By Jovit D. Caballero

Have you ever faced a seemingly small challenge that felt like the end of the road, only to discover it was the very thing that propelled you to victory? What if those misfortunes were not just obstacles, but the very forge that shaped your path to greatness? This is the story of Ma’am Luisa Sta. Ana and how minor setbacks made her into the iconic woman she is today. 

Our 45-year-old Treasury Manager from the Finance Division is the eldest of three children born to a fisherman and an embroiderer. As a self-proclaimed “grandfather’s girl,” Lui never felt any lack of love because her Lolo supported her unconditionally, even in the smallest ways. She can still remember when her shoes were falling apart, and she could not afford a new one; he immediately repaired them just to make sure she had something to wear. Growing up in a small barangay in Bulakan, Bulacan, she has always been aware of her family’s modest socio-economic status. Financial constraints, coupled with her father’s frequent spending on cigarettes and alcohol, often led to arguments between her parents, significantly impacting her emotional well-being during that time. Little did she realize these small fights would eventually lead to a major confrontation she never anticipated. 

On an ordinary day during her 2^nd Grade at Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Elementary School, Lui went straight home after classes. Upon arriving, she noticed her father, younger brother, and their newborn sibling but not her mother. At first, she assumed her mother was out running errands. However, the next day, she was shocked when her mother arrived in a fit of anger, picked up the newborn, packed their bags, and left. Lui vividly remembers that moment when she burst into tears and ran to her aunt for comfort. 

As days went by, it was clear that the incident had taken a toll on Lui, as she ended up failing her exams that week. Worried that the children would continue to be affected, her uncle and aunt decided to arrange a meeting between her parents, acting as mediators to help them understand the impact of their conflicts on their children. Thankfully, the anger had subsided, and her parents agreed to forgive each other and move forward. 

To demonstrate their commitment to doing better, Lui’s parents decided to enroll her in a private high school, believing it would better hone her potential compared to the nearby public school. However, their financial difficulties persisted, forcing them to borrow money from neighbors almost every semester. Despite these challenges, Lui was determined to complete her studies. Standing in line for late enrollment to pay tuition even in the middle of classes and examinations, she persevered, and her hard work paid off as she excelled during her time at Dona Trinidad Mendoza Institute, ultimately graduating with honors. 

As Lui entered her college years, the family understood that they would need to work even harder to support her education. Since her younger brother had already developed some fishing skills and lost interest in school, he willingly sacrificed his high school education to assist their father at sea. With just enough savings, Lui enrolled in a BS Accountancy program at the University of the East Caloocan. Due to her strong family ties and the higher cost of dormitories, she chose to commute daily rather than rent a place near campus. She often marveled at how she managed to endure the long commute every day for four years. 

In 2000, Lui enrolled in a review center for the board exams, determined to become a Certified Public Accountant. However, her parents struggled to come up with the money for her registration fee at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), forcing her to wait until the last day to register. Fortunately, they were able to gather enough for the 600-peso fee and her bus fare. On her way to the PRC, a couple unexpectedly approached her, with the woman accusing Lui of stealing her friend’s wallet. Trusting the strangers due to her innocent and shy nature, and unfamiliar with the ways of the city, Lui handed them her wallet when they asked to inspect it. It was not until she was on a jeepney ride afterward that she realized, to her heartbreak, that she had fallen victim to a scam. 

Without a cellphone at the time, Lui was unsure of what to do or who to contact. As she walked through the PRC, she prayed desperately to find someone who could at least lend her bus fare to get back home, accepting that she might not be able to register on time. Then, as if an angel had been sent to help her, she spotted a college classmate in line — a friend who could lend her not only the bus fare but also the registration fee. When she returned home, Lui broke down in tears as she recounted the story to her parents, knowing how hard it had been to come by that money. To her relief, instead of her expectation of blaming her for what happened, her parents welcomed her with open arms, reminding her that the most important thing was that she made it home safely. 

As she continued her board exam journey, Lui encountered another setback on the second day of the four-day exam week. In a public restroom, she placed her envelope containing all her exam documents near the sink. Unfortunately, another test-taker did the same, and when Lui returned from the cubicle, she realized that someone picked up the wrong envelope. She saw this as a test of her commitment to the path she was on. With no way of finding the person whose documents she had, she entrusted the situation to the Lord. The next day, at her review center, an announcement was made that a girl was searching for her exam documents due to an accidental swap. It was a glimmer of hope for Lui, and she immediately rushed to the girl to exchange their belongings. 

After enduring both minor challenges and major hardships, and after three long days of waiting for the board exam results, she went to the town plaza to buy a newspaper where the list of board exam passers was published. With mixed emotions, she decided to visit the church first, seeking inner peace no matter what the news might be. On her way home, while riding a tricycle, she anxiously flipped through the newspaper and discovered that she had passed. Overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude, she rushed to her parents and especially to her grandfather who is her number one fan and bought every newspaper with her name in it and kept them in his cabinet Together they shed tears of joy, reflecting on all the memories they shared throughout her journey.  

Lui has always been eager to secure a good job and support her family. From 2001 to 2007, she moved from one company to another, never staying more than three years. During this period, she also married her childhood friend in 2004. From Canadian Immigration Consultancy to SM Investment Corp, and eventually to the Jollibee Group, she consistently struggled with the demands of work and longed for better work-life balance. In 2008, she found her stride when she joined the Tollways Management Corporation as a Revenue Accountant. It was here, at NLEX Corporation, that she finally discovered the ideal balance between career growth and personal life. This is why after six years of marriage, the couple decided to have their first child in 2010. Six years later, they were blessed with another child. Motherhood brought Lui a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment.  

From a situation where she was once seen as the least capable, even by her own relatives, to a status where she is now regarded as an icon, Lui has always believed that misfortune is not a roadblock but a forge. Through every challenge, Lui remained firm in her positivity and determination, turning her hardships into steppingstones that led to her legendary rise — a powerful reminder that it is often through the fires of misery that the most enduring icons are crafted. 

---

---