Loida Nicolas Lewis: ‘I’ll be 80 for the next 10 years’
Variety magazine announced in 2022 plans for a film based on Reginald Lewis’ autobiography, “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?,” capturing his success story. The film would depict Lewis’ extraordinary rise from his Baltimore roots to Harvard Law (where he defied convention), to becoming a Wall Street powerhouse and global entrepreneur, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of financial success as the richest African American in the nation.
The project, which would chronicle his life until his sudden death from a brain tumor at 50, was seeking a director and writer.
Macro Films is behind the project. It has produced prestigious films such as “Judas and the Black Messiah” (2021), for which Daniel Kaluuya won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, and Denzel Washington’s “Fences” (2016), which received multiple Oscar nominations.
Reginald’s Fil-Am widow, Loida Nicolas Lewis, said the film project is still in the pipeline.
Reginald executed the largest offshore leveraged buyout in history at that time, with the acquisition of a food processing and distribution multinational. He transformed TLC Beatrice International Foods into a billion-dollar empire. Loida also commanded significant recognition. Within Filipino business circles in the United States and the Philippines, she enjoys a rock star-like status.
She noted that when Reginald’s autobiography came out in 1993, she toured around the US and Europe to promote the book up until 2023. “I was only in chapter six of Mr. Lewis’ memoir which was cowritten with Blair Walker, the researcher. I needed one more chapter.”
Following Reginald’s death, Loida assumed leadership of TLC Beatrice International as CEO and chair. Navigating a challenging economic climate, she strategically downsized the company, eliminated extraneous expenses, and systematically liquidated its assets. Subsequently, she dedicated herself to philanthropic endeavors, foundation initiatives, engagement with the Democratic Party, and public speaking engagements.
In 2023, Loida came out with her memoir, “Why Should Guys Have All the Fun? An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood, and Running a Billion-Dollar Empire” to celebrate being an octogenarian. Published by Wiley, a prominent American multinational publishing company, the book will go on its fourth printing.
Homecoming
The New York-based Loida came back to her hometown, Sorsogon City, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Lewis College, an educational community born from an unexpected turn of events. Initially, her family had sought to invest in an existing school, but discovered they were purchasing a foreclosed property, a school building with no students.
“We ended up buying the building with no students. We started from zero. The first group was around 300 students. Now we have 2,500 students,” she said.
Her nephew, Francisco Nicolo Nicolas III, the school’s executive vice president, steered the school in the most challenging times. The Lewis College has made great strides. Before the pandemic, it ranked no. 1 in computer science and information technology in the region, beating out Ateneo de Naga and Aquinas University (now University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi). The basketball team was also a champion in the regional meet.
“My college graduates work in Manila, Singapore, and other places,” said Loida. While the school has become self-sustaining, she has contributed to the expansion.
Traveling to the school, Loida noticed a remarkable difference in her hometown’s cleanliness and peace and order compared to 25 years ago. She noted, with admiration, the development of substantial infrastructure and the consistent cleanliness in all the towns.
Bookings, beauty tips
Back in NCR, Loida’s time in the Philippines has been packed. Immediately after arriving from the US, Raymond “Tax Whiz” Abrea, founding chairman of the Asian Consulting Group, hosted a dinner for her with key clients, including business leaders and the press, at Manila House. She also enjoyed a dinner with Women of the World, where she discussed her memoirs in an interview.
Upcoming events include her speech on “Women and the Future of Finance” on March 11 at the Atrium, Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Galleria, and a fireside chat and book presentation on March 16 at Fully Booked on Bonifacio High Street.
Loida expressed pride in being featured in a local online magazine, sharing her perspectives on politics. “Being both Filipino and American, I see that the answers to our current challenges lie with the people themselves,” she explained. “We elect the leaders we get, after all. I can’t fix things here or in the US. Donald Trump was elected, so we suffer.”
She also spoke of a strong speech she gave on US politics to the American Association of the Philippines.
In a Zoom interview with Lifestyle in 2022, Loida was preparing to campaign for the Democrats for the 2024 elections. “Things didn’t go as planned; the Republicans won,” she conceded. “However, the margin between Kamala Harris and Trump was only 1.5 percentage points, compared to Joe Biden’s 4 percentage points. Trump’s campaign focused on migrant policy and the economy.”
This year, she plans to write another book, “Look Younger When You’re Older Without Botox, Fillers, or Surgery.” Asked her age, she replied, “Eighty. You have to read the book to get the tips.”
Didn’t she turn 80 in 2022?
“I’ll be 80 for the next 10 years,” she quipped. Loida believes the secret to beauty is being at peace with the self. “And then, all the other things—moisturizers, spraying your face with water, avoiding the sun, and smiling.”
