daniella, lisa's daughter
lisa with son J.R., a future chef
I have never met a woman more candid, warm-hearted, thoughtful and hardworking as Lisa.
So candid, I remember that when pagers where still popularly used, I was surprised by the operator’s reply when I tried to leave a message for her.
Legaciesofgoodwill: “I wish to reach mobile unit xxxxxx.”
Operator: “You have reached the mobile unit of Lisa Catalan formerly Gutierrez. May I take your message?”
I was, of course, flabbergasted and laughing the whole day. Who else could possibly do such a thing? Hi hi hi.
Now her life story can definitely be used by Star Cinema, the perfect script for a potential blockbuster film. Her father passed away when she was very young and Lisa has many siblings. So at fourteen she was already a working student, studying high school at Arellano while working at a photo shop in Makati. Barely sixteen, she was already working abroad to help her family, sending money weekly to her mother. Upon her return to the Philippines at age eighteen, she got married and gave birth to a child.
All the more she needed to be enterprising. Lisa was (and is) the epitome of sipag at tiyaga (industry and perseverance), familiar traits currently associated with a “presidentiable.” First, she sold rice cakes door-to-door, then held Tupperware parties to sell plastic wares, then encouraged her clients to purchase insurance policies, and then sold cars! Lisa worked mornings till evenings, gave excellent service, and sold quality products to her clients because she wanted to earn enough money for her family in an honest manner.
Today, the child she gave birth to when she was just a teenager, J.R., is set to graduate from college next year. She also has a daughter, Daniella, in elementary school. Lisa rents an apartment and drives her own car.
She is a Christian, regularly attending service every Sunday morning. She encourages her children to live Christian lives as well. And they do.
Throughout the colorful, exciting events in her life, Lisa never lost faith; she actually grew stronger in time as a person and a believer, drawing strength in God to face each new challenge in the most righteous way she can.
To those interested in acquiring the rights to Lisa’s life story, it’s up for bidding.
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