Rachel Alejandro loves magic & Harry Potter, Geneva Cruz goes eerie with Hannibal

These two young celebrities both started their showbiz careers at the tender age of 12. Looking at them now in their mid-twenties with more than a decade of life played out in the public eye, I wonder if they would have benefited more from a private childhood. Rachel has often told me that she knew without a doubt at the age of six that she wanted to follow in her Dad’s (Hajji Alejandro) footsteps. In fact, her Dad always took her with him to all his rehearsals and gigs. When he was involved in musicals, Rachel would study all the parts and rehearse with him. Geneva came from the famous Cruz clan. In their musical family, you quit school almost as soon as you were tall enough to join a family band (her father has been a regular of the 747 band). Her life took a different turn when Ryan Cayabyab discovered her for the famous Smokey Mountain group. So as Geneva was crooning to the hit song Kailan and traveling the world with the group, Rachel was dishing out hit after hit locally and eventually reviving her Dad’s original hit Nakapagtataka. These two young divas will join talents and retell their journey on October 25 at the Music Museum. Tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets in selected National Book Stores.

Rachel Alejandro’s Book List

1. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire by J.K. Rowling – My favorite of all the Harry Potter books. It brings out the kid in me who also loves magic.

2. Left Behind Series (1 to 10) by Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins – It is such an ingenious way of sharing the gospel.

3. Queen Of The Damned by Anne Rice gives a fictional account of the history of vampires. It almost makes you believe in their existence.

4. The Books Of Rachel: A Novel by Joel Gross – I loved the whole concept of a family that passed down the name of Rachel from one generation to the other and their unique stories.

5. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff... And It’s All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking over Your Life by Richard Carlson – This book must have been written with me in mind. It is the one self-help book that addresses most if not all of our problems with such simplicity.

Geneva Cruz’s Book List

1. Hannibal by Thomas Harris – It’s eerie and unpredictable.

2. The Leadership Secrets Of Jesus by Mike Murdock – It inspires me to go after my goals.

3. Moments For Mother by Kimberly Snider – It’s practical and inspirational book for Moms.

4. How To Attract Good Luck by A H Z Carr – I find it interesting.

5. Interview With A Vampire by Anne Rice – I thought it was far better than the movie. The way she writes just makes it a lot more exciting.

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The Reading Club recommends W the fashion magazine distributed by Emerald Headway.

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The Reading Club recommends POSSESSION by A.S. Byatt. The movie featuring Gwyneth Paltrow made me want to read the book. I just so enjoyed the way this writer makes you feel these people actually existed.

Hopefully this book is available at all National Book Stores and Powerbooks outlets.

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You can write us your suggestions and comments at readclub@aol.com.