Everybody has a story. Each story bears a fascinating reason that explains why the characters are the way they are. I’ve always believed in how our past could mold our present. It doesn’t define our future, but it sure does help us become what we are now.
I love hearing stories with a rags-to-riches, Cinderella plot. Whenever I think of them, one particular story sticks out – and it is my dear friend Vina’s life story.
Vina Lelim-Nacionales is the CEO of Nacionales & Associates, which was founded in 1998. But even before becoming a CEO, Vina’s entrepreneurial skills and survival instincts were already evident as a teenager. Being the second of seven siblings, Vina took it upon herself to help feed her family by selling bread and rice. Her father was a farmer while her my mother was a street vendor. In order for her to finish school, she worked in a sewing company as a secretary and bookkeeper. Her hard work paid off when she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Iloilo in the Philippines.
Despite their hard life, Vina grew more ambitious and driven. She came to America with just $10 in her wallet and took on odd jobs to get by.
Life took a different turn for Vina when she worked for Mrs. Sara Freeman, wife of the former mayor of Beverly Hills, as her private nurse. Soon after, she took Mrs. Freeman into her home (which she later converted into a board and care facility) and took care of her for 12 years.
Within a few years, she became a successful entrepreneur, a licensed state administrator for a residential care facility and a licensed certified nurse of the State of California. She’s also a realtor and a philanthropist. She received several recognitions as a community leader including, Word of Life Giving Ministries Awardee 2012, National Association of Senior Care Awardee 2011, and Excellence in Health Care Services Awardee 2014. She was also recognized by L.A. City Mayor Eric Garcetti, and City of Carson Mayor Jim Dear.
As most people know, Vina is a beauty queen. To name a few accolades, she won Mrs. Asia Classic International 2015, Mrs. Asia Classic International Charity Queen 2015, Mrs. Asia Classic International Popularity Queen 2015 and Mrs. Asia Classic International of Goodwill 2015 – all these titles she won when she represented the Philippines in a beauty pageant in Malaysia. Just last year, she was crowned “Queen of the Philippines – World” by The Beautiful Life Celebration held at the Omni Hotel.
I caught up with Vina some a few days ago and as always, she wears a welcoming smile on her face like the beauty queen that she is. I asked her if she has other plans in the future that she wishes to pursue since it sure looks like she is ready to take on the world.
“I think I’ve done everything already. Working since the age of 17 makes you want to just spend more time traveling and enjoying the years ahead. It’s the one thing I don’t have time for, but wish to do especially now that I just turned 70, “she answered.
It was Vina’s birthday a few weeks ago. A party was thrown in her honor and it’s so unfortunate that I didn’t make it that evening because I was feeling under the weather.
“I see myself retiring soon but I still want to do community service, “Vina added.
Aside from being awarded as an outstanding mother and businesswoman, she has also received the outstanding community leader award, and was given a plaque of appreciation and recognition by the FAPPCA (Filipino American Press Club of California) for her continuous support and service to the Filipino-American community.
With all these achievements, I asked my friend who her greatest influences in life are. “I think one of them is Trump,” she kidded. “But seriously, I admire Oprah and how her life turned out. She inspires me.”
Vina has two children and five grandchildren. Her son Harry is a director of nursing in a large hospital, and is married to Violeta Dasal who is also a nurse. They have three daughters: Cailin, Samantha and Rylee Paige. Vina’s daughter Riza, is a nurse supervisor in a rehab health care and skilled nursing facility, is married to Michael Stanley Ruiz, an MDS Nurse in a skilled facility. They have two kids, Michael Justin ‘MJ’ and Alaiza.
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Monet Lu is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of Monet Salon salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products such as Enlighten, your solution to discoloration . To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com or email him at [email protected]
