'Great Lives, Great Deeds'

VIRTUAL REALITY

- TONY LOPEZ

That is the title of a book I have just written, now being printed, to be launched on Nov. 25, the 23rd anniversary of BizNewsAsia, the Philippines' largest weekly business and news magazine.

I wrote the book last week after Donald J. Trump snared the US presidency. Trump is a convicted felon, 34 counts; had been impeached, twice; had declared bankruptcy, six times; a victim of an assassination attempt, thrice; had molested women, a number of times. Yet, he won by a landslide the US presidency, the most powerful job in the world. Why? Answer: the power of messaging.

So I thought: why not I write about authentic people whose lives and whose deeds have or are making a difference in the lives of Filipinos? My 336-page book profiles no less than 50 people, the greatest and the near great in their respective careers, businesses and professions.

This is my second book. The first, "The Philippines' Best: Tycoons, Taipans, Entrepreneurs," profiled at least 30 people and was sold out, after a huge print run.

"Great Lives, Great Deeds" promises to sell out, at double the print run.

My second book is the best reference on Philippine economic prospects, investments, infra, aviation and the movers and shakers of government and business, spiced with tips and anecdotes by the best, biggest and most visionary of our tycoons, gathered during 55 years of unmatched economic and political reportage, and by one who has been an eyewitness to history's greatest moments and depths.