ABC STARS Inspires

Back in the day, my younger brother's core of friends were the 90210 bunch of their batch. I did not meddle with his life at all. I mean as long as he still has ten fingers and ten toes then I am good with that. I joined a rock band. He joined a rock band. I did not join the officer corps training. He did not join the officer corps training. I will not say that he copied me but after years passed. I joined the banking industry. He joined the banking industry. I joined the telecommunications industry. He joined the telecommunications industry. Purely, coincidental I guess.. He joined Accenture then. I joined Accenture then. Other than those, we have nothing in common. He is outgoing and I am reclusive. Being reclusive that I am, people think that I am the youngest. And, people are surprised that I actually exist. I jokingly told my other brother that they hid me all those times. Amusingly, I became the other brother. And ye...

Will I be okay? Harold's eyes began to well up with tears and flowed down his cheeks. Of course, God made sure of it.  Harold wiped away his tears with his grey sweater and asked the young girl talking to him, who are you? I am from the future. I am Mary, your future granddaughter. At 17 years old, Harold found himself in a hospital after a meltdown. Will I be okay? Yes, you will be. Harold rubbed his eyes and stared at the lovely woman in front of him and asked, who are you? I'm from the future. My name is Dianne, your future wife. Then, at 32 years old, Harold found himself walking out of a mental hospital after the Doctor's approval. Will I be okay? Yup. He saw a six year old boy who held his hand as he was walking towards the car where his brother was waiting, and asking the young boy, who are you? Pops, I'm from the future, I am your seventh son. Harold felt reassured. It was like he was loo...

James Z. Carpio, writer My paternal grandparents' bungalow had an upright grand piano. My maternal grandparents' house had a regular piano. That piano on the picture is still alive and playing beautiful music until now. It is our piano at our manor. My late mother was a pianist and she taught my father how to play the piano. And, all 14 of us, she taught the basics of how to play piano music. I covered two piano books. I should have a substantial repertoire but there are only two pieces I can play now. Most of them escaped my memory. I like “La comparsa” and “Malagueña” by Ernesto Lecuona, pieces by Claude Debussy and Ira Gershwin.  Thanks to YouTube, I do not have to wait for my siblings to arrive and play those pieces.  I have them as background music while I write. My day is not complete without listening to piano music... My brother, Pons Carpio, playing a classic on piano. ...

I follow two Men's Style YouTubers, Mr. Antonio Centeno and Mr. Jose Zuniga. Now, I know that I have a cool skin tone. I watched a video how to know so, I had to place my forearm beside a white piece of paper and take a photo of it. The result: my skin showed a pinkish shade. Because of that, I know the colors that best work for me. Colors like green, yellow, brown, blue, white, black, and other pastel colors like pink and orange, but, I do not like those colors though, so, I do not like to wear those shades. The best metal tone for me is silver. The only accessory I wear is a wristwatch. I wear a string necklace, but it is a religious necklace, so, it is not really an accessory. The color of the belt and the shoes has to match. I do not like to wear shirts with word prints. That is more European than American or Asian. Why? When you have your photos taken, people will try to make sense of the sentence on your shirt, and almost always, it is not...

I searched the whole world For places that I belong... – Zürich and Frankfurt photo credit: rtppt O SÁBIO - Imprensa via photopin (license) License: (license)

Even in a room full of strangers I am always thinking. My mind is full of ideas. Mostly, it is good because my focal point and perspective become much clearer. Crystal. A group of people can sometimes become a mob. It is sad when the mob rules. A group of people huddles when there is gossip. When there is someone to talk about. I relish how to be positive and how to spread it around. To make Earth emphatic if not sympathetic. I do not want it to be pathetic. I thrive when I am alone. Most of the time I watch motivational speakers on the Internet. I treasure my alone time. Soon, my family will arrive. I have lots of things to do and prepare. While doing those I am writing. Always writing in my head. Well, that's who I am, it could get difficult but it makes it all the more worthwhile. photo credit: Leni Tuchsen Alone via photopin (license) License: (license)

I love the water. I like walking in the rain. When I used to have my own bike, I loved bicycling in the rain. I feel my soul. My soul cleansed. Enough about that... Well, to be successful in this business you have to categorize comments into two bins. First, the ones going to the trash bin. Second, the ones going to the treasure chest. The latter are what you call constructive criticisms. But, being in this industry for so long I do not really care what other people think of me at all. When, they called me fat as a pig, I exercised and lost weight. When, they called me ugly, I joined a modeling agency. Then, they called me vain, well looking presentable and having proper hygiene is not exactly vain. It is taking good care of yourself. Sometimes I take a look at the person who is giving the Debbie Downer comments. Usually, they are not really worth the time. Simply put, they are insecure. I have met really good looking peo...

Be not afraid of darkness, be bold, and be brave. Accept failures and defeats openly. They will make you better, stronger, and wiser. The more failures you experience the high probability of achievement you will add to your name. In any field, be it in sports, the academe, the arts or other institutions like government and other organizations, the likelihood of success depends on the acceptance of always trying to change a factor to accomplish a favorable result. Patience and perseverance pay off in the end. A soldier mans his post all day or night with watchful eyes and a defensive stance. Never give up because you were born to win. The human spirit is so magnificent and the horizons are so vast for exploration and development. Choose your battles well. A good commander knows when the battle is lost but do not despair because there are more battles that can be won and, ultimately, win the war. Fight for your dreams. They will happen. Success is not for the cold and t...

My Brother dropped me off at the intersection close to Red Platter. I reviewed Red Platter on Trip Advisor, and I gave them a seal of excellence. So, I had a quick breakfast there. Then, I went to a Mall. It is far so I had to get into the "A" loop public transportation. At the men's section of the Mall, I was an American until I spoke, the saleslady heaved a sigh of relief and exclaimed, "I thought you were American." Sometimes locals would be on pins and needles when conversing with foreigners regardless of Nationality. There would be people from Nigeria, Korea, Japan, Australia, Canada, U.S.A. and Europe in general. I decided to buy the eyeglasses without the yellow shade. Then, I bought a watch. The last diary entry I was able to talk to my Publisher/Editor, today I saw my famous Editor of the other newspaper I write for, we conversed for a few seconds. We talked about my next Column. That was it. I saw the American E...

Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio My late brother Antonio was the epitome of generosity. One morning, in a typical rush hour, he was driving and we were caught in a heavy traffic jam. There were a lot of street sellers of all sorts of things; candies, chips, beverages, and other myriad items and products. I saw a man selling a fishing rod. And, I saw a rooster bank, well a version of a piggy bank. And, I saw a toy helicopter. Then, I exclaimed to Antonio, "who in the world would buy those things?" He just kept mum about it. When we reached his condominium unit, then, I entered his bedroom, lo and behold, most of the things being sold on the avenues were all there inside neatly stacked and piled. Unused. I was speechless. Now, I feel so proud of him.

The early misty morning fog and dew Tasted like falling rain waters on my lips I saw a bird standing on the edge of a mirror Wings fluttering, trying to look at its reflection It seemed like it was dancing and singing Chirping happily and flying and hopping I was amused because from a bird's perspective It sees not itself but the image is of another Free and unmindful for fleeting moments Then it sensed my presence and took flight It was flying to the nearby mango tree Then, flew to another tree, penultimately Ultimately it soared the limitless skies And, I was left alone smiling amusingly photo credit: gagilas wagtail via photopin (license) License: (license)

This is where I like to park my brother said. I asked why? Because when we leave it would just be straight ahead. So, we ate in a fancy restaurant. I think it's 1st Colonial Grill, I forget. I'm not good with names. I saw someone famous though, a celebrity. Well, I read somewhere that with celebrities, you just let them be. So, I minded my own business. However, we do write for the same newspaper. Haha. Anyway, my brother and I met with some other people too. Now, that would be private. Sorry. So, loooooooooooooooooooooong gap. And long pause.................................... Okay, we then went to the church that my late brother had built when he was alive as its Parish Priest. It felt surreal and special. Then, later that day I went alone to another grocery just a block away. I saw the fisherman that went to the closed Barber Shop I used to go to... It was really really really awkward. I discussed some matters with my cool...

Do you have Social Media Accounts? Yes. Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Only Linkedin is active. I may try to have a YouTube channel of my own. Are you pure, half American? No. I am 70 percent white. Most dominant genes are Southern European. Will you publish a book? Maybe. What establishments would you recommend in your local city? In Naga City, I would say all because I want everyone to be progressive in their businesses. It would be boring if you would frequent the same places, right? I would say be adventurous. You might just find something in the place you least expect it. How does it feel to belong to a big family? FUN. But, it could get noisy which I don't mind. There is always someone to talk to and family is family. Well, we get along most of the time. Disagreements add spice to life. All in all, I love my family. How does it feel to be mistaken as your brothers? Just three brothers who are also in the public eye. The other...