ABC STARS Inspires

She would be the only one who will know why I call her, "The Black Pearl". She is from the Perla del mar de Oriente as written by Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero. Our parents called her Rosa Mystica. And, she plays classical piano music wonderfully. Her heart is golden, her voice angelic when she sings the Ave Maria . She is looking at the skies and the same constellation that I look at from where I am. Her devotion to Our Lady and Our Lord is extraordinary. Her vision, a chapel to be built for real. "Oh, Mary conceived without sin. Pray for us who have recourse to thee." (3x)

While waiting at the entrance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Putrajaya that seemed like eternity, I found out the reason I had to wait forever. I had to meet a young wonderful lady from Botswana. She was sitting on one of the benches and I sat beside her. Now I forget how the conversation began but I eventually asked her where she is from? She told me that she hails from Botswana.  I blurted out, "Oh, your country won over our country in a pageant!" She smiled and said, "yes she put us on the map." Furthermore, we agreed that there should not be competitions of that sort anymore as all peoples are beautiful. She emphasized specially for women. She told me they have four seasons then I retorted I love Autumn. I was surprised to know that and indeed you learn a lot as each day passes from anything or from anyone. Then, she told me roughly their population is about only two million people. Then, there are only nine of them in Malaysi...

As an Inspirational Catholic Writer, I do not have to deal with criticisms or haters or trolls. People seem to scamper away when The Lord Jesus is mentioned in any of my essays or as to be aptly called, prose, I should like to say people who have evil intentions. Let's admit it people like Politics and other myriad topics. Now, my predicament is to have the inspiration to write and keep on writing. It is no easy feat. However, I like to keep it concise and precise. The least I would like to do in this field is waste time. Time is gold. Thus, I hope that I would be sharing nuggets of wisdom. In order to do that, let me share with you one simple rule I follow in my writing career and that is I promise myself never to be disturbed by anything or anyone. Once is enough. Two is too much. Three is a poison. In the final analysis, I learn from life's lesson's; my mistakes; other people's errors; from books, movies and TV or even radio: from my tra...

I lost my way in Malaysia.  A light hit my eyes and it showed a prism of my true colors. Don't Wanna Lose You Gloria Estefan Sometimes it's hard, to make things clear Or know when to face the truth And I know that the moment is here I'll open my heart and show you inside My love has no pride I feel with you I've got nothing to hide So open your eyes and see who I am And not who you want for me to be I am only myself, myself I don't want to lose you now We're gonna get through somehow I don't want to lose you now or ever Baby I've finally found The courage to stand my ground But if you want me I'll be around, forever We all make mistakes, we all lose our way But we stood the test of time and I hope That's the way it will stay It's all up to you, to tell me to go 'Cause it won't be me to walk away When you're all that I know And I know That I don't want to lose you now

My father forgot to mention it to me when he was alive, that he had European ancestry as well. No wonder in his old age his complexion became much fairer. He did not go outdoors anymore because he could not barely walk. When my sister went to Europe she said that she would pass by a Men's Clothing Line with the brand Ermenegildo Zegna. My name is a Spanish version which is Hermenegildo. H is silent in Spanish i.e. not pronounced. When another sister went to Italy she said that the Italians look like my brother Roberto and I. In Rome, when he was alive he went into class and the professor asked him if he understood English. He chuckled because he was mistaken as an Italian by a fellow Filipino. Just recently, a well-traveled husband of a family friend of my sister-in-law told me at the airport that he perceived me to be Italian. And when other nationalities would see me could not get it correctly, he insisted that I should have told them that I am Italian. Yes, I...

Fiction Mister Ibañez is just waiting for his own sundown. His light had been extinguished a long time ago. Like a fallen leaf into the river he is drifting with the rushing and running flow of the waters. After an expansive waterfalls he is now headed to the ocean. His resting place. He had seen one of his last remaining sunsets. His parents are watching over him as he reached the sea. The salty taste of the water reminded him of breakfast. A piece of a baking creation named in the language of Cervantes as pan de sal or a bread made with a dash of salt. It is all where the streams, the brooks and myriad gushes of water lead to... the ocean. In the final analysis, he wanted to meet The Living Water face to Face at last and be enveloped with Grace and Joy. photo credit: classic_film Kevin Costner, Field of Dreams, 1989 via photopin (license) License: (license)

Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio The world, certainly, does not revolve around me or to any person for that matter. Having written that, allow me to share my story as a writer again if you failed to read my personal history. Just for emphasis. I knew quite young that I had been given the gift or talent for writing. Essentially, I come from a long line of writers in the family. Both my parents were writers and a few of my siblings, then, providentially, the next generation has promising aspiring writers. All in the family. Father Mike mentioned about Millenials as being the people who are prone to the dangers of entitlement. I do hope my nephews and nieces would come to a realization that it is indeed a wonderful gift. Furthermore, I have a natural inclination for a happy disposition about life in al...

photo credit: Grant MacDonald parked via photopin (license) License: (license) A Haiku a day... Keeps the gloomy blues away. -Soul elevated. bob

January 16, 2018, a golden year for you to celebrate. A ballroom party by the bay you chose to share With friends and family brought together by fate; In this blissful town by the sea with abundance of fresh air. Our two little ones growing in wisdom and grace Playing the violin at church lifting music and heart. Most Outstanding and Highest Honors in the academic race In pursuit of excellence for humanity, our contributory part. Eighteen years together, we venture on as a family. You and me, Migara and AB, with passionate intensity, Trying to balance leisure and the bare necessity Seeking meaning and fulfillment for all eternity. Many steps and struggles I take to venture in this my existential sleuth. Alas! In you, I found and am blessed with My Fountain of Youth!

I love great food. Well, that is an understatement. Here, I listed down all the calorie-infused foods and delicacies I stuff myself with in the Gastronomic World of The City of Naga in random order. Some are healthful but a few are definitely not, others are endemic to the City while others are World renowned  i.e. international food chains. 1. Sbarro The Chicago deep dish pizza is undeniably filling to your heart's content. 2. Naga Garden Restaurant The chicken or pork asado mami with toasted siopao are meals to remember. Worth a try and you will be coming back for more. 3. SM At the supermarket, the best seller turon is a must try. It seems to be everyone's favorite. 4. Obscure Crispy Ulo and Crispy Pata restaurant It is along diversion road and it is just, relatively, newly opened. The name even escapes me but the savory tender meat lingers on until now. 5. Obscure Kinalas restaurant I tried it one time with a group of ...