan?

• Where will your family hunker down if the home is unsafe? 

• How will you stay in touch if you are separated from your family? 

• Do you have enough food and water? 

• Do you have emergency supplies and medication? 

• How long can you last while waiting for help?

Seriously, 7.4 would wreck any downtown metro in the Philippines and hurt countless people. 

*****

2024 has a lot of major things going on aside from the wars in Ukraine, Israel, the Middle East, and Africa. 

We also have the chinese threat to content with. In the Philippines its the sleeper cells that are a major concern as we are practically at the front row to the aggressor alongside Taiwan. They are most definitely looking for ways to capitalize from this situation. 

Communist china capitalizing on Taiwan's misfortune?  I made a dark funny right there. 

Hold up, Japan was ALSO hit by 7.4 on New Year's Day. Wth

Stay vigilant!

2024 AR-15 SHTF Loadout Series, Part I: Introduction

I've been wanting to post this for a really long time. Putting together a Loadout article is always a daunting task. It involves evaluating every single item related to that setup, and that takes a lot of time. Three years, in this case.

A mountain of brass and a pandemic later, I proudly present:

The Zombie Hunter's 2024 Tactical Loadout

In this series, we shall examine the ecosystem that supports our selection of primary weapons. 

Starting with the AR15, I will feature three configurations that can cover a wide variety of scenarios.

Other primary weapons are the Benelli M3T, and the JP Enterprises JP-5. They will have their own section as they excel in more specialized roles. 

For simplicity's sake, the secondary weapons are comprised of our various handguns. 

Versatility is key

Capability vs Limitations: "The Mission Drives the Gear"

I designed these three configurations to address the most likely scenarios where I will need to whip out my main fighting rifle. From heavy assault, static defense, recon, and everything in between.

Of course, like in all video games or RPG, I am primarily limited by Encumbrance (weight) and concealability.  For the latter, there will be times when I do not want to be too overt about my intentions. 

The Crye JPC plate carrier setup weighs the most but is best suited for combat. It has everything I need for a real fight but this is also the most conspicuous to wear. 

On the opposite end, the Savior Equipment magazine pouch is a bandolier that carries a fair amount of ammo and medical while being the lightest and most concealable of the three. 

In addition to all that, I will also be carrying on my back an Assault Pack that will weight around 25 pounds and has mission-related and sustainment gear.

Why The AR Platform? 

The first part will feature the AR-15. This firearm uses the most capable round for SHTF. Its effective range is ideal for urban combat and weighs a lot less than other options like 7.62 or 12-gauge shells. 

5.56 NATO can defeat armor, it has a lot of rounds on tap, its trajectory is flat thanks to my 50 meter zero. I can even hand-load this caliber. 

The firearm that we own is also reliable enough to shoot thousands of rounds without issue, and we have the parts to keep it running for a whole lot more. 

Line 2 Gear: The Battle Belt

This has seen a lot of use since 2018. Trial & error has brought me to where everything is arranged to be comfortable in any position. My battle belt supports my rifle and sidearm which can also be pressed into a primary fighting implement. 

I can sit in the car all day, go supine without hurting my lower back, lay flat on the ground and access everything I need without a hassle. Most importantly I can draw my pistol magazines and tourniquet very easily. 

I am also cross-eye dominant. That explains the placement of my rifle magazine. Go figure it out :-P

Going Forward

Various trends in the "tacti-cool" scene have came and gone from when this blog began in 2010. Battle belts, chest rigs, optics, assault packs, and armor have all undergone significant changes in that time. This blog did not follow blindly, we chose our kit wisely. 

Stay with me for part two of the 2024 Tactical Loadout Series as we examine in closer detail our three configurations for the AR-15 Ecosystem starting with the heaviest setup of the three: The Plate Carrier. 

Stay vigilant!

7.4 Magnitude Quake Hits Japan on New Year's Day

what a way to start 2024...

First Things First

The power of this quake and the devastation Japan had sustained was unreal. Japan is close to my heart, we have a house over there in Chiba, and we made a few very good friends. We know a few locals, and I feel privileged that we had exchanged more than a few pleasantries with the locals. I am charmed beyond expectations every time we visit. 

I really hope that people can get the help they desperately need over there. The whole world has taken calamity upon calamity, but I will never tire of trying to send support in however way I can. 

Choosing the right charity will make sure that anything you send will not be wasted. I tend to favor the Red Cross and have been so for more than two decades. 

Let us not despair in the face of these trying times. Helping others definitely helps us, even if the recipients are far away. 

A New Year

It is January 1, 2024. I the Zombie Hunter have been quite busy these past two years. My family has made a lot of great strides in the realm of preparedness.

We have become a lot healthier. Our fitness goals are becoming a reality. We even joined the IPSC World Shoot in 2022! 

We have new Skills, Weapons, and Tools. 

We have also overcome a lot of challenges in this Post-Pandemic World. For that I am grateful.

I would like to thank you dear reader for staying with us all these years. I sincerely hope that 2023 had been good to you as was for my family. 

A recap is always fun to write. Documentation is important after all, so we remember and benefit from our experience. Perhaps I will do so in the coming days. 

*****

New Threats

Our mission remains the same, despite the heightened peril that the world faces. 

Ukraine stands. Its allies are beginning to feel the strain of the constant support they are sending to Kyiv. I for one hope that they continue to do so, so that the invading orcs would see a defeat in the soonest time possible. 

Israel was viciously attacked by the terrorist group hamas. The death and suffering inflicted on innocent civilians shall never be forgotten. As a result, global terrorism has become a heightened risk all over again. 

Yemen's Houthis are now stepping up their attacks on the world's shipping industry. The West has responded by forming a coalition to put an end to their terrorism. Too bad it had taken the US this long to find its resolve. Could this widen the conflict across the Middle East? 

Africa remains unstable thanks to Wagner & Co. 

The chinese invasion of Taiwan is becoming a possibility this year. Their window for a successful invasion is rapidly closing. The key issue however is that the chinese themselves might not be aware of their ever-diminishing chance of success. 

                                                                            *****

Coming Soon to This Journal

• 2024 Assault Pack: What to bring on a 3-day trip when you need to do something very important or potentially dangerous. 

• HRT Maximus Placard: Our PCC loadout

• JP Enterprises JP-5: The world's best pistol caliber carbine? 

• Plate Carrier, Chest Rig, and Bandoliers: we compare three tiers of gear to suit your mission

• Radio and Comms for SHTF

Stay tuned, there's a whole lot more in the works. 

Stay vigilant!

Music: The Zombie Song

 

The Zombie Song by Stephanie Mabey ❤️

She rocks. Check out her music over here on YouTube. 

I'm dyin'😆 💀

Special thanks to Ashley Pollard over at Paint it Pink for unearthing this neat little ditty. 😉

Stay vigilant! 

9-11, Never Forget

Stay angry

Stay vigilant

One Year Later: War on the Horizon, Lockdown 2.0 Coming?

Hey there, The Zombie Hunter here. I hope you've been good. Last post was nearly a year ago. 

I've been busy all 2022-2023 joining matches, training, and making tons of ammo for the sport.  We even made it to the World Shoot last year in Thailand! Dreams do come true. 

We have been healthy because our preps & intel paid off for us. I won't gloat, some didn't make it out of 2022. 

The Pandemic is waning. There's still the Wuhan question that nobody wants to answer. There's war with china on the horizon. Ukraine is in the offensive. Africa is in turmoil. 

Near-Term Trouble: 

1. Invasion of Taiwan

The biggest threat comes from china. If they push through with invading Taiwan, the USA and her allies will be dragged into the deadliest conflict since World War 2. Thankfully the Allies seem to be cooperating a lot better in the past two years. There was a real danger that our country would have wound up a chinese vassal 3 years ago. That catastrophe has been averted with the actions of our new Defense Secretary. 

Pro-china fake news has also drastically decreased this year compared to the deluge we experienced for 6 whole years. 

I still think that china's invasion and its silk road scam were greatly hampered by the Wuhan Outbreak. If the pandemic didn't happen, their nefarious plans would have become far more successful. It seems like their timetable was delayed by several years. I won't call it a silver lining as too many had died to their laboratory-leaked virus. 

2. Covid Lockdown 2.0 & the American Powderkeg 

As the next US presidential election approaches, all kinds of shenanigans could happen. We had aliens in our headlines. There were chinese spy ballons. A real humanitarian crisis in Hawaii, typhoons, and floods.

Next up is a rumored Second Lockdown and Mask Mandate. People are sick of it. That's a ticking bomb right there. 

I feel really bad for America, and I want her to overcome this whole mess. The left-leaning populace is too worked up to listen to reason. Trump supporters aren't either. 

The good news is the unprecedented rise of African & Asian-American conservatives. This gives me hope that they can bring both sides to the middle again because it has increased discourse in the past year. Not quite 2021 retarded anymore. 

Anti-gun legislation is also being fought and at every turn. The Firearms Policy Coalition and the Gun Owners of America have landed a string of victories this year. Things are looking up. God save Judge Benitez. He can turn things around once and for all. 

3. Ukraine Stands, Africa in Turmoil 

As of this writing it seems like the russians are about to be on their heels again as Ukrainian forces are approaching Crimea.

Meanwhile in Africa, a wave of coups have erupted. Wagner is the usual suspect and it might pull Western resources and aid away from Ukraine if things continue to spiral out of control. There is a noticeable uptick in pro-russian vlogger sites from Africa on youtube and facebook.

 

4. Morocco suffered a terrible earthquake. Please be sympathetic to their plight. 

5. The Rohingya people have spent several years now resisting genocide by their government. As usual the russians and chinese are bankrolling the military dictatorship and are complicit in the countless deaths and suffering. if there is yet another case for an American Second Amendment, this is it. 

It is immensely frustrating that their plight is never given enough attention. Unspeakable suffering and evil is being inflicted on ordinary people and nobody seems to care. 

What now? 

• Stay healthy, exercise, visit your doctor more. Brush up on your First-Aid and emergency care.

• Stabilize your finances. Build up your savings right now and spread your portfolio so you won't get wiped out.

• I would not take a risk while a crisis in Taiwan looms. I'd advise stocking up on your essentials so you won't get into a fight over TP like we all did three years ago. 

• Look after your tribe, your family needs your unique perspective. People who aren't into preparedness have blind-spots where we can make a difference. 

I hate to say it but our skills are starting to become useful.  

As always 

STAY VIGILANT

Happy Halloween 2022! 🎃 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️ 👻

We love Ed & Ein from Cowboy Bebop

We just got back from our first Halloween in two years! 

There were hundreds of kids roaming around our neighborhood having a wonderful time. The weather was nice & cool. Candy, chocolates, and cool drinks were being passed around. 

Lots of Anya & Yor Forgers, Nezukos, some Genshin kids, Spider-Men, Ghosts, Tarkovs, and a couple of zombies to boot. Cosplay is a big deal over here. 

There were even some wonderful people giving away free pork barbecue on a stick, popcorn, and ice cream to everyone! 

Some whole areas were preparing more than a few house parties for the little ones. 

From a survivor's point of view, seeing carefree and happy children is the greatest reward and defiance against a pandemic finally on its heels.

 

*****

What have we been up to? 

PANDEMIC IN RETROSPECT

The worst seems to be over. The virus has been far less lethal with each passing month since Omicron first appeared. We are still on-guard. We dine indoors now with absolute confidence. Its been two years now and none of us have gotten the bug. 

The hardest part was keeping our seniors mentally healthy and free from the awful fake news spreading over social media. 

I am extremely lucky and grateful for it. Some very close friends had suffered great losses to their families. 

What worked for us? Outdoor gatherings were the best. We avoided close-in gatherings and large amusement parks. Hospitals from 2020 to late 2021 were to be avoided. Staying healthy by eating well and home exercise were our MVPs. 

I even managed to finish a few of the games in my Steam library that had gone unplayed for years. Mental health is 🔑. 

PRACTICAL SHOOTING

We have been intensifying our practical shooting training all year. I can't believe we've been going non-stop since January. 

We even got to shoot and win some awards at the USPSA 2021 Oregon State Championship in Bend and hang out at the Route 66 Shooting Sports Park in San Bernardino, CA in 2022. 

There is an ongoing crisis for reloading components, particularly with the cost and supply of primers. They cost more than 3x than what they did in early 2020! 

The US ammo shortage is the primary culprit but I am very sure that a few big players in the country are also hoarding them and exacerbating the situation for their own benefit. Vile scumbags. 

OUR FIRST DRONE: THE DJI MINI 2 

We bought it when the drone was newly released in December 2020. Just in time for the pandemic lockdown. 

Having a drone opens up a new dimension of options for survival. For one thing, it fits in my go-bag very easily. Being able to fly over anything and do so unobserved is a dream come true. Its also incredibly easy to fly. 

There were a few instances of house fires near our residence in the past two years. We launched little Dronie upon hearing the sound of fire truck sirens and got a lot of useful intel. 

For reconnaissance, nothing beats having a pocket sized aircraft. This is one of the very best things a survivalist can add to their kit. 

Its versatility is off the charts. Go get one already. 

CRYE JPC, BATTLE BELT, QORE ICEPLATE, Etc.

I've refined the loadout of my plate carrier and battle belt. The now-venerable Crye JPC is still the gold standard and I have not made significant changes to its configuration even after rolling in the dirt with it for several occasions this year. 

We had a few live-fire sessions at our new range and I am very happy with its overall weight distribution. 

Even in full kit I am almost as nimble as I need to be. The Qore Performance Iceplate served me well in the hot sun. I didn't freeze it but I was noticeably cooler even if the water turned lukewarm in less than an hour. I think it still prevents overheating even with regular water. 

We have been using locally-made smoke grenades and I am satisfied with their performance. Having one or two of them on your kit can definitely come in handy. Stay tuned for a full review! 

VANQUEST IBEX 26

This is one of my best scores of the year. I purchased this at the closeout section of Forged Philippines at 50% off. The value of this backpack even at full price is out of this world. 

The hallmark of modern backpack is ease of accessibility. 

The Ibex is a clamshell-style opener. I can't count how many times Ive quickly grabbed my gear in mere seconds. I marvel at this feature every single time. Its got side compartments and loops galore without looking too tactical. 

The internal compartment is roomy and Vanquest has modular cubes that you may attach nearly anywhere inside by hook & loop or molle to suit any mission. 

It has a plastic insert to hold its ergonomics together. Combined with the kidney strap, this feels half as heavy on your back. 

I use this primarily to hold my go-gear, or as an assault pack. Things that will sustain me for 3-4 days while Im off doing something very important. 

Did I say that this thing was built tough? I mean its also Mordor-and-back durable. 1k Cordura in structural places, and 500 for the rest. 

More details to follow. 

NEW FIREARMS

Buying a gun in the Philippines is a very deliberate and un-spontaneous event, thanks to our onerous gun laws. That being said, we have acquired a second 9mm 1911 to compliment my daughter's competition gear. She now has two of them and I think its a brilliant firearm. 

We are also expecting to receive our first Pistol Caliber Carbine PCC very soon. 

It is her firearm too. A partner if you will to my AR15. Practically the same manual of arms except in 9mm. 

We went with the "buy once cry once" route this time around. 

*****

To our Doctors, Nurses, volunteers and Medical Professionals

The pandemic is fading. Some didn't make it out. I am grateful for the luck we have had for the past two years. 

If there is anything I could take away from this whole experience is that it takes a community to survive big calamities. 

From Taal Volcano's eruption, to Covid-19, and the various environmental calamities that came along, people helping each other is what really carries the day. 

For the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who risked it all to save others. You have my sincerest gratitude. How does one say "thank you" to people who have seen it all? Perhaps we can learn a thing or two from their selflessness. 

Stay Vigilant! 

First Case of Monkeypox in the Philippines

 

Click here for the article...

S M H

Stay vigilant!

FIRST CASE OF MONKEYPOX IN JAPAN

welcome to the jungle...

Stay vigilant!

NETFLIX: Night of the Mini Dead

 Too cute

Can't help it

Go see it on NETFLIX ♡ 

Night of the Mini Dead 

Part of Love, Death & Robots Season 3 

Stay vigilant!

Monkeypox & More in 2022

s m h 

When I started this blog just over a decade ago, things were considerably tame. What were we fussing about back in 2010?

Often encountered in West Africa, it is now  detected in over 20 countries including Spain, Portual, the United Kingdom, and now its new world host Argentina. 

Full article on The Guardian on the WHO's updates can be found here. 

Google sez: 

The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox. But monkeypox symptoms are typically milder.
...
The early symptoms include:

• fever, which is commonly the first symptom.
• headache.
• muscle aches.
• back ache.
• fatigue.
• chills.
• swollen lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenopathy.

"Treated like smallpox as they are the same class of virus... vaccine cross immunity is possible"

There are no approved or proven treatments according to the CDC but "most people survive without intervention". 

Yay. 

***** 

Meanwhile...

Kyiv stands. Ukraine resists!

Corina virus cases are still rising in Taiwan. 

Significant geopolitical shifts are rapidly taking place across the globe. Keep an eye for it over here in Asia for that matter. 

******

Updates: 

We are buying our first pistol caliber carbine really soon. 9mm is a great round to stockpile. 

I've upgraded to a CZ Shadow 2 with a Holosun ACSS green reticle. I'm shooting Production Optics now!

We've got smoke grenades too! Many other functions...

The venerable Sideout camping backpack has stood up pretty well over the years. 

I've upgraded my 3 day assault pack to a Vanquest Ibex 26. Got it at 40% from Forged Philippines, by Grabthar's Hammer what a savings.  

The modularity and slim profile works wonders for my requirements. I gave my older LA Police Gear 3 Day pack to my cousin. It holds 50L, I'm sure it will serve him well. 

Medical preps are just as important as anything. Make sure to get First Aid training. Every responsible adult should have that. At the very least, teach every family member how to use a tourniquet. 

If the last two years of COVID-19 has taught me anything, its that keeping your hands clean is often more important than a facemask. The mask matters indoors. My family never got the virus. Perhaps the Moderna really did work. Horaay for science. 

This year is going to get a lot busier with our IPSC/USPSA training. Ill be at the shooting range a lot more often. 

Hope you are doing well, dear reader. 

Stay vigilant!