What we become depends on what we read after all of the professors have finished with us,” said Thomas Carlyle. “The greatest university of all is a collection of books.” We learn from books, we are moved by them, and most often we fall in love with them. They say choosing your favorite book is like being asked to choose your favorite child — it’s impossible to do so — especially if one has a wide collection of books. But here, we pressed our friends to choose their top book and maybe read them ourselves.
Iza Calzado, actress
I am currently reading Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Coz It’s All Small Stuff Anyway by Richard Carlson I really enjoy reading self-help books. So, for now, this is my favorite book until I find something new to feed my mind and soul.
Vina Francisco, corporate VP, human resources
In 1988, just before I relocated to NYC from Chicago, I read Joan Didion’s Slouching Towards Bethelehem, a collection of essays she had written in the 1960s. My favorite one was called “Goodbye to All That” and it was about her love affair with New York City as a young impressionable writer. Twenty-two years later, it has also become my story — my own personal journey of triumphs and tribulations of living in the Big Apple. Thankfully, my story has in many ways turned out better than hers, but her words resonate with me in a way that only someone who has truly lived in New York can ever put down on paper and whose words will mean nothing to those who are merely passing through.
Alexandra Madrigal Eduque, Student, Columbia University, II Barnard College ‘13
It’s hard to choose, but if I had to, it would probably be the one I’ve tirelessly read the most, which is The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I am a fan of romances, and I think this one is a timeless love story I can leisurely read. Every time I read it, I keep discovering new things and little details that I missed in the past, and whenever I’m looking for an easy read, it’s always an option.
Joanne Lorenzana, singer
I really like the book Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian. It’s a real nice guide to a woman — and our Creator, who above all knows us inside and out. The book was written in a very personal fashion by Omartian, who effortlessly cites and parallels situations we women usually find ourselves in. We were created because we have a role in the bigger scheme of things and we were designed to be the “helper” in many ways of man, our household, families. It’s amazing to discover His purpose in our lives and learn to address the issues we face. In my case, on the professional aspect, the meaning and reason for my music. The best part about the book is a short reflection section and prayer at the end of each chapter. And the ultimate source of her inspiration comes from God’s word, which reminds me, I need to pick it up again when I return to the US!
Suzy Santos Aquino, vice president, Chinatrust Philippines Commercial Bank
One of the most entertaining books I have ever read was Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. I love that it has a bit of drama, suspense, romance and enough plot twists that I couldn’t put the book down till I turned the last page. The story of two men, born on opposite ends of fortune, the development of their characters and their fierce rivalry make for a very interesting read.
Toff de Venecia, columnist, writer, marketer
My all-time favorite book is The Giver by Louis Lowry. I never really forgot how haunting and controversial it was — a story set in a seeming utopia that promotes sameness among its citizens. Everything is in black and white. Everything is controlled. Emotions are suppressed. And deviants are literally condemned. I like that the book treads that gray area between virtual reality and the true essence of the human spirit. You realize later on that the beauty of the human spirit truly lies in its imperfection.
Kim Atienza, TV host
Los Versos Del Capitan by Pablo Neruda; these are love poems he wrote for his wife. Another fave is A Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I love magic realism. Makes my mind fly! The book I’m reading now is The Ball Python by Bob and Tracy Baker.
Tony Meloto, Gawad Kalinga advocate
My favorite book is Rizal’s masterpiece, Noli Me Tangere. It is about the romance of patriots, a book of metaphors that defines love of country as intense as Ibarra’s love for Maria Clara; a total giving of self to a suffering people like Sisa’s maternal love for Crispin and Basilio. Noli is my bible at Gawad Kalinga in my search for my soul as a Filipino.
Senator Nene Pimentel
Oca’s Parables & Fables for light reading and Warlord (Churchill At War) by Carlo D’Este for heavy reading.
Cesar Purisima, former Finance secretary
Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. It’s about how little things can make a big difference. It shows how each one of us can play a key role in changing the way things are, including, if I may suggest, the corruption and poverty situation in our country. It can give one hope, even in the face of a persistent issue such as corruption. I strongly believe that if we elect the honest choice for president in May, we may have the tipping point we need in our battle against corruption, which is the primary cause of poverty in our country.
Chito Gascon, director-general, Liberal Party
I have loved books since my youth, and have a growing though modest collection in my study, which I am still struggling to complete reading! While I do have some titles in fiction — and am currently finishing Dan Brown’s latest book, The Lost Symbol — I much prefer non-fiction material and I’m currently engrossed in ‘The Audacity to Win by that master political strategist David Plouffe, who was a key player in the Obama victory in the US presidential elections. Since I am involved in a similar kind of work and advocacy, I am trying to draw some lessons from it for purposes of sustaining a movement for Hope & Change in the context of our very own upcoming national elections.