At the October 25th luncheon meeting, Loida Lumanlan, shared her life story during her honest and entertaining off-the-cuff Classification Talk. Evident was her positive personality and her pride in her Filipino Canadian heritage along with her hard work ethic. Through all this she still finds time to smile and enjoy the life she has achieved as a Canadian.
Loida grew up in very poor country where, even as a child, she found ways to earn her own money. Her earliest opportunity at the age of 9 was helping her mother make turon, a popular banana treat rolled in sugar and selling it in the streets. Her mother recognized her talent for sales and realizing the importance of cleanliness, made her an embroidered apron. She then changed her produce to corn which was more lucrative. She was soon invited to professional homes with her wares which were staffed by working nannies which in turn gave her the opportunity to stay and play with the children before returning home. She was only 9, a child herself, so of course she was often late returning home.
Loida arrived in Canada with 3 young children on October 9, 1987, Thanksgiving weekend, a holiday she celebrates fondly every year.
Her first home was short-lived when she and her family were evicted for non-payment of rent. In 1988 Win House became the first home for her and her family. It was there she found schooling, shelter, and family support and her first employment in housekeeping cleaning as many as 15 – 17 rooms a day. Canada provided a haven of part-time opportunities of which she took advantage. These included a deli role at Food for Less, a trial as a product/food promoter at Costco Strathcona and Sherwood Park. This in turn led to Strathcona IGA in Sherwood Park where she became front end manager responsible for hiring/scheduling of managers and cashiers. Her last role was with Sobeys. Next came an opportunity to ‘swim with the sharks’ in real estate sales with REMAX, Sherwood Park/Strathcona in 2000. She is recognized for 22 years in the field which she credits to honesty with customers. A testament to this honesty is that she makes a point of discussing with potential customers, their ability to truly afford the monthly payments associated with the purchase. She genuinely cares for her clients. Through her dedication and hard work, she raised her three children who are now accomplished Engineers (2) and a Psychologist with the Provincial Government.
Loida’s father was a very social small-time politician who greeted everyone with an offer of a cup of coffee. In her own way, Loida inherited his personable manner and genuine interest in people, particularly with her REMAX advertising as the ever popular “Mary Poppins under her umbrella on the two-toned blue SUV seen around Edmonton and Sherwood Park. She is an active member of the Filipino Business Association and supports the community league where she resides. We are proud to say Loida has found the time in her busy schedule to contribute to our Club as an active Rotarian.