by: Lorna S. Emata
It is truly a dream to meet and get to know a beauty queen. More so if that beauty queen is the holder of 4 awards in one international beauty pageant. I had the honor and pleasure to experience that and it gives me utter joy to share that experience with you, dear readers.
Her name is Vina Lelim Nacionales. She is a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist and CEO of Nacionales & Associates, Inc., now based in the US. Vina recently participated and represented our country at the Classic Mrs. Asia International 2015 beauty pageant held in Malaysia. This pageant is all about married women – young wives, mothers and even grandmothers from Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, India and many more, who come together to share a common purpose: to foster better communication, culture, friendship and mutual understanding among all Asian people. Vina emerged with the title Classic Mrs. Asia International Goodwill, along with 3 other major awards namely Mrs. Charity Queen, Mrs. Popularity and Esteegold Ambassador. She was also among the top 3 Best in Talent. She has undoubtedly brought honor and prestige to our country, following the footsteps of our very own Joyce Penas Pilarsky who was crowned Classic Mrs. Asia International Global in 2014.
Turning back the hands of time, Vina was born and raised in Lambunao, Iloilo. She was the second eldest among 7 children in her family.With humble beginnings, she graduated from the University of Iloilo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Life wasn't easy at that time. She got married and had two children and there came a time when business took a dive. With her family all leaning on her for support, she had to make a pivotal decision to save her loved ones from the clutches of poverty. With the last of the resources that she had at that time, and armed only with courage, faith and determination, she went to the US, in the hopes of turning her life around. Once there, she was faced with numerous challenges and disappointments but these obstacles did not deter her from her goals. Not once did she stop and think about giving up. She was set on rising from the ashes for the sake of her loved ones. She decided to further her education by taking up nursing classes to become a certified home health nurse. The turning point of her life came when she was chosen as the full-time private nurse and personal assistant to the wife of the Mayor of Beverly Hills. Eventually, through sheer hard work, she became a Beverly Hills socialite, earning a name for herself when she started to dedicate her life to the healthcare profession and opened her own healthcare business in Los Angeles, California.
From thereon, everything fell into place for Vina. She also dabbled into real estate, acquiring a number of rental properties along with her own residence in Beverly Hills and a vacation house in Las Vegas.
To date, she has had numerous achievements namely: A licensed State Administrator for a Residential Care Facility (RCPE), Licensed Certified Nurse of the State of California (CAN/HHA); Fil-am Lions Club Member, given numerous certificates of appreciation for her generous support to the club, Rotary Club member of Makati Century City District 3830, Soroptimist International member, Outstanding mother of the Year and Community Civic Leader 2007-2008; Business Woman of the Year Pamana Awardee 2009-2010; National Association of Senior Care Awardee 2011; America’s Mrs. Philippines 2002, Fabulous Woman in Red Awardee 2012; World of Life Giving Ministries Awardee 2012; Hermana Mayor St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 2013; Fil-am Press Club Queen and Celebrity Roastee at the Beverly Hills Country Club 2013; Gawad Award Amerika Awardee in Hollywood 2013; Award of Excellence in Healthcare Services Awardee 2013; Judge, Miss Philippines America 2013; Hermana Mayor St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 2013-2014; Judge, Mrs. New York Philippines Beauty Pageant 2014 and Gawad Award America Awardee 2014; Hermana Mayor Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles; President-Friends of Filipino American Press Club of California (FAPCCA) 2015.
Her two children, Harry and Riza, also have exemplary records like their mom. Harry is the Director of the Nursing Department at a large hospital and is married to Violeta Dasal, who is also a registered nurse. They have three adorable daughters, Callin, Samantha and Rylee Paige. Riza is a Nurse Supervisor at a Rehab Healthcare and Skilled Nursing Facility, and is the wife of Michael Stanley Ruia, an MDS nurse in Skilled Facility. They have two beautiful children, Michael Justin (MJ) and Alaiza.
When I met Vina, she was a vision of beauty, success and radiance. When I got to talk to her, I felt an inner glow of warmth, contentment and compassion. I also saw how she was full of life and love while she talked about herself, her family and future plans. I began to see and understand how she came to be where she is now.
Vina is all excited after winning the crown and for her, this is the ultimate experience that she would keep and treasure for the rest of her life. Fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a queen someday, even if she has achieved it late in life, she says she couldn't ask for more. This beauty pageant completed the color to her almost accomplished life, loving the friendships she gained and quite hating the rigorous training she went through. As for her plans, she wants to put up her own foundation, though she is already active in this field at present. She is also set to leave for Malaysia, ready to tackle her role as Classic Mrs. Asia International Goodwill.
In all these, Vina remains as she is. Carrying all the lessons she learned in life, as well as the prestige and success she is now enjoying, she is still the same person - conservative, passionate, caring and thankful. To her, money is not everything. It is hard work and love for mankind that makes all the difference. For me, this is what makes a true-blooded queen - beautiful inside and out.
Tony Duran/Treats!
Tony Duran/Treats!
