The 50 Fun Facts

My zodiac sign is Pisces, and born within the year of the Dragon (this is Chinese zodiac; it's a thing here from where I am currently living).

I may be accused of using an alias on my Facebook or Instagram page for security purposes.

I wear prescription glasses due to astigmatism.

I have a pretty annoying allergic rhinitis.

I am Filipino by nationality (with dual citizenship in Spain as extraordinary circumstance), and a holder of permanent residency visa in the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Germany. 

My favorite Italian food are pasta, pizza, tiramisu, and gelato. I also love all kinds of pastries, whether French or otherwise. And the extravagant Charlotte Cake from Canada, Pavlova, and Baked Alaska.

I was an Olympian, playing Archery in the Summer Games and Curling in the Winter.

My favorite novel of all time is Harry Potter.

I have an obssession with gummy bears, breakfast cereals, marshmallows, and banana bread.

My hometowns are Barcelona in Spain, and Nueva Ecija in the Philippines. Probably Munich, too.

I live by the saying, "The more I learn about people, the more I appreciate my dog," from the great Mark Twain himself.

I believe in miracles. I believe in magic. I believe in destiny. And I believe everything happens for a reason.

I think the secret to everything is loyalty, a devotion or commitment to a worthy cause, and consistency in its pursuit.

I guess if life was unfair to you, you have an obligation to be a poet.

Please slap the nearest narcissist for me. Just kidding. Always avoid the battle, but use your head.

For me, those who treat other people with respect is a trait that will never grow old. However, avoid being manipulated. Stupidity is not kindness, so stop dwelling on things that provoke emotion that will make you appear like an idiot.

All of us are born into this world to ignore politicians. But show up during elections to kick some of them out.

I think loving a certain art form (that builds inside our rational soul) is the root of being contented. We are social beings, and it is the beauty inside us that attracts the best people.

I want to fall in love completely with the soul, and not with the face or body, but I guess there are things beyond our control. But when people suddenly mature, they would rather look at the inner beauty and discover what's really important instead of admiring the neon colored sneakers.

There is no excuse for someone abusing you, even if you love them. I think it is perfectly possible to love someone at a distance. Avoid the unnecessary drama that makes you look cheap and rehearsed.

I always maintain that attraction and love are not to be confused with each other. Attraction is physiological and hormonal. Love is a calling of the soul.

Don't let the cruelty of the world harden your heart.

I think life is too short for Heaven not to exist.

It is true that money cannot buy happiness, but it can buy comfort. If you want to make love with the person who makes you happy, by all means, you need some cash to buy a suitable king size bed.

I love fashion so much. I have an insatiable need for branded shoes, smart bands, hoodies, knitted sweatshirts, bow ties, and all sort of exotic and white gold accessories.

My mom always told me that attending school is important, but she also reminded me that it is more vital to find myself and search for that spark within my soul that will make me happy while I was busy learning there. I now realize that my mom is the best and loving insidious plotter out there, that is perhaps the reason why I gradually became a fiction writer.

Mild chilis are okay, but too much of it is already torture.

I am both a "beach and museum" kind of guy.

My favorite word to sometimes use is "sinister."

I have an older twin named Bryan James. He went to Williams College, and did some graduate work in business from the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. I also have a stepbrother who studied the human skeletal system.

I love all kinds of fruits. And apple juice.

Both tea and coffee are morning essentials.

Peanut butter and jelly is a match made in Heaven.

I think "Karma" is the shortened word for the phrase, "You get what you deserve."

The movie, "Angels in the Outfield" was influential in changing my perspective in life.

The best Broadway musical will always be, for me, Avenue Q. (Okay, maybe I am tiny bit biased.) Sesame Street will be equally jealous.

I personally believe, too, that the Wonderful Wizard is, oftentimes, not so wonderful, just as we are not in Kansas anymore. There is no place like home.

I think Bing Bong from the movie, "Inside Out," deserved so much better. But I guess life is always full of disappointments.

Sometimes, I feel alone, even if surrounded by friends, and they are not even imaginary.

Timon and Pumbaa are real bestfriends.

Some of my friends can hear me when I am silent. Some are there for me even for absolutely no reason. Some, unfortunately, stabbed me in the back.

I have read somewhere that plants needed both rain and sunshine to grow, which implies that both positive and negative things that happen to us are unequivocably important in life, so I think we also need to learn how to dance in the rain. As the old saying tells us, "When it rains, it pours."

Through time, I learned this simple truth: Plastic is cheap. This is the same for people.

Blackout curtains are a must.

They say that you need to develop a "thick skin," but even elephants feel pain.

I have a sarcastic sense of humor.

I prefer actual (live) than recorded shows.

This is the saddest lesson in life: "Everyone wants to know the truth, but nobody wants to be honest."

Victory is only for a moment. Soon, the trophies will gather dust. I think it is the fondest memories that are the greatest treasure in life.

It is better to be loved than to be decorated.

I think I have fallen in love with philosophy too much that I became so frustrated in life than what is actually necessary.

Yes, I think you need to buy a luxury item at least once in your life. Everything should be experienced for the first time (except, maybe, extreme amusement rides and the super spicy Korean noodles), and one must create a bucket list.

I love Japanese food and Chinese takeouts. Filipino rice cakes are also the best, in my not-so-humble opinion. (Mango sticky rice from Thailand is an exception to the general rule.)

Pseudonymous Bosch should not have been allowed to get away with everything, especially the callous allegations of bribery.

There are two types of ignorance in the world: the things you didn't know, and the things you think you know.

Please excuse me with all these croc leather bands. I maintain a huge collection of timepieces as a guilty pleasure.

Cross-body bags are a thing. You should definitely try them on.

Best advice I have gotten in management: Correct in private but praise in public. Take accountability for failures but always share the credit when things go well. Integrity is always very important.

And finally, my nickname is Jinno. Not John or Innocent. Just Jinno.