What book changed your life?

Growing up, my dad always encouraged us to read books. He has a whole room of books all properly catalogued that can pass as a school library. I would like to share with you the two books that changed my life. The first was given to me by my dad — The Jesuit Guide To Almost Everything by James Martin S.J. and next on my list is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. These two books have kept me company, inspired me and served as my guide. Read on as some personalities share with us the books that made an impact on their own lives, too.

Pinky Marquez Cancio, singer/stage actress

One of the books that has helped me change my life is Love is Letting Go of Fear by Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D. here he writes about ingredients of personal transformation, preparations, lessons and I would summarize the book in this way: “I am responsible for what I am, what I see, I choose the feelings I experience, I decide upon the goal I would like to achieve, and everything that seems to happen to me, I ask for, and receive as I have asked. Teach only love for that is what you are.”

Gel Santos Relos, anchor, Balitang America on The Filipino Channel

I received the book God Calling from Korina Sanchez in 1992 and it was a gift that strengthened my faith at the time I needed it most. I read it along Norman Vincent Peale’s The Power of Positive Thinking. These two books are both reflections on the message of love and faith from the Bible. They instilled in me a positive outlook in life and have made me rooted in my faith in God throughout my life.

Miguel Blardony, businessman

What book? Hmmm, a few actually but the strongest would have to be an old one. Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. And Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki.

Mara dela Rama Poblete, pastry chef

Grandma Rose’s Book of Sinfully Delicious Cakes, Cookies, Pies, Cheese Cakes, Cake Rolls and Pastries by Rose Naftalin. Believe it or not, when I was a child, I would pore over my mom’s collection of cookbooks.  This, in particular, was my favorite. During summers, my mom would strike a deal with me: if I baked something for dessert every day, I would continue to get an allowance. Naftalin’s desserts were by no means easy to follow for an eight-year-old, and I had my fair share of really bad desserts! 

However, the book opened my eyes to the wonderful world of chiffon cakes, seven-minute frosting, ice-box cake, pound cake, cookies, banana cream pie and pineapple upside down cake — so simple but extremely satisfying. It was during those summers of many, many misses and a few hits that I decided, in order to have more hits, I would pursue a culinary education. Sadly, this book is no longer in print. I still leaf through my mom’s copy, which is falling apart, pages yellowed and frayed, yet filled with memories and dreams fulfilled!

Marilu San Juan Martinez

The only book I know that changed my life and still does is the Holy Bible. I don’t consider myself very religious but simply God-fearing. I turn to the Bible when I’m sad, happy, depressed, lonely and need answers to life’s questions.... and so far I always get the right answers and I am placed in the right direction.

Valerie Mayor Sotto, entrepreneur

Embraced By The Light by Betty Eadie. This book is about the near-death experience of the author Betty Eadie. She showed me a new perspective on the afterlife. I learned that death is not something to be feared; rather, it should be viewed as a peaceful and joyous passing to God’s kingdom. Dying is part of God’s plan for all of us and we should be comforted in knowing that when the time comes, happiness and peace await us.

Iya Guingona Lagdameo, entrepreneur

1. What To Expect When You’re Expecting. When I was pregnant, it answered most of the questions I had. It saved me many useless panic attacks and phone calls to my doctor. I knew exactly what was going on with my body.

2. Deceptively Delicious. Given to me by my sister-in-law, it made preparing healthy meals somewhat easier. I don’t use the recipes anymore but it was worth a try! I had fun trying them!

3. A Color Of His Own by Leo Lionni. My daughter’s favorite book. I can recite this in my sleep! We were “reciting” this book for more than a year and I say recite because no more reading was involved. She finally stopped asking for this story a few months back since she is now a “big girl.”

Trish Villanueva, managing director, Butter London

During my high school years in IS, it was Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse and Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet. Both books very much touched me with their spirituality and each made me realize, even then, how to look beyond the surface. Both books inspired me during my high school years. Just recently, it was Florence Scovel Shinn’s, The Game of Life and How to Play It. This book is simply amazing, filled with such optimism that comforts and inspires through the knowledge of spiritual law. This book is very simple, such an easy-read yet so powerful. I absolutely love this book and have given copies to family and friends. All three books are timeless. I still find myself going through their pages whenever I need that inspiration, comfort, or optimism.

Bobbit Suntay, co-founder/managing director, Carewell Foundation, Inc.

The Silent World by Jacques Yves Cousteau. The Silent World is the story of how today’s modern-day scuba equipment was invented. This wonderful book was written by none other than Capt. Jacques Yves Cousteau, co-inventor of the so-called aqualung. The daring experiments and amazing underwater exploits of Capt. Cousteau and his so-called “Menfish” are what helped foster my love for diving and my drive to help others experience and appreciate the beauty of the undersea world. In particular, here in the Philippines, we are so fortunate to have fabulous, world-class dive sites such as the Tubattaha Reefs and Anilao — wherein the Verde Island Passage is the most biodiverse underwater area in the world!