In literature, poetry is unique, offering a window into the soul’s deepest emotions. Kalpesh Desai’s collection of poems titled “Jasmines in Her Hair” delves into human conditions and self-discovery, with evident themes of love and loss. These are timeless themes that have been explored in literature for centuries. The poems and verses navigate through the degrees of love and desire, echoing the sentiments of a new generation seeking connection in an increasingly disconnected world. “Jasmines in Her Hair” captures the earnest longing to connect profoundly, reflecting modern romanticism's empha ..read more

Last March 20, Gresson Peiffer made a visit to SM Aura’s Book Nook to talk about her debut book, Sharing My Light and Healing Energy: Journey to True Self.  Gresson’s book describes her personal journey towards self-discovery, demonstrating the transformative power of understanding our true potential. Through following the guidance of the universe, Gresson uncovered the path to her life's purpose and her authentic self. In this The Write Side of Bookshelf session, Gresson shared insights about her inner child, her connection to the Philippines as a half-Filipina, and the challenges she fa ..read more

Love is a remarkable and powerful feeling that every human being yearns to experience at some point in their lives. It comes in various forms and can be seen in the smile of a stranger, the hustle and bustle of a busy street, a quiet breakfast, or even the innocent words of a child.  The Legend of Tessie Agana teaches us not to let precious moments of love slip away. To delve deeper into the essence of love, the book describes its beautiful faces and how it manifests in various forms. LOVE IS ROMANTIC The first face of love is romantic love, which is often portrayed as sweet and light. H ..read more

When we think about personal growth and development, we typically associate it with ourselves as individuals, the choices and actions we independently make, what we want to pursue, and the things within ourselves that we want to work on. However, we sometimes get too absorbed in our own world when focusing on our own well-being that our good intentions can become selfishness. According to Sharing My Light and Healing Energy: Journey to True Self, we need to remember that focusing on ourselves and making significant changes in our lives does not separate us from our environment. It is equally i ..read more

Discovering your true self sometimes requires navigating the depths of being lost. As children, we embrace life with open hearts and rely on others for guidance in navigating its basics. However, as we age and gain independence, we need to ask ourselves if our choices are driven by our own truth or external pressures. To achieve authentic independence, we must shed societal expectations and influences to find our genuine selves. To truly be ourselves, we must be willing to let go and be lost at least once in our lives. Waiting for external validation may hinder personal growth. Zara Carbonell ..read more

In a deeply heartfelt but fun chikahan episode of The Big Opening with Christian Foremost, Zara Carbonell candidly revealed her practical and insightful journey, aiming to become 'a little more found' amidst the twists and turns of heartbreaks and life challenges in various chapters of her life. Let's delve into Zara's words from the podcast, offering guidance for those on their own paths of soul-searching. In life goals, "Just jump" “Kahit gaano ka scary gagawin ko ‘yan!” Zara revealed that, in order to attain her current state of contentment and find herself in the positive space she occupi ..read more

Navigating adulthood can make one feel quite lost at times. Things are changing, new responsibilities need to be taken care of, and friends are moving on to their own things and you’re left alone, having to fend for yourself. For some, this may feel terrifying. The world that you grew accustomed to is suddenly so much bigger and scarier. It’s normal to need some sort of guide when these feelings arise. Sometimes this guide comes in a book written by someone who's been where you are and who’s found her own way of navigating through that complicated life stage known these days as “adulting”.&nbs ..read more

Childhood is a time of boundless imagination, where dreams take flight and possibilities seem endless. It's during these formative years that young minds shape their aspirations and talents, laying the foundation for their future selves. The power of imagination is not to be underestimated. Research has shown that creativity is closely linked to happiness, making it essential to nurture and encourage the imaginative spirit, especially in our children. According to the book Chairmom, mothers play a pivotal role in fostering their children's imagination. From the very beginning, they are the pri ..read more

Staying positive isn’t always easy.  Life throws challenges in front of us and we need to find ways to face them overcome them and still stay positive.  Leaning on others, our family and friends, is usually the easiest way to find comfort, but we also need to find the strength within us and stay positive even in the most difficult situations. After reading the book Sharing My Light and Healing Energy: Journey to True Self, I learned some valuable lessons from author Gresson Pfeiffer about doing just that, looking inward for comfort, for strength, and for positivity.   Be ..read more

Children are like sponges that soak up knowledge from every corner of their environment. Long before they step into a classroom, their young minds are already absorbing lessons from their parents, families, and interactions with friends. These early experiences serve as the building blocks for their understanding of the world. But learning for children isn't confined to just hands-on experiences; it extends to books and literature. Children's literature plays a pivotal role in shaping their minds and expanding their horizons. It acts as a gateway, introducing them to a world of words, concepts ..read more