by Edrian Banania
Maria E. Luyun, a devoted wife and mother of four from Tuguegarao City, exemplifies perseverance and success. Her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful mompreneur showcases the power of hard work and dedication.
Maria was raised by her grandparents in Labrador, Pangasinan, where financial struggles prevented her from completing her studies. However, they instilled in her the values of faith, perseverance, and courage. Seeking better opportunities, Maria moved to Manila and worked as a storekeeper. It was here she met her husband, Herminigildo Luyun, a tricycle driver from Cagayan. Together, they moved to Tuguegarao City and started a family and a business.
The Birth of Luyun’s Factory
In Tuguegarao City, Maria’s husband began working with his cousin at a local eatery that specialized in Miki, a popular regional noodle. As he gained experience and honed his skills, he also took on extra part-time jobs to further perfect their craft.
Herminigildo Luyun worked at a local eatery specializing in Miki noodles. In 2008, they started their own Miki production business with just a quarter kilo of flour. The noodles they made were introduced to nearby stores and eateries, and the positive response prompted them to expand and grow their business. Their ambition grew after attending a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) seminar, where they received a license and support to establish Luyun’s Miki Factory.
They were also granted valuable support in the form of PHP10,000 worth of flour and baking soda. This assistance was more than just an assistance; it was a turning point that increased their production capacity and set them up for future success.
Empowerment Through Clientship
In 2012, Maria turned to CARD MRI Rizal Bank, Inc. (CARD RBI) for business loans, starting with PHP 3,000 and eventually receiving up to PHP100,000. This financial support helped expand their business, secure their children’s education, and meet family needs. Her husband also became a client, starting with a PHP5,000 loan, later increasing to PHP10,000.
These financial boosts were essential in stabilizing their finances and supporting their shared vision for a successful business.
“Becoming a CARD RBI client is more than just receiving financial support; it’s about unlocking opportunities. From our humble beginnings, I believe it was divine guidance that led us to an institution that not only provided financial assistance but also helped us nurture and grow our business,” Maria said.
The journey to success has not been smooth for Maria and her family. They have encountered their share of hurdles, including tight finances, shortages of raw materials, distribution challenges, and fierce market competition.
Despite life’s challenges, their determination, passion for their business, financial planning, and commitment to maintaining product quality have helped them push through. Even the pandemic, with all its difficulties, couldn’t shake their spirit. Together, they have faced each trial head-on, emerging stronger and more resilient with every challenge they’ve overcome.
Maria and her family faced challenges such as financial struggles, material shortages, and market competition. However, their determination, passion, and financial prudence helped them overcome obstacles. Today, Luyun’s Miki Factory supplies noodles to various stores and eateries in Tuguegarao and beyond, even reaching clients in Manila.
Their success has allowed them to employ six staff, support their children’s education, and expand into new ventures like Zaza’s Food Hub, specializing in Pancit Batil Patung made with their own Miki noodles.
The Luyun’s Miki noodles are available at PHP45.00 per kilo for bulk orders and PHP50.00 for retail, with delivery options to meet customer needs. The Miki factory and Zaza’s Food Hub are located at 36 Bangayan Street, Linao East, Tuguegarao City.
Maria’s journey highlights the importance of perseverance, passion, and smart financial management. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Treat your customers like family and show them kindness—it’s the key to earning their lasting loyalty.”
The Luyun family’s story demonstrates how passion and determination can turn challenges into opportunities and lead to lasting success.
Their business was thriving until typhoon Yolanda struck in 2013. All their products and weaving materials were destroyed, including their home. During this time they received support from NGOs and CARD Bank, a microfinance-oriented rural bank they had been a client since 2011.
“Even before Yolanda struck, CARD Bank supported my business. I frequently applied for loans to add to our capital. After Yolanda, I again utilized my loans to purchase materials and restart,” she said.
They slowly regained their strength to start again, setting up a small hut to display a few handicrafts they made. Fortunately, they found buyers from Manila, Davao, and Cebu. They also seized the opportunity to bring their handicrafts to Manila and participate in trade fairs, further expanding their customer base.
The pandemic in 2020 posed no hindrance to them as orders continued to flow. With her husband by her side, they continued weaving in their small hut until they were able to rebuild a concrete house in 2022.
“We are immensely thankful to CARD Bank because, without the loans they provided, we wouldn’t have been able to sustain our handicraft business. They also opened up greater opportunities for us; now we are suppliers to Mga Likha Ni Inay,” Susana expressed gratefully. MLNI is a member institution of CARD MRI that aims to support microfinance clients in marketing locally made products.
Susana’s coin purses and laptop bags are now available at the Mga Likha Ni Inay store, providing a new way to introduce their product to more customers.
Currently, Susana has an existing loan of PHP 50,000 at CARD Bank, Inc., and plans to apply for a bigger loan in the future to further expand her business.
For Susana, maintaining hope and resilience during uncertain times is crucial. Despite facing numerous challenges in life, she persevered with her dream, and her determination has been rewarded with a thriving venture.
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