ABC STARS Inspires

That would be Noel and his wife, Cesyl.  Technically, we are both Jameses. He is James the Great. And I am James the Less. We were both named after Saints. He asks the most peculiar things from me. And I always try to make it happen. Being my second critic, he wants me to do more. Because I think he knows I could. He has bragging rights to greet people: "Joyeux Noel!", French for Merry Christmas!

So, it is Christmas. I am reminded by the very first time my nephews and nieces were served breakfast with bread from Atlantic Bakery. They, particularly, love the version of the long French bread, " Le Baguette ". It was during the annual Christmas Season reunion. A long time ago. My European family asked me where bread without sugar could be bought. I was told most of the bread are sweetened and, hence, they are sort of like cakes.  I searched everywhere. Then, only to discover that Atlantic Bakery has them. Thank goodness! The healthful selection of bread that they offer are exceptional. Essentially, for people with diabetes or a predisposition for the aforementioned malady. With such company vision; noble and with utmost concern for their customers, I surmised that it is not an easy feat from a business perspective. And, it made me wonder, how come, the bakery outlets are not using air conditioning units when common sense would suggest that ...

Mango Cheesecake Large Sugar Sweetness level O% (Diabetes runs in the family, so...) And, to go. (Take away or take out.) The Magsaysay Avenue Branch is well-illuminated. The ceiling is, opulently, installed with chandeliers that make it surreal. Almost like a miniature cathedral. Across the entrance window is a ceiling to floor glass wall that lets you see the Basilica. On your left are a few trees and a well-tended garden. There is a balcony overlooking the now widened Avenue. You can see Starbucks and Yellowcab. And, watch the world pass by and enjoy the postcard-perfect view of the Urbanity of The City of Naga. The clientele are mostly rich millenials, the kind you see in the 1990s hit series Beverly Hills 90210. And, yuppies. I feel out of place because I think I may be a tad bit older. So, I just have it to go. I have been going there a LOT of times. They even gave me a loyalty card which I lost, but, it does not matter. I keep g...

boracayphoto credit: Trent Strohm White Beach at Dawn via photopin (license) License: (license) We took a plane from Manila to the island of Aklan. I was with my older brother and our friend. For the first time, I had the opportunity to travel to Boracay. After all these years, and the hype and reputation of Boracay as one of the best islands in the world, finally, I got the chance to see and experience it, we, then, took a boat going to the island. Boracay is divided in sections from the affordable to the upscale: where the celebrities stay. We stayed at a luxury hotel. Boracay was teeming with foreigners of many races. I had the chance to talk with a gorgeous Russian woman.  Boracay is breathtaking. Powdery white sands that are soft to the soles of the feet. And the view is spectacular. photo credit: Chewy Chua super duper yummy prawns via photopin (license) License: (license) Delectable seafood. Absolutely fresh and rich in taste. The other ...

photo credit: arcreyes [-ratamahatta-] King Carlos IV and the Manila Cathedral via photopin (license) License: (license) Intramuros is the walled city of the old Spanish Colonial Empire in Metro Manila. Its grandeur was ruined by war but there has been an ongoing restoration and rebuilding of the ruins but the vestiges due to bombing are left to rubble.  When my sister went to Madrid, Spain, I asked her in sheer curiosity how was Madrid like? She thought for a moment and replied it is quite similar to Intramuros. True enough when I was commuting to work, the TV on the bus showed an action movie produced by a Film company in Hong Kong. And Chinese actors were at their best showcasing Martial Arts. Then, there was an intrepid attempt to make the walled city regarded as Madrid, Spain with a subtitle to boot.  That is normal practice for Movie Makers. Did you know that most Hollywood films that had the Vietnam era as a theme were actually shot here in The...

(L-R: Father Carpio, Atty. Juan Luis Z. Carpio, James Younghusband, and Phil Younghusband) Right after our grade school classes, my younger brother and I, would climb the massive walls of the Cathedral and sit on the wide concrete summit, it was sort of our stadium seat, as we watched football players on the soccer field of the local High School Seminary. One of my older brothers, Jose Marcelino Z. Carpio, went to that school and joined the football team. With sheer dedication, strategy and perseverance he continued his passion for the sport and played at his university. Then, he pursued his dream and became the goalkeeper of the Philippine National Football Team. He was featured in an Asian circulated magazine as one of the greatest football players of the region. Presently, he is contributing to the further development of the sport at the Asian Football Confederation.  Another older brother, Atty. Juan Luis Z. Carpio, is actively promoting the right of ...

photo credit: mykel7873 Diamond Eyes via photopin (license) License: (license) When I was in Kuala Lumpur, there would be chances that I would have conversations with locals and they are all agog about Makati. I felt that it is amazing that they really love that part of Metro Manila. The whole of the business district of Makati is so similar to New York. You would not even think that you are in The Philippines at all. Back in the day, it used to be where I worked at and enjoyed the cityscape. photo credit: Trekpedition.Com Clouds over the Manila city via photopin (license) License: (license) The opulence of Makati and the other high end parts of Metro Manila is a stark contrast to what the world media shows about The Philippines. Generally, it is a peaceful metropolis. It goes without saying that you do have to be street smart. It is also a shopping destination. And it is frenetic 24/7. photo credit: Deortiz Manila, Greenbelt shopping mall ...