21 April 2006 - Philippine Ambassador to the Hague Romeo A. Arguelles reported to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo that well-known Filipina entrepreneur Loida Nicolas-Lewis arrived in the Netherlands on April 12, 2006 and had the opportunity to meet with members of the Filipino community. Prominent Filipino community leaders, as well as representatives from NGOs and Foundations and members of the Filipino media attended the meeting hosted by Ambassador Arguelles at the Philippine Embassy in The Hague.

Ms. Nicolas-Lewis flew in from Johannesburg, South Africa early that same day. That evening, she headed for Paris, France, to meet with the Filipino community there.

Ms. Nicolas-Lewis is the Chairman and CEO of Beatrice International Holdings, Inc. She is also the chair of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), the organization that will convene this year's Fourth Global Filipino Networking Convention at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki Beach, Hawaii, USA.   Aptly described as "A Gathering of Heroes," the Global Filipino Network Convention is a yearly event that seeks to attract overseas Filipinos from around and encourage them to share business insights, perspectives, ideas and opportunities with fellow countrymen.

In a short address to the community, Ms. Lewis paid tribute to the success of Filipinos who have made the Netherlands their second home. Ms. Lewis also lauded the achievements of many of those present, noting that they have achieved some level of economic status in their adopted country. She encouraged the attendees to participate in the forthcoming convention and challenged them to help establish a united Filipino front to contribute towards the progress and development of the Philippines. END