You've seen her several times in news outlets, shows here and abroad. She's absolutely proud to be a Filipino American. She's also a businesswoman, lawyer, and author. One who doesn't hold back when she needs to speak. She just released her third book properly titled "Look Younger When You're Older - No Botox, No Surgery (Philippine Edition)" under Anvil Publishing last December. This is available in leading bookstores (now part of the best sellers list!) including National Bookstore and online shopping apps Shopee and Lazada.
She is in the country for a few days for a book signing event at the National Bookstore Edsa Shangrila Mall branch. Guests were treated to discounts on her new book, prizes, and a short meet and greet with the woman of the hour Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis. She dedicates this third one for her family, specifically her grand kids who keeps her company on regular days.
Mind you, this isn't the first time Atty. Mon Abrea hosted Ms. Loida Lewis after meeting several times in the US. He says "It's an honor and privilege to host Tita Loida when she was here last year, this year, this is her despedida because she's leaving tomorrow for NY. I love her wisdom, and meeting at Harvard, I thought she was very feisty and frank. I got connections to make sure she's going to know me before I left school. We tried online and it didn't work, we both forgot about the zoom meetings. We met at Harvard Club later on for lunch, and joined her activity. I met a lot of successful Filipinos through Tita Loida, and what folks may not know is how generous she is. She introduces you to people, she's a mother, a good friend, and when there are times people lose hope, she's a source for that. We are all privileged to be in the presence of our 80 year old friend, who doesn't look like it, Ms. Loida Nicolas Lewis!"
I asked Ms. Loida about taking a breather at this age and she says "I don't consider waking up in the morning as work, I still work even after selling the company because I as trying to build another one. For me, work is not work if you love what you are doing. When folks ask me when I'll retire, I'd say NEVER. Because there's always work to do. When you rest, you die. That's the real rest. When you're still alive, you do what you LOVE to do. You have to enjoy whatever is in front of you. If you're working, do it good, do it well. Joy is our secret ingredient. When you are Christian, God loves you. My good husband may have left but I'm still here. People should look at the positive side of things, and always say THANK YOU LORD! Don't emphasize the negative things in your life, don't mind the vampires and don't do it to yourself. You deserve better."
Tax Whiz Atty. Mon Abrea
Here's more of our conversation on video:
It's such an awesome experience to talk to Ms. Loida, and I've felt how much care she pours out for others while keeping her cup full. Their outlook, and what good things they do while building their network, not minding their net worth because from their eyes, it will follow. Ms. Loida's book also concentrates not just on physical beauty, but more on spirit. There never will be an end to learning, on having the right mindset, to never think of growing older, maintain that young mind, great goals, and value for oneself. If you want to get a copy of the book, it's available on Shopee and Lazada. I also linked it on the youtube video to make it easy.
The Philippines is set to be the host of the International Tax and
Investment Conference dubbed "FAST FORWARD 2025" aimed to promote ESG
investing in the country. For those who don't know, that stands for
Environmental, Social and Governance, a way to evaluate sustainability
and ethical impact of a company.
The conference will be very
instrumental in this discussion and encouraging more foreign investments
in the country. March 26 will start panel discussions, exhibits on
local products and the ACG Global Awards to recognize champions and
advocates of sustainability. Lead Convenor for this event is Mon Abrea,
the CEO of Asian Consulting Group who's tax reform advocacy has moved
mountains in the region. To date, ACG has over 191 Billion pesos of
savings from BIR cases of their clients. Dr. Bing Limjoco Head of the
Philippine Franchise Association and Franchise Asia will be Vice
Chairman of this event.
The event will also mark the launch of Mon Abrea's newest book "Re-imagining the World Without Climate Change" which includes real world studies of FAST industries who follow ESG principles, proving it can be done. The press conference also was graced by the one and only Madame Loida Lewis, who was given honors before she left for New York. Young entrepreneur and actress Bea Binene also shared why she trusts ACG and how ESG efforts have made her even trust the firm more in managing her tax and businesses to this date.
Here's the press conference in its entirety!
If you want to join FAST FORWARD 2025 you may email them at itic@acg.ph or visit their website itic2025.helixpay.ph if you want to secure a slot to the event.
It was certainly one of the nicest conversations over lunch last week when we got to be in the midst of Tax Whiz Mon Abrea (the Chairman and CEO of Asian Consulting Group) and Jose Magsaysay Jr., a founding member of Association of Filipino Franchisors, Inc. and owner of the country's favorite fries, Potato Corner.
Fresh from the US and his Harvard Kennedy School studies, Mr. Abrea started telling us about how excited he is about the upcoming International Tax Conference in the Philippines entitled BEYOND BORDERS which will be hosted by the Asian Consulting Group (ACG) which he heads. It will be held on the 15th of June 2023 at I'm Hotel in Makati Avenue, Makati City. Issues regarding global taxes, best practices, local and international regulations, policies, it's digitalization will be discussed by esteemed experts and leaders from across the globe. Speakers include those from The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, OECD, Department of Budget and Management and the Senate.
Mr. Magsaysay also shared anecdotes about how he started the very successful Potato Corner and how they also weathered the pandemic. To say the least, his story was really inspiring, including the reason why he's supporting Mr. Abrea and his initiatives.
Mr. Abrea also feels this would be beneficial for those in government institutions, private corporations since it will include third party organization with real concrete data not driven by personalities or politicians. Information about the Philippines will be presented (I heard) without prejudice.
Surely, it'll be interesting to hear about that as well. If you're interested, you may get in touch with them via itc@acg.ph or their contact number 09176278805.