The Difference Is In The Dose - Toronto, Canada.

As a quick highlight: Filipino food is really bad for you (it’s loaded with sodium and sugar, both of which directly contribute to heart disease and diabetes). Comparatively speaking, alcohol is more poisonous for your body than cigarettes (yet, culturally — and through skillful marketing — we are led to believe that alcohol isn’t that bad). Why did I bring those two things up specifically? Because high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cirrhosis of the liver are all extremely common within the Filipino community; all of which are directly related to diet and lifestyle. All of which are also: completely preventable.

Anonymity & Unlocked Doors - Toronto, Canada.

As a practicing photographer for over 10 years now (fun fact: Tara actually taught me how to shoot photography — Wab taught me how to shoot video), it never ceases to amaze me in regards to how much access and anonymity you can get just by holding a camera.

canada, torontoUrvil James VillaruelJune 19, 2025obc, events, event photography

Don't Sleep On Halifax! - Halifax, NS, Canada.

For all you gamers out there, Halifax’s boardwalk kind of reminds me of Final Fantasy 8’s Balamb Town, and is loaded with many great spots to eat, with some of my top recommendations being: The Bicycle Thief and Dave’s Lobsters (home to easily the best Lobster Roll in Halifax—trust me, I tried a bunch!). Though, if you’re in for a bit of a drive, my other top two recommendations in Halifax would be The Canteen and The Knot Pub.

canadaUrvil James VillaruelOctober 16, 2024halifax, travel, travel photography

Petroglyphs Provincial Park - Woodview, ON, Canada.

Located roughly two-hours away from Toronto next to Peterborough in Woodview, Ontario, contains the largest collection of Petroglyphs in North America with carvings dating as far back as 6,000 years ago with newer carvings etched in as early as 600 years ago.

canadaUrvil James VillaruelJuly 15, 2024petroglyphs, travel, travel photography, traveller

Discovering "awe" in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

It’s often been said that spiritually is prodded forth by the revelation of our own mortality, and I have yet to discover another place that makes me feel my own mortality as strongly compared to the Rockies.

Still got it!

It’s been a minute since I’ve had a chance to pull out my sword (er… camera), so when I heard that we needed product shots of some new apparel at work, I jumped at the opportunity; despite it not really being in my portfolio.

toronto, canadaUrvil James VillaruelAugust 26, 2022obc, product photography, clothing

Future Naturopathic Doctor.

I always hear that I wear many hats, but that’s only because you get to see all of the things that I do (Marketer, remember?), but, personally, I think all of the hobbies I partake in pales in comparison to all of the unseen things that Tara Rawana does…

photoshoot, toronto, canadaUrvil James VillaruelApril 25, 2020naturopathic doctor, tara rawana

EMO LIVES!—in Bird Problems...

Taking on creative inspirations from classic bands, this band is what I’d consider to be the “budding” Kendrick Lamar of post-hardcore. Keeping strong to the roots of what once was, they carry the ethos and essence of what the genre once was on their backs.

photography, photoshoot, canadaUrvil James VillaruelFebruary 29, 2020music, musicians

Global Climate Strike, 2019.

Solutions are necessary, but solutions require extensive research, critical thinking and logic. Climate change is very real, that’s undeniable; but what we are going to do about it is still up in the air.

canada, torontoUrvil James VillaruelOctober 2, 2019climate change, global climate strike

Newton Mixed Martial Arts.

I’ve been to many different gyms and practiced many different styles over the years, and I can safely say that (in my experience) quality is an attribute that is hard to come by.

photoshoot, canadaUrvil James VillaruelSeptember 22, 2018martial arts, newton mma, carlos newton, the ronin

The Isle Of Underwater On Flowerpot Island, Canada.

However, to the dismay of most individuals who are afraid of reptiles, garter snakes can be found en masse throughout the entire island when one decides to veer (not-so-far, but still) off the beaten path.

travel, canadaUrvil James VillaruelAugust 23, 2017flowerpot island, snake island, ojibway

Locating "El Dorado" In Hamilton, Canada.

For those seekers wishing to check out the majority of these falls in a single day, good luck trying to fit more than five falls into your schedule!

travel, canadaUrvil James VillaruelJuly 12, 2017waterfalls, hamilton, ontario

Connecting Cool In Montreal, Canada.

Contemporarily, Montreal is highly regarded as "Canada's Cultural Capital," according to Monocle magazine. The region holds a tradition of producing both jazz and rock music, alongside producing many talented artists in the fields of: visual arts, theatre, dance and even mixed martial arts.

travel, canadaUrvil James VillaruelJuly 7, 2017montreal, culture, arts