When I was younger, I always associated the words millionaire and philanthropist with one name: Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis.
Growing up, my mom would often mention her in conversations — not because of wealth, but because of how she chose to give back. My mother’s side of the family traces its roots to Sorsogon, the same province where Atty. Lewis proudly comes from.
She would tell me stories of how Loida Nicolas Lewis would return to the province to help her kababayan, quietly supporting communities long before philanthropy became a buzzword.
So when I learned that she was launching a new book in Manila, I was genuinely excited — not just to attend another book event, but to finally meet in person a woman whose name had lived in our household conversations for decades.
When she walked into the room, the first thought that crossed my mind was simple and honest:
“Is she really 80?”
At one point, she even pointed to herself and said it out loud — This is how 80 should look like–half joking, half declaring truth. It was almost unbelievable. She looked like someone entering her senior years, not someone already in her 80s. The glow, the posture, the energy — none of it felt forced or performative.
So I asked her the question many quietly carry but rarely voice:
What would you say to people who feel it’s already too late to start their wellness journey?
Her answer was immediate.
“It’s never too late. The best time to start looking younger is now.”
She shared how she only began making lifestyle changes when she turned 60 — including gradually reducing rice from her diet. Not all at once, not dramatically. Year by year, she adjusted portions, listening closely to how her body responded.
“Cold turkey was not good,” she said. “So I let my body adjust.”
There were no shortcuts, no extreme rules — only awareness, discipline, and respect for how aging truly works.
And that philosophy — gentle, intentional, realistic — became the foundation of her newest book.
A New Book Rooted in Real Life, Not Shortcuts
Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis recently released her third book, “Look Younger When You’re Older – No Botox, No Surgery (Philippine Edition)”, published by Anvil Publishing and now available nationwide.
The book officially went on sale starting December 1, 2025, through National Book Store branches across the country, as well as online via Shopee and Lazada.
An online book launch was held on December 18, livestreamed through Anvil Publishing and Loida Nicolas Lewis’ official Facebook pages. The event was hosted by Anvil Publishing President Alexandra Ramos-Padilla, giving readers a deeper look into the mindset behind the book.
On January 17, 2026, Atty. Lewis met readers once again during a book signing at National Book Store Shangri-La Plaza Mall, where guests enjoyed exclusive discounts, special giveaways, and a personal meet-and-greet with the author.
Why She Wrote “Look Younger When You’re Older”
The idea for the book emerged while she was on an international promotional tour for her memoir,
“Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood and Running a Billion Dollar Empire.”
During those events — across North America, Europe, and the Philippines — audiences consistently reacted the same way when she revealed her age.
Shock. Curiosity. Disbelief.
People kept asking how she managed to look youthful, stay energetic, and maintain clarity well into her later years. While Q&A sessions allowed only brief answers, she realized there was much more she wanted to share.
That realization became the starting point of her newest book — a personal documentation of the habits, routines, and daily practices that support her physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
True to its subtitle, Atty. Lewis openly states that she has never undergone cosmetic surgery, Botox, fillers, or aesthetic procedures. Instead, her approach centers on intention, mindfulness, consistency, and self-care developed over time.
A Message for the Next Generation
The book is dedicated to her five grandchildren, as well as her grandnieces and grandnephews — a gesture that reflects her hope that lessons on wellness begin early, not late.
She hopes readers — from adolescence to pre-senior years — will take even a few practices from the book and apply them in their own lives.
“This book is for those who are seeking ways to truly give the kind of care to themselves that make for long, healthy, and joyful lives,” she shared.
At its core, the book reframes aging not as decline, but as responsibility — a daily decision to care for one’s body and mind with intention.
Praise from Industry Leaders
Broadcast journalist and UN Ambassador for Women Karen Davila shared her admiration for Atty. Lewis, noting how her presence immediately stands out.
“When you meet Loida Nicolas Lewis, one of the first things you’ll notice — aside from her grace and commanding presence — is how vibrant and youthful she looks. At an age when many quietly retreat from the spotlight, Loida shines brighter than ever.”
She added that the book offers more than beauty advice.
“What she shares is not simply about looking younger, but a philosophy of life rooted in wellness, positivity, and purpose.”
Television host Boy Abunda, known as the country’s “King of Talk,” echoed the sentiment, praising not only her appearance but her character.
“Bravo Loida! Thank you for sharing how to look younger when you’re older — coming from someone who looks beautiful inside and out.”
A Reminder That It’s Never Too Late
As the new year begins, Atty. Loida continues to encourage readers to see aging differently — not as something to fear, but something to prepare for with optimism.
“New year, new you,” she said. “I believe it’s never too late to develop good habits.”
And after hearing her story firsthand — from Sorsogon roots to global leadership, from personal discipline to graceful aging — that message feels less like motivation and more like truth.
Because sometimes, the most powerful reminder doesn’t come from someone young —
but from someone who has lived fully, learned deeply, and still chooses to begin again.
