Jill and the Books Talk

August 8, 2025 7PM, The Theater at Solaire You may cringe but it is what it is. God answers my silly prayers too. I told my sister-in-law: “See, this is why I don’t pray for a husband, Jesus might give me one and I don’t want one.” Then I said to her: “It’s easy for Jesus to heal and give people money just as it was easy for Him to make me win not 1 but 3 tickets. But He doesn’t always heal and give money instantly.” Melissa replied: “Because health and finances require accountability. And each person has a different journey with God.” For 5 years I have been praying to see Hyun Bin in the flesh. I wasn’t dead serious but as a fangirl, there’s always that desire to meet him. I received a message from my dear client about Solaire’s meet and greet with Hyun Bin. I knew then that God had granted my wish. Then the Holy Spirit impressed two names, my best friend Vie and my aunt. So I invited them for lunch at Solaire in Parañaque to get raffle tickets. I also had dinner with my friend Candi...

Have you been a victim of gaslighting and struggled with emotional whiplash? This photo was taken the day I woke up after having 11 hours of deep sleep. It has been months since I’ve had a restful sleep like that. It was truly an awakening when I consulted a psychologist and was told to my face that I have been exhibiting symptoms of stress due to narcissistic abuse. It was early this year that God’s word specifically told me to let go of a friend because we no longer share the same values and I need to protect my circle from narcissistic abuse as well. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate - Mark 6:11 It was a hard pill to swallow but I obeyed. With that came freedom. The guilt of having to let go was a remnant of how my brain was wired to respond to a vulnerable narcissist. One who always plays a victim and gets furious when you set boundaries. It has taken its t...

Contrary to what we were made to currently believe, North Koreans are healthier mentally despite being materially insufficient. Watch Crash Landing on You. That’s more realistic because North Korea albeit under the rule of their Supreme Leader’s family, is slowly evolving and not as secluded as they once were. The famine in the 1990’s truly happened yet surprisingly, some defectors’ reason for leaving their country isn’t because of hunger. They wanted to experience what it’s like to live in a first world country. An Egyptian company provides mobile services to about 3 million subscribers as of 2016? I forgot when this book was actually published. They get to wear blue jeans although it isn’t as widely accepted due to its association to Western culture. They get to watch Hollywood movies with Titanic’s love scene omitted. They wear Lacoste and other western brands too. However, just like any other third world countries like ours, wealth isn’t evenly distributed. Astonishingly, they don’...

While in bed, a question out of nowhere was uttered by a tiny voice. "Akoh, what about your customers? They are sick, right?" Our 4-year old Miranda was concerned about my patients while I was away. And then over the weekend, I heard two tiny voices asking the same question during bedtime. Mira: "Akoh, what if you don’t go back to Manila? Can you just stay here?" Noah: "Akoh, can you not go back to Manila?" With a heavy heart I replied: “I have to go bac k and help my patients heal because they are sick. I promise to be home in November and December. Wait for me ok?” Each time I am about to leave my family behind , I think about the same question. And the answer has always been because God called me for a purpose. Many times I asked God to take me home permanently and even consulted my parents way back 2012 but God had other plans. Obedience to God gives me peace and a sense of fulfillment but I do miss my family terribly.  Praying that this pan...

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.   It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.   Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  Auntie Beth is the epitome of love. She has touched so many lives with her smile, words and actions. She would try her best to help anyone who is in need.  She always prioritizes her family. She would fight for her loved ones. Even in her deathbed, we would see her vital signs increasing whenever one of us would cry.  I still remember the first time I met her. She and Uncle Rudy were just dating back then in the early 1980’s. They brought me to SM Makati and she chose a yellow top and denim skirt for the four year old me. I felt so loved. She treated me and my brother Neil like her own. Whenever she would come home f...

I wondered whether it was the character of Captain Ri or Hyun Bin the Hallyu superstar that I admired the most. In the end, without a shadow of a doubt, it is indeed the versatile actor that I found fascinating after watching most of his K-drama and movies. Mainly because he was not limited to a particular genre or role. He could do stunts on his own. Furthermore, he doesn't need to always be in a rom com to shine.  Here's my take on his major series and roles in the order that I have watched them: K-Drama: 1. Crash Landing on You  Captain Ri Jeong Hyeok's character was flawless. He will make you swoon and fall head over heels in love. Witness his character transition from an uptight military man, to a smitten loverboy to the playful and adorable "little" Hyeoky. He was musically inclined yet had to give up his dreams of becoming a world renowned pianist.  You could feel his desperation in his relentless ways of protecting the love of his life at all costs. Having...