What to read, watch, and listen to this summer
April 17, 2005 | 12:00am
Bring up the subjects of books, albums and movies, and you will get a variety of reactions from people who have very different favorites. The movie you watched a dozen times is probably something another person walked out of in a theater or fell asleep watching. The book that you read in one sitting probably took somebody a month to finish because he didn’t like it that much. And the album that’s on perpetual repeat in your player? Well, it might be noise to some people. The point is, when it comes to books, movies and music, there’ really no accounting for taste. But you do know which ones are really good – friends recommend them and they want other people to discover them. So, if you find yourself wanting to discover new things this summer, read these personalities’ favorites.
Send your comments and suggestions to monswordsworth@yahoo.com.
JOHN LESACA, musician: I’d recommend the book Index Perpetua by Dr. Edelmundo J. Dipasupil. In spite of his having the debilitating disease ALS, my friend Dr. Dipasupil has devised a perpetual calendar by using one’s hand and remembering a few things.
For movie, I’d say Million Dollar Baby. It is thought-provoking, well written and well acted.
For CD, "The White Album" by the Beatles. It was the first double album ever that featured exciting musical innovations aside from their "Sgt. Pepper’s" album.
RHEA DE VERA, Louis Vuitton brand manager: I’d recommend the book Front Row: Anna Wintour, the Cool Life and Hot Times of Vogue’s Editor in Chief. It’s a fun and engaging read that chronicles the life of one of fashion’s most enigmatic and powerful icons. Often vicious and gossipy, it’s definitely interesting and hard to put down. Also, the book Leadership by Rudolph Giuliani, which is not your standard leadership book. It’s also the autobiography of a fascinating New York icon. He explains his leadership principles through real-life examples of how he used his hands-on management style to turn around New York City.
For CD, it’s the "50 First Dates" soundtrack. It features fun remakes of ‘80s new-wave classics. Perfect for the beach.
For movie, Hitch. It’s charming, sweet, and hilarious; it made me laugh out loud! Definitely a feel-good movie that both men and women will enjoy.
JACQUES DUPASQUIER, businessman: The movie I’d recommend is Hitch, the recent feel-good movie that’s fun to watch, and you come out of the theater feeling like you had a good time and, to top it all, I saw it with a great date!
Book would be Losing My Virginity, Richard Branson’s autobiography. It’s pertinent yet entertaining and easy to read, and in the "business meets autobiography" category that’s rare.
CD would be "The Diary of Alicia Keys." I saw her last year in concert – front row seats (thanks to Francis Lumen) – and became a disciple.
RAUL MANZANO, investment banker: "In Between" album by Jazzanova; the book The Art of the Steal; and the movie The Girl with the Pearl Earring.
JON HERRERA, DJ and entrepreneur: My fave CD is Michael Jackson’s "Off The Wall"; fave book is Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff; and movie, Usual Suspects and Boiler Room.
LUZANNE T. MANLAPIT, Cartier brand manager: I’d recommend the "Mystic Diversions" by Colours; The Alchemist by Paolo Cuelho; and the movie Cinema Paradiso.
TOM VALDERRAMA, brand manager: I’d say Godfather 2; the book Compañero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara by Jorge Castañeda; and the album "God Bless The Child" by Mishka Adams.
ERIK CUA, co-owner, Embassy restaurant: Favorite movie: Love Actually; CD: Hed Kandi Beach House Series; Book: 48 Laws of Power.
HAPPY DAVID, accessories designer and entrepreneur: For CDs, it’s a toss-up between Coldplay’s "Parachutes," which has never left my CD changer since I got the it because it’s comforting, relaxing and the singer doesn’t look so bad, and "Putomayo Presents: World Lounge," which is for the frustrated traveler and it never fails to take you on a sound trip around different cultures.
For books, it’s Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill. Everything makes sense now. As one review puts it, "...it gives this underrated skill (shopping) the respect it deserves." And also The Faith Applied by Jean Daujat. Simple and straightforward, this 161-page book explains to me how a real Christian should live life. Given to me by my teacher, it helps me a lot, most especially during troubled moments.
The movie I’d recommend is Love Actually, which reminds us that the world isn’t such a dire and hateful place and that "love actually is all around." Great cast and soundtrack, too.
MIGUEL PASTOR, architect/writer: The book I’d recommend is The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. This magnificent epic chronicles the lives of Prior Philip and the people of Kingsbridge, a fictional town in medieval England, whose simple dream of building a small church in their town plaza metamorphosed into an obsession: to erect a cathedral. It chronicles all the struggles, conflicts, and trials it entailed. Indeed, nothing is impossible if one believes in a dream no matter how far-fetched and if one is willing to face head-on all the difficulties that arise every step of the dream’s realization. It is truly inspirational and a must-read for history and architecture buffs.
CD would be Rod Stewart’s "Stardust...The Great American Songbook, Vol. III" This rock star can sing! Enjoy listening to the timeless tunes of George and Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, and Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish, as rendered by Stewart in his singularly raspy voice. Can’t wait to hear him live in Manila, soon!
Movie would be Closer, directed by Mike Nichols. It’s not about love but about the games people play – when the basis of their relationship is founded not on love but in lust and sex – lies, deceit, one-upmanship, brutality, selfishness. This is in fact a primer not on love but more on how not to conduct yourself when in a relationship. A cautionary tale, especially in these times when simultaneity and instantaneity, even in love, is the norm rather than the exception, and the distinction between truth and lies is a blur. Not a feel-good movie but provocative in its jaundiced treatment of human relationships.
JOHN LESACA, musician: I’d recommend the book Index Perpetua by Dr. Edelmundo J. Dipasupil. In spite of his having the debilitating disease ALS, my friend Dr. Dipasupil has devised a perpetual calendar by using one’s hand and remembering a few things.
For movie, I’d say Million Dollar Baby. It is thought-provoking, well written and well acted.
For CD, "The White Album" by the Beatles. It was the first double album ever that featured exciting musical innovations aside from their "Sgt. Pepper’s" album.
RHEA DE VERA, Louis Vuitton brand manager: I’d recommend the book Front Row: Anna Wintour, the Cool Life and Hot Times of Vogue’s Editor in Chief. It’s a fun and engaging read that chronicles the life of one of fashion’s most enigmatic and powerful icons. Often vicious and gossipy, it’s definitely interesting and hard to put down. Also, the book Leadership by Rudolph Giuliani, which is not your standard leadership book. It’s also the autobiography of a fascinating New York icon. He explains his leadership principles through real-life examples of how he used his hands-on management style to turn around New York City.
For CD, it’s the "50 First Dates" soundtrack. It features fun remakes of ‘80s new-wave classics. Perfect for the beach.
For movie, Hitch. It’s charming, sweet, and hilarious; it made me laugh out loud! Definitely a feel-good movie that both men and women will enjoy.
JACQUES DUPASQUIER, businessman: The movie I’d recommend is Hitch, the recent feel-good movie that’s fun to watch, and you come out of the theater feeling like you had a good time and, to top it all, I saw it with a great date!
Book would be Losing My Virginity, Richard Branson’s autobiography. It’s pertinent yet entertaining and easy to read, and in the "business meets autobiography" category that’s rare.
CD would be "The Diary of Alicia Keys." I saw her last year in concert – front row seats (thanks to Francis Lumen) – and became a disciple.
RAUL MANZANO, investment banker: "In Between" album by Jazzanova; the book The Art of the Steal; and the movie The Girl with the Pearl Earring.
JON HERRERA, DJ and entrepreneur: My fave CD is Michael Jackson’s "Off The Wall"; fave book is Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff; and movie, Usual Suspects and Boiler Room.
LUZANNE T. MANLAPIT, Cartier brand manager: I’d recommend the "Mystic Diversions" by Colours; The Alchemist by Paolo Cuelho; and the movie Cinema Paradiso.
TOM VALDERRAMA, brand manager: I’d say Godfather 2; the book Compañero: The Life and Death of Che Guevara by Jorge Castañeda; and the album "God Bless The Child" by Mishka Adams.
ERIK CUA, co-owner, Embassy restaurant: Favorite movie: Love Actually; CD: Hed Kandi Beach House Series; Book: 48 Laws of Power.
HAPPY DAVID, accessories designer and entrepreneur: For CDs, it’s a toss-up between Coldplay’s "Parachutes," which has never left my CD changer since I got the it because it’s comforting, relaxing and the singer doesn’t look so bad, and "Putomayo Presents: World Lounge," which is for the frustrated traveler and it never fails to take you on a sound trip around different cultures.
For books, it’s Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill. Everything makes sense now. As one review puts it, "...it gives this underrated skill (shopping) the respect it deserves." And also The Faith Applied by Jean Daujat. Simple and straightforward, this 161-page book explains to me how a real Christian should live life. Given to me by my teacher, it helps me a lot, most especially during troubled moments.
The movie I’d recommend is Love Actually, which reminds us that the world isn’t such a dire and hateful place and that "love actually is all around." Great cast and soundtrack, too.
MIGUEL PASTOR, architect/writer: The book I’d recommend is The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet. This magnificent epic chronicles the lives of Prior Philip and the people of Kingsbridge, a fictional town in medieval England, whose simple dream of building a small church in their town plaza metamorphosed into an obsession: to erect a cathedral. It chronicles all the struggles, conflicts, and trials it entailed. Indeed, nothing is impossible if one believes in a dream no matter how far-fetched and if one is willing to face head-on all the difficulties that arise every step of the dream’s realization. It is truly inspirational and a must-read for history and architecture buffs.
CD would be Rod Stewart’s "Stardust...The Great American Songbook, Vol. III" This rock star can sing! Enjoy listening to the timeless tunes of George and Ira Gershwin, Oscar Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, and Hoagy Carmichael and Mitchell Parish, as rendered by Stewart in his singularly raspy voice. Can’t wait to hear him live in Manila, soon!
Movie would be Closer, directed by Mike Nichols. It’s not about love but about the games people play – when the basis of their relationship is founded not on love but in lust and sex – lies, deceit, one-upmanship, brutality, selfishness. This is in fact a primer not on love but more on how not to conduct yourself when in a relationship. A cautionary tale, especially in these times when simultaneity and instantaneity, even in love, is the norm rather than the exception, and the distinction between truth and lies is a blur. Not a feel-good movie but provocative in its jaundiced treatment of human relationships.
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