LAST weekend, I attended the super meeting conducted by the National Lending Corporation. When I arrived at the place in Tukwila, the place was S.R.O. (standing room only). What greeted me outside the meeting room was a long buffet table filled with Vietnamese, Mexican, American and Filipino fare. Of course, there was one whole lechon. Although I was already tempted to start eating, I did my job first. I was there to cover the event.

“Dreams can come true!” Those were the words Hao D. Nguyen uttered and echoed in the room. Nguyen is the President/CEO and founder of National Leading Corporation. He hinges his belief on a simple philosophy: “We truly believe you can never make the kind of money you’d like to make doing the work yourself, but you will make a lot of money if you can create a cause to help people achieve what they really want to achieve.”

Why can’t the average person have financial independence? Why can’t the average person be given the opportunity to own a profitable business? Why are there just a few allowed to benefit from climbing the financial services ladder? When is the ordinary person going to get a break? These are the questions in Nguyen’s mind when he founded National Lending Corporation (NLC) in 1999.

Dissatisfied with the exclusivity of the industry, Nguyen wanted to offer the average person a way to participate in the lucrative mortgage business and experience the kind of success that only the brokers have been enjoying. He believed that to attract and retain the best mortgage consultants in the business, they had to respect the entrepreneurial spirit – everyone wants to own his own business.

His vision is to change the way loan officers are paid. NLC aims to deliver just what most associates are looking for in the organization, that is, an opportunity to build a business within a business with maximum compensation and benefits, a unique building and support system, advanced technology and a nationwide network of brokers that will allow NLC associates to build and expand their businesses across the country.

With this business model, NLC paved the way for its associates to fulfill their dreams. As a result, NLC has positioned itself as an industry leader for the unique way it conducts its business and for its powerful marketing strategies.

Ayan kabayan, bakit di ninyo alamin kung paano kayo matutulungan ng National Lending Corporation. As I looked at the faces of those who attended the meeting, I saw optimism and enthusiasm. Hangad namin na maging matagumpay ang NLC sa kanilang layuning makatulong sa mga nangangailangan.

Kung nasa Pilipinas tayo, it would have been a long weekend from July 1 to 4, 2006. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would have declared Monday, July 3, as a holiday, in connection with the Independence Day celebration on July 4. Ang tawag duon ay “sandwich” day – in between Sunday and a holiday. I remember the Christmas holiday season in Manila with a stretch of non-working days that can begin from December 28 to January 1. Magkakadikit lahat ng holidays (Rizal Day on December 30, New Year’s Eve on the 31st and, depending on the days these holidays fall, sandwich days!) Ang sarap mabuhay sa Pilipinas, kaya lamang mahirap kumita ng pera.

Anyway, let me go back to my topic about July 4, the United States’ Independence Day. As many of us know, the Philippines used to celebrate its Independence Day on July 4. However, it was moved July 4 to June 12 by former President Diosdado Macapagal (the current Philippine president’s dad) who initiated the move. He argued that June 12 was the appropriate date because General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Independence Day in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.

Macapagal believed that the June 12 proclamation of independence from Spain marked the Filipinos’ break from colonial rule, which antedates the American regime. Besides, he said, July 4 smacked of American colonialism, the date being the Independence Day of the United States. On August 4, 1964, Macapagal signed Republic Act No. 4166 prescribing June 12 as Philippine Independence Day. July 4th later became Philippine American Friendship Day.

I hope this brief history enlightens our younger readers who may not be aware that like America, July 4 was initially proclaimed Philippine Independence Day.

OOH MAMI

Finally, I found the mami that I have always wanted to eat. As I write this column, I am still digesting the big bowl of mami I had at the OOH MAMI restaurant on Brooklyn Avenue, Seattle.

I have been to many Filipino and Chinese restaurants in Seattle but I never had a chance to enjoy mami that is very close to the mami served in Manila. The difference is in the noodles. I found the answer in OOH MAMI, “ang nag-iisang mamihan sa Seattle.” They serve the mami with the authentic Manila-type egg noodle – thin and flat. The same kind of noodle is served in Vancouver, Canada.

OOH MAMI is owned and operated by Celestino Sison, Crisma and Lando Castillo. The restaurant also serves Filipino and Asian cuisine. If you want your lunch light, they also serve sandwiches and soup. Bubble tea and espresso are also in the menu. Kabayan, subukan ninyo ang kanilang mami at sasabihin ninyo na I am not telling a lie. To inquire about their business hours, call 206.632.7714.

EUROPEAN TOUR

I am excited by my coming trip to Europe. I am leaving for Italy via London on July 27. My kind and generous host in Milan, Italy will be Mr. and Mrs. Ernie “RR” Padillo. They are the Forex owners in Italy. During my stay in Italy, RR is arranging my interview schedule with the new Consul General in Italy. You will know more about the Consul General in the coming issue of this paper.

From Italy, I will be joining the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) in Aberdeen, Scotland. I will be attending the Aberdeen International Youth Festival from August 2 to 12, and be back in Seattle on August 16. From Seattle, I will proceed to Manila on September 19 to prepare for my much awaited birthday party on October 6. How exciting!