Dr. Maria Rosa “Bing” Nieva Carrion, founder and chief executive officer of Seagull Philippines Inc., stood before her audience at the Centennial Hall of The Manila Hotel with a heart full of gratitude as she launched her 47th book, titled “Asian Heroes 2024.”
The new book dives deep into the rich Asian heritage and culture and highlights the profound love she has for people, her country, and humanity as a whole. “I’m so happy that you’re all here. I especially chose all of you because you mean the world to me,” said the author and publisher. “At the end of the day, it’s the people we know, whose lives intertwine with ours, that make us better.”
“It’s really not about me; it’s about honoring my heroes — individuals I’ve personally vetted, people I’ve known for years, whose lives I truly admire. I’ve always believed that everyone has a story waiting to be told.”
Carrion recalled her mother’s words, a piece of advice that has stayed with her: “Remember, God gave you a special gift. It’s a gift that should never be used to write anything negative about people. The power of the written word can never be erased. Always look for the best in people,” she said.
But with Carrion’s heroes, writing their stories has always been a walk in the park. After every interview, she felt elated, thinking, “They are truly incredible.” However, Carrion knows she can’t go overboard. If she writes too much, her work will turn into a tome no one would want to wade through. “I want just the right amount so people can enjoy reading it,” she said with a smile.
But why does Carrion write? Why does she pour her heart into books? “I write because I know that books have the power to shape lives. They inspire others to become better people. Through the stories of these heroes, we learn invaluable lessons,” she explained.
Carrion shared that the Asian Heroes series was born in 2009 when she wrote the first installment. On November 11, 2011, she launched Exemplary Heroes, and in 2013, she wrote about Exemplary Women of Asia. Fast forward to 2022, when she released Asian Heroes 2022, and now, she is introducing the fifth book — Asian Heroes 2024.
One might ask, “Why write about these people?” And Carrion was quick to answer, “We write to keep evil at bay,” to encourage everyone to do good every day, and to build a circle of love, kindness, forgiveness, and compassion that touches lives and changes people for the better.
Carrion also shared her dream of building a Center for Excellence. It will be a six-floor, simple structure, but it will serve as a safe haven for women and girls. The center is designed to broaden their horizons, hone their skills, and help them become economically independent.
For Carrion, it will be a place where a woman can walk in and say, “I want to write like Bing Carrion,” and they’ll teach her the ropes. But here’s the catch — they don’t charge anyone. Instead, they provide training until the individual is proficient, but they also tell them, “You must pay it forward — teach someone else in return.” That’s how they spread the magic of sharing and giving back. That’s Carrion’s dream, and she plans to see it through in 2026.
In closing, she thanked all of her Asian Heroes who attended. “I just want to let you all know that my heart is full to the brim. And I am committed to writing more books. In fact, I already have titles lined up for books 48, 49, and 50. So, that’s my goal: to complete them by 2026.”
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo served as the event’s keynote speaker.
