Loida Nicolas Lewis has long been recognized for her strong political views, often quoted by the Philippine media. But this time, she offers something different—a deeply personal book that carries her own voice and truth. This is the real Loida Nicolas Lewis. She is more than politics; she refuses to be confined by a single narrative. And she believes that every woman has the right to share her true, life-empowering story with the world.
At the book’s highly anticipated media launch at The Studio at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, on March 16, 2025, award-winning broadcast journalist Karen Davila led an intimate discourse with the author. Members of the media, including Kubo Philippine Lifestyle, saw a side of Loida Nicolas Lewis that went beyond politics. What they witnessed was raw honesty, vulnerability, and wisdom from a woman who has lived a remarkable life. An Asian woman with a great American story—a woman who fell in love, got married, embraced motherhood, and ultimately realized that she needed the Lord Jesus Christ to guide her in running a billion-dollar empire.
At first glance, she appeared headstrong, empowered, and relentless in pursuit of success. But the Loida Nicolas Lewis we got to know better that day was also deeply humble. She shared heartfelt advice—not just on surviving marriage, but on truly loving one’s husband. She spoke about standing up for one’s rights without trampling on others, about forgiveness and letting go while understanding when to set boundaries. She also spoke about surviving the loss of the love of her life and how to use time wisely—turning grief into purpose and ensuring every moment is spent meaningfully.
When asked by Karen Davila how she became the person she is today, Loida Nicolas Lewis shared that she grew up with parents who taught her never to look down on others. She was raised with strong Christian values, which shaped her character and beliefs.
She emphasized:
“Don’t say you love God when you are unkind, when you are cruel, when you look down on people—minamata mo ang mga tao. You need to love your neighbor, which is the other side of the coin of loving God. All of that is part of my being.”
“I was born in Sorsogon. I am a Filipina. I am a Christian Catholic. That forms the core of who I am.”
Inside that room, she moved us to tears, taking us on a journey of raw honesty and witty storytelling. She gave us a glimpse into the realities of running a billion-dollar empire and what it truly means to be Filipino-American. She shared how self-value leads to confidence and self-actualization. It was refreshing to hear about her morning ritual—facing the wall, meditating, and praying before tackling the many demands of her day.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
She then reflected on these words, asking herself: Am I patient? Am I kind? Am I free from jealousy? Do I keep a record of wrongs?
By internalizing these questions and applying them to her relationship with her husband, she found peace of mind. This perspective strengthened her marriage and allowed her to fully enjoy her life as a wife.
But her wisdom went beyond success—she also spoke about failure. In her new book, she openly discusses how to confront business failures and, more importantly, how to be honest with oneself when something is not working. She teaches that acknowledging setbacks is not a sign of weakness but a stepping stone toward growth.
This is a woman who has nothing left to prove—only someone fully self-actualized, ready to share, build, and uplift. She represents Filipino-Americans returning home to inspire and encourage generosity. With no-nonsense facts and raw honesty, she won over everyone in the room. She emphasized the importance of giving back—that 10% of what we earn does not belong to us but should be given to a greater cause. She also highlighted the need for stronger Filipino-American organizations to ensure that information is properly distributed so more Filipinos can benefit.
Her new book, Loida Lewis: Why Should Guys Have All the Fun – An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood, and Running a Billion-Dollar Empire, is more than just a memoir—it is a testament to resilience, faith, and reinvention. She shares:
“Growing up, my father had a vision for me—he saw me as a lawyer and politician, while I secretly wanted to become a nun. Expectations were set, but as it turns out, we were both wrong.
“I did end up becoming a lawyer, however. But also a wife, mother, activist, general attorney for the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, and CEO of TLC Beatrice. Mine is a story of having to constantly pivot and adapt. Was I ready to leave my comfortable life in the Philippines to start over in New York? Not really. What did I know about cooking my husband’s favorite dishes? Honestly, nothing. Was I completely prepared to take charge of a billion-dollar company? I had to find out. In coming face to face with these challenges and opportunities, there was one thing I stood by—live authentically. In doing so, I gave in to life’s greatest experiences—love, adventure, the unknown, the unexpected. A path that surprisingly turned out to be better than the expected.”
Kubo Philippine Lifestyle Exclusive
“What if success isn’t about what you earn—but what you give back?”
Get ready for the very first episode of KUBO Conversations: Real Lives, Real Talk—where we go beyond titles and achievements to uncover the heart of what truly matters.
We’re honored to kick this series off with a living legend: Loida Nicolas Lewis—lawyer, businesswoman, philanthropist, and advocate for Filipinos around the world.
From building a billion-dollar empire to giving back to the country that raised her, this conversation will inspire you to redefine what success really means.
Watch the exclusive interview here:
