It is the life in our years that matters most," she says in one of her columns in this paper.

Within such simple words is the core of the woman who uttered them, and by being true to herself, she has served as a living example of a kind of hero in our times.

For vast as the Centennial Hall of Manila Hotel may have been, it rapidly filled with beautifully dressed people, all eager to offer their congratulations to one Bing Carrion — or "Maria Rosa N. Carrion" in her 45 books, don't you know — who beamed with joy throughout the night of her 45th book's launch.

Resplendent in emerald green, Bing welcomed everyone to her birthday party/book launch, held in a historic hotel, no less, on 12 November.

"My 45th book…is titled Asian Heroes 2022. I personally chose all my 50 heroes for their sterling qualities as remarkable human beings. It took three years to complete this book (2019 to 2022) because the Covid-19 pandemic hit us between our eyes and it disrupted our timelines for photo shoots and interviews of the featured subjects. But the Holy Spirit never left my side and today I am truly jubilant and humbled to be able to launch my 45th book and pay tribute to my chosen Asian heroes," Bing wrote in her Daily Tribune column last week.

Every table was filled, and everyone seemed eager to see each other again after two long years of social distancing. Bing's popularity was evident in all the different groups that came to support her milestone, from family, friends, almost all civic groups one could think of, social, political and diplomatic circles, to business connections spanning decades.

Bing conferred trophies and copies of her book to the awardees present. Special guests Executive Secretary and former Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin and Senator Loren Legarda delivered their messages.

Her children Aristoncito and Aryssa Maria, with their spouses, were there to support the indefatigable Bing Carrion, who proved that life is better lived in action and service.

It was, indeed, a celebration not just of Bing Carrion's 45th book in 24 years, but of a life well-lived. As she said in a previous column, "…it is the life in our years that matter most and what we do with those moments make us fulfilled, happier, and healthier human beings.